The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce) in Rome has organized a course dedicated to Christian and Jewish perspectives on the Ten Commandments, with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of shared values.
Vatican News
The course “One Revelation and Two Traditions: The Ten Commandments and their Jewish and Christian Interpretations” was a collaborative effort between the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and the Isaac Abarbanel University Institute in Buenos Aires. It took place from October 28 to November 7 at the university.
The inspiration of the Pope
“Everything started with the Pope, as it usually does. Everything arose from him,” said Rabbi Ariel Stoffenmacher, rector of the Isaac Abarbanel University Institute, the first Jewish university in South America. “He was very enthusiastic about us and encouraged us to find company in the Catholic Church.”
The University of the Holy Cross is the second Catholic partner of this Judeo-Christian course, after the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Rabbi Stoffenmacher said courses like this one, where Catholic priests learn from rabbis, show the link between the two religions. They said, “We have a father; we are brothers.”
Professor Juan Carlos Ossandón, organizer of the course at the University of Santa Cruz, highlighted the importance of this initiative.
“Both organizing and attending this course have been incredibly positive and enriching experiences. The atmosphere was warm and supportive,” she said.
Taking part in the course was an “enlightening” experience for Silvana Backman, who said it revealed many connections between Christianity and Judaism.
He said: “I liked that instead of focusing on the differences, we were able to find the things that unite us. We all share the same goals; our sources are the same.”
Christian-Jewish dialogue in practice
Throughout the course, participants attended lectures by distinguished experts who examined the Ten Commandments in historical, religious, and cultural contexts.
Rabbi Stoffenmacher presented a Jewish interpretation of the commandments, focusing on their roots in Jewish culture.
Silvina Chemen analyzes the symbolism of the Book of Exodus and the encounter between the chosen people and God, while Iranzu Galdano explores the meaning of Pentecost and its relationship with the Ten Commandments. Filippo Serafini analyzed the structure of the commandments.
The course also included a visit to the Vatican Library, where participants viewed its invaluable collections. He also visited the Synagogue and the Jewish Museum in Rome, where he had the opportunity to participate in Saturday prayers. The group later met for dinner in the Jewish quarter of Rome.
Professor Ossandone said: “Now, every time I walk through those streets, I will come away with a new and more aware understanding of this important ‘piece’ of Roman history.” At the end of the nearly two-week seminar, the focus was on the Dead Sea Scrolls, where Adolfo di Roitman and Joseph Sievers shared insights into the world of Jesus and his disciples illuminated by ancient Qumran texts.
