This post is created out of disbelief regarding the one-sided love of the Christian communities towards Orthodox Jewish communities. I am sure that Christians have good theological reasons why to support Orthodox Jewish communities.However, I think that it is important that people know that it is one-sided.
Let's make it very clear, most Orthodox Jews think of Christians as “Idol worshipers”.
Here are some sources:
1# Rambam – Hilchot Avodah Zarah 9:4 (uncensored manuscripts)
The uncensored manuscripts contain wording identifying Christians with idol worship. Chabad's annotated edition explains:
“This statement appears to label Christianity as the worship of false gods. That view is clearly stated in Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 9:4.”
The original Hebrew manuscripts contain the phrase:
הנוצרים עובדי עבודה זרה הם
Translation:
“The Christians are worshippers of idolatry.”
This wording appears in the uncensored manuscripts discussed by scholars and later editions.
(found in uncensored manuscripts and critical editions of the Mishneh Torah. For centuries, many printed editions in Christian Europe had passages about Christianity altered or removed by censors. Modern scholarly editions often restore these readings based on manuscripts.)
2# Rambam – Commentary on the Mishnah, Avodah Zarah 1:3
In his commentary, Rambam writes (uncensored text):
דע שזאת האומה הנוצרית כולם עובדי עבודה זרה הם
Translation:
“Know that this Christian nation ... are all worshippers of idolatry.”
He continues that their houses of worship are:
בית עבודה זרה בלי ספק
Translation:
“A house of idolatry without any doubt.”
(found in uncensored manuscripts and critical editions of the Mishneh Torah. For centuries, many printed editions in Christian Europe had passages about Christianity altered or removed by censors. Modern scholarly editions often restore these readings based on manuscripts.)
From my personal experience, I can only say that, to the best of my recollection, I have never spoken to an Orthodox Jew who believed that Christianity is not idolatry.
However, there are rabbis who do believe that Christianity is not idolatry. They are, however, a minority. Nonetheless, many Christians are giving money to Orthodox communities while they are generally not really welcome to attend a synagogue service on Friday evening or Saturday. One time (in Europe) a rabbi invited a high profile priest with his entourage but the community was not very happy with this. Even though most of the community was not shomer shabbat. I would have expected a more moderate response from the community but I only heard mocking and vile remarks. Even people that are Jewish according to Jewish law (halacha) but are Christian are being mocked. The general Orthodox Jewish perspective on Christianity can be summarized as follows: their (Christian) theology is not even close to our sophisticated Talmud and Torah study, besides they belief in ridiculous things like the virgin Marry.
I understand, from a historical perspective, that most Jewish families are against Christianity. Look at the forced conversions and all the pogroms that happened against Jewish communities. However, your average Christian is not fully aware of these things and therefore their approach is often very naive.
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