Judaism, Judeo-Christianity and Anti Judaism in the newly discovered Psalm Homilies by Origen

Origen of Alexandria, as is well known, had close contacts with Jewish scholars and was interested in Jewish interpretations of the Bible. Especially in Caesarea in Palestine, where he spent the last period of his life, he had many opportunities to discuss exegetical problems with rabbis and to use Jewish explanations for his own Biblical exegesis. On the other hand, as a Christian theologian he condemned the Jews and Judaism and argued for the common Christian Anti-Judaism. In the newly discovered Homilies on Psalms (Codex Monacensis graec. 314) there are some interesting traces of both sides of this dilemma. Thus, Origen mentions the Jewish feasts like Pesach, Shavu` ot, Sukkot and Yom Kippur (First Homily on Psalm 73 and First Homily on Psalm 77). For his knowledge about them, however, he relies on the Biblical information about these feasts. As to the Jewish festival practice in his times, he argues for the anti-Jewish Christian conviction that the Jewish feasts are definitely over. The only way to celebrate them is, as he explains, to contemplate on their spiritual meaning and to act ethically according to their deeper and true sense. Therefore, Origen attacks the observance by Christians of the Jewish feasts (Second Homily on Psalm 73). Obviously, Jewish ritual practices like fasting or the use of unleavened bread were quite attractive for some Christians. Origen's main purpose was to explain to his fellow Christians, especially to women whom he criticized quite sharply, why they should refrain from Jewish rituals. It is unclear whether Origen eyed at so-called Jewish Christians like the Ebionites (Second Homily on Psalm 76) or at, Judaizing` members of the Christian community of Caesarea who had relationships or contacts with Jews in their neighborhood or took part in Jewish rituals (First Homily on Psalm 77). Due to the social setting of these homilies, Origen as a preacher attacked Jewish practices among Christians quite heavily, while as a Biblical scholar and exegete he stayed in multiple contact with Jewish colleagues.