Did the Pope Really Step Down from His Faith?

In an interview conducted this week on "Galei Yisrael" radio, Rabbi Yaakov Ades proposed an interesting theory that Pope Benedict XVI retired due to a book he authored on "supernatural attachment." According to Rabbi Ades, the book presented the Pope with an option for achieving supernatural attachment, a spiritual state he lacked as a Christian.

"It's true that initially I took it upon myself not to speak about it without a vow, but in a conversation I unintentionally mentioned it, and since then many have asked me about it. It really is a topic that interests the whole world," said Rabbi Ades in the interview. "Why did he stop suddenly? Understand that for them, it's not seen as a prime minister's role, but a spiritual one. Once he relinquishes it, he forfeits significant spiritual powers and becomes just one in a billion."

Rabbi Ades estimates that the Pope's resignation is a sort of departure from his faith and even a renunciation of Christianity. "Let me put it another way: his announcement to leave is a defiance against Christianity, as if he is saying, 'Christianity is not true, gentlemen, stop going to churches.' That's the literal translation of what he is saying. Initially, he stated he did it due to weakness, but later he mustered the courage to say he's doing it because he wants to achieve better things."

Later in the interview, Rabbi Ades mentioned his book "Dvar Yaakov - Chapters of Thought," which can help a person reach supernatural attachment: "This book was translated into Italian and Rabbi Buchbot from Bnei Brak sent it directly to the Pope. I'm isolated from the world, I don't even know how to send a letter, but he's a great friend, knew how to send it directly to the Pope's hands. On the cover, it's clearly written that this book explains the fundamentals of Judaism, and there are harsh criticisms of Christianity written clearly in black and white. I'm uncertain if there's any book with such severe attacks on Christianity. What was Rabbi Buchbot from Bnei Brak supposed to receive in response? A letter filled with curses. You wouldn't believe it, but the Pope sent him a letter, thanking him for the book. He has learned much from it, and it brings a lot of spirituality, and he hinted in the letter that this book would bring significant spirituality to the world." Weeks passed, and then he resigned. It sounds unrealistic to say it's solely because of this. Aren't there countless books against Christianity? Christianity operates on faith replacing reason, as it is the case with all religions where faith replaces reason, yet in Judaism, faith does not replace reason. This book provides all the answers to the claims that Judaism replaces reason, proving sharply that in Judaism, faith does not replace reason."

According to Rabbi Ades, the Christian Pope tried throughout his life to achieve supernatural attachment, but it eluded him. His book "Chapters of Thought" contains a formula enabling a reader to gain supernatural attachment, even if he is a gentile. This, apparently, influenced the Pope, who according to Rabbi Ades, sought this component in Christianity but could not find it.