My friend Mark Gerson has long been pushing me to write a column about how "being religious" should be defined first by ethical behavior and only after by ritual observance. Boy was he prophetic.
Unless you've been a space-tourist with Virgin Galactic the past few weeks you will know that on Feb. 1 I will publish "Kosher Jesus," the true story of Jesus' Jewish life -- culled from early Christian and Jewish sources -- that portrays Jesus as a Torah-observant teacher who instructed his followers to keep every letter of the Law, whose teachings quoted extensively from the Bible and rabbinical writings, fought Roman paganism and persecution of the Jewish people, and was killed by Pontius Pilate for his rebellion against Rome, the Jews having had nothing whatsoever to do with his murder.
Though a revolutionary theory, Publisher's Weekly has just glowingly reviewed the book as an "informed and cogent primer on Jesus of Nazareth. ... a brave stab at re-evaluating Jesus through an intensive look at the New Testament and historical documents ... and a well-researched analysis that will certainly reopen intrafaith and interfaith dialogue."
But the book's announcement has led to a vicious assault against me by religious Jewish extremists who have described "Kosher Jesus" as heretical and sure to open Jewish doors to Christian missionaries, even though the book does precisely the opposite by educating both Christians and Jews in the source materials of why Jesus could not have been divine or the Jewish Messiah. The book grants immunity to missionary encroachment.
At the forefront of these attacks has been a Chabad website, COLLIVE, which published a tirade from Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf, Dean of a Chabad day school in Chicago, who demanded that I be publicly condemned and thrown out of Chabad over a book he admitted he had not even seen let alone read (and this man is responsible for educating young minds). My requiest for a right to reply was originally granted but was removed within the hour by COLLIVE editor-in-chief Mica Soffer who wrote, "I removed your response ... [because] its contents were not on par with our editorial standards, being that we are a frum (orthodox) website. Parents do not want their children to be reading a discussion about J[esus] or reading quotes from J! ... It goes without saying that impressionable Jewish children should not be reading about this topic."
Huh? If you're concern is for children, I wrote back, then why did you publish a venomous public assault, rabbi-on-rabbi, especially if you've declared the whole subject of Jesus to be taboo? What on earth did this have to do with a website that for the most part publishes wedding and birth announcements? And is it fair that I get attacked without the right of reply?
Soffer quickly shot back, "You do have a point. Rabbi Wolf's article will be removed." And so it was, for about 12 hours, until Wolfe's tirade was reposted, without Soffer informing her readers of her commitment to remove it, and this time with 209 incendiary comments so severe that some my friends told me to get security and avoid Crown Heights. Soffer followed this e-mail with a public post on COLLIVE where she defended her actions in publishing "the back-and-forth exchange..." as having been done "In the spirit of unity and love for one another, and in consultation with the COLLIVE editorial advisory board -- comprised of a select group of respected rabbis and educators."
Here are some of the comments COLLIVE published about me in "the spirit of unity and love," all overseen by unnamed "rabbis" and for the express purpose of "protect[ing] children":
Why does all this matter? Because a battle is being waged for the soul of Judaism between a lunatic fringe that is slowly encroaching on the mainstream -- as we have seen recently with religious men spitting on little girls in Beit Shemesh, Israel -- and those who believe Judaism must always be informed, educated, open and loving. But the religious middle risks being cowed into submission by the crazies. And I love Judaism in general, and Chabad in particular, too much to ever allow ignorant hate-mongers to overrun it, which is why I have fought back against these hateful attacks. Young Jews, especially in Chabad, are now watching these public threats against me carefully to see what might happen to them if they do something unconventional to spread the light of Judaism. Will they too be ostracized and subject to incendiary incitement and attack -- the fear of which might explain why Chabad, for all its emphasis on "Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge," is not producing the world-class thinkers that were once its hallmark -- or will those who might disagree with them do so respectfully and ethically? The Rebbe especially distinguished himself as a world-class intellectual possessed of encyclopedic scholarship on an endless array of religious and secular subjects which he utilized to bring Jews back to their roots.
It remains to be seen whether the Chabad leadership in Chicago and Crown Heights will distance themselves from these extremists. Because if Chabad -- the most open, loving, devoted and tolerant of all Jewish religious groups -- risks being corrupted by fanatics, then G-d help everyone else.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach was the London Times Preacher of the Year at the Millennium and won the American Jewish Press Associations' Highest Award for Excellence in Commentary. Kosher Jesus will be published February 1st. Follow him on Twitter @RabbiShmuley, or go to www.shmuley.com
Follow Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RabbiShmuley
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Responding to Attacks on 'Kosher Jesus'
New book by U.S. rabbi depicts Jesus as a Jewish patriot - Haaretz ...
Rabbi Wolf's Continued Incitement Over My Kosher Jesus Book ...
Blogger Dan Same wrote, "I try to ignore everything he did after "resurrection". I hear Dan's fear & understand his desire to stay pure, but by 'trying' to ignore, as in this case, we hinder a true, one-on-one relationship with Creator...& likely contaminate our minds with impurity.
Basic ?'s: Do you believe in God? Do you believe God has all power & authority? Does God call us to be strong, courageous, & loving? Would it be logical to ASK God to lead, guide & direct us into all truth...& to build a barrier of protection between us & mistruth?
YHWH is the highest authority, & thru Him the deeper story comes to light...& the beauty of love may be found.
January 2006, "I AM, I AM your Father" heard my cry for help...& desire for truth. That's when He sang His heart, "I gave My Life, My Son for you". Now...& for ever more, i am complete. It is true!! Yahshua is the reigning Lamb of God & will one day be crowned Messiah King. www.twofaithfulbeachbums.com
YHWH's breath is my guide. Holy Father, i seek Your will & Your ways, not mine, Your wisdom alone, for You hold all wisdom (JOB 38-41). Abba Father, please flow that which is Yours, & crush that which is mine.
Who do 'you' say that He is? Why do you call the reigning Lamb of God "Jesus"? Was that His Hebrew name? Are you not His people, His family, as 'He' spoke of you when sending me, "It's too/so very/ripe Late. Go now! Bring/get/¬gather as many to Me as humanly possible by the hand in love. I will wrap Myself around you like a Father. I will veil you with Myself. I will take the first hit upon My own back. Don't forget My people, My family."
How did I meet the holy ONE known immediately as 'Father & Truth'? "I AM, I AM your Father" drew me, "Everything's gonna be alright. Everything's gonna be okay. All We've got to do is put Our hands together, got to work together. Do you hear Me? Do you hear Me, child? Do you hear Me? I AM looking down from out the heavens. I AM calling your name. Can you hear Me? Can you hear Me people? My tears are dry. I am sending you My everything. I have given all I have to give. I gave My Life, My SON for you!!"
www.offthegridmpls.blogspot.com
Yes there is blindness amongst all humankind...and infection in both Judaism & Christianity. Numerous books have been published which expose the contamination which crept in over time. One in particular, EPIDEMIC Examining the Infected Roots of Judaism & Christianity, was written by Russ 'Pappy' Houck, PhD Theology, and is currently available thru our website, www.twofaithfulbeachbums.com. I agree with much, yet am in prayer about other parts. To taste Pappy's book tune in to www.csbnradio.com/reviveamerica & listen to a few episodes of Gotta Talk Table Talk.
Please don't think this response is to sell books, but rather to encourage everyone to seek truth...from the great I AM, the only ONE who knows all truth & holds all wisdom (JOB 38-41). "Seek & ye shall find." "Knock & the door will be opened."
Seekering TRUTH? Seek from the most high God. Do not call anyone father, rabbi, teacher or preacher, but go straight to the throne room of heaven. The great I AM Loves, & He is calling. He desires a relationship with you...not want a routine,...or religion. When we're ready, simply humble yourself, "Ask GOD to draw you to truth, & HE will".
You should take Jesus as your personal savior as you're all ready self-righteous and self-centered enough to be an evangelical squared.
Rome was not a nice Empire, but it hardly persecuted Jews any more than it persecuted Gauls or Egyptians - they were ALL barbarians to the Romans. In point of fact Rome bent over backwards for Jews in some instances. Technically Roman law would have forbidden synagogues under it's anti-secret society legislation but figured out an exemption. Jews were also quite well respected (for barbarians) by the Romans who put much store in ancient traditions, hence the interest many wealthy Romans had for their religion with Romans even donating buildings to be used as synagogues.
It wasn't until the Jewish Revolt and subsequent rebellions fuelled by the ancient Judeans apparent inability to get on with their neighbours that Roman attitudes began to change. Even when Christianity became the official religion it still took time for persecution to really kick in as most of the Empires population remained Pagan for centuries.
I don't know what sort of fantasy you're trying to push here Rabbi, but JC's MAIN target for criticism was the Jewish establishment of the time - the Sanheidrin. In fact, the ONLY time he EVER resorts to violence is against the Jewish money changers. And didn't Pilate 'wash his hands' of JC's conviction, totally confused as to why the Jewish people were so against this poor guy who was simply preaching peace and love? This whole - 'we had nothing to do with it' schtick simply doesn't wash from even a cursory glance though the New Testament Rabbi. It doesn't matter how you spin it.
Oh, and in response to your comment be, nobody said that Muslims hates Christians. Jesus was mentioned in the Koran because Islam post-dates Christianity, unlike Judaism. Incredible.
Seems it's actually your friends who aren't too fond of us. Tell me - how many times does the Talmud mention Jesus, and in what context?
I think you should go back and read Titus 1/14
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." Why Jesus said so?
Before his death Jesus prayed to Yahweh," I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours." John17:9. Why Jesus do not pray for the world?
Will any one call Jesus "Lord:" other than Christians? Can any one other than a Christian saint do miracles in the name of Jesus? Why Jesus says ," Many will say to me , 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Mt.7:23,24)
religion, and the accompanying disagreements, are all symptoms of not going
deep enough (beyond mind and its concepts) into ones own being. When the
oneness that is common to us all is discovered, the need to prove and argue
such points falls away. In its place rises a big belly laugh, a sigh of relief, and
a deep sense of gratitude.