Jesus and Judaism

Blog #6 of Jesus and Judaism
Jesus... a rabbi?

Was Jesus actually an ordained rabbi? According to information gleaned from all Gospel accounts, we must admit the answer is no. But internal sources indicate that he was called "rabbi" in various narrative situations. The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (K.J.V.), shows that the Greek Testament term "rabbi" was translated 9 times into the English word "master" in the four Gospels. In another 7 gospel verses, English translators actually wrote the word "rabbi" where the Hebrew "rabbi" appeared in the gospels.

Some scholars have suggested that Jesus was an itinerant rabbi; which kind of fits the description of one who travels from place to place preaching or teaching the word of God. That description fits Jesus and numerous others mentioned in the New Testament writings. The appearance of 16 examples of the Hebrew term "rabbi" in the four Greek Gospels, indicate clearly a Hebrew language undertext and conversations within New Testament Greek Gospels.
It was not unusual in those days, for honor to be bestowed upon certain persons who travelled and taught the word of God, the honorable title of Rabbi. We find that example in the case of John the Baptist in John 3:26; and they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all (men) come unto him. We have never been told by our leaders, that John the Baptizer was known by the term "rabbi" in both the Greek and English Gospels. Revealing indeed!

Far back in Hebrew Bible times, the term "Rav" had been used to show honor to officials as well. Its noted in names like Rab-Mag, Rab-Saris, and Rab-Shakeh, as found in verses like Jeremiah 39:3, and 2Kings 18:17 (K.J.V.). Those incidents were references to Babylonian and Assyrian princes. Authority figures were given a measure of respect similar to that shown to scholars or teachers. The Hebrew term "rav" means much, many, or more. When the suffix is added to "rav," it become rabbi, and relates to more than me, which of course refers to one who is more than me; my teacher. Throughout the four Gospels, the English translation term "master" has a tendency to cloud the truth about the Greek manuscript use of the term "rabbi."

The Greek New Testament Gospel narratives likewise indicate the term "teacher" (dida-skale), is interchangeable with "rabbi," as found in John 1:38.

These examples do not relate to actual ordination which in Hebrew is called semikhah (laying on of hands). But they reflect the acceptance by the people of God, of authority figures, and leaders who were given sorts of honor. There is biblical evidence in Numbers 27:18 and Numbers 27:23, where Moses laid hands on Joshua, thus establishing his successor. That transfer of authority is similar to the handing down of Torah teachings, as mentioned in Avot 1:1: "Moses received the Torah on Sinai, and handed it down to Joshua; and Joshua to the elders, the elders to the prophets; and the prophets handed it down to the men of the great assembly."

The transmission of truth into Jewish hands is also reflected in the message of Numbers 11:24-25, when Moses and the Lord ordained 70 elders who assisted in developing the nation of Israel. And Moses went out...and gathered the seventy men of the elders of Israel..."And the Lord came down in a cloud... and took of the Spirit that was upon him...and gave it unto the seventy elders." In this case the authority transfer and continuation of teaching, was given by the Lord, and according to Jewish tradition, the Talmud mentions that the seventy elders later ordained others, continuing down to The Second Temple period.

The Spirit that was upon Moses was given also unto the elders of Israel, resting upon them, and they prophesied "without ceasing " round about the Tabernacle. Likewise, two others in the camp named Eldad and Medad prophesied constantly. This shows that others even beyond selection process of the leaders, may be used of God to bring the word of the Lord to His people, and are to be honored as the bearers of His message. Eldad and Medad were not actual prophets or elders; but when it was suggested that they should not continue prophesying, Moses would not permit them to be stopped, rather expressed that he wished all Gods people should be prophets.

Jesus travelled throughout Galilee preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God (heaven), and was honored by his hearers with the title "rabbi." He also appointed and authorized 82 of his chosen students to proclaim his good news that the kingdom of God was at hand. The honor of "rabbi" was bestowed him by thousands who listened and were helped and healed by his message. Not bad for a rabbi, who wasn’t really a rabbi by semikhah standards.

A verse in Acts 10:38 gives specific information about Jesus and his authority: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." The anointing of the Holy Spirit with power was his authorization, and his good works were vindication of a miraculous sort.

In the absence of semikhah, God had issued a message from heaven at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:16-17. This is known in Judaism as a bat kol, or daughter of a voice. " This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." A voice from heaven (bat kol), was understood as a supernatural method of communicating God’s will to men... after the Hebrew prophets had come to an end (see Everyman’s Talmud, page 45, A. Cohen).

If Jesus was chosen of God, anointed of God, declared pleasing to God, and proved to be a doer of mighty works and deeds; then why should he not be honored by men who recognize that from his mouth come the words of God and Moses? Being authorized by the Lord to teach, is a great honor, and is more important than any title bestowed by ones hearers or peers.

Jesus and Judaism-continued

blog #5
Previous blogs regarding Jesus and Judaism have discussed the Sabbath Day, Synagogue, and Circumcision. All of those are Jewish subjects and mentioned to some extent in New Testament source documents with involvement of Jesus. I want to mention another important subject which is Passover Observance as related in Luke 2:41-42. The text says that every year his parents went to the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. We read that his parents observed the “custom,” and that Jesus was 12 years old at the time.

God had commanded Moses in Exodus 23:14: Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year. The next verses reveal that Unleavened Bread/Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Tabernacles were the three. The Hebrew terms are “shalosh regalim,” and in English are named “pilgrim Festivals”. Other names those feasts are known by are Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot.

As a twelve year old boy, Jesus was yet learning and established in the practice of the Jewish religion of his day. He celebrated Passover with his family. In todays world, he would have been approaching the time of a Bar Mitzvah ceremony, and becoming a “son of the commandment.” Alfred Edersheim in his book, the Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, wrote; the legal age in this respect [for Bar Mitzvah] was anticipated by two years or at least by one (see Yoma 82a).

Accepting the yoke of the kingdom of Heaven, and choosing to obey God’s every teaching, was part of the 12 year old eagerness and willingness to become a mature adult. The normal Bar Mitzvah age was 13 years and one day, but Jesus during Passover in the Temple at twelve years of age, sat amidst the didaskalos/teachers, hearing, questioning, and amazing them with answers.

In later years during his ministry, he still observed Passover. Matthew 14:12 mentions a Passover meal wherein his disciples killed the lamb and prepared the meal at a selected guestchamber. It was in a large upper room, and the account tells how they broke and blessed the bread and ate.They also drank from the fruit of the vine, and then sang a hymn (Psalm).

Some Christians call this the “last supper,” but there can be no doubt that it was a celebration of the Passover. It was his last earthly Passover celebration.
The original Passover was intended to memorialize the deliverance of the nation of Israel from Egypt, and it was celebrated once every year at a specified calendar date. It took place during a time when Jews were permitted to eat only unleavened bread for 7 days. Jesus celebrated it every year once a year.

In Mark 14, after his last earthly Passover celebration, Jesus said this in Mark 14:25; Amen I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God. Thus, the twofold celebration of Passover for the Christian is linked to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, and symbolic of Christ’s body and lifegiving blood for the church.

The Church often stresses the second celebration rather than the first, which causes loss of the foundational and original meaning. Parables, symbols, and metaphors, only have real meaning when something is laid alongside a literal truth. A whole nation was delivered from death and bondage, when death skipped over homes where the blood was applied. The Passover message was Israel’s national miracle, just as much as the body and blood of Christ brings life to repentant sinners. We should celebrate what God has done at the Passover meal.

Jesus and Judaism-continuedblog

blog #4

Another indicator of the Jewishness of Jesus, revealing his background and upbringing is recorded by the author of Luke’s Gospel, and concerns the circumcision of the baby Jesus. Circumcision had been established long before the law of Moses had been given at Sinai. In Genesis 17:10, the Lord had appeared unto Abraham saying; This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Genesis 17:12 relates that at the age of 8 days, and throughout generations, every male child of Abraham’s lineage be circumcised. In the Hebrew language the term is berit milah, and literally means covenant cut. The circumcision must take place on the 8TH day, even if it falls on a Sabbath. There is an exception to circumcision, in the case where two family members have died because of excessive bleeding (hemophilia).

Luke 2:21 gives the account of the berit milah of Jesus: And when the eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called [Yeshua], which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb (refer to Matthew 1:20-21).

Jewish boys received a Hebrew name on the day of circumcision, rather than an English transliteration of a Greek word, or a Greek name. A Jew is known by his own Hebrew name and that of his father (X son of Y). In that form he is “called up” to the Reading of the Law in the synagogue.

Jesus and Judaism-continued

Jesus and Judaism
part 3

In Genesis 2:1, it was written that God rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. The seventh day was blessed and hallowed because He had finished creation relative to earth and its needs. God did not rest because He was tired. Isaiah 40:28 teaches us: Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.

So, a special memorial of creation was established by the Lord. A day of rest. Exodus 20:8 picks up the theme; remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. That particular day was hallowed by the Lord Himself. Not only do the ten commandments mention that Gods name is holy, but they also express that a certain day is holy.

Elsewhere, in Exodus 31:16-17, the sabbath is said by the Lord, to be a symbol of His covenant with Israel, throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant. It was said to be a "sign" between God and the children of Israel for ever. Jesus, being raised by a Jewish mother, was well aware of these teachings.

"Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant."

Since the Christian Bible wrote in 1Peter 2:22, that Jesus was sinless, and had no deceit in his mouth, we safely assert that he kept the shabbat, and observed all Jewish laws as handed down by Moses and the elders. What else would we expect of a good and observant Jew?

Jesus and Judaism-continued

Jesus and Judaism-continued

Part 2
It seems difficult for Christian's to hear that the man Jesus never attended church. But when we realize the biblical sources about his life, it's quite clear that he attended a "synagogue." What is a synagogue? It is the normal place of worship for the Jew, since the Temple no longer exists. Yiddish speakers used the term "shul" (school) instead of synagogue. The Greek term "sunago" (Strong's Concordance # 4863), means, to lead together, to collect or convene, which is farther explained as an assemblage of persons.

In a limited sense, it is similar to the Greek term that was rendered "church" (ekklesia), which was used by Christians for their houses of gathering to worship, but was not a reference to the building, rather to the people. Jews do not use the term church to refer to their houses of worship and study.A prophecy by Ezekiel in chapter 11 and verse 16, which mentions the scattering of Israel and inhabitants of Jerusalem far off among the heathen, has strong indication that synagogues or shuls may be "little sanctuaries." Although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.The Hebrew term for little santuaries is l'mikdash me'at. The root for mikdash is the same term used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible for the Holy Tabernacle, when God told Moses and Israel to make for Him a sanctuary that He may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).

Thus, the term "little sanctuary" (KJV Bible), may have prophetic significance in that it relates to synagogues. Judaism has continued despite loss of Temple, or exile of Jews, and although the Temple existed in the time of Jesus, there also existed in Jerusalem about 460 or 480 synagogues, according to exaggerated Jewish traditions (Jer. Kethub. 35c. and Jer. Meg. 73d).If Jesus attended synagogues throughout Israel during his time, when did he attend them?

Our 12 sources in the Christian Gospels clarify that it was on "sabbath" day. But what is sabbath? In Hebrew, the correct transliteration is "shabbat." The word sabbath was taken by English translators from the Greek, rather than the Hebrew sources. Thus the "sh" sound is missing (shabbat/sabbath).
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