Maimonides (Rambam) on Jesus and Mohamed and why G-d has allowed religions they founded to spread
In his Mishneh Torah Maimonides (Rambam) delves into Jesus’ failed attempt to “fulfill the vision” as a would be messiah, speculates on what could be behind G-d’s permitting both Christianity and Islam to take over the world, in particular how G-d may be using these false religions to prepare the world for the true Jewish Messiah and the real redemption of humanity:
“Jesus of Nazareth who aspired to be the Moshiach and was executed by the court was also spoken of in Daniel’s prophecies [Daniel 11:14], “The renegades among your people shall exalt themselves in an attempt to fulfill the vision, but they shall stumble.“
Can there be a greater stumbling block than [Christianity]? All the prophets spoke of Moshiach as the redeemer of Israel and their savior, who would gather their dispersed ones and strengthen their [observance of] the mitzvos. In contrast [the founder of Christianity] caused the Jews to be slain by the sword, their remnants to be scattered and humiliated, the Torah to be altered, and the majority of the world to err and serve a god other than the L-rd.
Nevertheless, the intent of the Creator of the world is not within the power of man to comprehend, for [to paraphrase Yeshayahu 55:8] His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. [Ultimately,] all the deeds of Jesus of Nazareth and that Ishmaelite [i.e. Mohammed] who arose after him will only serve to pave the way for the coming of Moshiach and for the improvement of the entire world, [motivating the nations] to serve G-d together, as it is written [Zephaniah 3:9], “I will make the peoples pure of speech so that they will all call upon the Name of G-d and serve Him with one purpose.
How will this come about? [meaning, in the future, not that the nations which follow these religions already serve G-d] The entire world has already become filled with talk of [the supposed] Messiah, as well as of the Torah and the mitzvos. These matters have been spread among many spiritually insensitive nations, who discuss these matters as well as the mitzvos of the Torah. Some of them [i.e. the Christians] say: “These commandments were true, but are not in force in the present age; they are not applicable for all time.” Others [i.e. the Moslems] say: “Implied in the commandments are hidden concepts that cannot be understood simply; the Messiah has already come and revealed them.”
When the true Messiah king will arise and prove successful, his [position becoming] exalted and uplifted, they will all return and realize that their ancestors endowed them with a false heritage; their prophets and ancestors cause them to err.
Daily Minyan 
If Jesus was a false messiah, then why is there no temple? How can you explain the rising of the Jesus body after death? How can you explain when Jesus said the temple would be destroyed, with no stone left on another (it was a pretty large building) and then the prophesy came true?
Dear Steph… thanks for stopping by. Let see if I can answer your questions in brief:
1. “If Jesus was a false messiah, then why is there no temple?”
Because Romans destroyed it. However, the prophets already foretold that there will be a long time, “many days”, when Israel will live without a Temple, until the coming of the true Messiah:
We also know, again, from the prophets, that one day the Temple will be rebuilt and its services resumed, including sacrifices. In that Temple, the messianic era Jewish king will bring sin sacrifices.
2. “How can you explain the rising of the Jesus body after death?”
It never happened – it’s part of the Christian myth. Is it not convenient that according to the gospels themselves the resurrected Jesus only appeared to the close circle of his disciples? Also, NOBODY, according to the gospels themselves, witnessed the resurrection itself. Also, the book of Luke (written by a non-witness to the events decades later) tells us that when the resurrected Jesus supposedly did appear, the disciples didn’t recognize him as being the man they knew (until he “opened” their eyes) and the Gospel of John tell us that some of his disciples doubted that it was him. So much confusion! Consider how clear and not hidden Moses’ miracles were!
This how most religions got their start – only the select few saw the “visions” and the “miracles” (look up Mormonism, for example, and consider that many Mormons, including the founder, died for their faith). Why not appear to the people who executed him, or to the rest of Israel? Why let the “in crowd” to see “proofs”, while accusing others of disbelieving? Compare it to the great miracles that Moses performed before both Israelites and the Egyptians to confirm his legitimacy.
3. “How can you explain when Jesus said the temple would be destroyed, with no stone left on another (it was a pretty large building) and then the prophesy came true?”
Who wrote down those words of Jesus? Certainly not Jesus. We know that all gospels were written many decades later, and not even by his immediate disciples, but anonymously. (Mark, for example, was not one of Jesus’ disciples and Luke admits that he was simply recording the stories he gathered). Matthew takes most of Mark almost verbatim and simply adds his own stuff. Most scholars agree that John was written close to the end of first century. Also, there is evidence of interpolations and later edits by the church.
We know that Paul’s writings were written before the gospels. With that in mind, consider this example of later addition by the church scribes. Here, decades before Rome sacked Jerusalem and before the destruction of the Temple and dispersion of the Jewish people, Paul is speaking in past tense as if Jews were “already” punished by G-d for their rejection of Jesus:
What wrath were these Jews experiencing in Paul’s day? Paul died years before the Temple was destroyed. For this reason, many NT scholars believe that the above calumny in Thessalonians was a later addition by antisemitic church scribes.
I’m Pennsylvania Dutch and my next-door neighbor was Jewish. We were talking about the Messiah one day, and after I had explained the Christian teaching, he said, in his wonderful New York accent, “Look, I don’t understand the whole thing, but I can tell you this: When Moshiach comes, I am going to ask him, ‘Is this your foyst or second visit?'”
I laughed till I had tears in my eyes.
John, I think that the whole question about Messiah’s identify obscures a far more grave problem that Jews and their fellow monotheistic Gentiles have with Christianity, and that is Christianity’s worship of a mere mortal man (Jesus) as god, which is idolatry and certainly no laughing matter. The Hebrew Bible describes that shame that all the nations will feel when their idolatry is finally exposed.
I’m loosing it. I feel I speak in an other language when it comes to messiah. And it’s me who sees nothing (according to my messianic friends and family). Man, supposedly I find excuses and don’t want to open my !#$@ eyes. Supposedly, Jesus was a king, gimmy a break. “My kingdom is not of this world”. But that’s not enough, he is the great Gazoo in the sky, and that’s a proof that he is the Messiah? He was born in Betlehem, was he ever a ruler? Yes, for sure, he rules over Satan in the 5th heaven or somewhere nobody can see. But again I am blind and for the unbeliever everything is impure, and that’s me! because I have demons and I am a pagan!
Remi…. What does the NT say about a prophet not being accepted in his own town and by his own:)?
Indeed, Yeshua is just repeating the facts– so, including with Moses and going forward, how many prophets were not persecuted or even killed?
Given this history of persecution, and knowing He Himself would be put to death by His own kinsmen at the hands of the Romans, why did Yeshua weep over His brethren saying,
Ω “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes” [Luke 19:41-42]
And earlier Luke records Yeshua likewise deeply hurt by rejection,
Ω “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” [Luke 13:34]
Perhaps I am missing something– but does not these words of Yeshua sound like someone who truly loves the children of Abraham?
I like John’s story — it gave me a chuckle. His neighbor was telling him in a good humored and diplomatic way that he doesn’t believe Jesus was the messiah. That much he knew for sure, but he didn’t want to get into a protracted theological debate that would likely go on and on without resolution (like what we experience with Kavi). “Agree to disagree” is an excellent way to keep good neighborly relations.
” “Agree to disagree” is an excellent way to keep good neighborly relations.”
Absolutely, Jim. These days, in my offline relationships I live and let be. The only time I talk to Christian neighbors and friends about theology or my Judaism is when they ask my opinion directly… which actually happens a lot, because it seems that a lot of people are fed up with BS:)
What grinds my gears is this. If Christians have their experiential and cultural reasons to believe in Jesus, then fine, live and let live. However, Christians really need to see that Judaism and Jews have valid and vital information to contribute to Christianity as a religion.
Christians have no idea just how much a deeper knowledge of Judaism’s ORAL TRADITIONS could actually enrich their own traditional understanding of Jesus’ words. Why for example, did Jesus wear phylacteries (tzittzit?) Why does he rip on the Pharisees, but then also declare that “they sit on Moses’ seat?”
How does Jesus’ proof to the Sadducees for the legitimacy of the resurrection doctrine in Mathew 22 make any sense on the basis of the Tanakh’s texts alone?
The Sadducees use the scriptural laws of levirate marriage (Yibum) to ask, “which wife will a man be with in the ressurection?” Jesus responds with a homiletic explanation by saying, “people will not be given in marriage for they shall be like the Angels!” Where does this homiletical assumption of Jesus’ spring from based on the canonical Jewish halachic scripture alone?
Jesus then says, “have you not seen what is written, “I am the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, G-d is therefore the G-d of the living and not of the dead.” How is this not an eisogetical reasoning on Jesus’ part?
Any rabbi will know the source of Jesus’ homily regarding the patriarchs’ unique status as “living,” because it is almost identical to what is found in the midrashim regarding Jacob, namely, the dictum: “Jacob our father did not die.” Jesus is using the same exact style and form of rabbinic argument found in the Talmud and midrash to prove that the doctrine of the resurrection comes from G-d. Yet, the Christians are always demeaning Judaism for the oral Torah? Jesus’ entire messianic self understanding is NOT based on anything but orally derived traditional assumptions/speculations, and on how Jesus uniquely interpreted these common Pharisaic assumptions and aggadic traditions. Without Aggadah, there could be no Christian messiah. How do they miss this?
There’s a book waiting for you to write, CR..
CR, you believe in the “Jewish” Jesus, I believe in the European one… Blond hair, blue eyes, a halo on the head, one finger up, the pinky twisted in a weird way and laying in the bosom of his mother Mary. LOL
2000 years ago (earth time ) Captain James T. Kirk aboard the star ship enterprise has witnessed a horrible accident with one of his crewmen.
It appears that an Ashkenazi crewman, one Joshua josephson, AKA red shirt number 3, has been transformed into an infant.
Kirk: “Oh no, not another mark on my star fleet record.” “Aha! Scotty engage the transporter.”
Scotty “Sir, it appears the beam has missed the coordinates you set.”
Kirk “Where did he materialize Scotty?’
Scotty “Sir…..your not gonna believe it!”
Kirk “What is it Scotty?”
Scotty “It’s crewman Josephson sir, he’s, he’s….”
Kirk “What dammit what?”
Scotty “He’s been beamed into a woman’s womb!”
Kirk “Oh Jeez……Crap!”
There you go Remi ;)
Look at Joe’s face… he’s obviously not buying Mary’s “story”.
Jesus taught Torah. He never said to worship him instead of the Creator. Muhammad stopped the practice of the worship of idols. Y’shmaEL was blessed according to Torah.
“Jesus taught Torah.”
One can do both, “teach Torah” and pervert its intent and meaning. If NT really did record Jesus’s own true words, it can be easily demonstrated that he perverted Torah and was a false prophet.
“He never said to worship him instead of the Creator. ”
Jesus didn’t say a lot of things, but neither this blog nor most Christians themselves make the above claim. The New Testament doesn’t anywhere say “worship Jesus INSTEAD of G-d”. Instead, it and Christianity wants Jesus to be worshiped alongside G-d and G-d through Jesus. The net effect, however, is that Jesus becomes the focus and does indeed become the locus of most if not all of Christian worship, relegating the actual Creator (the Father) to the background.
“Muhammad stopped the practice of the worship of idols.”
There are still plenty of idol worshipers on this planet. You can say that Muhammad stopped the practice of idolatry among his fellow Arabs (although definitely not all of them) and, later through military conquest and use of coercion by his followers, of many of their neighbors.
“Y’shmaEL was blessed according to Torah.”
Yishmael is called in the Torah “wild ass of a man” and is predicted to war against everyone around him and that everyone will war with him. He was blessed with great numbers but apparently not with anything else (Genesis 17:20).
“and I will make him into a great nation.” – bit more than just numbers. are you minimizing this? best, MP
“…great nation.” – bit more than just numbers. are you minimizing this?”
Not at all. I was being charitable. Being destined to be a “wild ass of a man” who wars against everyone isn’t that “great”.
I am a first-born Israelite from an Atheist Jewish family, I was born on the Sabbath of Feast of Trumpets. I am Davidic (Fuchs) through my father’s line; I have the blood of Aaron (Rappaport) through my mother’s line. A little more about my family, my grandfather was a Medic in Soviet army, a day before his entire army division was slaughtered by the Germans, he was hit by shrapnel that pierced his lungs through his entire body and survived, no other survivors from the division. His future wife was in a Moldova concentration camp, 20000 entered, 1000 left. My other grandfather and his mother survived starvation in Scorched Earth Russian winter, almost everyone else perished. His future wife was in a city surrounded by Germans and her Rappaport father was married to a Jewish nurse who was treating a high ranking official, they boarded a train just as the Germans obliterated the entire city and pursued the train by airplanes that destroyed the train and fired machine guns at the fleeing passengers. I too have survived a near death experience. I have committed uncountable numbers of sins, ones worthy of death in this world according to our laws. One day in my early adulthood in the middle of the night I turned on the television in my room, and I was introduced to Fraeter Perdurabo and the occult via a Christian church’s documentary. The documentary described the collaboration of the two most popular musicians use of the occult in their albums released simultaneously. At that moment in my heart I felt Adonai, and that feeling has never left me since and in an instant I knew without any doubt that God was real. I was seduced by the occultist’s message, a perversion of God’s true will. I believed that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I loved God, and so I studied and practiced occultism – and sadly God did not disappoint me and everything I did worked and all my divination’s foretelling my future also came to fruition. Years passed and I married a non-practicing Orthodox Christian who shared the same love for God (and sadly the occult) as I did. Years passed, and about 14 months ago I was inspired to read the Quran, and while reading I began to cross reference laws in Quran with Torah and to mine and her amazement they were identical – including stoning, killings, etc. After finishing the Quran I was infatuated with why the Quran spoke so highly of Jesus and Mary, so I read the Gospels. The message was very clear, repent immediately and follow the Laws of the Father – or else! As we are God fearing, we did just as Jesus had commanded, we repent immediately went through all the Torah’s laws and OT books and conformed (it was much easier than we expected and God had transformed our lives in such a way that it was no burden at all and we felt blessed, and personally my demons that were torturing me had finally left me, although uncomfortably and violently and over a small period of time). I was baptized in what I felt was my messiah’s blood (as it was his death that made me come back to God’s laws) on my 34th birthday, the Feast of Trumpets, the day of the sign of Revelation 12 in the night sky. I was recently named on the Torah scroll at my local synagogue, my bar mitzvah was 18 days ago. In my case, does this make Mohammad a true prophet of God and Jesus as my messiah?
Thank you for taking the time to read my story,
יַעֲקֹב יֵשׁוּעַ
“In my case, does this make Mohammad a true prophet of God and Jesus as my messiah?”
Hi there… no, your personal experiences and feelings do not determine either the current reality or change the pre-existing truth.
Both Mohammad and Jesus were false prophets whose ideas and followers have deceived billions of people. They (or their later followers) deliberately took Jewish heroes, stories and concepts, re-used or altered them for their own purposes. Because they did that, the similarities you’ve noticed are no coincidence nor do they signify any true continuity with Judaism. From them sprang new religions that brought blasphemous and idolatrous ideas diametrically opposed to those revealed by the G-d of Israel to the Jewish people, with thousands of denominations now competing for the attention of humanity. Millions of people have lost their lives as a result, with Jewish people being singled out with a particular venom.
My recommendation, whether you are Jewish halachically or not, is to start anew by discarding everything you’ve learned in Christianity, the occult or the Quran. Start with the Jewish Bible.
“Prophet” Muhammed taught against idolatry. The word prophet means inspired teacher. Jesus “Messiah” taught the mitzvot. Messiah means anointed one ( set for a specific purpose ).
Elisheba wrote,
““Prophet” Muhammed taught against idolatry. The word prophet means inspired teacher. Jesus “Messiah” taught the mitzvot. Messiah means anointed one ( set for a specific purpose ).”
You’re right, but your references to Muhammed and Jesus are made only because they each have social currency based on untruths. But your comments are understood in light of your desire to build bridges – a well intentioned and noble pursuit. But there is something that ultimately will remain in contradiction. I don’t know how to bridge the two.
Gene, had I not read the Quran I would have never read the Gospels. Had I not read the Gospels I would have never even thought to read the Jewish Bible and especially not follow all the laws with such fervor. What could be the meaning of God leading me back to my roots through these experiences? Do I not deserve to be crucified, maimed, and ridiculed for all of the things that I have done? In coming back to the Torah it has been and still is my understanding that Jesus was crucified in my stead, my sacrificial lamb for Passover.
Then you have not truly come back to Torah, but are still mired in idolatry and falsehood. Choose today whom you may serve, as it can’t be both the G-d of Israel AND the demigod the nations worship.
The 3 Abrahamic religions teach the same precepts in their scriptures in their original languages and in their original cultural word meanings. Jesus did not teach people to worship him instead of the Creator. Muhammad stated that he land of YsraEL was given to the people of Moses ( surah 5;21 ). I do not see Jews, Christians , nor Muslims truly following their religions. Muslims are not observing all the mitzvot even though Muhammad said that the Quran was only sent to confirm earlier scriptures. Christians are adding pagan practices to their religion because they are listening to clueless shepherds instead of studying the Torah. Yehudis are entrenched in culture when they should be loving the stranger and remembering that the blessings of the commandments are conditional upon obedience to them. Ancient land of YsraEL was only from Dan to Be’er sheba and was ruled by the king, and the high priest, and the prophet. Modern IsraELi politicians do not look nor act nor sound anything like the leaders in the Tanakh. If modern Jews act like Biblical Jews – everyone should love them…but do they?.. or do they reject them because they do not want to be reminded that they themselves are not following the commandments, statutes and precepts?
” a “wild ass of a man” who wars against everyone isn’t that “great”.”
Whoever wrote this is forgetting that the term ‘wild ass’ was also used for Yosef. It is a blessing and refers to freedom and strength. The two ( y’shmaEL and Yosef ) have things in common. They were both rejected by relatives and sent away. They both became leaders and were both blessed by The Most High.
Elisheba wrote;
“If modern Jews act like Biblical Jews – everyone should love them…but do they?.. or do they reject them because they do not want to be reminded that they themselves are not following the commandments, statutes and precepts?”
That’s a common misconception, and puts the blame of anti-Semitism on Jews themselves. Meta-anti-Semitism. I don’t think most people, Christian or otherwise, really care what Jews do — except perhaps to all return to Israel so the Second Coming can occur, and to behave themselves. What gets under the skin of the world is that Jews call them out on their idolatry. Which is what we are supposed to do (among other things).
Elisheba is “building bridges” by telling everyone that they got their own religions wrong. Is she fluent in Quranic Arabic, ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and first century Greek to give credence to her accusation that the participants of “Abrahamic’ religions are improperly reading their own scriptures? The level of arrogance is quite high. Jim, spot on in regards to her accusing Jews themselves for being hated – antisemitism 101. As if the” biblical Jews” didn’t experience unprovoked hatred (Amalek anyone?) or G-d didn’t need to warn ancient Jew-haters of being liable to be cursed.
Gene, maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I follow Torah, I study Torah, I pray to God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Even Rambam stated that Islam is not an idolatrous religion, and he even converted to Islam rather than die as in order to Sanctify God we must not let ourselves get killed by gentiles. The Quran says, Follow Torah. The Gospels say, Follow Torah. So I follow Torah. Gospels and Quran say only to worship the God of Israel and Follow God’s commands. So where do I ere?
“יַעֲקֹב יֵשׁוּעַ ”
“The Quran says, Follow Torah. The Gospels say, Follow Torah. So I follow Torah. Gospels and Quran say only to worship the God of Israel and Follow God’s commands. So where do I ere?”
OK, let’s see if we can glean where you actually stand. In your view, is Jesus divine or part of a deity in any way, instead of a normal human being like you and I? Do you ever pray to Jesus?
“Even Rambam stated that Islam is not an idolatrous religion, and he even converted to Islam rather than die as in order to Sanctify God we must not let ourselves get killed by gentiles. ”
There’s no evidence that Rambam converted to anything, it’s a speculation based on the fact that he comforted Yemenite Jews who had to undergo forced conversion to Islam. Also, his views on Islam were colored by him having to live among Muslims – for example, he unfortunately ruled that it was permissible to beat one’s wife, a view that appalled those Jews living outside of a Muslim world.
However, even Rambam viewed Mohamed as a “madman”, and one who tried to “change our religion” and “falsified our Torah”.
Interestingly, Islam nonsensically accuses Jews of engaging in idolatry because we supposedly view Ezra as “son of G-d”. (Quran 9:30)
Jesus is human like you and I, nothing more, nothing less. I do not pray to Jesus, I pray to our Father and Master Adonai. He did not change any of the laws, did not add to any of the laws, and clearly stated that we must follow the Law in full:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
From my understanding Quran confirms the Torah in many verses, not adding or detracting to it at all either and it even states that Israelite are not permitted certain things according to the Torah which differ from Quran. However for him and his gentiles and Ishmaelites they follow most laws of the Torah for gentiles, with an exception of allowing the eating of the cockroaches of the sea (bottom feeders). Off the top of my head I do not recall any other differences to Torah and Quran but would love it if you could let me know other differences that I might not be aware of.
I did not realize it was speculation his conversion to Islam, thanks for clarifying. He did however say that Islam was definitely not idolatrous. The oneness of God in Islam is what the entire religion is based on and they pray exclusively to God of Abraham.
“Off the top of my head I do not recall any other differences to Torah and Quran but would love it if you could let me know other differences that I might not be aware of.”
Naming of animals:
“He [God] taught Adam the names of all things ” Quran 2:31
“So out of the ground the L-rd G-d formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.” (Gen. 2:19)
Haman:
According to Quran, Haman lived during the time of Pharaoh and Moses
“Pharaoh said: “O Haman! Build me a lofty palace, that I may attain the ways and means- The ways and means of (reaching) the heavens, and that I may mount up to the god of Moses: But as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!” Qur’an 40:36-37
However, according to the Bible, the Book of Esther, Haman actually lived a 1000 years later, and not in Egypt, but in the Persian empire.
Noah:
In the Quran, Noah’s wife and one of his sons reject him (Hud 11:43) and die in the flood, while some people outside his family are faithful and join him (Hud 11:42).
In the biblical narrative, however, Noah’s wife together with his three sons and their wives all board the Ark, but no others.
Who adopted Moses:
The Quran states that the one who adopted Moses was Pharaoh’s wife (Surah 28:9), While the Bible says it was Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:5)
I am just scratching the surface here, since there are many MORE such things. No wonder that Muslims claims that the Jews “corrupted” the Torah, since they can’t face the reality that their Quran is full of contradictions to the true Word of G-d.
And of course, how about Quran contradicting the NT (since you accept both as true):
“”They (the Jews) said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of Allah’, – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them … ” (Sura 4:157).”
Yakov wrote,
“Jesus is human like you and I, nothing more, nothing less.”
Do you believe in the Christian New Testament? If so, how do you reconcile your statement above with John 1:1-15? You can’t have it both ways.
If you don’t believe in it or if you acknowledge the above irreconcilable discrepancy, why do you refer to the NT or quote from it? It’s either 100% right or it’s fiction. Yet you seem to decide which verses are correct enough to rely on in your arguments and in your thoughts.
From http://www.jewfaq.org/speech.htm…..It is forbidden to even imply or suggest negative things about a person.
“From http://www.jewfaq.org/speech.htm…..It is forbidden to even imply or suggest negative things about a person.”
I think you are confused. If one’s information is true and the person in question is leading others astray and otherwise is causing harm, in those cases, the Jewish law REQUIRES one to speak up and defend those who may be hurt by that person. The Torah is full of such examples and in fact obligates a Jewish person to act to eradicate evil. When it comes to idolaters, false prophets and spiritual and physical enemies of the Jewish people, one is obligated to do whatever is necessary to stop them from harming the vulnerable.
Thank you Gene – Jim, very informative. I am starting to see the inconsistencies and contradictions, but I am still thankful for these books which has brought me back to Torah and my cousins. Is an anti-messiah scriptural based in Tanakh? Seems as though these “prophecies” are in place to make the future king Messiah to fail, everyone will hate him, and think that he is an anti-messiah.
Hi Yaakov. There is no anti-messiah concept in Judaism.
” Seems as though these “prophecies” are in place to make the future king Messiah to fail, everyone will hate him, and think that he is an anti-messiah.”
I think the early and later Christians saw anti-messiahs in every major leader that opposed them and their religion. However, and I wrote about this on this blog, one can see a scenario where Christians oppose a future redemptive Jewish leader by painting him with the same brush ( if not worse), as a “false messiah”. Certain Christian groups are already predicting just that, that a “false” Jewish messiah will come before “Christ”.
There is a reference to an “anti-God” in the Hebrew Bible, which Christian thought mistakenly cites as “Old Testament” support for the anti-christ at the end of times. It is the Book of Daniel, 11:36-39, which describes a king from the north who will exalt himself above God and provoke a great battle. However, this is not a reference to a future king who will wage war against the Messiah.
In this section, the prophet Daniel is writing about Antiochus IV and his arrogance, who installed a statue to Zeus in the sanctuary. Because the campaign described in the verses didn’t occur as prophesied, Christians latched onto it as predicting a war to come and a great conflict between the king of the north (the anit-christ) and the king of the south (the Messiah). However, Antiochus IV was the subject of Daniel’s writings.
I am Jewish. I remember being a student at McGill University back in the 80s and I was taking religious studies class. The teacher asked every student to go up to the class and give their perspective on their religion. The class was about 11 people. Myself and one other person were Jewish in the class. As the talks went on her incredible statements like Jesus is Lord and he is the son of G-d ect….wow. so I get up there and I ask the class a question. Before Jesus walked the earth, there wasn’t a G-d? If I lived in the woods all my life and no one ever told me about Jesus, does it mean G-d does not exist or that I cannot connect to G-d? It took many generations from Adam to Abraham before a man actually realized that there is only one G-d and it is Hashem. One day the entire world will understand who their true father is and what he believed and understood. When all men will understand the knowledge of Abraham and why G-d named his as father of the earth, then we will all be family again and one maybe not genetically but how we understand G-d and his existence. For now some of us are still living in the times of Noah. But the Jews study Torah. They have marched on from Abraham and continue his legacy and his absolute faith in Hashem.
Adam knew the only One, and so did Noakh, etc.