Complete Jewish Bible

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Summary: St Luke wasn't Jewish!
Review: I had high expectations of this book. I have always felt that, because the New Testament was written mostly by Jews and to some extent for Jews, there must be a Jewish dimension that Christian translators were missing or glossing over. Would this book provide this missing dimension? At first sight, it certainly seemed to - this translation is almost dripping with Jewish references. Then I realised that this applied equally to the Gospel of Luke and to Acts, which of course were written by St Luke, who wasn't Jewish. It also applied to the letters of St Paul, which were mostly written to non-Jews or at least non-Hebrew speakers. Clearly, the translator must have introduced Jewish references that weren't in the original in these books, which leads one to suspect what he has done in the other books. Also, he carefully omits the distinction between the Old and New Testaments, presenting both as part of the same work. This distinction is present in every other Bible I have seen, and indeed is made by the New Testament itself, explaining that there is a new covenant (a better word than testament) that supersedes the old one. Thus, I am unable to trust the aspect of this book for which I bought it.

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Summary: Misleading
Review: This book is not a study of Judaism. It is a fine book if you want to learn some things about the Jewish roots of Christianity, but it is not the Jewish Bible.

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Summary: The "Real" Jewish Bible
Review: (This is a replacement.) I have had several copies of this remarkable version of the Tanakh, which I always seem to give away. Even without the Hebrew text, it completely transforms our understanding and appreciation of Scripture -- as well as the (Jewish!) Maschiach, Yeshua. Dr. Stern has eliminated the "division" between the "testaments" -- restoring the Hebraic context throughout both, and producing striking transformations of many, many passages we thought we "knew". Written originally for Jewish believers who do not "know" Yeshua, it also presents to non-Jewish believers a "Jesus" of whom they may never have heard -- and whom they have probably never imagined.

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Summary: A Double-Edged Sword...
Review: This bible translation most certainly is controversial. Rabbinic Jews would find it to be nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to proselytize them; however, Messianic Jews would accept this book as the cornerstone of their faith.

Without saying which opinion has more validation, this translation is very well-written and accessible to all readers. All Jews and gentiles alike should read this book with an open mind, and draw their own conclusions.

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Summary: A new twist on an old theme
Review: Let me state my position clearly. I am a great Bible reader and read the New Testament regularly (usually in the New Revised Standard Version, though I compare several translations to avoid being too dependent on any one version). However, I cannot recommend this New Testament to anyone, because it is a dishonest work intended to help missionaries. I have no difficulty with honest missionaries, but it is wrong for those who profess a religion that preaches truth to seek to advance that religion by such tactics. From time to time, you may come across a New Testament in Hebrew. This is not the original language! Nearly all scholars agree that it was originally written in Greek, and even those who deny this would accept that any Hebrew or (more likely) Aramaic original is lost. In fact, the Hebrew translation was produced to make the New Testament more acceptable to Jews and hence help the work of missionaries to the Jews. Now that few Jews can read the Old Testament in the original, this book is the modern equivalent - an attempt to make the New Testament more acceptable to Jews by spuriously making it seem more Jewish. This is achieved by distorting the original. The Old Testament is not bad, but is by no means the best available. I recommend the NRSV for that too, although the Jewish Publication Society version is easier to understand.

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Summary: Oy Vey
Review: I sense two trends as I read the reviews of others on this Bible translation: 1, Messianic Jews who thing this is the greatest thing since sliced bread and 2, Traditional Jews who think that David Stern is an evil man because he is believer in Jesus yet maintains he's a Jew. However, in all of this, I see very little treatment of the work itself, hence my groan of disapproval at everybody. So, it looks like I'm going to have to do it. The fact of the matter is that this translation does very little in regards to "shedding light" on the Jewishness of either the Tanak or the New Testament...in reality, the main thing it does is add Hebrew words here and there, and all the names are Hebrew names. You'll get just as much befit from the NIV, NASB or (for the scholar in you) the NRSV. It is helpful in that it lists all the Torah and Haftorah portions as well as a New Testament addition for each. Now, a note to everyone out there: Get a life. For those who just can't get over how good this Bible is, there are better ones out there. You like this one? That's good, but don't let it be the only one you ever read, because there are several other good translations out there. For those who think this is a "travesty" and are thoroughly angered by it: not everybody is out to convert you. If you don't believe that Jesus is the Messiah, that's your prerogative, but you can't assume that those who are out to get you.

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Summary: Misleading...
Review: I was raised Anglican and am reasonable familiar with both the Old and New Testaments. I have a lot of sympathy with the Jewish reviewers of this book. I think it has been called "The complete Jewish Bible" to try and trick unsuspecting Jews, rather than respecting their rights to their own faith and their own "complete" Bible, the Tanakh (or Old Testament).

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Summary: Presents the familiar in a new way
Review: I love this Bible. I was born into a Christian home and have been Christian all my life. Jesus (Yeshua) was Jewish and I think it's important that Christians (Stern would call all who believe in Jesus "Messianic") be connected to the Jewish roots of their faith. This book is a very good way to begin building that connection, especially for me, as I don't know very many Jewish people. Aside from all of that, this translation presents things very clearly and wonderfully. I still read my NKJV, but this Bible is good for when I need things to jump off of the page. I love to see Yeshua speak with power and authority. He knew the hearts of men so well and He wasn't afraid to speak truth into them with exclamation marks; this translation makes that very plain.

I am grieved but not surprised to see that many find this Bible insulting. Yeshua walked this earth as a Jew! Yeshua became the Passover Lamb for first the Jew and then the Gentile... I challenge all Jews to read the Hebrew prophets to see for themselves whether or not Jesus fulfilled prophecy. I know that this would be a difficult thing to do but I pray that God would give them courage. I would also challenge them to read about Moishe Rosen and how he came to believe in Yeshua. I would challenge them to visit his website and read about other Jews who believe in Yeshua. I challenge all non-believers, regardless of who they are, to find out about this Jewish man from Galilee. I hope I don't offend by speaking so plainly. It's just that God loves us all so much and longs for us to know the Truth.

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Summary: This book is insulting
Review: The fundamental flaw in this book can be seen in the title. There is no Jewish new testament. The Jewish bible is the Tanakh. "Testament" itself is a Christian term. If you believe that Jesus or Yeshu or whoever is the messiah you might be many things but you would not be Jewish. Unfortunately, you cannot have your matzot and eat it too.

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Summary: A FRESH View on Ancient Wisdom!
Review: I love this bible. As a Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus), I love the B'Rit Hadashah (New Testement), but with most translations you find a hint of Anti-Semitism, I am very thankful to David Stern for His work. I am glad there is finally a Complete JEWISH Bible! I will say, if you do not know hebrew, it will take a little getting used to.