A Rabbi Talks With Jesus

Rating:
Summary: unique in its dialogue
Review: As a theologian (Christian) I have to support Dr. Neusner's critiques, because Jesus in fact, changed the Law and the author proves that. American Christians, or should I say American "Christians" (manly the ones on the right) should read this book and realize that we, Christians, are indeed not under the Law (cf: Galatians, Romans, Hebrews) we are instead under a new covenant, better than the Mosaic one. This prove that Jewish ehtics, based on the Law( or commandments) has nothing to do with Christian Ethics, which is based on Love and forgiveness instead. (cf. "You heard... but I say to you" statements coming from Christ's own mouth). Putting all this into a clearer perspective, I ask: Why do some Christians even take into consideration what comes out of Dr. Laura's mouth ? Just think about that.

Rating:
Summary: The Rabbi and the Myth of the Judeo/Christian ethics
Review: As a theologian (Christian) I have to support Dr. Neusner's critiques, because Jesus in fact, changed the Law and the author proves that. American Christians, or should I say American "Christians" (manly the ones on the right) should read this book and realize that we, Christians, are indeed not under the Law (cf: Galatians, Romans, Hebrews) we are instead under a new covenant, better than the Mosaic one. This prove that Jewish ehtics, based on the Law( or commandments) has nothing to do with Christian Ethics, which is based on Love and forgiveness instead. (cf. "You heard... but I say to you" statements coming from Christ's own mouth). Putting all this into a clearer perspective, I ask: Why do some Christians even take into consideration what comes out of Dr. Laura's mouth ? Just think about that.

Rating:
Summary: Neusner makes his point... over and over and over...
Review: I began reading this book excitedly, despite Neusner's rather limited premise: he sets out to argue with Jesus over whether his teachings actually stem from the Torah (Jewish Bible) or represent something completely different.

Neusner admits freely that he cannot debate against faith -- a person who believes in Jesus does so not only because of his compelling words. And he admits that he does not believe in Jesus... but claims he will debate Jesus' words (as they are passed on to us in the book of Matthew) to pay him the honour of listening to his words and considering them on their merit.

Although, as a Jew, I accepted Neusner's initial premises easily enough, I found his argument began to drone on tediously. His main points boil down to one or two: the Torah teaches holiness for all of Israel; Jesus (as depicted in Matthew), on the other hand, taught eschatological (end-times) lessons concerning salvation of the individual.

Neusner basically ends up insisting again and again that despite Jesus' urging, he would not give up the day-to-day holiness of Judaism for end times that may or may not occur in his lifetime. There's a little more to what he has to say than that, but it's difficult to see through his grandiose prose and excessive verbiage.

All in all, a worthwhile read, and definitely not your usual work of "why we don't worship Jesus" Jewish apologetics. There are plenty of excellent sources for that kind of thing, and Neusner has succeeded in creating something entirely different.

Whether or not it's something of lasting value -- for Jews or for Christians -- is up in the air because of the inaccessibility and redundancy of his style. Worth reading if you feel up to a good mental challenge, though... if you can tolerate his coming back to the same (very few) points over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: This Rabbi missed over 300 Prophecies about the Messiah
Review: I would recommend a Christian spend their money on any of the above books and not waste it on this book. This book is about a Jewish Rabbi who already has ignored over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament which He says he is a scholar of. This Rabbi says nothing about Daniel's prophecy that the Messiah had to come before the destruction of the 2nd Temple in 70 A.D. He doesn't bother to explain that Daniel gave the exact day that Jesus tode into Jerusalem on a colt; when He let Himself be proclaimed Messiah & King. Having missed these, Rabbi Neusner then naturally proceeds arguing with Jesus as if Jesus was not the Son of God. Memorable arguments this Rabbi mounts are the same ones that Jews of Jesus's day argued--such as why does Jesus do miracles on the Sabbath, and why do the apostles pick corn on the Sabbath. He cannot see why Jesus does not teach Torah as Moses did (i.e. God said), but teaches it as in His own name. The Rabbi says nothing about Moses himself writing that a prophet greater than he would come (Jesus). I found this book so dull and uninspired reading that I got through only about 1/2 of it before being bored to death and giving it up. The "veil" remains.

Rating:
Summary: What do you say about the Torah?
Review: In this most fascinating book, Neusner, who is a prolific writer and teacher of Judaism, states that if he were around at the time of Jesus, he would have dissented from following him.

The Bible is replete with the same reaction, Jews who could not accept His Messiahship.

What is so fascinating here is a matter of heremeutics, how one interprets the Scriptures. Many Christians do not have much of an understanding of the Bible of Jesus, the apostles and Neusner. The Old Testament is very foreign to many, because it takes much preparatory work to be able to gain its precious gifts.

Neusner claims the Torah (first five books, the books of Moses) contradicts what Jesus taught about them. He is right! Jesus simply and clearly teaches that the Jews of His day and Neusner misinterpret, misunderstand and misapply them to their detriment. Another Jew, a Jew of distinguished pedigree, Saul of Tarsus (see Philippians 3:4-6) would not and could not follow Jesus either until converted. Conversion for Saul is described in Acts 9. Then, Paul began to understand that it is impossible to understand the Scriptures correctly, "But to this day whenver Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." 2 Corinthians 3:15.

Neusner is so close, yet so far away. He understands the unbelievable claim that Jesus made that He represents Israel, He is the Servant of Israel of Isaiah and that real true Israel (as Jesus states which confuses and angers Neusner) are those of faith in the promises Jesus fulilled, fulfills and will fulfills, not in an ethnic inheritance. See Romans 9.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting to hear the debate.
Review: Most Christians do not understand the conflict between the Jesus and the Pharisees. Was Jesus enlightened to God's intent and the Pharisees in the dark? Read this book and the foundation of that dispute opens in front of you. Neusner did not change my religious convictions, but he opened my heart and mind to the reasons the Pharisees did not accept Jesus and felt threatened by his message. It was not about mere political power. Their refusal was based upon deeply held convictions. Please, read this book.

Rating:
Summary: unique in its dialogue
Review: This book does a nice job in its judeo-christian dialogue. I was raised Christian but now I am marrying a Jew and have decided to convert to have a single faith marriage.

To start with, this book is written for Christians (emphasis), not Jews per se, so it goes into some repetition to emphasize its distinctions between Jewish interpretations of the Torah vs. Jesus' intepretations. I like its candor and it is very respectful of the Christian viewpoint. Though the writing at times can be a bit "klunky", I read the book quickly in a two day period so it is not too theroetical and states its main points clearly. What is discusses includes: interpretation of the Sabbath; ritual purity vs ethics; God's (Moses/Scripture)thou and community message vs Jesus' I and you message; following the religious message vs. any conflict to commitment to parents, etc.

My only drawback to this book is that the Rabbi considers Judaism "the only way" not "a way", hence his rightness on his position again and again. Judaism (at least Reform) doesn't take this stance, and when looking at the chapter headings, I feared a hidden negative diatribe against Christianity. But not to worry! If anything, he goes over backwards trying not to offend Chrsitians, even at the cost of his fictional "dialogue" with Jesus (who wants to be accused of putting words in his mouth?)

Book gets five stars from me. It is clear that Judaism and Christianity are two distinct, ethical religions and there is nothing incomplete or inferior with Judaism. To bad religion historically has been used is such negative ways.

Rating:
Summary: This Rabbi missed over 300 Old Testament Prophecies
Review: This Corrects misspelling (rode)...

I would recommend a Christian spend their money on any of the above books and not waste it on this book. This book is about a Jewish Rabbi who already has ignored over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament which He says he is a scholar of. This Rabbi says nothing about Daniel's prophecy that the Messiah had to come before the destruction of the 2nd Temple in 70 A.D. He doesn't bother to explain that Daniel gave the exact day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt; when He let Himself be proclaimed Messiah & King. Having missed these, Rabbi Neusner then naturally proceeds arguing with Jesus as if Jesus was not the Son of God. Memorable arguments this Rabbi mounts are the same ones that Jews of Jesus's day argued--such as why does Jesus do miracles on the Sabbath, and why do the apostles pick corn on the Sabbath. He cannot see why Jesus does not teach Torah as Moses did (i.e. God said), but teaches it as in His own name. The Rabbi says nothing about Moses himself writing that a prophet greater than he would come (Jesus). I found this book so dull and uninspired reading that I got through only about 1/2 of it before being bored to death and giving it up. The "veil" remains. I found this book so dull and uninspired reading that I got through only about 1/2 of it before being bored to death and giving it up.

Rating:
Summary: In response to Mr. Keohane
Review: Though I have not read the book in question yet, I was particularly irked by Mr. Keohane's review and felt the need to respond to it. I give the book 5 stars based on other works of the authors which I have read. Steve, are you going to seriously convince me that you have allowed your beliefs to get the upper hand over your common sense? The "prophecies" about the Messiah in the Hebrew Bible were only turned into prophecies by christians. I would suggest reading the Hebrew Bible in context and exclusive of the framework of "New Testament" theology. As any Bible scholar who is true to him/herself knows, the book of Daniel is pseudepigrapha which was written in the Hasmonean era. I refer you to Mr. Akenson's "Surpassing Wonder", where this point is proven in detail. Unless one can prove that any other part of Daniel's eschatology has come true, the entire apocalypse of Daniel comes out as a work of fiction and not prophecy. As for Jesus having "fulfilled" the prophecy of the Messiah riding on a colt, the Matthew story actually turns out to be quite amusing. Any Putz can ride a friggin' donkey, does that actually make one the Messiah? Get back to me when you've figured it out and are done deluding yourself.