Rereading the Gospels - Program
The following articles have been organized to provide insights into the Jewishness of the Gospels, and how deeper insight radically changes how we read and understand the teachings.
As new articles are posted for this topic, this list will be updated, so check back occasionally.
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Part 1 - Foundation
PaRDeS - Jewish Hermeneutics
If you have been around the world of Jewish thought for a while, you might likely already be familiar with the concept represented by the acronym, PaRDeS.
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Jesus and the Hasadim
Seeking to understand the historical Jesus is often a difficult task. Every culture seems to have adopted a view of him that mirrors their own context, or a projection of their own values and worldview.
In this article, scholar Shmuel Safray lays out a strong case for…
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Pharisees
As a child growing up in the church, admittedly, I had acquired a negative view of the Pharisees. The dark villains of many Sunday school stories and their combative portrayal in the Gospel readings, it seemed the word ‘Pharisee’ was an acceptable form of a curse word. However, I recall
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The Pharisees Who Wash the Outside of Cups
Though it can lead to flawed conclusions, reading the Gospels and Epistles without understanding the complicated and technical discussions of Jewish law behind them is simple. We should know that these knowledge gaps are not inconsequential and can result in oversimplified interpretations.
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Part 2 - Historical Context
From Ruin to Resilience - Jewish Revival Post-Temple Destruction
The first century in Israel was a period marked by deep religious, cultural, and social complexity. Learn how this snapshot in time has contributed to anti-Rabbinic impressions in modern times.
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The Missing Context of the New Testament - pt. 2
As part of the greater Jewish community, the Apostolic leaders struggled with these particular issues more acutely. The sudden influx of Gentiles leaving paganism to join the diasporic Jewish communities made this a primary issue for them…
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The Missing Context of the New Testament - pt. 2
As part of the greater Jewish community, the Apostolic leaders struggled with these particular issues more acutely. The sudden influx of Gentiles leaving paganism to join the diasporic Jewish communities made this a primary issue for them…
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Context matters. We hear this often, but seldom recognize the collateral damage of failing to get it right. Centuries of misunderstanding and decontextualized interpretations of the New Testament have fueled, (even endorsed) violence, hatred, and the loss of Jewish life. From the early church father…
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Who Killed Jesus?
There is a perennial tension in the Jewish community that emerges around the time of Easter. In past centuries, the yearly retelling of the “Passion” would spark fiery pogroms and blood libels throughout Europe, as Christians sought to avenge the death of Jesus,
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Messiah
Much of the New Testament relies on a reader’s pre-knowledge of the Jewish Oral Torah, often referred to as the “Mesorah”. From this, we derive ubiquitous concepts like, Messiah, the World to Come, Sin, heaven and Hell.
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Part 3 - The Jewish Oral Tradition and the Gospels
The Parable of the Bridesmaids
The Parable of the Bridesmaids is a timeless lesson of vigilance and preparation. When we overlay the themes of the rabbinic tradition, we see more information under the surface to help us prepare.
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Revisiting the Sermon on the Mount
As Jewish Scholar Pinchas Lapide stated, Jesus’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are timeless, and still relevant today. In essence, they make up the core of a Jewish lifestyle as taught in the Rabbinic tradition.
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What is Midrash?
Many times, Jesus (aka Yeshua), is recorded telling a story that has its parallel in the midrashic tradition. In truth, it is a brilliant way to connect to established themes and set the stage for the lesson he wants to teach.
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Abolishing the Torah
Often used as a proof-text for the abrogation of the Torah [commandments], in Matthew 5 we see Jesus citing a well-known Midrash to prove quite the opposite. Despite many modern (popular) interpretations, he forbids his audience from ever thinking of such an idea!
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A New Commandment
“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34 This passage has left many uncertainties
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Burial Shrouds and Customs in the Gospel Accounts
On Easter Sunday, it is customary to see the crosses out front of your local Churches draped in a white, or linen sash. Have you ever wondered where this idea originated? Believe it or not, it is derived from within the Jewish oral tradition of the first century.
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Traditions and Commandments
Did Yeshua abolish the dietary laws? Did he also decide that the traditions of men, ie: Judaism, no longer valid in man’s relationship to the Creator? Or are we simply missing something?
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Do Everything They Tell You
“The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, so you must do and observe everything they tell you to do” - Matthew 23:2 Before We Begin Before we explore these passages, it may be useful to spend a moment to obtain a more accurate understanding of the Pharisees.
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Unraveling the Controversy of Healing on Shabbat in the Gospels
Some of Jesus’s more contentious conflicts stem from his healing on this Holy day. But if healing on Shabbat is generally permitted in Jewish law, what is the real point of the story?
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Part 4 - Rereading the Parables and Sayings
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
This is a good example that shows how Jesus co-opts a Midrash that he knew his students would grasp. In this, he uses many metaphoric elements of the Rabbinic tradition, and also teaches on repentance from the mystical dimension.
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Unexpected Encounters: Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Jesus is surrounded by his students while teaching when a woman suddenly interrupts, asking him to heal her daughter. We naturally expect him to immediately heal a child with care and compassion. However, his response is an unexpected curveball.
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Parable of the Talents
In the Zohar, there is a discussion based upon the Torah commandment to ‘pay a laborer his wages the same day he works for them’¹. In the Peshat/plain meaning, this is great model of mercy, ensuring a person has what they need to survive and feed their family.
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The Cursing of the Fig Tree
There is a bizarre story that seems to be out of place in the hagiographical flow of the Gospels. It is the story in which Jesus takes his vengeance out upon a random fig tree on the side of the road. This story concludes with many rightfully scratching their heads,
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The Crucifixion of Isaac
Years ago, I heard a lecture by an Orthodox Rabbi who shared some deeper insights about the event known as the “Akeidah”, the “Binding” of Isaac. I couldn’t help but see an incredible amount of parallels to the Gospel narrative and what some Christians may refer to as the “Passion” narrative.
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The Last Seder
Many in the church see the “Last Supper” as the Biblical grounds for what is called “Communion. In light of this, I explained how “The Last Supper” features many elements of an early Passover Seder. As it turned out, this was completely new to him, and we never got to discuss the original topic.
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Casting Their Nets
Using various Rabbinic metaphors we’ve uncovered, we’re going to see how these help us reconstruct a familiar passage in the chapter of John.
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The Children of Hell
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert), and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”- Matthew 23:15
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From Water to Wine
Among the most well-known stories in the Gospels, Jesus turning ‘water to wine’ is arguably one of the most commonly known. While some see a story that highlights mastery over the physical elements, the Rabbinic metaphors indicate that there is more to this story than meets the eye.
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Who Is the “New Man” in Ephesians?
Throughout the Epistles of Paul, he makes frequent references to the Midrashic traditions regarding Adam HaRishon, the first Adam. As is the case for many Torah Jews, this tradition heavily influences Paul’s worldview, both eschatologically and practically.
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Heaven Has Suffered Violence
Over the years, I have heard many different explanations of this passage. So diverse, it is tough to really tell which one is the traditional interpretation. One common theme is that this is somehow a departure from Judaism to the new revelation, Christianity.
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Do Not Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand is Doing
In Jewish thought, the right-hand holds a special place in customs, rituals, and observances. This pattern is reflected in everyday activities from hand-washing, tying shoes, touching a Mezuzah, wrapping Tefillin and more.
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Part 5 - Mysticism in the Gospels
Mysticism in the New Testament - A Conversation w/Daniel Matt
One of my favorite scholars leading the charge in the study of Jewish Mysticism is Professor Daniel Matt. Recently, Professor Matt took some time to answer a few of my questions about the connections between the Kabbalah and the New Testament.
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From Hidden to Revealed: On the Road to Emmaus
A peculiar and famous encounter is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, known to many as “the Road to Emmaus” contains many Midrashic hints that point to a deeper idea than is seen on the surface.
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The Torn Veil
“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, Truly this man was the Son of G_D!” - Mark 15:38-39 Traditional interpretations have often
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Faith in Jesus?
For many centuries, Romans 3:22 has read that it is faith in Jesus that brings redemption. Some might add that this alone, and nothing more is required - that is to say, lifestyle, practices, etc are of no value. Practically speaking, this interpretation has been problematic…
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The First Adam and Second Adam (Kadmon)
With this article, we will start to cover some of the more complex concepts that are featured in the New Testament. Hopefully, we’ll lay a foundation to understand ideas many see as controversial and/or a major departure from Jewish thought.
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Holy Spirit vs. Ruach HaKodesh: Revealing the Essence of Divine Presence
One of the most elusive concepts in the Bible is the idea of the Holy Spirit. Though Judaism and Christianity share some common ground in recognizing Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit as an aspect of the Divine Presence, the nuances and theological underpinnings differ significantly.
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Decoding Golgotha
Is the Gospel of John a straightforward account of events that happened, or has the author concealed a deeper message for readers? In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating and peculiar language of Jewish mysticism and the connections to the crucifixion scene.
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What Is A “Baptism of Fire?”
What did John [the Baptist] mean when he said Jesus would ‘baptize with fire’? The answer can be found in the Kabbalah, and is surprisingly practical for understanding some more complex metaphors in the Bible.
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