why Jews don't believe in Jesus

[Fisher]

aish.com/spirituality/philosophy/Why_Dont_Jews_Believe_In_Jesus$.asp

CHRISTIANITY CONTRADICTS JEWISH THEOLOGY

The following theological points apply primarily to the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination.

A. GOD AS THREE?

The Catholic idea of Trinity breaks God into three separate beings: The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

Contrast this to the Shema, the basis of Jewish belief: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is ONE” (Deut. 6:4). Jews declare the Shema every day, while writing it on doorposts (Mezuzah), and binding it to the hand and head (Tefillin). This statement of God’s One-ness is the first words a Jewish child is taught to say, and the last words uttered before a Jew dies.

In Jewish law, worship of a three-part god is considered idolatry – one of the three cardinal sins that a Jew should rather give up his life than transgress. This explains why during the Inquisitions and throughout history, Jews gave up their lives rather than convert.

 

[inJESUS]

Jews do not believe in Jesus not because of the Trinity. After all Jews do believe in the Holy Spirit, this does not mean the Shema is in danger of polytheism or anything.

Jews do not care who the Messiah is. Jews care about what the Messiah will do. If the Messiah did not do what *they *expect him to do, he is no Messiah.

 

[manualman]

For the record, the Trinity is NOT defined as three beings.

The Lord, our God IS ONE God, but in three persons. They are not three distinct beings, nor three Gods. God is quite simply different than us. Shocking, huh?

But we are made in his image, you protest? I have an image of my wife next to my desk. I assure you, it is different than the REAL her!

Thus, there is no contradiction of the Old Covenant. Merely an illustration of the incompleteness of the Old Covenant.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Plus I understand that the Messiah is not as important as rebuilding the Temple.

 

[inJESUS]

Plus I understand that the Messiah is not as important as rebuilding the Temple.

i guess this is a major reason why some Jews rejected Jesus.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

i guess this is a major reason why some Jews rejected Jesus.

and still do, they are waiting on the Temple.

 

[Valke2]

Jesus came with a message of salvation to individuals who followed him. But Jews did not hear a message for the eternal Israel. We, as instructed in the Torah, are supposed to sanctify ourselves as a community through following the mitzvot/commandments in the Torah. Jesus had no message for his people as a people. Only as individuals. And that message was to follow him. He emphasized salvation for the Kingdom of Heaven – for the future, to a people who were commanded by God to sanctify themsleves in the here and now. That is one of the main reasons why his message was not and is not followed by the majority of Jews. (IMO)

 

[Kitty_Chan]

of course your correct Im confusing the question, sorry about that! I remember now, my answer was to:

do Jews look to the Messiah, and the answer was not really, the Temple was more important.

I emailed a Rabbi and I cant find it now, he had sent a article he had wrote. He could have been part of the Temple mount. So he could have be biased of course, dont know for sure

 

[JFonseka]

Why is this so hard to understand.

A MAN A WOMAN

                             MARRIAGE

      THEY ARE ONE

But two different beings.

Ofcourse it’s a lot more complex with God, and not as obvious. But a small example like this kind of shows.

 

[lukewarm]

I can’t blame Jews for not accepting Jesus, it does seem to contradict everything Jews were taught from thier religion their entire life.

It’s akin to a Catholic not accepting mormonism. Mormonism contradicts everything Catholics believe so why would a Catholic accept Joseph Smith and his golden angel? As Catholics we can dismiss it out of hand because it contradicts everything we “know” about God. It contradicts the Trinity, God’s omniscience, omnipotence, and and omnipresence. Mormonism contradicts God as spirit, it teaches multiple God’s, and humans becoming God’s. So without even hearing about it we can dismiss it as nonsense. I would think the same applies to a Jew and his view of Christianity. To them God is one, not three in one, but one and only one. So they can dismiss Christianity without even listening to its message. I can’t blame them, I’m a Catholic because I was born Catholic, if I were born Jew I’m sure I would be a Jew, or born Muslim… Well you get it.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

and still do, they are waiting on the Temple.

They missed **John 2:19-21 **

Jesus answered and said to them, 15 “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, 16 and you will raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Jesus is the new Temple

 

[Valke2]

I understand that belief. But as a Jew, such a statement would contrary to much of what the Torah given to Moses teaches. The purpose of the Temple was to have a holy place within which to sanctify the people. Jesus saying he would be the new Temple is just another way of saying salvation is more important than sanctification. To make this statement, one has to ignore the great amount of Torah devoted to sanctifying the entire people of Israel.

 

[richardwy]

It doesn’t. There is no “breaking”.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

They missed **John 2:19-21 **
Jesus is the new Temple

Yes I know

 

[Kitty_Chan]

I understand that belief. But as a Jew, such a statement would contrary to much of what the Torah given to Moses teaches. The purpose of the Temple was to have a holy place within which to sanctify the people. Jesus saying he would be the new Temple is just another way of saying salvation is more important than sanctification. To make this statement, one has to ignore the great amount of Torah devoted to sanctifying the entire people of Israel.

And I understand what you say here to, just to be clear. But something I found interesting in it

The* purpose of the Temple **was to have a holy place within which to sanctify the people. ** Jesus saying he would be the new Temple ***

This actually makes sense, Jesus said to go through Him to get to God, one is santified in Him the Temple. He did say He didnt come to take away anything, but to fullfill it.

 

[Luke_S]

Why is this so hard to understand.

A MAN A WOMAN

                             MARRIAGE

      THEY ARE ONE

But two different beings.

Ofcourse it’s a lot more complex with God, and not as obvious. But a small example like this kind of shows.

God is one being, three persons. In your analogy, you point out that the union (marriage) consists of two beings, this is true, however it is not analogous of God (who is one being). Don’t mean to be nit-picky, but this is an important distinction for the non-believer to flesh out.

 

[paarsurrey]

The Lord, our God IS ONE God, but in three persons. They are not three distinct beings, nor three Gods. God is quite simply different than us.

Hi

It is confusing even for the Catholics/Orthodixies. Isn’t it?

Thanks

 

[Luke_S]

I can’t blame Jews for not accepting Jesus… It’s akin to a Catholic not accepting mormonism…

Umm… don’t agree with you there. Truth is objective. There are plenty of reasons why a Catholic should not accept Mormonism, beyond being brought up Catholic, here are three:

1. Mormonism does not accept Aquinas’ five proofs for the existence of God (newadvent.org/summa/1002.htm… scroll down to article 3)- tennets of their faith contradict the arguments ( the possibility to become gods, ‘God’ of this planet is not omnipotent, etc.) Thus Mormon theology contradicts the truth of the one true God.
2. Mormonism is not biblical; (rejection of the fall of man, rejection of original sin, rejection of salvation by grace, etc.)
3. Mormonism rejects creation ex nihlio, believes man is preexistent and eternal, just as ‘God’ is

Their are likewise plenty of reasons to accept Jesus:

1. His claim to be “I AM;” his claim to be the one true God (John 8:58) This claim is unique among all religous prophets/founders throughout history (including Buddha, Mohummad, Moses, etc.)
2. As Christians, we believe He is the source of all truth (John 14:6)
3. As Christians, we believe He is love (1 John 4:8,16)

Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the LORD as he claimed to be. He allows no middle ground. Anyone who pursues truth will find Jesus, if they finish their journey.

 

[Luke_S]

A. GOD AS THREE?

The Catholic idea of Trinity breaks God into three separate beings: The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

Contrast this to the Shema, the basis of Jewish belief: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is ONE” (Deut. 6:4).

This is a strawman fallacy. Catholics do not actually believe God is three beings, God’s oneness is explicit in the Trinity. Thus, your response to the belief that God is three beings is irrevelant to our faith.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I understand that belief. But as a Jew, such a statement would contrary to much of what the Torah given to Moses teaches. The purpose of the Temple was to have a holy place within which to sanctify the people. Jesus saying he would be the new Temple is just another way of saying salvation is more important than sanctification. To make this statement, one has to ignore the great amount of Torah devoted to sanctifying the entire people of Israel.

Agreed. I may have stated that poorly. I didn’t intend to fault anyone. I just intended to point out our belief that Jesus is the new Temple. Sorry if it sounded harsh.