29. The Separation of Church and Synagogue (Jewish History Lab)

[@matthewmistery1051]

A gracious & well presented series on a delicate topic for so many. I’m a Christian minister with Jewish heritage with the greatest respect for mine & Christianity’s Jewish roots. Balanced & well researched videos like your series here, without belittling (from either side) could do well to foster healing & understanding. Toda raba.

[@Sherbakova2009]

Thank you so much. I like your videos on Jewish history, a very good reminder of what I learnt in school.

[@annenymety209]

You impart so much knowledge and do so eloquently. I’m an irreligious gentile and always riveted by your content.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

thank you for your kind words! I appreciate the feedback.

[@annenymety209]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD I shared your channel with my Mom & Stepdad, as they’re fascinated by the Abrahamic religions. Ironically, they were already subscribers/fans of yours 🙂

[@jakobbergen7574]

As a former Christian fascinated by the history of those times, I really enjoy your detailed and well-illustrated explanation of how both sides dealt with the ultimate parting of the ways.

[@loonshkij]

Extremely helpful presentations. I'm a Catholic and I'm extremely interested in the historical and Jewish context of Jesus. I've spent too little time in studying the Jewish roots of Christianity from a Jewish perspective. Thank you! PS. I also very much enjoy your presentations on the history of Judaism and the various communities.

[@CarollemMen-cl8nz]

Respectfully, if you read the Bible, you will understand that there is no more a Priesthood or rituals. We are not to worship, bow down, or make Saints or statutes of anything in heaven or in Earth. There is nothing in the Bible that says we are to praise Mary or worship her or ask her to forgive us of our sins. No one can forgive sins except Jesus Christ. We are to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our FAITH. Jesus Christ was a high Priest after the Order of Melchisedec because Jesus was there in the beginning and was Melchisedec. Catholic hierarchy is wrong because they should know that there is no Priesthood anymore. Jesus Christ offered himself for our salvation. Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ fir the remission of your sins.

[@johnwalz2832]

Dr. Abramson, I meet regularly with some young men here to teach the Bible and church planting. I wanted to say these videos, particularly this one, enriched a great conversation today that lasted for hours. Thank you!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad to hear the video stimulated intellectual discussion!

[@davidbradberry7637]

So grateful to HaShem for finding your videos.

[@SteveFirefly777]

“A family dispute gone really sour” is a very insightful way of describing what happened. Once again, thank you for taking on these sensitive topics. I hope that a time will come when the dispute comes to an end and there’s full repentance and restitution for all the terrible acts that have been committed.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robkunkel8833]

❤I love the Birkat Ha-Minim. The safest things we can do in life is to give and accept blessings. I love that about the liturgy. Thank you. .

[@ricardofolive]

You are a very good teacher, indeed! May Hashem bless You

[@robertlipscomb3040]

From a Christian: I love this eries and have only good things to say. For anyone interested, another more detailed source for this period is a two-part PBS Frontline miniseries, "From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians". Like your series, it is even-handed and based on sound history.

[@AbrahamsBridges]

“A family dispute, and they are separating from both sides!” So true!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

It continues well into the medieval period, too.

[@JaneDoe-ij4ls]

Thank you SO MUCH for this series🙏Baruch HaShem.

[@jerrybaird2059]

Bravo! Much to learn here, in such a compressed format.

[@chrisconnor8086]

I think of so many questions I would like to ask while listening to your lectures! It would be amazing to have an actual class with you

[@CarollemMen-cl8nz]

Yea, teach on the Book of Deuteronomy, the Blessings and Curses and why God put the Israelites out of the Promised Land and placed his Curses on them for their disobedience and breaking their Covenant with him.

[@michellelugo705]

Really appreciate you taking the time to educate people. I am learning so much.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thank you for the words of support!

[@lvgdeadgrl]

Yes! Thank you Dr. Abramson!!

[@arfjreyes]

I am a jewish-loving christian. This video is a a very sad truth. “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together!”

[@jackr7898]

That was an amazing presentation , the historical link and the background from old writings to new.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you found it useful!

[@lanerussell7958]

I was struck by your introduction to this lesson. Please do not be troubled by possible adverse reception to your videos. As a Christian myself who feels the need to understand the Jewish perspective and context of Christianity, I am finding your discourses both illuminating and profitable. If I were to complain about anything, I could only say I feel they are too short. Your presentation of the Jewish perspective of Christ is, I believe, most equitable to those of us on this side of an unfortunate, and to my mind, unnecessary divide. Please continue your excellent work.

[@eddiesanders2719]

Excellent presentation...as usual. Thank you!

[@LouisFPak]

10:07 Thanks for explaining this Henry…much respect

[@kimw200blaze4]

Thank you for your deep scholarship and research on this topic. I only have a sketchy and very superficial understanding of this area of study. It takes a lot of time, dedication and research to get a real handle on these topics.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You're very welcome

[@juanverhelst871]

Another very interesting masterclass! Thanks indeed! Shalom, shalom!!!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@williammiller3175]

Alas for people such as Chrysostom, people who refused to see the beauty in Hebraic culture. The scholars of Judaism are among the best in the world. The Bible is full of honest reporting unlike other cultures who chose to lie about their problems.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks

[@granolabean1]

Love your teaching style. Definitely useful and interesting.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Happy to hear that! Thank you for being a Public Subscriber!

[@yehonataneliyahu6318]

Amazing information as always. What a great source of information!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richardglady3009]

I actually found this video to be more “painful.” Historical Jesus, I understand. It is interesting that the Catholic Church would test forcibly converted Jews (Conversos) just as Judaism would test Jewish Christians. Sadly, the end of the Conversos might be death, not simply expulsion from the church (synagogue). For those that are interested, you also have a biographical video on Saul of Tarsus. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

There are certainly much pain related to this topic.

[@carolinemccullough9838]

I’m so sorry, I don’t feel that Jesus wanted a separation and we are less for it, in my opinion. There is immense value in Judaism, it pains me that Christians have lost sight of this. Thank you for these videos.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you find the videos useful. As far as Jesus' opinion goes, there's quite a range of interpretive approaches based on the Christian scriptures.

[@salonika124]

It really isn't all Christians and I would hazard not many in this day? All of the Christians I know as well as the large church I belong to say God bless Israel, and there are those of us praying and fasting for Israel right now ❤

[@nuqwestr]

Saul/Paul story always reminds me of the story of the McDonald brothers and Ray Croc. Croc was the great franchiser of the orthodox framework of the McDonalds.

[@marie-joelleraussou]

It is a resume of the lecture on Paul of Tarsus, with some new elements. It seems the whole dispute was a long drawn out and painfull process which took a few of centuries and became irrevocable from the moment of the conversion of the Roman emperor. I appreciate a lot to hear the other side of the story with your lectures on the Jewish side of history. Thank you!

[@honeybadgerisme]

I should say, as my studies went deeper, just how confusing it was that Jesus (in my world view=King of the Jews) was rejected by some and worse--discovered undercurrents of replacement theology in churches (greatly violating the spirit of the Torah). I greatly appreciate your lectures. You are a legit historian with a heart for all people.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for the kind words of support!

[@gregcollins7602]

I appreciate you and your video lectures. Thanks a million.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you like them!

[@stacyclark5910]

I hope this is not a hard question although I have not found anyone who can answer it satisfactorily…. When & how did synagogues get their start? There is so much specific information on how the tabernacle & the temple were to be constructed,etc…. I don’t recall reading or hearing about synagogues in scripture until the New Testament… Thanks! Really enjoying your teaching!

[@henryfultz3935]

I love this topic. As a former Christian I believe this topic needs to be understood by both Christians and Jews, but it very rarely, if ever is discussed in Christian communities based upon my experience. In the book Liberating the Gospels - Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes -Authored by Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong the author points out that Paul does not describe his conversation experience on the road to Damascus in any of his letters. The Damascus account is mentioned in Acts of the Apostles 3 times many years after the death of Paul. One could assume Paul informed Luke the writer of Acts of this event or one could also assume this was an experience Luke created. I believe this item was worth noting.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I plan to return to this topic in the next semester.

[@Stilgar74]

Sensitively navigated .. enjoying your lectures ‏ממש תודה

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Many thanks!

[@Hambone3773]

"Your name shall be the strength of the base of the pillar"

[@michellelansky4490]

We are analyzing this from a historical perspective, but from an emotional point of view....how many can relate to the searing pain and sadness experienced by the families of these....as we would call them today...... OTD 'children'. A historically painful time for the jewish people really both beginning and culminating (sort of at the same time) with the churban.

[@pgloffshore]

Shalom, Thank you very much for all the information, May The Mist High Barūk Thee. 🙏🙏🙏

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Same to you!

[@racypies]

Mr. Abramson would you be able to do a video on the people of Harran? Would be nice to know your thoughts and knowledge on them. Thank you.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Sorry, not on my research agenda for now.

[@honeybadgerisme]

This is super interesting as a subject!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I agree!

[@matthewsainsbury1801]

thanks for the short lecture henry i didnt know it was going to be so short,anyhow i hope your next lecture will be fascinating cause ive learnt that the gospels where composed shortly before and after the destruction of jerusalem by titus and vespasian and that event really ended up seperating christianity from its jewish roots,i see in a documentary that when vespasian army was marching the jewish zealots attacked a roman army at beth horon ,that was a site that judah maccabee used to ambush the syrian greek army it really shows judah maccabees memory wasnt forgoten thanks

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You are correct!

[@jasonmassi6645]

"Do we then make void the law through faith??? Certainly Not!!!! On the contrary we establish the law" Romans 3:27 . I never understood all the confusion. Shalom! I enjoy your channel

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you find it useful.

[@jasonmassi6645]

We dont make the law void through faith meaning we do follow the torah and commandments sabbath seasons etc ... the receiving of the ruach hakodesh changes your heart and instead of having to keep the law we delight in his law and commands corrections etc . Salvation is free by grace and inturn receive the ruach . So not being under the law meaning we are already saved by grace not by works but now instead of toiling to keep the law for salvation we keep it because we delight in it and it wisdom is beyond human scope . In the natural flesh i never got it. The ruach changes everything.

[@brunocarvalho9570]

Very interesting lecture in a nutshell. The Birkat Ha-Minim makes me remember the Daniel Boyarin's book, namely, Border Lines. He argues that the separation between Judaism and Christianity were imposed from above by "border-makers", heresiologists anxious to construct a discrete identity for Christianity. By defining some beliefs and practices as Christian and others as Jewish or also known as heretical, they moved ideas, behaviors, and people to one side or another of an artificial border. Hence, that is the proccess that Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt''l defines , in his milestone work Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence, as a Pathological Dualism that has created the road to the jewish persecutions and all that.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Very useful observations!

[@Ian-nb9iw]

Thank you for these videos. I appreciate your insight. The archeological stuff is particularly awesome. I've been learning about the late developments in the Catholic liturgy. I'm not sure whether it was the intent of Pope Benedict XIV with 'Summorum Pontificum,' but I'm hopeful that more Catholics will be looking into the liturgical reforms of 1955, 1962, etc., and sensitivity / awareness of these issues and occurrences will become more well known and better understood. Cheers and God bless!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you like them!

[@douglasgrant8315]

History is what it is.

[@Jemoh66]

Excellent articulation of the process that pushed each brother to his separate corner of the ring.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you found it worthwhile.

[@JoseReyes-nf7us]

This is Fascinating.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I know, right?

[@MovieTrackMan]

Thank you Dr Abramson. I appreciate the sensitivity surrounding this topic on both sites. You have provided references of invective in the writings of the early Christian church fathers but can you also comment on the reported invective which is in the Babylonian Talmud against Jesus and his followers? Thank you again for taking on this topic.

[@lsmart]

Unfortunately, the invective of the Church very quickly turned into persecution and murder of Jews by the official Church leaders. Any anti-Jesus invective in the Talmud against Jesus and Christians (and even the little that exists, was couched in euphemisms and not explicit) focused on the fact that he obviously forsook the Jewish faith and the Old Testament, and was thus off-limits to any Jew who wishes to be considered faithful, but it never went beyond that, and there were no known cases of Jews persecuting Christians on account of their faith, let alone killing them.

[@nivsport]

Can you do a video on Nittel Nacht?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

There are many already available.

[@luiscecilio8807]

thank you

[@Livingmydreammm]

Thank you 😍 😍 😍

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Welcome 😊

[@richardline2697]

Shalom Aleichem! Love the video. When are you coming to Toronto? My son bought me the Jefferson Bible a few years ago; it's a beautiful book, the stories from the four gospels all in a row but no miracles! No mention of the Virgin Birth for instance? I believe Thomas Jefferson was a Deist? Well, have to go; late for Church! (Catholic in Canada)

[@joannspumanti3385]

Constantine did not make Christianity the State Religion. He merely passed law of toleration meaning that the persecutions of the Christians by the Romans were illegal and the religion was to be tolerated. It was the emperor Theodosius who made Christianity the State Religion.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Useful comment, thanks.

[@johnwalz2832]

Dr. Abromson, Would you be able to comment on the dating of the Birkat haMinim. You mention it was at the end of the first century. Does the evidence point before or after the temple destruction?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Most scholars suggest it was composed a few decades after the destruction. See Alan Davies' work for a more detailed analysis.

[@matthewsainsbury1801]

and thanks for your condolences and you keep safe

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You too

[@jokas7732]

Was Josephus Paul? The more I learn and read the more it seems so much of this was a Roman psy-op… I wish so much I could talk with you privately. Thank you for your teachings.

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

Thank you so much!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You're welcome!

[@billyhw5492]

Is there any solid history out there about what percentage of Jews worldwide had converted to Christianity in the first few centuries of the Christian era? And what ever happened to all the Hellenized Jews, especially in Alexandria...did they mostly convert to Christianity?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Not aware of any reliable demographic data.

[@qosolka3320]

Quite interesting that the NT does reference rabbinical traditions despite later Jewish-Christian disputations in the Middle Ages centered around the idea that the Talmud should not be a part of Judaism at all

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Good observation!

[@hashemisbeautiful6615]

I agree that this is a good observation. _I_ think the reason for this is that the NT was stuck with these things because Jesus actually said them, and Jesus actually said them because he was heavily influenced by Pharisaic thought (and may have even started off as one). The Church deals with this in two ways: 1) they rely on their non-Jewish audience being largely ignorant of these Pharisaic references (which I find to be the case today, to a large degree), and 2) in some narratives it seems that the information is "spun" in a certain way to make it seem like Jesus is saying things contradictory to the Pharisees, such as when he says, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:8) That phrase makes no sense at all from a Pharisaic perspective.

[@awfelia]

So glad I found your channel..am going to be following for sure! Since 2016 I have been reading and comparing the Hebrew words and my experience of the Bible has both widened n deepened!! ♡

[@josebenjaminlopezn]

Hi professor, I was thinking maybe the stained glass with the brown Jesus makes a reference to the new discovered lands of America and as it is in a church maybe is imploring something to G-d, maybe something that is like the song of Virgin Mary being her a jewish woman being it all a referense to the role of jews in the new world thats was taking shape at that time.

[@kurtf.4383]

Mr. Abramson, I really appreciate your work! You are a great intellect! I’d also like to preface my statement by saying that I am a Christian, a Christian Jew. That said, I will pray for the Juice of the world every day. I pray for them so that they’ll come to know Yehoshua as their, and the entire world’s and universe’s Messiah. Telling the Truth is challenging, difficult, and painful from time to time. Sometimes, it’s offensive. But, people should sacrifice anything for the Truth. The Truth is that Yehoshua is the ONLY Messiah, and anything else to the contrary is antichrist. Period. One could act like the kindest, nicest, most polite, philanthropic individual that ever existed but at the end of the day, if they don’t believe in and accept Yehoshua as Creation’s Messiah, they’re doomed to Hellfire. It took me quite a long time to come to the Truth. And as an ethnic Jew, I know how difficult it is to accept something that AT FIRST feels so painful. We as a people are natural contrarians, we’re always looking for a way out of doing the right thing, and we’re always trying to find ways to explain away the Truth at every turn... even if it’s staring us in the face!!! I mean, look at the ENTIRE “Old Testament”!!! The entire Testament is chock-filled with narratives regarding the absolute disobedience of the Israelites and subsequent Judahites, Benjaminites, and Levites. Anyway, I like your work and personality, Mr. Abramson. Keep up the great work and come to Christ, I’ll be praying for you! Blessings!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for the kind words, but hard to take them seriously when you are simultaneously "dooming me to Hellfire," you know?

[@illerac84]

You know....I have watched many videos where you used the example of the stained glass window, not until you pointed it out did I notice the color of glass used for the skin color of Jesus. Perhaps a piece by an artist that had traveled to the region and observed local peoples? Is there any information on the artist or crew that constructed the window?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I'm not aware of that.

[@YahLion77]

So subtilty aknowleged the Black Jews listening to you classes.

[@johnwalz2832]

I think your observation that early Christianity and the synagogues split was originally a family dispute is a good place to theologically keep the conversation. By the 4th century, as you said, Christian ideology abounded, and in my opinion, politicized to the point where the core values of the Gospel were totally absent. Like in Josiah's day, it took a reformation for a few to see how far removed from God's word the "church" actually was. Looking back to a previous video you made regarding the oral Torah, and Rabbinic traditions, there was in-house discussions on hermeneutics used to interpret the biblical material. It is apparent then that opinions varied widely, yet managed to be maintained within the larger Jewish community. I wonder though, Historically, we can consider all the factors that further split the church from the synagogue including the horrors of anti-semitism. But if we are going to consider the core fundamentals of the matter, I think we must keep the discussion with the bounds of the hermitical approach of Scripture. Early Christianity, as you said, was a family matter. The founders of Christianity are all Jewish, shaped by the Judaism of their day, yet still able to make their conclusions about Jesus based on their hermenetics. I think the NT book of Hebrews is a fascinating source of how Jewish Christians viewed the Scriptures and came to their conclusions. For most "gentiles" who are not steeped in Torah, we will easily miss the heavy heavy usage of allusions and quotations that fill throught process of the Jewish NT authors. The foundation of the church is and forever will be Jewish and no amount of gentile influence, rhetoric, or politicized religion can ever change that. In spite of the harsh things said through history, Acts (15:19-29) gives us a wonderful account of Jewish church instructing a predomintaly gentile church in antioch how to continue fellowship with their Jewish brothers.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for the detailed comment. I recommend The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford U Press) that provides a really rich context of the Jewish references.

[@johnwalz2832]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD bought it~

[@JD-ir5fj]

One would have to examine the early Jerusalem church under James. Origen came very early on and translated the Scriptures. The early church in Alexandria was well established.

[@warped_spacetime]

According to Rabbi Lord Sacks (zl), Rav Kook points out that the only other reference to Shmuel HaKatan (Samual the Small) refers to his saying "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls". Lord Sacks continues: "Only a person who deeply loved his fellow human beings could be entrusted with the task of constructing this prayer, which must be free of animosity and schadenfraude."

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Rabbi Sacks--how phenomenal was he. We are so bereft without him. Thanks for sharing this thought.

[@reginasatterthwaite1540]

Thank you f

[@Johns649]

Thank you for your honesty. As a Christian I apologize. Truth is sometimes hard to hear. Few Christians understand true history and the persecution Jews endured by Christians. The synchronization of Christianity and Rome was a disaster and great heresy. I deeply regret much of Christianity still has this corrupted Hellenistic world view. Truth is often hard to hear, especially when light exposes the darkness of deceit which is often taught. Jews are and always will be the apple of Elohim eye. This is biblical and historical truth.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thank you for your kind remarks.

[@terrayjos]

i'm sure you've heard this saying plenty of times but you can't please all of the people all of the time. i think you need to be reminded and don't worry so much about being liked by everyone. if you are doing your job honestly and with integrity then you've done your job.. i can't believe some of the most innocent of videos on You Tube get dislikes and people complaining. i guess they had a bad day and needed to vent...what a better way than on a stranger. deleting the unhelpful negative comments seems to be the best way to deal with the problem.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for the support. I try not to delete comments so that people can get involved in the discussion even if they disagree with me or others, just so long as they are polite and reasonable. But yes, I have to delete plenty.

[@jenA9026]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD I'm so sorry you have to deal with rude and/or disrespectful comments. You provide a great service to many by providing these excellent lectures. Personally I miss the jokes you used to tell when you did your lectures in front of a live audience. I have a very dear Jewish friend, and I used to take those jokes back to him and he loved it! But... I understand, this is not the format. Best wishes to you good sir.

[@essenceofgrowing7804]

I understand that the “us/them” issue or debate is when Judaism (and only when it) places the traditions of men and the extra biblical laws (laws not found in the Torah and Tanak) above what is in the Tanak. It was later, and it didn’t take long for, the ekklesia (and synagogues) to become gentile and predominantly unlearned and unstable. Then later generations (Catholics and Protestants) took their biases and read them right back into Paul, making the Hebrew of Hebrew Paul (Shaul), into an anti Jew and a gentile Paul. Only when you see Paul as pro-torah (but is also rejecting that one must stand at the foot of Mt Sinai before one is delivery from Egypt) that we see how “the church” got off track.

[@ryanmbira3968]

Your previous video was very balanced!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks

[@augurcybernaut4785]

Synagogues or are these artistic symbols of New Testament vs old covenant

[@karenwickhorst8226]

Dr. Abramson, this is a comment on an old video of yours, on Saul/Paul of Tarsus (from seven years ago, which I just listened to online. Being a Christian relatively new to Bible study, I have to tell you that when studying “Romans” I found a significant deviation from the original Abraham story that Paul was misrepresenting. I argued about this in class and now that we are studying early Christianity in that same class, I decided to look up the differences between the Torah, the Talmud, and the Mishnah. Why? Because, as you stated in your lecture, it’s never quite clear what aspect of Jewish law Paul is talking about. So I came to what might be a disturbing conclusion from the Christian angle: by throwing out, or even dismissing the importance of Oral law (before it became codified with the many interpretations of scholars), he was, in fact, throwing out the baby with the bath water (thought you might enjoy that image, knowing your sense of humor). I feel that, by pulling the strings out of the fabric of Jewish customs and rituals that are a living expression of Jewish faith-an oversimplification, I’m sure-he was, in fact, invalidating the underpinnings of the faith he left behind. Trying to reconcile the two, I feel, was perhaps an attempt to soothe his own conscience... I don’t know. But this is just to tell you that, there are those lay-learners (I love the Jewish saying that study is the highest form of worship), and after being exposed to Dennis Prager’s “Rational Bible” and to your lectures-just a few so far), I feel reassured that my tangential journeys are not in vain, even if my Bible teacher might frown upon what appears to be apostasy. I like to go back and forth between Bruce Gore’s historical lectures on the Bible and your presentations on the history of Judaism, and I have to say that I feel uniquely lucky to have gained access to these two invaluable sources that don’t really alter my faith, but which add a dimension to it that I find very satisfying, So, thank you for that, and I will continue to tune in to your ongoing enriching broadcasts.

[@bpeper1365]

Fair to question things but do you think you’d have a better understanding of the law than a Pharisee? Paul understood the law very well.

[@karenwickhorst8226]

@@bpeper1365 Definitely not! But to what extent was he compromising his own foundation? Just asking. I know books have been written on this, so I’m looking at this from a very uneducated and limited perspective. I just wish Bible teachers (in church classes) would be clear as to what exactly what Paul means by “the law.” I’m reading John Barton’s “A History of the Bible,” and have just started the New Testament section, so maybe my question will be answered there.

[@Madame_Boudica]

Who do you think are closer brothers, Jews and Christians (non-Catholic especially) or Muslims and Jews?

[@charlesedwards5333]

Great lecture, again. The original or early birchas haminim was explicit in saying not malshinim but meshubadim and notzrim.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks. And yes, there were some textual variations.

[@ortho-g9826]

As an Orthodox Christian, I find the overemphasis of Roman Catholic practices and actions throughout history, after the Great Schism, to be counterproductive because these practices and actions are not in conformity with ancient and authentic Christianity.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I only touch on the 4th century here, with a note on some elements of the Byzantine Church (e.g. Chrysostom). We'll get to the schism later, I think.

[@haraldthi]

I have heard other stories of Emperor Constantine. That while especially his mother became a Christian and probably was an influence, the real problem he needed to solve was that of a Roman Empire falling apart due to all the infighting between the various religions. He needed to create a common religion for the whole empire and looked not just at Christianity but also at the Zarathustra faith of the east. While himself being a sun worshipper until his death bed. (Perhaps explaining much of the sun symbolism in Roman church.) And when you enforce a religion not just by political power but also by political compromise, you get the results that you get Especially when the Jews were as disliked as they were, after the rebellions.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Useful

[@josephaggs7791]

May I suggest an interesting move in Christianity in the 1800s was dispensationalism, which made room again for Jews as a way to repent for anti Semitic theology

[@JD-ir5fj]

Clearest example of a smooth transition will be found in Ethiopian Judeo-Christian theosophy.

[@myslicikrestan5538]

What is your personal wiev of this topic? How u understand Christianity as jews historician? Thanks for answer and your videos.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I generally don't share my personal opinion on these matters with strangers. You have my professional opinion here.

[@myslicikrestan5538]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD I understand and I respect it. How u explain Saul change to Paul? I mean it's there some way how to explain change from fanatical Pharisees to opposite? I mean in Jewish tradition.

[@eve3614]

At this point in history, would Hebrew have still been a vernacular language or had it been supplanted by Aramaic?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Aramaic was definitely the vernacular of the Jews. Hebrew would still have been used as a language of study and prayer, and the level of Hebrew literacy was probably pretty high, especially given the broad similarities between the two languages (kind of like Spanish and French).

[@eve3614]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD Thank you so much! Would you ever be interested in doing an aside on the history of Jewish languages?

[@lsdlrf]

Now this is one very bad family fight. Do you have any thoughts or ideas on how to correct what has occurred? Nothing is impossible with HaShem...

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Sorry, my department is history. Everything I study is in the past. I leave the future to the prophecy department.

[@shemayisroelyeshuaahuvi654]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD Good answer

[@darryl5372]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD Good one!

[@myspaceplays284]

I love your videos rabbi. I would love to hear your take on Yeshua’s miracles. I’d also like to know how Jews read stories like Jonah in the belly of the whale… literally? Do you think Christians can learn more about how to read the New Testament by understanding how Jews read and interpret the Torah? Thank you so much for sharing these teachings the way you do.

[@lsmart]

If I may volunteer an answer as an Orthodox rabbi. Unless the Talmudic sages expressly stated that some part of an Old Testament story is merely intended as an allegory, Orthodox Jews view all miracles related there (such as the Jonah story) literally. We do not accept the miracles related about Jesus in the same way because the Old Testament states explicitly that the moment any prophet tells you to do things contrary to what the Pentateuch commands you, he is a false prophet and you are to ignore everything he shows you, even if he seems to perform some miraculous acts. To us, the Torah is eternal, and no one can ever change any of its laws and beliefs.

[@myspaceplays284]

@@lsmart thank you 🙏

[@gisselherrera7490]

@@lsmart rabbi, please if I may ask, I'm trying to understand: which things said or done by Jesus were contrary to the Pentateuch?

[@lsmart]

​@@gisselherrera7490 This is not the place, nor do I have the time, to explain this in detail. But for starters, the very notion that a human being can turn into a partner with God in a Trinity, or that there can be a Son of God, refutes what the Torah (Pentateuch) repeatedly states, such as "Hear O Israel, Y--h is our God, Y--h is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4), or, "For Y--h is the God, there is no other besides him" (ibid. 4:35), or, "For Y--h is the God in the heavens above and the earth below, there is no other" (ibid. 4:39). Likewise, all the prophecies about the future Messiah speak about an ordinary human being whom God will select to be his representative as leader of the entire world in its more spiritual new version, but there is not even the slightest suggestion that the Messiah will be a former human who became part of a Trinity 2,000 years ago Additionally, Jesus (or his disciples speaking in his name) stated that half of the Torah's laws no longer apply -- such as observing the Sabbath and doing no work on Saturdays, observing the holidays of Passover, Pentacost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot), resting and fasting on Yom Kippur, all the kosher food laws, and countless others. But the Torah says explicitly that all 613 of its commandments are eternal, such as, "All the words that I command you, that shall you observe to do; you shall not add to it and you shall not subtract from it" (Deuteronomy 13:1), and "The revealed ones are for us and our children forever, to carry out all the words of the Torah" (ibid. 29:28). I think I have provided more than enough proof of my earlier claim. All the best to you.

[@lsmart]

@@gisselherrera7490 This is not the place, nor do I have the time, to explain this in detail. But for starters, the very notion that a human being can turn into a partner with God in a Trinity, or that there can be a Son of God, refutes what the Torah (Pentateuch) repeatedly states, such as "Hear O Israel, Y--h is our God, Y--h is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4), or, "For Y--h is the God, there is no other besides him" (ibid. 4:35), or, "For Y--h is the God in the heavens above and the earth below, there is no other" (ibid. 4:39). Likewise, all the prophecies about the future Messiah speak about an ordinary human being whom God will select to be his representative as leader of the entire world in its more spiritual new version, but there is not even the slightest suggestion that the Messiah will be a former human who became part of a Trinity 2,000 years ago. Additionally, Jesus (or his disciples speaking in his name) stated that half of the Torah's laws no longer apply -- such as observing the Sabbath and doing no work on Saturdays, observing the holidays of Passover, Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot), resting and fasting on Yom Kippur, all the kosher food laws, and countless others. But the Torah says explicitly that all 613 of its commandments are eternal, such as, "All the words that I command you, that shall you observe to do; you shall not add to it and you shall not subtract from it" (Deut. 13:1), and "The revealed ones are for us and our children forever, to carry out all the words of the Torah" (ibid. 29:28). I think I have provided more than enough proof of my earlier claim. Wishing you all the best.

[@luannefarmer]

Personally I believe that the Gentile structure of the Church is not how it was suppose to go. I think the faith ( Christianity) should still be a Jewish faith as it was in the beginning. But I suppose cultural influences change religion. And as it was accepted by Gentiles so vastly, it had to adapt. Interesting today many Christians are keen to find our Jewish roots and rethinking the culture of the church. The Bible says Gentiles have been ‘grafted in ‘ , thus a sort of adoption to the Chosen people.

[@scullyfox4271]

I appreciate your videos as I am a lover of history. I have a question, do the Jews at least consider Jesus a prophet because he foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. He said " your enemies will build a trench around you and encompass you on every side". The Romans did exactly that. Thanks again look forward to your response.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Impossible for me to speak for "the Jews," sorry.

[@scullyfox4271]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD Hmm, I thought you did 🤔 Or at least have knowledge of what Jewish people thought on this topic.

[@lsmart]

@@scullyfox4271 I believe my response to Myspace Plays just above answers your question.

[@scrwbll19]

I am impressed that you were able to cover about 250 - 300 years of history in 10 minutes! That takes serious skill! Might I suggest some books for further reading for those who are interested? I hope that I am not breaching any boundaries here. I apologize if I am. It is just that this is an area of history that I have studied and am passionate about because it has strong implications for us today. These are academic texts that are still pretty friendly for the layperson: "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" by Marvin R. Wilson covers the historical and cultural divide between what became the church and synagogue. "Approaches to Paul: A Student's Guide to Recent Scholarship" by Magnus Zetterholm discusses where the different views on Paul lay, which range from Paul starting Christianity and divorcing himself from Judaism to remaining a faithful Jew all his life.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for the references.

[@formerlyrabbigodjr1110]

I have a question who is Mighty God and Everlasting Father?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Ask Siri?

[@formerlyrabbigodjr1110]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD Why can't I ask you? Aren't you an expert in the Hebrew scriptures?

[@annehoskins5795]

What is the Jewish take on end times. No doubt you are familiar with the "Left Behind" series. My understanding of the Jewish stance on this is the Temple will have to be rebuilt. The Messiah will be a mortal human leader instead of a supernatural person. He will restore Jews to their former glory and they will rule the earth and there will be peace on earth. I was wondering what will happen to Gentiles. Will they be accepted or will God condemn them.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I'm not familiar with "Left Behind." But your questions are more appropriate for a theology channel rather than here, where we focus on history.

[@sessycuban]

It is ahistorical to describe Rabinical Judaism as the mother ideology of the then emerging early Christianity. Jewish practice at the time, as with all religions, was highly heterodox, and it wasn't even clear pharisaic Judaism would prevail but for the Roman conquest and the destruction of the Second Temple. If anything, Second Temple Judaism, or the reaction to it, is the mother ideology of early Christianity.

[@Wawas318]

I did listen to #28 I listen to others and I go with my gut instincts, I gather Jesus had a huge amount of followers, to the Romans that was a threat to topple them so they crucified there leader to remove this threat

[@Igor_Itkin]

The Birkat haMinim in the Geniza mentions Christians verbatim.

[@MB-gv3zs]

Very tragic.

[@AaronMiller-rh7rj]

hi, may I say the apostle john did not write Revelation. A bit of heterodox (today) Revelation is not inspired or canonical. (I went to temple growing up but never had a teacher like you)

[@alg11297]

Good video as usual. Paul claimed he was a Pharasee and was under orders by the high command to persecute Christians. However, the Temple was run by Saducees. Problem? In the Book of Acts Paul did not have a vision of Jesus but he said he saw a bright light and heard a voice. From this description you wonder how he knew whose voice it was considering he never met Jesus. Finally, there is a great scene in "The Last Temptation of Christ" where Jesus, having survived the cross and lived many years, is confronted by Paul trying to evangelize the people. I have saved it if you want me to send it to you.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Not for now, thanks.

[@theholygospels3409]

Bro you should read Acts 9:3-5, 22:6-8 he saw Lord Jesus Christ in vision

[@yourthought2333]

Kosher Chinese food ready 😊

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

For the 24th, I presume!

[@michaelshoolman9506]

As always, a very interesting and well delivered lecture. Re who actually was the historic Jesus may I recommend works by probably one of the greatest Jewish experts on this subject the late Prof Hyam Maccoby and three of his important works -- Revolution in Judea where he shows the anti Roman aims of Jesus which is why they killed him, The Mythmaker- Paul and the invention of Christianity where he proves that Jesus had no intention of creating any new religion , this was done by Paul. Finally Jesus the Pharisee where he shows that the real Jesus was in fact a Pharisee rabbi which of course goes against the whole basis of the claims of Paul.I would also suggest James the Brother of Jesus by Prof Robert Eisenman a huge work where he brings substantial evidence to show that Jesus and his brothers James, Judah and Simeon were devoted Torah observant Jews and that James was horrified at what Paul was preaching about his dead brother.Also bear in mind that the four Gospels Mark ,Mathew Luke and John were written by anonymous authors no one knows who they actually were ,these names were invented by the church.

[@dbtez1212]

Jesus came first to Israel and then to us gentiles but sadly most of His people rejected Him as it was written in the Bible but its sad to see it Jesus was prophesied in the old testament and came to pass just as it was prophesied

[@lszujo73]

I think it is factually a mistake to contribute the separation of the church and the synagogue /jews vs gentiles/ to Paul and his theology,The letter to Romans,which is considered to be the very theological foundation of Christianity ,there are 3 full chapters explaining the relevance,the continuity and the eternal nature of God's covenant to His people Israel...just as much it is not everybody who goes to church or call himself a Christian,is a Christian so it is with Jewish people,yet God, overall is faithful to the promises and covenants given to Abraham and his natural descendants. his choice toward Israel unchangeable./summarizing Romans 9-11/

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for your contribution.

[@michaelsmith9453]

Sorry Dr. Abramson, but I don't think Yeshua was the "Founder of Christianity". Yeshua was a Torah-observant Torah-teaching Rabbi according to the Gospel's record. Christianity is basically a philosophy based on verses taken out of their historical and cultural context primarily from Paul's writings.

[@terrytzaneros8007]

Shaul Ha Tarshi remains THE Apostle par excellence.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Definitely important.