Esther as Crypto-Jew: Jewish History, Identity and the Missing 107 Verses from the Book of Esther
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.พ. 2021
- Some thoughts on the literary figure of Queen Esther on the eve of the holiday of Purim. Talk originally delivered to members of Project Makom on February 21, 2021.
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Watching you work is like witnessing a true force of nature, Dr. Abramson. I’ve given up hope of ever keeping up, and I’m fully cognizant that all I’m doing is watching while you’re actually creating this incredible material. And, once upon a time I actually thought I knew things.
Baruch Ha’Shem.
Watching from Melbourne 🇦🇺 as soon as you pop up on my feed, I’m clicking. God has blessed you with amazing knowledge & ability to communicate & share what you know with us mere mortals. You are another example of how God blesses the Jews. Sending much respect & love from a gentile who loves the Jews because Jesus is Jewish 💕
Ooh, same here, @TheGeorges. LOVE this professor & his teaching of Jewish history.
Here in the USA. Have several Jewish friends & celebrate some of the Feasts along with them, even though I'm a non-denom Christian.
SHALOM! May God help His people & all others in Ukraine.
@@rebekahv5185 Shalom
I’m starting to wonder if there is some sort of awakening, amongst gentile believers of Yeshua about Gods festivals and his blessed Sabbath? We too for the last couple of years have been attempting (very clumsily- we are still learning) to do all of Gods bible appointments festivals!
What can I say other then this... Always educational, informative and brilliant. Toda raba Dr. Abramson
This is a wonderful enlightening shiur as all of yours are! Thx and purim samech from Israel...
One of the best, most precise commentaries of that period and it's peoples that I have heard.
Much Blessings and prayers for you and your programs Dr.Abramson .
This was the best lecture ever! (so far)
Wow! This one is fantastic. I love how you appreciate fine art and incorporate it into your lectures. Great stuff.
Many thanks!
@@HenryAbramsonPhD funo
Writing from Modiim in Israel but a long time member of YILC this is why I follow Henry Abramson's lectures. My eyes are opened to Jewish history as I have never seen it before. There is so much information that puts our history in the real world. There is so much that is surprising and fascinating. The most amazing information is that we are still here. Thank you so much. I really don't know how you accomplish so much but I'm glad of it. It is just right that my shul is honoring you. Go from strength to strength.
Thank you for the kind words!
I had never heard of Uriel Acosta. Thank You for bringing light to his Story
Great info, presented so well. Thank you.
Loved your commentary, Happy Purim 🙏
Thank you! You too!
Very grateful for your work. Thank you.
You're a great teacher. I'm not Jewish, but I enjoy your history teachings a lot.
Thank you!
@@bible4truth Ok... Teach me the correct history than. Explain how he's not Jewish. If you're correct, this request will be simple for you to complete.
One of you best talks, in my humble opinion. I really look forward to them.
You are very kind!
Thank you, Sir, from Omaha Nebraska. Very grateful for your lectures
Dr. Abramson, your presentation is, once again, a tour de force. I suspect that when future historians explore the reasons Judaism survived past the 20th century, you will be given the recognition you so richly deserve.
Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate the feedback and hope I can do my part to help the world in whichever way I can.
Thank you for being a Public Subscriber!
Thank you for the time and hard work you do. It truly is inspiring and educational
Thanks for the kind words!
the story of esther can cheer you up in these hard times ive been reading it this pastweek as the holiday approches ,her name esther means hidden as you can see in the story gods hand is envolved although his name isnt mentioned
True
Salom Sabat family and friends.
We understand the term Moreno to mean black man Blackamoor or black Jew. This was my first time hearing that it means pig in some Jewish communities.
Crypto Jew is an interesting term. However it implies my people’s existence was in the past only, but thanks to Ha-Shem we are still here.
Most of us from the diaspora of 70ad and many in the 1490s fled to West Africa as instructed by HaShem. Then many of us were taken again to EGYPT again in ships to fulfill more succinctly the words of Moshe. This is how we understand our own history. This is consistent with world History.
We will still hold fast to the term Moreno, friend. It proves our place in history. Sabat Salom to you all, friends and family.
When I was growing up in my crypto -Jewish family, The “feast day” of St Esther was talked about & celebrated. All the famous people of the “Old Testament “ were considered saints.
Interesting
Where and when did you grow up?
Hey rabbi shalom not seen you in ages miss your jewish jokes hope you and family are well lots of love stay safe.
You too! Note, not a Rabbi, just a regular guy.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I was wondering about the rabbi title after hearing about bal shem tov it's not scholarly which I thought it's more saintly am I right?
@@LAILA-2816 No sainthood in Judaism. Title of Rabbi, in modern times, represents an achieved status from one of the Seminaries (orthodox, conservative,reform in U.S. England etc. and Yeshivot (( institutes of Torah studies in Israel and abroad )) which educates students and tests them on that institutions required level of learning. If attained then that person is “ ordained” as a Rabbi, in Hebrew referred to as a RAV. BUT, rabbi status is not necessarily synonymous with scholarship as in the case of students who earn a PhD degree in Jewish studies. Although many rabbis may be scholars of Talmud, Jewish Law, Jewish history
That is as good as it gets. Bravo.
Thank you! Glad you found it useful.
Dear Rabbi, Your lectures are extremely interesting and well researched. With respect to the 4 characters and the 2 who were undefined: Could they be in reference to the 4 who are mentioned in the Passover Hagaddah? "Echad chochem, etc."? As there are 4 weeks that separate Purim from Pesach could those 4 characters symbolize the 4 parshas between Purim and Pesach? Just a though.
He’s not a rabbi
At 29:30 he FINALLY begins talking about Esther but which verses were added to the book he doesn’t ever say!
What is wrong with him, anyway?
Thank you for this presentation and building up my knowledge on crypto Jews. You brought up so many thoughts and meaningful relations by tying in these amazing historical accounts giving more to think about as Purim approaches. As well as the stunning art work you joined with it.
Thank you Melody H! Much appreciated.
RE: Uriel DaCosta- Being humbled to our own deficiencies is a core concept in Judaism...and striving towards better character traits is a personal choice and journey that can't be externally forced... which must have been the lesson for Uriel.
Thanks!
Always appreciate seeing your contribution to the research! Thank you.
Project Makom Feb. 2022, have we missed a year?
Yikes. Thanks for noticing, corrected the error. Sometimes, however, I feel that we did miss a year.
Thank you so much, your presentation was wonderful)as Always) it answered many questions I had on what exactly a Crypto Jew was. I look forward to seeing your next lecture!
Enjoy in good health!
I can relate to Uriel daCosta's experiences.
Wonderful to listen to before Purim! Thank you Dr. Abramson. This subject of Crypto-Jew relates to me especially 2019 weeks after Purim when I found out that I have Sephardic Jewish blood and maiden last name from my mom and dad's side! I was hidden myself and had no clue. This year after Passover I will be visiting my family in Mexico to ask many questions and hopefully find answers.
Fascinating!
Diego de Montemayor is also an example in northern Mexico.
Great explanation 👌 👍 👏..
I found as my family was crypto- jews ✡️ as well...
The 4 “people “ in the painting at the very end of the lecture have only 7 feet. They are also significantly larger in stature than the rest of those depicted. Not sure if that helps your theory but definitely think there is something symbolic about them as well
Your treatment of Uriel DaCosta was quite moving.
Thank you.
Fascinating lecture. Thank you, Dean Abramson!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the wonderful videos, again. I took my children to Hamadan, Iran where the tombs of Queen Esther and Mordecai are located.
Fascinating!
How wonderful, Moraeme!
Wow beautiful!! Love your work!!! Thanks!!!
Much appreciated, Mr. Shimon!
How did the inquisition end? Do you have a lecture on this?
Thanks for all your amazing lectures.
It still exists in the Catholic church, in the guise of the “congregation of the doctrine of the faith”.
See some of the earlier lectures series on this channel.
Another great video Dr. Abramson, and I particularly enjoyed the joke about the 70 Rabbis as well!
Thank you kindly
@@HenryAbramsonPhD You're welcome, sir
Such a multifaceted interpretation, beautifully placed on the four women and their readability. Many thanks.
Thank you for the kind words!
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Mr Abramson, in the description it says 2022. But that's next year! ;-)
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Dear Sir: This episode does not go away from one's mind. 107 verses were added to Septuagint, to reveal Esther's Jewish identity. Did all 70 Hebrew scholars do this? Do we know this, against the joke of complete interpersonal fidelity? I checked the Penguin King's James: no note about this in its end-notes to Esther. Thus, when the Masoretic OT was assembled, these 107 lines were dropped, as they were not in the Hebrew Torah? Such interpolations occur in Sanskrit texts I study, and they reveal whole hidden stories. Many thanks.
In the gemara there is no mention that the 70 rabbis translated neveim and kesuvim. Rabbi Tuvia Singer claims that there is no such translation. Can you do a lecture about the history of the septuagent from multiple perspectives.
Here you go: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint
I love your lectures and this one on Crypto-Jews and Queen Esther has been very enlightening. I married a Crypto-Jew and only found out many years later that he was Jewish.
Fascinating!
Lady, that's grounds for an annulment.
HAPPY PURIM to you henry abramson,i havent been able to watch your recent programmes due to whats going on in my country with covid,sadly cases in barbados have spiked we lost a young girl recently to this dangerous illness,its very nerve raking we had to be under extreme lockdown not able to venture outside,thanks henry for your show the story of the jewish man who ended his life ive nver heard thats tragic ,i like the story of hadasssah/esther showing how something thats negative turns positive,even mordechai told her perhaps youve been placed in authority for such a time as this stay safe
Sorry to hear the sad news.
I watched that entire thing but one major thought came across my mind. Yes Queen Esther, but also Daniel beside the king on his other side. BUT with the 4 people COULD be something in the book of Daniel and Esther. ONE could be a literal Angel with the 3 people that were burned. Shadrack, Mechach and Abednego were the people’s names.
Hmm
Could the 4 figures represent the 4 sons at Pesach asking the 4 questions- and representing- 4 different types of Jews?
thank you, thank you, thank you sir, from me in australia. Thanks to G_D for being alive to hear your lectures, as I gain a 'slender knowledge of higher things' & struggle to have an identity as is the gift from G_D.
You are very welcome
Another fascinating lecture full of detailed information about the historical facts behind all the religious accounts prior to Purim and the connection of Esther with Cripto-Jews.
Thanks!
Dear Dr Abramson - I'm not sure whether you are saying that Esther fasted and prayed or not. What are the verses that the Rabbis added? If you just tell us about that and don't tell us which verses, then it leaves us in limbo wandering and doubting what the Scripture says. Could you explain please?
Perhaps the four charactes represent Daniel, Chananya, Mishael and Azariah?
Hammans ears really making me hungry
Thank you for a very interesting and informative lecture, as usual.
Two questions, if I may?
1. You mentioned that the purim story was between the Temples. Surely this is according to the chronology of the rabbis as opposed to outside history?
2. Esther in the septuagint and apocrypha conforms closer to Jewish ideals, making it more acceptable. However, there was a big debate among the rabbis whether to include Esther in the Canon. Yet the additions in the septuagint were not accepted in the Canon? Can you please explain this difficulty.
If you listen carefully to the lecture I think you will find that I answered your questions.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD my apologies! I'll listen again. Thank you for your reply
Very sad. But people need to know
Happy Purim, mr Abrahamson. One thing I didn't quite understand was the reference of Esther was included in the septuagint. I thought the earliest letters found on the septuagint is from (Aristeas), describes the septuagint was only of the first 5 books (please correct me if I'm wrong). I also thought that Joseph wrote this in one of his books. Could you elaborate this?
Later developments and translations.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD thanks for clarifying. Much Appreciated
Excellent series. It’s worth mentioning that Andalusian Arab Muslims were also subject to the same sadistic torture of the Inquisition.
Yes.
Hi dr Henery you still didnt tell me whats the song before the video
I have no idea. TH-cam adds the song.
Thank you, awesome History Lesson.
Glad you enjoyed it
Forced marriage? Esther entered the beauty contest voluntarily.
I am learning much thank you. I am from a broken Jewish line but have found it anyway. What an infinite treasure. I'd like to know how / when Caucasus dna arrived in France.
The history of Jewish presence in the Caucasus becomes silent during the Islamic epoch.
Glad you found it helpful
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Do you know of any literature I can find on the topic I mention?
👏👏👏👏
History is like a looking glass. More than just learning history, one can ascertain about the historian's thoughts, imagination and life perspectives.
True
pig is pronounced in Spanish "marranyo", not "marrano"! Another point, that I don't understand: wasn't "Esther" queen in Persia, not Babylonia?
Yes!!!! Thank you ❤️
You are so welcome!
Poor Dacosta sad story.
Absolutely.
Incredibly useful lecture! I’ve never thought of queen Esther as a krypto-Jew, but yes, for sure she was. I’m feeling more intelligent today.
I like the spelling "krypto-Jew," reminds me of Clark Kent.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD 😂 I’m sorry, English is not my mother tongue. I try my best. 😂
@@naturalissima5903 your English is just fine.
@@johnbecay6887 Thank you
That story of Uriel is tragic. Yeah, Jewish identity issues can kill you, that's for sure. A bad case of Jewish self hate.
A little more complex than self-hatred, I think, but relevant.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD yes, I understand. Sorry, I phrased that wrong. Self hate can be a part of it, but just the identity issues in general.
Volume too low
Thanks so much.
You're welcome!
Did Esther exist?
Do I exist?
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Is there any archaeological or historical evidence that Esther existed?
My understanding of the original septuagint is that it was a translation of the Torah only. Dr Abramson stated that it included the book of Esther? This needs clarification.
This is my understanding as well, any modern Septuagint is actually a collection of Greek translations that do not date back as far as the original torah translation.
After the 5 books of Moses with the 6x12=72 sages, we were invited back.
So additional books of Tanach + Igeres Esther, may have been done by one or more sage while Ptolemy II was still alive.
He passed on in 3515 = 245 BCE, The big event was at least 15 years prior, (3500 anno-mundi).
Reference The Exodus to The Second Temple Era book two of volume III of the YeC Moshe Emes series for Torah and science alignment.
Glad to see this discussion
Where can i see a translation of the Septuagint Ester
@@rubinfreund9638 Any Catholic Bible will have it. There are many free ones that you can read online.
Unfortunately during all ages Jews were oppressed....blessings and prayers 🙏 to all Jews ✡️ and Jerusalem..and now recently to Ukraine 🇺🇦 with prayers for shalom- peace..
So much speaking about spanish inquisition who was the last one. 2 centuris before were inquisitions in france england italy germany...
Hmm
So what is the meaning of Easter in case of it is a Jewish name it should have a meaning in Jewish language .
Now I know that thanks to Josiah’s reforms not too long before the Babylonian exile, there was a great cultural surge of Judaism, but what did that look like? What did lived out Judaism look like in the pre-exilic kingdom of Judah and how do we use the criticisms of the prophets like Jeremiah to inform us on this subject?
Not discussed in this video.
My Great-Grandmother was a Dutch Jew, but not from Amsterdam. She was from Veendam, Groningen, of Germanic, Austrian background, pre 17th century. I've been able to track the ancestry back that far. They were the poor Jews, who farmed, were dressmakers, some shopkeepers, and labourers. Many professed Protestantism, but still knew they were Jews, My Maternal Jewish line traces itself, solidly, to those Jews of Groningen. I would love it, Rabbi Abramson, if you could do a lecture on these Dutch Jews. Yes, the Jews who fled the Inquisition, into Amsterdam, are the most interesting, but I'd love to know more about my relatives. The history books don't say much. Maybe, you can shed some light on them, please. Thank you.
Fascinating background. I plan to be be doing more research on Dutch Jews in preparation for a trip there this year. BTW not a Rabbi, just a regular guy.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD That's wonderful news about your trip to Holland/The Netherlands, and on doing a subsequent lecture on Dutch Jews. So many lost in the Shoah, their memory and history needs to be preserved. My great-grandmother arrived at Ellis Island in the early 1900s, and she and her sister worked as servant girls, in New Jersey. They were frightened, and it was a hard life. Great Grandma ended up in Ottawa, Canada, my home town, met and married a French Canadian, but it didn't last. They had my grandmother, and she had my mother. I found out about my Jewish lineage years after I converted to Judaism. The neshama knows, and HaShem knows who we are. We are never lost for long. He sees us. So, regular guy 😁 I look forward to your lecture. BTW, my Dutch Jewish lineage family names, on both sides, are Vosdingh, Eggens, Kap, Schipper, Everts Harms, Mulder Stevens, Roelofs, Pals, Wagenaar, and Eltjes. I checked these family names against the Holocaust Victims/Survivors lists, and found so many from the Groningen area who had perished. I went from a girl, raised as French Canadian Roman Catholic, to a Jewish woman who had family, albeit long distant, who died in the Shoah. Yitzkor is very meaningful, to me. Safe journey and, thank you. Chag Purim Sameach! 👸
Turns out my moms moms mom (etc) are crypto Jews from Portugal and were Anble to reintegrate in early 1700 to Judaism before coming to New York....we never could understand why no one on my mamas side did Xmas, etc unt8l my mom rode her mom until age 12 to have Xmas. I guess the idea of a Jewish soul is real as I converted over 15 years ago.....still dont know why her people came to Alabama! Shalom y’all!
THE PEAR OF ANGUISH: TRUTH, TORTURE AND DARK MEDIEVALISM
ABSTRACT: This paper examines the historical truth of the pear of anguish, a common exhibit in European dungeon museums that has recently made its way into the popular imagination by way of TV shows and Internet sites. Like the chastity belt before it, the pear of anguish evidences the dark medievalism of the modern consciousness, a dystopian view of the Middle Ages that imagines pre-Reformation Europe as a nexus of cruelty and sexual perversion. The historical reality, however, traced here through commentaries and catalogues from the past few centuries, would seem to indicate that both the device itself and its imagined function are creations of the modern world.
Dr. Chris Bishop, Australian National University
Interesting
Thank you for these informations, even though they are biased by your Jewishness. As you say, one must not confuse Judaism with Jews, so the same applies to Christians.
The spiritual difference between modern Judaism and modern Christianity, is that modern Judaism puts more stress on the Talmud, with all its flaws (opposing the Scriptures) than on the Scriptures, while the Christians before reformation put more stress on the teaching of the popes and/or the general oecumenical councils. The result is that Judaism has become a pluralistic religion, where one can believe all the lies he choose to believe, and the christians before reformation believed in one Faith, the same doctrine for everyone.
Concerning Christians, this would be fine if there were not any mistakes in all the teachings of the popes and/or the oecumenical councils. Unfortunately, it is my conviction that there are mistakes in those teachings. It is my contentious that the christian concept of the Trinity is not from God, but from man, most probably Origen, from Alexandria. There is only One God: it is the God of Israel! He is the Father! This is what all catholic must believe, it is in our Creed, the most fondamental doctrine that all catholic must believe!
Yet, with Origen doctrine, Christians believe that the Unique God is an association of 3 Gods! This is pure nonsense, opposed to all Scriptures. Jesus of Nazareth is the Unique God of Israel ... made flesh! He was previously engendered/integrated into light (of course after He created light) and thus was made an Angel of light. It the Hebrew Scriptures He was called the Angel of the Lord (or the Angel of the Eternal); He is the One who stop Abraham from killing Isaac, He is the One who appeared to Moses under the disguise of a burning bush and said «I am the One who is!», and communicated in many other instances with the chosen people. In the Gospel of John, he is referred to as the «Logos». And the Holy Spirit is simply His Spirit ... just like everybody has a spirit, because we are all created in the image of God. And we also have a «nano-light», also called «aura» similar to the Angel of the Lord. The Truth is what make us free! Without the Truth everbody is confused and cannot make the right decision. Shalom!
Here's my favorite quote, even with my Jewish bias: "The result is that Judaism has become a pluralistic religion, where one can believe all the lies he choose to believe, and the christians before reformation believed in one Faith, the same doctrine for everyone." Shalom!
For 2,000 years Jews have rejected the Christian idea of Jesus as messiah. Why?
One of the most common questions we receive at Aish.com is: "Why don't Jews believe in Jesus?" Let's understand why - not to disparage other religions, but rather to clarify the Jewish position.
Jews do not accept Jesus as the messiah because:
Jesus did not fulfill the messianic prophecies.
Jesus did not embody the personal qualifications of the Messiah.
Biblical verses "referring" to Jesus are mistranslations.
Jewish belief is based on national revelation.
But first, some background: What exactly is the Messiah?
The word "Messiah" is an English rendering of the Hebrew word Mashiach, which means "anointed." It usually refers to a person initiated into God's service by being anointed with oil. (Exodus 29:7, 1-Kings 1:39, 2-Kings 9:3)
(1) Jesus Did Not Fulfill the Messianic Prophecies
What is the Messiah supposed to accomplish? One of the central themes of biblical prophecy is the promise of a future age of perfection characterized by universal peace and recognition of God. (Isaiah 2:1-4, 32:15-18, 60:15-18; Zephaniah 3:9; Hosea 2:20-22; Amos 9:13-15; Micah 4:1-4; Zechariah 8:23, 14:9; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
Specifically, the Bible says he will:
Build the Third Temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28).
Gather all Jews back to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6).
Usher in an era of world peace, and end all hatred, oppression, suffering and disease. As it says: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall man learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4)
Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel, which will unite humanity as one. As it says: "God will be King over all the world - on that day, God will be One and His name will be One" (Zechariah 14:9).
If an individual fails to fulfill even one of these conditions, then he cannot be the Messiah.
because no one has ever fulfilled the Bible's description of this future King, Jews still await the coming of the Messiah. all past Messianic claimants, including Jesus of Nazareth, Bar Cochba and Shabbtai Tzvi have been rejected.
Christians counter that Jesus will fulfill these in the Second Coming. Jewish sources show that the Messiah will fulfill the prophecies outright; in the Bible no concept of a second coming exists.
(2) Jesus Did Not Embody the Personal Qualifications of Messiah
A. Messiah as Prophet
The Messiah will become the greatest prophet in history, second only to Moses. (Targum - Isaiah 11:2; Maimonides - Teshuva 9:2)
Prophecy can only exist in Israel when the land is inhabited by a majority of world Jewry, a situation which has not existed since 300 BCE. During the time of Ezra, when the majority of Jews remained in Babylon, prophecy ended upon the death of the last prophets - Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
Jesus appeared on the scene approximately 350 years after prophecy had ended, and thus could not be a prophet.
B. Descendant of David
many prophetic passages speak of a descendant of King David who will rule Israel during the age of perfection. (Isaiah 11:1-9; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:7-10, 33:14-16; Ezekiel 34:11-31, 37:21-28; Hosea 3:4-5)
The Messiah must be descended on his father's side from King David (see Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, 33:17; Ezekiel 34:23-24). According to the Christian claim that Jesus was the product of a virgin birth, he had no father - and thus could not have possibly fulfilled the messianic requirement of being descended on his father's side from King David. (1)
According to Jewish sources, the Messiah will be born of human parents and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god, (2) nor will he possess supernatural qualities.
C. Torah Observance
The Messiah will lead the Jewish people to full Torah observance. The Torah states that all mitzvot remain binding forever, and anyone coming to change the Torah is immediately identified as a false prophet. (Deut. 13:1-4)
Throughout the Christian "New Testament," Jesus contradicts the Torah and states that its commandments are no longer applicable. for example, John 9:14 records that Jesus made a paste in violation of Shabbat, which caused the Pharisees to say (verse 16), "He does not observe Shabbat!"
(3) Mistranslated Verses "Referring" to Jesus
Biblical verses can only be understood by studying the original Hebrew text - which reveals many discrepancies in the Christian translation.
A. Virgin Birth
The Christian idea of a virgin birth is derived from the verse in Isaiah 7:14 describing an "alma" as giving birth. The word "alma" has always meant a young woman, but Christian theologians came centuries later and translated it as "virgin." This accords Jesus' birth with the first century pagan idea of mortals being impregnated by gods.
B. Suffering Servant
Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus, as the "suffering servant."
In actuality, Isaiah 53 directly follows the theme of chapter 52, describing the exile and redemption of the Jewish people. The prophecies are written in the singular form because the Jews ("Israel") are regarded as one unit. Throughout Jewish scripture, Israel is repeatedly called, in the singular, the "Servant of God" (see Isaiah 43:8). In fact, Isaiah states no less than 11 times in the chapters prior to 53 that the Servant of God is Israel.
When read correctly, Isaiah 53 clearly [and ironically] refers to the Jewish people being "bruised, crushed and as sheep brought to slaughter" at the hands of the nations of the world. These descriptions are used throughout Jewish scripture to graphically describe the suffering of the Jewish people (see Psalm 44).
Isaiah 53 concludes that when the Jewish people are redeemed, the nations will recognize and accept responsibility for the inordinate suffering and death of the Jews.
(4) Jewish Belief is Based Solely on National Revelation
Throughout history, thousands of religions have been started by individuals, attempting to convince people that he or she is God's true prophet. But personal revelation is an extremely weak basis for a religion because one can never know if it is indeed true. Since others did not hear God speak to this person, they have to take his word for it. even if the individual claiming personal revelation performs miracles, they do not prove he is a genuine prophet. all the miracles show - assuming they are genuine - is that he has certain powers. It has nothing to do with his claim of prophecy.
Judaism, unique among all of the world's major religions, does not rely on "claims of miracles" as the basis for its religion. In fact, the Bible says that God sometimes grants the power of "miracles" to charlatans, in order to test Jewish loyalty to the Torah (Deut. 13:4).
Of the thousands of religions in human history, only Judaism bases its belief on national revelation - i.e. God speaking to the entire nation. If God is going to start a religion, it makes sense He'll tell everyone, not just one person.
Maimonides states (Foundations of Torah, ch. 8):
The Jews did not believe in Moses, our teacher, because of the miracles he performed. Whenever anyone's belief is based on seeing miracles, he has lingering doubts, because it is possible the miracles were performed through magic or sorcery. all of the miracles performed by Moses in the desert were because they were necessary, and not as proof of his prophecy.
What then was the basis of [Jewish] belief? The Revelation at Mount Sinai, which we saw with our own eyes and heard with our own ears, not dependent on the testimony of others... as it says, "face to face, God spoke with you..." The Torah also states: "God did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us - who are all here alive today." (Deut. 5:3)
Judaism is not miracles. It is the personal eyewitness experience of every man, woman and child, standing at Mount Sinai 3,300 years ago.
Further reading: "Did God Speak at Mount Sinai?"
Waiting for the Messiah
the world is in desperate need of Messianic redemption. To the extent that we are aware of the problems of society, is the extent we will yearn for redemption. As the Talmud says, one of the first questions asked of a Jew on Judgment day is: "Did you yearn for the arrival of the Messiah?"
How can we hasten the coming of the Messiah? The best way is to love all humanity generously, to keep the mitzvot of the Torah (as best we can), and to encourage others to do so as well.
Despite the gloom, the world does seem headed toward redemption. One apparent sign is that the Jewish people have returned to the Land of Israel and made it bloom again. Additionally, a major movement is afoot of young Jews returning to Torah tradition.
The Messiah can come any day, and it all depends on our actions. God is ready when we are. For as King David says: "Redemption will come today - if you hearken to His voice."
For further study:
Jews for Judaism
"The Real Messiah" by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
"Let's Get Biblical! Why Doesn't Judaism Accept the Christian Messiah?" by Rabbi Tovia Singer
"Path of the Righteous Gentile" by Chaim Clorfene and Yakov Rogalsky
FOOTNOTES
(1) In response, it is claimed that Joseph adopted Jesus, and passed on his genealogy via adoption. There are two problems with this claim:
a) there is no biblical basis for the idea of a father passing on his tribal line by adoption. A priest who adopts a son from another tribe cannot make him a priest by adoption.
The Septuagint original was only on the Pentateuch, the rest is a much later work.
Ty
Edward Kritzler author of Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean states, Spinoza was 9 years old when he walked on DaCosta at the entrance of the synagogue.
I'll have to look that up
Once again, another GREAT and pertinent lecture. We must keep praying that IRAN does not desecrate the tombs of Queen Esther and Mordecai . Thank you Dr. Abramson . Hope all is well with you and all of your family !
( ב״ה ) !!
Glad you found the video useful!
Uriel De Costa's sad story reminds me analogically of how ex-smokers sometimes are very rigid in relating to others. Another parallel for me as an Anglican priest is the observation that new Anglicans from non-Anglican backgrounds are sometimes more rigid about how to live out the Anglican heritage. Sometimes these new Anglicans also remind me of exsmokers. ;)
There are rigid Anglicans?
Sad, yes.
Interesting how in the find of the Dead Sea scrolls fragments from every book of the bible is accounted for except for Esther.
Only Seven Scrolls out of 24.
Sim Ko yes but fragments were found from every book except from Esther
@@zafirjoe18 looked again into that issue and you are right. No Esther scroll found till today. I put a question about it and I'm waiting for an answer. Very interesting.
Good discussion
@@HenryAbramsonPhD And what is your guess for that question?
Inquisitor torquemada was a jew like his succesor
It's complicated.
I still can’t accept it , I haven’t got the eye brows for Judaism.
What evil man does to man . A part of my family are the ones that was dispelled from Spain.
Could the four figures represent the Four Boys of the Haggadah? The foreground fully formed boy is the Wise Boy. The background fully formed boy is the Wicked (Ignorant) Boy. The partially obscured face boy is the Simple Boy. The fully obscured face boy is the Boy who is Unable to Speak for Himself.
I guess so, but why here in a Purim scene?
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Perhaps the Four Boys represent various level of Jewish identity?
Marano or pig is an Arabic word not spanish. Guadalupe in Mexico, half Jew half Arab Name welcomed jewish arabs ane other Immigrants in Mexico and all American Continent. All cultures and Religions have fall on opression war and torture. The Aboriginal American cultures are an example of welcoming, sharing, of overcoming resentment and hate towards 'invaders and new immigrants' . We have to learn from them and strive always for mutual respect peace and mutual dignification and well being especially if we call ourselves believers on the God of Abraham. No matter if we are jews muslims or christians. Nice to notice the artistic works you included, paintings and others. I hope that does not scandalize some people.
Very much liked the Chidush of Esther being the first crypto Jew .
Maybe not the first, but thanks.
Henry Abramson true they all were ;
The students of Rabbi Shimon bar Yoḥai asked him: For what reason were the enemies of Jewish people, a euphemism for the Jewish people themselves when exhibiting behavior that is not in their best interests, in that generation deserving of annihilation? He, Rabbi Shimon, said to them: ....It is because they prostrated before the idol that Nebuchadnezzar had made, as is recorded that the entire world bowed down before it, except for Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
They said to him: But if it is true that they worshipped idols and therefore deserved to be destroyed, why was a miracle performed on their behalf? Is there favoritism expressed by God here? He said to them: They did not really worship the idol, but pretended to do so only for appearance, acting as if they were carrying out the king’s command to bow before the idol. So too, the Holy One, Blessed be He, did not destroy them but did act angry with them only for appearance. He too merely pretended to desire to destroy them, as all He did was issue a threat, but in the end the decree was annulled. And this is as it is written: “For He does not afflict from His heart willingly” (Lamentations 3:33), but only for appearances’ sake.( Megillah 12)
Crypto Jewery seems very dishonest and unseemly. There is no way to live an honest or spiritual life when one’s life is literally a lie. Unless the spirituality one seeks is that of the Deceiver. It’s a shameful period of Jewish History.
Could one say that the community in Amsterdam was very different and not typical Jewish community and their problems were also very different. because the people there were back after sometimes generations of conversos and perhaps some of their ideas were even taken from Christian ideas and .
It was a complex time.
Da Costa’s criticism were mainly made against the oral law. It was more a theological debate, not one based on the character of the Jews. He was a rationalist.
Thanks for your contribution
There is a SciFi movie about Crypto-Jews, "Blade Runner" (the original!)
Interesting comparison
Liked how you connected more than two millennia with one thread.
TY
In my own "pshat," this is why God gave the Torah outside of Israel and not, say, in Israel or on Har Moriah (which seems like a sensible location). Perhaps this helps us understand that being a Jew and keeping Torah is, in some way, independent of the Beis HaMikdash, even though it cannot be expressed as fully without it; the Beis HaMikdash gets destroyed, but the Torah is eternal.
Freilechen Purim!
Freilichn Purim!
Forced conversions are so disgusting. It’s also bad theology even from a Christian perspective. The Gospels indicate that conversions to Christianity must be freely chosen, otherwise it’s meaningless. Absolutely disgusting and stupid. 😥
True.
I don't much like the idea of being converted twice. Thank you once again Dr Henry Abrahamson. DNA testing fixes this
Glad you found the video useful.
Jacob was probably the first ever Crypto-Jew...
Abraham was
@@netzer888
Adam and Eve...
when they became aware of their sexual identities
Hmm
@@HenryAbramsonPhD
OP: Identity theft by posing as Esau
SP: the beginning of identity as such and the hiding of the sexual identity (with a fake identity) and causing an identity crisis lasting til today...
@@HenryAbramsonPhD and Abraham...
Crypto-Jews live in a constant fear of being identified, that's why they are traveling long distances, outwardly and even more so inwardly.
It's not widely known, but the purpose of this instrument was a means of inserting the Holy Spirit into Jews to help them convert.
Thanks but no thanks.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Good response. I hope you know I was being facetious.
@@harveywabbit9541 go away please
Gottlieb also committed suicide...
Very sad