Photo by Bentzi Sasson
Video: Judaism on Christianity
Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, shares his knowledge of the origins of Christianity and its relationship to the Jews. The Jews who embraced early Christianity were still Jews but soon the majority of Christians were from the ranks of the surrounding pagan peoples.
The history of Christian/Jewish relations has often been violent; Rabbi Goldberg explains the reasons and motivations behind the enmity.
Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg has received recognition as one of South Florida’s Most Influential Jewish Leaders.
This class was presented at the annual National Jewish Retreat, for more information please visit JRetreat.com.
good work
very good i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rebbe's thought
i seem to remember that the Rebbe said that with reference to Christianity and Islam
one was avoda zorah and the other a shtus
learn for yourself
If you’re going to quote the Rebbe, please be accurate and provide a reference or else you’re putting words in someone’s mouth. Those statements are inaccurate.
Christianity was not supposed to become a whole new religion and is completely against idolatry, as is Islam. However, there are some groups who forget that.
Parts of the New Testament focus on the corruption of the time, the lack of spirituality and how to connect with G-d. Unfortunately, it has been mistranslated over the centuries and things have been added in by groups.
If anything, it’s an early form of the Noachide movement, or a break off from Judaism.
topic
this rabbi is pretty good.
however, chabad has ever had this subject spoken about in a public forum, i don’t know why the retreat decided to break that chabad tradition. (this amongst other traditions)
although we did support other organizations that handled these maters and topics it was ever our mission.
Thank you! Great shiur!
Iv’e never heard Rabbi Efrem Goldberg’s shiurim before, he clearly is very learned and gives a great, comprehensive, well researched, shiur, hatzlocho!
Just wondering, I dont know much about Christianity, but aren’t there different denominatons amongst Christians, e.g Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, various denominations of Protestantism and others etc. I don’t know their beliefs however I understand that they differ somewhat in their beliefs.
Wouldn’t their different beliefs be relevant in the Halachic discussion at hand?
I.e perhaps even Rabeinu Tam would agree that some those denominatons are completely avoda zoro and not just shituf (depending on what their position is on the trinity and if they worship images in their church)?
Also with regards to the cross are there poskim who hold it is osur?
If it originates in avoda zara (at least for Jews) how can it be permisable to wear? Besides i’d think that a cross on clothing would be beyond a classic example of ‘lo selech bchukos hagoyim’?
learn for yourself
They’re against idolatry. However some have created statues as art, some groups won’t, all have specific rules about what idolatry is based on interpretation and context of the commandments, events in the Torah and from the New Testament. Google denominations with “idolatry” and you’ll find their official view
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idolatry
A Christian wearing a cross is no different than a Jew wearing a Magen David so long as it is not worshipped.
his name
the name Yeshu comes from Yimach shemo vsichro, I saw an old Rambam and it was written as a roshei tevos.
Shamir the worm
How can anyone say Islam and Christianity are the same?Muslims are pure monotheists and consider associating ANY partner to G-d(stars,amulets,saints,tombs,etc.)as shirk,the most serious sin.On the other hand Christians must believe G-d is one but manifests Himself in 3 entities(Father,Son and Holy Ghost)and He incarnated himself in Jesus(chas ve shalom!);and the amazing thing is that Jesus himself never once claimed in the four gospels to be G-d
Learn for yourself
Agreed.
Perhaps there was a misunderstanding of context when translating the Torah or teaching it to Gentiles?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit#section_1
Shamir the worm
@ n.9:that’s what I think too!