I write the following having in mind the various greetings and questions I received in the last few weeks from Christian friends. I share the following with deep respect and hope it can enhance our dialogue.
In 1915, during the WWI, a drawing was published with Yiddish words "quoting" Jesus saying: “Yes, peace on earth, but wickedness among men.” (Der groyser kundes, December 24, 1915). A very rare reference by to Jesus by a Jewish publication at a time when Jewish-Christian relations were not at its best.
The Jewish artist expressed a better understanding of the message of the teachings of Jesus than the contemporary "Christian" nations behind the horrible events of WWI. Nevertheless, even today there is still so much misunderstanding within both our communities and the Christian denominations about the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Today is a good day to reflect about it, after seeing how so many Christians have betrayed the truth and code of ethics taught by the Nazarene; while many Jewish and Muslim scholars, even agnostics, are embracing, academically and in practice, the essence of his message.
A friend wrote me a few days ago saying that if Jesus was living today in the USA, even some of those who claim to be his followers, would reject him and accuse him of being a radical left wing socialist. The ethical teachings of Jesus do reflect a radical Jewish tradition of social justice and theological philosophy. But, academics, social concerns, and similar approaches to Jesus' teachings are often ignored (probably like this brief "essay"), because the power of the Creeds among Christians and the prejudice among others. Sadly books like Toldot Yeshu, a cheap worthless pseudo-biography of Jesus, have done its negative impact among many of our people and others. However, it is tradition on both sides that have more power than anything anyone could ever write.
During the holidays season, especially this year, people greet everyone with "Merry Christmas!" (even some Jewish people) without considering if you may be of a religious tradition different from those who celebrate Christmas. They do not consider if you may be agnostic or nonreligious at all. However, there are times when you see people of other traditions or "atheists" celebrating Christmas. Why? Perhaps due to a business interest, after all, it is one of the main times of income for retail stores. Nevertheless, there is another reason: Tradition!
Tradition is such a powerful force. It moves people to speak and act without thinking twice about your words or actions. Jesus of Nazareth, the man remembered during the Christmas season (December 25th-January 6th in many countries and cultures), was one who valued traditions, but refused to be bound by it.
A very interesting Jewish man, Jesus of Nazareth! He lived by traditions, i.e., Jewish values, while at the same time questioned some of these traditions. Similarly to the Cohen Jeremiah's questioning the sacrifices system of ancient Israel (cf. Jeremiah 7:22). Questioning is a very Jewish practice. We do not follow a religion because tradition or ethnicity, rather due to a very personal and community conviction. Of course, there are those that the power of tradition force them to keep religious practices without convictions.
This man, Jesus of Nazareth, is considered in popular Judaism as somehow a foreign character to it, due to the traditions of another religion: Christianity. Christian creeds and theological presuppositions have presented a different image of Jesus to the world, especially to the Jewish people, than the one from the historical texts found among the books of the Christian NT cannon. Instead of teaching the religion of Jesus, the creeds have developed a religion about Jesus. The traditions of the Church speak of him as the incarnation of the Almighty, while the text says that he learned obedience through suffering. He is presented as someone incapable of doing anything wrong, but the text says he was tempted in everything, although it also says he was able to overcome temptations. Setting a sample for humanity, making clear that we can overcome evil too. The text speaks of a human man instead of a divinity, as found in the Greco-Roman mythologies. Reference to him as a manifestation of the divine or a reflection of the character of the Holy One does not mean divinity as presented by the creeds. These creeds have forced Jewish people, through generation, to avoid any reading of the historical Jesus' teachings. This is changing, now that we are making a distinction between the Creeds and the Text. In academic settings among Jewish people, for example the scholarly work of David Flusser, z"l, Jesus is viewed as a Rabbi, or a teacher, a preacher, or perhaps a member or even leader of a Second Temple Judaism's sect (using sect in its technical definition). There are Rabbis in the Reform Movement considering bringing Jesus back to his historical place within Judaism.
Today many Jewish scholars are reconsidering Jesus of Nazareth and his code of ethics. An Orthodox Rabbi (I do not have his permission to make reference to his name) said: "Everything good taught by Jesus was Jewish." Obviously, after all he was raised in a traditional Jewish religious environment. Perhaps, he was a Pharisee. Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish man, striving to be faithful to GOD, making every effort to bring honour to the LORD with his words and actions. The biographies we have about him in the books called Gospels are more of theological reflections about his life. These are fragments from both the historical documents and the interpreters of it through centuries of scribal work. However, we can discern within its pages the essence of the message of the historical Jesus of Nazareth. He made emphasis that he was sent to proclaim the Good News of the Reign of GOD (Luke 4:43). This is the same task ancient Hebrew prophets were commissioned, anointed, to do (cf. Isaiah 52:7). That is the essence of his message: GOD Reigns! Therefore, there is One True GOD, we must love with all our being and care for the humans created in the image of GOD, as we care for ourselves. That is the essence of the message of the Torah (Mark 12:28-34, cf. Deuteronomy 6, Leviticus 19:18). Jesus encouraged our ancestors to be faithful Jews, recognizing that GOD still and forever Reigns over Israel and the Universe. He challenged our ancient Rabbis to live what was preached. Because Judaism is not a religion of just words and books, but of action, of love and compassion and mercy and justice.
What a different world would it be if those who claim to follow Jesus of Nazareth, for example some politicians, would speak and live like he did. You d not have to be called a Christian to follow the way Jesus lived, but if you call yourself a Christian, why don't you live like him?
We need to reconsider the Nazarene's words and their place in our Tradition and convictions. Reform Judaism has an approach to Jesus of Nazareth that many Jews, and Christians, should consider. It can make a major positive impact beyond Jewish-Christian relations and dialogue, it can change the world.
Recommended readings etc:
Jesus of Nazareth: His Life, Times, and Teaching, by Joseph Klausner
https://reformjudaism.org/blog/why-interfaith-relations-are-dna-reform-judaism
https://reformjudaism.org/blog/chatting-jesus-sukkah
https://reformjudaism.org/blog/jesus-most-influential-rabbi-history
On The Jewishness of Jesus https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781426791581/
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