The Judaism of Jesus

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The Judaism of Jesus
Did Jesus observe the Torah of Moses?
Did he intend to replace it or transform it?
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agriculture
commerce
property ownership
marriage and financial implications
Law of Moses
civil and criminal matters
Temple and sacrificial cult
Sabbath observance
laws of kashrut
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Gospel Image of Jesus
worship
Jesus
associated with centres
teaching
Passover
Attended pilgrim festival
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Temple
Mk 1115, 1449 Mt 2112 2625 Lk 1945
Taught in the
Took an active part in synagogue prayer
Read from the prophets - neviim
?
Gave an interpretation
?
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Generally non-communal
Prayer of Jesus
solitary prayer
on a mountain
in a desert place
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Jesus on the Law
cultic law
After sternly warning him he sent him away at
once, saying to him, See that you say nothing to
anyone but go, show yourself to the priest, and
offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as
a testimony to them.
Mk 144
Jesus
insists on adherence to Torah
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The words of Jesus show his attitude to Torah
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law
or the prophets I have come not to abolish but
to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven
and earth pass away, not one letter, not one
stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until
all is accomplished. Matt 517-18
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Jesus and Ritual Laws
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? Matt 1210
Sabbath
Saving life always has priority
Regard for life overrules the Sabbath bYoma
85b
Stricter attitude to Sabbath
Qumran
Animals in labour or trapped in a cistern/pit
cannot be helped on Sabbath
CD 1113-14
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The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the
Sabbath Mk 227
Simeon ben Menasiah
The Sabbath is delivered up to you and not you to
the Sabbath
?k,l awhi vd,qo yKi tBV'h'Ata, ?T,rm'vW
Ex 3114
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Food Laws
Listen and understand it is not what goes into
the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what
comes out of the mouth that defiles. Matt 1511
make a distinction between the unclean and the
clean, and between the living creature that may
be eaten and the living creature that may not be
eaten. Lev 1147
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Did not deal with finer technical points of law
In no way opposed observance of ritual or dietary
laws
Worked by a set of priorities that placed people
before the law
INDIVIDUAL
Approach to torah
BUT NOT
ANTI-LAW
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Jesus and Moral Laws
Ethical teaching
Interpretation of the Decalogue
Jesus
Lives by
TORAH
Shows respect for
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Jesus
champions obedience to the Decalogue
Criticises Pharisees for their misplaced
priorities
Then he said to them, You have a fine way of
rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep
your tradition! Mk 79
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uses a Pharisaic principle
Jesus
Build a fence around the Law
anger
murder
This principle protects Torah
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Jesus on Divorce
God intends the married couple to be one
PRINCIPLE
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does not oppose the Mosaic concession of divorce,
granted by God in view of human weakness
Jesus
did not interpret Jesus rejection of divorce to
be absolute
PAUL
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it
be so in such a case the brother or sister is
not bound. It is to peace that God has called
you. 1 Cor 715
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Jesus on Oaths
Saw oaths as superfluous
No special solemnities are necessary for truthful
people
His attitude
Be straightforward
yes for yes and no for no
Let your word be Yes, Yes or No, No anything
more than this comes from the evil one. Matt 537
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Jesus on Retaliation
value of an eye for an eye, value of a tooth for
a tooth
Lex talionis
interpreted as
You have heard that it was said, An eye for an
eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you,
Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes
you on the right cheek, turn the other
also Matt 538-39
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Love of Enemies
You have heard that it was said, You shall
love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I
say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you, so that you may be children of
your Father in heaven for he makes his sun rise
on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on
the righteous and on the unrighteous. Matt
543-45
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Josephus
Jewish Historian c.38-c.100
Antiquities of the Jews
Jewish War
encourages generosity and consideration even to
avowed enemies
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Summary of the Law
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow
Rabbi Hillel
Be as friendly to your neighbour as to yourself,
and (in his regard) be attentive to all that you
hate Sir 3115 c.180 b.c.e.
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Distinctive
Jesus formulation in the positive
In everything do to others as you would have
them do to you for this is the law and the
prophets. Matt 712