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Jesus in the Talmud

Name: Jesus in the Talmud
Price: 33.00 USD
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Rating: 4.5 (149 reviews)

4.5 of 5 Stars: History - Jesus in the Talmud

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Book Synopsis: Scattered throughout the Talmud, the founding document of rabbinic Judaism in late antiquity, can be found quite a few references to Jesus--and they're not flattering. In this lucid, richly detailed, and accessible book, Peter Schäfer examines how the rabbis of the Talmud read, understood, and used the New Testament Jesus narrative to assert, ultimately, Judaism's superiority over Christianity. The Talmudic stories make fun of Jesus' birth from a virgin, fervently contest his claim to be the Messiah and Son of God, and maintain that he was rightfully executed as a blasphemer and idolater. They subvert the Christian idea of Jesus' resurrection and insist he got the punishment he deserved in hell--and that a similar fate awaits his followers. Schäfer contends that these stories betray a remarkable familiarity with the Gospels--especially Matthew and John--and represent a deliberate and sophisticated anti-Christian polemic that parodies the New Testament narratives. He carefully distinguishes between Babylonian and Palestinian sources, arguing that the rabbis' proud and self-confident countermessage to that of the evangelists was possible only in the unique historical setting of Persian Babylonia, in a Jewish community that lived in relative freedom. The same could not be said of Roman and Byzantine Palestine, where the Christians aggressively consolidated their political power and the Jews therefore suffered. A departure from past scholarship, which has played down the stories as unreliable distortions of the historical Jesus, Jesus in the Talmud posits a much more deliberate agenda behind these narratives.

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Discover the groundbreaking book that sheds light on the controversial relationship between Jesus and Judaism. In "Jesus in the Talmud," author Peter Schäfer explores how the rabbis of the Talmud used the New Testament narrative to assert the superiority of Judaism over Christianity. Unveiling the Talmudic stories that mock aspects of Jesus' life, such as his birth from a virgin and claim to be the Messiah, this book presents a thought-provoking perspective on the historical context of the time.

Through meticulous research, Schäfer reveals the rabbis' intricate knowledge of the Gospels, notably Matthew and John, and unravels their deliberate and sophisticated anti-Christian polemic. By contrasting Babylonian and Palestinian sources, this work offers insights into the unique historical setting of Persian Babylonia, where the Jewish community lived with relative freedom. Unlike Roman and Byzantine Palestine, where Jews faced oppression under Christian political dominance, the Babylonian rabbis were able to confidently communicate their countermessage to Christianity.

Unlike previous scholarship, "Jesus in the Talmud" does not dismiss the Talmudic stories as unreliable distortions. Instead, it presents a compelling argument for a deliberate agenda behind these narratives. This enlightening book challenges existing perceptions and deepens our understanding of the intricate dynamics between Judaism and Christianity in late antiquity.

Interested in delving into this captivating exploration of religious history? Click here to grab your copy of "Jesus in the Talmud" and embark on a transformative journey through the evolving relationship between Jesus and rabbinic Judaism.

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