29. The Separation of Church and Synagogue (Jewish History Lab)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
  • Brief discussion of the separation of the early Church from the Synagogue in the late first century and onward. Part of the Jewish History Lab series.This lecture is also part of the course entitled Biblical Jewish History: From Abraham to Bar Kochba. Course information and registration here: henryabramson.com/course/bibl...
    For recommended reading, please visit: henryabramson.com/recommended...
    Online Courses:
    Biblical Jewish History: From Abraham to Bar Kochba
    Course information and registration here: henryabramson.com/course/bibl...
    A Thousand Years of Ashkenaz!
    Course information and registration here: henryabramson.com/course/a-th...
    Interested in studying more deeply with our Membership perks?
    Join our learning community of students, researchers and colleagues: / @henryabramsonphd

КОМЕНТАРІ • 260

  • @matthewmistery1051
    @matthewmistery1051 Рік тому +15

    A gracious & well presented series on a delicate topic for so many. I’m a Christian minister with Jewish heritage with the greatest respect for mine & Christianity’s Jewish roots. Balanced & well researched videos like your series here, without belittling (from either side) could do well to foster healing & understanding.
    Toda raba.

  • @jakobbergen7574
    @jakobbergen7574 Рік тому +5

    As a former Christian fascinated by the history of those times, I really enjoy your detailed and well-illustrated explanation of how both sides dealt with the ultimate parting of the ways.

  • @loonshkij
    @loonshkij 2 роки тому +8

    Extremely helpful presentations. I'm a Catholic and I'm extremely interested in the historical and Jewish context of Jesus. I've spent too little time in studying the Jewish roots of Christianity from a Jewish perspective. Thank you! PS. I also very much enjoy your presentations on the history of Judaism and the various communities.

  • @AbrahamsBridges
    @AbrahamsBridges 3 роки тому +14

    “A family dispute, and they are separating from both sides!” So true!

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +6

      It continues well into the medieval period, too.

  • @Sherbakova2009
    @Sherbakova2009 6 місяців тому +1

    Thank you so much. I like your videos on Jewish history, a very good reminder of what I learnt in school.

  • @davidbradberry7637
    @davidbradberry7637 9 місяців тому +2

    So grateful to HaShem for finding your videos.

  • @robertlipscomb3040
    @robertlipscomb3040 Рік тому +2

    From a Christian: I love this eries and have only good things to say. For anyone interested, another more detailed source for this period is a two-part PBS Frontline miniseries, "From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians". Like your series, it is even-handed and based on sound history.

  • @annenymety209
    @annenymety209 Рік тому +3

    You impart so much knowledge and do so eloquently. I’m an irreligious gentile and always riveted by your content.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  Рік тому

      thank you for your kind words! I appreciate the feedback.

    • @annenymety209
      @annenymety209 Рік тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD I shared your channel with my Mom & Stepdad, as they’re fascinated by the Abrahamic religions. Ironically, they were already subscribers/fans of yours 🙂

  • @SteveFirefly777
    @SteveFirefly777 3 роки тому +7

    “A family dispute gone really sour” is a very insightful way of describing what happened. Once again, thank you for taking on these sensitive topics. I hope that a time will come when the dispute comes to an end and there’s full repentance and restitution for all the terrible acts that have been committed.

  • @ricardofolive
    @ricardofolive 2 роки тому +5

    You are a very good teacher, indeed! May Hashem bless You

  • @johnwalz2832
    @johnwalz2832 3 роки тому +3

    Dr. Abramson, I meet regularly with some young men here to teach the Bible and church planting. I wanted to say these videos, particularly this one, enriched a great conversation today that lasted for hours. Thank you!

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      Glad to hear the video stimulated intellectual discussion!

  • @carolinemccullough9838
    @carolinemccullough9838 3 роки тому +10

    I’m so sorry, I don’t feel that Jesus wanted a separation and we are less for it, in my opinion. There is immense value in Judaism, it pains me that Christians have lost sight of this. Thank you for these videos.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +2

      Glad you find the videos useful. As far as Jesus' opinion goes, there's quite a range of interpretive approaches based on the Christian scriptures.

  • @JaneDoe-ij4ls
    @JaneDoe-ij4ls 3 роки тому +5

    Thank you SO MUCH for this series🙏Baruch HaShem.

  • @lanerussell7958
    @lanerussell7958 Рік тому +3

    I was struck by your introduction to this lesson. Please do not be troubled by possible adverse reception to your videos. As a Christian myself who feels the need to understand the Jewish perspective and context of Christianity, I am finding your discourses both illuminating and profitable. If I were to complain about anything, I could only say I feel they are too short. Your presentation of the Jewish perspective of Christ is, I believe, most equitable to those of us on this side of an unfortunate, and to my mind, unnecessary divide. Please continue your excellent work.

  • @chrisconnor8086
    @chrisconnor8086 Рік тому +1

    I think of so many questions I would like to ask while listening to your lectures! It would be amazing to have an actual class with you

  • @jerrybaird2059
    @jerrybaird2059 2 роки тому +3

    Bravo! Much to learn here, in such a compressed format.

  • @LouisFPak
    @LouisFPak Рік тому +3

    10:07 Thanks for explaining this Henry…much respect

  • @jackr7898
    @jackr7898 3 роки тому +5

    That was an amazing presentation , the historical link and the background from old writings to new.

  • @eddiesanders2719
    @eddiesanders2719 2 роки тому +2

    Excellent presentation...as usual. Thank you!

  • @williammiller3175
    @williammiller3175 3 роки тому +8

    Alas for people such as Chrysostom, people who refused to see the beauty in Hebraic culture. The scholars of Judaism are among the best in the world. The Bible is full of honest reporting unlike other cultures who chose to lie about their problems.

  • @michellelugo705
    @michellelugo705 3 роки тому +7

    Really appreciate you taking the time to educate people. I am learning so much.

  • @richardglady3009
    @richardglady3009 3 роки тому +8

    I actually found this video to be more “painful.” Historical Jesus, I understand. It is interesting that the Catholic Church would test forcibly converted Jews (Conversos) just as Judaism would test Jewish Christians. Sadly, the end of the Conversos might be death, not simply expulsion from the church (synagogue).
    For those that are interested, you also have a biographical video on Saul of Tarsus.
    Thank you for all your hard work.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +5

      There are certainly much pain related to this topic.

  • @kimw200blaze4
    @kimw200blaze4 3 роки тому +3

    Thank you for your deep scholarship and research on this topic. I only have a sketchy and very superficial understanding of this area of study. It takes a lot of time, dedication and research to get a real handle on these topics.

  • @juanverhelst871
    @juanverhelst871 3 роки тому +6

    Another very interesting masterclass! Thanks indeed! Shalom, shalom!!!

  • @nuqwestr
    @nuqwestr Рік тому +1

    Saul/Paul story always reminds me of the story of the McDonald brothers and Ray Croc. Croc was the great franchiser of the orthodox framework of the McDonalds.

  • @yonataneliyahu6318
    @yonataneliyahu6318 3 роки тому +3

    Amazing information as always. What a great source of information!

  • @arfjreyes
    @arfjreyes Рік тому +1

    I am a jewish-loving christian. This video is a a very sad truth.
    “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together!”

  • @granolabean1
    @granolabean1 Рік тому +1

    Love your teaching style. Definitely useful and interesting.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  Рік тому

      Happy to hear that!
      Thank you for being a Public Subscriber!

  • @marie-joelleraussou
    @marie-joelleraussou 2 роки тому

    It is a resume of the lecture on Paul of Tarsus, with some new elements. It seems the whole dispute was a long drawn out and painfull process which took a few of centuries and became irrevocable from the moment of the conversion of the Roman emperor. I appreciate a lot to hear the other side of the story with your lectures on the Jewish side of history. Thank you!

  • @gregcollins7602
    @gregcollins7602 3 роки тому +2

    I appreciate you and your video lectures. Thanks a million.

  • @pgloffshore
    @pgloffshore 3 роки тому +1

    Shalom,
    Thank you very much for all the information, May The Mist High Barūk Thee.
    🙏🙏🙏

  • @Jemoh66
    @Jemoh66 3 роки тому

    Excellent articulation of the process that pushed each brother to his separate corner of the ring.

  • @Stilgar74
    @Stilgar74 3 роки тому +2

    Sensitively navigated .. enjoying your lectures ‏ממש תודה

  • @matthewsainsbury1801
    @matthewsainsbury1801 3 роки тому +2

    thanks for the short lecture henry i didnt know it was going to be so short,anyhow i hope your next lecture will be fascinating cause ive learnt that the gospels where composed shortly before and after the destruction of jerusalem by titus and vespasian and that event really ended up seperating christianity from its jewish roots,i see in a documentary that when vespasian army was marching the jewish zealots attacked a roman army at beth horon ,that was a site that judah maccabee used to ambush the syrian greek army it really shows judah maccabees memory wasnt forgoten thanks

  • @JoseReyes-nf7us
    @JoseReyes-nf7us 3 роки тому +2

    This is Fascinating.

  • @Ian-nb9iw
    @Ian-nb9iw 3 роки тому

    Thank you for these videos. I appreciate your insight. The archeological stuff is particularly awesome. I've been learning about the late developments in the Catholic liturgy. I'm not sure whether it was the intent of Pope Benedict XIV with 'Summorum Pontificum,' but I'm hopeful that more Catholics will be looking into the liturgical reforms of 1955, 1962, etc., and sensitivity / awareness of these issues and occurrences will become more well known and better understood.
    Cheers and God bless!

  • @hoperules8874
    @hoperules8874 3 роки тому +3

    This is super interesting as a subject!

  • @glennsarka4391
    @glennsarka4391 3 місяці тому

    Thank you

  • @suzybailey-koubti8342
    @suzybailey-koubti8342 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much!

  • @luiscecilio8807
    @luiscecilio8807 2 роки тому

    thank you

  • @hoperules8874
    @hoperules8874 3 роки тому +2

    I should say, as my studies went deeper, just how confusing it was that Jesus (in my world view=King of the Jews) was rejected by some and worse--discovered undercurrents of replacement theology in churches (greatly violating the spirit of the Torah). I greatly appreciate your lectures. You are a legit historian with a heart for all people.

  • @matthewsainsbury1801
    @matthewsainsbury1801 3 роки тому +1

    and thanks for your condolences and you keep safe

  • @brunocarvalho9570
    @brunocarvalho9570 3 роки тому +6

    Very interesting lecture in a nutshell. The Birkat Ha-Minim makes me remember the Daniel Boyarin's book, namely, Border Lines. He argues that the separation between Judaism and Christianity were imposed from above by "border-makers", heresiologists anxious to construct a discrete identity for Christianity. By defining some beliefs and practices as Christian and others as Jewish or also known as heretical, they moved ideas, behaviors, and people to one side or another of an artificial border. Hence, that is the proccess that Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt''l defines , in his milestone work Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence, as a Pathological Dualism that has created the road to the jewish persecutions and all that.

  • @Livingmydreammm
    @Livingmydreammm 3 роки тому +2

    Thank you 😍 😍 😍

  • @stacyclark5910
    @stacyclark5910 Рік тому +1

    I hope this is not a hard question although I have not found anyone who can answer it satisfactorily…. When & how did synagogues get their start? There is so much specific information on how the tabernacle & the temple were to be constructed,etc…. I don’t recall reading or hearing about synagogues in scripture until the New Testament… Thanks! Really enjoying your teaching!

  • @awfelia
    @awfelia 2 роки тому

    So glad I found your channel..am going to be following for sure! Since 2016 I have been reading and comparing the Hebrew words and my experience of the Bible has both widened n deepened!! ♡

  • @racypies
    @racypies 3 роки тому +1

    Mr. Abramson would you be able to do a video on the people of Harran?
    Would be nice to know your thoughts and knowledge on them. Thank you.

  • @ryanmbira3968
    @ryanmbira3968 3 роки тому

    Your previous video was very balanced!

  • @michellelansky4490
    @michellelansky4490 Рік тому

    We are analyzing this from a historical perspective, but from an emotional point of view....how many can relate to the searing pain and sadness experienced by the families of these....as we would call them today...... OTD 'children'. A historically painful time for the jewish people really both beginning and culminating (sort of at the same time) with the churban.

  • @henryfultz3935
    @henryfultz3935 3 роки тому

    I love this topic. As a former Christian I believe this topic needs to be understood by both Christians and Jews, but it very rarely, if ever is discussed in Christian communities based upon my experience.
    In the book Liberating the Gospels - Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes -Authored by Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong the author points out that Paul does not describe his conversation experience on the road to Damascus in any of his letters. The Damascus account is mentioned in Acts of the Apostles 3 times many years after the death of Paul. One could assume Paul informed Luke the writer of Acts of this event or one could also assume this was an experience Luke created. I believe this item was worth noting.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      I plan to return to this topic in the next semester.

  • @MovieTrackMan
    @MovieTrackMan 2 роки тому

    Thank you Dr Abramson. I appreciate the sensitivity surrounding this topic on both sites. You have provided references of invective in the writings of the early Christian church fathers but can you also comment on the reported invective which is in the Babylonian Talmud against Jesus and his followers? Thank you again for taking on this topic.

    • @lsmart
      @lsmart Рік тому

      Unfortunately, the invective of the Church very quickly turned into persecution and murder of Jews by the official Church leaders. Any anti-Jesus invective in the Talmud against Jesus and Christians (and even the little that exists, was couched in euphemisms and not explicit) focused on the fact that he obviously forsook the Jewish faith and the Old Testament, and was thus off-limits to any Jew who wishes to be considered faithful, but it never went beyond that, and there were no known cases of Jews persecuting Christians on account of their faith, let alone killing them.

  • @reginasatterthwaite1540
    @reginasatterthwaite1540 2 роки тому

    Thank you f

  • @charlesedwards5333
    @charlesedwards5333 3 роки тому

    Great lecture, again. The original or early birchas haminim was explicit in saying not malshinim but meshubadim and notzrim.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      Thanks. And yes, there were some textual variations.

  • @douglasgrant8315
    @douglasgrant8315 Рік тому

    History is what it is.

  • @nivsport
    @nivsport 3 роки тому +2

    Can you do a video on Nittel Nacht?

  • @johnwalz2832
    @johnwalz2832 3 роки тому

    Dr. Abromson, Would you be able to comment on the dating of the Birkat haMinim. You mention it was at the end of the first century. Does the evidence point before or after the temple destruction?

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      Most scholars suggest it was composed a few decades after the destruction. See Alan Davies' work for a more detailed analysis.

  • @jasonmassi6645
    @jasonmassi6645 3 роки тому

    "Do we then make void the law through faith??? Certainly Not!!!! On the contrary we establish the law" Romans 3:27 . I never understood all the confusion. Shalom! I enjoy your channel

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      Glad you find it useful.

    • @jasonmassi6645
      @jasonmassi6645 3 роки тому +1

      We dont make the law void through faith meaning we do follow the torah and commandments sabbath seasons etc ... the receiving of the ruach hakodesh changes your heart and instead of having to keep the law we delight in his law and commands corrections etc . Salvation is free by grace and inturn receive the ruach . So not being under the law meaning we are already saved by grace not by works but now instead of toiling to keep the law for salvation we keep it because we delight in it and it wisdom is beyond human scope . In the natural flesh i never got it. The ruach changes everything.

  • @illerac84
    @illerac84 3 роки тому +1

    You know....I have watched many videos where you used the example of the stained glass window, not until you pointed it out did I notice the color of glass used for the skin color of Jesus.
    Perhaps a piece by an artist that had traveled to the region and observed local peoples? Is there any information on the artist or crew that constructed the window?

  • @essenceofgrowing7804
    @essenceofgrowing7804 Рік тому

    I understand that the “us/them” issue or debate is when Judaism (and only when it) places the traditions of men and the extra biblical laws (laws not found in the Torah and Tanak) above what is in the Tanak. It was later, and it didn’t take long for, the ekklesia (and synagogues) to become gentile and predominantly unlearned and unstable. Then later generations (Catholics and Protestants) took their biases and read them right back into Paul, making the Hebrew of Hebrew Paul (Shaul), into an anti Jew and a gentile Paul.
    Only when you see Paul as pro-torah (but is also rejecting that one must stand at the foot of Mt Sinai before one is delivery from Egypt) that we see how “the church” got off track.

  • @warped_spacetime
    @warped_spacetime 3 роки тому +2

    According to Rabbi Lord Sacks (zl), Rav Kook points out that the only other reference to Shmuel HaKatan (Samual the Small) refers to his saying "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls". Lord Sacks continues: "Only a person who deeply loved his fellow human beings could be entrusted with the task of constructing this prayer, which must be free of animosity and schadenfraude."

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +2

      Rabbi Sacks--how phenomenal was he. We are so bereft without him. Thanks for sharing this thought.

  • @JD-ir5fj
    @JD-ir5fj 2 роки тому

    Clearest example of a smooth transition will be found in Ethiopian Judeo-Christian theosophy.

  • @jokas7732
    @jokas7732 Рік тому

    Was Josephus Paul? The more I learn and read the more it seems so much of this was a Roman psy-op… I wish so much I could talk with you privately. Thank you for your teachings.

  • @josebenjaminlopezn
    @josebenjaminlopezn 2 роки тому

    Hi professor, I was thinking maybe the stained glass with the brown Jesus makes a reference to the new discovered lands of America and as it is in a church maybe is imploring something to G-d, maybe something that is like the song of Virgin Mary being her a jewish woman being it all a referense to the role of jews in the new world thats was taking shape at that time.

  • @Johns649
    @Johns649 3 роки тому +2

    Thank you for your honesty. As a Christian I apologize. Truth is sometimes hard to hear. Few Christians understand true history and the persecution Jews endured by Christians. The synchronization of Christianity and Rome was a disaster and great heresy. I deeply regret much of Christianity still has this corrupted Hellenistic world view. Truth is often hard to hear, especially when light exposes the darkness of deceit which is often taught. Jews are and always will be the apple of Elohim eye. This is biblical and historical truth.

  • @kurtf.4383
    @kurtf.4383 3 роки тому +2

    Mr. Abramson, I really appreciate your work! You are a great intellect! I’d also like to preface my statement by saying that I am a Christian, a Christian Jew. That said, I will pray for the Juice of the world every day. I pray for them so that they’ll come to know Yehoshua as their, and the entire world’s and universe’s Messiah. Telling the Truth is challenging, difficult, and painful from time to time. Sometimes, it’s offensive. But, people should sacrifice anything for the Truth. The Truth is that Yehoshua is the ONLY Messiah, and anything else to the contrary is antichrist. Period. One could act like the kindest, nicest, most polite, philanthropic individual that ever existed but at the end of the day, if they don’t believe in and accept Yehoshua as Creation’s Messiah, they’re doomed to Hellfire. It took me quite a long time to come to the Truth. And as an ethnic Jew, I know how difficult it is to accept something that AT FIRST feels so painful. We as a people are natural contrarians, we’re always looking for a way out of doing the right thing, and we’re always trying to find ways to explain away the Truth at every turn... even if it’s staring us in the face!!! I mean, look at the ENTIRE “Old Testament”!!! The entire Testament is chock-filled with narratives regarding the absolute disobedience of the Israelites and subsequent Judahites, Benjaminites, and Levites. Anyway, I like your work and personality, Mr. Abramson. Keep up the great work and come to Christ, I’ll be praying for you! Blessings!

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +4

      Thanks for the kind words, but hard to take them seriously when you are simultaneously "dooming me to Hellfire," you know?

  • @scrwbll19
    @scrwbll19 3 роки тому +1

    I am impressed that you were able to cover about 250 - 300 years of history in 10 minutes! That takes serious skill!
    Might I suggest some books for further reading for those who are interested? I hope that I am not breaching any boundaries here. I apologize if I am. It is just that this is an area of history that I have studied and am passionate about because it has strong implications for us today. These are academic texts that are still pretty friendly for the layperson:
    "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" by Marvin R. Wilson covers the historical and cultural divide between what became the church and synagogue.
    "Approaches to Paul: A Student's Guide to Recent Scholarship" by Magnus Zetterholm discusses where the different views on Paul lay, which range from Paul starting Christianity and divorcing himself from Judaism to remaining a faithful Jew all his life.

  • @JD-ir5fj
    @JD-ir5fj 2 роки тому

    One would have to examine the early Jerusalem church under James. Origen came very early on and translated the Scriptures. The early church in Alexandria was well established.

  • @YahLion77
    @YahLion77 3 роки тому

    So subtilty aknowleged the Black Jews listening to you classes.

  • @joannspumanti3385
    @joannspumanti3385 2 роки тому +1

    Constantine did not make Christianity the State Religion. He merely passed law of toleration meaning that the persecutions of the Christians by the Romans were illegal and the religion was to be tolerated. It was the emperor Theodosius who made Christianity the State Religion.

  • @johnwalz2832
    @johnwalz2832 3 роки тому

    I think your observation that early Christianity and the synagogues split was originally a family dispute is a good place to theologically keep the conversation. By the 4th century, as you said, Christian ideology abounded, and in my opinion, politicized to the point where the core values of the Gospel were totally absent. Like in Josiah's day, it took a reformation for a few to see how far removed from God's word the "church" actually was.
    Looking back to a previous video you made regarding the oral Torah, and Rabbinic traditions, there was in-house discussions on hermeneutics used to interpret the biblical material. It is apparent then that opinions varied widely, yet managed to be maintained within the larger Jewish community. I wonder though,
    Historically, we can consider all the factors that further split the church from the synagogue including the horrors of anti-semitism. But if we are going to consider the core fundamentals of the matter, I think we must keep the discussion with the bounds of the hermitical approach of Scripture.
    Early Christianity, as you said, was a family matter. The founders of Christianity are all Jewish, shaped by the Judaism of their day, yet still able to make their conclusions about Jesus based on their hermenetics. I think the NT book of Hebrews is a fascinating source of how Jewish Christians viewed the Scriptures and came to their conclusions.
    For most "gentiles" who are not steeped in Torah, we will easily miss the heavy heavy usage of allusions and quotations that fill throught process of the Jewish NT authors. The foundation of the church is and forever will be Jewish and no amount of gentile influence, rhetoric, or politicized religion can ever change that.
    In spite of the harsh things said through history, Acts (15:19-29) gives us a wonderful account of Jewish church instructing a predomintaly gentile church in antioch how to continue fellowship with their Jewish brothers.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      Thanks for the detailed comment. I recommend The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford U Press) that provides a really rich context of the Jewish references.

    • @johnwalz2832
      @johnwalz2832 3 роки тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD bought it~

  • @qosolka3320
    @qosolka3320 3 роки тому +1

    Quite interesting that the NT does reference rabbinical traditions despite later Jewish-Christian disputations in the Middle Ages centered around the idea that the Talmud should not be a part of Judaism at all

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      Good observation!

    • @hashemisbeautiful6615
      @hashemisbeautiful6615 3 роки тому

      I agree that this is a good observation. _I_ think the reason for this is that the NT was stuck with these things because Jesus actually said them, and Jesus actually said them because he was heavily influenced by Pharisaic thought (and may have even started off as one). The Church deals with this in two ways: 1) they rely on their non-Jewish audience being largely ignorant of these Pharisaic references (which I find to be the case today, to a large degree), and 2) in some narratives it seems that the information is "spun" in a certain way to make it seem like Jesus is saying things contradictory to the Pharisees, such as when he says, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:8) That phrase makes no sense at all from a Pharisaic perspective.

  • @haraldthi
    @haraldthi 3 роки тому

    I have heard other stories of Emperor Constantine. That while especially his mother became a Christian and probably was an influence, the real problem he needed to solve was that of a Roman Empire falling apart due to all the infighting between the various religions. He needed to create a common religion for the whole empire and looked not just at Christianity but also at the Zarathustra faith of the east. While himself being a sun worshipper until his death bed. (Perhaps explaining much of the sun symbolism in Roman church.)
    And when you enforce a religion not just by political power but also by political compromise, you get the results that you get Especially when the Jews were as disliked as they were, after the rebellions.

  • @luannefarmer
    @luannefarmer 2 місяці тому

    Personally I believe that the Gentile structure of the Church is not how it was suppose to go. I think the faith ( Christianity) should still be a Jewish faith as it was in the beginning. But I suppose cultural influences change religion. And as it was accepted by Gentiles so vastly, it had to adapt.
    Interesting today many Christians are keen to find our Jewish roots and rethinking the culture of the church.
    The Bible says Gentiles have been ‘grafted in ‘ , thus a sort of adoption to the Chosen people.

  • @myslicikrestan5538
    @myslicikrestan5538 3 роки тому

    What is your personal wiev of this topic? How u understand Christianity as jews historician?
    Thanks for answer and your videos.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      I generally don't share my personal opinion on these matters with strangers. You have my professional opinion here.

    • @myslicikrestan5538
      @myslicikrestan5538 3 роки тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD I understand and I respect it.
      How u explain Saul change to Paul? I mean it's there some way how to explain change from fanatical Pharisees to opposite? I mean in Jewish tradition.

  • @karenwickhorst8226
    @karenwickhorst8226 3 роки тому

    Dr. Abramson, this is a comment on an old video of yours, on Saul/Paul of Tarsus (from seven years ago, which I just listened to online. Being a Christian relatively new to Bible study, I have to tell you that when studying “Romans” I found a significant deviation from the original Abraham story that Paul was misrepresenting. I argued about this in class and now that we are studying early Christianity in that same class, I decided to look up the differences between the Torah, the Talmud, and the Mishnah. Why? Because, as you stated in your lecture, it’s never quite clear what aspect of Jewish law Paul is talking about. So I came to what might be a disturbing conclusion from the Christian angle: by throwing out, or even dismissing the importance of Oral law (before it became codified with the many interpretations of scholars), he was, in fact, throwing out the baby with the bath water (thought you might enjoy that image, knowing your sense of humor). I feel that, by pulling the strings out of the fabric of Jewish customs and rituals that are a living expression of Jewish faith-an oversimplification, I’m sure-he was, in fact, invalidating the underpinnings of the faith he left behind. Trying to reconcile the two, I feel, was perhaps an attempt to soothe his own conscience... I don’t know. But this is just to tell you that, there are those lay-learners (I love the Jewish saying that study is the highest form of worship), and after being exposed to Dennis Prager’s “Rational Bible” and to your lectures-just a few so far), I feel reassured that my tangential journeys are not in vain, even if my Bible teacher might frown upon what appears to be apostasy. I like to go back and forth between Bruce Gore’s historical lectures on the Bible and your presentations on the history of Judaism, and I have to say that I feel uniquely lucky to have gained access to these two invaluable sources that don’t really alter my faith, but which add a dimension to it that I find very satisfying,
    So, thank you for that, and I will continue to tune in to your ongoing enriching broadcasts.

    • @bpeper1365
      @bpeper1365 2 роки тому

      Fair to question things but do you think you’d have a better understanding of the law than a Pharisee?
      Paul understood the law very well.

    • @karenwickhorst8226
      @karenwickhorst8226 2 роки тому

      @@bpeper1365 Definitely not! But to what extent was he compromising his own foundation? Just asking. I know books have been written on this, so I’m looking at this from a very uneducated and limited perspective. I just wish Bible teachers (in church classes) would be clear as to what exactly what Paul means by “the law.” I’m reading John Barton’s “A History of the Bible,” and have just started the New Testament section, so maybe my question will be answered there.

  • @terrayjos
    @terrayjos 3 роки тому

    i'm sure you've heard this saying plenty of times but you can't please all of the people all of the time. i think you need to be reminded and don't worry so much about being liked by everyone. if you are doing your job honestly and with integrity then you've done your job.. i can't believe some of the most innocent of videos on You Tube get dislikes and people complaining. i guess they had a bad day and needed to vent...what a better way than on a stranger. deleting the unhelpful negative comments seems to be the best way to deal with the problem.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks for the support. I try not to delete comments so that people can get involved in the discussion even if they disagree with me or others, just so long as they are polite and reasonable. But yes, I have to delete plenty.

    • @jenA9026
      @jenA9026 Рік тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD I'm so sorry you have to deal with rude and/or disrespectful comments. You provide a great service to many by providing these excellent lectures. Personally I miss the jokes you used to tell when you did your lectures in front of a live audience. I have a very dear Jewish friend, and I used to take those jokes back to him and he loved it! But... I understand, this is not the format. Best wishes to you good sir.

  • @MB-gv3zs
    @MB-gv3zs 3 роки тому

    Very tragic.

  • @josephaggs7791
    @josephaggs7791 3 роки тому

    May I suggest an interesting move in Christianity in the 1800s was dispensationalism, which made room again for Jews as a way to repent for anti Semitic theology

  • @billyhw5492
    @billyhw5492 3 роки тому +1

    Is there any solid history out there about what percentage of Jews worldwide had converted to Christianity in the first few centuries of the Christian era? And what ever happened to all the Hellenized Jews, especially in Alexandria...did they mostly convert to Christianity?

  • @ortho-g9826
    @ortho-g9826 3 роки тому

    As an Orthodox Christian, I find the overemphasis of Roman Catholic practices and actions throughout history, after the Great Schism, to be counterproductive because these practices and actions are not in conformity with ancient and authentic Christianity.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      I only touch on the 4th century here, with a note on some elements of the Byzantine Church (e.g. Chrysostom). We'll get to the schism later, I think.

  • @myspaceplays284
    @myspaceplays284 2 роки тому

    I love your videos rabbi. I would love to hear your take on Yeshua’s miracles. I’d also like to know how Jews read stories like Jonah in the belly of the whale… literally? Do you think Christians can learn more about how to read the New Testament by understanding how Jews read and interpret the Torah? Thank you so much for sharing these teachings the way you do.

    • @lsmart
      @lsmart Рік тому +1

      If I may volunteer an answer as an Orthodox rabbi. Unless the Talmudic sages expressly stated that some part of an Old Testament story is merely intended as an allegory, Orthodox Jews view all miracles related there (such as the Jonah story) literally. We do not accept the miracles related about Jesus in the same way because the Old Testament states explicitly that the moment any prophet tells you to do things contrary to what the Pentateuch commands you, he is a false prophet and you are to ignore everything he shows you, even if he seems to perform some miraculous acts. To us, the Torah is eternal, and no one can ever change any of its laws and beliefs.

    • @myspaceplays284
      @myspaceplays284 Рік тому +1

      @@lsmart thank you 🙏

    • @gisselherrera7490
      @gisselherrera7490 Рік тому

      @@lsmart rabbi, please if I may ask, I'm trying to understand: which things said or done by Jesus were contrary to the Pentateuch?

    • @lsmart
      @lsmart Рік тому

      ​@@gisselherrera7490 This is not the place, nor do I have the time, to explain this in detail. But for starters, the very notion that a human being can turn into a partner with God in a Trinity, or that there can be a Son of God, refutes what the Torah (Pentateuch) repeatedly states, such as "Hear O Israel, Y--h is our God, Y--h is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4), or, "For Y--h is the God, there is no other besides him" (ibid. 4:35), or, "For Y--h is the God in the heavens above and the earth below, there is no other" (ibid. 4:39). Likewise, all the prophecies about the future Messiah speak about an ordinary human being whom God will select to be his representative as leader of the entire world in its more spiritual new version, but there is not even the slightest suggestion that the Messiah will be a former human who became part of a Trinity 2,000 years ago
      Additionally, Jesus (or his disciples speaking in his name) stated that half of the Torah's laws no longer apply -- such as observing the Sabbath and doing no work on Saturdays, observing the holidays of Passover, Pentacost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot), resting and fasting on Yom Kippur, all the kosher food laws, and countless others. But the Torah says explicitly that all 613 of its commandments are eternal, such as, "All the words that I command you, that shall you observe to do; you shall not add to it and you shall not subtract from it" (Deuteronomy 13:1), and "The revealed ones are for us and our children forever, to carry out all the words of the Torah" (ibid. 29:28).
      I think I have provided more than enough proof of my earlier claim. All the best to you.

    • @lsmart
      @lsmart Рік тому

      @@gisselherrera7490 This is not the place, nor do I have the time, to explain this in detail. But for starters, the very notion that a human being can turn into a partner with God in a Trinity, or that there can be a Son of God, refutes what the Torah (Pentateuch) repeatedly states, such as "Hear O Israel, Y--h is our God, Y--h is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4), or, "For Y--h is the God, there is no other besides him" (ibid. 4:35), or, "For Y--h is the God in the heavens above and the earth below, there is no other" (ibid. 4:39). Likewise, all the prophecies about the future Messiah speak about an ordinary human being whom God will select to be his representative as leader of the entire world in its more spiritual new version, but there is not even the slightest suggestion that the Messiah will be a former human who became part of a Trinity 2,000 years ago.
      Additionally, Jesus (or his disciples speaking in his name) stated that half of the Torah's laws no longer apply -- such as observing the Sabbath and doing no work on Saturdays, observing the holidays of Passover, Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot), resting and fasting on Yom Kippur, all the kosher food laws, and countless others. But the Torah says explicitly that all 613 of its commandments are eternal, such as, "All the words that I command you, that shall you observe to do; you shall not add to it and you shall not subtract from it" (Deut. 13:1), and "The revealed ones are for us and our children forever, to carry out all the words of the Torah" (ibid. 29:28).
      I think I have provided more than enough proof of my earlier claim. Wishing you all the best.

  • @augurcybernaut4785
    @augurcybernaut4785 Рік тому

    Synagogues or are these artistic symbols of New Testament vs old covenant

  • @CJ-zc3cm
    @CJ-zc3cm Рік тому

    Who do you think are closer brothers, Jews and Christians (non-Catholic especially) or Muslims and Jews?

  • @Igor_Itkin
    @Igor_Itkin 2 роки тому

    The Birkat haMinim in the Geniza mentions Christians verbatim.

  • @alg11297
    @alg11297 3 роки тому

    Good video as usual. Paul claimed he was a Pharasee and was under orders by the high command to persecute Christians. However, the Temple was run by Saducees. Problem? In the Book of Acts Paul did not have a vision of Jesus but he said he saw a bright light and heard a voice. From this description you wonder how he knew whose voice it was considering he never met Jesus. Finally, there is a great scene in "The Last Temptation of Christ" where Jesus, having survived the cross and lived many years, is confronted by Paul trying to evangelize the people. I have saved it if you want me to send it to you.

  • @eve3614
    @eve3614 3 роки тому

    At this point in history, would Hebrew have still been a vernacular language or had it been supplanted by Aramaic?

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      Aramaic was definitely the vernacular of the Jews. Hebrew would still have been used as a language of study and prayer, and the level of Hebrew literacy was probably pretty high, especially given the broad similarities between the two languages (kind of like Spanish and French).

    • @eve3614
      @eve3614 3 роки тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD Thank you so much! Would you ever be interested in doing an aside on the history of Jewish languages?

  • @lsdlrf
    @lsdlrf 3 роки тому

    Now this is one very bad family fight. Do you have any thoughts or ideas on
    how to correct what has occurred? Nothing is impossible with HaShem...

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +8

      Sorry, my department is history. Everything I study is in the past. I leave the future to the prophecy department.

    • @shemayisroelyeshuaahuvi654
      @shemayisroelyeshuaahuvi654 3 роки тому +1

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD Good answer

    • @darryl5372
      @darryl5372 3 роки тому +1

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD Good one!

  • @yourthought2333
    @yourthought2333 3 роки тому +5

    Kosher Chinese food ready 😊

  • @michaelshoolman9506
    @michaelshoolman9506 Рік тому

    As always, a very interesting and well delivered lecture. Re who actually was the historic Jesus may I recommend works by probably one of the greatest Jewish experts on this subject the late Prof Hyam Maccoby and three of his important works -- Revolution in Judea where he shows the anti Roman aims of Jesus which is why they killed him, The Mythmaker- Paul and the invention of Christianity where he proves that Jesus had no intention of creating any new religion , this was done by Paul. Finally Jesus the Pharisee where he shows that the real Jesus was in fact a Pharisee rabbi which of course goes against the whole basis of the claims of Paul.I would also suggest James the Brother of Jesus by Prof Robert Eisenman a huge work where he brings substantial evidence to show that Jesus and his brothers James, Judah and Simeon were devoted Torah observant Jews and that James was horrified at what Paul was preaching about his dead brother.Also bear in mind that the four Gospels Mark ,Mathew Luke and John were written by anonymous authors no one knows who they actually were ,these names were invented by the church.

  • @scullyfox4271
    @scullyfox4271 3 роки тому

    I appreciate your videos as I am a lover of history. I have a question, do the Jews at least consider Jesus a prophet because he foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. He said " your enemies will build a trench around you and encompass you on every side". The Romans did exactly that.
    Thanks again look forward to your response.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      Impossible for me to speak for "the Jews," sorry.

    • @scullyfox4271
      @scullyfox4271 3 роки тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD Hmm, I thought you did 🤔 Or at least have knowledge of what Jewish people thought on this topic.

    • @lsmart
      @lsmart Рік тому +1

      @@scullyfox4271 I believe my response to Myspace Plays just above answers your question.

  • @annehoskins5795
    @annehoskins5795 3 роки тому

    What is the Jewish take on end times. No doubt you are familiar with the "Left Behind" series. My understanding of the Jewish stance on this is the Temple will have to be rebuilt. The Messiah will be a mortal human leader instead of a supernatural person. He will restore Jews to their former glory and they will rule the earth and there will be peace on earth. I was wondering what will happen to Gentiles. Will they be accepted or will God condemn them.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      I'm not familiar with "Left Behind." But your questions are more appropriate for a theology channel rather than here, where we focus on history.

  • @formerlyrabbigodjr1110
    @formerlyrabbigodjr1110 3 роки тому

    I have a question who is Mighty God and Everlasting Father?

  • @krzysztofciuba271
    @krzysztofciuba271 3 роки тому

    Also, St.Paul cursed anti-Christians (1Cor 16:22) though addressed mainly to Gentiles. Some prophets like Jeremiah or Psalmists also cursed their enemies. Hm, they are not empty or warnings and it.. works.I have personal proof of it when for example a High Theologian ignores a warning just in an email and H.Spirit "organizes" a confrontation, a public one at University... I love the Holy Spirit

  • @dbtez1212
    @dbtez1212 2 роки тому

    Jesus came first to Israel and then to us gentiles but sadly most of His people rejected Him as it was written in the Bible but its sad to see it
    Jesus was prophesied in the old testament and came to pass just as it was prophesied

  • @laskar2439
    @laskar2439 3 роки тому

    The horse sir 🤣🤣 its face so emotional, a simple joke

  • @42tomasz
    @42tomasz 3 роки тому +1

    Below is a section of Hebrews 8, Paul writing in a "letter to the Hebrews".
    Perhaps this seemed true to Paul at the time, but I don't think it's true in the modern age. With all the languages and knowledge available, I think it's going to be more and more obvious that the Torah is superior to all other patterns of writing.
    Thanks for the video.
    "
    This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[a] 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises."

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      Not quite clear to me what you are saying here.

    • @42tomasz
      @42tomasz 3 роки тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD It is a very painful-difficult subject. I very much appreciate the good will behind your presentations about it.
      I'm sorry about my confusing communication: I am myself quite confused about what is appropriate-effective with "internet" communication.
      The [ Hebrews 8 ] passage is commonly understood as a proclamation of the "new covenant", superior to the old. Paul seems to be comparing his beliefs about the Christ with Moses receiving the Torah. The word "pattern" is used.
      All I'm saying is that I'm awe of the Torah, having recently began to methodically study the words and letters with their paleo-hebrew picture-meanings, together with numerical-magical correspondences - it is information pattern supreme, and what I was saying superior to other such forms. So about the internet, the future of AI and other intelligence, I'm just saying it's bound to like take over.
      I am humbled in my awe by the "all good" perspective I've glimpsed from Rabbis, that the purpose of the written message is the possibility - and responsibility! - made available to reconcile the human condition.
      Thank you for engaging me, I often have trouble communicating.

  • @claywithers523
    @claywithers523 3 роки тому

    I can see irreconcileable differences between the Jewish belief system, and Christianity at this period in time. But as the saying goes; "Never say never". The circumstances at this juncture seem impossible to visualise, though what this may lead to is clearly evident in this age, we Know there is but One G-d, for "Jesus" said so, confirming the Shema in Mark 12:28-30.
    Lehtraot.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому

      Hope you found it interesting.

    • @claywithers523
      @claywithers523 3 роки тому +1

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD Yes all your lectures I've seen are interesting. Do you have any about the Masoretic influences on the TaNaKh?

    • @claywithers523
      @claywithers523 3 роки тому

      @Corey Foehner Yes, but remember why Israel(Northern Kingdom) was dispersed circa 250 yrs before the birth of Jesus(Yeshua). who was brought up in the camp of Judah, who were also dispersed to Babylon for the same reason, but were allowed back to their G-d given land prior to the birth of Jesus, so Jesus would have been raised in the ways of Judah, just as we are raised in the way of our birth places. Can you agree completely with the actions of the leadership of the land you were born, and raised in, or do you think it has problems? Look at the return story in Revelation, and see what happens at the end of the millenial rulership, it's a repeating theme throughout the Bible.What must our Creator think of us, in the world that He created.

    • @claywithers523
      @claywithers523 3 роки тому +1

      @Corey Foehner No offense taken. I can see the point you are making, tradition as opposed to the Law, or Torah, well that's all they had to keep themselves together as a body of people, I was raised in a secular household, both my mum and my dad came from big families of working class people, and they had to learn to fight, to live, they went through the 2nd world war in London. I started reading the Bible around my 30's, after my life crashed. I'd found an old 1963 KJV copy in an abandoned outbuilding where I worked, asked the boss if I could keep it, and he said I could, so I started reading it, didn't really understand much then, but as the time passed, I started to understand it, but not to the extent I do now, I was a lightweight believer then, this man Jesus fascinated me, G-d was beyond my comprehension then, but later through a series of Synchronous events(Jung) some call coincidences, my beliefs started to form. That was 30yrs ago. I then did an O level psychology course. I'll stop there, as it is background information.

    • @claywithers523
      @claywithers523 3 роки тому

      At the end of the day it all boils down to the human condition, brought on by the fall. But now it depends on our walk, and how we treat each other, the world wiil pass, but G-d is forever. He has no beginning or end, Adam was the first/ Alpha. Who do you think is the Omega, or the Aleph and the Tau?

  • @terrytzaneros8007
    @terrytzaneros8007 3 роки тому

    Shaul Ha Tarshi remains THE Apostle par excellence.

  • @AaronMiller-rh7rj
    @AaronMiller-rh7rj 3 роки тому

    hi, may I say the apostle john did not write Revelation. A bit of heterodox (today) Revelation is not inspired or canonical. (I went to temple growing up but never had a teacher like you)

  • @7cuchulain
    @7cuchulain 3 роки тому

    I see Paul as an egalitarian.

    • @HenryAbramsonPhD
      @HenryAbramsonPhD  3 роки тому +1

      That's interesting.

    • @7cuchulain
      @7cuchulain 3 роки тому

      @@HenryAbramsonPhD books.google.com/books/about/Paul_Among_the_People.html?id=ibjVCQAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description this was a very interesting read from an author who did not really like Paul. I find that people are looking at the past with eyes of today, it's kind of sad. I truly enjoy your lectures and thank you