“Kosher Jesus” – A Book Review
In his new, highly controversial book, Kosher Jesus, Shmuley Boteach sets the stage by describing the strong overtures of Christian love towards Israel and the Jewish people. Boteach views this development as a positive step in the Jewish – Christian relationship; however, Boteach points out, there is still a sticking point between Jews and Christians, and that is Jesus. [1]
Boteach’s book presents a solution [2] that he believes will allow both Jews and Christians to overcome the barrier that stands between them. [3] Boteach proposes that instead of Jesus being the issue that divides us[4], we should allow him to serve as a bridge that unites us in the common interest of promoting Judeo – Christian values.[5]
Setting the bar in his introduction, Boteach boldly claims to know the “authentic story” of Jesus of Nazareth[6]. Virtually all historians and scholars agree that when trying to reconstruct the life of the “Historical Jesus” one is crippled by the lack of surviving evidence outside of the Gospels (records which Boteach himself disqualifies.)[7] This leads the reader to wonder how Boteach is going to make his case convincing.
Basing himself on the works of Hyam Maccoby, Boteach insists that although the Gospels cannot be accepted as authentic or reliable, they have nevertheless retained traces of a Jewish Jesus who did not teach against the observance of the Torah[8] and who never claimed to be God. Boteach sees Jesus as a patriot who fought against the occupying Romans; a struggle which cost him his life.
Boteach recognizes that Maccoby’s works alone – which argue that the real Jewish Jesus was radically different than the “Christian” Jesus – have not convinced Jews (or Christians, for that matter) to re-evaluate their deeply ingrained vision of Jesus. Boteach is intent on presenting a more persuasive case with “historical underpinnings”.
In order to vindicate his view Jesus, Boteach questions the reliability of the Jewish and Christian sources about Jesus, asserting that the truth has been obscured on both sides. In this book, he puts forth the fruit of his “twenty years of in-depth study of Christianity and the New Testament”.[9]
According to Boteach, Jesus is actually an impressive scholar and a visionary[10] who never claimed to be divine. He is someone with whom the rabbis “have no problem whatsoever”.[11] [12] Boteach’s Jesus rebels against the Romans and is crucified by the Romans. End of story. Boteach hopes that by presenting Jesus as a Jewish freedom-fighter and sage, Jews will now embrace the impressive scholar and visionary he sees in Jesus.[13]
Boteach urges his Christian readers to focus on the humanity of Jesus.[14] In Boteach’s view, Christians, who are staunch supporters of Israel and the Jewish people should be able to get past the Jewish rejection of the “Christian Jesus” and expand their view of Jesus to include a Jewish Jesus, who fought for his country and was killed by the Romans.
Boteach’s retelling of the Church’s infancy offers little new information except for his views about Peter[15] who he claims is the author of an anti-Semitic document.[16] The resurrection claims of Jesus’ early followers are conspicuously missing in “Kosher Jesus”[17], an omission that would raise the eyebrows of his Christian readers.[18]
When turning to Paul, Boteach emphasizes that Paul distorted what the real Jesus stood for.[19] In a chapter entitled “Paul the Convert”, Boteach asserts that Paul’s claim of being a Pharisee is highly suspect. “The belief that Paul was a convert to Judaism dates back to the time immediately following Jesus’ death. The Ebionites, the remnants of the Jerusalem Church under the leadership of James (whom the New Testament and Josephus say was Jesus’ own brother), insisted that Paul was a non-Jew who had converted to Judaism”.[20] In reality, however, this is a theory that Maccoby himself (Boteach’s only source for this) admits is not a historical fact but rather something based on a single questionable fourth-century document.[21]
Boteach is understandably upset with Paul for distorting the message of Jesus. But in his zeal to discredit Paul he shoots himself in the foot.[22] Boteach mistakenly combines two of Paul’s teachings[23] in order to accuse Paul of misquoting and giving fraudulent meaning to a verse from Deuteronomy 21:23. [24]
Boteach also exposes the Gospel writers for their ineptitude in stitching together the data.[25] For example, he calls out the Gospel of John for being inconsistent with the synoptic Gospels by placing Jesus’ crucifixion on the second day of Passover instead of the first. Boteach found this mistake ironic since in temple times there was only one day on which the Pesach sacrifice was offered and eaten.[26]
Unfortunately, Boteach will find himself guilty on the same charge he brings against the author of the Gospel of John. In John, Jesus is not crucified on the second day of Passover; he is reportedly crucified on the day before Passover, at the precise time that the Paschal Lamb would have been brought to the Temple in accordance with Jewish Law. [27]
In trying to help his readers understand why Jews must reject Christian doctrines such as: original sin, the virgin birth, the messiahship of Jesus and the deity of the messiah, Boteach refutes these doctrines, appealing to logic as well as the Jewish scriptures.[28] He apologizes to Christians for doing so[29] making it clear to his audience that he has no problem with Christians believing these things[30], but for Jews he says, these doctrines are not acceptable.[31]
Bible-believing Christians may view this as hypocrisy, since Boteach’s assurance is that “Jews want Christians to observe Christianity”.[32] But then in a fiery response to his Jewish critics, he writes that he is trying to spread the Noachide covenant as per the wishes of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. [33] Surely Boteach is aware that according to the view of Maimonides[34] and the Lubavitcher Rebbe[35], a Christianity that worships a man as God (a practice Boteach strongly rejects[36]), has no place in the Noachide covenant.
At the same time, Jews will also have problems with Boteach’s propositions.[37] Judaism will never view Jesus as a prophet[38] and a holy man.[39] Does Boteach honestly expect the Jewish community to re-examine and learn the teachings of Jesus? [40] This suggestion contravenes rabbinic enactments against the study of non-Jewish sacred texts including the Christian Scriptures.[41] [42] Jews have never been, nor will they ever be quick to buy into anything that is associated with Jesus or with the Christian Scriptures. Since Boteach acknowledges that the teachings of the Christian Scriptures in their current form are unacceptable, his proposal to Jews is all the more perplexing.
In summation, despite Boteach’s good intentions, this book is a poor stab at presenting a scholarly view on Jesus. Boteach’s recommendations are an affront to Jews and Christians and will only appeal to those who are uninformed in matters of religion and history.
This review was prepared by Rabbi Eli Cohen of Jews for Judaism Australia.
[1] Others have tried to ignore this “600 pound gorilla” for the sake of fostering mutual love and respect between the two parties. This approach has been highly controversial and has attracted criticism from members of both faiths. Jewish critics are strongly suspicious of this new friendship, warning that the sincere and much appreciated support of these groups notwithstanding, the evangelical embrace may be a Trojan horse. On the other side, Christian critics are upset with some of the Christian groups involved in this new friendship for withholding a more overt Gospel message from Jews who they believe need to accept and embrace it. To read more on this issue please see The Double-Edged Evangelical Embrace by Rabbi Michael Skobac http://jewsforjudaism.org.au/resources/articles/the-double-edged-evangelical-embrace/
[2] This suggestion is not new. Professor Amy-Jill Levine, has been promoting this idea for years, most notably in her book The Misunderstood Jew. “Once the differences between church and synagogue are acknowledged, Christians and Jews are in a better position to determine how far their mutual relations can go.” The Misunderstood Jew p.210. See also The Christian and the Pharisee by David Rosen and R. T Kendall. “I do also hope that the readers will be impressed by the fact that notwithstanding our profound differences, it is possible to discuss even these respectfully without pulling any punches; that it is possible to hear and say tough things and still remain (indeed even grow as) loving friends.” The Christian and the Pharisee p.151.
[3] Kosher Jesus p.209.
[4] “If we are to move past millennia of anti-Semitism and use the personage of Jesus as a bridge rather than a wedge between Christians and Jews, we must address the meaning of Jesus from all angles and to all observers, Jewish and Christian alike.” Kosher Jesus p.150.
[5] “Christianity and Judaism remain separate faiths. But by finding their common ground through a discovery of the Jewish Jesus, we strengthen America’s Judeo-Christian values. And that is, in the end, the essence of what I seek to accomplish.” Kosher Jesus p.213.
[6] “ …everything I present has scriptural and historical underpinnings making a case I believe will be persuasive” p. xx Kosher Jesus. Perhaps Boteach should have warned his readers that the ideas presented here about Jesus are speculative, rather than calling them “the truth” Kosher Jesus p.198.
[7] Kosher Jesus p.91 and p.93.
[8] This argument is also found in the Talmud Tractate Shabbat p.116 a and has been used in many Judeo – Christian polemical debates. It may be possible to suggest that this should not be used as historical evidence. The Talmud, in quoting the Gospels, may be using a method often used in the Talmud – “Le’didach” meaning “In accordance with YOUR view” thereby demonstrating why Christianity should not encourage the abrogation of Torah.
[9] Kosher Jesus p.xi.
[10] “The rabbis respect the teacher’s achievements and view him as an impressive scholar and visionary” p.7 Kosher Jesus
[11] “The rabbis had no problem whatsoever with Jesus. Indeed, they rightly thought of him as one of their own, one who espoused core teachings with which they all fundamentally agreed.” Kosher Jesus p.110. This decisive statement has no source or footnote which leaves us wondering where Boteach is getting this information from.
[12] In tractate Sanhedrin 93 b the Talmud relates that Bar Kochba was put to death by the Rabbis after hailing himself as the messiah. This is at odds with Boteach’s statement “Of the Jewish historical figures who claimed to be the messiah – each treated either as an eccentric or a serious candidate, depending on his righteousness, actions, and accomplishments – not one faced execution.” Kosher Jesus p.96. For the sake of accuracy and scholarship Boteach’s failure to address this source is problematic.
[13] Joseph Klausner, Géza Vermes, Harvey Falk, Hyam Maccoby and others have put forth a similar position. Where Boteach differs though, is in his failure to cite dissenting opinions to his position leaving no room whatsoever for speculation.
[14] “Christians would do well to pay renewed attention to Jesus, his humanity, and the values he held dear.” Kosher Jesus p.211.
[15] Boteach, being upset with Peter for saying that the Jews Killed Jesus portrays Peter as being weak, “Paul, ever the manipulator, bullies Peter into accepting the Pauline liberalism.” Kosher Jesus p.124 and as abandoning the Torah “Peter abandons Jesus’ strict commitment to kosher food and the Law of Moses and begins to live like a gentile.” Kosher Jesus p.125. Maccoby however, writes that “the evidence is that Peter probably never renounced adherence to the Torah” Paul the Mythmaker p. 149 (see also Jesus The Pharisee p. 166-169 for Maccoby’s explanation of the incident in Antioch.)
[16] Ascribing the apocryphal Gospel of Peter to the apostle Peter, Boteach writes “A profoundly anti-Semitic document, this Gospel was written by the same Peter who denied knowing Jesus three times when confronted by the Romans. Amazingly, Peter claims it was the Jews who crucified Christ – the Jews not only handed Jesus over to the Romans, they actually carried out the crucifixion.” Kosher Jesus p.69. The sources of the Gospel of Peter is a matter of considerable debate. See Ron Cameron’s The other Gospels p.77
[17] Besides a picture of the risen Jesus on the book cover, and one fleeting mention of the alleged ascension on p.153.
[18] To quote Charles Guinebert (1867-1939) professor of the history of Christianity in the Sorbonne “There would have been no Christianity if the belief in the resurrection had not been founded and systemized. Wellhausen is therefore right in saying that Jesus would have left no mark on history had it not been for his death.” Jesus p.536. In summary, failing to mention the early belief in the resurrection of Jesus without an explanation is shocking.
[19] This may be true to an extent and has been argued before (see The Da Vinci Code: A Jewish Perspective by Rabbi Michael Skobac), however, some examples Boteach puts forth as evidence for this are rather weak. One such example “Paul transformed Jesus’ mission into one that actively excluded the Jews, restricting him almost exclusively to the gentiles.” Kosher Jesus p. 119. Paul’s epistles (Romans 1:16 “to the Jew first” comes to mind immediately) or the book of Acts “Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Acts 18:4. These kind of passages mitigates Boteach’s argument.
[20] Kosher Jesus p.118.
[21] Hyam Maccoby in his book Paul the Mythmaker p.182 writes, “This account, of course, is not history. It is what Epiphanius declares the Ebionites were saying in the fourth century and is colored both by Epiphnius’ hostility to the Ebionites and by the Ebionites’ hostility to Paul.” Maccoby makes sure that the reader understands that this is inconclusive and not a historical fact. This is a far cry from Boteach’s bold claim that “The belief that Paul was a convert to Judaism dates back to the time immediately following Jesus’ death. The Ebionites, the remnants of the Jerusalem Church under the leadership of James (whom the New Testament and Josephus say was Jesus’ own brother), insisted that Paul was a non-Jew who had converted to Judaism”. Kosher Jesus p.118.
[22] In an attempt to demonstrate how Paul did not know Hebrew, Boteach writes, “No disciple of Gamliel would have thought to read the Bible in translation; there would have been no need. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians offer excellent examples of the resulting inaccuracies. Paul quotes Hosea 13:14, saying, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” This is the version found in the Greek Septuagint.” But the Hebrew original reads: “Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?” Kosher Jesus p.112.
This, of course, would be like saying that Shmuley Boteach is not a Pharisee since he used the NIV’s translation of Hosea 13:14 instead of going to the Hebrew and the Jewish Biblical commentaries on the verse (i.e Targum, Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Radak, Metzudoth, Malbim etc.) or at least glancing at the Artscroll Tanach’ translation which reads “ I will be your words of death; I will be the One Who decrees the grave upon you;”.
[23] In Galatians 3:10-11 Paul gives his own interpretation of Deuteronomy 27:26 and then in Galatians 3:13-14 he presents his understanding of Deuteronomy 21:23.
[24] “However, Paul misrepresents the verse utterly. He says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming
a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” Paul misquotes the Bible utterly and gives it a fraudulent meaning. He explains that the pole refers to the Torah, the Law of Moses. If you hang on this pole – that is, if you are dependent on the law for salvation rather than the blood of Christ – you are cursed.” Kosher Jesus p.113.
Incidentally Boteach repeats this error in a presentation at Limmud UK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNQa81C8NUM at 29:00 – 31:30 in the clip, and in an interview with the Washington Post “Q: You’ve got a beef with the Apostle Paul, who is widely considered the founder of Christian theology. A: He claims to be a disciple of one of the greatest Torah scholars of the ancient world, yet it seems certain that he could not read Hebrew. In Deuteronomy, the Bible says it’s a curse to God to leave a man hanging on a tree. Paul interprets the tree to be the tree of the Torah. In that mistranslation, he relegates Judaism to a subservient status. It’s “replacement theology” and a wildly inaccurate translation.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/10-minutes-with–rabbi-shmuleyboteach/2012/01/13/gIQAttLOwP_story.htmll
[25] Boteach himself let obvious mistakes slip into his book. For example when he confuses the Christian’s observance of their belief in the resurrection on Sunday, stating that it is the crucifixion they are celebrating. “I put this question to my friend Dr. Michael Brown in one our public debates. How is it, I asked him, that the Bible makes it clear God rested on Saturday, yet Christians now honor Sunday, a day of explosive creation, as the Sabbath. He said it had to do with Jesus being crucified on a Sunday. But what is the connection? We do not keep the seven-day week because Jesus was murdered but because of the biblical account of creation.” Kosher Jesus. p.127 (Italics added)
[26] “Other inconsistencies abound. According to the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, the trial of Jesus took place the first night of Passover at the seder. The Last Supper must therefore have been a seder meal. If so, Jesus must have eaten matzo and wine, the principal foods of the seder table. Yet the Gospel of John contradicts this, saying the trial of Jesus took place not on the first night of Passover but the second. This is quite a discrepancy. In Jesus’ time the first night of Passover was the only night a seder was held. It was also the only evening where the paschal lamb was brought to the Temple and eaten.” Kosher Jesus p.91.
[27] The contradiction between the synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John is indeed a serious discrepancy. Christian apologists have a very difficult time answering this discrepancy as Mike Licona, a Conservative Christian apologist and author conceded in a debate with professor Bart Ehrman “Can historians prove Jesus rose from the dead?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBxCAexOTRU at 13:10 into the clip
[28] From a counter missionary perspective, the treatment of these central issues needs to be improved upon. It’s disappointing that Boteach does not provide his reader with serious works such as “The Jew and the Christian Missionary” By Gerald Sigal, “Contra Brown” by Rabbi Yisroel Blumethal or websites such as www.jewsforjudaism.org for further reading.
[29] “My intention in this section where I spell out why Jews reject the Christian Jesus is not to disparage Christianity but to encourage an understanding of why a man worshipped as deity, or belief in a messiah who did not fulfil the messianic prophecies, is anathema to us Jews, a fact that will never change.” Kosher Jesus p.150.
“The New Testament authors thought Isaiah foretold the birth of a child from a virgin and applied his prophecy to Jesus. Thus, a cardinal principle of Christianity is derived from a Greek already suspect rending of the Hebrew Bible.
I caution again, this is not to denigrate or deny Christian doctrine.” Kosher Jesus p.160.
[30] “While we believe Judaism is the true and right religion for us, we want Christians to observe Christianity” Kosher Jesus p.197.
[31] For example after quoting 1Samuel 15:29 he writes “God is not a man. He is not human. For Jews, this verse alone ends the debate. Case closed.”
[32] Without quoting any source Boteach writes “While we believe Judaism is the true and right religion for us, we want Christians to observe Christianity” Kosher Jesus p.197. In contrast to candidness of Jacob Neusner who writes “G-d’s Torah is the way (not only our way, but the way) to love and serve the one God, creator of heaven and earth, who called us to serve and sanctify God’s Name. My point is simple. By the Truth of Torah, much that Jesus said is wrong.” A Rabbi Talks With Jesus p.5.
[33] “It is also time, although Rabbi Wolf does not seem to much care, that the Rebbe’s vision for spreading the Noachide Covenant be realized by Christians discovering the humanity and Jewishness of Jesus rather than emphasizing his divinity.” Shmuley Boteach
[34] While this may not be the view of all medieval rabbis , Maimonides opinion on Christianity (Maimonadies on Mishnah Avodah Zarah 1:3, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 9:4) was the view accepted by the Lubaticher Rebbe. See Likkutei Sichos Vol. 37 p.198
[35] See the note above.
36 See note 31.
[37] Hopefully Boteach will take notice and follow the steps of the Chief Rabbi of the UK, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks, who, amid sharp criticism from his contemporaries, felt the need to amend statements in his book The Dignity of Difference. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1408406/Chief-Rabbi-to-amend-heresy.html
[38] “Similarly, when Jesus speaks in the first-person singular in God’s name, it is not a declaration of his own divinity. Moses does the same in Deuteronomy, when he tells the Jews that if they obey the word of God, “I,” Moses, will give them material wealth.” Kosher Jesus p.47, and “For the past six years I have been working on a book, to be published shortly, on a new understanding of Jesus as prophet rather than deity” http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=195506
[39] “He was by all accounts a holy and wholesome man”. Kosher Jesus p.49.
[40] “Nearly all his authentic lessons were restatements of classical Torah wisdom; his ethical teachings still have the power to speak to us today.” Kosher Jesus p.x.
[41] Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 2:2
[42] In a letter to the Rabbinical Council of America in November 1964 (re-affirmed by the RCA on May 18, 2006 http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100771 ) Rav Soloveitchik OBM, Rosh Yeshiva of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University in New York City also regarded as a seminal figure by Modern Orthodox Judaism, wrote, “…We are, therefore, opposed to any public debate, dialogue or symposium concerning the doctrinal, dogmatic or ritual aspects of our faith vis a vis “similar” aspects of another faith community. We believe in and are committed to our Maker in a specific manner and we will not question, defend, offer apologies, analyze or rationalize our faith in dialogues centered about these “private” topics which express our personal relationship to the God of Israel. We assume that members of other faith communities will feel similarly about their individual religious commitment.” He further states that “There cannot be mutual understanding concerning these topics, for Jews and Christians will employ different categories and move within incommensurate frames of reference and evaluation.” Community, Covenant and Commitment p. 260.
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Thank You
Yisroel C. Blumenthal
1000 Verses - a project of Judaism Resources 
The elect wheat will see & discern the Messiah and receive Yeshua gladly & with gratitude for His Love & sacrifice as Messiah Ben-Yosef.
The tares will reject [and even despise] Him: whether they be “Jewish” or “Gentile”.
and the arguments are endless.
REVELATION ends all the arguments once & for all.
the wheat are of a spiritual DNA {“seed”, spirit, will} that GOD has foreknown.
so also: the tares of a very different sort.
and THERE IT IS.
Destiny rests with GOD’s knowledge & choice/election.
“HE reveals His Son to whomsoever HE Wills”.
Indeed.
“The word Messiah has no meaning as savior. Messiah simply means anointed one. Giving the meaning Savior for the word messiah Jews started wrong interpretation of Bible and it culminated in Christian religion.
Jewish belief in a messiah is based on the promise God gave to David .So Jews believe messiah will be son of David.They neglect the fact that the promise given to David is conditional one.Sons of David failed to keep the conditions and God is not bound to keep that promise.
When Jesus came the Jews flocked around Jesus expecting he is the messiah because they believed it was the right time for their messiah to appear. But unfortunately Jesus questioned Jewish belief that Messiah is the son of David. Not only that Jesus told the Jews not to believe any body who claims he is the messiah. Or some one tells you messiah is in the desert or in the inner room do not believe it, do not follow them. The Jews who wanted a messiah refused to listen Jesus and they failed to understand the message of Jesus.
The Jews who found their messiah in Jesus declared Jesus is the son of God. They interpreted Bible in such a way to make others believe Jesus is the Christ and son of God.( John.20;21) Truth about Jesus is far away from the belief of Jews and Christians.
Jews and Christians believe in one thing that Jesus Claimed he is the Messiah. But Jews refuse his claim and Christians accept his claim. Both went wrong, Jesus never claimed he is the Messiah. His message is hidden in the New testament. It is time for Jews and Christians to re assess Jesus. Let Kosher Jesus a first step to that direction.
Jesus command you,” You should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ”.
I haven’t read all of this article, but those “strong overtures of Christian love towards Israel and the Jewish people” will be there despite what Jews believe or don’t believe. Of course, their goal is to see all Jews become Christians, and if Jews accept “Yeshua”-Jesus as Christ, messiah, or “ha-Moshiach” really doesn’t matter. Those Christians who don’t support Israel, don’t support Israel because of political reasons not because of religious reasons. They love Israel too, but not their “hard-line” policies.
Many Christians will not have anyone “teach” them a “kosher” Jesus. Nor anything that is critical of Paul or attempts to show a difference between Paul & Jesus. Chistians plant “seeds” in the “field”, so Jesus’ parable about “tares” applies to Christians who plant “weed seeds of destruction” and whose goal is “destruction” of the Jews one way or the other. How many descendents of Jews who believed in Jesus or “Yeshua” 100 or more years ago consider themselves as Jews and not Christians?
What sort of poly-theistic based “god” or being reveals a “son” to “whomsoever HE Wills”? A god who so hates the world? A god who hates most people?
“It is also time…that the Rebbe’s vision for spreading the Noachide Covenant be realized by Christians discovering the humanity and Jewishness of Jesus rather than emphasizing his divinity.” Shmuley Boteach [33]
Oh please… Spreading of the Noachide Covenant is realized when Christians discover the truth of Torah; where the idolatrous concept of Jesus’ divinity isn’t merely ‘de-emphasized’, it is exposed as false.
Concise and clear, best boo review I have read in a year !
Great job!
http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/i-await-his-coming-every-day/05.htm
Significantly, the Raavad also takes issue with the Rambam on this matter. Basing himself on Sanhedrin 93b, he maintains that after the Sages heard of Bar Kochba’s pretensions to be the Mashiach, they investigated whether or not he had miraculous power. When he failed to demonstrate such powers, they had him killed.
The Rambam (see also Hilchos Taanis 5:3) favors the view stated in Eichah Rabbah commenting on verse 2:2 and in the Jerusalem Talmud, Taanis 4:5, that Bar Kochba was killed by gentiles.
(Despite the differences between the Rambam and the Raavad, it is possible to reconcile the sources on which these two opinions are based. It was in fact the Romans who actually killed Bar Kochba, as is stated in the latter two sources. Nevertheless, they were able to defeat and kill him only because the Sages withdrew their support of him.)
I am in the midst of reading Rabbi Boteach’s book. I have taken courses in the history of christianity from Christian scholars and have what to compare the book to.
My questions is whether you think or see any signs that this book will stir the pot of Christian antisemitism? It is offensive to 2000 years of christian theological development. It would be akin to someone promiment writing that Moses was a fake.
Elliot
I don’t think that any Christian will take the book seriously
Yeshua stated in John 8: “Before Abraham was born, I AM”. He clearly taught that He was the Divine Son of G-d. And Messiah did NOT come as the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) to unite the world, but rather to divide the world. The acceptance of Yeshua as Messiah, or rejection of Him divides. “For I came to set a man against his Father, and a Daghter against her Mother…” Let us not try to sugarcoat the words of Yeshua with a false idea of uniting believers and unbelievers.
Joel- You are right. The man Jsus (not yeshua) is a divider and that is yet again, another reason he is a false messiah. G-d says in the end he will send Elijah to unite families. Elijah never came during the time of Jsus, even though Jsus said that John the Baptist was Elijah and JTB denied that he was. (false prophecy) Elijah comes to repair families, Jsus says he will divide families. Tanakh NEVER teaches a messiah will come and divide families according to belief. This is wholly a non-Jewish concept.
Blasater-as you stated Elijah came in John the Baptist, this is what Messiah told us. John (Elijah) denied to those from whom it was kept. Elijah did indeed come at the time of Messiah. When He returns, he will indeed unite, after having dealt with the enemies of G-d. And you are also mistaken about Tanakh which clearly speaks of Messiah being rejected. Isaiah 53: Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? ..He was despised and foraken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of G-d, and affliced, But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities….etc. May the children Israel find peace in Yeshua Israel’s Messiah.
Joel- So JTB lied? Who told him to lie? JTB did not restore families and Jesus tore them apart. Are you saying that Elijah has a second coming too? Is 53 has nothing to do with Jesus.
Lets look at Isaiah 53…this time with context.
The book of Isaiah starts with strong condemnation and rebuke of Israel and then a comforting reassurance of G-d’s commitment to Israel, Israel’s redemption and the Judgment of the nations who harmed her. Isaiah 53 passage occurs as the fourth servant “song”. In the previous sections of Isaiah, Israel is described as G-ds servant, not once but many times.
Isaiah 41:8 But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
10 “You are my witnesses,”(Notice the plural, not singular witness) declares the LORD,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
Isaiah44 1 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what the LORD says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun(Israel),[a] whom I have chosen
21 Isaiah44:21 Remember these things, Jacob,
for you, Israel, are my servant.
I have made you, you are my servant;
Israel, I will not forget you.
22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 45:4 4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
Isaiah 48…say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.”
21 They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts;
he made water flow for them from the rock;
Isaiah 49:3 3 He said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
So, there we have a clear indication of who the servant of the LORD is, Israel, Jacob (Israel). So in context the servant, in Isaiah 41 through 49, is identified as Israel, my servant. But then we have a slight change in discussion and hence the name of the subject changes as well. Israel feels forsaken of G-d.
Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
Israel is now called Zion. And look at the amazing comfort that G-d gives His servant Israel, now called Zion.
15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
Wow. What a promise! Continuing:
Isaiah 51: 3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the LORD.
I who set the heavens in place,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”
But G-d will end his affliction of Zion, Israel
21 Therefore hear this, you afflicted one(appears again in Is 53),
made drunk, but not with wine.
22 This is what your Sovereign LORD says,
your God, who defends his people:
“See, I have taken out of your hand
the cup that made you stagger;
from that cup, the goblet of my wrath,
you will never drink again.
Now onto Isaiah 52!
Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake, Zion,
clothe yourself with strength!
Put on your garments of splendor,
Jerusalem, the holy city.
Isaiah 52:4-6 makes it clear that the servant is again Israel: “For thus says the L-RD G-d, My people went down the first time to Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what have I here, says the L-RD, that My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them howl, says the L-RD; and My Name continually every day is blasphemed. Therefore My people shall know My Name; therefore they shall know in that day that I am He who speaks; behold, here I am.” Notice that a group of people is being spoken about (people is a collective singular here), one that was in Egypt and Assyria. Those people are Israel.
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Here again, Zion is not an individual but the nation of Israel. And now we go into the mystery of Is 52-53 dealing with the suffering servant. So to review, Isaiah 41-49 My servant is Israel. 49-52 the servant transitions to Zion, my people. The next aspect to consider is who is talking in the text in the various sections of the suffering servant song.
• … Now, let’s look at the context of Isaiah 52-53 to see if the servant is also Israel there. The two chapters are connected, and form a continuous message.
Isaiah• 52:13-14 “Indeed, My servant shall prosper, be exalted and raised to great heights. Just as the many were appalled at him–so marred was his appearance, unlike that of man, his form, beyond human semblance–just so he shall startle many nations.”
In verse 13, that same people is spoken of as “My servant”. G-d is telling us here that, in the end, Israel will prosper and take its rightful place in G-d’s plan. But before that happens, Israel (i.e. the Jewish people) will be perceived as marred and unlike other men in appearance. We have been seen by others as demons, devils, rats, sub-human, virues. Our life to them has been cheap. The Jewish people have certainly been perceived as demonic by many, having horns and a tail. We have also be painted with enormous hooked noses and stooped backs, and perceived as having a odd, Jewish aroma. We have been painted as sacrificing Christian children to the “Devil” that controls us, and using the blood in our matzos. We have been accused of poisoning wells and desecrating hosts. Our skin has been used to make lamps, our hair to make cloth. To those who hate us, we are beyond human semblance. Many have been startled to find out we are not demons and have no horns. Finally, the only way to stuff 1.5 million children and 4.5 million adults into gas chambers and ovens is to first marred their visage beyond that of a man…into a visage that is not human.
Jesus, on the other hand, looked exactly like a man. There are no stories in the New Testament of Jesus astonishing people with his looks, with Jesus having horns, tails, and the like. This is not about Jesus, it is about Israel. Even after Jesus was scourged and hanging on the cross, all who saw him recognized him as himself. So he was not marred beyond that of a man.
• Isaiah 52:15 “Just so he shall startled many nations. Kings shall be silenced because of him, For they shall see what has not been told them, Shall behold what they never have heard.”
This is now the Kings and leaders of the world speaking. We startled many nations by our very survival when they thought we should disappear, but we did not. We have startled many nations by our importance, and by our major contributions to the world in many fields, beyond our small numbers. Such a reviled people, such a small people who, in their view to this very day, should not exist anymore, will come as a big surprise to many nations, many peoples. In the future, they will be surprised when they realize their mistake, that what they have been told is wrong–we are not demons, servants of the “Devil”, a fossil who should disappear, rats or evil. They will be startled when they find out we are and have indeed been G-d’s servant. When they see the truth, they will indeed be speechless, silent in the face of what they have believed, what they have done.
• Isaiah 53:1 “Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the L-RD revealed?”
The arm of the L-RD is a metaphor used though out the Tanach to indicate G-d is taking direct action and for vindication. This same metaphor is used in Deuteronomy 5:15, “And remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and that the L-RD your G-d brought you out from there with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm;…”. They will find the truth even if spoken by non-Jews hard to believe, hard to accept, but HaShem will vindicate us, the Jewish people.
• Isaiah 52:2 “For he grew up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness that we should look at him, there was no countenance that we should desire him.”
They did not think us pleasing to look upon, but HaShem will favor us, our suffering will not endure forever. Indeed, Israel is like a trunk in arid ground, growing with the favor of HaShem. Isaiah uses the trunk metaphor (see Isaiah 6:12) to refer to the surviving remnant of Jews that will come out of Babylon purified, free from the dross of idolaters. Again, no one desired to look at us, seeing us as less than human, as ugly. Yet, before G-d, we are as a tender plant coming out of the dry bitter ground of the world. We are a light in the darkness. Corporate Israel, a singular entity, is the shoot and no one else. Jesus, for example, was not seen as ugly to look upon and gathered large crowds.
• Isaiah 53:3 “He is despised, shunned by men, a man of suffering, familiar with disease. As one who hid his face from us, he was despised, we held him of no account.”
According to the NT, Jesus had large crowds of follower and was not shunned. Israel, on the other hand, certainly has been shunned. We have been kicked out of many countries, some more than once. The Romans kicked us out of our own land, renaming it, trying to make us disappear. Spain, England, Germany, France, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, etc. have all kicked us out. We have been shunned by men. We have been despised for many thing we have not done, and just because we are G-d’s servant. The Syrian-Greeks despised us, and tried to destroy our religion, to make us worship their “gods”. We have known much suffering: the rule of the Syrian-Greeks; the Roman with their forced labor, crucifixions of hundreds of thousands of Jews, and law forbidding us to learn or teach Torah; the Crusades; Inquisition; HaShoah (Holocaust); Dhimi status in Muslim countries; ghettos; expulsions; pogroms; job restrictions; slavery; etc… The ghettos were so packed that disease was a problem. In the concentration camps disease was rampant. Jesus was never shown as diseased. We have been held to be worthless, of no account by the non-Jewish world, we still are viewed in this way by many peoples and individuals. They cannot, did not, see our true face through their hate. This applies so much more to the suffering on the Jewish people at the hands of intolerant, ignorant, and bigoted people, than it ever could to Jesus.
• Isaiah 53:4 “Yet it was our sickness that he was bearing, Our suffering that he endured. We accounted him plagued, smitten and afflicted by God;”
The gentile nations are speaking in the verse. The sickness was in them, not us. We have bore the result of their sickness; we have suffered and continue to suffer because of them. They believed us cursed by G-d, their own books said so as did their leaders. They took it upon themselves to make sure that we suffered the curse they thought us to be under. It was they themselves who made us suffer, through their own free will. Many Jews continue to suffer at the hands of those who view us as cursed by G-d. And notice the language of the afflicted is just like Isaiah 51:21, who was the afflicted? Zion, my people! And the cup of G-ds wrath will end, 51:22. Similar language is found in Nahum 1:1212 This is what the LORD says:
“Although they have allies and are numerous,
they will be destroyed and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
I will afflict you no more.
G-ds afflicted is Israel.
• Isaiah 53:5-6 says “But he was wounded because of our sins, crushed because of our iniquities. He bore the chastisement that made us whole, and by his bruises we were healed. We went astray like sheep, each going his own way; and the L-RD visited upon him the guilt of all of us.”
The gentile nations are still speaking. Because of the sins of the non-Jews who persecuted us, we were crushed. We bore the chastisement that made many anti-Semites feel whole. The non-Jew did not treat others as they should have, straying from the Noachide law against murder. It appeared to many who arrayed themselves against the Jewish people that G-d was punishing the Jews, but it was really their own guilty actions that caused the suffering of G-d’s servant Israel. Throughout the centuries when the Jews were being murdered for nothing, who was sinning? G-d NEVER gave permission to the nations to murder the Jews. The nations were sinning by their murderous hatred of the Jews. So, the Jews bore that sin of the mass murder by the nations. It is interesting to note that the word Holocaust means, “whole burnt” and was used for centuries as the term for a burnt offering.
• Isaiah 53:7 “He was maltreated, yet he was submissive, he did not open his mouth; like sheep being led to slaughter, like a ewe, dumb before those who shear her, he did not open his mouth.”
Jesus cried out on the cross and held conversations with others; he opened his mouth during his trial. We were maltreated, but following the principle that if we were submissive it would all blow over and we would survive, the people would survive, we remained submissive throughout the millennia. In Nazi controlled Europe, to give a modern example, we again remained submissive, not knowing that relocation, another exile from another country like so many others before, was not all Germany had in mind. We were transported in cattle cars, like sheep to the slaughter. Like ewes who do not know they are going to be sheared, we did not know the fate that awaited us in the “relocation trains”. We did not open our mouths.
• Isaiah 53:8 “By oppressive judgment he was taken away, who could describe his abode? For he was cut off from the land of the living through the sin of my [i.e. the non Jewish speakers] people, who deserved punishment.”
They oppressed us, judged us guilty, and took us away. We, the Jewish people (Israel) were taken away by oppressive judgment (blood libel trials, pogroms, crusades, inquisition, anti-Jewish laws, the Shoah). We were murdered, cut off from the land of the living, because of their sins (ie the sin of murder, etc.) by non-Jews. It is they who murder who deserved the punishment they gave us unjustly. It was those who sinned and continue to sin against us, not us, the servant of G-d, who deserves to be punished. And if Jesus was cut-off, that is NEVER a good thing, being cut-off ALWAYS refers to unrighteous people. Yes, even Daniel 9. One of the anointed is righteous, one is not. Those are two separate anointed ones.
• Isaiah 53:9 “And his grave was set among the wicked, and with the rich, in his death — though he has done no injustice and spoken no falsehood.”
The rich are often portrayed as wicked, so we are saying the same thing twice for emphasis. Israel (the Jewish people) have done nothing to merit the ill treatment we have received by the rest of the world, nonetheless, Jews were still buried in pits and mass graves. Holocaust Jews were slaughtered with Gypsies and homosexuals and shoved into pits with them. Jews were given the disrespectful burial of a wicked man. Our grave stones still removed to pave streets and latrines, still desecrated even here in America. From what I read in the NT, Jesus was given a decent burial in a nice tomb ALONE, by himself, not the disrespectful mass burial of wicked persons.
• Isaiah 53:10-12 says “But the L-RD chose to crush him by disease, that, if he made himself an offering for guilt, he might see offspring and have long life, and that through him the L-RD’s purpose might prosper. Out of anguish he shall see it; he shall enjoy it to the full through his devotion. [G-d says:] ‘My righteous servant makes the many righteous, it is their punishment that he bears; assuredly, I will give him the many as his portion, he shall receive the multitude as his spoil. For he exposed himself to death and was numbered among the sinners, whereas he bore the guilt of many and made intercession for sinners.'”
First of all, note that the servant (Israel) will have offspring and long life. Israel as a group has had many children and a long life. Jesus had no children and was put to death by the Romans when he was fairly young. This passage cannot be referring to Jesus. Christians will say this is “spiritual” children but the word for children here in Hebrew is Zerah and it NEVER means spiritual children, only physical children. Also, if this is Jesus, G-d crushes G-d? G-d gives Himself disease? If G-d makes Himself a guilt offering He will have long life? Jesus had a short life, so must NOT have made Himself an offering for guilt. Asham or guilt offerings are for SPECIFIC sins only. That means Jesus offering would be limited to those under the category of “guilt offering”. Leviticus 5 and notice this! Lev 5:11, NO BLOOD IS REQUIRED! A flour offering atones for sin.
The nations believe that G-d was punishing us, that the L-RD “chose to crush” us “by disease”. It is true that the concentration camps lead to massive disease. And Jesus was never diseased. But it was their sins that made us suffer. We are G-d’s servants, a light unto the nations, our role to bring the universal laws, morality to the world. Hitler’s Germany rejected G-d’s seven laws for all men (genesis 9), murdering the messenger, thinking that the message made Germany weak. For their guilt we suffered. The Jewish people has offered little resistance to the actions of our persecutors. We have born the brunt of their guilty actions. Yet, we are still devoted to HaShem and are fulfilling our role to be a light unto the nations, so that the nations may one day follow the Noachide laws ordained by G-d. Through our example, we are to make many people righteous, but we bear the punishment of the guilty in the meantime. We have been killed by many, dying with the Shema on our lips. We have been buried in pits as sinners, whereas the killers were the real sinners.
G-d will one day reward us, the nations will one day recognize our role. The nations have numbered us as sinner and murdered us because of their misguided beliefs. It is they that were guilty. We have ever prayed for the world, for the people of the nations in which we dwelt. In the end, all will stream to Mount Zion to worship, all will follow the seven laws of Noah, and “… In those days, ten men from nations of every tongue will take hold–they will take hold of every Jew by a corner of his cloak and say, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.'” (Zech. 8:23) And 19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. …. 21Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD. (Jer 16:19,21)
The suffering servant is Israel. But she will be redeemed by G-d. Notice what occurs directly after Isaiah 53 in the verses in 54.
Israel is compared to a woman without child: 1Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child:…. 6For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
Does this in anyway apply to Jesus? No! But the nation of Israel? Yes!
Isaiah 54:10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
11O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
There is that wording again! Afflicted! Like Zion, my people in Isaiah 51:21 and Isaiah 53:4, Israel is once again refered to as G-ds afflicted. Before Isaiah 53 and after.
Isaiah 54: 17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
And look how 54 ends. Once again Israel is called servant but this time plural. So, to summarize, Isaiah 41-49 Israel My servant, Isaiah 49-52 Israel is Zion, Isaiah 53 back to My servant, Isaiah 54 Israel the barren woman, comforted by G-d, Israel, servants of the LORD.
Taken in the context of a sizeable section of Isaiah, Israel is G-ds suffering servant, redeemed by G-d.
Len Hummel- You said: “The elect wheat will see & discern the Messiah and receive Yeshua gladly & with gratitude for His Love & sacrifice as Messiah Ben-Yosef.
The tares will reject [and even despise] Him: whether they be “Jewish” or “Gentile”.”
Can you point to even passage in the NT that says Jsus is messiah ben Yosef? He is not. Messiah ben Yosef is alive at the same time as ben David. Jsus was not of the right tribe for ben Yosef (or ben David). Can you show one scripture that shows ben Yosef and ben David are the same person? No, of course you cant. Jsus is Dt 18:20-22
Blasater-You took a lot of time in your response, and I appreciate that, however you are again mistaken. Isaiah 53 refers to Yeshua just as Messiah Himself told us, as well as His disciples, for Ex. Heb 9:28. Acts: 8:30 “Philip ran up and heard him (an Ethopian who had come to Jerusalem to worship) reading Isaiah the prophet, and said “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone gudes me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a Lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth…etc Isaiah 53:7-8 The man said to Philip: “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Yeshua/Jesus to him”. Indeed, the nation of Israel has suffered horribly many times throughout history, about this there is no question. However, it is not possible for Israel to pay for the sins of others. Torah (Numbers 28:3) required that only a lamb without spot would be acceptable to the Lord. Yeshua is indeed the only sinless Lamb without spot. Israel is not without sin. Nor can she be. Nor can any nation. Since we all have sinned. “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who conitnually does good and who never sins”…. Solomon Eccl. 7:20 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from sin?”. ….Prov 20:9 “Do not enter into judgment with Your servant. For in Your sight no man living is righteous” ….Psalm 143:2 etc. So Israel, being made up of sinful people, can NEVER atone for the sins of others, or for her own sins. This could only be accomplished by Yeshua, the Lamb of G-d, The Lamb without spot. Numbers 28:3/John 1:29 Peter 1:19. If you reject the revelation G-d has provided in the New Covenant (NT), then you find yourself at a great disadvantage in interpreting the Holy Books. Clearly the resurrection of Yeshua cannot be ignored! This proves that His ministry was from G-d. And His Words and those of His disciples, moved by the Spirit of G-d, are also from Him. Let us be careful to consider our own situation before G-d if we refect His only provision for forgivness, that is the atonement of Yeshua. Shalom
Sometimes is hopeless for other to understand in our own belief. Know one can know who can govern you heart. Proverbs Chapter 7 מִשְׁלֵי
א בְּנִי, שְׁמֹר אֲמָרָי; וּמִצְוֹתַי, תִּצְפֹּן אִתָּךְ. 1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
ב שְׁמֹר מִצְוֹתַי וֶחְיֵה; וְתוֹרָתִי, כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינֶיךָ. 2 Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of thine eye.
We need not to forget what was said in the Tanach. We can’t add or subtract for good or bad. We Jews need to follow what has been passed since the beginning of time. This is why G-d we are still here. Not like other nations that are long gone.
Pro 8
לב וְעַתָּה בָנִים, שִׁמְעוּ-לִי; וְאַשְׁרֵי, דְּרָכַי יִשְׁמֹרוּ. 32 Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are they that keep my ways.
לג שִׁמְעוּ מוּסָר וַחֲכָמוּ; וְאַל-תִּפְרָעוּ. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
לה כִּי מֹצְאִי, מצאי (מָצָא) חַיִּים; וַיָּפֶק רָצוֹן, מֵיְהוָה. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. May the Merciful one find favor on all us and all the nations in the world that made the world a better place practicing peace and kindness for one another.
The G-d of Israel will be the true judge and is as been and always will be one. Joy is the best measure for success!