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| Pâ•qidꞋ Yi•rᵊmᵊyâhꞋu |
2004.02.29 – Those who have seen Mr. Gibson’s movie, as well as reviewers and commentators, have all agreed that the movie portrays Pᵊrush•imꞋ in their ta•lit•otꞋ as “the Jews” who convicted Christ, turned him over to the Hellenist Roman occupiers for crucifixion and as the mob who screamed for him to be crucified.
Historically, however, this was all done solely by Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ.
None of it was done by the Pᵊrush•imꞋ – who deplored the Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ as ko•han•imꞋ hâ-RëshꞋa – against a fellow Pᵊrush•iꞋ RibꞋi.
This portrayal in Gibson’s movie isn’t disputed. There are plenty of eye-witnesses and every one corroborates that the movie portrays Pᵊrush•imꞋ as the persecutors of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa. It is specious and disingenuous for anyone to suggest that no one can criticize this Christian movie without first descending into the now-well-documented depths of Mr. Gibson’s sadomasochism, unparalleled in all of movie history, and make his obscene movie more successful, to know that his movie portrays Pᵊrush•imꞋ as the ultimately responsible killers of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa. One no more needs to see the movie to know this than one must travel into space to know that the earth isn’t flat.
The Fox Christian News Network, who grandly proclaim that they are ‘Fair and Balanced,’ have demonstrated that Christianity is an exception, a hole in their vision, limiting critical interviews of this Christian movie to Jews with little knowledge of the historical facts and suppressing scholarly criticism against this movie that, literally, drips with intrinsic miso-Judaism.
One of the most pernicious lies redacted into the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). by the post-135 C.E. Hellenist Roman occupiers – who crucified RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa – is that the Jewish sect that convicted RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa in “the Sanhedrin” and turned him over to the Hellenist Roman occupiers was "the Pharisees".
Anyone who has read the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). (Acts 5.17) or is familiar with 1st-century Judaic history knows that the Beit ha-Mi•qᵊdâshꞋ was run by aristocratic Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ priests – not ordinary lay Jews, who were Pᵊrush•imꞋ. Portraying “Temple priests” – who are explicitly specified in the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). as the culprits who brought in false witnesses, tried, convicted and turned RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa over to the Hellenist Roman occupiers – as Pᵊrush•imꞋ has committed a mistake of miso-Judaic dimensions. Mel Gibson’s flip assertion that it isn’t miso-Judaism unless it’s deliberate is an attempt to excuse and justify miso-Judaism, to make miso-Judaism politically correct among his sophomoric liberal chattering class.
Most Christians have never learned that Jewish life was governed by a system of Bât•eiꞋ-Din, not solely "the" Sanhedrin, which functions like a Supreme Court over the many smaller Bât•eiꞋ-Din. Within Yᵊru•shâ•laꞋyim there were many Bât•eiꞋ-Din, some run by Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ (for Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ) and some by Pᵊrush•imꞋ (for Pᵊrush•imꞋ). No legitimate Beit Din was permitted to convene either at night or on Jewish holy days – both of which we read about in the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). account. According to the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). account: this court called false witnesses, something attested in Ta•lᵊmudꞋ as a hallmark of the Hellenist Herodian-Boethusians (Ma•sëkꞋët Rosh ha-Shân•âhꞋ 22b, et al).
A priori, the Beit Din that the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). describes was either a Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ or a Hellenist Herodian-Boethusian Beit Din and neither "the" Sanhedrin nor a Pᵊrush•iꞋ Beit Din. This is confirmed by the account in The Nᵊtzâr•imꞋ Reconstruction of Hebrew Ma•ti•tᵊyâhꞋu (NHM) (26.3-5):
“Then were convened 26.3.1 the [predominantly aristocratic and Hellenist-Roman Pseudo-Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ] 3.7.2 Deputies of the Ko•han•imꞋ 26.3.2 [of the Beit ha-Mi•qᵊdâshꞋ] and the notables of the kindred 26.3.3 in the courtyard of the Speaker of the Ko•han•imꞋ 26.3.4 [Hellenist Pseudo-Tzᵊdoq•iꞋ 3.7.2 of the Beit ha-Mi•qᵊdâshꞋ] – the one called Yo•seiphꞋ KeiphꞋâ.26.3.5 They conspired together in order that they might, by entrapment, take Yᵊho•shuꞋa into custody 26.4.1 and kill him. They said, “Not during Khag ha-Matz•otꞋ,23.6.2 so that there doesn’t become an uproar among the kindred.”
All available evidence explicitly specifies a meeting of the aristocrats, Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ, that makes no mention whatsoever of the Pᵊrush•imꞋ – which, of course, included RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa – who opposed the Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ on many levels. (Zᵊqein•imꞋ simply refers to Sho•phᵊt•imꞋ on the Beit Din.)
Moreover, despite the fact that the Hellenist Herodian-Boethusians were priests and obviously Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ, they are Hellenists called “Herodian Pᵊrush•imꞋ” in the ËvꞋën Bo•khanꞋ (22.16). This reflects the fact that, as S. Lieberman pointed out, the Hebrew term translated as Pᵊrush•imꞋ originally didn’t designate exclusively the Pᵊrush•imꞋ min as we know it today, but rather any separatist min (see NHM note 22.16.1). The Boethusians, and other min•imꞋ, were also called by the same Hebrew term that could be translated as “Pᵊrush•imꞋ.” Consequently, even the other uses of the “Pᵊrush•imꞋ” in Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). is suspect of meaning not “Pᵊrush•imꞋ” but “min•imꞋ.”
Those who carelessly assert that the Pᵊrush•imꞋ were responsible contradict all of the available evidence to argue ad ignorantiam for a position totally devoid of evidence. That’s sloppy thinking unworthy of being considered scholarly and encourages unquestioning casual readers of the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). to be criminally ignorant miso-Judaics.
The designation RibꞋi necessarily indicates that RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa was a fellow Pᵊrush•iꞋ. Despite the KJ/V attempt to conceal the fact that RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa was a fellow RibꞋi, translating “master,” the Greek reads “ῥαββεί” at both NHM 26.25 and 49 (as well as eleven other instances in the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). and 2 instances of “ῥαββουνεί”). There were only Pᵊrush•imꞋ RibꞋis; no other kind of RibꞋi. The conflict was between Pᵊrush•imꞋ, ordinary lay Jews that included RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa, and the aristocratic Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ who had purchased their Hellenized priestly positions, including the Hellenized high priesthood, from the Hellenist Roman occupiers and served as Roman collaborators promoting Roman Hellenism – an anathema to RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa and his fellow Pᵊrush•imꞋ. Suggesting that the conflict was between RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa and the Pᵊrush•imꞋ is ignorant – and a miso-Judaic – religious-based early Christian – distortion of the historical facts, evidence and documentation.
The earliest extant Church historian, Eusebius, recorded that the original Jewish followers of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa accepted only their own Hebrew Ma•titᵊyâhꞋu, refusing and dismissing all other accounts including the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). It is, therefore, necessary only to deal with the passages in NHM.
Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). passages that cite "Jesus" rebuking "Pharisee rabbis" (who are no different than Pharisaic / Orthodox rabbis today, often criticizing their fellow rabbis who are vain, power-mad, corrupt, hypocritical, profaning the Name and the like). That in no way suggests animosity but, rather, a desire to begin cleaning with one’s own house. Therefore, we can eliminate mere criticisms of fellow Pᵊrush•imꞋ, which in no way implies the latter were plotting to kill the former. It is necessary, then, only to analyze those passages in NHM that appear to indict the Pᵊrush•imꞋ for plotting to kill RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa.
However, there aren’t any to examine or analyze!!!
This is despite the near certainty that post-135 C.E. Hellenist Roman occupiers, who made thousands of redactions to the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). – documented in “The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible” and as miso-Judaic by Oxford historian James Parkes (The Conflict of the Church and the Synagogue, A Study in the Origins of Anti-Semitism) and others, would have sought to absolve their Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ allies in Hellenism by redacting “Pᵊrush•imꞋ” in place of their Roman-sympathizing, fellow Hellenist “Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ collaborators.”
This is crucial (pun noted) because today’s Orthodox Jews are the successors of first century Pᵊrush•imꞋ, not Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ.
It is clear from this that to generalize and stereotype from the minority Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ sect to smear “the Jews” (most of whom were ordinary lay Pᵊrush•imꞋ, not Hellenist Tzᵊdoq•imꞋ aristocrats or Hellenist priests) is a logical fallacy. When stereotyping or unwarranted generalizing is committed against Judaism or Jews, by definition, that constitutes miso-Judaism. For this reason, Mel Gibson’s movie is unequivocally miso-Judaic!
Certainly not the same approach that has failed for 2,000 years now.
In debating one learns that understanding the opponent’s positions is essential to mounting an effective counterargument. Jews are being seduced and estranged from úÌåÉøÈä out of sheer ignorance: ignorance of úÌåÉøÈä and ignorance of Christianity. To succeed against a strong opponent, one must thoroughly understand the opponent and know its strengths and weaknesses. Jews must educate themselves, and rabbis are beginning to realize this. According to Orthodox Union Exec. VP Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, the answer to the Gibson movie and Christian evangelism is for Jews to learn more about Judaism and Christianity so that “we can be proud of the ways in which we are different.” (The Jerusalem Post, 2004.02.26, p. 19).
Jews must realize that, for all intents and purposes, all Christians have two overriding priorities:
follow the teachings of the historical 1st-century Jew from "Nazareth", and
belief that the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). is true.
Jews find this impossible to grasp (and Christians find Judaism impossible to grasp) because, for Jews, rabbis take precedence, and exercise authority, over the Bible Ta•na"khꞋ). But, unlike Judaism, for every Christian, these two priorities hold true no matter whether any preacher or institution or the pope says differently. This is why the pronouncements attempting to placate Jews must always allow for that “wiggle room.” This is also why attempts by Jews to make nice-nice with the pope and Christian leaders can never have any impact on miso-Judaism.
For this reason, too, rabbis who advocate respecting the Christians’ “Holy Scriptures” are fatally mistaken. The Διαθηκη Καινη (NT), which is the ultimate authority for every Christian, is irremediably miso-Judaic. Consider the first letter of "Apostle St. Paul" the Apostate to his Hellenist assembly in north central Greece (I Thes. 2.14-15): “… the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men.” The miso-Judaic generalization and stereotyping is already evidenced by "Apostle St. Paul" the Apostate himself. There is no excuse for surprise or shock that Pastor Maurice Gordon of the Denver United Pentecostal Church displayed “Jews killed the Lord Jesus” with the citation from the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT).: I Thes. 2.15 (The Jerusalem Post, 2004.02.27, p. 5). When Christians are forbidden from displaying their Διαθηκη Καινη (NT) passages, who do you think they blame? The Jews!!! Suppression of the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT), at Jewish behest, fuels the flames of miso-Judaism. The Διαθηκη Καινη (NT) must be subjected to scholarly historical evidence, not suppressed by calls to "stop missionizing Jews." Missionizing everyone is a central precept of the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). To make an exception to missionize everyone in the world except Jews is entirely counter-productive and incites and inflames sentiments against Jews,
But Church historian Eusebius recorded that "Apostle St. Paul" the Apostate was excised by the Beit Din of the original followers of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa, headed by the brother of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa, Pâ•qidꞋ Ya•a•qovꞋ "ha-Tza•diqꞋ" Bën-Yo•seiphꞋ Bën-Dâ•widꞋ in Yᵊru•shâ•laꞋyim. Note that he is first called ùÑÈàåÌì, and remains called ùÑÈàåÌì, while he is considered a Pᵊrush•iꞋ. Then there is an event (Acts 13.9) where the text explicitly specifies his change to a Hellenist name: Παύλος. Thereafter, he remains Παύλος and is never called ùÑÈàåÌì again. Soon after, the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT). records that Παύλος is shunned by the “brothers,” the original followers of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa, who “delivered him over to the Graciousness of é‑‑ä” (Acts 15.37-40) – a euphemism for kâ•reitꞋ (excision)!
Mel Gibson and many Christian leaders would have Jews believe that the Christian “Holy Scripture” teaches love. But consider the words of Jesus himself in Luke 19.27, which is endlessly recited by neo-Nazis, KKK, etc.: “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”
The ONLY solution is truth, documented historical fact. And the historical truth was recorded by Eusebius, that the original followers of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa accepted only their own Hebrew Ma•titᵊyâhꞋu and rejected the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT) as apostate. The Διαθηκη Καινη (NT) is irremediably miso-Judaic and as long as Christians remain “believers” in the Διαθηκη Καινη (NT), two things are certain and inescapable: (1) Christians have no alternative but to be miso-Judaic and (2) Christians can never find the authentic Jew that is an even higher priority for them to follow. It is even more of a continuing tragedy for Christians than for Jews.
NHM, which is the only account of the life and teachings of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa accepted by the original followers of RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa – the Nᵊtzâr•imꞋ – contains no miso-Judaism. Only historically and scientifically knowledgeable, moderate dât•imꞋ Jews have the nëphꞋësh to truly understand what an historical, 1st century RibꞋi was teaching. Consequently, only historically and scientifically knowledgeable, moderate dât•imꞋ Jews (not any Christian; not pastors, evangelists, priests, the pope, nor any "messianic"), can – and must – help Christians accomplish their top objective. This is the diametric opposite of attacking Christians, suppressing Christians or inflaming miso-Judaism!
The Nᵊtzâr•imꞋ are the experts and authorities here. Jews must empower, support and assist the Nᵊtzâr•imꞋ in educating both Jews and Christians to the documentation of Christianity’s own earliest extant Church historian, as well as “The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible” documenting the many thousands of redactions by 3rd-4th century, gentile, idolatrous Hellenist Roman occupiers (who, after all, were the ones who killed RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa!). This is the core of educating Christians how to achieve the fulfillment of their top priority.
Don't fear or attack Christians. Care for them, be a Light of úÌåÉøÈä and help them find the historically-authentic – úÌåÉøÈä-teaching – RibꞋi Yᵊho•shuꞋa!
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