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Religion

Judaism

The Shema, the Torah, and the Jewish hope of a Davidic Messiah, set beside the Christian confession that Jesus is that Messiah and is God.

Jews confess the God of Israel. Deuteronomy 6:4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:Deuteronomy 6:4 · King James Version is their Shema: “The LORD our God is one LORD.” Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah waits for a king from the house of David who will keep the Torah, rebuild the Temple, and gather Israel. Christians share that Scripture and that hope of a son of David, and they confess that Jesus is that king and that he is God the Son.

These pages quote the Hebrew Bible in the King James Version, Maimonides, and the Mishnah, then state the Christian claim. They are written to be read with a Jewish friend. What do Jews believe? is the confession. Why don’t Jews believe Jesus is the Messiah? is Maimonides’ test and the Gospels. What does Messiah mean? is the word. What is the difference between Judaism and Christianity? puts the two confessions side by side. Is the Sabbath Saturday or Sunday? is the seventh day in the Torah and in the churches.

Common arguments in this conversation, with the texts and the article for each claim.

Articles

  1. What do Jews believe?

    Jews confess the God of Israel, one and not a body, the Torah from heaven, a Messiah from the house of David who is still to finish his work, and the revival of the dead. That is Maimonides’ confession, read beside the Shema.

  2. Why don’t Jews believe Jesus is the Messiah?

    Maimonides says the Messiah is a Davidic king who keeps the Torah, rebuilds the Temple, and gathers Israel, and that a king who was killed is not that redeemer. Christians say Jesus is that son of David, cut off and raised, and that he is God the Son.

  3. What does Messiah mean?

    Messiah means anointed one. The King James Version uses that word in Daniel and “anointed” for the same idea elsewhere. Christians confess that Jesus is this Messiah and that he is God the Son.

  4. What is the difference between Judaism and Christianity?

    Jews and Christians share the God of Israel, the Shema, and the Hebrew Scriptures. Christians confess that Jesus is the Messiah and is God the Son, and that his death and resurrection are salvation.

  5. Is the Sabbath Saturday or Sunday? Must Christians keep it?

    The Sabbath in Exodus is the seventh day, Saturday. The apostles also met on the first day of the week, and Colossians 2 calls sabbath days a shadow. Christians are not bound to keep Saturday.