Thursday, October 1, 2020

Is Christianity considered "idolatry" under Noahide Law?

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When Christians hear the Noahide prohibitions against "idolatry", they think that this law will not apply to them since they don't consider themselves idol worshipers. However, this is the Jewish definition of idolatry, and according to Judaism, to worship Jesus as God (the trinity) can be idolatry. The idea that Christianity is idolatry is expressed by the famous Jewish legal scholar Maimonides. Also, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson who is praised and elevated to the leadership of world Jewry in Noahide proclamations and laws passed in the United States (here), and who has said non-Jewish souls come from "satanic spheres (here), has also made it clear that in his opinion Christianity is idolatry. In addition, according to many Jewish interpretations of the Talmud, Christians are considered “heretics” and “apostates”. Indeed, according to the Talmud, becoming Christian is one of the worst sins one can commit, and Jesus himself is harshly admonished for being a sorcerer and blasphemer... two accusations which would have Christians beheaded under Noahide Law.

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Maimonides says Christianity is idolatry

Twelfth century scholar, philosopher and religious commentator Mosheh ben Maimon, known in the west as Moses Maimonides, is considered one of the main foundations of modern Jewish law, and the most widely accepted authority on Jewish philosophy.

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Halachically, Maimonides says in three distinct places that the Christians are idol worshippers.

1. In his interpretation of the Mishna, tractate Avoda Zara 1:3, he writes: “Know that this Chriatian nation, who are making the claim of a messiah, with all their many different sects, are all idol worshippers and all their holidays are forbidden, and we deal with them regarding religious issues as we would pagans.” And he adds (AZ 4): “Therefore one must know that in every one of the Christian nation’s cities which has an altar, meaning their house of worship, it is a pagan house of idolatry without any doubt.”

2. In the uncensored version of Hayad Hachazaka (Hilchot Avoda Zara 9:4), Maimonides issues the edict: “The Christians are idol worshipers and Sunday is their religious holiday, therefore in Eretz Israel we may not trade with them on Thursday and Friday of every week, and needless to say on Sunday, which is forbidden [for trade with Christians] everywhere.” Trade in this context refers especially to paying back loans, which would enhance their joy on the day of their idol.

3. Also in Hayad Hachazaka, the laws of forbidden foods, the uncensored version (Hilchot Maachalot Asurot 11:7): “The Christians are idol worshippers and their regular wine if forbidden to be consumed” by Jews since it is likely to be used as libation in their pagan service.

SOURCE: Yori Yanover (2013). 'Maimonides: Islam Good, Christianity Bad, Muslims Bad, Christians Good'. The Jewish Press. 15 Nov 2013. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/maimonides-islam-good-christianity-bad-muslims-bad-christians-good/2013/11/15/

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Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson believed Christianity is idolatry

"But in the end the messiah is a Jewish messiah primarily concerned with the Jews and it includes the prophetic vision that the world will recognize Jewish theological superiority. And Schneerson’s ambassadors reflect this in that they could only extend their hand outward from within the confines of their Orthodox lives. Many still refuse to speak in churches (Schneerson held to a common Orthodox belief that Christianity is idolatry), mosques, and in some cases even Reform synagogues."

SOURCE: SHAUL MAGID (2019). 'Another Side of the Lubavitcher Rebbe'. Tablet Magazine. 03 July 2019. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/another-side-of-the-lubavitcher-rebbe

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Jesus/Christianity In The Talmud

Minim

According to the 1961 Soncino Jewish Talmud Glossary, Christians are classified under a special level of sin called “Minuth”. Christians are seen as “heretics” who believe in “plural powers”. According to the Talmud, to practice “minim” or “minuth” is worse than practicing incest, a transgression which would lead to decapitation under Noahide Law. Even being accused of being a Christian (apostate) would bring great shame upon any Jew. Further, according to the Talmud, those who practice “Minuth” will go to hell. With such language against Christians, there is little doubt they would feel the full effect of Noahide Law upon their community.

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Christianity is called "minuth"

MINUTH: Heresy, the belief in more than one Power, especially Judeo-Christianity.

SOURCE: "Minuth" - 1961 Soncino Babylonian Talmud Glossary. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.halakhah.com/tglossary.html#M

MINUTH: Term used in the Talmud and Midrash for a Jewish heretic or sectarian... It is variously used in the Talmud and the Midrash for the Samaritan, the Sadducee, the Gnostic, the Judæo-Christian, and other sectaries, according to the epoch to which the passage belongs... In passages referring to the Christian period, "minim" usually indicates the Judæo-Christians, the Gnostics, and the Nazarenes, who often conversed with the Rabbis on the unity of God, creation, resurrection, and similar subjects (comp. Sanh. 39b). In some passages, indeed, it is used even for "Christian"

SOURCE: Joseph Jacobs, Isaac Broydé. "MIN (pl. Minim)". 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10846-min

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Minuth (Christianity) is graver than incest

Scripture says, None that go unto her return neither do they attain the paths of life.21 But if they do not return, how can they attain [the paths of life]? — What it means is that even if they do turn away from it they will not attain the paths of life.'22 Does it mean then that those who repent from minuth die? Was there not that woman who came before R. Hisda confessing to him that the lightest sin that she committed was that her younger son is the issue of her older son? Whereupon R. Hisda said: Get busy in preparing her shrouds — but she did not die. Now, since she refers to her [immoral] act as the lightest sin, it may be assumed that she had also adopted minuth[and yet she did not die]! — That one did not altogether renounce her evil-doing, that is why she did not die.

SOURCE: 1961 Soncino Babylonian Talmud, Abodah Zarah 17a. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: https://halakhah.com/zarah/zarah_17.html

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A Rabbis is ashamed to be accused of Christianity, apostasy

Our Rabbis taught:17 When R. Eliezer18 was arrested because of Minuth19 they brought him up to the tribune to be judged. Said the governor20 to him, 'How can a sage man like you occupy himself with those idle things?' He replied, 'I acknowledge the Judge as right.' The governor thought that he referred to him — though he really referred to his Father in Heaven — and said, 'Because thou hast acknowledged me as right, I pardon;21 thou art acquitted.' When he came home, his disciples called on him to console him, but he would accept no consolation.22 Said R. Akiba to him, 'Master, wilt thou permit me to say one thing of what thou hast taught me?' He replied, 'Say it.' 'Master,' said he, 'perhaps some of the teaching of the Minim had been transmitted to thee

FOOTNOTES:
17. The following incident is recorded with considerable variations in Eccl. Rab. I, 8.
18. For the historical significance of this story, v. Klausner's Jesus of Nazareth, p. 37ff and references there given; also T. Herford's, op. cit. p. 143 and note.
19. [H] (abstract noun of [H] — Min, v. supra, p. 14, n. 2) 'heresy', with special reference to Christianity. [During the Roman persecution of Christians in Palestine in the year 109 under Trajan (Herford, loc. cit.) R. Eliezer b. Hyrcanus was arrested on suspicion of following that sect.]

20. [G].21. [H], dimissus.
22. He was sorely grieved to have been at all suspected of apostacy.

SOURCE: 1961 Soncino Babylonian Talmud, Abodah Zarah 16b. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: https://halakhah.com/zarah/zarah_16.html

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Jesus was a sorcerer, corrupter and blasphemer 

According to some interpretations of the Talmud  Jesus himself was a sorcerer and pimp who corrupted Israel and blasphemed on the cross.  According to the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, Jesus is often called “Balaam” in the Talmud (Balaam was a notorious sorcerer).  When we reference the source where Balaam is said to be Jesus (Sanhedrin 106a-b) we find that he is accused of being a pimp who left the Torah of Moses. He is later accused of being the son of a harlot, his mother Mary. Finally, Jesus is accused of sorcery and blasphemy, both of which are punishable by death under Noahide Law.

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 Jesus is called “Balaam”

Henceforth he became the type of false prophets seducing men to lewdness and obscene idolatrous practises (Rev. ii. 14; II Peter ii. 15; Jude 11; Abot v.19). The name "Nicolaitanes," given to the Christian heretics "holding the doctrine of Balaam" (Rev. ii. 6, 15), is probably derived from the Grecized form of Balaam, = Nικο-γάος, and hence also the pseudonym "Balaam," given to Jesus in Sanh. 106b and Giṭ. 57a. See Geiger, "Bileam and Jesus," in "Wissenschaftliche Zeitschrift für Jüdische Theologie," vi. 31-37).

SOURCE: Morris Jastrow, Jr., Ira Maurice Price, Marcus Jastrow, H. M. Speaker, John Dyneley Prince, Dr. S. Mühsam, Kaufmann Kohler. "Balaam". 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2395-balaam

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Jesus (Balaam) a pimp who left the Torah of Moses

And now, behold I go unto my people; come, therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.17 But he should have said, What thy people shall do to this people?18 — R. Abba b. Kahana said: It is as one who, cursing himself, refers his malediction to others.19 He [Balaam] said thus to him [Balak]. 'The God of these hates lewdness, and they are very partial to linen.20 Come, and I will advise thee. Erect for them tents enclosed by hangings, in which place harlots, old women without, young women within, to sell them linen garments.' So he erected curtained tents from the snowy mountain [Hermon] as far as Beth ha-Yeshimoth [i.e., right from north to south], and placed harlots in them — old women without, young women within. And when an Israelite ate, drank, and was merry, and issued forth for a stroll in the market place, the old woman would say to him, 'Dost thou not desire linen garments?' The old woman offered it at its current value, but the young one for less. This happened two or three times. After that she would say to him, 'Thou art now like one of the family; sit down and choose for thyself.' Gourds of Ammonite wine lay near her, and at that time Ammonite21 and heathen wine had not yet been forbidden. Said she to him, 'Wouldst thou like to drink a glass of wine?' Having drunk, [his passion] was inflamed, and he exclaimed to her, 'Yield to me!' Thereupon she brought forth an idol from her bosom and said to him, 'Worship this'! 'But I am a Jew', he protested. 'What does that concern thee?' she rejoined, 'Nothing is required but that thou should uncover thyself' — whilst he did not know that such was its worship. 'Nay', [said she,] 'I will not leave thee ere thou hast denied the Torah of Moses thy teacher,' as it is written, They went into Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame, and their abominations were according as they loved.22

SOURCE: 1961 Soncino Babylonian Talmud. Sanhedrin 106a. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.halakhah.com/sanhedrin/sanhedrin_106.html

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Jesus (aka Balaam) was the son of a harlot 

Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, [did the children of Israel slay with the sword].40 A soothsayer? But he was a prophet! — R. Johanan said: At first he was a prophet, but subsequently a soothsayer.41 R. Papa observed: This is what men say, 'She who was the descendant of princes and governors, played the harlot with carpenters.'42

FOOTNOTE 42: 'Shipdraggers,' (v. Rashi). Herford, Christianity in the Talmud, p. 48, suggests that Balaam is frequently used in the Talmud as a type for Jesus (v. also pp. 64-70). Though no name is mentioned to shew which woman is meant, the mother of Jesus may be alluded to, which theory is strengthened by the statement that she mated with a carpenter. (The Munich MS. has [H] in the margin instead of [H], i.e., singular instead of plural.)

SOURCE: 1961 Soncino Babylonian Talmud. Sanhedrin 106a. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.halakhah.com/sanhedrin/sanhedrin_106.html

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Jesus was a sorcerer who lead Israel to apostasy

AND A HERALD PRECEDES HIM etc. This implies, only immediately before [the execution], but not previous thereto.33 [In contradiction to this] it was taught: On the eve of the Passover Yeshu34 was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, 'He is going forth to be stoned because he has practised sorcery and enticed Israel to apostacy. Any one who can say anything in his favour, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.' But since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover!35 — Ulla retorted: 'Do you suppose that he was one for whom a defence could be made? Was he not a Mesith [enticer], concerning whom Scripture says, Neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him?36 With Yeshu however it was different, for he was connected with the government [or royalty, i.e., influential].'

FOOTNOTE 34: [Ms.M. adds the Nasarean'.] 35. [A Florentine Ms. adds: and the eve of Sabbath.]

SOURCE: 1961 Soncino Babylonian Talmud. Sanhedrin 43a. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.halakhah.com/sanhedrin/sanhedrin_43.html

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Jesus blasphemed god when he was hung

Whatever had been Jesus' anticipations, he bore the terrible tortures, due to the strain and cramping of the internal organs, with equanimity till almost the last, when he uttered the despairing and pathetic cry "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (the Aramaic form of Ps. xxii. 1, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"), which showed that even his resolute spirit had been daunted by the ordeal. This last utterance was in all its implications itself a disproof of the exaggerated claims made for him after his death by his disciples. The very form of his punishment would disprove those claims in Jewish eyes. No Messiah that Jews could recognize could suffer such a death; for "He that is hanged is accursed of God" (Deut. xxi. 23), "an insult to God" (Targum, Rashi). How far in his own mind Jesus substituted another conception of the Messiah, and how far he regarded himself as fulfilling that ideal, still remain among the most obscure of historical problems (see Messiah).

SOURCE: Joseph Jacobs, Kaufmann Kohler, Richard Gottheil, Samuel Krauss. "JESUS OF NAZARETH". 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10/01/2020 from: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8616-jesus-of-nazareth

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