Although volume five of Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, dealing with Traditional Jewish Objections, will not be available until 2008 or 2009, here is a preview of the questions that will be answered in the fifth (and final) volume of the series.
Objection: 6.1. We have an unbroken, authoritative chain of tradition going back to Moses! Who are you to teach us what our Bible says?
Objection: 6.2. On several occasions, the Written Torah makes reference to “Torahs” in the plural, meaning two Torahs. This obviously refers to the Written and Oral Torahs.
Objection: 6.3. The Torah (along with the rest of the Hebrew Bible) is unintelligible without the Rabbinic traditions. From circumcision to Sabbath observance, from the vowels of the Masoretic text to the Messiah, we can only understand the Scriptures with the help of our traditions. Even common sense would tell you that every set of laws and rules needs ongoing oral explanation and interpretation. And let’s also be realistic. Who am I to think that can I understand the Bible on my own? I have to ask my rabbi. In the same way that I go to the doctor with medical questions and the lawyer with legal questions, I go to the rabbi with spiritual and biblical questions. Who am I to differ with him?
Objection: 6.4. According to Deut 17:8-13, the rabbis have the sole authority to interpret the Law and to tell us how to live. Whoever refuses to listen to them is guilty of a serious sin in the sight of God.
Objection: 6.5. We have an eternal covenant that was given at Mt. Sinai, and anyone who tells us to deviate from that covenant is either a false prophet, a false teacher, or both. Just look at the last verse in your “Old Testament.” What does it say? Remember the Law of Moses! That’s why we reject Christianity. It’s a foreign religion and a deviation from Sinai.
Objection: 6.6. Various passages in the Tanakh demonstrate that biblical figures such as Daniel followed the Rabbinic traditions. For example, according to Daniel 1, he wouldn’t eat certain foods – just as the rabbis teach, but something not required in the written Torah – and according to Daniel 6, he prayed three times each day – just as the rabbis teach! Similarly, Nehemiah 13 follows the Rabbinic understanding that forbids buying and selling on the Sabbath, although this is not explicitly spelled out in the written Torah.
Objection: 6.7. Modern computer studies have demonstrated that the Torah and the Oral Law are divinely inspired. Haven’t you heard of the Bible Codes? And there are indisputable examples proving that the Oral Law was supernaturally inspired. For example, only the Oral Law knew the exact length of a lunar month – and I mean exact. Modern science confirms this.
Objection: 6.8. Our tradition is totally self-sufficient -- our prayer books, our commentaries, our law codes, our customs. We don’t need your Jesus!
Objection: 6.9. Judaism is anything but a dead religion. It has inspired and preserved millions of our people for thousands of years. In fact, as far as spirituality is concerned, Christianity is a decided step down for a Jew. The rabbis and religious Jews, both men and women, who survived the Crusades, Inquisition, and Holocaust without wavering in their faith are a testimony to the vitality of Judaism.
Objection 6.10. According to Deut 30:11-14, it is not difficult to keep the Torah, which is God’s special gift to Israel. This is completely contrary to the Christian view that sees the Law as an impossible-to-observe burden and as a curse.
Objection: 6.11. The only identifiable Jews today are those whose parents, grandparents, or great grandparents rejected Christianity. Only those who were traditional Jews have survived as a people.
Objection: 6.12. Judaism is a unique religion. Of all the religions of the world, only Judaism began with a public revelation witnessed by the entire nation. No one and nothing can alter that fact or change the substance of that revelation.
Objection: 6.13. Judaism is a rational, reasonable religion. It says, “Use your mind,” not, “Shut off your mind.” Christianity, on the other hand, is illogical and unreasonable. It demands absolute faith without any rational proof.
Objection: 6.14. Anything good in the New Testament can already be found in Rabbinic Judaism; anything new in the New Testament is not good.
Objection: 6.15. Jesus himself taught in Matthew 23 that his Jewish followers were to submit to the scribes and the Pharisees -- in other words, to follow the Oral Law!
Objection: 6.16. Traditional Jews are the people of the Book. Read the Hebrew Scriptures and ask yourself, “Who follows these laws and commandments?” Traditional Jews!
Objection: 6.17. According to Psalm 19, the Torah is able to save and convert the soul.
Objection: 6.18. You can have your Jesus. I’ll keep my Judaism. You have nothing I need or want.
