Fundamental concepts of Jewish and Christian thought. A much needed response to the missionary challenge, it provides both a practical guide and in-depth source material directed at specific issues. (106 Pages)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
126 of 142 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am dismayed at reading the misinterpretations of Aryeh Kaplan's work by Amazon reviewers.
I would like to make a few simple points in the hope of not insulting anyone.
The first is that the Jewish people today constitutes less than two tenths of one percent of mankind. Christians constitute one third of mankind, two billion people.
Historically millions of Jews have been persecuted and killed by Christians.
Jews do not make any kind of effort to convert Christians to Judaism. To become Jewish requires a long learning process and cannot be done overnight. Converts are initially discouraged , and are accepted only when they show great persistence.
On the other hand Jews are continually harassed by all kinds of groups who believe that they by saving us they are saving our souls. We would prefer for G-d to save our souls, and would appreciate being freed of this undue attention.
The Jewish people is struggling to survive in a time of heightened assimilation. It is a very small part of mankind. Therefore those who care for its continued existence should not be trying to whittle it down.
Therefore all that Aryeh Kaplan is doing is trying to keep Jews Jewish. He is not trying to interfere with Christians and Christianity.
Most Jews consider Christianity a sister monotheistic faith and care only to respect Christians and be respected by them.
I would add. One group which is particularly offensive to Jews is those who call themselves ' Messianic Jews'. They are people who are born Jewish and have become Christian. Becoming Christian is their free choice and right. It is a betrayal of their Judaism and Jewishness, but they have a right to make that choice. But claiming that they are still Jewish when doing this is an absolute immoral and hypocritical action. You have joined another religion so belong to that. There is no Jewish communal body or leader Orthodox ,Conservative Reform or Reconstructionist who considers such people to any longer be Jewish.
So the bottom line is . Please Christians respect us and allow us to live by our own faith. We respect you and believe our presence on this planet as Jews living by Jewish law in accordance with the teachings given to Moses at Sinai should not be of disturbance to you.
I would like to make a few simple points in the hope of not insulting anyone.
The first is that the Jewish people today constitutes less than two tenths of one percent of mankind. Christians constitute one third of mankind, two billion people.
Historically millions of Jews have been persecuted and killed by Christians.
Jews do not make any kind of effort to convert Christians to Judaism. To become Jewish requires a long learning process and cannot be done overnight. Converts are initially discouraged , and are accepted only when they show great persistence.
On the other hand Jews are continually harassed by all kinds of groups who believe that they by saving us they are saving our souls. We would prefer for G-d to save our souls, and would appreciate being freed of this undue attention.
The Jewish people is struggling to survive in a time of heightened assimilation. It is a very small part of mankind. Therefore those who care for its continued existence should not be trying to whittle it down.
Therefore all that Aryeh Kaplan is doing is trying to keep Jews Jewish. He is not trying to interfere with Christians and Christianity.
Most Jews consider Christianity a sister monotheistic faith and care only to respect Christians and be respected by them.
I would add. One group which is particularly offensive to Jews is those who call themselves ' Messianic Jews'. They are people who are born Jewish and have become Christian. Becoming Christian is their free choice and right. It is a betrayal of their Judaism and Jewishness, but they have a right to make that choice. But claiming that they are still Jewish when doing this is an absolute immoral and hypocritical action. You have joined another religion so belong to that. There is no Jewish communal body or leader Orthodox ,Conservative Reform or Reconstructionist who considers such people to any longer be Jewish.
So the bottom line is . Please Christians respect us and allow us to live by our own faith. We respect you and believe our presence on this planet as Jews living by Jewish law in accordance with the teachings given to Moses at Sinai should not be of disturbance to you.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By reader1840
Format:Paperback
I came about this book when a co-worker literally attacked me with a passage from Issiah and a family friend gave me this book when i talked about the incident.
I can honestly say it was one of the first religiously oriented Jewish based book i ever read. It is amazing at how simple, yet intellectual Kaplan develops his arguments. I believe a lot of this comes from Kaplan's physics background. No doubt, Kaplan's physics background allowed him to develop clear arguments that even a secular person has to respect.
After reviewing some of the lower reviews, I understand why they dislike the book. Kaplan's arguments are so compelling and complete that the only way to argue them is to argue that everything in Judaism is false, which makes a tricky argument for Christians who hold some facets/concepts of Judaism.
I can honestly say it was one of the first religiously oriented Jewish based book i ever read. It is amazing at how simple, yet intellectual Kaplan develops his arguments. I believe a lot of this comes from Kaplan's physics background. No doubt, Kaplan's physics background allowed him to develop clear arguments that even a secular person has to respect.
After reviewing some of the lower reviews, I understand why they dislike the book. Kaplan's arguments are so compelling and complete that the only way to argue them is to argue that everything in Judaism is false, which makes a tricky argument for Christians who hold some facets/concepts of Judaism.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By F. Huffman
Format:Paperback
I am Christian and admit many Christians are confused. If they read scripture they will find that Paul clearly states that the gentile believers are grafted into Israel not vice versa. There is no nead to SAVE a Jew. If Christians believe their own doctrine they know that the belief in the Messiah will happen in it's own time for the Jewish people, and force feeding them a confused form of Christianity is worthless. Without Judaism Christianity would not exist. It is sad that Jews have to be assaulted as if they don't believe in God. I hope this book helps them identify with their own spiritual strengths and not be victimized.
To all my Jewish friends I say Shalom may you have peace, and I pray that other Christians will become like me and realize you are already important to God.
To all my Jewish friends I say Shalom may you have peace, and I pray that other Christians will become like me and realize you are already important to God.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
It ok but not as good as others
I liked it but in going back to use it as a reference, it is not as good as Levine's book "You take jesus, I'll take G-d" because it is harder to find things in it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Murphy
1.0 out of 5 stars
An elementary response to a complex issue.
As a Christian I want to understand how other groups feel about my position. I ordered this book thinking it would give insight that I had never noticed. Read more
Published 16 months ago
5.0 out of 5 stars
A RESPONSE BY "JEWS FOR JUDAISM" TO MISSIONARY ACTIVITY
This book is published by the "Jews for Judaism" group. It contains 10 chapters and 3 appendices in the 58-page 1985 edition that was reprinted by Jews for Judaism in 2004. Read more
Published on April 18, 2011 by Steven H. Propp
4.0 out of 5 stars
my Conservative rabbi had all the teenagers he taught read this book...
While written by an Orthodox rabbi, this book is relevant to all Jews.
The truth for Jews all over the world (even in Israel! Read more
The truth for Jews all over the world (even in Israel! Read more
Published on December 8, 2010 by Bibliophilic
5.0 out of 5 stars
buber1
GREAT explanation of why Jews don't believe in J.C.
Christian or non-Christian, this book will provide a great deal of insight.
Christian or non-Christian, this book will provide a great deal of insight.
Published on July 6, 2010 by buber1
1.0 out of 5 stars
Will most Jews ever know that the father, the son and the holy ghost...
Jesus is true original man and god. Jesus is pronounced Yeshua in jewish. Which is the actual way of saying his name. It means Yahweh saves. Jesus is Yahweh. He's adonai. Read more
Published on December 2, 2007 by Strider
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scholarly but I also Suggest Another Book
While I respect the scholarship of Rabbi Kaplan and recommend his books, I think V'Da Mah SheTashiv: Know What To Answer (To Missionaries) A Thorough Jewish response To... Read more
Published on November 1, 2007 by Ben S
3.0 out of 5 stars
You're all NUTS!!
I have not read this book, although I intend to do so. But, as I read these notes it seems like you're all Zealots, and people trying to prove their own side. Read more
Published on August 27, 2007 by Kenneth J. Fink
1.0 out of 5 stars
A good question, but the wrong answer
The late Aryeh Kaplan (1934-83) was an Orthodox Sefardi Rabbi known for his great learning, his independence of thought and vast literary output. Read more
Published on August 19, 2007 by Midasin
1.0 out of 5 stars
Please drop the masks!
Shalom "~Chaim"!
I do not want to offend you; Howevever, I want you to consider something... Read more
I do not want to offend you; Howevever, I want you to consider something... Read more
Published on August 3, 2007 by Yaakov
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