Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 7/21/2004

Question
Thank You for taking my question..I am a 75 yr old man and consider myself an agnostic with an open mind..The reason I am an Agnostic is partly because I cannot except the evil things God did in the OT like killing innocent women and children and had others do it for him ..my qustion is how do you accept these acts ...some will say the ppl had it coming or it's his creation he can do what he wants ..I saw the "Passion " the other night and I was puzzeled as to why the Jews turned on Jesus when he had helped them so much ..could I have your opion please..and who do you think was more responsible for his death..also do you believe he rose from the dead ..I do not because if he did I would think he would have shown himself to the whole world or at least to those who killed him...I would appreciate your comments ..thank you ...George pope

Answer
Dear George Pope,

Thanks for writing.

I can't convince you of any belief, andbeing one who doubts and thinks is also a healthy position although it may be less satisfying.

To begin with the Hebrew Bible is filled with various materials that were edited together reflecting the struggles of different people, different ages and different circumstances trying to understand God - just as you an I are trying to understand God.

In terms of the Passion, Jesus was born and died a Jew, and only afterwards did others turn him into a messianic divine figure. Thousands of Jews were crucified by the Romans for anything they feared as rebellion.

The story Gibson fashioned is based not on the some 20 verses of the NT but primarily on the writings of Sister Emmereich who not only was fascinated with the sufferings of Jesus and her visions - real or not.

Judaism doesn't accept Jesus precisely because any messianic expectations weren't fulfilled. We still await a time when people can live together not just tolerating each other but truly respecting each other.

You may wish to read Dr. Trude Weis Rosmarin's "Judaism and Christianity: The Differences" - heartily recommended

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov