You are here:
- Home
- Religion/Spirituality
- Judaism
- Conservative Judaism
- Jews and Jesus
Conservative Judaism/Jews and Jesus
Advertisement
Question
I wondered who Jews believe Jesus was? Do they believe he was a prophet, never existed, or an evil traitor, or simply just an ordinary person. How do Jews respond to Christians claim that Jesus said "no one gets into Heaven except through me". Also, my second question is what do Jews believe with regards to Heaven and Hell?
Thank you
Dear Michael,
Thanks for writing.
It is impossible for me to represent all Jews and Judaism. For an academic response which is generally accepted and easy to read, "Judaism and Christianity: The Differences" by Dr. Trude Weis Rosmarin.
Also, on-line at jewishencyclopedia.com, check out "Jesus."
For myself, assuming that Jesus lived, he did so as a Jew of the time. He never intended to found a religion, would not have considered himself a divinity or the son of God. He may have been fascinated with forcing God to end the Roman occupation with sending again a Jewish king to restore the ancient kingdom. He didn't think he was a prophet in the prophetic line.
Whether Jesus said as you quote is open to academic dispute, including the opinion of Christian scholars - see the Jesus Seminar.
Regarding the afterlife, Jews generally believe there is one but there is no agreement on how the afterlife exists and functions. Various opinions you'll find also in the jewishencyclopedia.com.
Best wishes
Rabbi Dov
Related Articles
- Book Review - Jews Without Judaism, by Rabbi Daniel Friedman
- Ask the Orthodox Rabbi - Jewish Belief in God after Holocaust
- Ask the Reform Rabbi - Can Jews eat in Chinese restaurants with statues of Buddha?
- Jews for Jesus - Overview of the Jews for Jesus Evangelistic Organization
- Ask the Rabbi - Can Jews Believe in Christ
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Expertise
Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience
I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.