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Traditionally, the general understanding among most New Testament (NT) readers has been that much of its content rejects Judaism, the Torah, and Rabbinic authority. I suggest that much of what is considered by Christians as anti-Rabbinic and anti-Semitic in the NT, is merely a misunderstanding of the Hebraic and historic context in which it was written – and misinterpretation fueled by Judaism-opposing religious cultures.
As I will show, irrespective of the great opposing forces that the NT Writings unleash between Judaism and Christian Messianism, there is much common ground, This, notwithstanding that the NT writings form the constitution of the new Christian religion which is partially in contradistinction to Judaism. The NT writings also reveal astounding proof that the Jewish Orthodox Oral Torah is alive and well and generating life and Truth within the NT texts.
Jewish scholars can recognize traditional Orthodox Judaism and Oral Torah in many NT statements when taken within the context of their original Hebrew background.These realities, hidden in the NT writings, confirm traditional Jewish religious principles which many ardent Christian Messianic followers reject outright.
James 1:22, “But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves…” v25 “But the one who looks intently at the perfect Law, the Law of Liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer, but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.”
2 Corinthians 6:17, “‘Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord, ‘and do not touch what is unclean and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me.’ Says the Lord Almighty.”
These guidelines merely echo the Tanach, Jewish Halacha and post-biblical Jewish writing at that time:
Deuteronomy 28:1, “ … if you will diligently obey… HaShem your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
Ezekiel 20:19, “I am HaShem your God; walk in My Statutes and keep My Ordinances and observe them. And sanctify My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am Hashem your God.”
1 Kings 8:57 “…that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in His Ways, and to keep His Com-mandments and His Statutes and His Ordinances, which He commanded our fathers…” v60 “… so that all the peoples of the earth may know that HaShem is our God; there is no one else.”
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