Between Christianity and Judaism

A. If I understood your question, you are bringing up the distinction between a logical contradiction and a physical contradiction. I stated this in my book Two Carts (chapter 13, I think). I definitely agree. And so did Rabbi Si’ Sheld, I think, in his Responsa to the Rashba.

on. I don’t have an article on Christianity, and in my opinion the whole issue is unnecessary and stupid. First, because there is no mass influx of Jews to become Christians. Second, because any treatment of it would be biased and quite stupid because it is treatment from the outside (much like treatments of Judaism from the outside). This reminds me of an article in Bezahar (issues 1 or 2) that quoted several passages by Rabbi Chi Kook on Christianity. He quotes passages from the New Testament and comments on them. I literally died laughing when I read it. Real stupidity. He complicates the New Testament from the extremes and points out contradictions. There are a thousand times more blatant contradictions in our writings, when you look at them from the outside without the empathy of a believer that brings you to the point of resolving them. This is exactly how Christians can reconcile the contradictions in their writings and be completely unimpressed by criticism from the outside.

In general, quite a few of the ideas of the Christians are found in us in a very similar way. But with us you are ordinary and empathetic and know and recite the usual excuses. That’s the whole difference. “Holy is the blessing of Israel and the Torah is one,” do you know? Does that remind you of anything? And I think I once heard in the name of the Ari that it is literally true. And what about “the mitzvot are void for the future,” do you know? So with the Christians, the “future” has already arrived with the coming of their Messiah, and therefore the mitzvot are void. And what about the transfer of the work of the firstborn to the priests, do you know? So that’s how he could transfer his choice of Israel to the Christians. The whole difference is in the question of why you have empathy and why not. They don’t have any greater contradictions or stupidities than we do.

Therefore, I suggest leaving the Christians to their faith and us to ours, and stopping these stupid debates. All the contradictions in their writings can be resolved in Shofi, I assure you. There are quite a few highly learned and talented Christians, no less than the Rambam and Reka. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will catch them talking nonsense. These debates are intended for inward (to show the masses of the House of Israel who lack confidence and education how wise we are and how stupid the others are). Someone who is insecure must build his identity on the negation of the other, but that means his situation is quite bleak.
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Asks:
Hello Rabbi!
A. Indeed, there is no mass influx, but there are videos on YouTube of Jewish missionaries bringing Jews closer to Christianity on the same principle you talked about (negating the other), and my secular friends have even started citing quotes on why Christianity is more reliable.
B. If I understood your answer, then question A that I asked also has no existence at all.
C. If you don’t care about Christian issues 1. Then why are you a believing Jew just because you were born that way?
2. So you are a pluralist?
D. I would prefer that a rabbi in Israel not express himself in such a disparaging manner towards Rabbi Tzvi Kook, even if your opinion contradicts his position.
With thanks and forgiveness
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Rabbi:
A. And therefore? If an argument is raised, it can be dealt with. But arguments for and against Christianity and Judaism, and especially pointing out contradictions, are completely stupid. When your secular friends inform you that they have been convinced and are going to convert to Christianity – you can refer them to me.
on. I didn’t understand this comment. I would appreciate it if you could elaborate on what you mean (not just specify question A or B, because I don’t keep up with the many correspondences here).
third. I am a Jew who believes that this is what seems reasonable and logical to me. On the other hand, it is possible that if you were born a Christian, that would also seem logical to me. I am not at all sure that there is an absolute truth here, since it is possible that from the perspective of God, everyone is supposed to do what seems reasonable to them. The exclusive discourse (that is right and that is wrong. Heresy and not heresy, etc.) is mainly for internal purposes.
2. I tend towards pluralism in religious contexts. There is objectivity on the moral and factual levels. There is only one truth.
D. My opinion does not contradict his position because I did not see a position there. I believe roughly what he believes, but his arguments against Christians and his very discussion and method are stupid and ridiculous in my opinion.
happily,
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Asks:
A. If you say that it is inappropriate to point out contradictions in Christianity, then saying that the Trinity is a logical contradiction is also nonsensical.
B. If you say that there is no need to point out contradictions between Christianity and Judaism, then it is not appropriate at all to say that there are contradictions in Judaism itself, which is also stupidity.
C. Based on what the rabbi makes the divisions, when am I a pluralist and when not? This sounds absurd.
D. Does the Rabbi know the book “Memedim HaNevoha” by Rabbi Shem Tov Gefen and what is his opinion about the book on the subject of mathematics and physics?
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Rabbi:
A. No belief in itself is a logical contradiction, because things depend on interpretation. To say 3=1 is a logical contradiction, but that is not the Trinity. And that is what I said.
on. I didn’t say that contradictions shouldn’t be pointed out, but that there’s no point in pointing out contradictions, because every contradiction depends on interpretation. What I wrote is that if you call the Trinity a contradiction, then in your opinion, the statement of the Zohar, “Kudsha B’rich is Ori’ta and Yisrael is one,” is also a contradiction. In my opinion, these and those are not contradictions, and I added that it’s foolish to think that they are. Contrary to what the Herzi tried to show, these are not fools. They are no less smart than he is, and they certainly didn’t fall into such stupid contradictions. Intelligent people don’t just talk nonsense, even if they are Christians. You certainly won’t catch them for that. Some of the greatest scholars and philosophers of all generations were devout Christians, so it’s arrogant folly to think that they can be caught for that.
third. To each his own. I argue that there is a difference between morality and facts, in which there is one truth, and claims about the manner of religious work, which can depend on the person and his environment. There is no contradiction and no problem in such a statement, but those who see it as absurd will not accept it.
D. I know the book, and of course it is outdated but very interesting and original. I remember that his language in the second article didn’t resonate with me (I didn’t understand what the “ha” he was talking about all the time was).
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Asks:
Hello Rabbi!

Regarding the discussion we had about Christianity and the contradictions, and yet I saw a video on YouTube of Messianic Jews pointing out the problematic nature of the Oral Torah.
A. It was never mentioned in the Torah and only through a hint, they demanded the verse “according to” meaning the Oral Torah and also “to whatever is prescribed” This is only for the police themselves and the court to rule, but there is no obligation to hear from the rabbis themselves that this is their invention.
B. According to the Gamma of Baba Metzia, 55 in the Torah of Akhnai, where in a discussion between the sages and Rabbi Eliezer, supernatural miracles are recited, and the sages say not in heaven, the meaning is, we conquered the Lord of the world, and the Torah is according to the sages, not according to the Blessed One.
C. And does God, blessed be He, need all the commandments that the sukkah be of such and such dimensions?
D. What is the Oral Torah for the Rabbi in general and is it not an invention that was founded about two thousand years ago?
E. Regarding evolution, there are new studies that show that, for example, the pendocyte is not an evolutionary relic but rather plays a significant role in pregnant women.

Thank you very much, Rabbi!
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Rabbi:

These all seem like extremely weak claims to me. It’s really not something to be bothered about. And is their messianism actually mentioned in the Torah? I think you should focus on more intelligent heretical writings and methods. It’s a waste of time to waste on this nonsense.
A. Why would the Toshbap be mentioned in the Toshbak? It accompanies it and was given with it. The Khuzaris already insisted that it is unlikely that verses were given without explanations. The authority of the sages is also a simple explanation. And is there a legal system without institutions authorized to interpret and decide on it?!
on. That’s definitely what it says there. And so?
third. And does God need what is written in the Torah?
D. Its foundations were handed down at Sinai and it has been developed throughout history.
the. And therefore?