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From: elitov@earthlink.net
Date: 10 Nov 1999
Time: 07:13:54
Remote Name: 38.27.175.153
I located your site while searching for information on Maccoby's research and I've bookmarked it in my Comparative Religion folder. When you left Christianity, why recreate the Ebionites? Jesus by any other name was still a confused sectarian, and even the Karaites developed their own "Rabbinic" interpretations over time. Rabbinic Judaism, whether in Chasidic, Masorti or Orthodox forms is the best way to follow HaShem for a Jew, and the Noachide movement is for Gentiles. At any rate, if you keep the Noachide Laws, then you're on the right track. I just don't think it's possible or necessary to search out the true teachings of Jesus when the Nevi'im and the Rabbis are so much more reliable. Rabbinic Judaism isn't a new religion grafted onto Tanach Judaism, it was the liberal Judaism of it's time in response to the literalism of the Sadduccees, the isolationism of the Essenes and the politicization of the Sicari/Zealots. When I left Catholicism, I chose Conservative/Masorti Judaism and a traditional lifestyle. I found even the verifiable sayings of Jesus wanting. Yet, Gentiles can have an intermediary, so if it works for you, then okay. I recommend your site to every Christian I debate with. They seem to think that only Jews have an axe to grind over Paul of Tarsus. Since it's so hard to trust the New Testament, have you considered culling authentic sayings in your own "sayings" Gospel (sort of like a modern day Gospel of Thomas)? As a student of Jewish and Christian history, dialogue and polemics, I'd like to see it. I agree with you on the Fox translation, it's excellent. I also use Aryeh Kaplan's The Living Torah, the JPS Tanakh and the Stone Tanach. I plan on getting the Jerusalem Tanach too. Great site, and I hope your aren't too upset at my frankness about the relevancy of Jesus.