After having been a Christian for 40 years and now embracing the Jewish faith I've decided to clarify my current thoughts about Jesus.
The Historical Jesus: The Kabbalist Rabbi and Pharisee from Nazareth
Jesus as a Rabbi and a Pharisee of the School of Hillel: Torah, Oral Law, and Spiritual Truths in His Teachings
The Gospels of the New Testament present Jesus as a rabbi (teacher) who taught the Torah and engaged in complex debates with the Pharisees of His time. Many scholars, drawing from both scriptural and historical evidence, believe that Jesus aligned more closely with the Pharisaic school of Hillel, a prominent and more compassionate branch of Pharisee thought, than with the stricter and more rigid school of Shammai. Jesus' teachings, which included references to the Torah, the Oral Law, and deeper spiritual truths, form the basis for understanding his role not just as a teacher, but as a spiritual guide who led his followers toward a deeper relationship with God and obedience to the commandments.
Jesus as a Rabbi
The term "rabbi" means "teacher" or "master," and in several places in the New Testament, Jesus is directly referred to by this title. In the Gospel of John, for example, we read:
"They came to Him and said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are You staying?'" (John 1:38).
In addition, the crowds frequently referred to Jesus as a rabbi, acknowledging His authority as a teacher of Scripture:
"Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God.'" (John 3:2).
Jesus’ disciples, too, consistently referred to Him as "Rabbi" (Mark 9:5; 11:21), showing that He was understood to occupy a formal teaching role in Jewish society.
Jesus and the Pharisees: Hillel vs. Shammai
Within the Jewish sects of Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were known for their commitment to the study of the Torah and the interpretation of the Oral Law. However, the Pharisees themselves were divided into two primary schools of thought: the school of Hillel and the school of Shammai.
The School of Hillel: Known for its more compassionate and flexible interpretation of the law, emphasizing mercy, justice, and love of neighbor.
The School of Shammai: Advocated for a stricter and more literal interpretation of the Torah and Jewish legal traditions.
Many of Jesus' teachings reflect the more compassionate and merciful approach of the school of Hillel. For example, in the debate over whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, Jesus challenges the strict interpretation of Sabbath law (Shammai's position) by teaching that the Sabbath was made for man's benefit:
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27)
This aligns with Hillel's more lenient view, which emphasized that human well-being takes precedence over strict legalism. This is therefore not a novel and new teaching here by Jesus, but rather a reference to the Oral Law from the school of Hillel. Likewise, in Jesus' emphasis on loving one’s neighbor as the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 22:37-40), we see echoes of Hillel’s famous teaching, "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary." This is a clear teaching from the Torah “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” Leviticus 19:18. Again this is not a novel idea by Jesus but is pure Torah which is expounded upon plainly in Pharisaic Oral Tradition. Showing Jesus’ consistency as a Pharisee.
Jesus and the Oral Law of Moses
While the written Torah (the first five books of the Bible) is central to Jesus’ teachings, He also engaged with the Oral Law (oral traditions and interpretations handed down by Jewish authorities). Evidence of this can be seen in His interactions with the Pharisees, who often debated points of Jewish law that were not directly stated in the Torah but were part of oral tradition.
These debates were clearly in-house debates among “brothers”. That is they were debates among the two Pharisaic schools of thought, and not debates among outsiders and insiders. Jesus was an insider teaching in the synagogues, as a Rabbi, as a Pharisee. The synagogues were an institution of the Pharisees and only the sect of the Pharisees had Rabbis. This is why there is so much interaction between Jesus and his fellow Pharisees. They were one sect of Judaism (with two schools of thought) that engaged in debates among each other.
In Matthew 23:2-3, Jesus explicitly acknowledges the authority of the Pharisees in interpreting the Law, though He criticizes their hypocrisy:
"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do."
Here, Jesus acknowledges the Pharisees’ role in transmitting the Oral Law, even as He calls for a deeper alignment between their teaching and their actions. He did not reject the Oral Law itself but critiqued its misuse or the failure to apply it with the spirit of righteousness and mercy.
Jesus and Spiritual Truths: The Kingdom of God and Kabbalistic Wisdom
In addition to His teachings rooted in the Torah and the Oral Law, Jesus also imparted deep spiritual truths about the nature of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. His teachings often revealed a mystical, esoteric understanding of the divine, which is echoed in certain elements of Jewish mysticism (later codified as Kabbalah).
For instance, Jesus’ teaching that "the Kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21) hints at an inner, spiritual reality that aligns with Kabbalistic teachings about the indwelling divine spark within each individual. Jesus frequently used parables to convey hidden spiritual truths, much like Kabbalistic teaching employs allegory and symbolism to describe the hidden aspects of God and the universe.
One of the most notable instances of this mystical teaching is in John 15:1-8, where Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and the branches to explain the believer's connection to God. This allegory points to a deeper spiritual truth: union with the Divine is essential for spiritual vitality, growth, and eternal life. In a manner similar to Kabbalistic thought, Jesus stresses the importance of maintaining a spiritual connection with God in order to manifest divine attributes in one's life.
Jesus’ Teaching in John 3 and Kabbalistic Wisdom: A Reflection on Spiritual Birth
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 3, we encounter one of the most profound and mystical conversations in the New Testament. In His dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus introduces the concept of being “born again” or “born from above,” which has resonated deeply within Christian theology as a description of spiritual renewal and transformation. However, when examined in the context of Jewish mystical traditions, particularly Kabbalistic thought, striking parallels emerge. These connections suggest that the concept of spiritual rebirth expressed by Jesus has deep roots in the ancient mystical understanding of the soul's journey.
Jesus’ Teaching: Being Born Again or Born From Above
In John 3:3, Jesus declares to Nicodemus, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." The Greek word used here for "again" is anōthen, which can also mean "from above." Nicodemus, interpreting this in a literal sense, questions how one can be physically born again after having grown old. However, Jesus clarifies in John 3:5-6: “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Here, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of a spiritual rebirth, a transformation that transcends the physical realm. This birth is not of flesh, but of spirit—initiated by God’s Spirit and symbolizing a soul’s regeneration, enabling one to enter into divine communion and participate in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus uses this metaphor of birth to illustrate the necessity of a new, heavenly origin for those who seek spiritual truth and salvation.
The Kabbalistic Concept of the Soul’s Descent
Kabbalah, the mystical tradition within Judaism, also contains a profound understanding of the soul’s origin, journey, and purpose. One of the foundational teachings in Kabbalah is that the soul comes from the upper spiritual realms, descending into the physical world for a purpose. This descent of the soul from the heavenly realms to the material plane is part of a divine process of refinement and spiritual growth.
Kabbalistic teachings assert that each soul originates from the Ein Sof (the Infinite), passing through the various spiritual worlds—Atzilut (Emanation), Beriah (Creation), Yetzirah (Formation), and Assiyah (Action)—before incarnating into the physical body. The purpose of this journey is for the soul to fulfill its mission on Earth, rectify any spiritual imperfections, and ultimately reunite with its divine source, ascending once again to the higher realms after death.
According to Kabbalah, this cycle of descent and ascent is essential to the soul’s evolution and spiritual purification. The concept of gilgul, or reincarnation, is also central to this belief, suggesting that souls may undergo multiple earthly lives to complete their spiritual work.
Parallels Between Jesus’ Teaching and Kabbalistic Thought
When we juxtapose Jesus’ teaching on being “born again” with the Kabbalistic understanding of the soul’s descent from the heavenly realms, clear parallels emerge. Both traditions emphasize the need for the soul to be born of a divine origin, not merely rooted in the physical, material world. Jesus’ insistence that one must be "born from above" mirrors the Kabbalistic idea that the soul comes from a higher realm, and its true essence is heavenly, not earthly.
The Soul’s Heavenly Origin: In both the teachings of Jesus and Kabbalistic thought, the soul is depicted as having its origin in the spiritual or divine realm. Jesus calls for a rebirth “from above,” while Kabbalah explains that the soul descends from the heavenly realms, signifying that true life is derived from a spiritual source, not merely physical existence.
Spiritual Renewal and Transformation: In John 3, Jesus speaks of the necessity for spiritual transformation—this rebirth in the Spirit is a way to transcend the limitations of the flesh. Similarly, Kabbalah teaches that the soul's descent into the material world is part of a process of spiritual refinement, where the individual is meant to purify their soul and reunite with the divine. The soul’s journey is one of continuous rebirth and renewal, paralleling the Christian concept of being “born again” through spiritual awakening.
Mystical Union with the Divine: Jesus’ promise of the Kingdom of Heaven as the final destination for those who are “born from above” echoes the Kabbalistic belief in the soul’s return to the Infinite (Ein Sof) after completing its earthly mission. Both traditions emphasize the goal of achieving union with the divine through spiritual transformation.
Rebirth as a Path to Salvation: For Jesus, being “born again” is essential for entering the Kingdom of God, which can be seen as a metaphor for achieving salvation and eternal life. In Kabbalah, the soul’s journey involves spiritual elevation and refinement, leading to a return to its source in the divine. The ultimate goal in both systems is spiritual salvation—whether framed as eternal life or returning to the divine source.
A Shared Mystical Vision: Jewish Kabbalah and Christian Spiritualism
Although Jesus’ teachings and Kabbalistic thought come from different religious frameworks, their views on the soul’s spiritual journey share remarkable similarities. Both traditions recognize the soul’s divine origin and emphasize the need for spiritual transformation to return to the divine. Jesus’ call to be “born from above” resonates with Kabbalistic teachings about the soul’s descent from heaven and its purpose of achieving spiritual purity.
Ultimately, these teachings remind us that the path to spiritual fulfillment lies in recognizing our true origins, transcending the material world, and embracing the inner rebirth that leads us back to the divine source.
The Way to the Kingdom of God: Obedience to the Torah
While Jesus taught spiritual truths that transcend legalistic observance, He never dismissed the importance of the Torah. Rather, He emphasized that true righteousness comes from a heart aligned with God's will, expressed through obedience to His commandments. Jesus made it clear that keeping the commandments is an essential part of entering the Kingdom of Heaven:
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18)
This declaration affirms that the Torah remains foundational in the spiritual life Jesus envisioned. However, Jesus urged His followers to go beyond mere outward obedience, teaching that internal transformation, a heart of love, and devotion to God are required to truly fulfill the Law:
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
Conclusion: Jesus as a Teacher of Torah and Kabbalah
In conclusion, Jesus was not only a rabbi but a teacher deeply rooted in Jewish law and tradition, drawing from both the Torah and the Oral Law. His teachings often reflected the compassionate, merciful interpretations of the school of Hillel, while challenging the more rigid views of the school of Shammai. Moreover, Jesus’ teachings revealed profound spiritual truths that aligned with mystical understandings of the divine, offering a path to the Kingdom of God through obedience to the Torah, combined with a life of spiritual depth and inner transformation. This path to righteousness, as Jesus taught, is how one enters the Kingdom of God and attains eternal life.
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