Jews for Jesus

Chapter 4 – Jesus the Rabbi


Rabbi Boteach’s takeaway in this chapter is simple: to show that "Jesus and the rabbis shared both purpose and vision." Jesus’ ethics are found in other Jewish writings, says Boteach, and his teaching included methods found in rabbinic literature. And he lived like rabbis of his time as well, taking a secular occupation to support himself. (Though he does not mention it in this chapter, the apostle Paul did likewise, working as a tentmaker, which probably involved a range of leather goods, not just tents.)

Most of you know exactly what I'm talking about when I ask what you think of The Hunger Games. Granted, if you haven't read the books or seen the movie you might be tempted to scoot to the next article. But wait! This is too good an opportunity to pass up.

In less than two months the long awaited biography of Jews for Jesus founder Moishe Rosen will hit bookstores and e-readers across the country. Over seven years in the writing and authored by Ruth Rosen, Moishe's second daughter, this fascinating chronicle of Rosen's life is entitled, "Called to Controversy: The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus." No doubt Rosen was a most intriguing character, often appearing larger than life on the scene of the church and of Jewish missions during the latter half of the twentieth century. His impact within the Jewish community caused many to regard him as a true menace, a formidable foe to those who felt it necessary to "protect" Jewish people from the uncut message of the gospel.