Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26492 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 270 pages

Synopsis
"Meet the Rabbis" explains to the reader how rabbinic thought was relevant to Jesus and the New Testament world, and hence should be relevant to those people today who read the New Testament. In this sense, Rabbinic thought is relevant to every aspect of modern life. Rabbinic literature explores the meaning of living life to its fullest, in right relationship with God and humanity. However, many Christians are not aware of Rabbinic thought and literature. Indeed, most individuals in the Western world today, regardless of whether they are Christians, atheists, agnostics, secular community leaders, or some other religious and political persuasions, are more knowledgeable of Jesus' ethical teachings in the Sermon the Mount than the Ethics of the Fathers in a Jewish prayer book. The author seeks to introduce the reader to the world of Torah learning. It is within this world that the authentic cultural background of Jesus' teachings in ancient Judaism is revealed. Young uses parts of the New Testament, especially the Sermon on the Mount, as a springboard for probing rabbinic method.

The book is an introduction to rabbinic thought and literature and has three main sections in its layout: Introduction to Rabbinic Thought, Introduction to Rabbinic Literature, and Meet the Rabbis, a biographical description of influential Rabbis from Talmudic sources.

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for Christians and Jews.
This is an authoritative work from and author who knows his subject and communicates it clearly in this book. Some of his earlier books are hard to read, but I am really enjoying this one. Brad Young unveils the cultural background and religious milieu that Jesus lived and taught in, and how much he had in common with the Pharisaic teachers of the day. In so doing he helps to correct common misunderstandings and misinterpretations of what Jesus said, meant and did for those who are unaware of the Hebraic background of the Christian faith. The result only serves to enrich and help the reader in their understanding of Jesus and his mission. However this is also a book for those of the Jewish Faith, as Prof Young shows that many of the revered Rabbis of the Mishnaic era taught similar ideas and doctrines. He helps dispel traditional prejudices which have alienated Jesus from his own people. Jewish readers might be surprised how helpful and relevant the teachings of Jesus are to them. This is a book which should help encourage mutual respect, understanding and dialogue between theses two faiths and deserves to widely read.