The Messiah in Judaism and Christianity

Catalog description

This course examines the figure of Jesus from a Jewish perspective. We see Jesus as a product of Herodian politics, the charismatic influences of Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shammai, the mystical Essene community based near Qumran, and the Hellenization of Judaism in the first century. We also consider the figure of Jesus as a Jew in the early Christian movements, especially in the Ebionite Christian communities. Issues such as the adherence to Law, Rabbinic interpretation of Law, the messianic movement, prophecy, magic, social reform, and growing anti-Semitism will be discussed.