PATTON: 'WE WERE ON THE WRONG SIDE.'
REALLY?? ? ?
?? Theory ??
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It's always kind of shaky ground to ask what Jews think about Jesus. The reason being, Jesus is a central religious figure in another religion. You may even say, a rival religion. It's akin to asking Christians what they believe about Mohammad. Or Joseph Smith. Probably more so than asking about Zeus. Because Zeus had nothing to say about Judaism or Christianity. Mohammad and Joseph Smith had a considerable amount to say, as did Jesus with Judaism.
You might also ponder, if you were living in a Muslim country where disrespecting the prophet Mohammad was punishable by death, and then a Muslim asked you what you thought of Mohammad, if Mohammad's comments on Jesus were correct -- what's the answer then?
Anyway, in essence, Judaism takes it that though Jesus may have been an insightful Rabbi, and he may well have had some good ideas, and he very well may have made a lot of the established and probably corrupt powers of his time very angry with him (The Romans, maybe even the Sanhedrin and other established Jews of Israel at that time) it doesn't extend that he was the messiah or the Son of G-d.
Problem with the Messiah is in Jewish belief (Christian definition may differ with this) is that the Messiah will bring universal knowledge of G-d, rebuild the temple, and establish peace on Earth.)
I could make an argument that Jesus contributed mightily to the first one, as Christianity spread across the globe much more effectively than Judaism has. The other two, however, not so much. In fact, Jesus was living in the wrong era to rebuild the temple, as the second temple was still standing during his life time.
The son of G-d however doesn't make any sense in Jewish theology. It sounds like the kind of insert to appeal to the pagans. After all, we often did hear about how Zeus would have a son of so-and-so.
Funny thing... when I read the Gospels myself, I noticed Jesus usually referred to himself as "Son of Man" not "Son of G-d."
The general judgment of righteousness in Judaism is that all people are responsible for the seven laws of Noah. Jews have additional commandments, 613 in total, to follow. But a non-Jew who follows the seven Noahide laws is considered among the righteous. If Christianity helps them do that, that's a good thing.
Another interesting point: There is a concept in Judaism called "Teshuvah" which is a method of repentance. You acknowledge you sinned, you make rectifications for that sin, you vow never to repeat that sin. (And maybe you never do, though people do relapse). If you do this, the sin is erased from the slate. Forgiven. Christianity has a very similar concept to this, except instead of Teshuvah it's called giving yourself to Jesus. But I think the mechanism is pretty much the same. (I imagine someone who gives themselves to Jesus to clean themselves of sin would have to acknowledge the sin, make rectification, and vow never to repeat it. Christians probably wouldn't think much of someone who said: "Yeah, I stole the money. I admit it. I'm forgiven. But I'm keeping it and I plan to steal again." Such a "confession" would be insincere.).
Does that help?