[Ancesthntr]

The only problem with supposing that the first regathering was from Egypt is that it was not a "remnant" that was rescued from Egypt--it was the whole nation.

Wrong. Many Jews (perhaps as many as 80%) did not leave Egypt. There is much debate about the particulars of this in Jewish sources, but at the very least those that left could be called a remnant in the same sense as those who left the extermination factories of Europe - they were the survivors.

We simply disagree on whether Mashiach has come (though we agree that He will come), and on some details of His mission and nature.

The main source of our disagreement is evidenced by the fact that you capitalize ("He" and "His"), whereas I wouldn't - because in Jewish belief, the Messiah/Moschiach (that's a title, like "President," so it gets capitalized) is a normal human being. Not one of the Patriarchs, Kings or Prophets - not even Moses himself - was divine, they were all human beings, just as Moschiach will be fully human. There is only one Divine Being.

Other than that, we obviously have a lot in common. All things considered, its better for people to concentrate on those things, rather than that which divides us (one need only turn on the TV to see the result of that).

[Buggman]

Many Jews (perhaps as many as 80%) did not leave Egypt.

You have my attention. What's the source for this? According to Sh'mot (Exodus) 12:41, "And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of YHVH went out from the land of Egypt," and in vv. 50-51, "Thus did all the children of Israel; as YHVH commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. And it came to pass the selfsame day, that YHVH did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies."

Now, it is to be admitted that the Hebrew word for "all," kol, does not require absolutely 100% participation--but it does require the vast majority. So it is possible that a relatively few Hebrews, perhaps some who were in comfortable positions of servitude, remained behind, but one would be hard-pressed to suppose that only 20% left.

. . . because in Jewish belief, the Messiah/Moschiach (that's a title, like "President," so it gets capitalized) is a normal human being.

*chuckle* Don't forget the old Yiddish proverb: "Where you have two Jews, you have three opinions." The idea that the Messiah would be a human being, born of a woman, but yet be so much more is not a uniquely Christian invention, but is found in Jewish tradition as well.

For example:

In the Targum of Isaiah we read: "His name has been called from old, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, He who lives forever, the Anointed One (Messiah), in whose days peace shall increase upon us."

Pereq Shalom: R. Yose the Galilean said: "The name of the Messiah is Peace, for it is said, "Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Midrash Mishle, S. Buber edition: The Messiah is called by eight names: Yinnon, Tzemah, Pele ["Miracle"], Yo'etz ["Counselor"], Mashiah ["Messiah"], El ["God"], Gibbor ["Hero"], and Avi 'Ad Shalom ["Eternal Father of Peace"] . . .

Another page on this subject can be found here. While it is accurate to say that classical Judaism does not teach that the Messiah would literaly be God Incarnate, it would not be accurate to say that the rabbis have expected a "merely" human king.

There is only one Divine Being.

No educated, Biblical Christian would disagree. We believe that Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Christ, is the Sh'kinah, the visible Presence of God, not a second god. He is the Wisdom and Word of God, the Living Torah by whom and for whom all creation was made. And it is for that reason that I capitalize His pronouns--I refuse to capitalize my personal pronoun ("I") without doing so for the Sh'kineh of God.

Other than that, we obviously have a lot in common. All things considered, its better for people to concentrate on those things, rather than that which divides us (one need only turn on the TV to see the result of that).

I certainly agree that we should not let our disagreements divide us, especially when we have so many mutual enemies. But neither should they be the elephant in the corner--we should be able to talk about our differences as friends and even (if you will accept me as such) brothers. Or at least cousins. ;-)

If you just want to leave it at that, then have a wonderful day, and God bless.