Orthodox Rabbi Condemns Boteach's 'Kosher Jesus'

forward.com ^ | 2 Feb 2012 | JTA

[Cronos]

A prominent Orthodox rabbi in Toronto has condemned the latest book by celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and pronounced it is “forbidden” for anyone to buy or read it.

In an open letter published on the Jewish news website The Algemeiner, Rabbi Immanuel Schochet denounced Boteach’s newest book, “Kosher Jesus,” as “heretical.”

The book “poses a tremendous risk to the Jewish community,” wrote Schochet, an emeritus professor of philosophy and religion at Toronto’s Humber College and spiritual leader of the city’s Congregation Beth Joseph.

“I have never read a book, let alone one authored by a purported frum (religious) Jew, that does more to enhance the evangelical missionary message and agenda than the aforementioned book,” Schochet said. “It is forbidden for anyone to buy or read this book, or give its author a platform in any way, shape or form to discuss this topic.”

The volume “must be rejected for being heretical,” he said.

The latest offering from Boteach, who had come under fire from fellow rabbis years ago for offering spiritual advice to the late singer Michael Jackson and for authoring the 1999 book “Kosher Sex,” explores the Jewish roots of Jesus and whether the exploration should lead modern Jews to “rediscover” and celebrate the extent to which the Hebrew Bible shaped his thinking.

In a lengthy response that has been widely disseminated online, Boteach shot back, saying he “must retain the right to defend myself against the appalling and libelous charge of heresy.”

Boteach said his book paints Jesus as “a Torah-observant Jew whose mission it was to restore Jewish observance fully among his Jewish brethren and fight Roman persecution.”

“It’s time these universal Jewish ideas that have so influenced the world be traced back to their original source,” Boteach wrote in defense of his book. “It’s time that the Jewishness of Jesus be rediscovered by Christians.”

As for Schochet’s charge that the book will embolden Christians to convert Jews, Boteach said it “is the ultimate argument against Christian missionaries” [because it offers] significant information to argue convincingly against any Christian attempt to evangelize Jews.”

[MestaMachine]

Boteach is wrong.

[Jonty30]

Unless, of course, Jesus was really the Messiah. Then the Jewish Rabbis are only guilty of rejecting their Saviour.

[nathanbedford]

“I have never read a book, let alone one authored by a purported frum (religious) Jew, that does more to enhance the evangelical missionary message and agenda than the aforementioned book,” Schochet said. “It is forbidden for anyone to buy or read this book, or give its author a platform in any way, shape or form to discuss this topic.”

Diversity is our strength except, evidently, when it is forbidden.

It is been a hallmark of the Jewish American experience to invite inquiry and debate. In fact one could safely make the assertion that Jews have traditionally been in the forefront of many progressive intellectual and social movements, always on the cutting edge of that which is upsetting to the establishment especially the Christian establishment. In this role, Jews to their credit have invariably called for open discussion. They formed and staffed with people like Ruth Ginsburg the American Civil Liberties Union to advance their arguments under the banner of free speech and free inquiry.

I have long thought that it is perfectly proper for a religious leader to declare variants of religious belief to be heretical. I bitterly opposed Danny Deutsch in his contrives criticism of Ann Coulter in which he affected to be offended by her religious principles calling for the "perfection" of Jews. I pointed out that rejection of Coulter's proposition is in itself a rejection of Christianity and could be viewed as equally offensive.

Here we see a Jewish religious leader calling for the exclusion of a new view of Jesus because it is heretical. I fully endorse his right to do so within the lights of his theology. However, the next time a Christian is rebuked we ought to consider that the principle can be applied selectively.

Boteach and Ann Coulter have the moral and legal right to their assertions without being called anti-Semitic and Danny Deutsch and the Rabbi have and equally moral and legal right to call them heretical but no moral right under the circumstances to call them,"offensive".

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

One logical result is that Christians will convert to Judaism, a religion that Jesus never left.

[aruanan]

One logical result is that Christians will convert to Judaism, a religion that Jesus never left.

The statement above plus your name equals irony writ large.

[MestaMachine]

I was not responding to anything the Algemeiner Rabbi said. I think it is anti-Judaism to forbid learning whatever you can above and beyond what sages and experts and/or religious leaders tell us we must believe. THAT is why I have my own G-d given mind. I also believe that is what G-d EXPECTS from us.
No. I was responding purely to Boteach’s assertions. Without getting hip deep into a religious war, I simply think he is wrong. That is my opinion and I don’t expect anyone else to agree. Freedom exists for this reason, so a person can think and not be afraid to think. I think Boteach is a hustler who panders for money. Pure simple.

[aruanan]

As for Schochet’s charge that the book will embolden Christians to convert Jews, Boteach said it “is the ultimate argument against Christian missionaries” [because it offers] significant information to argue convincingly against any Christian attempt to evangelize Jews.”

Poor guy. I suggest he study Saul of Tarsus.

[Cronos]

I don’t think Christians who are not of Jewish origin can convert to Judaism, at least not to Orthodox Judaism, imho

[Ann Archy]

Why are Jews so afraid that they might be converted?? Especially by a book? One CANNOT be converted truly UNLESS they WANT TO?????

[Ann Archy]

Why are Jews so afraid that they might be converted?? Especially by a book? One CANNOT be converted truly UNLESS they WANT TO????? I should say, UNLESS the Holy Spirit calls them to Jesus.

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

“I don’t think Christians who are not of Jewish origin can convert to Judaism, at least not to Orthodox Judaism, imho”

You are incorrect. I personally know scores of people who were observant Christians who have formally converted to Orthodox Judaism, having studied for several years with an orthodox rabbi to do so. In fact, those who do the most deep thinking about why they want to leave Christianity and convert to Judaism choose Orthodox Judaism. Some actually converted first to Conservative or Reform Judaism and realized once in those movements that there was so much missing there that they underwent another conversion in an orthodox setting.

[aruanan]

I should say, UNLESS the Holy Spirit calls them to Jesus.

And that would be everyone in the world:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14

[Jonty30]

It is my understanding that your mother must be Jewish for you to be considered Jewish.

If you’re not Jewish upon birth, you cannot become a Jew. You are considered a Jewish convert. Provided that you marry a Jewish woman, you’re children would become Jewish.

[PVT4evr]

That is incorrect. If you convert to Judaism, you are considered just as Jewish as anyone, and your conversion is not to be mentioned by anyone. If a woman converts to Judaism and marries a Jewish man, their children are still deemed Jewish.

[Jonty30]

Ok.

I don’t being wrong.

[Phinneous]

Jews give a listen:

http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/302730/jewish/Missionary-Impossible.htm

Rabbi Schochet is not a diversity peddler. Jews and Christians are fundamentally different and there is no overlap. He works to strengthen not-yet-religious Jews against missionaries and charlatains (”messianic” Christians.) So give a listen and agree to disagree...strongly!

[Daveinyork]

“One logical result is that Christians will convert to Judaism, a religion that Jesus never left.”

And give up their bacon cheeseburgers? What’s the likelihood of that?

[VietVet]

It seems narrow minded religious prejudice is not restricted to any one faith.

[Ann Archy]

Yes, but the majority choose not to listen.