Judaism vs. Christianity

How did Christianity emerge, and why did it split from Judaism to become a religion of its own? In this class we explore the true origins of Christianity, and explain the Jewish position on Jesus. Also discussed is the purpose of Christianity in world history, and some rabbinic perspectives on the religion.

Further Reading:

'Joshua and the Origins of Christianity':
'How Esau Became Rome':
'When is Mashiach Coming'
'The Other Bilaam':

[alexanderealley]

Your presentations are phenomenal! Thank you for sharing this with us, and may Hashem continue to bless you.

[tirzahifrach]

As a personal note especially to you Efraim, my paternal lineage springs from Yehudah even though I was unaware of this due to the fact I was orphaned as a baby by my parents and raised under foster care. I was brought up Christian but never really felt connected to Christianity and it's overall myriad of beliefs about **That Man**. But HaShem is Great and saw the longing of my heart to know the Truth and sent me a teacher, an elderly neighbor who showed me the Torah for the first time. He showed me the Testimony of Yehoshua, ( which I called "Jesus" ) in Yoseph son of Yacov. He was a Christian also but loved the Old Testament and particularly the Torah. It was thru this man I discovered the real Yehoshua of Nazareth. Baruch H"S. A year later my natural father dies in an accident while traveling in Italy and I discover upon his death that he was Jewish and I had close kin in Israel. My Grandfather was a Rabbi from Morocco.

[sharonraffanti]

Thank you Rabbi Efraim. This is such a clear and concise explanation of Christianity and is much kinder than others. I am an ex-Catholic, ex-Charismatic, Pentecostal and Messianic Christian who has "had a beef" with the churches throughout the years. Even as a teenager, disagreeing with Catholic priests and refusing to bow down before the Archbishop.

I never could bring myself to pray to Mary and never believed JC was G-d. I have, for the past 9 years tried to figure out if there actually was an historical figure who the church built their religion on. I figured there had to be. After leaving Catholicism, I was threatened by a Jesuit priest and in our ensuing argument, he calmly informed me that they, the Catholic bishops, wrote the Bible. Upon mentioning that they were not around at the time of Moses, he informed me that they preserved the "OT" but wrote the "NT".

I am now what is known as B'nei Noach and so appreciate your videos.

[conantheseptuagenarian]

paul doesn't preach a dual message, i.e. one for jews and another for gentiles. he does preach against the law as a means of justification, but for everyone. he chastises peter for living as a gentile but spurning them when torah observant jews are present. his message of justification is faith from first to last. he does mention at one point that if someone prefers to keep torah he can do so, but that it's not a requirement.

[yibaibashimu]

I found the story about Yeshua denying help to the gentile woman. Like you mentioned, Yeshua started by being pretty rude to her!
Turns out, her daughter is even demon possessed! Very interesting. I'll post the whole story below:

Yeshua left that place and went off to the region of Tzor and Tzidon. A woman from Kena‘an who was living there came to him, pleading, “Sir, have pity on me. Son of David! My daughter is cruelly held under the power of demons!” But Yeshua did not say a word to her. Then his talmidim came to him and urged him, “Send her away, because she is following us and keeps pestering us with her crying.” He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Isra’el.” But she came, fell at his feet and said, “Sir, help me!” He answered, “It is not right to take the children’s food and toss it to their pet dogs.” She said, “That is true, sir, but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their master’s table.” Then Yeshua answered her, “Lady, you are a person of great trust. Let your desire be granted.” And her daughter was healed at that very moment.
Mattityahu (Mat) 15:21‭-‬28 CJB

[brotherdust]

As a Protestant Christian of over 22 years, this is all very challenging, and, dare I say, not a little depressing. Truly, I am shaken; and for that, rabbi, I bless you.

Some of the objections you presented are consistent with what I have concluded independently in my own study, yet have been unable to reconcile due to my own ignorance. Now, thanks to you, I at least have a general sense of the direction I need to go to be “less wrong” (no relation to the online forum of the same name).

May you continue to grow in understanding of God, for I benefit even from the crumbs. 😉

[pedrorodriguez]

As a non-Jew, Yeshua, (Jesus) follower, I found this a very interesting presentation from one among many Jewish perspectives and interpretations, . I just wonder what's the reason and purpose to reject the "Historicity of Jesus"??... . ... I think there are "Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources", such as: Evidence from Tacitus, Evidence from Pliny the Younger, "Evidence from Josephus", Evidence from the Babylonian Talmud, Evidence from Lucian and so on."???

[GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

Thank you so much for your lectures I've watched six or more hours just since yesterday, additionally appreciate the graphics that you put on the screen that I can screenshot for future use, the Buber quote was not there I will jot it down and thank you

[dglifespan]

Ooops! I commented previously to this site inadvertently! It was actually meant for a financial video I had just watched prior to this one coming on. 🤦🏼‍♀️
But, the title of your video is quite intriguing! I may have to watch it after all!
Again, sorry about the error for the posting.

[Holearchik]

I enjoy your videos but I do not think you did a fair assessment of the new testament. Jesus frequently tested people to prove their intentions, often through response questions or challenges (see John 4:16–18; and 4:50–53). His response to the Canaanite woman is similar. In testing her, Jesus declined her request and explained that she had no legitimate expectation of His help. The woman, however, lived out the principle Jesus Himself taught in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8). Her response proved that she understood fully what Jesus was saying, yet had enough conviction to ask anyway (Matthew 15:27). Jesus acknowledged her faith—calling it “great”—and granted her request (Matthew 15:28).

[shylal]

I really do enjoy listening to you, good sir. It's been difficult with this one because I am a Christian, not a Catholic. But i wanted to know why Jewish people feel the way you do about Christians, so I listened. I love the Old Testament, what you call the Tenakh. I read it more than the New Testament, actually. So I am wondering, how do you explain Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12:10? Your prophets describe Jesus Christ as "the one they pierced." And, "he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded."

I dont intend on changing your mind.

God opened my heart to understanding. He gave me the desire to know him when he showed me that I was a sinner and he died for me. His teachings are hard... old and new... for he came to fulfill the law... not change it. He makes life worth living. He convinced me he is real and really did live and die and rise again. No one can convince me otherwise.

[PSGV]

The academic consensus is that Josephus did mention Christ as one of those historic persons, but that the recognition as the Messiah was added by some one else

[Fisherstrong]

This man always goes deep into the history and meanings of different teachings on every topic however, when it comes to this topic, the topic of Christianity, he seems to not give much consideration to the text he is referring to. Obviously, we expect some confirmation bias but wow.

[numbers-]

This gentlemen is quite educational and stays on topic! I enjoy that he isn’t sarcastic.

[MadEnglishTV]

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” - The King of Israel

[jasonhenn]

Paul did meet Jesus, just one of many mistakes, , but keep learning...


We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, a ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked.

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ’ the Lord replied. 16‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. 17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

[commonsenselucy]

This was an AWESOME MESSAGE. It's truly amazing how Hashem works, but also how difficult it is for Christians to accept these truths. Thank you.

[deximo]

Such a pivotal time period. thank you for your videos as always, I have been craving the jewish perspective on this period of time and these have given me some fantastic insight

[Herbal-Rancher]

I am a Christian who believes in the way of richeousness, truth, and life. I want to know the truth. I'm learning more and more about my religious foundation of the Torah/Old Testament and how the gospel ties in. Im listening with a heartcthat trusts in the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I thank Yahweh for revealing all truth through His Holy Spirit. Thank you for these teachings.

[tczubernat]

Error in understanding detected; when Jesus saud what he said about the Roman coin was transliterated by the Roman church to mean just pay you taxes, but that's a crap understanding. Because the coin was issued by Cesar, as evidenced by his picture on the coin, that meant that Cesar actually owned the coin. So, rendwr Cesar's property back to him. You have the image of God in you and that is your owner. So, to sum up; "y'all are worried about the wrong thing."