Jesus in the Targums - Paperback

by Tov Rose (Author)

Question: Why is it important for Jewish and Christian people to use this book?

Answer: Because it gives us an insider's view of how 1st Century Jewish people read their Hebrew Bible, which today is called, "The Old Testament."

All of the first followers of Jesus were JEWISH. All of the writers of the New Testament were JEWISH.

These Jewish followers of Jesus were a product of an authentic 1st Century Judaism, which believed that the God of Israel was Two beings, not One singular being. If you've never read the "New Testament," then you're missing out on an incredibly important piece of thoroughly Jewish history and culture. As a matter of fact, the New Testament is filled with authentically JEWISH History that is not recorded anywhere else, not even Talmud.

Take for example, the New Testament passage of John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Most people do not realize that the Jewish man, known to Christians as the Apostle John, was actually using terminology familiar to 1st Century Jewish people. It was familiar, because it was language read in the Targums in the Synagogue every week. What John was doing by stating his first sentence in the manner was very similar to the technique used at the time (and today in some Orthodox Jewish sects), whereby one person would recite the first verse of a Psalm, and the students (or members of the Synagogue), would begin to recite the rest of the Psalm.

Jesus (who by the way was NOT the first "Christian"), was a Jewish rabbi and he did this as is recorded in the New Testament at one point. His audience should have understood to recite the entirety of Psalm 22 in response, "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" Matthew 27:46

Using this technique, John the Apostle, was calling on Jewish familiarity with the Aramaic Tagums and calling them to apply what they learned from the Targums about The Word of the Lord, to Yeshua/Jesus himself.

This study is simply highlighting all of those passages that would have been read from a Tagum in the Synagogue throughout the course of a year in 1st Century Judaism, calling attention to the passages mentioning The Word of the Lord. Jewish theology of the period understood that The Word of the Lord was a "lesser Yahweh". In other words, The Word was "God" who interacted with humanity and creation directly, performing miracles, signs and wonders and simply speaking to humans. The "Greater Yahweh" was understood to exist in the Heaven. The "lesser Yahweh" did the will of and spoke the words of the "Greater Yahweh."

This is the theological and social context of the 1st Century Jewish mind that first encountered the Apostle John's words: John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

This work is a side-by-side comparison of passages in the various Targums showing that "The Word of the Lord" was considered an important person of a multi-personality Godhead in the understanding of Judaism predating 3 AD/CE.

Several other Targums from later centuries are also referenced, because they show that the Jewish community, even to this day in Sephardic Jewish congregations, are still influenced by these Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible.

Author Biography

I am the author of several books, including The New Messianic Version of the Bible; The Book of GOD: For Men; The Book of GOD: Genesis Unbound; The Baptism of Jesus from a Jewish Perspective, The Fall of the American Babylon and more. I was Radio Host of "To The Jew First Radio" on Minneapolis based KKMS 980AM, I am also a Speaker, Author, Bible Teacher, Chaplain, Performer and have been a Pastor. Since 1991, I've been active working to help people better understand the nature and person God from a Jewish perspective. My biggest passion is explaining how the Word of God is the "God of Israel" Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), who was later born as Jesus/Yeshua in the New Testament. I came to faith in Yeshua (Jesus), through the testimony of my parents when I was three years old. This means I am a second generation Jewish believer in Jesus. Although I did have one great aunt named Sophi, who was also a Jewish lady who loved Messiah! When not writing books and all those other things, I enjoy quiet times at home with his wife, children. He is very active in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Messianic Community. Locally, I am involved directly with the following organizations: Ministries Director: Gospel Cafe Ministries (Volunteer Teacher) Board Member: The Humble Cup Coffee Shop (A Ministry Outreach at the University of Minnesota) Board President: Midwest Hebrew Ministries (Volunteer Director) Minnesota Representative: Chosen People Ministries, International Over the last couple decades, I've gotten a reputation for teaching solid Bible foundations and difficult to understand Biblical concepts in a compassionate simple manner that anyone can understand. Most people who have sat through my classes know that I'm not one to shy away difficult and taboo subjects, either. As often as I can, I guest on radio programs, television shows and speaks at conferences, seminars, in local congregations and other venues. And finally: I'm always looking to network with new people! Please feel free to connect with me! www.TovRose.com