Judaism During the Time of Yeshua

Why does Yeshua seemingly denounce the Jews so often in the Gospels? In order to understand this, one must look at the culture during which Yeshua lived.

Judaism from 30 B.C.E to 70 C.E. for the first time was divided into two religious schools: the School of Hillel and the School of Shammai. The schools debated, not on the law of Torah, but on the oral tradition passed down by Moses that had recently been put into writing for fear of losing it. The majority of the teachings of Bet Hillel (followers or "sons" of Hillel) were upheld by Yeshua throughout the Gospels; however, it is the teachings of Bet Shammai (followers or "sons" of Shammai) that Yeshua continually denounces and vehemently opposes.

Why does Yeshua rebuke them continually over and over in the Gospels (as does Paul in the epistles)?

For one, Bet Shammai Pharisees not only were adamant that gentiles had no place in the World to Come and could never merit salvation, but they also were involved with the murderous Zealots who refused to allow gentiles and especially the hated Romans, to bring offerings or tax to the Temple. This infuriated Yeshua! He came that gentiles may be grafted into the Abrahamic covenant, and it's no wonder Yeshua drove them out with a whip! Bet Hillel Pharisees on the other hand, taught that gentiles did have a place in the World to Come and even sought to bring gentiles "nigh to the Torah".

(This Temple refusal and numerous other actions by the Zealots incited the wrath of the Romans as well, and it is the Zealots hatred of gentiles and the Romans that is believed to be a great part of what ultimately resulted in the Temple destruction in 70 C.E. Interestingly, the school of Shammai died out at this time, and to this day the teachings of Hillel are followed by Jewry world-wide with very few teachings of Shammai still followed. It should also be noted that Hillel and Shammai, the teachers themselves, lived peacably with each other; and it was their followers in the coming decades between whom tensions greatly increased.)

Secondly, during Yeshua's time, it was Bet Shammai who were in control of the rabbinic community, so therefore Yeshua often targets the leaders and teacher's of the law accusing them of foresaking justice, mercy and faithfulness, over strict adherence to their own self-created laws. In addition, the Pharisees of Bet Shammai and the Zealots were frequently called by the 1st century rabbis as a "brood of vipers" and "children of the devil", so it was normal for Yeshua to call them such. When Yeshua speaks of the seven woes to the Pharisees in Matthew 23, it is to Bet Shammai Pharisees and the Zealots that Yeshua is referring to and calling hypocrites! At the beginning of this passage, Yeshua exhorts the people and tells them "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses', so you must obey them and do everything they tell you", but then continuing, He refers to Bet Shammai when He says, "But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."

So does Yeshua reject all Jewry, His own people? Absolutely not! In fact, to coin a phrase used by Bridges of Peace, Yeshua was a fully Torah observant, tallit wearing, synagogue attending, feast-keeping, kosher Jew! Why would he observe all these things if he wanted to do away with Torah?

Moreover, how ironic it is that Yeshua's words, ALWAYS used to uphold Torah law, are the very words gentiles use to say Yeshua did away with the law! How ironic it is, that the church fathers, and current theologians, not understanding the culture of Judaism during this time and that Yeshua was targeting a specific Jewish group, NOT the rest of the Jews, take those passages to mean that the church supplants Israel! Yeshua and Paul often speak of the gentiles being the wild olive branch grafted into the covenant, but never do either speak of the wild olive branch taking the place of the covenant with Israel.

Yeshua said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." All is not accomplished until after Yeshua's return as King!!

More examples of Yeshua observing Torah law, but rebuking followers of Shammai will be posted soon. Also answering: Why did Yeshua heal on the Sabbath? Why did Yeshua curse the fig tree? Why did He wait 3 days before raising Lazarus? Why did He tell the young man to leave the burial of his father and let the dead bury the dead?


For a more detailed look at Judaism and the differences between these two schools, read:

They Loved the Torah - What Yeshua's First Followers Really Thought About the Law by David Friedman, Ph.D.

Jesus the Pharisee - A New Look at the Jewishness of Jesus by Rabbi Harvey Falk

Jesus Through Jewish Eyes: A Rabbi Examines the Life and Teachings of Jesus by Rabbi John Fischer, Ph.D, Th.D.