The Real Kosher Jesus: Revealing the Mysteries of the Hidden Messiah

by Michael L. Brown

Jesus-Yeshua.The most influential Jew who ever lived. The most controversial Jew who ever lived. He has been called a rabbi, a rebel, a reformer, a religious teacher, a reprobate sinner, a revolutionary, a redeemer. Some have claimed he was a magician, others the Messiah. Some say he was a deceiver; others say he was divine. Who is this Jesus-Yeshua, and why are we still talking about him two thousand years later? Recently a prominent Orthodox Jewish rabbi presented a new version of Jesus, a “Kosher Jesus” that Jews can accept. By reclaiming Yeshua as a fellow Jew and rabbi, he has taken a very major and truly wonderful step in the right direction, but by re-creating Jesus, he has also robbed him of his uniqueness. 
The Real Kosher Jesus takes you on a journey to uncover the truth. It is a journey filled with amazing discoveries and delightful surprises, a journey that is sometimes painful but that ends with joy, a journey through which you will learn the real story of this man named Yeshua: the most famous Jew of all time, the Jewish nation’s greatest prophet, the most illustrious rabbi ever, the light of the nations—and Israel’s hidden Messiah.

Genres: Christianity, Religion, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Israel, Judaism

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Michael L. Brown (born March 16, 1955) is a Messianic Jewish Old Testament scholar, professor, activist, itinerant speaker, and author who has preached in numerous countries and written twenty books. He is the founder and president of ICN Ministries. His writings have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He was married to Nancy Gurian on March 14, 1976 and they have two daughters, Jennifer and Megan, and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Chip Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Dr. Brown until about 2 weeks ago when I heard him being interviewed on a Christian talk show. The interviewer shared a few very interesting excerpts from this book and asked some excellent questions, to which Dr. brown gave some equally excellent answers. Within a few minutes (while still listening to the interview) I was online ordering the book. I finished it last night. Several of my friends (after hearing me share what I was learning from this book) want to borrow my copy of it, but they'll have to wait thier turn, as I will be reading it a second time. (Yep, it's one of those books - the kind you have to read at least twice.)
I have been reading the Bible for 30 years, but this book showed me how little I actually knew about the Person and ministry of Jesus Christ and his earliest followers. I am currently reading through the four gospels, and applying to the text what I learned from this book. It's amazing how much I missed before.
Mr Brown is the author of more than 20 books. I'm already picking out the next one I will be reading.

[Zomick's Bakery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not much into reading books other than cookbooks. Working at a bakery, preparing Zomick's bread leaves me with little time to read books. This one took my interest when I saw the word kosher next to Jesus. Must admit I was also intrigued by Browns view of Yeshua/Jesus as a Jew, revolutionary and Messiah. He brings some new moments of his interpretation to whole thing and can be quite interesting for anyone not familiar with this matter. All in all 4 star rating from me. - Zomick's Bread

[RANGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Michael L. Brown's book, the Real Kosher Jesus, was originally written to address the claims of the popular Rabbi-Scholar, Shmuley Boteach, in his book Kosher Jesus. Brown and Boteach are both Jewish and good friends. They share a common fascination with the person of Jesus Christ. But Boteach is an Orthodox Rabbi who sees Jesus as possibly the greatest Jewish Rabbi who ever lived... but does not see Jesus as the Messiah or as the Son of God. Brown, on the other hand, is a Messianic Jew (essentially a Jewish Evangelical Christian) who recognizes the Jewish Jesus as both Messiah and Divinity. Their commonality is their recognition of the Jewishness of Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew), something that has been mostly lost in the Westernization of Christianity by Gentile Christians. This is the book's core theme. Except that Brown is also responding to the surprisingly large number of Jewish writers, scholars and rabbis over the years who have accepted the Jewishness of Jesus and promoted Him as one of their own, a great Jewish Rabbi who changed the world and lived and taught an exemplar Jewish wisdom and spiritual character. Boteach, as friend and foil, is the Jesus-friendly rabbi that Brown knows and respects the most. Hence, he is the personification of this idea that Jesus is a great Jew, is worthy of Judaism, and should be respected as such... without embracing his Messiahship or his Divinity.
Brown's book is probably the best thing I have ever read on the subject of Jesus.
The Jesus viewed through a Jewish cultural and religious lens is, in fact, the real Jesus. And Brown proves, in his point-by-point refutation of Boteach's book, that Jesus is also the fulfillment of the Jewish Torah as Messiah, Prophet, Son of David and the Divine Son of God.
Who needs to read this book? Everyone. Jews who want to understand Jesus. Gentiles who think they know Jesus but really only know the Westernized, Gentile version. And Christians who want to understand Jesus as He was meant to be understood, as the Jewish Messiah for all mankind.
I received this book as a gift (a signed copy!) and thus I am not a verified purchaser. But I am a verified reader.
The Real Kosher Jesus is HIGHLY recommended!

[Ross Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend, especially for those who have read Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's "Kosher Jesus"--this is meant as a rebuttal from a Messianic Jewish perspective.

This may be a niche interest, and not for everyone, but if you have ever wondered at the Jewishness of Jesus, the context of some of the Gospel references, or why when John the Baptist is asked, "Are you the Prophet?" and he answers, "No," this is a good book to read. Caution: it does meander into topics that are of little interest to most American readers.

One of the greatest takeaways I gained from this book is the reminder that prophets are most often treated like pariahs, unpatriotic at best, treasonous at worst, and suffer the pain of being rejected and despised, until they are proven honest and virtuous in later generations. Should this come as a surprise that this is the fate that Yeshua the Nazarene suffered? If He came today, would we treat Him and His message any differently?

[Thomas Almanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Brown has an incredible viewpoint on Jesus as the Messiah. First, he himself is Jewish, but he was raised not understanding fully the hate and ridicule of Jesus. Secondly, he's a scholar who devoted much research onto the matter and came to realize that indeed Jesus is the Messiah. Thirdly, he is writing to the Jew from the Jew's perspective but he brings along us Gentiles in such a way that we can understand their culture and mindset. What a great book!

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for serious readers.

I give this book five stars because it is a very detailed and insightful account if the Real Kosher Jesus who loves us all. Anyone who is a serious student of the Bible should have this book in their library. If you, Jew or gentile, have any question about the Jewishness of Jesus, you should read this book.

[Isabel Berrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read.

[Jim Toner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep, but interesting book explaining who Jesus really is.

[Georg Sagittarius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Die übliche antichristliche Jesus-Vereinnahmungsmasche! im jüdisch-messianischen Stil (unecht christlich) bis jüdisch orthodoxen Stil! WAHRHEIT: Jakob Lorber Bertha Dudde: Franz Deml M Kahir!

[peter Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insight brilliant

[Justin Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Brown, in response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's book "Kosher Jesus", encourages his readers to discover who this Jesus (Yeshua) really is. Is He a Rabbi? Is He a prophet? Is He a reprobate sinner? Or He the Son of G-d? Dr. Brown discusses such mysteries as the '...Invisible G-d Who Can Be Seen,' the suffering servant, and the 'Priestly Messiah' and much more! The reader will find out how within rabbinical tradition and the Hebrew Scriptures the death of the righteous atones for the nation and in the case of Yeshua (Jesus) the whole world! I highly recommend this book to both Jews and Gentiles to understand who Jesus is and for them to dig deeper into the Scriptures and into history to learn about Yeshua.

[Dr. Jeffrey Kran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book probably represents Dr. Brown's greatest work. It is a compelling book. The chapter on the "Invisible God Can Be Seen" is a wonderful presentation of the Mystery of the Unity of God Dr. Brown's material on understanding the perspective of the apostle Paul as A devout Jew with a unique calling is much-needed! All in all this book is an excellent read and is recommended for anybody who wants to understand the Jewishness of faith in Messiah,and better understand their faith in Messiah be he/seed Jew or Gentile.

[George Hunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading Michael Brown and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm surprised I haven't stumbled on him sooner. In The Real Kosher Jesus he lays out a thorough and sound defense of Jesus being the anticipated Jewish Messiah. This book is very well written and includes many credible sources such as Jewish historical writings, from Jewish scholars, and the Bible Old and New Testament.

[Kevin E. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every person, Jew and Gentile alike needs to read this book!

Dr. Brown in his usual scholarly, yet extremely readable style reveals to us our completely Jewish Messiah, as well as reminds us the Bible is an Eastern book, that we of necessity must learn to read with eastern eyes, and hear with eastern ears. Well done!

[Zach Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, this is one of the best theological books I've read (other than Dr. Brown's "Hyper-Grace" book). If you're a serious student of God's Word and looking to find the real Jesus of the Word, Yeshua, this book is for you.

[Joshua Foote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of info

there was a lot of good and new information(at least for me) about Judaism and Jesus and how they correlate. what I really enjoyed was about how sacrifices weren't accepted by God after the death of Jesus

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book

A lot of scholarship went into this book. I learned a lot about Jewish thought and beliefs. It explained where many ideas in Smuley Boteach's "Kosher Jesus" came from.

[Tkaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome book so far!

[James Owen]

This is a good book, but one should take their time in reading. Lots of good information that a Christian needs to know for their walk in God and also to be more acquainted with Judaism.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good stuff in this one.

[Costas Ioannou · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is basically a book that tries to show Jews that Jesus was not only Jewish, but is the Messiah. It's a good book and an fairly easy read.

[Lana Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Michael Brown has filled "The Real Kosher Jesus" with scripture, Rabbinic thinking, and historical writings that make this book a treasure in understanding Jesus/Yeshua, The Messiah.

[Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

great insight on Jewish thoughts of Jesus as well as clear explanations on the Jewishness of Jesus, Paul and the new testament.

[Francesco Rovetto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will change your view about Jesus/Yeshua and a true understanding of our jewish messiah.