Jesus Was a Jew

by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

In this small but mighty book, the author comes to grips with basic issues such why Jesus died, and why Jewish people object to Him. Passage after biblical passage, with rabbinic interpretation, relate the Old Covenant's fulfillment in the Messiah. For two decades, Jesus Was a Jew has proven itself an incredibly powerful witnessing tool to Jewish people, and it is ideal for Jewish friends who are skeptical of your faith, but willing to read

Genres: Christianity, Christian, Religion, Judaism, Christian Non Fiction

156 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1974

About the author

Arnold Genekowitsch Fruchtenbaum is the founder and director of Ariel Ministries, an organization which prioritizes evangelization of Jews in the effort to bring them to the view that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Jesus Was A Jew" explored what the traditional Jewish view was of what the Messiah would be like and what he was coming to do, then it examined how well Jesus matched these expectations. The target audience seemed to be Jews, but Christians will find this information very interesting as well, especially if you wish to discuss Jesus with non-Messianic-Jews.

The author examined what the Hebrew scriptures said about the Messiah with a focus on those passages that modern Jews are usually taught have nothing to do with the Messiah. He quoted the Talmud, Midrash, Targums, Septuagint, and more to show what pre-Jesus Jewish teachers taught about the Messiah (especially in reference to these passages).

The author also explained why Jesus had to die, answered Jewish objections to Jesus, and explored the definitions of what it means to be a Jew, Gentile, and Christian.

The book was well-written, interesting, and easy to understand. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to those who want to know how to respond to Jewish objections to Jesus as the Messiah or who want to know a little more about the pre-Jesus view of the Messiah.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the priviledge of meeting Arnold Fruchtenbaum last summer, and after attending one of his classes I was so impressed with his knowledge of Jewish law and culture that I bought four of his books. This is the first one I have read so far, and I was not disappointed. Fruchtenbaum not only presents the Old Testament case for Jesus' Messiahship but also presents present-day Jewish arguments against it. What was most fascinating to me was finding out that these arguments have not been around that long. The history of the debate over Jesus of Nazareth is fascinating and enlightening. I would love to give a copy of this book to every Jewish person I know.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gives many valuable insights into the connections between Judaism and the Bible's historic account of the life of Jesus.

(I cannot attest to the accuracy of all the Jewish scholar references.)

[Lazaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opener, amazing book

[SamAndrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise book on why one should follow the Messiah and how he enhances your Jewishness. “Jesus was a Jew, and all the claims he made were true.”

[Georg Sagittarius · Rating 3 out of 5]

AntiCHRISTliche, pseudowiss. Vereinnahmungs-Lit. im jüdisch-orth. Stil trotz GOTTES Autobiographien: Jakob Lorber: "Jugend Jesu" "Johannes"!

[Steven Gattuso · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is commonly believed by Jewish disbelievers in Jesus that he could not be Messiah because He did not fulfill prophecy.
In the Old Testament, there are two very different portrayals of Messiah; in one he is suffering servant, in the other, triumphant king. These are typified by Joseph and David. Joseph suffered terribly until his elevation to greatness in Egypt. David was in many ways Israel's greatest king. We have Messiah ben Joseph and Messiah ben David and prophecy concerning each.
Jesus exhaustively and exquisitely fulfilled prophecy pertaining to the suffering servant; but not those of the deliverer, the triumphant king.
Is Jesus thus disqualified? Once again, God does the unexpected, the unforeseen. He who suffers is he who triumphs. He who dies for his people triumphs over death that they also may live. He who came to die for us is risen and is coming again. The two Messiahs are one. Jesus is Lord!

[David Padrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource concerning the varying interpretations of the 53rd chapter of Isaiah in Jewish religious thought throughout history. It includes Rabbinic interpretations that are favored by most observant Jews today as well as more ancient Rabbinic interpretations, some of which were embraced by Jewish-Christians in the 1st Century AD. A must read for anyone desiring to understand the history of a pivotal passage!

[Erika]

Not necessarily this book, but didn't want to forget the author.