From:          Marcos Brodsky
To:            Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
Subject:     The Messiah in the TaNaKh


     THE JEWISH HOLY SCRIPTURES:
        (THE MESSIAH IN THE TENAKH)


God exists. All of the Books of the Tanach* (having three Parts: the
Torah, Prophets and Writings) are His Word. We will attempt to make
this clear in the following:

A. Prophecies about the future, given in the Tanach, have come true.

Examples:

1. In four of the Books of the Tanach (1-4) the following is predicted
about the land then belonging to the Jews (Israelites) and about
their fate: The cities will be turned into ruins and the land will be
laid waste. It will be inhabited by enemies. The people of Israel will
be scattered among the nations, and the Jews will be persecuted.
Finally, Palestine (later named: Israel) will become reinhabited by
Jews, the cities will revive and the land will be farmed. Fulfillment:
Archeologists have found little material evidence of Israel's existence
in Palestine after the year 70 C.E.** The Jewish dispersion was nearly
totally completed in 135 C.E. Even as late as 1927,Palestine was
reported to be a land of ruins and barren. The fulfillment of the
prophesy for the present is evident. Not only that cities have been
rebuilt and built by the Jewish people. Also, much of the desert has
been irrigated and farmed in this century, especially since 1948. Large
numbers of Jewish immigrants have returned to their own land, as
prophesied by Jeremiah.

2. In the Book of Ezekiel (5) the following is prophesied about the
city of Tyre (this was situated in Lebanon, but not in the same location
as the present Tyre). Many nations will be brought against it, from the
North king Nebuchadnezzar. "They shall cast into the water your stones,
timber and soil. I (the Lord God) will make you a bare rock; you shall
be a place for drying nets; you shall never be rebuilt."

Fulfillment: Nebuchadnezzar laid siege three years after the prophesy
and the mainland city was destroyed. Alexander the Great used the debris
to build a causeway to the newly-built Tyre, which was an island city.
In 332 B.C.E. he reduced the island city to ruins. Nearly all of the
site of the once great city is now a bare rock. On this bare rock the
fishermen spread their nets to dry today.

3. In three of the Books of the Tanach (6-8) it is predicted that Edom
(and its capital Petra) will be drenched with blood. From generation to
generation it will be desolate. It will be conquered by heathen and by
Israel. "Because you have had everlasting hatred and have delivered the
sons of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity
...."
Fulfillment occurred in three stages: (a) immediately after the
Israeli army under king David returned from North Syria; (b) about four
centuries later; and (c) in the sixth century C.E. by `Moslems.

For other examples of prophesies in the Tanach (all having been
fulfilled), see Appendix 1.
__________
1. Leviticus (time period 1520 to about 1400 B.C.E.) 26: 31-33; 2.
Isaiah (783-704 B.C.E.) 35: 1,2; 3. Jeremiah (626-586 B.C.E.) 23:
7,8; 4. Ezekiel (592-570 B.C.E.) 36: 8-12; 33-35; 5. Ezekiel 26:
3,4,7,8,12,14; 6. Isaiah 34: 6,7,10,11,13-15; 7. Jeremiah 49:
17,18; 8. Ezek. 25: 13,14; 35: 5-7;

* For those who are not Jewish: the Tanach is comparable to the
Christian Old Testament (but it differs in Book order, and in some verse
numbers).
** C.E. and B.C.E. are used instead of A.D. and B.C.

B. The results of archeological findings. These have confirmed the
statements given in the Tanach. See Appendix 12, Appendix 1 and example
2 above.

C. An extraordinarily high mathematical perfection, found in the
commonly used Hebrew text (Textus Receptus, Masoretic text) of the
Tanach. A uniform design was discovered in all its Books, indicating one
common Author. Nothing could be added or subtracted from it without
destroying this perfection. This agrees with the command given in the
Torah (9): "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from
it, but keep the command of the Lord your God that I give you."

Further, past and recent historical events of importance are
mentioned in some detail in coded form in the Tanach long before these
events took place.
These phenomena demonstrate that the Tanach is the inspired Word of
God. Further details will be given further on.

D. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in caves near the Dead Sea in 1947,
contain every Book of the Tanach except the Book of Esther (10). The
copies of the most authoratative Hebrew text (Textus Receptus, the
Masoretic text) are virtually identical to the Dead Sea scrolls, dating
from before 68 C.E. Aside from a tiny number of spelling variations, not
a single word was altered from the Dead Sea scrolls.

E. The existence of a higher, 'supernatural' Power is further indicated
by the experiences of many, testifying about the occurrence of highly
beneficial events of sudden supply in their lives (protection, material
and mental provisions, including healings). To the best knowledge of
those involved, these events could not possibly have taken place in a
natural way. Some may say that Buddhists, for example, are not excluded
from some of such experiences. This, however, does not change the
indications of the existence of a higher Power, and that the activity of
this Power can be highly beneficial. In some cases, where the person
involved was not leading a good life (repeatedly breaking more than one
of the major Commandments of God, or repeatedly, in civilian life,
inflicting very serious bodily harm to others, for example), such a
sudden 'supernatural' occurrence led to an immediate change for the
better in that person's life.

What are the main messages given in the Tanach?

Some of the main characteristics of God are Love and Holiness. This is
repeatedly indicated in the Tanach.

Yes, God can be very severe in His treatment of man if he/she does not
follow God's commandments. However, God prefers to be loving, kind,
compassionate, merciful (11-18) and forgiving (19-22). Some examples:
"God will show love to thousands who love Him and keep His commandments"
(Ex. 20:6). "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the
very edges of your field or gather in the gleanings of your harvest. Do
not go over your vineyard a second time
__________
9. Deut. 4: 2; 13: 1 (Tanach)/12: 32 (Old Testam. = O.T.); 10.
Jeffrey, Grant R.: Signature of God. Frontier Research Publ., Inc.
Toronto, Canada M8Z5M4, 1996; 11. Ex. 20: 6; 22: 26; 23: 4,5; 34:
6,7; 12. Levit. 19: 9-18; 26: 3-13; 13. Numbers 14: 18;
14. Deut. 4: 31; 5: 10; 7: 9; 10: 18,19; 13: 18; 14: 29; 15: 7-11; 22:
1-4; 23: 6; 24: 10-15, 17-22; 25: 13-16; 27: 16-19,25; 28: 1-14;
30:2,3; 15. 2 Kings 13: 4,5; 16. Isa. 54: 7,8; 17. Jerem.
3: 12; 18. Micah 7: 18-20; 19. Ex. 34: 7; 20. Num. 14:
18; 21. Mic. 7: 18-20; 22. 2 Chron. 7: 14;
or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the
alien. I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 19:9,10). "At the end of every
three years bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in
your towns, so that the Levites and the aliens, the fatherless and the
widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied and so
that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands"
(Deut. 14:28,29).

The Lord instructed Moses to tell the people: "If you take your
neighbor's coat as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his
coat is the only covering he has for his body ...." (Ex. 22:26). "If you
come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it
back to him" (Ex. 23:4). "If there is a poor man among your brothers
..., do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother,
especially when the seventh year, the year for cancelling debt is near
..." (Deut. 15:7-11). "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of
justice, or take the coat of the widow as a pledge ...." (Deut. 24:17).

"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His
commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all
the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon
you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed
in the city and blessed in the country" (Deut. 28: 1-14). ".... when you
and your children return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your
heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you
today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have
compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He
scattered you" (Deut. 30: 2,3). "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate
and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and
sin. Yet, He does not leave the guilty unpunished ...." (Ex. 34: 6,7).
"If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and
pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear
from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2
Chron. 7: 14).

In the Tanach, man is dealt with as if, at least mentally and
spiritually, he is different from animals. Indeed, animals do not
worship, according to biologists. Thus, even though we may have a body
comparable to that of certain animals, our mind and spirit are uniquely
different. God has created man in His likeness (23).

In His Word, the Lord does not just emphasize rules and obedience. He
emphasizes loving relationships with Him (24), and with our fellow-men
(24). We need to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul
and with all our strength (23). Further, we should love our fellow-men
as ourselves (25). We also are commanded, "Do not gloat when your enemy
falls ...." (26), and "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if
he is thirsty, give him water to drink" (27). Some people say that they do not
love themselves. This will be discussed later.

Also, it is written that we shall be holy because the Lord our God is
Holy (28).

The Book of Genesis describes a fall or loss of the state of perfection
in man (29). Through our own willful actions and disobedience to God we bring very
unpleasant experiences upon ourselves (30). Wrong acts (sin) separate us
from God (31), and we may have to undergo certain difficult experiences
for the good of our development.

How can we regain this state of perfection?

The Tanach, in addition to the Commands to love and be holy, describes
required purification procedures for different circumstances. It also
speaks of the importance of circumcision, of
________
23. Gen. 1:26; 24. Deut. 6:5; 25: Lev. 19:18,34; 26: Proverbs
24:17; 27: Prov. 25:21; 28: Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7; 29. Gen.,
chapter 3; 30. Deut. 28:15-68; 31. Isa. 59:1,2; Ezek. 18:4,20;


purification of the heart (32,33). The latter scripture says that
circumcision of the flesh is not enough, that without circumcision of
the heart we still are unacceptable to God.

The Tanach, further, speaks of righteousness. The faith of Abraham, for
instance, was credited to him as righteousness (34). In more than one
case was Abraham's faith being tested. In his willingness to obey God
and sacrifice Isaac, the only son by his wife Sarah (35), Abraham showed
that his faith in God was great enough to give up what was most precious
to him. Thus, righteousness may also require willingness to give up for God what is
most precious to us.

However, the Tanach also says that all our righteous acts are like
filthy rags in God's sight, compared to His absolute Holiness (36).
Further, that there is no one who does not sin (37).

This explains why some people do not love themselves: they are burdened
with guilt feelings. As said before, sin or wrongdoings separate us from
God.

The Tanach says that ".... the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I
have assigned it to you for making atonement (= covering) for your sins
upon the altar; it is the blood, as life, that effects atonement" (38).
Since the earliest recorded Scripture times, blood was needed to
reestablish a closer relationship with God (39). The repeated shedding
of blood, done in a certain, prescribed manner (40), can be seen as a
reestablishing of a closer relationship with God.

The blood sacrifice of animals, as prescribed in the Tanach, provided
only temporary atonement (covering) of our sins. Each year, on Yom
Kippur, atonement had to be made for all the Israelites.

However, since 70 C.E., the time of the destruction of the second
Temple, no blood sacrifice as required in the Tanach has been possible.
Such a sacrifice had to be made on the Temple altar.

God has perfect Love, and He created us in His Likeness. Then, the
highest form of love is when a man gives himself for his fellow-man. If
a blameless man (that is, without any known sin), and who also has no
known defects, gave his life and his blood for the sins or wrongdoings
of another or others, would that not be a more perfect sacrifice than
that of animals?

The Book of Isaiah, chapter 53: 2-6, 8-12 (verified by the Dead Sea
scrolls) speaks of a man who was wounded, then killed because of our
sins. The Lord our God put upon him the guilt of all of us, and he was
led like a lamb to the slaughter (41). This man made himself an offering
for our guilt (42). He had the Lord's favor, and was named by Him "My
righteous servant" (43). "He was cut off from the land of the living
through the sin of My people, who deserved the punishment" (44), "though
he had done no injustice" (45). He acted in intercession for sinners
(46). In Isaiah 52: 13, the Lord our God states, "This servant shall be
exalted ...."

An interpretation of Isaiah chapter 53 as referring to the nation of
Israel (by Rashi = Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) dates back only to the 11th
century C.E. However, Isa. 53: 3 mentions "a man of suffereing", not a
nation. Neither is there a possibility that Isa. 53: 8 could refer to a
nation.

The same is true for verses 9 and 10. If he has died (verse 8), how can
his days be prolonged (verse 10)? He would have to come back from the
dead. For further details, see Appendix 2.

________
32. Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Lev. 26:41; 33. Jerem. 4:4; 9:25; 34.
Gen. 15:6; 35. Gen. 22: 1-12; 36. Isa. 64:5; 37. 1 Kings
8:46; Isa. 53:6; 59:2; 64:5 (Tan.)/6 (O.T); Jerem. 17:9; Psalms 14:3;
51:7(Tan.)/5(O.T.); 143:2; Eccles. 7:26; 38. Gen. 9:4; Lev.
17:11,14; 39. Gen. 3:21; 4:4; 40. Lev., chapter 17; 41. Isa.
53: 6; 42. Isa. 53: 10,12; 43. Isa. 53: 11; 44. Isa. 53: 8;
45. Isa. 53: 9; 46. Isa. 53: 12;


The Babylonian Talmud (47), and the Yom Kippur prayer book (48) support
the view that Isaiah 53 refers to the Messiah. The Targum of Jonathan
also says that Isa. 52: 13 refers to the Messiah.

A striking likeness exists between the description in Isaiah 53 and the
information about Yeshua (his Hebrew name, meaning salvation*. Other
name: Jesus) in the New Covenant or New Testament (49). We should
ask, therefore, if it is possible that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Opinions given in the Talmud mostly do not support this view. Yeshua,
with his simple and unusual life style during his life on earth, the way
he left it, as well as the jealousy he may have caused among many (or
most) of the religious leaders of his day, was considered unacceptable
as the Messiah. It is not surprising, then, that this was recorded in
this manner, and that even false stories could have been circulated and
written about him. However, we need to remember that the ways God thinks
and acts are very different from ours (50).

Yeshua was born a Jew in Bethlehem of Ephrath in Judea, according to
what we know about him, including the New Covenant (New Testament). His
birth in Bethlehem of Ephrath agrees with the prophesy given in Micah 5:
1,3 (Tanach)/2,4 (Old Test.). (This also refers to "One Who will rule
Israel; One Whose origin is from old, from everlasting times.") Nearly
all the early disciples of Yeshua were Jews. All prophesies, given in
the Tanach about a Messiah to come (except two and part of one who refer
to the future (51) - about these later), have found their fulfillment in
the life and death of Yeshua, as given in all available historic acounts
of him. The possibility that more than 30 prophesies (see Appendix 3)
could have been fulfilled by chance is about 1 in 550,000,000.

Yeshua has taught how to live and behave. The enactment of this
teaching, through perfect love, would bring peace on earth. But God will
not force us to go this way. We are free, in selfishness, to make a mess
of life on this earth.

Yeshua has said that he would not cancel anything from the laws in the
Torah and the Prophets; but that he had come to fulfill these laws (52).
He worshipped daily in the Temple and taught others to observe the law.
He emphasized what is written in Deuteronomy 6: 5 and in Leviticus 19:
18,34 about love. Furthermore, as has been recorded in the New
Testament, he told his disciples: "Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another. Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends." And: "Love your enemies
(those who act like your enemies), and pray for those that persecute
you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." ".... do good to
those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you."

This is a further perfection of what is given in the Tanach (53), as
described earlier in this manuscript.
Yeshua told his disciples not to go among the gentiles, but rather to go
to the lost sheep of Israel (54).

Does Isaiah 53 indeed speak about Yeshua (Jesus)? The following
statements from the Tanach (and Old Testament) leave little doubt about
this:

Yeshua is described in the Scriptures as the Lamb of God (55). "Do not
break any of the bones" (56). _________
* The word 'Yeshua' frequently occurs in the Tanach in Hebrew.
47. Tract. Sanhedrin, pg. 98b; 48. The Mussaf prayer poem by rabbi
Elazar HaKalir in the Machzor; 49. A new covenant to come was
prophesied in Jeremiah 31: 31-34. We find that New Covenant in the
Christian Bible, which consists of an Old and New Testament. The New
Covenant is in the New Testament. The Old Testament is the same as the
Tanach, except that the Book order after the first five Books (Torah) is
different. (But each Book contains the same information as those in the
Tanach.) 50. Isa. 55: 8,9; 51. Jerem. 23: 5,6; Zechar. 9,10;
and the part of Micah 5: 1,3 (Tan.)/2,4 (O.T.) referring to "One Who
will rule Israel"; 52. New Covenant, Book of Matthew 5: 17;
53. In Ex. 23: 4,5; in Proverbs 24: 17 and 25: 21; 54. Matthew 10:
5,6 and 15: 24; 55. Isa. 53: 7; John/Johan. (New Cov./New Test.) 1:
29,36; 1 Peter 1: 19; Revela. 5: 6,8,12,13 and further; 56. Ex. 12:
46; Num. 9: 12;
(Yeshua had no bone broken on the tree (cross), in contrast to others
who were hung on a tree*). "They strike the ruler of Israel on the cheek
with a staff" (57). (This was done to Yeshua before being put on the
tree.) "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (58) (Uttered by
Yeshua on the tree.) "They divide my clothes among themselves, casting
lots for my garments" (59). ((Done with the clothing of Yeshua while on
the tree.) See also the additional references given below (60).

As said before, if Yeshua is the Messiah, two and part of one prophesy
(51) still have to be fulfilled. Jeremiah states (61) that, as a Branch
of David, the Messiah shall reign as King; and then "Judah shall be
delivered and Israel shall dwell secure." In the New Testament a second
coming of the Messiah in power is prophesied. When this second coming
takes place (quite possibly within this generation), then the
fulfillment of this prophesy (as well as more of a completion of that
given in Zechariah 9: 10) can be expected to be seen.
The Tanach further states (62) that the Messiah is the offspring of
David's body; also, that "the scepter will not depart from Judah, nor
the ruler's staff from between his feet until Shiloh (Messiah) comes"
(63). Since the time of Moses, the elders had the authority to put people to
death and to judge the people according to God's law. The Talmud (64)
says that they lost the power to pronounce capital punishment "a little
more than forty years before the destruction of the Temple", which means
sometime before 30 C.E.

Is it possible that Messiah still has to come? In 70 C.E. all Temple
records and genealogies were destroyed. How, then, can the Messiah for
the first time come today, and be proven to be the offspring of David's
body, when the genealogical records from king David only existed till
70 C.E.? Thus, the Messiah must have come between the time of king David
and that of the destruction of the Temple.

Was Yeshua a descendant of king David? Mary (Miriam), the mother of
Yeshua, according to the records available, was a descendant of king
David through his son Nathan (see Appendix 4). Joseph was a descendant
through Solomon. Because Mary was Joseph's wife before Yeshua was born,
it made Joseph Yeshua's legal father.

A red thread or piece of wool originally was hung on a horn of the
scapegoat at the time of sacrifices. Later, it was hung at the inside of
the door of the Temple. It stopped turning white about 40 years before
the destruction of the Temple, indicating the sacrifices no longer were
accepted by God (65). (Yeshua died in 32 C.E.)

The Talmud states (66) that the Temple destruction in 70 C.E. was
predicted in the Book of Daniel, where the coming of the Messiah to be
cut off (killed) is said to precede this destruction (67). In the Book
of Daniel, 9: 25,26, it is written that:

>From the issuance of the word (decree) to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
until the anointed Leader comes, is seven 'sevens' (here, unit of seven
years. See Appendix 5a) and sixty two 'sevens' .... After the sixty two
'sevens' the anointed One will be cut off .... (see Appendix 5b).
In 445 B.C.E. (Gregorian calendar) Artaxerxes gave the order to rebuild
Jerusalem. In Jewish
_________
* Yeshua was incorrectly accused but did not defend himself. He was
nailed to a tree (cross). 57. Mic. 4: 14; 58. Psalm 22:
2; 59. Psalm 22: 19; 60. Psalm 22: 8,9 (Tan.)/7,8 (O.T.); 34:
21 (Tan.)/20 (O.T.); 35: 11; 69: 22 (Tan.)/21 (O.T.); Daniel 9: 25,26
(about the latter one more later); 61. Jerem. 23: 5,6; 62.
Isa. 9: 6; 11: 1-5,10; Jerem. 23: 5,6; 1 Chron. 17: 12,14; 63. Gen.
49: 10; 64. Sanhedrin fol. 24 recto; folio 97, verso; 65.
Talmud: Yoma tract. 39b; Rosh HaShanah 31b; 66. Yalkut, vol. 2, pg.
79d; Nazir, 32b; 67. Daniel 9: 24-27;
calculations, one year was 360 days. Then, 69 'sevens' = 483 such
years x 360 = 173880 days. The date of Artaxerxes' decree was 3/14/445
B.C.E. because the first day of Nissan (Nehemiah 2: 1-6) fell on 3/14 in
445 B.C.E. (see Appendix 6). Yeshua began his ministry in the 15th year
of Tiberius Caesar, whose reign began in 14 C.E. There was no year '0'
between 1 B.C.E. and 1 C.E. From the time of Artaxerxes' decree to the
day that, on Sunday, April 6, 32 C.E., Yeshua entered Jerusalem, was
exactly 173880 days. Proof in terms of our calendar:
445 B.C.E. to 32 C.E. = 476 years (1 B.C.E. to 1 C.E. is one year.)
476 x 365 = 173,740 days
Add for leap years = 116 days (3 less in four centuries)
March 14 to April 6 = 24 days (inclusive)
_______________
Total = 173,880 days

Yeshua went to Bethany 6 days before Pesach, and entered Jerusalem the
"next" day (after shabat). Pesach was on 14 Nisan = April 10, 32 C.E.

No one else exists as a possible candidate for Messiah who was even
close to the date predicted by the angel Gabriel, as written in the Book
of Daniel. The prophesy of the angel Gabriel about the ruler who would come after
Messiah, after the 69 'sevens' and before the 70th 'seven', and destroy
Jerusalem and the Temple, seems to demand that Messiah arrive before 70
C.E. (68).

Jacob's prophesies, shortly before his death, to the fathers of the
twelve tribes have been fulfilled with complete accuracy. The one to
Judah, concerning his heirship to the seed of Messiah (69), adds
evidence to the date the angel Gabriel gave Daniel. (See above and
previous page.)

Yeshua gave his life voluntarily. Up to the last days before his arrest
he openly taught in the Temple, according to the best accounts. He put
up no fight when he was arrested and forbade his disciples to attack any
of those who came to arrest him. He offered himself for the sins of all.
Thus, the claim of some that "the Jews killed Jesus" may be seen more as
a role at the time in helping to fulfill prophesy.
>From Flavius Josephus' (70) and Scripture writings, we know that Yeshua
died at 3 p.m. It had been customary for many years to begin the
slaughter of the passover (Pesach) lambs on the same day of the week and
at the same hour that Yeshua died.
In the New Testament it is written that Yeshua (Jesus) said that he
would pour out his blood for the forgiveness of the sins of many; that
this is the blood of the (New) Covenant (71).
According to Scripture, Yeshua had no blemishes, no sins or shortcomings
physically, mentally and, judging from what he apparently said,
spiritually.
Yeshua wanted his being the Messiah in the first place judged from his
deeds. His words, as recorded, also are a strong testimony (see further
Appendix 7).

According to the best information presently available, the Books of the
four apostles, as well as the other Books of the New Testament, were all
written before 64 C.E. (Appendix 8).

In the New Testament (New Covenant), Yeshua is spoken of as the Son of
God. Does this not go against what the Tanach and Old Testament say?
There, it is written, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord, our God, the Lord is
One!" (72). However, in Hebrew this is, "Shma, Yisrael: Adonai, Elohenu,
Adonai,
_________
68. Daniel 9: 26; 69. Gen. 49: 10 70. 37 to about 100 C.E.,
"Antiquities", vol. 18;
71. Matt. 26: 28; 72. Deut. 6: 4;
echad!" The word 'echad' indicates a plurality in one (such as: one
bunch of grapes, one army). Also, in the Hebrew Tanach God is
repeatedly spoken of as 'Elohim', a plural expression. Further, it is
written, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our
Likeness ....'" (73). The Tanach speaks of a Lord and Son other than
God, the Father (74); and of a Spirit of God (other than God, the
Father)(75).
Man, created in the image and likeness of God, has three manifestations:
the body, mind and spirit. The one God may be seen as having three
manifestations. These may be thought of as God, the Father, the Provider
or Source; the Son, the Mediator between God and man; and (like the
Father and the Son) the omni- (everywhere) present Spirit of God, Who
can give us information and guidance.

Some say that Yeshua never resurrected, and that his followers stole his
body from the cave where it had been laid. This contradicts what is
written in the New Testament, which states that the cave was closed with
a large stone, then sealed, and guarded by a number of soldiers (76). Is
it logical that all soldiers, probably of an elite guard, would have
fallen asleep while many followers tried to roll the stone away, and
with a death sentence existing in those days for anyone of a guard
caught fallen asleep while on duty? The New Covenant states that the
chief priests gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them: "You
are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away
while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will
satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." It is written in the same
Scripture that the soldiers took the money and did as they were
instructed; also, that this story has been widely circulated among the
Jews to this very day (77). But probably most importantly: If it is not
true that Yeshua was seen by a large number (five hundred) of his
followers until forty days after his death (78), then how can the zeal
of his followers be explained after his death? How can one explain the
well documented willingness to be tortured and to die for their faith of
a large number of his followers, including those who were with him from
the beginning of his ministry? And the willingness of many to spread
their faith under extremely difficult circumstances (79)? This zeal far
surpasses that of followers of others than Yeshua, especially after a
severe disillusionment and shock.

As Yeshua appeared in the flesh, as described in the New Covenant, the
Lord also appeared to Abraham, for example (80).

Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, "Rambam", 12th century) stated that
Yeshua was not Israel's Messiah. But his only reason was that Yeshua
suffered death (81).

Yeshua called God his Father. Was this a blasphemy? This has been
answered above. But even for all of us, it is written (82): "You are
children of the Lord your God." Also, in other parts of the Tanach (83),
the Lord calls king David His son.

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