Modern Judaism is a Christ rejecting, false works-righteousness based system. It is apostate and has been since the time of Pentecost. Biblical Judaism found its fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. What exists today in not based in truth (Jesus) but is a rejection of the truth (Jesus) and based on lies of religious leaders, beginning with the Pharisees, whose minds have been blinded to the truth.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:32-36 NKJV)
On July 9, 2017 Toby Sumpter and David Shannon from Crosspolitic interviewed Ben Shapiro. During the course of the interview (33:37 mark), one of the hosts asked Ben what he made of Jesus Christ.
Host: Yeah so, I want to ask you Ben since we got you here, we’re Christians, you’re an Orthodox Jew. I want to know – what do you make of Jesus Christ? Who is He? And what is your evaluation of Jesus?
Ben Shapiro: Okay so my belief is, and this is a fairly typical Judaic view of Jesus, is that Jesus was, and I mean keep in mind I don’t believe in Jesus as Lord because I’m a Jew. So…
Host: We got you, we got you, It’s ok, you’re safe it’s ok.
Host: We haven’t stoned you yet.
Ben Shapiro: I’m good with the prequel. It’s the sequel where we differ. So, my view of Jesus is that Jesus was in all likelihood an Orthodox Jew. You know, even the New Testament talks about him being an Orthodox Jew. He’s an Orthodox Jew who knew how to practice Judaism and tried to lead a political revolt against the Romans and was crucified for his trouble.
Because most of the stuff that I see in the New Testament that I think is foundational to the New Testament is, in some cases, a plain restatement of what’s in the Old Testament obviously the two documents are inherently…
Host: Jesus said He was the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Maybe another way to flip it around would be the question, “So Jesus claimed to be Messiah?” The Torah and the Old Testament all promise a coming Messiah. What about Jesus do you find uncompelling? What about Jesus do you find uncompelling – His claims to be Christ.
Ben Shapiro: Right so the concept of the Messiah in Christianity is very different from the concept of Messiah in Judaism. So, the Messiah in Judaism is essentially a political figure. The Messiah in Judaism is a guy who comes along and restores the Davidic monarchy and brings the Jews back to Israel and restores Jews to practice.
Maimonides lays out like a whole series of things that somebody has to do in order to be considered the Messiah. The concept of the Messiah as actual embodiment of God in Judaism is anathema. Jews don’t believe that God takes human form. They don’t believe that God takes physical form.
Host: Then he is not a good Rabbi then? He can’t be a good Rabbi and an anathema?
Ben Shapiro: As told in the New Testament, right, I mean that’s correct. I mean if I believe that, again, if I believe that the New Testament was a factual history of Jesus then I would say that Jesus was not a good Rabbi.
As a Jew I don’t think that that’s, of course, if I thought that was a factual history, I’d also agree with it. Right, so again, Jews do not see the New Testament as a factual objective history of Jesus. They see it as in sort of a pastiche of Judaic ideas with ideas that come from Greece and from Gnostic religions but that makes sense. I mean we disagree on this. They’re not same religion right.
Host: We need about a week, so you and I can just sit down with some coffee and some beer.
Ben Shapiro: It’s a conversation that it’s interesting to have. The truth is I have more fun talking about the stuff that we have in common rather than stuff we differ on.
Host: But it’s funner to talk about what we differ on because I want to get you saved Ben…[END]
“I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” - Revelation 2:9
Pulpit Commentary:
As before (Revelation 2:9), those who “say they are Jews, and they are not,” are Jews who refuse to believe in the Messiah and reject the Gospel. The only true Jews are those who accept the Christ. They are not, but do lie.
See: Can Jews go to Heaven without knowing Jesus? » Reasons for Hope* Jesus
See: The most important question of all time..."Who Do You Say I Am?" - One Way Jesus
See: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of Man series by Pastor Arvid Svendsen - Cornerstone Church Lincolnway
Roman Catholic Bishop Tells Jewish Host Ben Shapiro: Those ‘Outside of the Explicit Christian Faith Can Be Saved’ - Christian News Network
Truths without the Truth—How Christians Should View Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Et Al? Part 1 of 2 - The Christian Worldview with David Wheaton, Part 2 of 2
Dennis Prager and Alistair Begg Clarifying the Only Two Religious Options - The Christian Worldview with David Wheaton, Part 2 of 2
From Genesis to the Gospel by Bodie Hodge - Answers in Genesis
The Talmud and Jewish Tradition by David Cloud - Way of Life
Fast Facts on Modern Day Judaism - Christian Ministries International
The First Christmas - One Way Jesus
Jesus' birth changed history! - One Way Jesus
The Messiah's Mission - One Way Jesus