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To: Thinkin' Gal; Zionist Conspirator
oddly enough, just a couple of hours before reading ZC's post, I happened upon a Yahoo Kabbalah club. The writer of a message had made a reference, matter-of-factly equating "*iantity" to Esau. A Google search of Christianity and Esau spat out some interesting links.

There are many schools of thought among Jews-- even among Orthodox Jews-- on many issues. My father, alav hashalom, was devoutly Orthodox but harshly criticized both Hassidim and Kabbalists for beliefs which he considered un-Jewish.

Yes, there are some anti-Christian statements in the Talmud, but understanding them requires a brief lecture on Talmud: The Talmud contains two types of material, halacha and hagaddah. Halacha is the rules-- is a particular animal kosher or non-kosher, is a particular act forbidden or permitted on the Sabbath, is killing someone under particular circumstances murder or self-defense-- and, on those issues, the Talmud comes to a conclusion: different opinions are debated, but eventually a consensus is reached or a vote taken, and a rule is set down. These rules are considered binding by Orthodox Jews, and of persuasive force by Conservative and, to a lesser extent, Reform Jews.

On matters of hagaddah, in contrast-- that is, matters of doctrine, history, folklore or other types of belief-- no conclusions are drawn in the Talmud; everything someone says is that one rabbi's opinion. Where two or more opinions conflict, all are stated, and none is authoritative.

The Talmud has a handful of anti-Christian (and more than a handful of anti-Roman) statements; all the anti-Christian remarks were made in times and places where the Jews were being persecuted by the Christian authorities. Some Jews today continue to quote these anti-Christian remarks; most do not hold any such beliefs.

200 posted on 11/16/2001 1:09:16 PM PST by Lurking Libertarian
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To: Lurking Libertarian
Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. Shalom and blessings to you and yours, TG
221 posted on 11/16/2001 1:11:17 PM PST by Thinkin' Gal
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