Jesus and Jewish Law

The hosts dive into the intriguing debate over Jesus healing on the Sabbath. They dissect ancient Jewish perspectives on life, healing, and religious law. The concept of pikuach nefesh—saving a life overriding restrictions—takes center stage. They explore intriguing texts that show differing interpretations of Sabbath rules, from Philo to Josephus. Through stories from the Gospels, they highlight how Jesus challenges legalistic views, using sharp moral arguments to justify his actions. Finally, they frame Jesus within the broader tradition, emphasizing his role in bringing spiritual restoration.

The discussion centers around Jesus' defense of his disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. They explore the biblical foundations of Sabbath laws, examining various prohibitions and interpretations from ancient texts. The hosts reveal how Jesus' identity as the 'Son of Man' allows for exceptions to the rules. They analyze his argument citing David's actions and emphasize the significance of mercy in Jesus' mission. The podcast skillfully navigates complex legal reasoning, shedding light on how Jesus redefined the application of Jewish law.

Listeners dive into intriguing questions about Jesus' interpretations of sacrifices and the law. Discover whether the sacrificial system reveals human sinfulness and how Jesus' holiness might bring life. Explore the complex relationship between Jewish laws and Christian identity. The hosts shed light on how Jesus understood sacrifices and critiqued portrayals of Judaism in popular media. With insights on the relevance of Torah in the future, this exploration challenges cultural misconceptions and encourages a deeper understanding of Jesus' Jewish roots.

A woman suffering from prolonged bleeding touches Jesus, leading to a fascinating exploration of Leviticus 15 laws concerning ritual impurity. The discussion delves into the purification process for a zavah and how male and female discharges differ in their implications. They analyze whether Jesus became ritually impure and the significance of faith in his healings. Intriguingly, they connect the healing power of Jesus’ garment to an ancient belief found in Malachi 4:2, offering fresh insights into this miraculous event.

The podcast explores the significance of Jesus touching a leper, raising questions about societal exclusion and ritual purity. It delves into ancient interpretations of leprosy laws and their implications on Jesus' actions. Listeners learn that lepers could attend synagogues and that Jesus’ touch was not considered sinful, challenging common misconceptions. The discussion also examines whether Jesus purified the leper or simply healed him, proposing that his actions served as a testimony to the priests while respecting Levitical regulations.

In this episode we look at Mary and Joseph's obedience to three commandments in Luke 2.21–24: the commandment for the redemption of the firstborn (Exodus 13:11-15; Numbers 3:40-41; Numbers 18:15-16), the commandment to circumcise every male child on the eighth day (Genesis 17.10-14), and the commandment for parturient purification (Leviticus 12.1–8). Our discussion goes through the commandments in their context in the Old Testament and explain how Luke is portraying Jesus' family as being obedient to Torah (while responding to objections that Luke is unfamiliar with first-century Jewish practice). We also explore the theological implications of the fact that Jesus acquired ritual impurity at his birth!Secondary Sources referenced in this episode:Roy Gane, Cult and Character: Purification Offerings, Day of Atonement, and Theodicy (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2005). Link: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-1-57506-101-6.html Andrew Rillera, Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death (Eugene: Cascade, 2024). Link: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666703047/lamb-of-the-free/Matthew Thiessen, 'The Legislation of Leviticus 12 in Light of Ancient Embryology’, Vetus Testamentum 68 (2018): 297-319. Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26566777Further reading: D. Erbele-Küster, Body, Gender and Purity in Leviticus 12 and 15 (London: The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies; Bloomsbury Academic, 2017). Link: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/body-gender-and-purity-in-leviticus-12-and-15-9780567708762/Sarah Whitear, 'Solving the Gender Problem in Leviticus 12: From Philo to Feminism' Annali di Storia dell’Esegesi 37 (2020): 299–320. Link: https://asejournal.net/category/issues/page/4/Matthew Thiessen, ‘Luke 2:22, Leviticus 12, and Parturient Impurity’, Novum Testamentum 54 (2012): 16–29. Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23253627Jonathan Klawans, 'Notions of Gentile Impurity in Ancient Judaism' AJS Review 20 (1995): 285–312. Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1486819.pdf

What is impurity? How do people contract it? How do they get rid of it? And why does any of this matter for understanding Jesus? In this episode, we offer a whistle-stop tour of the ritual purity system in Leviticus 12–15, Numbers 5, and Numbers 19. We discuss the meaning of holy/profane/pure/impure, outline the sources of impurity, and explain how the sacrificial system fits into all this.

This discussion dives into seven common myths about the Mosaic Law. It reveals that obeying the law isn't about earning God's favor, but showing gratitude. The belief that the law demands perfection is challenged, emphasizing atonement instead. The podcast also clarifies misconceptions about impurity, stating that it's not synonymous with sinfulness. It highlights the law's relevance to both Israelites and Gentiles. Finally, it underscores that true observance involves internal intentions, not just external actions.

In this trailer we introduce what this podcast is about, why we are doing it, and how each episode will be structured.