Codex Sinaiticus & 2 Peter 1:1 Members Public

Codex Sinaiticus (a supposed 4th century AD Greek manuscript of the Holy Bible) contains an interesting variant in 2 Peter 1:1. Instead of using the abbreviation (which scholars call nomina sacra) for "God" (ΘΥ – Theou), it has the word "Lord" (ΚΥ  – Kyriou), which changes the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

Jesus Christ: The Being Who Eternally Is Members Public

Ben Sirach asked the question as to who has been able to see God so as to describe him: “Because of him his messenger finds the way, and by his word all things hold together… Who has seen him and can describe him? Or who can extol him as he

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

The High Priest’s Atoning Death Members Public

According to the Torah, if a person accidentally, unintentionally kills another s/he is allowed to flee from the avenger of blood to a designated place called a city of refuge. The individual is to remain there until the death of the high priest, since his death absolves the person

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

Judaism Agrees: The Righteous Save the World Members Public

It may come as a surprise to learn that rabbinic Judaism teaches that God saves mankind by ordaining that the righteous suffer for the sins of the world as an atonement. Here’s what the 18th century Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto wrote in this respect:  [8] Besides this, there is

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

The Atoning Blood of Isaac Members Public

Remarkably, there is a tradition within Judaism, which claims that Isaac was actually killed/slaughtered and then raised back to life. There are also traditions that even go as far as to connect Isaac’s willingness to be bound and slaughtered with atonement for sins. For instance, the belief that

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

Judaism’s Dying & Rising Messiah Members Public

Rabbinic Judaism posits the appearance of two Messiahs, one of whom will be killed for the sins of Israel in order to make atonement for them. Rabbinic tradition calls him the Messiah Son of Joseph. The other messiah is the Son of David who comes and resurrects the slain Messiah.

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

Isaac: Abraham’s Resurrected Son Members Public

The quotes cited here are taken from this post: Isaac's Death and Resurrection. It shows the deep theological significance of Abraham’s willingness to slaughter Isaac had on rabbinic tradition. All emphasis will be mine. תענית ט״ז א:ו׳ ולמה נותנין אפר בראש כל אחד ואחד פליגי

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun

Isaac's Death & Resurrection Members Public

The following excerpt is taken from the article, Isaac Dies in the Akedah: From Bible to Midrash to Art. But Then Why Does Abraham Return Alone? Yet Isaac is absent when Abraham returns to his servants. בראשית כב:יט וַיָּשׇׁב אַבְרָהָם אֶל

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
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