https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XryKZESwd9Q
The **red heifer**, also known as *Parah Adumah*, is a fascinating and mysterious element in Jewish tradition. It is first mentioned in the **Book of Numbers**, where God instructs Moses and Aaron to take "a perfectly red unblemished cow, upon which no yoke was laid." The ashes of a red heifer are necessary for purification prior to conducting biblical sacrificial ceremonies. However, finding such a cow—one that is perfect in color and without blemish—is extremely difficult. According to Jewish sources, only **nine** red heifers were slaughtered from the time of Moses until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. Interestingly, the 12th-century sage **Maimonides** believed that the **Messiah** would offer the **10th red heifer**.
Recently, there has been renewed discussion about a future **Third Temple** in Jerusalem due to the arrival of three pure red heifers in Israel. Hundreds of Israelis visited the Jewish settlement of Shiloh in central Samaria to welcome these heifers, which have been inspected by rabbis and found to be red and unblemished—ritually pure for sacrifice according to the law of Moses . The Ancient Shiloh heritage site now houses these heifers, and a center dedicated to researching this phenomenon has been established there.
For Christians who hold a premillennial view of eschatology, even just one rabbi-approved red heifer arriving in Jerusalem signifies that the rapture is imminent. They believe that a third temple will be built during the End Times, after which other prophesied events will follow. Similarly, orthodox Jews who long to rebuild the third temple and reinstitute Old Testament sacrificial rituals require red heifers for this purpose. The presence of these heifers in Israel signifies to many Jews that redemption is now possible if the temple were to be rebuilt or restored.
In summary, while the arrival of these red heifers sparks excitement and discussion about prophecy and future temples, it remains a complex and intriguing aspect of Jewish tradition that I do not concur with.
The concept of the **Messiah** plays a role in Judaism: not as a future divine being but as a powerful human influence during an age of universal peace—a biblical Antichrist, so to speak. In Judaism, salvation is open to all people—not limited to those of the Jewish faith—provided they observe ethical patterns of behaviour summarised in the Ten Commandments.
Remember that mitzvahs (commandments) are central to Jewish life; these are not mere suggestions but instructions given by G‑d for Jews to follow.
The belief that Jesus is God, the Son of God, or a person of the Trinity is incompatible with Jewish theology. Jews believe that Jesus did not fulfil messianic prophecies that establish the criteria for the coming of the Messiah. Judaism does not accept Jesus as a divine being, an intermediary between humans and God, a messiah, or holy.
While it is true that some Jewish people rejected Jesus during his time, it's essential to recognize that not all Jews held this view. The entire New Testament story took place in the Land of Israel—the Land of the Jews. Some allege Jesus himself was Jewish and declared himself the Messiah of Israel. His followers were also Jews according to some, including the disciples and those who came to faith on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost). There is evidence of thousands of Jewish believers in the promised Messiah of Israel who took the Gospel around the world.
It's important to approach historical events with nuance and recognise that views among individuals can vary significantly. While some Jews rejected Jesus, others embraced him as their promised Messiah. The diversity of perspectives within Judaism highlights the complexity of this historical context.
Blessings
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