I find it remarkable, and a sign of Jewish optimism, that out of the depths of Christian persecution of the Jews, rabbis were making every effort to find interpretations that Christianity is not necessarily idolatry. Besides the issue of Shituf (Partnership), another factor was raised, from the thirteenth century onward; Minhag Avoteihem B'ydeihem" (Their Fathers' Custom is in Their Hands). For sure, there were, and are, fully believing Christians.But for many, if not most, there is little dealing with the difficult questions of Christian theology. If one first reads the "New Testament", and then looks at the Tanach, he will find hundreds of of prophecies about Jesus. But if one first reads the Tanach, and then looks at the "New Testament", one is struck at the almost total disconnect between the two. For example, there are many verses in Proverbs that speak of falling, and then rising. It is clear that the meaning is that a man, even if he stumbles, can rise up again. But Christian sources relate this to the death and resurrection of Jesus.The vast majority of "prophecies" like this, are not even talking about the Messaih, let alone Jesus. The most bewildering for most Christians, is the issue of the alleged divinity of Jesus. I often see people posting things like "Jesus created me". One man I know, who has a huge ax to grind against the Catholic Church, often puts up pictures of the Pope, and writes "how arrogant of him! No man is Divine; except Jesus!". Logic would dictate that if no man is divine, how do we know that Jesus is? Because he said so? (Debatable) What if the Pope, or Kim Kardashian for that matter, declare themselves divine, would he beleive them? I have often asked Christians if Jesus is G-d. Almost always, I will get in response "of course not! He is the Son of G-d!" "Then what is the Trinity?" I get a blank stare in response. "Hmm...I never thought about it!". Only the Catholics say "it is a mystery", which is another way of saying "No clue". Liberal Protestants have largely abandoned these ideas, in favor of Social Gospel". I.e., that Jesus' message is that we be involved in helping the poor and down trodden. A survey of Methodist ministers, from about 1970, showed that only 40% believed in the Virgin Birth, and only 1% in the Second Coming. (Results today would be quite different, as the Methodists have taken a turn to the Right.) The Medieval rabbis saw many of these things already happening in the Church, and came to the conclusion that, for the most part, Christians pray to G-d, but maintain the classical narrative as folklore, without which they would be lost. Lip service is given to the ancient doctrines; even emphatically. These are essentially the vehicle for their connection with G-d. Yes, this is what they tell their children, but children grow up. A few years ago, I asked a Pentecostal pastor if he believed that Jesus was "the only road to Salvation". He answered "I did when I was younger". The rabbis concluded that Monotheism is not what is in the books, or doctrines people learn to parrot, but what people actually beleive in their hearts. The medieval European rabbis, concluded that most Christians were Monotheists. Maintaining tradition and dogma was something that gave them roots and comfort. People tend to love continuity. We must go by the reality of people's lives, rather than by what they say. But why are tyhey so zealous in preaching doctrines that they no longer believe in (for the most part) And why do we encounter many people who cherish their relationship with Jesus, but yet reject the "New Testament" and all known sayings of Jesus. I have a friend who is a "New Ager". She hears the voice of Jesus often. But what she quotes in his name, is actually Buddhism. When I point this out, she says "Of course. He is a Buddhist!" "Then how do you know it is Jesus?" "I just know". This may be an extreme case, but I have known many people with similar ideas. How can we explain this phenomenon? That will be my next post.