[Note: I received this insightful message as an email forward on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 11:25 PM. [UPDATE: THIS IS NOW AN EXCERPT WITH TALMUDIC BLASPHEMIES REMOVED.] IF YOU THINK THAT JUDAISM IS GOOD, I TELL YOU THAT IT IS BASED ON THE TALMUD THAT BLASPHEMES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THIS EMAIL WAS WRITTEN BY A JEWISH CHRISTIAN. I CAUTION AGAINST RESEARCHING THE TALMUD.] > > >>From: "Irv Spielberg" > > >>Subject: Fwd: "Hate" vs. Jesus > > >>Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2002 14:04:07 -0500 > > >> > > >>> THE ORIGINAL "HATE" CRIMINALS > > >>> by Irving Spielberg > > >>> If you can't guess the people I have in mind, I'll give you some clues---clues found in a major world religion that is many centuries old. I'll call it Religion X. Religion X traces its roots back to the First Couple, Adam and Eve. They were on earth before any other form of worship---before Islam (appearing 14 centuries ago), before Hinduism or Buddhism (appearing 25 centuries ago), before even the worship of various gods in Mesopotamia (60 centuries ago). Early on, Religion X'ers were told by their God: "Love your neighbor---and even the stranger who dwells among you---as much as you love yourself." But it wasn't long before Religion X began rebelling against the laws of the One who had blessed and preserved it so much. In response God warned: "All those who hate me love death." After centuries of hating their God (which predictably led to hatred of fellow humans, God's creations), Religion X'ers were allowed by God to be conquered and transported to ancient Babylon where they experienced a 1,600-year-long "vacation." If you haven't guessed yet, the religion I'm describing is Judaism, the religion of my people. But don't stop reading. The most shocking stuff is just ahead! While in Babylon, the "wise men" among our people began formulating new laws which supposedly supplemented and explained the time-tested Old Testament writings. But the new rules actually contradicted and eventually replaced the original laws! The "new and improved" laws are collectively known as the Talmud. Even though rabbis are Talmudic experts, probably not one Jew in a thousand (and not one non-Jew in ten thousand) knows what is in the Talmud. Without further delay, here's some of the Talmud's "wisdom" (plus sources): [Our note: I have deleted this section which included blasphemy.] ...You know what? I found out that some of the past leaders of my people lied when it came to science, women, children, non-Jews, and Christianity and its leader. I found out that Jesus is the only Messiah and Saviour for everyone on earth. I found out a lot when I prayed to Jesus and said "If you really are who you say you are in the New Testament, please reveal yourself to me and I will follow and trust you forever." Guess what. He did and I have been. Sure there are cheap imitations of the real thing (anything of value is counterfeited), but once you really connect with Jesus, you'll know everything you need to know about salvation---your own salvation! Not only is genuine salvation free, it makes a person free! (You're free to reproduce and distribute this no-hate paper) _______________________________________________________________ [ASIDE: IN EXAMINING TODAY'S MERGING OF THE WORLD'S MYSTICAL TRADITIONS (HINDUISM, CATHOLIC MYSTICISM, ETC.), I CAME ACROSS A BOOK ABOUT THE TALMUD, "The Essential Talmud", by Adin Steinsaltz. IT REVEALS A LINK BETWEEN THE TALMUD AND THE KABBALAH (a mystical, magic-type book). Chapter 26 of "The Essential Talmud" is entitled, "THE WORLD OF MYSTICISM". In this chapter, one finds reference to the Kabbalah and esotericism. An excerpt-- "By the beginning of the modern era, the Kabbalah (literally tradition, transmittal) was an important and even central element in Jewish thought. Much of what we can surmise of the esoteric world of the talmudic sages is based on this literature and the light it casts on the hints contained in the Talmud." (page 213)]