We Jews and Jesus: Exploring Theological Differences for Mutual Understanding

An important contribution to the welcome growth of religious understanding and cooperation between Jews and Christians. Filled with warm sympathy for Christianity but also with sturdy intellectual honesty and loyalty to Judaism, this classic work continues to clearly and forcefully guide both Christians and Jews in timely, relevant discussion of the relationships between their faiths. Examining the Jewish views on Jesus throughout history and today, Rabbi Samuel Sandmel introduces the perspective of a rabbi of the liberal wing of Judaism, and presents the scholarship of the last century and a half as pursued by both Christians and Jews. Without prejudice but admittedly partisan, this book explains why Jesus is of cultural and historical interest to Jews, though not of direct religious interest. It drives home one of the most important lessons of our time―that Christians and Jews can be worlds apart theologically, but also very close in mutual understanding and in cooperation toward desirable human goals.