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“While writing this commentary of the New Testament, I had no other goal, as I have said in the first volume, but to reconcile these two enemy sisters: The Church and the Synagogue… to show everyone that the New Testament only comes to show that the root of existence is in the unity of G–d (ahdut ha-Bore) … and also to strengthen the law of Moses (Torat Moshe)… I publish this commentary (to Matthew) in Hebrew for Jews, to introduce them to the New Testament who, until now, have not recognized its beauty (eynam makirim ’et yofya)… Notwithstanding the contrary misconception, the New Testament is in no manner contrary to the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) or to the Talmud.“
-Rabbi Eliyahu Tzvi Soloveitchik, Kol Kore
“The Synoptic Gospels are the work of Jewish disciples writing under the impression of a powerful personality, a Jewish Prophet. They belong to us and they are no mere freakish by-blow of our development. They are the logical conclusion of the teachings of the Prophets and the Psalmists of Israel.
The Christian theology subsequently built on this foundation is foreign and of no concern to us, but the foundation itself is ours and nothing but sheer blindness and utter folly could make us reject the finest and best in us.“
-Ferdynand Zweig, Holocaust survivor
“Whether Yeshua was a prophet or not, this may be discussed, but whether Yeshua was G-d, this may not be discussed.”
-Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, Kefar Chabad
A majority of the world (Christians and Muslims) regards Yeshua of Nazareth as both the Jewish Messiah and a prophet sent from G-d. According to Maimonides’ code of Jewish Law (Halacha), Yeshua can be established as a prophet by at least the following six criteria:
- he was worthy of prophecy
- the divine spirit rested on him
- he performed supernatural wonders like Moses our Teacher, Elijah, and Elisha
- he commanded observance of the Oral and Written Torah of Moses
- he accurately foretold future events
- he was proclaimed by another prophet (Yohanan/Elijah)
“LAWS CONCERNING THE FOUNDATION OF THE TORAH.
-Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Overview of Mishneh Torah Contents 1:18
These comprise ten precepts; of which, six are affirmative, and four are negative precepts, as follows: 1) To know that there is a God; 2) Not to entertain the thought that there is any other god but the Eternal; 3) To acknowledge His Unity; 4) To love Him; 5) To revere Him; 6) To hallow His name; 7) Not to desecrate His name; 8) Not to destroy things upon which His name is called; 9) To hear and accept the message of the prophet who speaks in His name; 10) Not to test him.”
According to Rambam, it is just as foundational to the Torah to listen to the prophet that G-d has sent as it is to know that there is a G-d and to acknowledge His Unity, love Him, etc.
Yeshua Was Worthy of Prophecy
“It is [one] of the foundations of [our] faith that G-d conveys prophecy to man.
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 7
Prophecy is bestowed only upon a very wise sage of a strong character, who is never overcome by his natural inclinations in any regard. Instead, with his mind, he overcomes his natural inclinations at all times. He must [also] possess a very broad and accurate mental capacity.”
According to Rabbi Moshe David Valle, Yeshua was a “sage disciple” and “worthy to be Messiah son of Joseph.” Rabbi Jacob Emden (Yaavetz) wrote that Yeshua, “brought about a double kindness in the world… strengthened the Torah of Moses majestically… and not one of our Sages spoke out more emphatically concerning the immutability of the Torah… doing away with idolatry…”
“[Yeshua] was worthy to be the Messiah son of Joseph.. And also he himself was certainly the secret of Mashiach ben Yoseph even though he was a mamzer, because a sage disciple who is a mamzer precedes the High Priest who is ignorant (Mishna Horaot 3:8). However, since it was not yet the proper time, because there was baseless hatred in Israel, he was marred and held by Samae-l (Satan), who destroyed him, and he was crucified.”
-Rabbi Moshe David Valle, Sefer HaLekutim Vol. 1, p. 83-84, 242
“Therefore you must realize—and accept the truth from him who speaks it— that we see clearly here that the Nazarene [Yeshua] and his Apostles did not wish to destroy the Torah from Israel, G-d forbid… It is therefore exceedingly clear that the Nazarene never dreamed of destroying the Torah… Certainly, therefore, there is no doubt that one who seeks truth will agree with our thesis, that the Nazarene and his Apostles never meant to abolish the Torah of Moses from one who was born a Jew…
It is therefore a habitual saying of mine (not as a hypocritical flatterer, G-d forbid, for I am of the faithful believers of Israel, and I know well that the remnant of Israel will not speak falsehood, nor will their mouths contain a deceitful tongue) that the Nazarene brought about a double kindness in the world. On the one hand, he strengthened the Torah of Moses majestically, as mentioned earlier, and not one of our Sages spoke out more emphatically concerning the immutability of the Torah. And on the other hand, he did much good for the Gentiles (provided they do not turn about his intent as they please, as some foolish ones have done because they did not fully understand the intent of the authors of the Gospels. I have recently seen someone publish a book, and he had no idea about what he was writing. For if he had understood the subject, he would have kept his silence and not wasted the paper and ink. There are also found among us foolish scholars who know not their right from their left in the Written and Oral Torahs and cause the people to err with their pompous pronouncements. But there are true scholars among the Christians, just as there are the chosen few among Torah scholars; and there are few of the truly great.) by doing away with idolatry and removing the images from their midst. He obligated them with the Seven Commandments so that they should not be as the beasts of the field. He also bestowed upon them ethical ways, and in this respect he was much more stringent with them than the Torah of Moses, as is well-known…“
-Rabbi Jacob Emden (Yaavetz), SEDER OLAM RABBAH VEZUTA
“So when they had performed all things according to the Torah of the L-rd, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of G-d was upon him… And Yeshua increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with G-d and men.”
-Luke 2:39-40, 52
“And they sent to him [Yeshua] their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of G-d in truth; nor do you care about anyone, for you do not look at the face of men.”
-Matthew 22:16
The Divine Spirit Rested On Yeshua
“A person who is full of all these qualities and is physically sound [is fit for prophecy]. When he enters the Pardes and is drawn into these great and sublime concepts, if he possesses an accurate mental capacity to comprehend and grasp [them], he will become holy. He will advance and separate himself from the masses who proceed in the darkness of the time. He must continue and diligently train himself not to have any thoughts whatsoever about fruitless things or the vanities and intrigues of the times.
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 7
Instead, his mind should constantly be directed upward, bound beneath [God’s] throne [of Glory, striving] to comprehend the holy and pure forms and gazing at the wisdom of the Holy One, blessed be He, in its entirety, [in its manifold manifestations] from the most elevated [spiritual] form until the navel of the earth, appreciating His greatness from them. [After these preparations,] the divine spirit will immediately rest upon him.
When the spirit rests upon him, his soul becomes intermingled with the angels called ishim, and he will be transformed into a different person and will understand with a knowledge different from what it was previously. He will rise above the level of other wise men, as [the prophet, Samuel] told Saul [I Samuel 10:6]: “[The spirit of God will descend upon you] and you shall prophesy with them. And you will be transformed into a different person…””
In Judaism, it is said that when a person comes out of a ritual immersion in water, it is like they are “transformed into a different person.”
“When he had been immersed, Yeshua came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of G-d descending like a dove and alighting upon him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.””
-Matthew 3:16-17
“He [Moses] was promised this by God, as [implied by Deuteronomy 5:27-28]: “Go and tell them: `Return to your tents,’ but you stand here together with Me.” This should be interpreted to mean: When prophecy departs from all the [other] prophets, they return to their “tents” – i.e., the needs of the body like other people. Therefore, they do not separate themselves from their wives. Moses, our teacher, never returned to his original “tent.” Therefore, he separated himself from women and everything of that nature forever. He bound his mind to the Eternal Rock. [Accordingly,] the glory never left him forever. The flesh of his countenance shone, [for] he became holy like the angels.”
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 7
It is well-known that Yeshua did not take for himself a wife, but lived in celibacy.
“Now after six days Yeshua took Peter, Yaakov, and Yohanan his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. Then Peter answered and said to Yeshua, “Master, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Yeshua came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Yeshua only.”
-Matthew 17:1-8
Yeshua Performed Supernatural Wonders Like Moses Our Teacher, Elijah, and Elisha
“When he is sent [on such a mission], he is given a sign or a wonder [to perform], so that the people will know that God has truly sent him.
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 7
Not everyone who performs signs or wonders should be accepted as a prophet: only a person who is known to be fit for prophecy beforehand; i.e., his wisdom and his [good] deeds surpass those of all his contemporaries. If he follows the paths of prophecy in holiness, separating himself from worldly matters, and afterwards performs a sign or wonder and states that he was sent by God, it is a mitzvah to listen to him, as [Deuteronomy 18:15] states: “Listen to him.”
It is possible that a person will perform a sign or wonder even though he is not a prophet – rather, the wonder will have [another cause] behind it. It is, nevertheless, a mitzvah to listen to him. Since he is a wise man of stature and fit for prophecy, we accept [his prophecy as true], for so have we been commanded…”
“So they said to him, “The things concerning Yeshua of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before G-d and all the people,”
-Luke 24:19
“And many of the people believed in him [Yeshua], and said, “When the Messiah comes, will he do more signs than these which this man has done?””
-John 7:31
“Thus, we do not believe in any prophet who arises after Moses, our teacher, because of the wonder [he performs] alone, as if to say: If he performs a wonder we will listen to everything he says. Rather, [we believe him] because it is a mitzvah which we were commanded by Moses who said: If he performs a wonder, listen to him.
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 8
Just as we are commanded to render a [legal] judgment based on the testimony of two witnesses, even though we do not know if they are testifying truthfully or falsely, similarly, it is a mitzvah to listen to this prophet even though we do not know whether the wonder is true or performed by magic or sorcery.
Yeshua Commanded Observance of the Oral and Written Torah of Moses
“Therefore, if a prophet arises and attempts to dispute Moses’ prophecy by performing great signs and wonders, we should not listen to him. We know with certainty that he performed those signs through magic or sorcery.”
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 8
“Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’”
-Luke 16:29
“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
-Luke 24:27
“Did not Moses give you the Law, yet none of you keeps the Law? Why do you seek to kill me?””
-John 7:19
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or on tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
-Matthew 5:17-19
“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the Law to fail.”
-Luke 16:17
“Do we then make void the Law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we uphold the Law.”
-Paul, Romans 3:31
“And when they heard it, they glorified the L-rd. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed [in Yeshua], and they are all zealous for the Torah”
-Acts 21:20
“… We believe in a wonder [as evidence of a prophet’s reliability] only because of the mitzvah which Moses commanded us. Therefore, how can a wonder [cause us to] accept this [person] who comes to deny the prophecy of Moses which we saw and heard?”
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 8
“It is clear and explicit in the Torah that it is [God’s] commandment, remaining forever without change, addition, or diminishment, as [Deuteronomy 13:1] states: “All these matters which I command to you, you shall be careful to perform. You may not add to it or diminish from it,” and [Deuteronomy 29:28] states: “What is revealed is for us and our children forever, to carry out all the words of this Torah.” This teaches that we are commanded to fulfill all the Torah’s directives forever.
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 8
It is also said: “It is an everlasting statute for all your generations,” and [Deuteronomy 30:12] states: “It is not in the heavens.” This teaches that a prophet can no longer add a new precept [to the Torah].
Therefore, if a person will arise, whether Jew or gentile, and perform a sign or wonder and say that God sent him to:
a) add a mitzvah,
b) withdraw a mitzvah
c) explain a mitzvah in a manner which differs from the tradition received from Moses, or
d) if he says that the mitzvot commanded to the Jews are not forever, but rather were given for a limited time,
he is a false prophet. He comes to deny the prophecy of Moses and should be executed by strangulation, because he dared to make statements in God’s name which God never made.
God, blessed be His name, commanded Moses that this commandment is for us and our children forever, and, God is not man that He speak falsely.
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do…”
-Matthew 23:1-2
“If so, what is meant by the Torah’s statement [Deuteronomy 18:18]: “I will appoint a prophet from among their brethren like you, and I
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 8
will place My words in his mouth and he will speak…”? He is not coming to establish a [new] faith, but rather to command the people [to fulfill] the precepts of the Torah and to warn against its transgression, as evidenced by the final prophet [Malachi], who proclaimed [Malachi 3:22], “Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant.”
Also, a prophet may command us to do something which [is neither permitted nor forbidden by Torah law] – for example, “Go to such and such a place,” “Do not go there,” “Wage war today,” or “Do not do so,” “Build a wall,” or “Do not build it.”
[In these instances,] it is a mitzvah to listen to him. Anyone who violates his directives is liable for death at the hand of God, as [Deuteronomy 18:19] states: “And a person who will not heed My words which he speaks in My name, I will seek [retribution] from him.””
“ Now behold, one came and said to him [Yeshua], “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
So he said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, G-d. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
-Matthew 19:16-17
“Yeshua answered, “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing. It is my Father who honors me, of whom you say that He is your G-d. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.”
-John 8:54-55
“Similarly, a prophet who violated his own prophetic instructions, and one who refrains from prophesying, are liable for death at the hand of God, since concerning the three of them, it is said, “I will seek [retribution] from him.”
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 9
When a prophet – who has already proven himself to be a prophet – instructs us to violate one of the mitzvot of the Torah or many mitzvot, whether they be of a severe or light nature, for a limited amount of time, it is a mitzvah to listen to him.
The Sages of the early generation taught as part of the oral tradition: If a prophet tells you to violate the precepts of the Torah as Elijah did on Mount Carmel, listen to him with regard to all things except the worship of false gods. This applies when his command is temporary in nature.
For example, on Mount Carmel, Elijah offered a sacrifice outside [the Temple’s premises], even though Jerusalem was chosen for such [service], and one who offers a sacrifice outside [the Temple’s premises] is liable for karet. Since he was [already established as] a prophet, it was a mitzvah to listen to him. The commandment, “Listen to him,” applies in these circumstances as well.
If they would have asked Elijah: How can we violate the Torah’s command [Deuteronomy 12:13]: “[Be careful…] lest you offer your burnt offerings everywhere”?, he would have told them: We should not say anything, but anyone who offers a sacrifice outside [the Temple premises] is liable for karet, as Moses said. [The present instance,] however, [is an exception]. I am offering a sacrifice today outside [the Temple] at God’s command in order to disprove the prophets of Ba’al.
Similarly, if any [other] prophet commands us to transgress for a limited time, it is a mitzvah to listen to him. If, however, he says that the mitzvah has been nullified forever, he is liable for execution by strangulation, for the Torah has told us: “[It is] for us and our children forever.” When does the above apply? With regard to all other mitzvot. Regarding the worship of false gods, however, he should not be heeded, even for a limited time. Even if he performs great wonders and miracles and says that God commanded him to worship false gods only on this day or only during this hour, he is considered to have “spoken perversely against God.””
“Yeshua answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the L-RD our G-d, the L-RD is One. And you shall love the L-RD your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
So the scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one G-d, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Now when Yeshua saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of G-d.”
But after that no one dared question him.”
-Mark 12:29-48
“Any prophet who arises and tells us that God has sent him does not have to [prove himself by] performing wonders like those performed by Moses, our teacher, or like the wonders of Elijah or Elisha, which altered the natural order.
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 10
Rather, the sign of [the truth of his prophecy] will be the fulfillment of his prediction of future events, as [implied by Deuteronomy 18:21]: “How shall we recognize that a prophecy was not spoken by God?…”
Therefore, if a person whose [progress] in the service of God makes him worthy of prophecy arises [and claims to be a prophet] – if he does not intend to add [to] or diminish [the Torah], but rather to serve God through the mitzvot of the Torah – we do not tell him: “Split the sea for us, revive the dead, or the like, and then we will believe in you.” Instead, we tell him, “If you are a prophet, tell us what will happen in the future.” He makes his statements, and we wait to see whether [his “prophecy”] comes to fruition or not.
Should even a minute particular of his “prophecy” not materialize, he is surely a false prophet. If his entire prophecy materializes, we should consider him a true [prophet].
Yeshua performed wonders like Moses our Teacher, Elijah, and Elisha, which altered the natural order, especially reviving the dead.
“Now a great many of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not for Yeshua’s sake only, but that they might also see Elazar, whom he had raised from the dead. But the [Sadducean] chief priests plotted to put Elazar to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Yeshua.”
-John 12:9-11
“The general rule is that no one has been renewed to the level of signs and wonders performed by G-d through Moses our teacher. However, the truth that emerges from this verse is that no prophet arose again like Moses, who was a prophet specifically for Israel alone. Nevertheless, it is possible that there will be a prophet among the nations of the world as well, and this will be the Messiah, the King… Therefore, you should know that what we said in the portion of Balaam—that a prophet will arise in Israel and among the nations like Moses— refers to the Messiah, the King… “He who gives life and causes death” – this root concept has been fully explained through the words of the prophets. We also find in the cases of Elijah and Elisha, who revived the dead. It seems that this miracle will take place when G- d Almighty desires to transform the nations, giving them a clear language. Then, this miraculous act will be demonstrated through the Messiah, the King.”
-Ralbag (Gersonides) on Torah, Numbers 24:1:8, Deuteronomy 3:23:10, 32:1:18
“Now when he [Yeshua] was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did.“
-John 2:23
“This man [Nakdimon] came to Yeshua by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from G-d; for no one can do these signs that you do unless G-d is with him.””
-John 3:2
“Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Yeshua did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”“
-John 6:14
““Men of Israel, hear these words: Yeshua of Nazareth, a man attested by G-d to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which G-d did through him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— “
-Acts 2:22
“They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about him [Yeshua] because he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet…” Then they reviled him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that G-d spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where he is from.”
The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where he is from; yet he has opened my eyes! Now we know that G-d does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of G-d and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this man were not from G-d, he could do nothing.””
-John 9:17, 28-33
Yeshua Accurately Foretold Future Events
“We should test him many times. If all of his statements prove true, he should be considered to be a true prophet, as [I Samuel 3:20] states concerning Samuel, “And all of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew that Samuel had been proven to be a prophet unto God.””
“We see from this that a prophet will arise for the sole purpose of telling us the future events which will transpire in the world, whether there will be plenty or famine, war or peace, and the like. He even will inform a particular individual regarding his needs. Hence, when Saul lost an object, he went to the prophet to discover where it was. These are the types of things that a prophet will say. He will not come to found a new faith or add or withdraw a mitzvah.”
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 10
“Then Yeshua went out and departed from the Temple, and his disciples came up to show him the buildings of the Temple. And Yeshua said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Now as he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?
And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
And Yeshua answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand…”
-Matthew 24:1-25
“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
-Luke 21:24-25
Even though Yeshua performed many supernatural wonders by which the people believed in him, he also accurately foretold many things, including the destruction of the Temple, Jerusalem, exile, wars, famines, false messiahs (like Bar Kokhba), the abomination by Emperor Hadrian, the persecution of his disciples, the spread of Christianity to all nations, etc.
“Alternatively, it is referring to the King Messiah. “Come here” – draw near to kingship. “Eat of the bread” – this is the bread of kingship. “Dip your loaf in the vinegar” – these are the afflictions, as it is stated: “He was pained by our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5).
“She sat beside [mitzad] the reapers” – his kingship is destined to be temporarily captured [ litzod] from him, as it says: “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem for the war and the city will be captured” (Zechariah 14:2). “He handed her roasted grain” – it is destined to return to him, as it is stated: “He will smite the land with the rod of his mouth” (Isaiah 11:4). Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Levi: Like the initial redeemer, so the ultimate redeemer. Just as the initial redeemer was revealed, and then was again concealed from them, and for how long was he concealed from them, for three months, as it is stated: “They encountered Moses and Aaron” (Exodus 5:20); so too, the ultimate redeemer will be revealed to them and concealed from them. How long will he be concealed from them?
Rabbi Tanḥuma in the name of the Rabbis: Forty-five days; that is what is written: “From the time the daily offering is abolished…[one thousand two hundred and ninety days]” (Daniel 12:11), and it is written: “Happy is one who waits and it comes [to one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days]”(Daniel 12:12). These extra days, what are they? Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ketzarta in the name of Rabbi Yona: These are the forty-five days that Israel will gather and eat saltwort; that is what is written: “Who pick saltwort from the bushes.” (Job 30:4).
Where will he lead them? To the Judean Desert, as it is stated: “Behold, I will seduce her and I will lead her to the desert” (Hosea 2:16). [There is] one who says: To the wilderness of Siḥon and Og, as it is stated: “I will yet settle you in tents as in the days of the appointed times” (Hosea 12:10). Anyone who believes in him will live, and one who does not believe in him will go to the nations of the world and they will kill him.
-Midrash Ruth Rabbah 5:6
Yeshua Was Proclaimed By Another Prophet (Yohanan/Elijah)
“When a prophet proclaims that another individual is [also] a prophet, we accept the latter as a prophet without requiring [any further] investigation. Thus, after Moses, our teacher, proclaimed that Joshua [was a prophet], all the Jews believed in him before he performed any wonders. The same holds true for subsequent generations.
Once a prophet has made known his prophecy, and his words have proven true time after time, or another prophet has proclaimed him a prophet, if he continues in the path of prophecy, it is forbidden to doubt him or to question the truth of his prophecy.
[When establishing the authenticity of a prophet,] it is forbidden to test him more than necessary. We may not continue to test him forever, as [Deuteronomy 6:16] states: “Do not test God, your Lord, as you tested him in Massah,” when [the Jews] said [Exodus 17:7]: “Is God in our midst or not?” Rather, once an individual is established as a prophet, we should believe in him and know that God is in our midst. We should not doubt or question him, as implied by [Ezekiel 2:5]: “They shall know that a prophet was in their midst.””[End of Laws]
-Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 10
“But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted Yohanan to have been a prophet indeed.”
-Mark 11:32
“Then Paul said, “Yohanan indeed immersed with an immersion of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on him who would come after him, that is, on Yeshua the Messiah.””
-Acts 19:4
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied concerning Yohanan. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
-Matthew 11:13-14
“They shall know that a prophet was in their midst” [Ezekiel 2:5] = “Yeshu of Nazareth” = 677
״וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֥י נָבִ֖יא הָיָ֥ה בְתוֹכָֽם״ = ישו הנוצרי = 677
Eye To Zion 