As indicated on my web site, I believe that Jesus of Nazareth had a plan for Judaism (and correspondingly had no intention of founding a new religion). Lately I’ve been wondering — what would the consensus be amidst modern Judaism regarding Jesus’ plan? Would such a consensus accept Jesus’ vision as a Jewish one, or would it deem Jesus beyond the pale, beyond what could reasonably be considered “Jewish”?

OK, I know that’s a very loaded and contentious question. Maybe I need to qualify it a bit. If, hypothetically speaking, Jesus of Nazareth were a man (and not the Divine Messiah) who was attempting to reform Judaism from within, and furthermore, if his plan for Judaism was 1.) to de-emphasize the particulars of Mosaic law, 2.) to make it easier to join by de-emphasizing blood lines, 3.) to de-emphasize the reverence for Palestine or any other particular piece of earthly soil, 4.) instead emphasize inner spiritual development through relationship with God, 5.) thus leading to higher standards of ethical behavior and “radical kindness”, would that be termed non-Jewish? Did the Jews eventually discount Jesus because he went too far, or was it more a question of historical accidents and circumstances? Note that I pick my words carefully here; when I say de-emphasize, I don’t mean ignore or disrespect. I certainly DO mean being ready to leave such things behind at some point, but only after study and analysis and appreciation of what they once meant (I’m not the “Eternal Student” for nothing).

I guess that there’s a reason behind my wondering about this. Obviously, the question reflects my own current views. I grew up in the Catholic / Christian world, but no longer feel at home there. My mind still draws me to Jesus, but in approaching him, I seem to be pulled away from Christianity. Am I becoming some form of semi-Jew or quasi-Jew or honorary Jew? Or am I just stuck in the no-man’s land that divides Judaism and Christianity, a place in history occupied briefly by Jesus’ brother James and the early non-Pauline Jewish-Christian communities?