Rev. Dr. John Tierno asked:

Rabbi, my wife and I have greatly enjoyed your teachings… thank you. As a gentile believer and ordained minister, something jumped out at me as I listened to lesson 9. You stated a few times that the Jews mission is to lead people/the world back to God. What I didn’t hear was the role of Yeshua in this process. Scripture clearly states there is but one way to the Father and that is through the Son, Jesus Christ. Would appreciate and look forward to your comments. Shalom

Rabbi Gidon Ariel answered:

Thank you for writing Rev. Dr. John!

I am happy to hear that you enjoy Root Source! Please continue to engage with us!

As you know, Root Source is a new, daring venture of traditional Orthodox Israeli Jews teaching Christians worldwide about topics they love that some Christians are interested in. It is daring both for Jews to teach Christians and for Christians to learn from Jews!

By definition, Judaism does not include Jesus/Yeshua in its worldview. Furthermore, “Scriptures” from a Jewish perspective do not include the New Testament, which is the source of the teaching verse you mention. Jews have been able to live by this worldview and perspective for over two thousand years.

That being said, in my opinion, the world has changed significantly in this regard in the past two hundred years or so and even more so and acceleratedly in the past few decades. The relationship between Jews and Christians is changing significantly, and while theological points remain unbridgeable, respectful cooperation and friendships are growing, and only God knows where this will all end up.

Regarding your specific question of the place of Yeshua in leading people [back] to God, the great medieval Jewish scholar Maimonides wrote that Christians “picked up the slack” of Jews in their Abrahamic mission to bring the knowledge of God to the world while the Jews, in exile, were preoccupied in trying to survive. And in fact, the knowledge of innovative Jewish ideas, like Messiah, one God, God’s personal relationship with people, His intervention in history, and more, has undoubtedly spread thanks to Christians, so if only for this Jews owe a debt of gratitude to Christians.

Thanks and God bless!
Gidon