For the purpose of this investigation it is necessary to set the parameters. 1) We need to determine which Jesus we are talking about. Are we talking about the mythological Jesus of Christianity or are we talking about the historical Rabbi Joshua ben Joseph of the New Testament? 2) We need to determine which Messiah we are talking about. Are we talking about Messiah ben Joseph or are we talking about Messiah ben David?

The historical Rabbi Joshua ben Joseph who inspired the writing of the "New Testament" bares little resemblance to the Jesus of Christianity. Throughout the gospel accounts, Rabbi Joshua (Jesus) is portrayed as a teacher of strict halachic observance in accordance with the teachings of Beit (School of) Hillel [spirit of the law]. It is obvious from his teachings that Rabbi Joshua was a Galilean Pharisee of the School of Hillel. Rabbi Joshua vigorously opposed the teachings of the Judean Pharisees of the School of Shammai [letter of the law]. Of the over three hundred disagreements between Hillel and Shammai recorded in the Talmud, Rabbi Joshua's teachings agreed with Hillel in all cases except one.

In Judaism it is believed that there are two Messiahs. Though this concept was not fully developed until Rashi wrote his commentary, the two Messiahs are both mentioned in the Talmud. The notion of two Messiahs came as a result of trying to reconcile the various Messianic texts of the Tanakh (Old Testament).

Mention is once made of a rather mysterious figure called Messiah son of Joseph. The passage reads: 'Messiah son of Joseph was slain, as it is written, "They shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son" (Zech. xii.10)' (Suk. 52a).
[Everyman's Talmud, page 348]

Messiah ben Joseph was to be the suffering servant, while Messiah ben David was to be the conquering king. Christians see this as being two advents (comings) of the same Messiah. This view, however, takes a literalistic approach to the New Testament text while taking a metaphoric approach concerning the coming of Elijah.

In light of all the activity of the last few years with followers of Rabbi Joshua/Y'shua/Jesus beginning to embrace the Torah in growing numbers, I believe that Rabbi Joshua/Jesus was, indeed, Messiah ben Joseph.

Because the mythological Jesus had effectively obscured the real Jesus (Joshua/Y'shua), it was not really apparent that he was a Messiah. However, as we see the House of Israel returning to Hashem it is becoming more apparent that Christianity has indeed served to gather the LOST OF ISRAEL and deliver the word of Hashem (His Torah) to them. As Christians discover the real Jesus it will be apparent that his effect on the HOUSE OF ISRAEL is even more dramatic than Rebbe Schneerson's effect on the House of Judah.

Because of the teachings of Rabbi Joshua ben Joseph (especially in the Gospel of Matthew), Christians are turning to the Torah by the thousands. For me this is evidence that Rabbi Joshua ben Joseph was indeed Messiah ben Joseph. The reason they did not see it before is because, as Paul stated, "...blindness in part has happened to Israel..." [Romans 11:25] Some people think that Paul is talking about the Jews but this is not the case. See my article "The House of Israel in Paul’s letter to the Romans" at: http://www.bnai-el-chai.com/romans.htm

Kol tov,
Shomeir