Thread: how charge of Pharisee is used to delegitimize Judaism. When I was a rabbinical student, was approached by evangelical missionary trying to proselytize me. Told him respectfully that I already have a religion/relationship w/God. He proceeded to argue Hebrew Bible w/me. /1
I’m naturally curious & open person & happily indulge those who engage me in the marketplace of ideas. But the evangelist wouldn’t back down, despite me telling him I was almost an ordained rabbi. I warned him he would never be able to convert me-didn’t want to waste his time. /2
He told me I was going to hell for not accepting Jesus. I countered that truly loving God wouldn’t condemn the majority of humanity to a lake of fire for believing differently & explained to him basics of Jewish theology. He was insistent I convert & got increasingly hostile. /3
‘You Jews have always rejected Jesus’ he said angrily. ‘You are a self-righteous PHARISEE!’
I said that for almost 2000 years my people were murdered, burned at the stake, forcibly converted & sent to the gas chamber under that anti-Semitic charge. /4
I said that for almost 2000 years my people were murdered, burned at the stake, forcibly converted & sent to the gas chamber under that anti-Semitic charge. /4
Told him that I as rabbi am a modern-day Pharisee & that the anti-Semitic overtone of his charge in unacceptable. ‘This conversation ends here.’ I said & walked away. This man had delegitimized my exegesis, tradition, faith, the history of my people & commitment to good works. /5
