It is a privilege to contribute to this Festschrift in honor of Elliot Klayman. Elliot is a gifted visionary, teacher, mentor, and friend. His wisdom, generosity, kindness, and sense of justice continue to leave a deep imprint on the Messianic Jewish movement. Elliot has always been a man to honor the past, envision the future,…

Rabbinic writings are typically divided into two categories, halakhah and aggadah. In some ways, they are worlds apart from each other. Halakhah is the articulation and elucidation of the 613 mitzvot that constitute the Torah. It was developed foundationally in the Mishnah, Tosefta, and the Talmuds. The Babylonian Talmud continues to be the primary halakhic…

Rather than pursue the usual procedure for addressing a biblical-theological issue in a paper of this nature, this will be an effort of a somewhat different sort. It is commonly accepted and expected that the author conduct a rather thorough—but usually tedious and often tiresome—review of and response to the literature on the subject. Instead,…

The first Gospel begins with the words, “An account of the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1).1 It is not difficult to see how the theme “son of David” pervades Matthew’s magnum opus. The term appears ten times, and Yeshua is portrayed as the shepherd-king of…

Prologue Scene: A cat is playing a violin. A cow is flying in the sky, near the moon. A dog, looking on, is laughing. A plate with legs is running. What do these disparate unexpected occurrences have in common? Why would they form a “group”? If you cannot answer these questions, perhaps you need to…

In the first days of 2020, the website of the influential evangelical magazine Christianity Today ran a bold critique of antisemitism entitled, “Killing Jesus’ Brothers and Sisters.” The op-ed was a clear and forthright—and welcome—condemnation of historical antisemitism as it has been conveyed through centuries of Christian doctrine and rhetoric. The op-ed’s positive impact, however,…

Introduction “On the third day . . .” These words open the account of the Wedding at Cana, where Yeshua changed the water into wine (John 2:1–11).1 Noteworthy in this passage is the interaction between Yeshua and his mother over the shortage of wine. Yeshua’s reply to his mother is surprising, “Woman, why do you…

Elliot Klayman has been a pillar of the Messianic Jewish movement since its inception in the final decades of the last century. He has also been a trusted, respected, and beloved friend to many. I count myself among them, and am grateful for the opportunity to express my appreciation for Elliot with this short article. While…

Books and Articles in Books What the Rabbis Know about the Messiah: A Study of Genealogy and Prophecy. Cincinnati: Messianic Publishing, 2011 (editor). What the Rabbis Know about the Messiah: Student Workbook. San Diego: Messianic Publishing, 2018 (co-author). What the Rabbis Know about the Messiah: Teachers Manual. Columbus: Messianic Publishing, 2002 (co-author). “Jewish History and…

Elliot Klayman is well known for his kindness and generosity. I have 50 years of experience to attest to this observation. Whether you have a health need, a legal need, or a prayer need, he is always ready to step up and assist by giving you his full attention. He is truly a giving person…