Post-Crucifixion Judaism

I. The Abrogation of the Old Covenant

The Fulfillment in Christ

Fundamental Catholic doctrine :

The Old Covenant was fulfilled, completed, and replaced by the New Covenant in Christ. The Judaism that existed before Christ had divine validity; the Judaism that rejected Christ and continues after Him has lost all spiritual authority.

Hebrews 8:13

“By saying ‘new covenant,’ he has made the first one obsolete ; and what is obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear .”

Hebrews 10:9

“[Christ] removes the first [covenant] to establish the second.”

São Paulo: The Mosaic Law Was Abolished

Romans 10:4

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Galatians 3:24-25:

“The law was our tutor to lead us to Christ… But when faith comes, we are no longer under a tutor .”

Ephesians 2:14-15:

“He [Christ] is our peace, who has made the two groups [Jews and Gentiles] one… having abolished in his flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances.”

Colossians 2:14

“[Christ] canceled the written record of debt that was against us… nailing it to the cross .”

The Torn Veil of the Temple

Matthew 27: 50-51

“Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit . And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Traditional theological meaning :

Saint Jerome :

“The veil that separated the Holy of Holies (where the Ark was) from the rest of the Temple was torn from top to bottom – by divine action, not human action. This signified: (1) Direct access to God now opened by Christ; (2) Holiness of the Jewish Temple ceased ; (3) Mysteries previously hidden now revealed; (4) Levitical priesthood abolished .”

Saint Thomas Aquinas :

“From that moment on, the sacrifices of the Temple became not only useless, but sinful . To continue offering animal sacrifices after the perfect sacrifice of Christ is to reject the sufficiency of the Cross .”

The Destruction of the Temple (70 AD)

Matthew 24:1-2 – Christ’s Prophecy:

“Jesus left the temple, and his disciples came to him to show him its buildings. But he said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down .’”

Historic greeting :

• August 70 AD : Roman armies (General Titus) besiege Jerusalem.

• September 70 AD : Temple burned and destroyed.

• Molten gold from the Temple flows between the stones.

• Soldiers dismantle rocks to extract gold.

• Prophecy fulfilled literally: not one stone left unturned.

Patristic interpretation :

Origins (†254):

“God allowed the destruction of the Temple so that the Jews could no longer offer sacrifices. If the Temple had remained, they would have said, ‘We still have priesthood, we still have sacrifices.’ Destruction was a severe act of mercy : forcing them to acknowledge that it was Mosaic law that was over.”

Saint Augustine ( City of God , 18th century):

“After rejecting Christ, Jews were scattered among all nations as witnesses to their own unfaithfulness and to the truth of the Scriptures. They carry the Bible to us [Christians] as servants carry the master’s books. They themselves do not read Christ in it, but we do.”

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II. THE GREAT REJECTION: DEICIDE AND CURSE

The Trial Before Pilate

The Choice of Barabbas:

Matthew 27: 20-23

“The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to destroy Jesus… Pilate asked, ‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said, ‘Crucify him!’ ”

Traditional theological symbolism :

• Barrabas = “son of the father” (bar-abbas)

• Name of the devil: “father of lies” (John 8:44)

• They literally chose : Son of the devil over Son of God.

• Jesus = Savior

• Barabbas = Revolutionary, assassin

“In this choice, Israel rejected salvation and chose violence, rejected the Prince of Peace and chose a murderer.”

The Self-Curse:

Matthew 27:25

“All the people answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ ”

More stringent traditional interpretation :

Origins :

“Because of these words, they brought wrath upon themselves that remains to this day. Therefore they have no more homeland, no more temple, no more sacrifices.”

Saint John Chrysostom ( Homilies Against the Jews , 4th century):

“You yourselves [Jews] invoked a curse upon your own heads. And God heard it. Your temple was destroyed, your city laid waste, you were scattered. All because you said, ‘Your blood upon us!’”

IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL NUECH :

The Second Vatican Council ( Nostra Aetate , 1965) rejected the collective and perpetual application of this “curse” to all Jews of all ages.

“Although Jewish authorities and their followers urged the death of Christ, what was perpetrated in His Passion cannot be indiscriminately attributed to all Jews then alive, nor to Jews today. “

BUT – traditional pre-Vatican II perspective (which I present historically):

Church Fathers and medieval theologians interpreted things literally and saw consequences:

1. Destruction of the Temple (70 AD)

2. Perpetual exile (until final conversion)

3. Spiritual blindness regarding Jesus’ messianic identity.

4. Persecutions suffered throughout history

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III. Talmudic Judaism: A New Religion

The Fundamental Transformation

Pre-70 AD Judaism:

Central elements :

• Temple of Jerusalem : Unique place of sacrifices

• Levitical priesthood : Descendants of Aaron

• Animal sacrifices : Atonement through blood.

• High Priest : Enter the Holy of Holies (Yom Kippur)

• Mosaic Law : Written Torah

Judaism after 70 AD:

Radical impossibility :

• Without a Temple : There is nowhere to sacrifice.

• Without Priesthood : Genealogies destroyed in 70 AD

• Without Sacrifices : A central commandment impossible to fulfill.

• Without a High Priest : No one can enter (the place does not exist).

Rabbinic solution : Talmud replaces Temple

The Talmud: New Foundation

Structure:

Mishnah (compiled ~200 CE):

• “Oral Law” supposedly given to Moses at Sinai

• Codified by Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi

Gemara (compiled 300-500 AD):

• Rabbinic commentaries on the Mishnah

• Babylonian Talmud (more authoritative)

• Jerusalem Talmud (less commonly used)

Authority:

Modern Judaism asserts:

• Torah (Pentateuch) + Talmud = equal authority

• In conflict, the Talmud may prevail.

• Rabbis have the final interpretive authority.

Christ’s Critique of Early Talmudic Practice

Mark 7:7-13 – Jesus condemns the Pharisees:

“In vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men . You have abandoned the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men … You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.”

Example given : Corban (dedicating possessions to the Temple to avoid supporting parents) nullified the 5th Commandment.

Traditional interpretation :

“Christ denounced precisely what would become Talmudism: human rabbinical traditions elevated above the written Word of God. Pharisees were proto-Talmudic.”

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IV. ANTICHRISTIAN CONTENT OF THE TALMUD

Critical Methodological Note

ESSENTIAL WARNING :

The quotations below come from traditionalist Catholic literature and anti-modern writings. Many are:

• Translations disputed by modern scholars.

• Contexts removed

• Deliberately misinterpreted

• Or they refer to censored editions that no longer exist.

Modern Jewish scholars argue that:

• Controversial passages were medieval interpolations.

• Or they refer to other “Jesus” (common name)

• Either these are legitimate theological discussions , not blasphemies.

I present this section as an integral part of the historical traditionalist perspective, not as verified truth.

Alleged Passages About Jesus

Traditionalist literature quotes:

Sanhedrin 43a:

• Allegedly: “Jesus was hanged on the eve of Passover for witchcraft and seducing Israel.”

• Modern scholars: This could refer to another Jesus, or a later addition.

Gittin 57a ​​:

• Allegedly: “Jesus is in hell, boiling in excrement”

• Modern scholars: Disputed reference, possibly interpolation.

Sanhedrin 106a:

• Allegedly: “Maria was a prostitute”

• Modern scholars: It does not explicitly mention Mary of Nazareth.

Shabbat 104b:

• Allegedly: “Jesus was the illegitimate son of Pandera [Roman soldier]”

• Modern scholars: Late controversial legend, not the original text.

The Traditional Catholic Perspective

Saint Justin Martyr ( Dialogue with Trypho , ~160 AD):

Debating with Trypho the Jew:

“Your teachers [rabbis] blaspheme the One who was announced through the prophets – Christ Jesus… They sent chosen men throughout the earth proclaiming that ‘an atheistic and lawless sect was raised up by an impostor, Jesus of Galilee’”

Tertullian ( Against the Jews , ~200 AD):

“You [Jews] not only did not receive Christ… but you insulted Him … You called Him a Samaritan and possessed by a demon .”

Saint John Chrysostom ( Against the Jews , ~387 AD):

“The synagogue is not only a brothel and a theater, but a den of thieves and a refuge for wild animals … a dwelling place of demons … The Jews sacrificed their children to demons [reference to apostasies in the Old Testament]. Now demons inhabit their souls .”

NOTE : This text by Chrysostom is considered extremely offensive and has been used to justify persecutions. The modern Church contextualizes it as polemical rhetoric of the time, not permanent doctrine.

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V. THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN

Revelation 2:9 and 3:9

Revelation 2:9 (Christ to the Church in Smyrna):

“I know… the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not , but are a synagogue of Satan .”

Revelation 3:9 (Christ to the Church of Philadelphia):

“Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan , who say they are Jews and are not, but lie… they will come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”

Patristic and Traditional Interpretation

Saint Augustine:

“When John wrote ‘synagogue of Satan,’ he wasn’t talking about ethnicity, but about the rejection of Christ . A true Jew is one who has the faith of Abraham – and Abraham saw the day of Christ and rejoiced (John 8:56). Jews who reject Christ have ceased to be the true Israel .”

Saint Jerome:

“After the coming of Christ, Judaism no longer belongs to God, but to the adversary . Those who remain in synagogue after knowing Christ remain in the assembly of Satan , not of God.”

John 8:44 – “Your father is the devil”

Context : Debate between Jesus and “Jews who had believed in him” (v.31), but later rejected Him.

John 8: 39-47

“[Jews]: ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus: ‘If you are children of Abraham, do the works of Abraham. But you seek to kill me… Abraham did not do this.'”

[Jews]: ‘Our father is God.’ Jesus: ‘If God were your Father, you would love me… You belong to your father, the devil , and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning , not holding to the truth… he is a liar and the father of lies .'”

More stringent traditional interpretation :

Saint John Chrysostom :

“See? Christ himself calls them children of the devil . Not I, but your Master. If the Jews are children of the devil, then the synagogue is the house of the devil .”

A modern and balanced interpretation :

Catechism of the Catholic Church (§597):

“Taking into account the historical complexity of Jesus’ trial as manifested in the Gospel accounts… one cannot attribute responsibility [for Christ’s death] to the entire Jewish population of Jerusalem , despite the cries of a manipulated crowd.”

But from a traditional perspective (which I present historically):

“Post-Christian Judaism, by maintaining its rejection of Christ, objectively becomes an instrument of Satan. Not racial hatred (sin), but a theological observation: whoever rejects the Light embraces darkness .”

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VI. THE DEMONS OF APOSTATE JUDAISM

The Inversion: From Elected People to Disapproved

Saint Paul (Romans 11:7-10):

“Israel did not obtain what it sought, but the elect did; the rest were hardened … ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor , eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.’”

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16:

“You… suffered from your own countrymen the same things that [the churches of Judea] suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets , and persecuted us… they do not please God and are contrary to all men , hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles… always filling up the measure of their sins. The wrath [of God] has come upon them definitively .”

Kabbalah: Jewish Gnosticism

Origin :

• Jewish esoteric mysticism

• Main texts: Sefer Yetzirah (~200-600), Zohar (~1280, attributed to Moses of Leon)

• It presents itself as a “hidden tradition” dating back to Moses.

Fundamental concepts :

Ein Sof (Infinito):

• God beyond all understanding.

• Absolutely impersonal and inaccessible.

Ten Sefirot (Emanations):

• God “manifests himself” through 10 hierarchical emanations.

• Sephirotic tree

• Creation by emanation (not creation from nothing)

Adam Kadmon (Primordial Man):

• Cosmic prototype

• Earthly man is a “divine spark” trapped in matter.

Traditional Catholic critique :

Father Elias del Carmen (exorcist):

“Kabbalah is Jewish Gnosticism . It denies a personal God (Ein Sof is an abstraction). It denies free creation (necessary emanation). It teaches self-deification (divine spark). It is paganism disguised as mysticism. Practitioners open themselves to demonic influences through rituals, meditations on ‘sacred names’, angelic invocations (often demons in disguise).”

Connection with Freemasonry :

Traditionalists point out:

• Kabbalistic symbolism in Masonic rituals

• Sephirotic tree, Hebrew names (Jahbulon), sacred geometry

• Albert Pike (33rd degree Freemason): “Kabbalah is the key to understanding higher degrees”

Necromancy and Mediumship

Deuteronomy 18 : 10-12

“There shall not be found among you anyone who consults the dead… for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord .”

Practice in apostate Judaism :

Traditionalist literature claims :

• The Talmud permits consultation with “spirits” in certain circumstances (Sanhedrin 65b).

• Kabbalah teaches the invocation of angels and “ascended masters.”

• Golems (homunculi created by Kabbalistic ritual)

Demonic reality :

“’Spirits of the dead’ invoked are demons impersonating the deceased. Necromancy is idolatry (consulting the creature instead of the Creator) and opens the door to demonic possession.”

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VII. Jewish Messianism: The Antichrist

The Rejection of the True Messiah

John 5:43 – Christ prophesies:

“I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him .”

Traditional interpretation :

“’Another who will come in his own name’ = Antichrist . Jews who rejected the humble Messiah (Christ) will accept a proud pseudo-messiah (Antichrist).”

Characteristics of the Expected Messiah

Rabbinic Judaism awaits a messiah who:

1. He will rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem.

2. He will gather all the Jews in Israel.

3. He will establish an earthly kingdom of Israel over the nations.

4. It will bring world peace under Jewish supremacy.

5. He will be a human (not divine) descendant of David.

Contrast with Christ :

The Antichrist: False Jewish Messiah

Saint Robert Bellarmine ( On the Antichrist ):

“The Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan (Genesis 49:17). He will be Jewish . He will proclaim himself the Messiah. He will rebuild the Temple. The Jews will accept him as their king. Then he will reveal blasphemy: he will demand worship as God.”

2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4

“First must come the apostasy, and the man of lawlessness must be revealed , the son of destruction , who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God , proclaiming himself to be God.”

Traditional interpretation :

• “Temple of God” = Third Temple (rebuilt)

• “To sit down” = Supreme profanation

• Jews will accept it because it corresponds to their temporal messianic hope.

Revelation 13:11-18 – Second Beast:

“I saw another beast… it had two horns like a lamb [an imitation of Christ], but it spoke like a dragon [Satan]… it makes the earth worship the first beast… it performs great signs… it deceives those who dwell on the earth… causing everyone… to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead.”

Saint Hippolytus (†235), Treatise on Christ and the Antichrist :

“The Antichrist will be born from the tribe of Dan… He will present himself as Christ… He will rebuild Jerusalem… He will show signs and wonders (by the power of Satan)… The Jews will receive him saying: ‘This is our expected messiah!’. Then, armed, he will persecute the Church to death.”

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VIII. THE FINAL CONVERSION OF ISRAEL

Romans 11: Eschatological Hope

Romans 11: 25-27

“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery… a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in . And then all Israel will be saved , as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.’”

Patristic interpretation :

Saint Augustine :

“In the end times, after the conversion of the Gentiles is complete, there will be a mass conversion of the Jews . They will recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This will immediately precede the Second Coming.”

Saint Thomas Aquinas :

“Jews will remain in unbelief until the end of the world. But near the end, through the preaching of Elijah (who will return – Malachi 4:5), they will be converted.”

Zechariah 12:10 – They will look on the one they have pierced.

Zechariah 12:10

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication; they will look on me, the one they have pierced , and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.”

Traditional Christian application :

“Prophecy of final conversion. Jews will look upon the crucified Christ – the One whom their ancestors pierced – and recognize : ‘This was our Messiah! We rejected Him!’ There will be national mourning for historical sin, followed by mass conversion.”

The Preaching of Elijah and Enoch

Patristic tradition (based on Malachi 4:5-6 and Revelation 11:3-12):

Two witnesses (Revelation 11):

• Elijah (taken up alive – 2 Kings 2:11)

• Enoch (taken up alive – Genesis 5:24)

Mission :

• Preaching in Jerusalem for 1,260 days (3.5 years)

• Converting Jews to Christ

• To bear witness against the Antichrist

• They will be killed by the Antichrist.

• They will be resurrected after 3.5 days.

• They will ascend to heaven.

Saint Robert Bellarmine :

“Elijah will come before the Second Coming to convert the Jews . He will show in the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. Multitudes of Jews will believe. This will enrage the Antichrist, who will kill them [Elijah and Enoch]. But their resurrection will convert the remaining Jews.”

The End of Rabbinic Judaism

After final conversion :

• Rabbinic Judaism will cease to exist.

• Jews will become Catholics

• The Third Temple (if built by the Antichrist) will be destroyed .

• Israel will recognize that the Catholic Church is the true spiritual Israel.

• Final fulfillment of Romans 11:26 : “All Israel will be saved.”

Father Lacunza (Jesuit, †1801), The Coming of the Messiah in Glory and Majesty :

“The conversion of the Jews will be the sign immediately preceding the Second Coming. When we see Jews converting to Christ en masse, we will know: IT IS NEAR!”