Books: MUST READS

From Sebomenoi

TORAH

HOREV HEBREW / ENGLISH JEWISH BIBLE

An accurate and clear translation of the TaNaKh ("Old Testament") based on the Aleppo Manuscript of the Mesoretic Text.

THE SEVEN COLORS OF THE RAINBOW Torah Ethics for Non-Jews

For a comprehensive understanding of the Seven Universal Laws, order your copy of The Rainbow Covenant Torah and the Seven Universal Laws

MISHNEH TORAH

Most accurate text of Mishneh Torah all in one volume HERE. Most accurate text of Mishneh Torah available for reading online HERE on Mechon-Mamre.org and HERE with automatic Hebrew/English translator. As stated on Machon-Mamre.org's "About" page, "Mishneh Torah was the first, and is still the only, full codification of all of the divine laws of the special covenant between the LORD YHWH and Israel as well as the general Noachide covenant between the LORD YHWH and the Gentiles (no, we do not mean the so-called "New Testament"), with all of the rabbinic legislation developed in accordance with those laws: for all people, for all places, and for all times (until the reestablishment of the Sanhedrin in Israel--may we be blessed to reestablish it, in our time!)."

"A Light Unto The Nations" by Rabbi Yoel Schwartz;

The introduction to the work begins, "...This work has been compiled to increase awareness of the universal aspects of the Jewish religion, namely its message concerning the duties incumbent on all mankind." It is written from a mainstream Litvish Haredi Orthodox perspective bringing sources from various well known Rabbinic authorities.

[Amunoth w'Deoth] FAITHS AND OPINIONS by Rav Sa'adyah Gaon - RaSaG; written around 933 CE. Deals with logical verification of major aspects of the faith of Israel such as the reality of the Oneness of the Almighty (what it does and does not imply), the Eternal Validity of practical application the Torah, Eternality of Israel, the Messiah, the World to Come, etc..

[Moreh haNevukhim] GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED by Rav Moshe ben Maiman - RaMBaM. Older Translation ~ Newer Translation: Part 1; Part 2; written in the 12th century.

[Hhovoth haLevavoth] DUTIES OF THE HEART by Rabeinu Bahhyah ibn Paquda; written around 1040 CE.

HISTORY

"JESUS THE PHARISEE" by Harvey Falk (non-Messianic Orthodox Jew)

Proposes possible explainations to some teachings of Je'sus in the Christian Bible which otherwise appear to go against Torah (the Law of Moses); This is done by way of understanding the historical 1st century Jewish context in which he would have been teaching.

"Those Incredible Christians" by Hugh Schonfield; (non-Messianic Jew)

Reconstruction of events surrounding formation of "the Church" during the first hundred years of its existence based upon historical research. "From Jesus to Paul" by Peter Richardson

"The Mythmaker: Paul And the Invention Of Christianity" by Hyam Maccoby

"The Conflict of the Church and the Synagogue" by James W. Parkes

"Netzarim Resources" (Not reflective of mainstream Orthodox Jewish perspective; Regardless, I am convinced that for Christians seeking information on the origins & developement of Christianity, the books on this page are a MUST. The Christian should only keep in mind that not everything presented in these books represent what most Orthodox Jews believe, as far as history is concerned.)

"The Hebrew Yeshua vs. the Greek Jes;us" by Nehemia Gordon (non-Messianic Karaite Jew) [**WARNING: Although certainly there is what to be learned from this, please note that the author, while helping to remove misunderstanding from Yeshua, adds to misunderstanding of "Pharisaic Judaism" and this aspect of Yeshua's teachings.]

Quote from their site: "An astonishing realization has recently gripped the Christian world: "Jesus Christ" was not a blond-haired, blue-eyed Gentile. Yeshua of Nazareth was raised in an observant Jewish family in a culture where the Torah (five books of Moses) was the National Constitution. Yeshua's teachings, which supposedly form the basis for Western Christianity, are now filtered through 2000 years of traditions born in ignorance of the land, language, and culture of the Bible. The issues over which Yeshua wrestled with the Pharisees are simply not understood by modern Christians; nor are his most important instructions followed by those who claim to be his disciples."

HEAVENLY POWERS: Unraveling the Secret History of the Kabbalah

The Limits of Orthodox Theology