Libelous Elements in the Crucifixion Charge
Exposed in Declaration by Prof. Zeitlin

In an important article to ap-
Jesus, so the Jew can also be
pear in the forthcoming issue of -
saved by accepting Jesus, Prof.
the Jewish, Quarterly Review, en-
Zeitlin retorts: "The Jews are
titled "The Dates of the Birth and
guiltless and cannot be blamed
the Crucifixion of Jesus — The
for the crucifixion. They do not
Crucifixion, a Libelous Accusa-
need to be saved . . . Christianity
tion Against the Jews," Prof. Solo-
has much in common with Juda-
mon Zeitlin reviews inconsisten-
ism. Christianity arose as a Judaeo-
cies in New Testament assertions,
Christian religion. These two re-
draws upon historical data to re-
ligions can and will develop by
fute charges against Jewry and
coexistence and mutual apprecia-
outlines the Romans' role in the
tion."
death of Jesus.
He quotes with "great satisfac-
Prof. Zeitlin concludes his ar-
tion" an editorial appearing in
ticle with an appeal to the Ecu-
1948 in the Methodist "Christian
menical Council to "show good
Advocate" on Zeitlin's "Who Cru-
will to the mother religion by re-
cified Jesus?" In part, the editorial
moving the unjustifiable stigma
read:
from the .Jews by declaring in its
"Caiaphas, the high priest,
schema that historically the Jews
who was responsible for hailing
are not guilty ofthe crucigixation
Jesus before Pilate, was a quis-
of Jesus. This would erase the
ling, thoroughly hated by the
guilt of the Church for' the de-
Jews and despised even by the
famation of an innocent people."
Romans.
The Sanhedrin, which
PROF. SOLOMON ZEITLIN
Prof. Zeitlin's "The Crucifixion
passed the judgment, was a
of Jesus," which was published
political clique, quite separate
in 1943, is one of the most authori- Pharisees and the scribes plot-
and distinct from the religious
ting
to
kill
Jesus."
tative declarations on the subject.
group, of the same name, which
(The book was serialized in The
Prof. Zeitlin question the mo- ruled in all spiritual matters
Jewish News 15 years ago). The tives that would have led the for the Jews. The execution was
leading world authority on the Pharisees and high priest to seek justified by the Romans on the
Second Commonwealth, era.
Jesus' death. Although the Gos- ground that Jesus was an insur-
Dr. Zeitlin, who is professor of pels say it was a charge of blas- rectionist who plotted a rebel-
rabbinic literature at Dropsie • phemy (Jesus declared that he lion against the empire, and the
College, Philadelphia, is among would sit on "the right hand" of Christian church for 20 years
the leading experts on the hist- God), the Jews would not con- was believed by the Romans to
ory of the period which marked sider such words blasphemy, for be a seditious organization."
the founding of Christianity.
many pious men sought the same
The Christian world, Prof. Zeit-
In his statement — a 22-page heavenly after-life for themselves, lin asserts, "must atone for their
article to appear in the next issue
Even if Jesus had been tried as
towards the Jewish people
of Jewish Quarterly Review, of a religious offender, "why was he guilt
using the crucifixion of Jesus
which he is the editor — Prof. brought before Pilate?" Dr. Zeit- for
as a pretext for enslaving and
Zeitlin pointg out that "Jesus was lin asks. "The Judeans had the persecuting
crucified as king of the Judeans, authority to inflict capital punish- the ages." the Jews throughout
as a rebel against Rome." A high
merit on one who had transgressed
priest who did not serve the in- religious laws . . . What had the
terests of Rome during its occu- Roman authorities to do with the Talmudic Parable
pation of the Holy Land was sum- arrest of a man who had com-
used to go to
marily dismissed and regarded mitted a religious sin against the A certain woman
each Friday evening
as disloyal. Thus, "The fact that Judaism?" to hear Rabbi synagogue
Me'ir address the
the high priests had to assert
From this, Prof. Zeitlin con- general congregation. One evening
again and again, "We have no king
sermon was so lengthy that the
but Caesar' indicates that the trial eludes: "Jesus was arrested and his
of Jesus was a political issue and put to death as a rebel against lamp in her home went out before
the high priests were fearful of Rome and was crucificed as the she could return. This angered her
being accused as accomplices in king of the Judeans. A serious husband (because the Law forbade
declaring Jesus a king of the historian can come to only one kindling a light on the Sabbath)
conclusion — The religious lead-I and when she told him where she
Judeans."
The newness of Christianity in ers of the Judeans had no part had been. he cried: "Never shall
its early days required the leaders in the condemnation and cruci- you re-enter this house till you
to place the blame of Jesus' cru- fixion of Jesus. The early leaders have spat in the eyes of the
cifixion on the Jews, Prof. Zeitlin of the church, in order to sub- preacher."
Now Rabbi Me'ir, aided by the
writes. Discrepancies between the- stantiate the truth of Christianity,
ology and historicil fadt are rec- placed the onus of the condemna- Holy Spirit, saw what had happen-
tion
and
crucifixion
of
Jesus
upon
ed. and immediately pretended that
ognized by some modern his-
the leaders of the Jews. This was there was something wrong with
torians. _
the
purpose
of
Christian
theology.
his eyes. He announced. "Any
One historian not so inclined
is James Daane. associate editor It must be emphasized that the woman who knows how to whisper
Apostolic
Fathers
did
not
make
a spell against pains in the eyes,
of "Christianity T o d a y." Prof.
Zeitlin criticizes Daane as failing ! the accusation of the crucifixion let her come and whisper it."
against
the
Jews.
In
all
of
their
Hearing this, the neighbors said
to have taken all sources available
on the peritid and thus coming disputations against Judaism they to the woman: "Now at last you can
up with the following "answer" did not accuse the Jews of the return to your house. Pretend , that
crucifixion of Jesus .. . "
to anti-Semitism:
you are going to whisper a spell,
Prof. Zeitlin criticizes Life
"While the Church cannot ex-
and then spit in the Rabbi's eyes."
Magazine for its March 1964,
pect Jews to accept the theological
So she went to him, but when
picture essay on "The Greatest he asked her whether she could
interpretation given to the history
Story
Ever
Told."
The
Life
cap-
of Christ's death in Scripture, it
whisper a spell. she could nut llring
can expect the Jews to acknow- tion reads: "While the Sanhed- herself to say yes. Thereupon he
rin,
the
governing
council
of
ledge the actual historical facts."
"Spit seven times into ,. my
rabbis, was plotting his death, said,'
Daane insists the Jewish re-
eyes, for that will heal them.?
Jesus
went
into
the
city
with
his
ligious leaders — Pharisees,
This she did do, and then the
apostles for Passover." The New
scribes and priests—were re-
Testament makes no such men- Rabbi said: "Now go and tell your
sponsible for the death of Jesus.
tion of a "council of rabbis," husband, 'You told me to spit once,
He cites the four Gospels —
and Prof. Zeitlin complained to and I have spat seven times.' "
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Thereupon the disciples cried to
the magazine that the caption is
— as evidence. Prof. Zeitlin,
"a distortion of historical fact, their master: "Should the Law be
however, notes that different
unjust to the spiritual leaders thus made contemptible? If you
versions are recorded in each
had told us, we would have sent
of a people."
of the Gospels regarding events
Prof. Zeitlin reiterates: "From for the man and lashed him with
in connection with the arrest
the accounts in the four Gospels rods till he had made it up with
and trial of Jesus. For example,
in the Gospel according to John we must conclude that the spir- his wife." He, however,' answered:
"there is no mention of the itual leaders of the Judeans had Shall it not be with the honor of
no part in the crucifixion of Jesus. Rabbi Me'ir as with the honor of
The high priests were the puppets his Maker? If the Holy Name may
of Rome and acted as quislings. be washed away in water, in order
Like
An impartial historian would not to make peace between a man and
accuse the Norwegian people of his wife, how much more is this
:eau/ay Cocktail's got it!
atrocities committed by Quislings true of the honor of Rabbi Me'ir!"
in delivering Norwegian patriots —The Talmud (T. J. Sotah, 16:45).
42 PROOF $
CODE NO.
to the Nazis."
4/5 QUART
6688
To Danne's suggestion that the
A word spoken at the proper
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