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. 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