Resurrection: Investigating a Rabbi From Brooklyn, a Preacher From Galilee, and an Event That Changed the World Paperback – March 3, 2020

Was the 20th century’s respected Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson the promised messiah of the Old Testament Scriptures? This is the question, among others, that Dr. Michael Brown explores in his book, Resurrection: Investigating a Rabbi From Brooklyn, a Preacher From Galilee, and an Event That Changed the World. In this book Dr. Brown shares the life and history of the influential Jewish Rabbi Schneerson and the implications his death had for his follower’s messianic expectancy. But that's not all.With his unique insight as a Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus), Dr. Brown respectfully contrasts and compares the Jewish messianism of Rabbi Schneerson’s followers with that of the 1st centuries Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth. Brown explores why Schneerson’s death and his follower’s reactions to that death were different (and in some cases similar) to the reactions of the New Testament’s accounts concerning Yeshua and His followers.With wit and well reasoned arguments, Dr. Brown challenges the reader to consider why the New Testament’s record of Yeshua’s - resurrection - is the foundational difference when compared to all other messianic claims, including those who believe Rabbi Schneerson was the messiah. I quote Dr. Brown:• “But as we have also seen, there is a massive difference between these two [messianic] movements [Schneerson & Yeshua of Nazareth], and it boils down to one word: resurrection. Only one of these potential Messiahs rose again.”Indeed, Dr. Brown quoting Paul in his letter to the Corinthian’s (Cor. 15:13-19) succinctly summed it up with the profound statement: “If Messiah has not been raised, your faith is futile…”. Dr. Brown goes on to show how over the millenniums there have been many who claimed such and such was a fulfillment of the Bible’s promised redeemer. Each of these messianic heroes have all come and gone – yet none have risen from the grave. Only the New Testament makes the bold claim that Yeshua rose from the grave and was seen by a multitude of witnesses before He returned to heaven.Dr. Brown argues to good effect that this is a foundational claim that makes the New Testament’s testimony about Yeshua as the promise messiah unique and important.Chapter 7: Rediscovering Israel’s Suffering and Rising Messiah was my favorite part of this book. In this great chapter Dr. Brown takes the reader through the Biblical passages that show how Israel’s promised redeemer is clearly described as both a suffering servant and reigning king. Here are a couple of quotes that demonstrate the important points made in this chapter and other places in the book:• “What then are we to make of these problems and apparent contradictions? The solution is really quite simple. The Messiah will fulfill dual roles – a lowly role and a triumphant role, a dying role and a ruling role. And in order to do both, he has to rise form the dead. It is as simple as it is profound.” (p. 42)• “This was the Messiah’s mission: not simply to come as godly teacher and powerful warrior, but to come first as the perfect substitute, the ideal atonement, the righteous one taking the place of a world of unrighteous ones. Messiah lived a perfect life to cover all of our imperfections. He died so we could live. He suffered so we could be forgiven. Then God raised Him from the dead so that we too could enjoy eternal life together with Him. And so. Rather than His death interrupting His mission, His death formed the foundation of His mission.” (p. 96)• “…He was killed as an essential part of His mission, part of His fulfilling the Torah’s requirement for blood sacrifices and atonement. (p. 127)* * *One aspect of this subject that personally trills me is the congruency of the Bible’s testimony of the messianic "suffering servant" and His mission to redeem mankind from their sins. As noted in the quote above and other places in the book, the New Testament proclaimed that Yeshua offered himself (once and for all) as the atonement sacrifice for mankind’s sins. In this way Yeshua fulfilled the righteous requirement of the Torah.Though not explained in this book, one of the most thrilling examples of this sacrificial redemptive symbolism is found in Matthew 1 and lineage of Yeshua. First, it is important to note that at the beginning of every month and for nearly each of the 7 Biblical holy day throughout the year, the Torah required Israel to perform sacrificial rites that included 13 or 14 sacrifices. Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot all required some combination of these sacrifices to make atonement for Israel’s sins.It’s no surprise then to see that the New Testament author Matthew arranged Yeshua’s generational listing to emphasis this symbolism. In Matthew 1, Yeshua’s lineage is described as three sets of 14 generations (14+14+14 = 42). Cleverly thought, as given, Matthew only listed 41 names (14+14+13 = 41), thus making Yeshua both the 13th and 14 generation. This symbolism is further emphasized by the fact that in order to make this symbolism work, Matthew left out 4 of Yeshua’s generations. One of these missing kings, Jehoiakim, who’s name means ”Yahweh raises up”, was left out between the 13th and 14th generation.This ingenious arrangement by Matthew not only connected Yeshua to the sacrificial symbolism of the Torah but by representing Yeshua as – two generations – both the 13th and 14 generation, Matthew confirmed the Old Testaments description of the Messiah as both a suffering servant and a reigning king. Yeshua, as the 13th – the suffering servant & atonement sacrifice also became the reigning king – the 14th generation after his resurrection. Keep in mind that king David , is the also represented as the 14th generation in Matthew 1. Congruent to say the least.This wonderful symbolism is also confirmed in Daniel 9, that famous messianic passage which tells of the “anointed” one who makes atonement for Israel’s sins. Awesomely this passage, as given in the Hebrew text is designed to emphasis the Bible’s sacrificial redemptive symbolism in a most compelling way. Astoundingly the numerical Hebrew word structure of Daniel 9 shows an intimate connection between the 70 Sevens and sacrificial/redemptive symbolism of 13 & 14. As many scholars have shown, a compelling case can be made that Yeshua of Nazareth precisely fulfilled this 70 Sevens prophecy, thus proving He was the Messiah promised in the Scriptures.* * *In closing, my thoughts aside, Dr. Browns book makes a compelling argument why the resurrection matters to the Jewish people, to Christians, and indeed to all mankind.The resurrection is the difference.Maranatha!

Dr. Brown has provided an insightful, educational, and theological look at the Resurrection from a Messianic Jewish Perspective. He begins with an in-depth look at the life of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson and the Chabad movement. He examines the messianic beliefs held by some, and rejected or not talked, by various factions of the movement. He then explores Traditional Jewish Beliefs about the nature of the messiah and the potential for one in each generation. He provides to provide fascinating background and insight into a mystical messiah whom converted to Islam several centuries ago. He makes the point that of all the claims made by the followers of the Rebbe, they don't claim that he rose from the dead. They made all kinds of claims to explain his death, but not that one. He provides to explore the evidence for the resurrection and objections to it. For there Dr. Brown moves to examine teaching in traditional Jewish circles, including OT interpretation, demonstrating the Christ is the messiah his people looking for. Lastly he makes it quite clear why Judaism and Christianity can't co-exist as equal truth claims. He finishes with a look at how the resurrection changed the world. If you read this book you will be educated, informed, inspired, and convicted to reach the lost and the Jewish people. I highly recommend this book to all.

When Rabbi Schneerson, leader of the Chabad movement, died at age 92 in 1994, many of his followers anticipated that he soon would be resurrected and revealed as the Messiah. Some still have this hope. The controversy surrounding Rabbi Schneerson raises question about the concept of Messiah in the Bible and Jewish tradition: Is it possible for someone who dies and is resurrected to be the Messiah? What about the concept of a righteous man providing vicarious atonement for sin? What about the idea of Messiah as an incarnation of the divine?In this book, Messianic Jewish scholar Michael L. Brown explores these questions and others. He examines three major Messianic movements---the Jesus movement, the strange story of Sabbethai Zevi in the 17th century, and today's Chabad movement---and considers the claim that Jesus was resurrected, which sets the Jesus movement apart from other Messianic movements. He points out how faith in that resurrection has transformed the world for the better and closes by making an impassioned case for the Christian Gospel.

This book is about how the Jews are still looking for their Messiah. The Messiah has already come and that is Jesus Christ. The Jews need to look for the returning. So many have looked for the Messiah and are still looking. He died Good Friday and rose Easter Sunday. We celebrate His resurrection and will continue to until He comes back for His church. Rabbis have been looking for him also. He already came. Jesus is alive and well on planet earth and we celebrate every day with His Holy Spirit.

The book is full of information and well written. If the subject matter is what you are looking for you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it.

I never got this close to the Jewish worldview and how they seem to obstinantly refuse to progress and accept the messiah. There would appear to be no reason either. Fascinating read.