Return of the Kosher Pig

by Itzhak Shapira

Overview

Far from a study of kosher dietary laws, this book is an unprecedented journey toward the true identity of the Divine Messiah the one previously considered unkosher and unacceptable by Jewish people. This encyclopedic volume will surprise and challenge you with the compelling words of Jewish sages and rabbis over the last 2,000 years, many in English for the first time.

The Return of the Kosher Pig features:

-Glossary of over 300 terms that will enable readers to dive deeper into Hebraic/biblical thought

-Directory of all major rabbinical works on the issue of Messiah in the last 2,000 years

-Index of all references from the Torah, Prophets, Writings, New Testament, and the Talmud

-Easy-to-read format that provides an excellent study tool for students of scripture

-Full bibliography with numerous sources that are hidden to many English speakers on the nature of the Messiah

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936716456
Publisher:	Messianic Jewish Publishers
Publication date:	07/28/2013
Pages:	334
Sales rank:	269,258
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgments x

To the Reader xi

Introduction 1

Who Is the "Kosher Pig" and What Is This Book All About? 1

The Return of the Kosher Pig? 9

Part 1 (Alef): Framework-Defining the Historical and Theological Background of the Case of the Kosher Pig 19

A Brief Historical Survey of the Jewish Framework 20

What Methodology Do We Find Within This Jewish Framework? 27

Primary Sources for the Case of the Kosher Pig 35

Secondary Sources for the Case of the Kosher Pig 40

The Oral Torah and the Sages of Israel: The Tale of the Two-Edged Sword 44

Important Thinkers Within the Case of the Kosher Pig 53

Part 2 (Bet): Identification-Understanding the Case of the Kosher Pig Within a Traditional Jewish Framework 55

Understanding the Case for K'firah (Heresy) Within Rambam's Thirteen Principles of Faith 70

Part 3 (Gimel): Evidence-Examining the Primary Evidence in the Case of the Divine "Kosher Pig," Yeshua of Natzeret 83

First Remez, &cgpI;: "He shall be exalted and lifted up" The Messiah's Ranking 84

Second Remez, &cgpB;: "And there was given him dominion"

The Messiah's Authority 108

Third Remez, &cgpDD;: "Therefore his name was called Peretz" The Messiah as the Poretz and Ba'al Torah 138

Fourth Remez, &cgpT;: "The spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters" The Messiah and His Divine Origin 166

Fifth Remez, &cgpA;: "The first Goel as last Goel" The Messiah as a Divine Redeemer 193

Part 4 (Daled): Exploration-Weighing the Secondary Evidence in the Case of the Kosher Pig 227

Who Is Sar Hapanim and What Is His Name and Authority? 227

The Great Mystery in the Names of Metatron, Enoch, and "The Lad" as Yeshua? 239

Who Is Hana 'ar and What Are His Tasks According to the Sages? 245

The First Sod: "The Lad" Who Is Metatron Will Be the High Priest Over Israel 247

The Second Sod: "The Lad" Who Is Metatron Will Have Full Access to Speak with YHVH Face to Face as the High Priest on Our Behalf 249

The Third Sod: "The Lad" Is None Other Than the Messiah Himself Who Will Be Resurrected 250

The Fourth Sod: "The Lad" Is None Other Than the Messiah Himself, Also Known Jewish Literature as Messiah Son of Joseph 251

The Fifth Sod: The Na 'ar Is Also Known by the Name Haben (the Son) of God 252

The Divine Son of God in the Secrets of the Torah 259

Part 5 (Hey): Reconciliation-Proposal for Reconciliation Between the Kosher Pig (and His Followers) and Traditional Judaism 265

The Case for Tzimtzum of HaShem Through the Messiah 265

Sof Davar: The Verdict-An Open Letter to the People of Israel 277

Glossary of Hebrew Terms 285

Appendix A List of Rabbis by Era 295

Appendix B Major Tanach References 303

Appendix C Brit HaChadasha References 307

Appendix D Talmudic References 309

Bibliography 311

What People are Saying About This

Rabbi Joshua Brumbach

This is a tremendous contribution to our understanding of Messiah from a traditional Jewish perspective. I greatly appreciate both Rabbi Shapira's knowledge of, and appreciation for, the classic Jewish sources he interacts with and the insights he shares as a native Hebrew-speaker. This book provides an excellent introduction to the concept and roles of Messiah in traditional Rabbinic texts. He also does a great job interpreting them from a Messianic Jewish perspective and demonstrating how Yeshua fulfilled and fits into these common expectations. This book is an excellent resource for those who are just beginning their spiritual journeys or who are already well informed on the subject. This work far surpasses much of what currently exists in regard to Messianic Jewish apologetics. I highly recommend this book! —Rabbi Joshua Brumbach Ahavat Zion Synagogue, Beverly Hills, CA

Rabbi Martin Waldman

The Return of the Kosher Pig is a groundbreaking study of Yeshua's true identity as the Jewish Messiah. This book is a 'must read' for any serious student of the Scriptures who realizes that the Bible can not be separated from historic Jewish thought and literature. Rabbi Tzahi Shapira has created a masterful book based on years of study and interaction with our Jewish sages. —Rabbi Martin Waldman Baruch HaShem, Dallas, TX

Michael L. Brown

For the last forty years, traditional rabbis and counter-missionaries have told me that they cannot even consider our claim that Yeshua is the Messiah because we believe Him to be divine. Now, Messianic Jewish rabbi Tzahi Shapira has challenged that objection relying entirely on the Hebrew Scriptures and traditional Jewish literature, and he has done so with much careful study and great spiritual passion. Is it possible that a Jew can embrace Yeshua as the divine Messiah and follow the traditional Jewish sources as well? Read this book and find out for yourself! —Michael L. Brown, Ph.D. | Author, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, Volumes 1—5

Rudy Gonzalez

While PARDES is a Jewish hermeneutical method that most New Testament students have heard about, few have ever really seen it in action. Thankfully, Rabbi Shapira has done both the Jewish and Christian communities a great service in applying the principles of PARDES to show that the concept of a suffering Messiah is well within the framework of historic Jewish thought. I am convinced that the arguments raised and defended here cannot be easily dismissed, for they flow from the very thought processes of the greatest rabbinical thinkers that have influenced and comforted Diaspora Judaism to modern times. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who desires honestly to inquire whether Yeshua is truly Ha Mashiach of Israel.” “May the Lord prosper and give permanence to this great piece of work you have done. —Rudy Gonzalez, Ph.D. Dean, Wm. R. Marshall Center for Theological Studies

Paige Patterson

The Return of the Kosher Pig penned by Rabbi Itzhak Shapira constitutes one of the most interesting and learned tomes I have ever read. Contained within its pages is much with which I agree, some with which I disagree, and much about which I never thought. But what makes the volume unique is that Jew and Gentile alike will read it with great profit, followed by valuable and life-changing discussions. For certain, Rabbi Shapira's remarkable book cannot be ignored. —Paige Patterson President, SWBTS

Rik B. Wadge

Great book and an incredible tool for clergy and laity alike! The Return of the Kosher Pig is a must-read for anyone serious about Judeo-Christian research. Rabbi Shapira tackles the most difficult of texts with seeming ease, as he takes the reader through the many complexities of rabbinic perspectives on Messiah. —Rik B. Wadge, Ph.D., Th.D. God's Learning Channel

Jeffrey A. Adler

Rabbi Shapira's book is groundbreaking because he demonstrates as a Jewish insider that Yeshua as Jewish Messiah is a reasonable consideration for the serious Jewish person who wants to be assured of truth and staying within the Jewish pale. —Rabbi Jeffrey A. Adler Sha'arey Yeshua Messianic Jewish Congregation

Rabbi Michael Wolf

There has never been a book quite like The Return of the Kosher Pig. Tzahi Shapira's encyclopedic knowledge of rabbinic sources, as well as his keen eye for Biblical truth, has produced a game-changing volume that promises to be an apologetics classic. I recommend it to anyone who desires solid evidence concerning the nature of Messiah. —Rabbi Michael Wolf Beth Messiah, Loveland, OH