From: danl@col.hp.com (Daniel Lockhart)
Subject: Re: *jesus of Nazareth*
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 19:30:53 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division


I forgot which baseline I was reading on Monday, but seem to remember it
being under one of the "Jesus" lines, so I am posting this followup here.

As I remember the post, someone was seeking the Jewish opinion of the 
cannabilistic ritual of eating flesh and drinking blood of Jesus.  During
a conversation at work I was told there is a group that believes in the
literal interpretation. As a Christian, I have been quite confused by sayings
in the Bible, and now seek clearer understanding from my Jewish brothers.
I post what has been passed on to my, feel free to correct or add as you 
see fit.    daniel

The communion service comes from Matthew 26:26-30.  As this occurs during
a "Passover" dinner most Christians do not understand the setting. First
I was taught that G-d gave the feasts as a lesson about what occured in the
past, but also what would occur in the future.  As such there will be many
symbols identifing different things.  So I look at events as symbols more    
than literal.

During the third cup portion of the service, the third third portion of
bread is brought out.  This bread is the one which had been broken earlier
and wrapped in linen and placed away. This bread is made without leaven,
is pierced with holes, and stripped from the cooking process. To the 
Christian this bread represents Jesus. First this is the middle of the
three loaves, thus the Father,Son,and Holy Spirit. The bread is made without
leaven, thus does not rise , interpreted as without sin. While the holes and
stripes are due to cooking process, the holes represent he who is pierced
for our transgressions (Isa 53:3), by his stripes you are healed. The bread
is broken (killed), placed away (buried) and brought forth during the third
cup (raised on the third day). Jesus blessed the bread before passing it out
to his disciples.  The blessing is "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our G-d, King of
the universe, Who bringest forth bread from the earth."  He then says in 
Matt 26:26  "Take, eat; this is My body." Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Beth
Lechem = House of Bread) and was predicting his death, burial, and resurrection
just before it was to occur.  

The third cup of wine is to represent his blood.  The strongest cove
nant that can be made is a blood covenant as shown in Genesis 15 between G-d
and Abram. In the days of Jesus we find examples of the covenant between 
a couple preparing to be married. The bridegroom would approach his chosen with
a contract which they would both sign. The grooom would pay a price to her 
father for his bride. If she was willing to be married to the groom, they would
both sign the contract, then the groom would toast the bride with the cup of
wine. The groom would then depart to build the bridal chamber. When his father
decides that the chamber is worthy, he allows the groom to return for his bride
and the 7 day wedding celebration would begin.  The parallel between the 
wedding and the New Covenant (New testament) are numerious.  Jesus is refered
to as the true vine, the disciples were the branches and the church is the  
fruit of the vine. Jesus blessed the third cup of wine with " Blessed art 
Thou, o L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine."
followed by "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant,

which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." He then dies on Passover
day at 3pm (local time) which is when the lamb is offered by the High Priest in
the temple, is buried on Unleavened Bread, and resurrected on First Fruits.
(I understand that First Fruits is a floating day which means it may or not
occured three days after First Fruits).  He departs from this earth to return
for his bride (all believers) at a later date. The tribulation period for 
some Christians would then match the seven day wedding celebration where
Jesus blesses and rewards his bride (someone will figure Jesus will approve 
marrying multiple men and women just as they interpret that they should eat
flesh and drink blood from the Passover statements) 

I thank my Jewish friends who have passed their knowledge on to me and welcome
more information that others can contribute.

Shalom

daniel
 


can be made is a blood covenment as given to Abram in Genesis 15.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish,soc.culture.african.american