Geza Vermes wrote in the Guardian’ Face to Faith column that Mary was probably not a virgin in the modern sense of the word.
Christopher Howse wrote in the Telegraph about a Remarkable piece of cardboard.
Jonathan Sacks wrote in The Times about Chanukah, in Candles in memory of a clash of civilisations.
The requirements for the Moshiach do not require a “virgin” but a young woman of suitable morality. Jesus was Moshiach Ben David for that Generation and Mary satisfied the requirements for maternity. It just happened to be a particularly spectacular incarnation, one of God’s big “don’t ignore this one” moments – like the parting of the Red Sea. Sacks article was excellent, I also loved this article that went up on the weekend http://www.algemeiner.com/generic.asp?ID=43 This article reminds us that put “…into historical perspective, had Antiochus succeeded, Judaism would have died. Its daughter religions — Christianity and Islam — would have… Read more »
“the torch of morality and the light of redemption would never be extinguished.”
But it has a l o t of background to shine against.
Happy Yom Tov !
What a wonderful festival.We are fortunate to have such ready access to the thinking, teaching and articles of rabbis and other Jewish teachers, nowardays.
The piece on John Newman is tender and evocative.
Also – brings out the pathos of a found object