Amy-Jill Levine

This book is about a tree but it’s also about having patience. A gardener plants a fig tree and tells everybody it takes time. Then one summer goes by then two summers and still no figs. The gardener wants to replace the tree, but the children say no the tree just needs love which they give it for another year or two or three until eventually the tree produces figs and becomes shade. The kids always knew it just took patience. The story is lovely and sweet. The illustrations are not my favorite, but they did grow on me by the end of the book. I do wish the cover was changed to one of the inside pictures that looks more complete. The current cover seems like a fast slap together.… (més)

Amy-Jill Levine is an Orthodox Jew and—oddly enough one might think—a New Testament scholar. Her books were introduced to me by a friend who is a Jewish convert to Christianity.

The focus of the book is to make known what the author concludes is a common Jewish perspective on Jesus, Christianity, and the New Testament Scriptures, one that it is important for us to be aware of in order to foster compassionate dialogue between Jews and Christians.

Levine states a key point for all readers of books and Scripture alike: “Each reader and community of readers brings to a text different presuppositions and experiences, and each will emphasize different parts of the text.”

A good bit of her perspective, especially in earlier chapters, may likely be a bit jarring for some Christian believers. Most probably won’t see eye-to-eye on some of the opinions presented. That said, I agree with another reviewer who said some of the ways certain New Testament passages have been used to promote anti-Judaism and mistreatment of Jews is shocking, and having been promoted by Christians makes this horrific.

Truthfully, there were moments I did not fully agree with all of Levine’s thoughts. Some of it also left me unsure and would require further research and study before making a conclusion. However, I want to receive the book as the author presents it, remembering that the point of the book isn’t about agreeing with what is written, but understanding a perspective we may not know: how Jews of today see Jesus, the New Testament, and Christianity so that Christians and Jews can have healthy and helpful conversation and connection in spite of our differences.

If you’re like me, you may not have realized the amount of anti-Jewish teaching, Scripture interpretation, and so forth that is actually out there, even by well-known theologians and preachers. Levine writes (and I agree): “Untrained but well-meaning teachers tend to implant a great deal of religious bigotry.” She also states (in the immensely helpful final chapter) that until people are “aware of what is on the bookshelves, they will have no reason to seek to counter it.”

As stated in the final chapter’s suggestions for healthy interfaith relationships between Christians and Jews, “we need to be able to listen with the ears of our neighbors,” without which, we may unintentionally express “anti-Judaism where none is intended.” And most can agree that listening like this is one way to show loving kindness to those around us. In the words of the author, “look at the other tradition with generosity and seek to see the good.”

Lastly, Levine ends “The Misunderstood Jew,” summarizing its message: “…if the church and synagogue both could recognize their connection to Jesus, a Jewish prophet who spoke to Jews, perhaps we’d be in a better place for understanding.”… (més)