The Claim: Jewish Belief is Based Solely on National Revelation

Judaism, unique among all of the world's major religions, does not rely on "claims of miracles" as the basis for its religion. In fact, the Bible says that God sometimes grants the power of "miracles" to charlatans, in order to test Jewish loyalty to the Torah (Deut. 13:4). Of the thousands of religions in human history, only Judaism bases its belief on national revelation ― i.e. God speaking to the entire nation. If God is going to start a religion, it makes sense He'll tell everyone, not just one person.

 

The Response

During the national revelation of G-d to Israel at Mt. Sinai this event occurred:

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.  Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.  (Exodus 24:9-11)

 

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up on the mountain and they saw the G-d of Israel!

And He had feet!

 

The prophet Zechariah speaks of another national revelation that is coming to Israel:

Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations [who seek to destroy Israel], as when He fights on a day of battle.  In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.  (Zechariah 14:3-4)

 

The Mount of Olives will be split in two when the G-d of Israel arrives to protect His people.

And He has feet!

 

The national revelation at Sinai was conducted through a mediator: Moses.

The national revelation of the Messiah during His first coming was conducted directly by Himself but His people rejected Him (John 1:11)... which was part of G-d's plan.

The national revelation of the Messiah during His second coming will be conducted by Himself, a great trumpet, myriads of legions of angels, and mountains splitting in half.  Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him (Revelation 1:7) and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess (Isaiah 45:23) the Name that is above all names (Philippians 2:9).

Oh, LORD, hasten the coming of that day!

 

<><

View other objections and answers

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

or view this week's triennial cycle reading.

Today is

Yom Shabbat, 12 Nisan, 5784

Saturday, April 20, 2024

 

Learn more about this date in history.