https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml/articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesusxmlarticleWhy Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus?Jesus does not match the Tanakh’s Messianic criteria and his divinity violates Jewish monotheism. The answer is that simple — and that careful.The New Jew/index.xmlFoundations of Belief/sections/foundations.xmlWhy Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml
https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus
https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.json
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essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesusWhy Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus?Jesus does not match the Tanakh’s Messianic criteria and his divinity violates Jewish monotheism. The answer is that simple — and that careful.Summary. Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah because the criteria for the Messiah in the Tanakh — the ingathering of the exiles, the rebuilding of the Temple, universal peace, universal knowledge of Hashem — were not fulfilled. Judaism does not accept Jesus as divine because monotheism, the first principle of the faith, does not admit a second divine person. Judaism does not require Jesus for redemption because teshuva (repentance) was always available, given by God in the very fabric of creation. Christians remain welcome friends; the disagreement is doctrinal, not personal.essentialessentialschristianitymessiahinterfaith2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z6623foundationsFoundations of Beliefhttps://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus-mubrneb0-b182d450.pnghttps://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus-crop-mubs3gap-a9cfe8bf-large.pnghttps://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus-crop-mubs3gap-a9cfe8bf-thumb.pngWhy Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus?summary
Summary. Judaism does not accept Jesus as the [Messiah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) because the criteria for the Messiah in the [Tanakh](/glossary.xml#letter-T) — the ingathering of the exiles, the rebuilding of the Temple, universal peace, universal knowledge of [Hashem](/glossary.xml#letter-H) — were not fulfilled. Judaism does not accept Jesus as divine because monotheism, the first principle of the faith, does not admit a second divine person. Judaism does not require Jesus for redemption because [teshuva](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (repentance) was always available, given by God in the very fabric of creation. Christians remain welcome friends; the disagreement is doctrinal, not personal.
Summary. Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah because the criteria for the Messiah in the Tanakh — the ingathering of the exiles, the rebuilding of the Temple, universal peace, universal knowledge of Hashem — were not fulfilled. Judaism does not accept Jesus as divine because monotheism, the first principle of the faith, does not admit a second divine person. Judaism does not require Jesus for redemption because teshuva (repentance) was always available, given by God in the very fabric of creation. Christians remain welcome friends; the disagreement is doctrinal, not personal.paragraph
The Jewish criteria for the Messiah are specified in the Tanakh and codified by the [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R) ([Hilchot Melachim 11:1–4](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Kings_and_Wars.11.1-4)). The Messiah will: be a descendant of David; restore the Davidic kingdom; rebuild the [Beit HaMikdash](/glossary.xml#letter-B) (the Temple); gather the exiles of Israel from the four corners of the earth; teach [Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T); bring an end to war ([Yeshayahu 2:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.2.4), [Micah 4:3](https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.4.3)); bring universal knowledge of Hashem ([Yeshayahu 11:9](https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.11.9)); and resurrect the dead. The historical Jesus of Nazareth did none of these things. The Christian response — that Jesus will accomplish these tasks in a second coming — is a doctrinal innovation; the Tanakh nowhere speaks of a Messiah who comes, dies, returns, and then completes his work.
The Jewish criteria for the Messiah are specified in the Tanakh and codified by the Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:1–4). The Messiah will: be a descendant of David; restore the Davidic kingdom; rebuild the Beit HaMikdash (the Temple); gather the exiles of Israel from the four corners of the earth; teach Torah; bring an end to war (Yeshayahu 2:4, Micah 4:3); bring universal knowledge of Hashem (Yeshayahu 11:9); and resurrect the dead. The historical Jesus of Nazareth did none of these things. The Christian response — that Jesus will accomplish these tasks in a second coming — is a doctrinal innovation; the Tanakh nowhere speaks of a Messiah who comes, dies, returns, and then completes his work.paragraph
The doctrine of Jesus as divine — co-equal with God the Father — is incompatible with the [Shema](/glossary.xml#letter-S)’s declaration that God is One ([Devarim 6:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.6.4)) and with the First Commandment’s prohibition against other gods before Hashem ([Shemot 20:3](https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.20.3)). The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is, from the Jewish standpoint, a form of [shituf](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (associating other beings with God), which the medieval [halachic](/glossary.xml#letter-H) authorities debated whether non-Jews are permitted to practice under the [Noahide laws](/glossary.xml#letter-N), but which is unambiguously forbidden to Jews. The Rambam ([Hilchot Avodah Zarah 9:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Foreign_Worship_and_Customs_of_the_Nations.9.4)) wrote forthrightly that Christians are idolators in his halachic framework; [the Meiri](/glossary.xml#letter-M) ([Beit HaBechirah on Avodah Zarah](https://www.sefaria.org/Meiri_on_Avodah_Zarah)) softened this for the medieval European context, regarding Christians as a “nation disciplined by religion.”
The doctrine of Jesus as divine — co-equal with God the Father — is incompatible with the Shema’s declaration that God is One (Devarim 6:4) and with the First Commandment’s prohibition against other gods before Hashem (Shemot 20:3). The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is, from the Jewish standpoint, a form of shituf (associating other beings with God), which the medieval halachic authorities debated whether non-Jews are permitted to practice under the Noahide laws, but which is unambiguously forbidden to Jews. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 9:4) wrote forthrightly that Christians are idolators in his halachic framework; the Meiri (Beit HaBechirah on Avodah Zarah) softened this for the medieval European context, regarding Christians as a “nation disciplined by religion.”paragraph
Redemption from sin — teshuva — was given by God to Israel at Sinai and is universally available. The High Holy Days liturgy makes this clear: God redeems the penitent who turn to Him with a sincere heart. The Torah’s system of [korbanot](/glossary.xml#letter-K) (offerings) at the Beit HaMikdash were never themselves directly redeeming; they were [mitzvot](/glossary.xml#letter-M) whose performance accompanied the inner work of teshuva. The [Mishnah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) ([Yoma 8:9](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Yoma.8.9)) is explicit: “For transgressions against God, [Yom Kippur](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) atones; for transgressions against fellow human beings, Yom Kippur does not atone until one has appeased one’s fellow.” The atoning act is teshuva, not sacrifice — and certainly not human sacrifice, which the Torah explicitly forbids ([Vayikra 18:21](https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.18.21), [Devarim 12:31](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.12.31)).
Redemption from sin — teshuva — was given by God to Israel at Sinai and is universally available. The High Holy Days liturgy makes this clear: God redeems the penitent who turn to Him with a sincere heart. The Torah’s system of korbanot (offerings) at the Beit HaMikdash were never themselves directly redeeming; they were mitzvot whose performance accompanied the inner work of teshuva. The Mishnah (Yoma 8:9) is explicit: “For transgressions against God, Yom Kippur atones; for transgressions against fellow human beings, Yom Kippur does not atone until one has appeased one’s fellow.” The atoning act is teshuva, not sacrifice — and certainly not human sacrifice, which the Torah explicitly forbids (Vayikra 18:21, Devarim 12:31).paragraph
None of this is hostile to Christians, who remain treasured friends of the Jewish people. Indeed, much of Western civilization is the result of Christianity having proliferated Jewish ideas worldwide. The disagreement is theological, not personal. The Editor of this Field Guide is on record (see the reformatted article “On Redemption” in the User Articles chapter) wishing Christians blessing in their path while clarifying why it is not the Jewish path.
None of this is hostile to Christians, who remain treasured friends of the Jewish people. Indeed, much of Western civilization is the result of Christianity having proliferated Jewish ideas worldwide. The disagreement is theological, not personal. The Editor of this Field Guide is on record (see the reformatted article “On Redemption” in the User Articles chapter) wishing Christians blessing in their path while clarifying why it is not the Jewish path.heading
Where Denominations Diverge
Where Denominations Divergeparagraph
All denominations of Judaism — [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O), Conservative, [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Reconstructionist](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Renewal](/glossary.xml#letter-R) — agree that Jesus is not the Messiah and is not divine, and that Christianity is a separate religion. This is among the most unifying positions in modern Jewish life. “Messianic Judaism” and “Jews for Jesus” are widely regarded across all denominations as forms of Christianity, not Judaism.
All denominations of Judaism — Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal — agree that Jesus is not the Messiah and is not divine, and that Christianity is a separate religion. This is among the most unifying positions in modern Jewish life. “Messianic Judaism” and “Jews for Jesus” are widely regarded across all denominations as forms of Christianity, not Judaism.heading
Sources
Sourcesparagraph
Torah: [Devarim](/glossary.xml#letter-D) 6:4; [Shemot](/glossary.xml#letter-S) 20:3; [Vayikra](/glossary.xml#letter-V) 18:21; Devarim 12:31.
Torah: Devarim 6:4; Shemot 20:3; Vayikra 18:21; Devarim 12:31.paragraph
[Yeshayahu 2:4; 11:1–9](https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.11.1-9).
Yeshayahu 2:4; 11:1–9.paragraph
[Micah 4:1–4](https://www.sefaria.org/Micah.4.1-4).
Micah 4:1–4.paragraph
Mishnah Yoma 8:9.
Mishnah Yoma 8:9.paragraph
Rambam, [Mishneh Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), [Hilchot Melachim 11–12](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Kings_and_Wars.11-12); Hilchot [Avodah](/glossary.xml#letter-A) Zarah 9:4.
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 11–12; Hilchot Avodah Zarah 9:4.paragraph
Meiri, Beit HaBechirah on Avodah Zarah.
Meiri, Beit HaBechirah on Avodah Zarah.paragraph
[Do Jews Believe in Jesus?](https://aish.com/why-jews-dont-believe-in-jesus/) — Aish.
Do Jews Believe in Jesus? — Aish.paragraph
[Who Is Moshiach (the Jewish Messiah)?](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1121893/jewish/Who-Is-Moshiach-the-Jewish-Messiah.htm) — Chabad.org.
Who Is Moshiach (the Jewish Messiah)? — Chabad.org.heading
Further Reading
Further Readingparagraph
Michael Skobac, Jews for Judaism resources.
Michael Skobac, Jews for Judaism resources.paragraph
Tovia Singer, Let’s Get Biblical.
Tovia Singer, Let’s Get Biblical.paragraph
David Klinghoffer, Why the Jews Rejected Jesus.
David Klinghoffer, Why the Jews Rejected Jesus.paragraph
The Editor’s articles, “On Redemption” and “The Calumny of the New Testament,” reformatted in this Field Guide.
The Editor’s articles, “On Redemption” and “The Calumny of the New Testament,” reformatted in this Field Guide.essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jewWho is a Jew?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xmlessentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-godWhat Does Judaism Teach About God?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xmlessentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlifeDo Jews Believe in an Afterlife?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xmlessentials-essential-questions-what-is-halachaWhat Is Halacha?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-is-halacha.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-worldWhy Did God Create the World?deeper/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-world.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-tikkun-olamWhat Is Tikkun Olam?deeper/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-tikkun-olam.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussarWhat Is Mussar?deeper/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussar.xmlAvodahעֲבוֹדָהLiterally 'service' or 'work' — the worship of God, especially prayer, and one of the three pillars on which, Pirkei Avot teaches, the world stands. It also names the Yom Kippur liturgy recalling the High Priest's Temple service.essentials-essential-facts-the-three-pillars-torah-avodah-gemilut-chasadimBeit HaMikdashבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁThe Holy Temple in Jerusalem — the First destroyed in 586 BCE, the Second in 70 CE. Much of Jewish prayer and practice remembers it and looks toward its restoration.DevarimדְּבָרִיםThe fifth book of the Torah — Deuteronomy — consisting of Moshe's farewell addresses. The name means 'words.'HalachaהֲלָכָהJewish law — literally "the way one walks" — the legal system that develops from the Torah's mitzvot through the Mishnah, Talmud, and the great codes; the movements differ on how binding it is, not on its centrality to the tradition.essentials-essential-questions-what-is-halachaHashemהַשֵּׁםLiterally "the Name" — the everyday reverent way Jews refer to God outside of prayer, avoiding casual use of the divine names.MashiachמָשִׁיחַThe Messiah — literally "the anointed one" — a future human king from the line of David who, in Jewish belief, will gather the exiles, rebuild the Temple, and usher in an era of universal peace.MeiriמאיריMenachem HaMeiriRabbi Menachem HaMeiri (1249–1315), a Provençal Talmudist, is best known for softening earlier halachic rulings about non-Jews, arguing in his Beit HaBechirah that Christians and Muslims, as adherents of ethically "disciplined" religions, stand outside the harsher categories the Talmud reserves for idolatry.essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesusMishnahמִשְׁנָהThe first great written compilation of the Oral Torah, organized by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi around 200 CE into six orders; together with the Gemara it forms the Talmud.essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-articleMishneh Torahמִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָהThe Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service.Noahide lawsשֶׁבַע מִצְווֹת בְּנֵי נֹחַsheva mitzvot bnei NoachThe seven commandments the tradition holds binding on all humanity — including the prohibitions of murder, theft, and idolatry — through which righteous non-Jews have a share in the World to Come.Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations.how-to-use-this-field-guideRambamרמב״םRabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations.essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-godReconstructionist JudaismFounded by Mordecai Kaplan, Reconstructionist Judaism understands Judaism as an evolving religious civilization rather than a fixed set of supernatural commandments, and was an early adopter of patrilineal descent and full gender egalitarianism.how-to-use-this-field-guideReform JudaismReform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis.how-to-use-this-field-guideRenewal JudaismJewish Renewal is a small but influential movement drawing deeply on Hasidism and Kabbalah, combined with feminist and ecological commitments and an experimental, often neo-Hasidic approach to prayer and spirituality.how-to-use-this-field-guideShemaשְׁמַעThe central declaration of Jewish faith — 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One' — recited with its Torah paragraphs every morning and evening.essentials-essential-prayers-the-shemaShemotשְׁמוֹתThe book of Exodus — the Torah's second book, called by its opening Hebrew word, 'names'; also the name of that book's first weekly portion.Tanakhתנ״ךThe Hebrew Bible, named for the initials of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — twenty-four books in the traditional count.essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-articleTeshuvahתשובהLiterally 'return' — repentance: the turning away from wrongdoing and back toward God and one's better self. It stands at the heart of the season from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, and is available all year.TorahתּוֹרָהThe Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud.VayikraויקראThe Book of Leviticus, third of the Five Books of the Torah, named for its opening word, 'And He called'; its concerns are the sanctuary, the offerings, and holiness.Yom Kippurיום כיפורThe Day of Atonement — the holiest day of the Jewish year, a 25-hour fast devoted to prayer, confession, and repair of one's relationships with God and with other people.holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippurkorbanotקָרְבָּנוֹתThe sacrificial offerings of the ancient Temple; passages describing them remain in the traditional liturgy, and the daily prayers stand in their place.mitzvahמִצְוָהA commandment — one of the Torah's 613 divine instructions, and by extension any religious duty or good deed. The plural is mitzvot.essentials-essential-facts-the-613-mitzvotshitufשיתוףLiterally 'partnership' — the theological idea of worshipping God in association with another being or power. Jewish law discusses whether such belief, forbidden to Jews, counts as idolatry for non-Jews.parentFoundations of Belief/sections/foundations.xmlrelatedWho is a Jew?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xmlrelatedWhat Does Judaism Teach About God?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xmlrelatedDo Jews Believe in an Afterlife?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xmlrelatedWhat Is Halacha?/articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-is-halacha.xmlrelatedWhy Did God Create the World?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-world.xmlrelatedWhat Is Tikkun Olam?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-tikkun-olam.xmlrelatedWhat Is Mussar?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussar.xml