A prominent Arab researcher argues that the Talmud presents degrading portrayals of Jesus Christ, Mary (peace be upon them), Christians, Arabs, and other nations, but Israel has deliberately imposed a blackout on these passages due to their violent and criminal implications. Dr. Ziad Muna states that Israeli interests have also led some Jewish writers and historians in the mid-20th century to distort historical events that expose Jewish involvement in mass crimes.
Fabricating the Image of Others in the Talmud
Dr. Muna’s book, Fabricating the Image of Others in the Talmud: Jesus Christ, Arabs, Christians, and the Gentiles, sheds light on this concealed history. In the introduction, Dr. Nicola Ziadeh, one of the most renowned contemporary Arab historians, describes the Talmud as a:
“A faithful mirror of what Jewish rabbis and scholars have decreed and affirmed regarding their relationship with Christians and Gentiles.”
He further explains that this relationship is characterized by hostility and disdain, making it a doctrine of persecution that justifies oppression, captivity, murder, and arson.
Multiple Jewish Sects in Ancient Palestine
Dr. Muna argues that, unlike pagan Greek, Roman, and Canaanite beliefs, Judaism was not the sole faith in ancient Palestine. Instead, multiple Jewish sects, known collectively as Yahwists, existed, with at least twenty different groups adhering to various doctrines. This suggests that no single, unified scriptural belief system dominated Palestine by the first century CE.
Jesus in the Talmud
Dr. Muna reveals that the Talmud and the Book of Sanhedrin refer to Jesus Christ by various names, including Yeshu, Yeshua, Yesu, and Yesho, due to the absence of distinction between the Hebrew letters sin (س) and shin (ش) in ancient script.
Within the Palestinian Talmud and other Jewish texts, Jesus is identified using three specific titles:
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- Yeshu ben Pantera
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- Yeshu ben Pantera’
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- Yeshu ben Pandera
In rare instances within some Torah scrolls, he appears as Yehoshua or Yehoshua’.
In the Babylonian Talmud, Jesus is referenced as Yeshu Ha-Notzri (Jesus the Nazarene), who was executed on the eve of Passover. He is also called Ben Stada, a title used in a derogatory context.
Dr. Muna translates a passage from the Babylonian Talmud, quoting Rabbi Hisda, who died in 309 CE:
“Ben Stada was Ben Pandera. His father was Stada, and his mother was Mary, a hairdresser. As they say in the town of Pumbedita (modern-day Anbar, Iraq), ‘Stata da’—meaning she was unfaithful to her husband.”
The term Pandera translates to “soldier” or “Roman soldier”, an intentional insult aimed at degrading Jesus Christ by alleging that he was born illegitimately from the lowest class of enemies.
Talmudic Denial of Jesus’ Divinity
The Talmud does not deny Jesus’ miraculous acts but attributes them to sorcery rather than divine power. It claims that Jesus learned magic in Egypt, dismissing any divine origins.
Dr. Muna notes that some atheist and Jewish scholars deny Jesus’ historical existence altogether, while Jewish authorities refuse to recognize these Talmudic references as valid historical sources, arguing that they were not intended as credible historical accounts.
The Political and Religious Motivation Behind the Cover-up
Dr. Muna asserts that the reason for this deliberate concealment is clear: these passages are an embarrassment to Israel, particularly in an era of unprecedented Protestant-Jewish alignment. This alignment has seen the United Kingdom and the United States championing the Zionist project while pressuring the Vatican to submit to Jewish demands.
The Talmud’s Hostility Toward Christians and Gentiles
The Talmud exhibits strict prohibitions against dealings with non-Jews, permitting engagement only when it benefits Jewish interests. It explicitly warns against trusting or interacting with Gentiles, labeling them as “evil”.
According to the Talmud:
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- Jews are forbidden from eating Gentile food.
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- Entering a non-Jew’s home is prohibited, as it is deemed impure.
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- Gentile religious books should be burned.
How the Talmud Portrays Arabs
The Talmud and other Jewish scriptures contain various derogatory terms for Arabs. Dr. Muna cites one example where Arabs are called “Ummat Shafila”, meaning “a lowly nation”.
Additionally, Rabbi Rav, a prominent Jewish scholar who lived around 250 CE, allegedly declared:
“Yahweh regretted four creations: The Babylonian exile, the Chaldeans, the Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael), and the inclination toward evil.”
In the Talmud, the term “Arab” is frequently used synonymously with the word “aggressor”.
This critical examination reveals why Israel actively suppresses the Talmud’s portrayal of non-Jews. The hidden texts expose a history of religious bigotry and violent rhetoric, which, if widely known, could undermine the Zionist narrative and challenge Israel’s political alliances. Dr. Muna’s research provides a compelling insight into how ancient texts continue to shape modern geopolitical and religious dynamics.
