How Do Orthodox Jews Read Isaiah 53?

The short answer is that, as a rule, they don’t. Every year around September, they systematically avoid reading Isaiah 53. But that begs a little explanation. My good friend Craig Hartman (director of Shalom Ministries) describes an approach he likes to use with Orthodox Jews. He starts with a question: “As an Orthodox Jew you…

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Isaiah 7—The Historical Setting of a Christmas Passage

Layton Talbert Most Christians are familiar with the virgin birth prophecy contained in Isaiah 7. Wander out of 7:14 into the surrounding territory, however, and the textual terrain bristles with peculiar terminology and thorny questions. For instance, what is 7:16 talking about? In the length of time it would take the child to cultivate a…

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What’s in a Name?

Don Harrelson When parents choose a name for their child, some will choose a name based on how it sounds. Some will choose a name because of family significance. Some will choose a name that has meaning. And some will chooses a name because it has character attributes. Some don’t give it any thought at…

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