It's no secret that there are those who would prefer the pasukim that comprise Yeshayahu 53 to be solely concerning Yisrael. While this chapter does concern Israel, it's not in the manner that these folks are comfortable with. They would prefer Yeshayahu 53 to feature Yisrael as the subject, but it is clearly speaking prophetically of the suffering Servant, the Mashiach of Yisrael. Now, there are no shortage of arguments against this very plain interpretation of the text, but they can all be laid to rest in the face of some old fashioned common sense. Let's take a quick look. I promise not to keep you too long.
Now to view this controversial chapter as some others do, all we need to do is substitute the pronoun "he", describing the servant, for the word "Israel". Make Israel the servant and you eliminate the Messiah, right? It's pretty simple, but just watch how quickly common sense crashes the party.
In Yeshayahu 53:3, it says that Israel hid its face from Israel.
In 53:4, Israel bore its own grief and its own sorrows,
but Israel esteemed Israel stricken by G-d and afflicted. Everything good so far?
In 53:5, somehow Israel was wounded for Israel’s transgressions and Israel was crushed for Israel’s iniquities. Upon Israel was the punishment that brought Israel peace and by the lashes that Israel received, it healed itself.
That seems a bit strange, doesn’t it? Let's keep going.
In 53:6, we see that all of Israel has gone astray and has turned to its own way, but the L-RD has laid on Israel the iniquity of all of Israel.
I guess that makes sense. I mean, where else would He lay it?
Now wait a minute...
It says in 53:8, that Israel was cut off from the living for the transgression of my people.
Who were Yeshayahu’s people?
Israel, right?
How was Israel "cut off" or killed for Israel?
Something doesn’t add up here.
And it doesn't end well, either.
In verse 11 and 12 it says that Israel bore Israel’s iniquities,
the sins of many, and, somehow, intercedes for Israel.
How could Israel possibly intercede for itself?
Someone! Anyone! Please enlighten me.
If any of you are interested, you can get a free book on Isaiah 53 here.
No one has to know.
Not to mention that numerous rabbis over the centuries have ascribed this passage to the Messiah. Just to pick two examples:
ReplyDelete"Rabbis said: His [Messiah's] name is the Leper of the Beit Midrash, for it is written, 'Surely
he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him a leper, smitten of God and afflicted’ (Isa. 53: 4).” (b.Sanhedrin 98b)
"'Come near' means come near to the Kingdom. 'Eat of the bread' refers to the bread of Messiah's royalty. 'Dip your bread in the vinegar' refers to Messiah's sufferings, as it is said, 'But he was pierced for our transgressions.'" (Ruth Rabbah 5:6, refering to Ruth 2:14 and Isa. 53:5)
Shalom
You're absolutely right, Rabbi Michael.
ReplyDeleteThat Yeshayahu spoke of Mashiach was the predominant view all the way up to the late 11th century. Even once this new interpretation (about Israel being the servant) was offered, it was fiercely debated for centuries afterwards. For example, Rabbi Moshe El-Sheikh, in the 16th century(!), stated:
“Our Rabbis of blessed memory with one voice accept and affirm the opinion that the prophet is speaking of the King Messiah, and we shall ourselves also adhere to the same view.”
I don't know if you saw my review of the most recent issue of Messiah Journal, but I think you'd be intereseted, given the above.
ReplyDeleteShalom guys,
ReplyDeleteI've read the article from the Messiah Journal, it's great and has very interesting and important info. I just want to say that the find in Isaiah 52:14 is very interesting one, but i don't think it changes the fact that Moshiach is still viewed as the Suffering Servant of the book of Isaiah.
I also want to share some wisdom from the Sages on the Suffering Moshiach.
Targum Jonathan (4th Century) gives the introduction on Isa. 52:13: “Behold, My Servant the Messiah...”
Talmud, Sanhedrin 98b: Rav said: The world was created only on David’s account. Samuel said: On Moses account; R. Johanan said: For the sake of the Messiah. What is His [the Messiah’s] name? - The Rabbis said: His name is “the leper scholar,” as it is written, Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him a leper, smitten of G-d, and afflicted.
Talmud, Sanhedrin 98b: Messiah... what is His name? The Rabbis say, “the leprous one”; those of the house of the Rabbi say: “Cholaja” (the sickly), for it says, “Surely He has borne our sicknesses” etc. (Isa. 53:4).
Tanchuma: Rabbi Nachman says: The Word “man” in the passage, “Every man a head of the house of his father” (Num.1,4), refers to the Messiah, the son of David, as it is written, “Behold the man whose name is Zemach” (the Branch) where Jonathan interprets, “Behold the man Messiah” (Zech.6:12); and so it is said, “A man of pains and known to sickness” (Isa. 53:3).
Rabbi Elijah de Vidas (16th Century): The meaning of “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities” is, that since the Messiah bears our iniquities which produce the effect of His being bruised, it follows that whoever will not admit that Messiah thus suffers for our iniquities must endure and suffer for them himself.
(Rey)
Thanks so much, James. I'm tremendously interested in your review of the Messiah Journal. I'll have to look into it a bit later, though. Your posts are consistently so deep they often require more time than I have at the moment. How was the following issue featuring the Isaiah Scroll? Have you reviewed it as well?
ReplyDeleteRey, you're right on, as usual. Thanks, man. If you're not careful, I'm going to have you co-authoring on KOEOY soon. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteLuke,
ReplyDeletelollol haha, i would be honored brother! Thank you. "Baruch HaShem"
Just don't forget the plan, Brother. I know it's difficult to find the time, but you have a great idea. Let's make it happen.
ReplyDelete