Yeshu ben Pantera or Yeshua ben Yosef ? Updated.

Many people believe that the Yeshu ha Notzri mentioned in the Talmud is not the Yeshua ha Notzri (Jesus the Nazarene) of the New Testament ....

Yeshua ben Pandera (mentioned in Sanhedrin 67a of the Talmud)
1. came to Israel from Egypt
2. mother was Miriam, father was Pandera (Term meaning Betrayer )
3. studied under Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachia , practiced and taught Magic, Sorcery and Blasphemy. (Saying that he was YHVH)
4. had 5 disciples (puns)
5. belonged to a movement called the Notzrim (Nazarene)
6. was tied to the government (Royalty) under protection of certain people
7. executed (stoned and hanged from a Tree) by Order of the Jewish Court
8. was executed on the Eve of  Passover
9. was called "Yeshu" by the Talmudic Rabbis

Yeshua ben Yosef of Nazareth (of the New Testament)

1. born in Bethlehem, moved to Egypt and lived in Galilee
2. lived approximately in 4 BCE
3. mother was Miriam (Mary), father was Yosef,
4. studied, practiced and taught a Radical form of Judaism
5. Similar teaching to Hillel & Shamai - Hasidic movement in Galilee and the Essenes
6. had 12 disciples
7. started the Netzarim (Nazarene) movement, (Notzrim in Israel)
8. had no apparent ties to the government, but was from the Royal line of David
9. executed by the Roman Courts (Rome had imperial rule over Israel, Jewish court had no authority to order or carry out an execution)
10. was executed (scourged - crucified) the day of preparation for Passover (Eve of Passover)

Is the Talmud referring to a totally different person ?  There were other Yeshuas who were in the likes of Yeshua ben Pandera; there was Yeshua ben Stada, and others. There were over 24 Yeshu's from different time periods recorded in the Talmud.

These people were called "YESHU." But, the Talmud refers to Manasseh the king of Judah as "YESHU." (Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 103a & Berakhot 17b). The Talmud also calls an individual "YESHU," who lived during the Hashmonean Era (Talmud Yerushalmi Chagigah 2:2). Also in Gittin 56b and 57a, there other people who were called "YESHU," but these people are military enemies of Israel.

Is the acronym "YESHU" (Yud Shin Vav) related to the name "Yeshua." ??

 The acronym YESHU is used in Rabbinic material to identify any Rasha (wicked person) or a Tzadik (righteous person). "YESHU" is an acronym that stands for two things, "Yimmach Shemo Vezikhro", meaning "May his name and memory be blotted out." And its other meaning is "Yishtabach Shemo Vezikhro" meaning "May his name and memory be praised."

Is there a Talmudic Sage called Yeshu, the same as the Yeshua of the New Testament  ? "YESHU." ?

Yes.

This title was later applied to Yeshua by Jews, due to the corresponding anger towards Christianity's continuous onslaught. The title stuck.

The Yeshua being spoken of in Talmud Sanhedrin 43A  is also called Yeshu ben Pandera, Pandera means "Betrayer" ....  he is the supposed student of Rabbi Yehoshua Perachiyah and was executed (hanged) by the Jewish court the day before  Passover for repeated incidents of performing and teaching magic and sorcery. Healing the Sick and Raising the dead. Feeding the multitudes ....

So is Yeshu ha Notzri, ben Pandera (Betrayer) mentioned in Talmud Sanghedrin 43a the same as Jesus the Nazarene of the New Testament ??

Absolutely, Without a shred of Doubt - Yes he is  !

Learn more about Yeshu ha Notzri here :  http://www.YeshuHaNotztri.blogspot.com

Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide by Aryeh Kaplan

Students of mediation are usually surprised to discover that a Jewish mediation tradition exists and that it was an authentic and integral part of mainstream Judaism until the eighteenth century.
 
Jewish Meditation is a step-by-step introduction to meditation and the Jewish practice of meditation in particular. This practical guide covers such topics as mantra meditation, contemplation, and visualization within a Jewish context. It shows us how to use meditative techniques to enhance prayer using the traditional liturgy—the Amidah and the Shema. Through simple exercises and clear explanations of theory, Rabbi Kaplan gives us the tools to develop our spiritual potential through an authentically Jewish meditative practice.

Aryeh Kaplan, Orthodox rabbi and author of Meditation and the Bible (Weiser, 1978) and Meditation and Kabbalah (Weiser, 1981), shows that meditation is consistent with traditional Jewish thought and practice. He then presents a guide to a variety of meditative techniques: mantra meditation (with suggested phrases and Bible verses to use as mantras); contemplation; visualization; experiencing nothingness (which he does not recommend for beginners); conversing with God; and prayer. His instructions are clear and explicit, and his advice is informed and sound, advocating that a simple 20-minute-a-day program can indeed help make the practitioner a better person and a better Jew, and develop a closer relationship to God and things spiritual. 

Reviews

“The classic text for Jews who want to experience the meditative methods of their own spiritual tradition.”
—Daniel Goleman, author of The Meditative Mind
 
“[This is] the first book to read on the subject. It is a gentle, clear introduction and provides exercises and practices that can be used right away by any Jew who wants a deeper prayer experience.”
—Rodger Kamenetz, author of The Jew in the Lotus
 
“New and old davveners can learn from this sainted teacher how to deepen their holy processes . . . One can, with the help of God and the aid of this manual, tap into the Cosmic.”
—Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi

“A guide to Jewish prayer and meditation that is both grounded in the tradition and genuinely mind-expanding. For anyone seeking to connect with the spiritual side of Judaism, this book is essential.”
—William Novak

“At a time when Jews are rediscovering their hunger for spirituality, Kaplan’s clear and comprehensive book could well be one of the most important Jewish books of our time.
—Harold S. Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People