Read or not read Isaiah 53 in the synagogue, my Jewish friend
Isaiah 53 is never read in the synagogue, although Isaiah 52:1-12 (not verses 13-15) and Chapter 54 are read. At one time many centuries ago the Rabbis taught this was a Messianic passage describing the suffering of God's "righteous servant" for our sins. However the interpretation was changed by Rabbi Rashi in the 11th century. Today virtually all Rabbis interpret Isaiah 53 as Israel suffering.
Isaiah 53 is never read in the synagogue, although Isaiah 52:1-12 (not verses 13-15) and Chapter 54 are read. At one time many centuries ago the Rabbis taught this was a Messianic passage describing the suffering of God's "righteous servant" for our sins. However the interpretation was changed by Rabbi Rashi in the 11th century. Today virtually all Rabbis interpret Isaiah 53 as Israel suffering's cut off of the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people was he stricken." This person cannot be both "my people" and "he" who was stricken. "My people" obviously is Israel and "he" is an individual called God's "righteous servant" in verse eleven. Israel could never be called God's "righteous servant" because of their history of disobedience to God. The first five chapters of Isaiah detail Israel's rebellion. Also Israel has not been "cut off". They still exist.
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