This book is an important and provocative study of the thought of the Pharisees in the time of Jesus and marks the first attempt by a rabbinic writer to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth consistently upheld the views of the rabbis of the School of Hillel, and that all his criticism was directed at the School of Shammai and their followers. After the School of Shammai disappeared from the Jewish scene following the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in the first century, Judaism developed according to the teachings of Bet Hillel. This alone increases the common grounds for dialogue between Jews and Christians.

Some important findings of this book include the following: The Pharisees of Bet Shammai controlled Jewish life and thought during the first century; the School of Shammai denied salvation to the Gentiles; the Shammaite Pharisees and priests considered Jesus a danger to the Jewish people; the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed because of Bet Shammai's hatred of the Gentile world; the prophet Elijah condemned Jesus' crucifixion.

These new insights will help achieve a new understanding of the seemingly anti-Jewish passages contained in the Christian scriptures, and make possible improved relations between Christians and Jews. It is acclaimed by scholars of both faiths.

Author - Harvey Falk

"This book will be read with profit by anyone interested in Jewish-Christian relations."

Dr. Michael Wyschograd, Professor and Chairman, Department of Philosophy, Baruch College


"Rabbi Falk has offered fascinating ideas about the setting of Christianity at its beginning and about Jesus' probable relations with the rabbinical school of Hillel. It is a highly suggestive set of proposals, presented in an irenic and ecumenical spirit."

Dr. Walter Harrelson, Department of Biblical Studies, Vanderbilt University