Until some few years ago, it was possible to study about "The New Testament" in the israeli jewish schools ( "N.T." between inverted commas, as Jews do NOT believe in the NEW Covenant and refuse to consider the Thorah an "OLD" one) . Recently, all study and mention of the "New Testament" were cancelled.

The Ministry of Education of Israel is in the hands of the "Mafdal", the "religious party for Israel" (miflagah datit le'israel). This very disposition is full of significance...

The late Minister Zabulon Hammer, who passed away some months ago, represented a rather "open and tolerant" position. His successor, Rabbi Yizhaq Levi did not prove yet who he is and what he represents but stated that he would follow the footsteps of the late Founder.

Since no specific syllabus is offered to students of schools, it is left to each instructor to introduce christianity as he(or she) pleases. An opportunity to mention christianity comes in HISTORY, in the first century of the C.E. ("COMMON" nor Christian era). So little is said about christianity as a religion... Israeli (like arab) syllabuses are quite generous in critics of christendom when it comes to the dark Middle Ages where only some negative and burning points of the human History of the Church are mentioned : feodalism, corruption of some popes, inquisition , indulgences...

There are programmes or courses in Universities about christendom; some are also available in the sections of History, Arts, "science of religions"...

The basic attitude is inspired by the Jewish creed which denies that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and even less the Son of God. So, Jesus is indicazted by the barbarian word "YESHU" where the three letters Y SH W become initials for : YIMMAH SHMO WEZIKHRO , May his name and memory be cancelled!!!

So far, no effort was made by the israeli Jews (even the liberal ones) to pronounce and spell correctly the name "YESHOUA' (with the final 'ain), the root y sh ' indicating salvation.

Jesus- Yeshu is said in the Talmud to be sorcerer which enticed Israel by magics and was son of Mary BY a Roman soldier Panthera (probably a parody of Parthenou, the Virgin).

His cross ois seen only as a torture and humiliation stake - thing which is unwotrthy of the future Messiah.

Paul is asserted to be the real founder of christendom (see also Ernest Renan), "Origines du christianisme").

Jesus is called with contempt "hattaluy", the one pending ("suspendu") on the cross.

By Dr. Fr. Peter Madros