Presenting Jesus

Listen to the audio overview.

VOLUME I

It is inarguable that few names are as well known in the world as the name of Jesus, but who was he, really? There are many worthy commentaries of the Gospels in existence, but most of them do not seek out to present Jesus as he appeared on Earth—during his early life, in his culture, and among his own Jewish people.

What happened over the ages that caused the world to begin to see Jesus as a son of Greece instead of an observant Jew? What have we lost by seeing his life and work out of context?

Presenting Jesus, the Son of Israel – a Jewish Commentary on the Gospels reintroduces us to the Jesus, whose life’s mission was to bring light those around him and to bring them closer to the almighty Creator of the Universe.

Volume 1 of this commentary explores the conception, uncovers the true dialogue about the virgin birth and reveals the incredible unknown life of Jesus the child.

Who were these mysterious shepherds, and why were they unlike all the other shepherds? Were the Wise Men really Babylonian Sorcerers? How did they recognize the birth of the King of the Jews?

What is this undeniable connection Jesus has to the Feast of Tabernacles, and why are the Gospels so silent regarding his Jewish education?

We meet John the Baptist and discover how his message was skewed by early interpreters, and see how in some ways Jesus seems to relive the history of the Nation of Israel.

Presenting Jesus, the Son of Israel – a Jewish Commentary on the Gospels answers all these questions and brings to light the beautiful intricacies of early Judaism and the effect they had on the life of Jesus, whose existence and purpose changed the world in a way in which no other has ever done since.

VOLUME II

It is inarguable that few names are as well-known in the world as the name of Jesus, but who was he, really? There are many worthy commentaries of the Gospels in existence, but most of them do not seek out to present Jesus as he appeared on Earth—during his early life, in his culture, and among his own Jewish people. What happened over the ages that caused the world to begin to see Jesus as a son of Greece instead of an observant Jew? What have we lost by seeing his life and work out of context?

Presenting Jesus, the Son of Israel – a Jewish Commentary on the Gospels Volume II reintroduces us to the true Jesus, whose life’s mission was to enlighten those around him and to bring them closer to the almighty Creator of the Universe.

Volume II of this commentary examines the ministry, miracles, and teachings of Jesus.

Who were Jesus’ Disciples? How did he choose them? What were they expecting him to be?

Explore the depth of Jewish tradition and matrimony through the story of Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana.

Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. How was this temptation similar to the temptation in the Garden of Eden? What is Satan’s actual role on Earth?

What was the reason for moneychangers in the Temple? If theirs was an accepted practice, why did Jesus drive them out? Did the Pharisees and Sadducees agree with the practice of moneychanging and selling animals on Temple grounds, or were they happy to see Jesus purge them?

Presenting Jesus, the Son of Israel – a Jewish Commentary on the Gospels answers all these questions and brings to light the beautiful intricacies of early Judaism and the effect they had on the life of Jesus, whose existence and purpose changed the world in a way that no other has ever done since.

VOLUME III

Accounts of divine healing are recorded throughout the Bible, not only during New Testament times. Divine healing was not confined to first-century believers in Jesus, as many Christians believe. Divine healing is available for God’s people today. What can we learn and apply today from the events surrounding Jesus’ healing miracles?

In the beginning, God declared the Sabbath, the seventh day, to be holy. God commanded his people to “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Do those who claim to be His followers, His people, today, honor the Sabbath and keep it holy?

What did the prophets of the Bible have to say about the Sabbath? What does the New Testament say about the Sabbath? In this context, we can better understand the relationship Bible believing Gentiles should have to the Sabbath.

As with any biblical study, always check the Scriptures, come to a conclusion, and follow it accordingly. The only guide should be the word of God and not tradition or opinions of men.

VOLUME IV

Jesus’ teaching recorded in chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew, known as “The Sermon on the Mount,” is paralleled in chapter 6 of Luke where it states Jesus taught a multitude “on the plain.” Regardless of whether Jesus taught from a mountain (which is not clear in Matthew’s text) or from a plain (which Luke does make clear), Jesus’ teaching in these chapters contains some of the most quoted and beloved words in the New Testament.

In Volume IV of Presenting Jesus: the Son of Israel, author Rivi Litvin proposes an alternate title for this selection of Jesus’ teaching: “Jesus’ Exposition on the Torah.”

The subjects Jesus teaches are distinctly Jewish and are discussed in the Torah, other parts of the Tanach, or in the Mishnah (Oral Torah). These teachings frequently appear in rabbinic literature and are considered essential to Jewish religious practice and piety.

The “Sermon on the Mount” represents Jesus’ interpretation of the righteousness demanded by the Torah. Jesus did not present a new law. As far as Jesus was concerned, there was only one law—God Almighty’s law, the Torah.

He told them: “Not even one jot or tittle would vanish until all of it would be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18)

Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law. “Fulfillment” in the Bible does not mean “finished, done away with, or no longer needed.” Rather, it means “to fill to the full!”

When related to the Torah, fulfillment means “bringing it to its highest level,” and that is what Jesus said he came to do.

In providing these teachings, Jesus also fulfilled Isaiah 2:3, which states: “And he will teach us of his ways.”

Rivi Litvin is a third-generation Israeli scholar, author and lecturer who is widely regarded worldwide as an authority on the time period dating from 400 BCE to 400 CE.

Over the course of her career, Riv has spoken in front of thousands at universities, various religious and theological institutions and national gatherings. She has lectured in 15 countries, and her work has been translated into several languages including German and Spanish. Her teachings have been distributed internationally in nearly 30 countries.

Rivi was born in Bat-Yam, Israel, and was educated in the Orthodox Jewish tradition. She served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the Six-Day War in 1967 and was part of the reserves in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Impacted deeply by her time in the IDF, Rivi developed an interest in other religions and left Israel to study abroad. While spending several months at the Dr. Francis Schaeffer Center L’Abri in the Swiss Alps, Rivi developed a great interest in the Gospels, realizing the intricate connection to the Jewish tradition.

In 1980, Rivi moved to the United States to study theology, and together with her late husband, Daniel Litvin, opened the educational outfit H.I.M. H.I.M. reached thousands of people worldwide as Rivi and Danny researched and taught Judaism, the Gospels, and the Hebrew Scriptures together. In 1986, Danny passed away from a sudden heart attack at the age of 30, leaving Rivi to raise their three daughters and to continue the work of H.I.M on her own.

Rivi returned to Israel in the ’90s where she founded and operated an educational center nestled in the hills of Galilee for a decade. The center welcomed hundreds of visitors who came to Israel to study from all over of the globe.

Rivi now resides in Southern California where she continues to teach and is working on the final volumes of her book series: Jesus, the Son of Israel—a Jewish Commentary on the Gospels.