Orthodox rabbis see Galatians 4:4 as a problematic text

 

Orthodox rabbis see Galatians 4:4 as a problematic text, as they believe it misinterprets the Jewish law (Torah) and Jesus' relationship to it. Rabbis argue that the Torah is a divine gift and a central aspect of Jewish life, and that it is not something that can be "obeyed" or "cursed" in the way that Paul describes.

In Galatians 4:4, Paul writes, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." Orthodox rabbis reject this interpretation, believing that Paul is misunderstanding the Torah's role in Jewish life and Jesus' relationship to it.

In contrast, Christians see Galatians 4:4 as a central text that establishes Jesus as the redeemer who has fulfilled the law's demands and borne its curse on behalf of humanity. They interpret Paul's statement as meaning that Jesus was born under the law in order to obey its demands perfectly, and to bear the curse of the law (death and separation from God) as a substitute for humanity.

Christian interpreters often see the law as a burden that was impossible to fully obey, and that Jesus' death and resurrection have freed believers from the law's requirements. They believe that Jesus has fulfilled the law's demands, and that faith in him is now the only way to achieve true righteousness and redemption.

Orthodox rabbis, however, reject this Christian interpretation, arguing that it is a misreading of Jewish scripture and tradition. They emphasize that the Torah is still relevant and binding for Jews, and that it is not something that can be "obeyed" or "cursed" in the way that Paul describes. They also reject the idea that Jesus' death and resurrection have freed believers from the law's requirements, believing that the Torah remains a central aspect of Jewish life and practice.

In conclusion, Orthodox rabbis and Christians have fundamentally different interpretations of Galatians 4:4. While rabbis see the Torah as a divine gift and a central aspect of Jewish life, Christians see Jesus as the redeemer who has fulfilled the law's demands and borne its curse on behalf of humanity. These differing interpretations reflect deeper theological and hermeneutical differences between Judaism and Christianity.