Rabbi Riskin references the new testament and speaks about the need to “resurrect god” in this ICEJ video excerpt.

How is the Torah observant community supposed to react? How will that declaration be perceived by fervent Christians, and how will that ambiguity (heresy?) effect and reflect on the Jewish community? Read the full report in our Who’s Who section. “Rabbi Riskin: Taken-in or Grafted-in?”

UPDATE: Rabbi Riskin Explains 'Resurrection' Remarks

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/132109
(INN A7 report) (IsraelNN.com)

A Christian Embassy video features Rabbi Shlomo Riskin using language that some Jews charge is theologically
problematic. Speaking later with Israel National News, Rabbi Riskin retracted part and explained the rest...

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Comment by Jim Long on June 28, 2009 at 6:28pm: I applaud the efforts of Penina and Ellen in taking Rabbi Riskin to task for his wrong-headed methods in reaching out to the Christian community. As a former Christian myself, I can tell you that you do not impact a Christian by "leveling the playing field". Those who brought me to the Torah and the Seven Noachide Laws NEVER trafficked in the "grafted in" nonsense. Anyone on the planet can have a relationship with the Creator but simply sharing a common belief with the Jewish People does not make one a part of Israel in any way. If one desires to share Israel's immense responsibility to the nations---then convert! Rabbi Riskin does not need to level anything he needs to hold up Torah--high---and it will draw all humankind to it.

Comment by Captain Q. on June 28, 2009 at 3:40pm: Patty,

1. To the best of my knowledge, Riskin received smicha from YU and was a talmid of Rav YB Soloveichik there (so were many others).

2. Yes, I personally have no idea whatRiskin bases his claim on that all mankind will become Jews when the Mashiach arrives - Bimheira B'yameinu.

3. I can understand his use of the words "resurrecting god" not to be literal. He means resurrecting the true meaning of Hashem. Yet, IMO, this choice of language, no less by someone who goes by the title of "rabbi", is absolutely sickening. The fact that people, both Jews and gentiles, can misunderstand his intent, just proves the point.

4. I have no problem with use of the word resurrection regarding Techiyat Hameitim. Don't let Christian doctrine make you run away from perfectly good words in any language.

5. What you said about Riskin's comments bolstering Christian beliefs - right on the money. Now, what kind of a "rabbi" is that?

Comment by Patty Abbatoy on June 28, 2009 at 3:32pm: Has anyone checked rabbi Riskin's credentials as a rabbi? There is something very wrong here. How and where was he educated?

He claims that during the messianic era everyone will convert to Judaism. My understanding is that when Moshiach comes it will be too late for goyim to convert.

If someone like me knows that he certainly should.

Resurrecting god implies that god can and did die--that's Christian theology not Jewish. Foreign to Judaism. And to be perfectly honest I am very uncomfortable with the word "resurrect." In my siddur tehiyat hamesim is translated as "resuscitation" of the dead, which I am much more comfortable with.

The problem with what rabbi Riskin is doing is that virtually every Christian ministry will use his comments to bolster their theology. They'll say that even an Orthodox rabbi supports their beliefs.

It's as if he's giving the New Testament his personal imprimatur.