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If Judaism is G-d's true word, why does G-d allow other religions?

by Rabbi Yossi Marcus

  

Library » Jewish Identity » Non-Jews » Other Religions - Missionaries | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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That’s a good question. Here’s what the 12th century scholar Maimonides has to say1:

“The thoughts of the Creator of the universe cannot be fathomed by mortals. His ways and thoughts are unlike ours. [Nevertheless, it seems that] all of the events that occurred with Jesus the Nazareth and Mohammed who arose after him are for the purpose of paving a path for King Messiah and to prepare the world to serve G-d as one.

Well the world has already been filled with the idea of a Messiah, with the ideas of the Torah and its precepts. These ideas have spread even to distant islands and among many nations
How so? Well the world has already been filled with the idea of a Messiah, with the ideas of the Torah and its precepts. These ideas have spread even to distant islands and among many nations. They discuss these matter and the precepts of the Torah. Some of them say that these precepts were once true but not anymore [Christianity]. Some of them say that they are allegorical and were explained by their Messiah [Islam].

So when the true Messiah does arrive, and he will succeed and be exalted, all of the nations will immediately recognize that they were fed untruths by their forefathers and that their prophets and forefathers misled them.”

So the answer to your question is that these religions do serve a purpose -- they condition their believers to ideas that they will one day embrace in their true form.

Footnotes

  • 1. Mishne Torah, Laws of Kings 11:4. Incidentally, this whole quote from Maimonides can only be found in certain editions since it is censored in most others.

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COMMENTS

very grateful

Posted by: Anonymous, Detroit, MI, USA on Dec 04, 2005

thank you for your answers to my concerns, you really helped me a lot. i wished i had known these things as a child, and my parents also. Now i'm very grown and just finding the real truth. How do I tell the others, about the truth. thank you very very very much.

I don't understant one thing...

Posted by: Dan on May 17, 2007

I understand your answer and I have heard it before. But I still don't understand one thing. Many Jews died because of Islam and Christianity. So my question is how are these religions helpful if they are trying to destroy Judaism?

Editor's Comment

It must be understood that this article is not endorsing the beliefs or practices of other religions. It is merely pointing out how in a roundabout way they have actually promulgated Torah teachings to a certain extent, and have helped lay the groundwork for a future universal accurate understanding of the Torah. Before these religions were instituted there were also many pagans who attacked the Jews. Both Temples were destroyed by people who didn't belong to these religions. Jew hatred and Jew killing was not invented or introduced to the masses by these religions (although it sure was capitalized on at times). What these religions did introduce to the masses, however, was the idea of a Single G-d, and His universal law (based on) the Torah.
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Maimonides
Moses son of Maimon, born in Spain in 1135, died in Egypt in 1204. Noted philosopher and authority on Jewish law. Also was an accomplished physician and was the personal doctor for members of the Egyptian royalty. Interred in Tiberius, Israel.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.