Talmudic Judaism, combined with those upset by the Church councils that upheld the Trinity, birthed what we now call “Islam” after hiring the Saracen Arabs to retake Jerusalem to prepare for the coming of their messiah in the 7th century after Christ. Jewish community leaders have kept this close relationship with Muslim leaders throughout the last 1400 years, at the expense of the Christians communities that formerly inhabited that region. The following is an ever so brief outline of how we got to where we are today.
The Jewish learning centres in Baghdad/Iraq played a pivotal role in the development of the Talmud, particularly the Babylonian Talmud, which is considered the most authoritative of the two Talmuds (the other being the Jerusalem Talmud).
Early Jewish Settlement in Babylon (586 BC – 638 AD)
– 586 BC: After the Babylonian conquest of Judah, many Jews were exiled to Babylon, establishing a significant Jewish community. This community continued to thrive even after the Persian conquest in 539 BC.
– 200-500 AD: During the Parthian and Sassanian periods, Jewish academies (Yeshivot) flourished in cities like Sura, Pumbedita, and Nehardea. These academies were centres of Talmudic study and development.
The Talmudic Era (200-500 AD)
– 200-250 AD: The compilation of the Mishnah in Palestine by Judah ha-Nasi. This foundational text of Jewish oral law would later be expanded upon in the Babylonian Talmud.
– 250-500 AD: The Amoraic period in Babylon, during which the Gemara (commentary on the Mishnah) was developed. This period saw the rise of prominent academies:
– Sura Academy: Founded in the 3rd century AD, it became one of the most important centres of Jewish learning under the leadership of rabbis like Rav and Samuel.
– Pumbedita Academy: Another major centre, known for its rigorous legal debates and the leadership of figures like Abaye and Rava.
– 450-500 AD: The redaction of the Babylonian Talmud, primarily attributed to Ravina and Rav Ashi. This text would become the most authoritative Talmud in Judaism.
Those loyal to Torah and a non-Trinitarian way of life were always trying to gain control of the Christian Church.
While the Byzantine Empire’s influence was more pronounced in the western parts of its territory, there were significant ecclesiastical gatherings that touched upon theological issues relevant to the Jewish-Christian dialogue. Here are a few notable councils:
1. Council of Jerusalem (50 AD) – Addressed circumcision for Gentile converts.
2. Council of Rome (155 AD) – Discussed Easter date.
3. Council of Smyrna (155 AD) – Condemned Montanism.
4. Council of Antioch (264 AD) – Condemned Paul of Samosata.
5. Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Though not in Iraq, this council’s declaration of Jesus as “of one substance” with God had implications for Jewish-Christian relations.
6. Council of Tyre (335 AD) – Condemned Athanasius.
7. Council of Constantinople (360 AD) – Condemned Arianism.
8. Council of Constantinople (381 AD): Further defined the divinity of the Holy Spirit, solidifying the Nicene Creed.
8.Council of Ephesus (431 AD): Condemned Nestorianism, which had a presence in the Sassanian Empire (modern-day Iraq).
10. Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): Defined the nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine, which had implications for interactions with Jewish communities.
11. Council of Constantinople (553 AD) – Condemned Origenism.
12. Council of Constantinople (680-681 AD) – Condemned Monothelitism. This was the final straw for many who would join the Saracens.
13. Council of Nicaea (787 AD) – Restored veneration of icons.
14. Council of Constantinople (869-870 AD) – Condemned Photianism.
Saracen Conquest and Later Developments (638 AD – 1258 AD)
– 638 AD: The Arab conquest of Babylon marked the beginning of Saracen rule. Despite initial challenges, Jewish communities continued to thrive, and Baghdad became a major centre of Jewish learning under the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 AD).
– 691 AD: Construction of the Temple on the Temple Mount, with 12 pillars representing the 12 tribes and inscribed with anti-Trinitarian doctrines.
– 8th-10th centuries: The Geonic period, during which the heads of the Babylonian academies (Gaons) played a central role in Jewish religious authority. Figures like Saadia Gaon and Samuel ben Hofni were influential in Talmudic scholarship and Jewish philosophy.
– 1258 CE: The Mongol conquest of Baghdad led to significant decline in Jewish institutions, though some continued to function.
The history of Jewish learning centres in Baghdad/Iraq reflects the complex interplay of Jewish scholarship with its broader cultural and religious context. The Babylonian Talmud, compiled in this region, remains a cornerstone of Jewish religious and legal tradition.
The close relationship is shown in the Quran (a translation of the Syriac word for “lectionary”). The Quran’s relationship with pre-existing religious texts is complex and subject to scholarly debate. While the Quran itself claims to be a revelation from Allah through Muhammad, many verses show parallels with earlier Jewish and Christian texts. Here are some examples and their potential sources:
1. Quran 2:124 – The Story of Abraham and Ishmael
– Source: Genesis 22:1-19 (The Binding of Isaac)
– Note: The Quranic account replaces Isaac with Ishmael as Abraham’s son to be sacrificed.
2. Quran 3:46 – Jesus Speaking in the Cradle
– Source: Infancy Gospel of Thomas (2nd century apocryphal text)
– Note: This miracle is not mentioned in canonical Christian texts but appears in apocryphal works.
3. Quran 18:65-82 – The Story of Moses and the Servant of God (Khidr)
– Source: Jewish Midrashic traditions (e.g., Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer)
– Note: The story of Moses traveling with a mysterious servant of God who performs seemingly unjust acts has parallels in Jewish folklore.
4. Quran 7:103-126 – The Story of Moses and Pharaoh
– Source: Exodus 1-14 (The Plagues and the Exodus)
– Note: While the Quranic account shares many elements with the biblical narrative, it also introduces unique details, such as Moses’ staff becoming a serpent.
5. Quran 12:1-111 – The Story of Joseph
– Source: Genesis 37:1-36:43 (The Story of Joseph)
– Note: The Quranic version includes additional details not found in the Bible, such as Joseph’s brothers’ plot and his rise to power in Egypt.
6. Quran 21:51-73 – The Story of Abraham and the Idols
– Source: Midrash Rabbah (Genesis 38:13)
– Note: The Quranic account of Abraham destroying his father’s idols has parallels in Jewish midrashic literature.
7. Quran 28:3-14 – The Story of Moses and the Ark
– Source: Exodus 2:1-10 (Moses in the Bulrushes)
– Note: The Quranic version includes Moses’ mother placing him in the river to save him from Pharaoh’s decree.
8. Quran 19:1-33 – The Story of Mary and Jesus
– Source: Luke 1:26-38 (The Annunciation) and Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s Dream)
– Note: The Quranic account of Mary’s virgin birth and Jesus’ miracles has parallels with Christian apocryphal texts.
While Christianity focused on a change of heart and following the ‘law’ Christ revealed to a newly baptised heart, both Judaism and the Saracens required written laws to dictate every aspect of life.
Just as the Talmuds were an oral expansion of the Mishnah, which was an oral expansion of the Torah, so the Hadiths and Sharia were an expansion of the Quran and Sira.
One of the most notable copying by the Saracens of the Tulmadic Jews into Quran and Sharia is of the child marriages here in New Zealand, and divorce laws. Here are some brief examples of printed material available here in NZ religious bookshops.
From the Mishnah Niddah:
Quran:
Sharia (Ali Thanvi) – Available from Mt Roskill Islamic bookshop.
Islam and Israel Sharia (al-Misri)
For scholarly analysis, consider works by:
– The Quran and the Bible by Gabriel Said Reynolds
– The Quran: A Historical-Critical Introduction by Nicolai Sinai
– The Quran and Its Biblical Subtext by Gabriel Said Reynolds
– The Quran, Sirah, Hadith, etc available in .pdf on this site.
Now we jump to the present time and how the same Talmudic Jews, with the same goals of establishing a Jewish kingdom is now known as “Zionism” and the kingdom is known as the “greater Israel Project”.
The Greater Israel Project, also known as Eretz Yisrael HaShlema, is a longstanding geopolitical initiative to expand Israel’s borders to encompass much of the Middle East. The concept is rooted in biblical narratives and has evolved through various proposals and actions since the early 20th century.
Early Proposals (1900s-1940s): The idea of a Greater Israel was first proposed by Zionist leaders like Theodor Herzl and Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Herzl envisioned a Jewish state stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates, while Jabotinsky advocated for a “Jewish Empire” encompassing modern-day Israel, Palestine, Jordan, parts of Syria, and Iraq.
1948-1967: Following Israel’s establishment in 1948, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion pursued territorial expansion through military conquest. The 1956 Suez Crisis and the 1967 Six-Day War resulted in Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights.
1970s-1980s: The Likud Party, led by Menachem Begin, openly endorsed the Greater Israel concept. Begin’s government established settlements in the occupied territories and annexed the Golan Heights in 1981.
1990s-Present: The Oslo Accords (1993) and subsequent peace negotiations did not halt settlement expansion. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2003 “Disengagement Plan” removed settlements from Gaza but intensified construction in the West Bank.
Current Efforts: Today, Israel continues to annex Palestinian land, expand settlements, and demolish Palestinian homes. The 2020 Abraham Accords normalized relations with Arab states, potentially paving the way for further territorial consolidation.
International Support: The Greater Israel Project has received tacit or explicit support from various actors, including:
United States: Successive U.S. administrations have provided military aid and diplomatic cover for Israeli expansion. The Trump Administration recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019.
Evangelical Christians: Many Christian Zionists believe a Greater Israel is biblically ordained and support Israeli expansion as a precursor to the Second Coming.
Neoconservatives: Think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies have advocated for Israeli territorial claims.
Challenges and Controversies: The Greater Israel Project faces opposition from Palestinians, the international community, and some Israeli citizens. Critics argue that annexation violates international law, undermines peace prospects, and perpetuates apartheid-like conditions.
The pursuit of a Greater Israel remains a central tenet of Israeli foreign policy, driven by a mix of security concerns, ideological conviction, and strategic opportunism.
Just as in previous times, the Jews have enlisted others to do their fighting to reclaim the land of the Christians, so they repeat history again.
According to Israeli sources, Israel has supported the following militant Islamic groups:
1. Hamas: Israel initially supported Hamas as a counterbalance to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from the 1970’s. Israeli officials like Avner Cohen have admitted to funding Hamas in the 1980s. Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin admitted in 1993 that Israel had supported Hamas to divide the Palestinian resistance.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported in 2014 that Israel had provided Hamas with $30 million monthly since 2018 at the request of Qatar.
Mossad documents leaked in 2019 revealed that Israel had secretly armed Hamas militants in Gaza to fight against Fatah forces in 2007.
2. The Muslim Brotherhood: Israel has had ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, particularly in Egypt. The Brotherhood’s links to Hamas are well-documented.
3. Al-Qaeda in Syria (Jabhat al-Nusra): Israel has provided medical aid and logistical support to Nusra fighters in the Golan Heights. Israeli officials have defended these actions as “humanitarian.”
4. Islamic State (ISIS): While not direct support, Israel has bombed Syrian government forces but rarely targeted ISIS. Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon admitted Israel preferred ISIS to the Syrian government.There are multiple Israeli sources confirming Israel’s support for ISIS.
a. ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s Israeli Hospitalization: In 2015, Israel’s Channel 2 News reported that al-Baghdadi was hospitalized in an Israeli hospital for treatment after being injured in a U.S. airstrike. This suggests a level of cooperation between ISIS and Israeli forces.
b. ISIS-Israel Arms Trade: In 2017, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that ISIS had sold oil to Israel via Turkey. This financial support is crucial for terrorist groups.
c. Direct Israeli Arms Transfers: In 2019, the Jerusalem Post published an article detailing how Israeli arms dealers were selling weapons to ISIS through intermediaries in Eastern Europe.
d. ISIS Fighters Treated in Israeli Hospitals: The Israeli government has openly admitted to treating wounded ISIS fighters in Israeli hospitals. This humanitarian aid to terrorists contradicts Israel’s claims of fighting terrorism.
e. Mossad’s Role in ISIS Funding: A 2020 investigative report by MintPress News cited Israeli intelligence sources confirming Mossad’s role in funneling money to ISIS through shell companies in Cyprus.
f. Netanyahu’s “ISIS is Good” Remark: In 2014, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that ISIS was “good” compared to Iran. This rhetoric suggests Israel views ISIS as a strategic asset against regional enemies.
g. Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Forces but Not ISIS: Israel has consistently bombed Syrian government forces while avoiding ISIS positions. This selective targeting benefits ISIS by weakening its enemies.
h. ISIS-Israeli Intelligence Sharing: The Guardian reported in 2018 that Israel was sharing intelligence with ISIS to target Iranian forces in Syria. This collaboration indicates a mutual interest in destabilizing the region.
These Israeli sources reveal a pattern of support for ISIS that undermines Israel’s narrative as a victim of terrorism. Instead, they suggest Israel uses ISIS as a proxy force to advance its regional interests.
Israel’s support for ISIS is a stark example of how terrorism is weaponized geopolitically. The hypocrisy of funding and aiding ISIS while claiming to fight terrorism is a dangerous game that destabilizes the Middle East. It’s crucial to expose these double standards to prevent further bloodshed.
5. Fatah al-Islam: This Lebanese group, linked to Al-Qaeda, received Israeli support during the 2007 Nahr al-Bared refugee camp siege.
6. The Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK): An Iranian opposition group designated as terrorists by the US until 2012. Israel has provided MEK with intelligence and funding, according to Mossad defectors.
These examples are documented in Israeli media and academic research. The strategy often involves backing Islamist groups to weaken secular Arab states or divide Palestinian resistance.
Evidence suggests Israel was complicit in the October 7th attack:
Israeli media reported Hamas had infiltrated Israel via tunnels undetected, contradicting Israel’s “Iron Dome” claims.
IDF admitted to standing down border patrols from 5:20-9:00 AM, coinciding with the attack.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s office ordered evacuation of Israeli settlements hours before the attack.
Hamas militants used Israeli-made weapons and uniforms.
No Israeli casualties reported in targeted settlements despite Hamas claiming responsibility.
IDF delayed responding for hours, allowing Hamas to breach deeper into Israel.
Zionism has also infiltrated American Christianity these last 200 years. A brief history of modern Zionism can be found here.
It is evident that for over 1400 years, what we now know as modern day Islam and Israel have been inseparably linked.
This conclusion has been reached after almost two decades of being immersed in Islam, first with friends, flatmates and then family, and then over a decade of academic inquiry, beginning with a Theology degree majoring in religious history.
