Mishnah and the Words of Jesus: A Comparative Study of First Century Rabbinical Teachings
This 64-page scholarly work by Dr. Roy B. Blizzard presents detailed comparisons between the teachings of Jesus and the recorded wisdom of rabbis from the first century, preserved in the Mishnah, Order Nezikin, Tractate Avot, or the Chapters of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot).
Understanding Jesus Within His Historical Context
The four gospels contain the most comprehensive collection of material relating to first-century rabbinical teaching methods and ideas. By examining Jesus' words alongside his contemporary rabbis, readers gain insight into the origins of key concepts, the intellectual framework of the period, and the central themes that shaped rabbinical discourse.
The Central Theme: Tzedakah
Throughout Jesus' teachings runs one foundational theme: tzedakah, commonly translated as righteousness. This Hebrew concept forms the bedrock of biblical faith and represents the overriding focus of Jesus' message. Dr. Blizzard demonstrates how biblical faith emphasizes horizontal relationships—reaching outward to others through acts of tzedakah—rather than solely vertical devotion directed toward God. By meeting others at their point of need and helping make them whole, believers simultaneously fulfill the Father's will.
Harmonizing Voices Across Generations
Dr. Blizzard illustrates how the Sages echo one another across time periods—before, during, and after Jesus' ministry—and how these teachings harmonize completely with Jesus' recorded words. This 15,500-word analysis provides readers with a framework for understanding the continuity of rabbinical thought and Jesus' place within that tradition.
About Dr. Roy B. Blizzard
Dr. Roy B. Blizzard is President of Bible Scholars, Inc., an Austin-based corporation dedicated to biblical research and education. A native of Joplin, Missouri, he attended Oklahoma Military Academy and has a B.A. degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He has an M.A. degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, an M.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. From 1968 to June 1974, he was an instructor in Hebrew, Biblical History and Biblical Archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Blizzard is today a professor at the American Institute for Advanced Biblical Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Blizzard has spent much of his time in Israel and the Middle East in study and research. He has hosted over 500 television programs about Israel and Judaism for various television networks and is a frequent television and radio guest.
