The Jewish Perspective on the Belief in God Having a Son

In Judaism, how grave a sin is it to believe that the God of Abraham has a son?

Judaism is a monotheistic religion that believes in one God who is the creator and ruler of the universe. Judaism rejects the idea that God has a son or any other partner or equal. Judaism considers the belief that God has a son to be a form of idolatry, which is a grave sin and a violation of the first commandment.

According to Judaism, God does not have a physical body or human attributes. God is transcendent and incomparable. God does not need a son or any other intermediary to communicate with humanity. God speaks directly to the prophets and reveals His will through the Torah, the sacred scriptures of Judaism.

The term "son of God" is sometimes used in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) to refer to different groups or individuals who have a special relationship with God, such as Israel, the king, the angels, or the righteous. However, this term is not meant to imply any biological or metaphysical connection between God and His creatures. It is a metaphorical expression of love, favor, or covenant.

Judaism does not accept the Christian claim that Jesus is the son of God.

Therefore, to believe that God has a son is contrary to the core principles of Judaism and an offense to God's uniqueness and sovereignty. It is a serious sin that goes against the most fundamental belief of Judaism: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6, verse 4).

Is Allah considered to be the God of Israel?

Yes, according to Islamic belief, Allah is considered to be the God of Israel. In Islam, Allah is believed to be the one and only God, the creator and sustainer of all things. Muslims believe that Allah is the same God worshipped by the prophets, including Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa), who are respected figures in Islam.

While the Quran doesn't explicitly state that Allah is exclusively the God of Israel, it recognizes the Israelites as a chosen community and acknowledges their prophets and their relationship with Allah. Muslims believe in the continuity of prophethood and consider the teachings of the Prophets, including those sent to the Israelites, as part of the divine message. Hence, Allah is recognized as the God of all people, including the Israelites, in Islamic belief.

How is the word "Yahweh" connected in meaning to one of the ninety-nine names of Allah, "الْحَيُّ," mentioned in Surah 2, verse 255, of the Quran?

There appears to be an interesting connection between the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (YHWH) and the Arabic name "Al-Hayy" (الْحَيُّ), which is one of the 99 names of Allah mentioned in the Quran. Here are the key points:

1. Yahweh: The name “Yahweh” is derived from the Hebrew root HWH or HAYAH, which means “to be” or “to exist.” It is often translated as “I am who I am” or “The One Who Is.” This name signifies God’s eternal, unchanging, and self-existent nature, implying that God exists independently and without beginning or end.

2. Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ): Al-Hayy in Arabic means "The Ever-Living One". It is one of the 99 names of Allah mentioned in the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-Baqarah (2, verse 255), known as Ayat al-Kursi.

3. Some scholars have noted a similarity in meaning between YHWH and Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ):

The Jewish Encyclopedia entry for YHWH states that its meaning matches the meaning of "Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum" (The Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting), which are two names of Allah mentioned together in Ayat al-Kursi.

Both names relate to the concept of eternal existence or "being".

4. While there is no explicit teaching in Islam that Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ) is directly equivalent to YHWH, some see it as a possible Arabic manifestation or derivative of the Hebrew name.

5. Both Judaism and Islam consider their respective names (YHWH and Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum) to be among the most important revealed names of God.

It's important to note that while there are similarities in meaning, Islamic and Christian theological perspectives on God differ in significant ways. Muslims believe in the absolute oneness of Allah, while Christians believe in the Trinity. Therefore, the connection between these names should be understood within their respective religious contexts.

Islam as the Restored Faith of Abraham: Addressing Perceived Deviations in Judaism and Christianity

Islam is considered as a restored religion of Abraham due to Judaism corrupting their text as regards a son whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice. At the same time, Christianity corrupted their scripture concerning the oneness of God and the rite of circumcision. What is the explanation for this?

The belief that Islam is a restored religion of Abraham stems from the belief that both Judaism and Christianity deviated from the original teachings of Abraham. According to Islamic beliefs, Judaism corrupted their text by incorrectly interpreting the command to sacrifice a son, as mentioned in the Quran. Muslims believe that Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Ishmael, not Isaac as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.

Similarly, Muslims believe that Christianity corrupted their scripture by deviating from the belief in the oneness of God (monotheism) and by modifying the rite of circumcision. Islam emphasizes the concept of tawheed, which is the belief in the oneness of God, and questions the Trinity as mentioned in Christian theology. Islam also practices circumcision, although the method and significance may differ from those in Judaism and some Christian traditions.

These differences and perceived corruptions are seen from the perspective of Islamic theology, which asserts that Islam is the restoration of the original teachings of Abraham, as revealed in the Quran.