Jesus in the Talmud

92 Chapter 8It is certainly possible that our Bavli story refers to this particular NewTestament discussion with the Pharisees. I would like, however, to go astep further and put up for discussion an (admittedly rather speculative)interpretation that focuses on the accusation of blasphemy and idolatry,in close parallel to Titus and Balaam (Jesus’ attack on the rabbinic puritylaws can hardly be understood as blasphemy and idolatry). Let us lookagain at the analogy to Balaam. Semen, in Balaam’s case, is what sexualintercourse produces. Similarly, excrement is what eating produces:everyone who eats produces excrement. Balaam incited Israel to sexualorgies—and hence is punished by sitting in semen. Jesus incited Israel toeating—and hence is punished by sitting in what eating produces: excrement.And what is the “eating” that Jesus imposed upon his followers?No less a food than himself—his flesh and blood. 32 As he has told his disciplesduring the Last Supper:(26) While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and afterblessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said: “Take, eat;this is my body.” (27) Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks hegave it to them, saying: “Drink from it, all of you; (28) for this is myblood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for theforgiveness of sins.” 33What we have, then, in our Bavli narrative is a devastating and quite maliciouspolemic against the Gospels’ message of Jesus’ claim that whoeverfollows him and, literally, eats him becomes a member of the newcovenant that superseded the old covenant with the Jews. How early theEucharist was understood realistically as consuming the flesh and bloodof Jesus is controversial, but it seems as if already Ignatius of Antioch(martyred soon after 110 C.E.?) attacks heretics who do not accept thisview. 34 More important, the Gospel of John (composed around 100 C.E.)provides us with a discussion between Jesus and the Jews about preciselythis problem of how to understand the eating of Jesus’ flesh: 35(48) “I am the bread of life. (49) Your ancestors ate the manna in thewilderness, and they died. (50) This is the bread that comes downfrom heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. (51) I am the liv-