Minuth

Minuth (מינות) means "heresy" in Hebrew. The word is especially important for studies of Jewish Christian relations in late antiquity. Though there is considerable information on Christian attitudes on Jews, Jewish Christians, and Judaizers, information from Rabbinic sources is somewhat difficult to ascertain.

Marcel Simon, in his book, "Verus Israel", argues that though the Rabbis use "minim" (pl. for "minuth") to refer to any heresy, they often use it to designate "the autonomous Christian communities, to those which belong to Catholic Christianity, whether their membership is principally Jewish or otherwise. Between the "minim" and Jewish orthodoxy stands the whole bulk of orthodox Christian theology. The "minim" challenge the fundamental dogmas of Judaism and its whole ritual life" [Simon, Marcel. "Verus Israel". Trans. H. McKeating. Oxford University Press, 1986, pg 259.] . The rabbis held "minim" on a level similar to pagans (cf. for example, Tosef. Hull. II, 24). They are to be contrasted with "posh'im".

ee also

*Jews in apostasy
*Heresy in Orthodox Judaism
*Anguipede
*Cherem

References

External links

* [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=627&letter=M&search=Min Jewish Encyclopedia: Min]