Someone recently asked me why Jews do not recognize the New Testament, but adhere to the Old Testament. I did not know what to tell him, as I am not sure of the answer myself. Could you please help?
In short, the Old Testament (the Torah) clearly states that it will never be superseded by any other text or prophecy. And that any person claiming to have a prophecy that negates, contradicts or alters any of the teachings of the Old Testament is a false prophet and should receive capital punishment. By definition the New Testament is a heretical document by Jewish standards and was and will never be accepted by the Jewish people.
Just as an aside, the New Testament is far from a definitive document as it is riddled with inconsistencies, contradictions and parts of it are disputed by varying segments of the differing Christian sects. There are even contradictory verses that state Jesus’ lineage claiming different people in the line leading up to Jesus’ birth. Both trace Jesus’ lineage as the son of Joseph, which contradicts fundamental precept of “virgin birth” by immaculate conception. If G-d impregnated Mary then Jesus’ father wasn’t Joseph as the verses in the New Testament state.