Messianic Judaism

Messianic Judaism is a religious movement that adds to Evangelical Christian theology some elements of Jewish terminology and ritual.^[1][2][3][4] In 2003, there were at least 150 Messianic houses of worship in the United States and over 400 worldwide, often members of larger Messianic organizations or alliances.^[5] By 2008, the movement was reported to have around a quarter million members in the United States,^[6] and between 6,000 and 15,000 in Israel.^[7]

Messianic Judaism states that Jesus is part of the Trinity,^[8][9] and salvation is only achieved only through acceptance of Jesus as one's savior.^[10] Any Jewish laws or customs that are followed are cultural and do not contribute to attaining salvation.^[1] Messianic Judaism's belief in the role and divinity of Jesus is seen by Christian denominations^[11] and Jewish religious movements^[12] as being the defining distinction between Christianity and Judaism.^{[13][14][15][16][17]}

Many members of the movement are ethnically Jewish, and some of them argue that Messianic Judaism is a sect of Judaism.^[18] Jewish organizations and religious movements reject this, stating that Messianic Judaism is a Christian sect.^[12] The Supreme Court of Israel has ruled that the Law of Return should treat Jews who convert to Messianic Judaism the same way it treats Jews who convert to Christianity.^[19] Mainstream Christian groups generally accept Messianic Judaism as a form of Christianity.^[11]

Contents 1 Identity 2 History 3 Controversy 3.1 Nature of God 3.2 Supersessionism 4 Theology 4.1 Canon 4.2 Scriptural commentary 4.3 Core doctrines 4.4 Additional doctrines 4.5 People of God 4.5.1 One Law theology 4.5.2 Two House Theology 4.6 Jewish Paul 4.7 Messianic Jewish Conversion 5 Comparisons 5.1 Judaism 5.2 Jesus 5.3 Doctrines 5.4 People of God 5.5 Eschatology 5.6 Torah 6 Religious practices 6.1 Organizations 6.2 Holiday observances 6.3 Dietary laws 6.4 Messianic music 7 Jewish objections 7.1 Denominations and organizations 8 Israeli citizenship 9 Claims of discrimination against Messianic Jews 10 See also 11 References 12 Further reading 13 External links 13.1 General 13.2 Denominations 13.3 Hebrew roots 13.4 Criticism

Identity

Adherents to Messianic Judaism are described as Messianic Jews, Messianic Believers, or Messianics for short.^[20] Although terms used to identify adherents of Messianic Judaism are frequently disputed, the terms used generally describe someone who holds to the belief that Jesus is the Messiah and who embraces "the covenantal responsibility of Jewish life and identity rooted in Torah, expressed in tradition, and renewed and applied in the context of the New Covenant."^[21] "Messianic Judaism" is a relatively new term, coined as recently as 1895 to help separate the practices of its followers from those of common Christianity as a whole, and in order to more closely align its faith with that of biblical and historical Judaism.^[22]

Despite their belief in Jesus, Messianic Jews see themselves as a Jewish-based faith. They call their religious leaders rabbis, they call their houses of worship synagogues, and their articles of faith emphasize what they call their Jewishness.^[23] Messianic Jews differ from Jews who are Christians in that they emphasize Judaism in orientation, practice and worship, rather than following Christian hierarchies, organizational forms and habits. It is seen by them as a return to Biblical Judaism, removing 2000 years of non-biblical (Christian) teachings and restoring Torah observance to the body of believers. ^[24]

History

The presence of congregations of Jewish Believers in Jesus worshiping in a Jewish manner goes back in modern times to the 1840's. ^[25] As [Hebrew-Christian]] congregations began to emerge in England, the first of these was Beni Abraham, in London, which was founded by forty-one Hebrew-Christians.^[26] This led to a more general awareness of their Jewish identity for Christians with a Jewish background.^[27] In 1866, the Hebrew-Christian Alliance of Great Britain was organized, and then adding branches in several European countries and (in 1915) the United States. In 1894, Leopold Cohen founded Chosen People Ministries in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York.^[28] In 1925, the International Hebrew-Christian Alliance (IHCA) was formed, later to become known as the International Messianic Jewish Alliance.^[29] Additional groups were formed during subsequent decades.^[30]

Messianic Judaism gained strength in the 1960s.^[31] A major shift in the movement occurred when Martin Chernoff became the President of the HCAA (1971–1975).^{[citation needed]} In June 1973, a motion was made to change the name of the HCAA to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) and the name was officially changed in June 1975. According to David A. Rausch, "The name change, however, signified far more than a semantical expression — it represented an evolution in the thought processes and religious and philosophical outlook toward a more fervent expression of Jewish identity."^[32]

The Messianic Israel Alliance, an organization of over 130 Messianic congregations and ministries, was formed in 1999.^[33]

Controversy

Nature of God

Jewish leaders dispute the Jewishness of the movement. "He’s not running a Jewish synagogue," says Rabbi Tovia Singer, founder of an organization dedicated to opposing Christian proselytizing, speaking of Messianic rabbis in general. "It’s a church designed to appear as if it were a synagogue and I’m there to expose him. What these irresponsible extremist Christians do is a form of consumer fraud."^[34] Religious leaders across the Jewish spectrum have all declared that Messianic Jews are not Jews.^[12]

The dispute over the Jewishness of Messianic Judaism is not limited to Israel, however. The US Navy determined that Messianic Jewish chaplains must wear as their insignia the Christian cross, and not the tablets of the law, the insignia of Jewish chaplains. According to Yeshiva World News, a website covering stories of Jewish interest, the Navy Uniform Board commanded that Michael Hiles, a candidate for chaplaincy, wear the Christian insignia. Hiles resigned from the program, rather than wear the cross.^[35] Rabbi Eric Tokajer, a spokesman for the Messianic Jewish movement, responded that "This decision essentially bars Messianic Jews from serving as chaplains within the U.S. Navy because it would require them to wear an insignia inconsistent with their faith and belief system."^[36]

Supersessionism

Historically, Christianity has featured supersessionism (replacement theology), which implies or outright states that Christianity has superseded Judaism^[37], that the Mosaic Covenant of the First Testament is superseded by the New Covenant of Jesus^{[citation needed]}, wherein the merciful grace of God and not obedience to the Torah is required for salvation. This is sometimes complemented with God moving the status of "God's people" from Israel, as the First Testament announces, to the Christian Church. Messianic Judaism, in varying degrees, challenges both thoughts. Israel, though it has rejected Jesus (by majority) has not forfeited its place as God's chosen people (Matthew 5:17). They quote Romans 11:29 which says "for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." The core of supersessionism, in which the First Testament covenant is canceled, is less agreed upon. Though the mitzvoh may or may not be necessary, most are still followed, especially keeping Sabbath and other holy days. Some believe that Jews can still find favor with God through the Torah without accepting Jesus, as did Moses, David, and the Prophets.

Theology

Messianic Jewish theology is the study of God and Scripture from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Many Messianics affirm the Trinity — the creator God; Jesus, the son ,who entered human form in accordance with Scripture; and the Holy Spirit — as three representations of the same divinity,^[8][9] a belief which is considered idolatrous according to Judaism.^[13][38]

Canon

Messianic believers commonly hold the Old Testament to be divinely inspired. Theologian David H. Stern in his "Jewish New Testament Commentary" argues that Paul is fully congruent with Messianic Judaism, and that the New Testament is to be taken by Messianic Jews as the inspired Word of God. This is the mainstream view within the movement although, as with many religions, there are several schools of thought. A very few Messianic believers are troubled by the writings of Paul and may reject his writings, holding them in less esteem than those of the Gospel writers. The generally accepted canon of accepted New Testament books is the same as that accepted by Protestants.^{[citation needed]}

Canon:

1. Torah [תורה] meaning one or all of: "The Law"; "Teaching"; "Instruction". Also called the Chumash [חומש] meaning: "The five"; "The five books of Moses". It is the "Pentateuch".
2. Nevi'im [נביאים] meaning: "Prophets"
3. Ketuvim [כתובים] meaning "Writings" or "Hagiographa".
4. Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5. Acts
6. Pauline Epistles
7. General Epistles of Hebrews, James, Peter, John, and Jude
8. Revelation

Stern has produced a Messianic Jewish version of the Bible called the Complete Jewish Bible, a translation using more Hebrew idioms and loanwords (such as shalom instead of peace), and using Hebrew transliterations of names (for example, Miryam and Yosef for Mary and Joseph).

Scriptural commentary

Some Messianic communities believe that the rabbinic commentaries such as the Mishnah and the Talmud, while historically informative and useful in understanding tradition, are not normative and may not be followed where they differ from the messianic scriptures.^[39] Other Messianic believers call rabbinic commentaries such as the Mishnah and the Talmud "dangerous".^[40] These people believe that followers of rabbinic and halakhic explanations and commentaries are not believers in Jesus as the Messiah.^[40][41] Furthermore, Messianic believers deny the authority of the Pharisees, believing that they were superseded, and contradicted, by Messianism.^[40]

There are a number of Messianic commentaries on various books of the Bible, both Tanakh and New Testament texts, such as Matthew, Acts, Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. David H. Stern has released a one-volume Jewish New Testament Commentary, but it overlooks many of the issues of composition, history, date and setting, and only provides select explanatory notes from a Messianic Jewish point of view.^{[according to whom?]} Other noted New Testament commentary authors include: Joseph Shulam, who has written commentaries on Acts, Romans, and Galatians; Arnold Fruchtenbaum of Ariel Ministries, who has written commentaries on the Epistles, Judges & Ruth, and Genesis, and 7 systematic doctrinal studies; Tim Hegg of TorahResource, who has written commentaries on Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, and is presently examining Matthew; Daniel Thomas Lancaster, who has written extensively for the First Fruits of Zion Torah Club series; Stuart Sacks, author of Hebrews Through a Hebrews' Eyes; and J.K. McKee of TNN Online who has written several volumes under the byline "for the Practical Messianic" (James, Hebrews, Philippians, Galatians, and both a Tanach and Apostolic Scriptures Survey).

Core doctrines

This section lists some of the main beliefs and doctrines present in Messianic Judaism

1. God – Messianic Jews believe in God (Adonai of the Bible), and that he is all-powerful, omni-present, eternal, exists outside of creation, and is infinitely significant and benevolent. Messianic Jews believe in the Shema ("Shema Means 'hear' and is the quintessential Jewish text from Dvarim/Deuteronomy 6:4.: 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD' showing the uniqueness of the God of Israel. Israel didn't require many gods (like harvest gods, fertility gods, fire gods) The God of Israel is unique and infinite – He alone is sovereign. The Shema is a confirmation in Torah that Adonai/God is a compound unity ('echad') not as is commonly misunderstood.")^[42] Some who call themselves Messianic profess only a Jewish view of monotheism, but this is not common.^[43] Most Messianic Jews affirm a triune (trinitarian) view of God,^[8] knowing that God is a complex being, where both man and woman can each be made in his image, but when they join in marriage, according to Gen 2:24, they become "echad", a complex unity. ^[44]
2. Yeshua as Messiah – Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah in Messianic Judaism. They acknowledge Jesus as "the Torah (Word) made flesh" (John, 1:14); he is HaShem.^[8][9] He is also the "chief teacher and rabbi" whose life should be copied.^[45] Any congregation that does not ascribe divinity to Jesus as the human-born son of the Spirit of God (such as those that consider him a man who only became Messiah) is outside mainstream Messianic Jewish belief.^[46])
3. Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) - The third party of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. He is found throughout scripture as co-creator (Genesis 1:2) and inspirer of prophets (I Sam 19:23-24, II Sam. 23:1-3). In the earthly life of Jesus, He was the dove at baptism (Matt 3:16) and the giver of tongues in Acts 2. ^[47]
4. Written Torah – Messianics, with few exceptions, consider the written Torah (Pentateuch), the five books of Moses, to remain fully in force and they therefore believe that it is a holy covenant, which is to be observed both morally and ritually, by those who profess faith in God.^[48] They believe that Jesus taught and re-affirmed the Torah, rather than did away with it.^[49]
5. Israel – It is believed that the Children of Israel were, remain, and will continue to be the chosen people of the God of Jacob, and are central to his plans for existence. Virtually all Messianics (whether Jewish or non-Jewish) can be said to oppose supersessionism (popularly referred to as replacement theology), the view that the Church has replaced Israel in the mind and plans of God.^[50]
6. The Bible – The Tanakh and the Apostolic Writings (sometimes called the "B’rit Chadasha") are usually considered to be the established and divinely inspired Biblical scriptures by Messianic Jews.
7. Biblical eschatology – Most Messianics hold all of the following eschatological beliefs: the End of Days, the Second Coming of Jesus as the conquering Messiah, the re-gathering of Israel, a rebuilt Third Temple, a Resurrection of the Dead (and that Jesus was resurrected after his death), and the Millennial Sabbath.
8. Oral Law – Messianic Jewish opinions concerning the “Oral Torah”, encoded in the Talmud, are varied and sometimes conflicting between individual congregations. Some congregations believe that adherence to the Oral Law, as encompassed by the Talmud, is against Messianic beliefs and outright dangerous.^[40] Other congregations are selective in their applications of Talmudic law.^[51][52] Still others encourage a serious observance of the Jewish Halakha.^[53] Virtually all Messianic congregations and synagogues can be said to believe that the oral traditions are subservient to the written Torah. It is important to note that Jesus followed some oral traditions (such as the observance of Hanukkah), but opposed others.

Additional doctrines

1. Sin and atonement – Messianics define sin as transgression of the Torah (Law/Instruction) of God (1 John 3: 4–5). Scripture is full of examples where God's people easily follow our own desires and rebel against true faith. As Isaiah 53:5 puts it, we need a "kaporrah" to heal our sin guilt before God. Messianics affirm the truth of Leviticus 17:11 that a blood sacrifice is necessary for the atonement of the soul. Messianics hold to a belief that all sin (whether committed yet or not) is already atoned for because of Jesus's death and resurrection. ^[54]
2. Faith and works – Messianics draw on Jewish rather than Protestant tradition. In Hebrew there is one word for both faith and faithfulness: Emunah. Most adherents to Messianic Judaism believe in a showing of their faith through righteous works (Jacob/James 2:17–26), defined by the Torah. Few Messianics believe that faith and works are mutually exclusive or polarized; most believe that faith in God and righteous works are entirely complementary to each other, and that the one (faith) naturally leads to the other (works). Some say that righteousness with God is solely by grace through faith and then acknowledge that works are still very important.^{[citation needed]}
3. Evangelism – God's people have a responsibility to spread his name and fame to all nations (Psalms 96:3, Ezekiel 3:18–19)^[55] Just as the beggar who has found bread tells his friend who is starving, so the one redeemed by HaShem must also give this truth to the Jew, as also the Gentile.^[56]

People of God

According to the Jerusalem Council, "the people of Israel are members of the covenant HaShem made with Avraham, Yitzhak, and Ya'akov. Covenant membership is extended to converts to Judaism from the nations, as well as to the descendants of covenant members. Israel is a nation of nations and their descendants, or more specifically a people group called out from other people groups to be a people separated unto HaShem for his purposes. HaShem's promise of covenantal blessings and curses as described in the Torah are unique to Am Yisrael (People of Israel), and to no other nation or people group. The bible describes an Israelite as one descended from Ya'akov ben Yitzhak ben Avraham, or one who has been converted or adopted into that group by either human or spiritual means." ^[57]

Jews are those who are born of a Jewish mother or have undergone halakhic conversion to Judaism. An exception is also made for those born of Jewish fathers only if the individual claims Jewish identity, similar to the Reform position. The statement of the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council on Jewish identity^[58] is often disputed among Messianic believers who either don't find it necessary or discourage halakhic conversion by believing the Romans 2:29 teaching (that a "Jew" is not one who is one "outwardly" but is one who is a Jew in his heart). They also believe that by accepting Jesus into their hearts and confessing that he is Lord, salvation is received.^[59]

Messianic believers from the nations are also considered a part of the People of God. Depending on their status within various Messianic Jewish groups, such as the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, an allowance for formal conversion is made based on their understanding that Messianic converts are not automatically considered Jewish. The reasoning for this variance is as follows: While Titus may have been the norm in the epistles, a Gentile not converted to Judaism, Paul nevertheless made an exception for Timothy, whom he circumcised and brought under the Covenant, probably because though Timothy's father was Greek, his mother was Jewish. According to the statement of the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council regarding Conversion,^[60] converts to Judaism do not in any way have a higher status within Messianic Judaism than the Messianic believers who are considered by the UMJC to still be gentiles who are attached to their communities.

One Law theology

One Law theology teaches that anyone who is a part of Israel is obligated to observe the Covenant and its provisions as outlined in the Torah. Dan Juster of Tikkun, and Russ Resnik of the UMJC, have argued against One Law theology's insistence on Gentiles being required to observe the entirety of Torah in the same way Jews are.^[61] Tim Hegg from FFOZ responded to their article defending what he believes to be the biblical teaching of "One Law" theology and its implications concerning the obligations of Torah obedience by new Messianic believers from the nations.^[62]

Two House Theology

Two House Theology comes from the idea that the "House of Judah" in scripture refers to Jews, and the "House of Israel" refers to the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, or Ephraim. Where scripture states the House of Israel and Judah will again be "one stick" (Ezekiel 37:15–23), it is believed to be referring to the End Times, right before Jesus returns, that many of those descended from Israel will come back to Israel. This theology postulates that the reason why so many so-called gentiles are coming into Messianic Judaism is that the vast majority of them are really Israelites and just don't know it yet. They believe a majority of the people who considered themselves as gentiles coming into Messianic Judaism are those of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. Like One Law groups, the Two House movement appears at first glance to have much in common with Messianic Judaism because of their belief in the ongoing validity of the Mosaic Covenant. While much of the Two House teaching is based on interpretations of Biblical prophecy, the biggest disagreements are due to inability to identify the genealogy of the ten lost tribes. Organizations such as the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America and Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations have opposed the Two House teaching^[63] and it continues to be a sensitive issue among Messianic congregations.^{[citation needed]}

Jewish Paul

Messianics understand (as suggested by some recent scholars^[64]) that Paul the Apostle (who is often referred to as Sha’ul, his Hebrew name) remained a Jewish Pharisee even as a believer until his death (see Paul of Tarsus and Judaism). This is based on Acts 23:6, detailing events after Paul's acceptance of Jesus as Messiah. "But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question."^{[citation needed]}

Messianics cite the cutting off of Paul’s hair at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken (Acts 18:18), references in passing to him observing the Jewish holidays, the frequent mistranslations of his writings in many Bibles, and his consistent good standing with his Rabbinic master Gamaliel, to show that he was wholly in continued observance of the laws and traditions of Judaism. They maintain that Paul never set out to polarize the gospel between faith and righteous works, but that one is necessary to maintain the other. The New Perspective on Paul is important in Messianic Judaism.^{[citation needed]}

Messianic Jewish Conversion

Messianic perspectives on "Who is a Jew" vary. The Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council, a global Messianic body, acknowledges a Jew as one born by one or two Jewish parents, and has undertaken public and formal acts of identification with the Jewish faith and people. It also affirms Reform traditions that explicitly allow for cases when an adult born of a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother reclaims his or her Jewish inheritance as an adult.^[65] Some within the Ephraimite movement seek to convert themselves for identification with Israel, but most Messianic governing bodies acknowledge the presence of gentiles in the congregations, and do not see a need for them to convert to worship in the Messianic style and understanding. When conversion is sincerely desired by a Messianic believer in Yeshua, halachic standards (including circumcision) are imposed to maintain integrity among the world Jewish community.^[66][10][67] No non-Messianic Jewish movement views a Messianic conversion as valid.^[68]

Comparisons

Judaism

Judaism considers the worship of a compound/trinitarian God to be idolatrous, holding that God is One without any multiplicity whatsoever. Jewish theology also rejects the idea that the messiah, or any human being, is a divinity, and such an idea has always been regarded as idolatrous.^[13] Nor does Judaism view the role of the messiah to be the salvation of the world from its sins, an integral part of Christian theology.^[69][59] Judaism does not accept Jesus as the biblical messiah, nor does it assign him any religious role at all. Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah because:

1. • They say he did not fulfill the messianic prophecies of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zachariah.
   • Jews say he did not embody the personal qualifications of the Messiah
   • Jesus was not a prophet, prophecy having ended with Malachi approximately 350 years prior to Jesus's birth^{[citation needed]}.
   • Jesus was not a scion of the house of David, as tribal affiliation in Judaism is solely patrilineal, and Jesus is claimed to be the son of God, not man.
   • Jesus did not lead the Jews back to full Torah observance, instead contradicting the Written and Oral Laws in he New Testament^{[clarification needed]}.
2. Biblical verses "referring" to Jesus are mistranslations, including those relating to virgin birth and suffering servitude^{[clarification needed]}.
3. Jewish belief is based on national revelation, not on miraculous events performed for small groups, and there was no mass revelation similar to the one at Sinai.^[70]

Jesus

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The place of Jesus in Messianic Judaism is usually clearly defined. They affirm his Jewishness and that of all the original disciples. Contrary to Judaism, Messianic Judaism asserts that Jesus is the word of God become manifest (John 1:1;14), a belief that is identical with normative Christian doctrine regarding the nature and identity of the son of God. Furthermore, Messianic Judaism generally asserts that the Messiah has a dual aspect as revealed in Scripture.^[71] Instead of merely a physical Messiah who would save Israel from occupation and restore the Davidic Kingdom, Jesus first rescued the world from spiritual bondage – paving the way for true understanding and application of the Torah. The Messiah will return again – only this time he will indeed rescue the world from physical oppression and establish his unending Kingdom – again, a belief that is identical to the normative Christian view of the Messiah. George Berkley writes that Messianics "worship not just God but Jesus" whom they call Yeshua.^[72]

Doctrines

As with many religious faiths, the exact tenets held vary from congregation to congregation. In general, essential doctrines of Messianic Judaism include views on God (omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, outside creation, infinitely significant and benevolent – viewpoints on the Trinity vary), Jesus is believed to be the Jewish Messiah though views on his divinity vary), written Torah (with a few exceptions, Messianics believe that Jesus taught and reaffirmed the Torah and that it remains fully in force), Israel (the Children of Israel are central to God's plan, replacement theology is opposed), the Bible (Tanakh and the New Testament are usually considered the divinely inspired Scripture, though Messianics are more open to criticism of the New Testament canon than is Christianity), eschatology (similar to many evangelical Christian views), and oral law (observance varies, but virtually all deem these traditions subservient to the written Torah). Certain additional doctrines, including sin and atonement and faith and works, are more open to differences in interpretation.^[73]

People of God

There exist among Messianics a number of perspectives regarding who exactly makes up God's chosen people. These are 'covenant membership, and halakhic definitions. Most commonly, Israel is seen as distinct from Ekklesia; Messianic Jews, being a part of both Israel and Ekklesia, are seen as the necessary link of the 'Gentile' People of God to the commonwealth of God's people of Israel. The two-house view, and the one law/grafted-in view are held by many identifying as Messianic, although some Messianic groups do not espouse these theologies.^[74]

Eschatology

Many Messianics believe that all of the moedim, indeed the entire Torah, intrinsically hint at the Messiah, and thus no study of the End Times is complete without understanding the major Jewish Festivals in the larger prophetic context. To these believers, Passover, First Fruits, and Shavuot were fulfilled in Jesus's first coming, and Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot will be at his second. Many Messianics believe in a literal 7000 year period for the human history of the world, with a Messianic Millennial Sabbath Kingdom before a final judgment.^[75]

Torah

The issue of Torah observance is a contentious one within Messianic Judaism. Generally, "Torah observant" congregations observe Jewish Law, biblical feasts, and Sabbath, although they do not teach that Gentiles need observe Torah. While most traditional Christians deny that the ritual laws and specific civil laws of the Pentateuch (though still affirming that Torah is the word of God) apply directly to themselves, passages^[76] regarding Torah observance in the New Testament are cited by Messianics that Torah was not abolished for Jews. They point out that in Acts 21 we find that the Jewish believers in Jerusalem are "zealous for Torah" and that Paul himself, never stopped being observant. Most Messianics believe that observance of the Torah brings about sanctification, not salvation, which was to be produced only by the Messiah.^[77]

Religious practices

Organizations

Many Messianic organizations exist that address issues concerning Messianic religious practice. Chief among them are:

• The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA)^[78]
• Association of Messianic Congregations (AMC) ^[79]
• Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) ^[80]
• Chosen People Ministries (CPM) ^[81]
• Coalition of Torah Observant Messianic Congregations (CTOMC) ^[82]
• Union of Nazarene Yisraelite Congregations (UONYC)^[83]
• Union of Conservative Messianic Synagogues (UCMJS) ^[84]
• The International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS).^[85]
• HaYesod ("the foundation") is a discipleship course that respectfully explores the Jewish foundation of Christianity. THere are currently 212 HaYesod study groups of 5 or more members.^[86]
• The Jerusalem Council, a new organization, seeks to become a ruling council for Messianic believers worldwide.^[87] It is in the process of publishing a set of Messianic halakha that the "majority of orthodox Messianic Jews accept."^[51]
• The Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (many of whose members are affiliated with the longstanding Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) has published its standards of Messianic Torah observance.^[88]
• Jews for Jesus is an evangelizing organization that does not create or sponsor Messianic congregations.^[89] Some Messianic believers do not consider Jews for Jesus to be a Messianic Jewish organization.^[90]

Holiday observances

Worship services are generally held on Friday evenings (Erev Shabbat) or Saturday mornings.^[91][92] The Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council recommends the observance of Jewish holidays.^[93] Most larger Messianic Jewish congregations follow Jewish custom in celebrating seven key holidays (Pesach or Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and Purim). Celebration of other holidays is less widespread.

Dietary laws

The dietary laws of Judaism are a subject of continued debate among Messianic Jews.^[91][94] Most avoid pork and shellfish, but there is division on more strict adherence to kosher dietary laws.

Messianic music

There are recording artists who consider their music to be Messianic in message including Joel Chernoff of Lamb,^[95] Paul Wilbur, and Marty Goetz. Many of these artists have been influenced by Jewish music and often incorporate Hebrew phrases into their lyrics.^{[citation needed]} Other Messianic artists, such as Ted Pearce^[96] and Chuck King, are not Jewish in heritage, but have begun to lead a new generation of scripture-based Messianic-style music.

Jewish objections

Jewish objections to Messianic Judaism are numerous, and often begin with objections to the term "Messianic Judaism" itself: It is objected that Judaism is a messianic religion, but that its messiah is not Jesus,^[70] thus the term is misleading.^[17] Use of "Judaism" in the term is also considered misleading and as a subversive tactic used for missionary purposes. Messianic Jews are only considered eligible for the State of Israel's Law of Return if they can also claim Jewish descent.^[19] An assistant to one of the two lawyers involved with an April 2008 Supreme Court of Israel case explained to the Jerusalem Post that Messianics who are not Jewish according to Jewish law, but who had sufficient Jewish descent to qualify under the Law of Return, could claim automatic new immigrant status and citizenship despite being Messianics .^[97]

Several anti-missionary organizations, such as Outreach Judaism and Jews for Judaism oppose Messianic Judaism on theological grounds, usually from an Orthodox Jewish perspective. In recent years these organizations have noticeably narrowed their focus from countering the missionizing of Jews in the name of Christianity in general to countering the spread of Messianic Judaism in particular. The Jewish anti-missionary organizations view the latter (Messianic Judaism) as a more threatening and subversive form of missionary activity than the former (openly missionizing in the name of Christianity).

Denominations and organizations

All denominations of Judaism, as well as national Jewish organizations, reject Messianic Judaism being a form of Judaism, often on the grounds that belief in Jesus as the Messiah is an insuperable dividing line between Christianity and Judaism.^{[14][12] [98]}

According to the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform):

"For us in the Jewish community, anyone who claims that Jesus is their savior is no longer a Jew and is an apostate. Through that belief she has placed herself outside the Jewish community. Whether she cares to define herself as a Christian or as a 'fulfilled Jew,' 'Messianic Jew,' or any other designation is irrelevant; to us, she is clearly a Christian."^[99]

Concerning Christian-Jewish reconciliation and Christian missions to the Jews, Emil Fackenheim wrote:

"…Except in relations with Christians, the Christ of Christianity is not a Jewish issue. There simply can be no dialogue worthy of the name unless Christians accept — nay, treasure — the fact that Jews through the two millennia of Christianity have had an agenda of their own. There can be no Jewish-Christian dialogue worthy of the name unless one Christian activity is abandoned, missions to the Jews. It must be abandoned, moreover, not as a temporary strategy but in principle, as a bimillennial theological mistake. The cost of that mistake in Christian love and Jewish blood one hesitates to contemplate. …A post-Holocaust Jew can still view Christian attempts to convert Jews as sincere and well intended. But even as such they are no longer acceptable: They have become attempts to do in one way what Hitler did in another."^[100]

Canadian B'nai Brith considers messianic activities as antisemitic incidents:

"One of the more alarming trends in antisemitic activity in Canada in 1998 was the growing number of incidents involving messianic organizations posing as "synagogues". These missionizing organizations are in fact evangelical Christian proselytizing groups, whose purpose is specifically to target members of the Jewish community for conversion. They fraudulently represent themselves as Jews, and these so-called synagogues are elaborately disguised Christian churches."^[101]

Israeli citizenship

The state of Israel grants Aliyah (right of return) and citizenship to Jews, and to those with Jewish parents or grandparents who are not considered Jews according to halacha, e.g. people who have a Jewish father but a non-Jewish mother. Specifically excluded were any “person who has been a Jew and has voluntarily changed his religion.” An Israeli Supreme Court decision in 1989 ruled that Messianic Judaism constituted another religion.^[68] The Israeli government therefore rejected as a matter of course applications from Messianic Jews under the Law of Return.

On April 16, 2008, the Supreme Court of Israel ruled in a case brought by a number of Messianic Jews with Jewish fathers and grandfathers. Their applications for Aliyah had been rejected on the grounds that they were Messianic Jews. The argument was made by the applicants that they had never been Jews according to halacha, and were not therefore excluded by the conversion clause. This argument was upheld in the ruling.^{[97][102][103]}

Claims of discrimination against Messianic Jews

The International Religious Freedom Report 2008, released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor in the US states that discrimination against Messianic Jews in Israel is increasing.^[104] Some acts of violence have also occurred such as incident on March 20, 2008, a bomb concealed as a Purim gift basket was delivered to the house of a prominent Messianic Jewish family in Ariel, in the West Bank, which severely wounded the son.^[105]

This antagonism has led to harassment and some violence, especially in Israel, where there is a large and militant Orthodox community. Several Orthodox organizations, including Yad L'Achim, are dedicated to rooting out missionary activity in Israel, including the Messianic Jewish congregations. One tactic is to plaster posters asking Israelis to boycott shops where Messianic Jews are owners or employees; another is to report Messianic Jews to the Interior ministry, which is charged with enforcing an Israeli law forbidding proselytizing.^[106] In another incident, the mayor of Or Yehuda, a suburb of Tel Aviv, held a public book-burning of literature passed out to Ethiopian immigrants. He later apologized for the action.^[6]

See also

• Ebionites
• Jewish Messianism
• Jesus in Judaism
• Judeo-Christian
• List of Messianic Jewish organizations
• List of messianic movement leaders
• Nazarenes
• Sabbath in Christianity
• Judeo-Paganism
• Chrislam

References

Further reading

External links

This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive and inappropriate external links or by converting links into footnote references. (December 2009)

General

• The Jerusalem Council – Messianic Beit Din Global Forum for Messianic Judaism, Messianic Halakha, and Torah Study
• Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council UMJC's Messianic Halakha development organization
• Basics of Messianic Judaism
• Association of Messianic Congregations

Denominations

• UMJC Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations A major Messianic denomination
• IAMCS The International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues
• The Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship Messianic fellowships aligning with the Southern Baptist Convention

Hebrew roots

• Hebrew for Christians A Hebrew language site geared toward Christians

Criticism

• Messiah Truth — critical of Messianic missionary outreach
• Can a Jew believe in Jesus? chabad.org

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