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The Messianic Jew has a glorious call of G-d's revelation. His celebrations
through the calendar year are done in a way to extol fulfillment in Yeshua.
They are celebrations of G-d's grace in history for Israel and for all peoples.
The Messianic Jew must not be put on the defensive by foolish statements
by brothers and sisters who lack understand- ing. Jesus was and is,
Yeshua the Jew. He is the one who wore fringes, healed on the Sabbath
and celebrated the Passover. G-d Himself is forever the G-d of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:10-14). We extol G-d for His whole involvement
with humanity, from creation, the Exodus, and especially the death and
resurrection of Yeshua. It puts us into a unity with all other believers, which
must be maintained in relationships and acts of love.
Much confusion is caused by the questions, who is a Jew and what does it
mean to live as a Jew. According to Halachah which is the traditional
Jewish legal interpretation, a person is Jewish if born of a Jewish mother,
circumcised if a male, and not a convert to another religion. Some
Rabbinic authorities have been willing to consider the convert to another
religion as still Jewish, but would definitely not consider his children Jewish.
This definition is also expanded to include those who convert to Judaism
through instruction, water immersion and circumcision. But there are
problems with this position as it contradicts Scripture. The definition of who
is a Jew must include more than just physical descent and circumcision.
Even nations and tribes have converted to Judaism and were then
considered part of Israel. So why does the Halachic define Jewish descent
through the mother alone? The reason reaches back to Ezra. At that time
the Jewish remnant had intermarried and were influenced by their spouses.
Ezra commanded the men to divorce and send away their non-Jewish
wives and that their children would not be considered Jewish. It was also
thought the mother's early upbringing of the child as well as the child's
descent from the mother and uncertainty of the father's identity lent weight to
accepting this view. The Scriptures point out the role of the father and
descent from the father is also crucial. There are many answers given as to
what it means to be a Jew. The fullest sense of what it means to be a Jew
is biblically defined. G-d has called Israel to be a unique nation among the
nations; a witness to His truth and faithfulness. As a nation she was given
unique practices, such as the practice of the Sabbath and the feasts. In
light of the fact G-d has committed Himself to preserve the nation of Israel,
and that we desire to be in accord with G-d's purpose insight is important.
A nation in its strongest sense usually requires 3 major elements: defined
borders, a common culture and heritage. Historically, nations have
disappeared when uprooted from their land. Israel is unique because she
maintained her nationhood though uprooted. The land of Israel became a
part of Israel's religious-cultural hope. Israel in the diaspora was
preserved by G-d through a common language and a common heritage.
Hebrew was maintained as a language of synagogue. A Jew could
worship anywhere in the world without a language barrier. The feast and
fast provided a cultural continuity. This common heritage gave rise to a
universal sense of Jewish brother hood which continues to this day through
Jewish cultural ties in music, dance and literature. The full scope of being a
loyal Jew includes involvement in the Jewish community and support for
Israel. It also includes Sabbath, the feasts, Hebrew weddings, bar
mitzvahs, unique tunes and sounds in worship, as well as Bible-based
discerning appreciation of Jewish history, literature and wisdom. Also
central to the Jewish heritage is the prophetic call to social law for many
western nations. As Messianic Jews we can creatively appropriate our
heritage as we are led by the Holy Spirit. It must come from within, rather
than artificially imposed from without. We must not feel in bondage to do
things as other groups do them.
Let's look at some common worship practices Numbers 15:37-41. The
meaning of this command is quite simple. The ancient Israelites wore
four-cornered garments, almost like a sheet with cutouts for head and arms.
On each corner of the garment was to be sewn a fringe or tassel with a
cord of blue (blue to purple). The cord was to be a reminder to do all in
commitment to G-d, not out of selfish desire, but to be consecrated to G-d
and obey all His commands. Our desire as Messianic Jews is to
recapture the spirit of the law, not just the letter of the law. This does not
mean that we return to the dress of 3,500 years ago and sew tassels on the
corners of our garments. But it does mean we should seek ways to
constantly remind ourselves of our commitment to G-d and His
commandments. Messianic Jews find value in the prayer shawl, a garment
developed for the purpose of keeping this command. Some people also
use the tallit (prayer shawl) as a symbol of being clothed with the
righteousness of Yeshua in whom we are accounted righteous. By His
power in us we fulfill G-d's commands.
Deut. 6:4-9 is the Shema passage. The traditional means for fulfilling this
command is a small box with leather straps which is placed on the arm and
another on the head. These are called Tefillin or Phylacteries. The
command in relationship to gates and doorposts is fulfilled through use of
the mezuzah, a small container affixed in the proper place on the door. All
of these contain Scripture. Tefillin are worn only in daily daytime prayer
services and are not work on the Sabbath. These things serve as object
lessons to remind one of the Scriptures. We are warned in Matt. 23:5-6,
6:5-18 not to make any sign an ostentatious display to call attention
to ourselves. The prayer shawl is to be treated with and used with respect
and reverence.
Another common practice is the following of the Levitical diet in Lev. 11.
Messianic Jews who practice these principles are biblically Kosher. Not
eating blood was commanded to Noah (Gen. 9) and is universally binding
on the human race. This system was to reflect purity, holiness, and the
wholeness of redemption. The health dimensions and Jewish identification
may be taken seriously by messianic Jews and practiced by others as the
Holy Spirit leads.
through the calendar year are done in a way to extol fulfillment in Yeshua.
They are celebrations of G-d's grace in history for Israel and for all peoples.
The Messianic Jew must not be put on the defensive by foolish statements
by brothers and sisters who lack understand- ing. Jesus was and is,
Yeshua the Jew. He is the one who wore fringes, healed on the Sabbath
and celebrated the Passover. G-d Himself is forever the G-d of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:10-14). We extol G-d for His whole involvement
with humanity, from creation, the Exodus, and especially the death and
resurrection of Yeshua. It puts us into a unity with all other believers, which
must be maintained in relationships and acts of love.
Much confusion is caused by the questions, who is a Jew and what does it
mean to live as a Jew. According to Halachah which is the traditional
Jewish legal interpretation, a person is Jewish if born of a Jewish mother,
circumcised if a male, and not a convert to another religion. Some
Rabbinic authorities have been willing to consider the convert to another
religion as still Jewish, but would definitely not consider his children Jewish.
This definition is also expanded to include those who convert to Judaism
through instruction, water immersion and circumcision. But there are
problems with this position as it contradicts Scripture. The definition of who
is a Jew must include more than just physical descent and circumcision.
Even nations and tribes have converted to Judaism and were then
considered part of Israel. So why does the Halachic define Jewish descent
through the mother alone? The reason reaches back to Ezra. At that time
the Jewish remnant had intermarried and were influenced by their spouses.
Ezra commanded the men to divorce and send away their non-Jewish
wives and that their children would not be considered Jewish. It was also
thought the mother's early upbringing of the child as well as the child's
descent from the mother and uncertainty of the father's identity lent weight to
accepting this view. The Scriptures point out the role of the father and
descent from the father is also crucial. There are many answers given as to
what it means to be a Jew. The fullest sense of what it means to be a Jew
is biblically defined. G-d has called Israel to be a unique nation among the
nations; a witness to His truth and faithfulness. As a nation she was given
unique practices, such as the practice of the Sabbath and the feasts. In
light of the fact G-d has committed Himself to preserve the nation of Israel,
and that we desire to be in accord with G-d's purpose insight is important.
A nation in its strongest sense usually requires 3 major elements: defined
borders, a common culture and heritage. Historically, nations have
disappeared when uprooted from their land. Israel is unique because she
maintained her nationhood though uprooted. The land of Israel became a
part of Israel's religious-cultural hope. Israel in the diaspora was
preserved by G-d through a common language and a common heritage.
Hebrew was maintained as a language of synagogue. A Jew could
worship anywhere in the world without a language barrier. The feast and
fast provided a cultural continuity. This common heritage gave rise to a
universal sense of Jewish brother hood which continues to this day through
Jewish cultural ties in music, dance and literature. The full scope of being a
loyal Jew includes involvement in the Jewish community and support for
Israel. It also includes Sabbath, the feasts, Hebrew weddings, bar
mitzvahs, unique tunes and sounds in worship, as well as Bible-based
discerning appreciation of Jewish history, literature and wisdom. Also
central to the Jewish heritage is the prophetic call to social law for many
western nations. As Messianic Jews we can creatively appropriate our
heritage as we are led by the Holy Spirit. It must come from within, rather
than artificially imposed from without. We must not feel in bondage to do
things as other groups do them.
Let's look at some common worship practices Numbers 15:37-41. The
meaning of this command is quite simple. The ancient Israelites wore
four-cornered garments, almost like a sheet with cutouts for head and arms.
On each corner of the garment was to be sewn a fringe or tassel with a
cord of blue (blue to purple). The cord was to be a reminder to do all in
commitment to G-d, not out of selfish desire, but to be consecrated to G-d
and obey all His commands. Our desire as Messianic Jews is to
recapture the spirit of the law, not just the letter of the law. This does not
mean that we return to the dress of 3,500 years ago and sew tassels on the
corners of our garments. But it does mean we should seek ways to
constantly remind ourselves of our commitment to G-d and His
commandments. Messianic Jews find value in the prayer shawl, a garment
developed for the purpose of keeping this command. Some people also
use the tallit (prayer shawl) as a symbol of being clothed with the
righteousness of Yeshua in whom we are accounted righteous. By His
power in us we fulfill G-d's commands.
Deut. 6:4-9 is the Shema passage. The traditional means for fulfilling this
command is a small box with leather straps which is placed on the arm and
another on the head. These are called Tefillin or Phylacteries. The
command in relationship to gates and doorposts is fulfilled through use of
the mezuzah, a small container affixed in the proper place on the door. All
of these contain Scripture. Tefillin are worn only in daily daytime prayer
services and are not work on the Sabbath. These things serve as object
lessons to remind one of the Scriptures. We are warned in Matt. 23:5-6,
6:5-18 not to make any sign an ostentatious display to call attention
to ourselves. The prayer shawl is to be treated with and used with respect
and reverence.
Another common practice is the following of the Levitical diet in Lev. 11.
Messianic Jews who practice these principles are biblically Kosher. Not
eating blood was commanded to Noah (Gen. 9) and is universally binding
on the human race. This system was to reflect purity, holiness, and the
wholeness of redemption. The health dimensions and Jewish identification
may be taken seriously by messianic Jews and practiced by others as the
Holy Spirit leads.
| TO LIVE AS A JEW BY RABBI ESTHER BOUCHER |
Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007