Messianic Judaism

 

This article is interesting. Our synagogue is led by my husband, a Messianic Rabbi, whose parents were both Jews. Most of our congregation is Gentile, but Rabbi is committed to being a Torah-observant synagogue - not a church. It is a struggle at times. Our mission is to take the Torah and Yeshua to those around us.

I found this post on Facebook - by Eitan Bar.    I''ve excerpted a few highlights, but encourage you to read the entire post at his blog:  https://eitan.bar/articles/messianic-judaism/

 "Messianic Judaism outside of Israel, often associated with the Hebrew Roots Movement, emerges primarily from conservative evangelical backgrounds, particularly Pentecostal ones. Its adherents, though frequently not of Jewish ethnicity or tradition, feel a profound calling to observe Jewish rituals, such as wearing the Yarmulke and Tzitzit, and to adhere to the laws of the Torah, like keeping Kosher and observing the Sabbath. Followers often explain that this synthesis of beliefs and practices aims for a more holistic understanding of Christianity by reconnecting with its ancient Jewish roots. The movement’s adherents tend to view Jesus, often referred to by his Hebrew name, Yeshua, as the awaited Jewish Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament."

Before finding Messianic Judaism, I was part of two different Hebrew Roots congregations.  One didn't even observe the Sabbath.  Neither leader was Jewish.  One vehemently disdained Jewish rabbis.  Both, I found out later, were part of a group that is anti-semitic. 

I felt there was something lacking, but couldn't figure out what it was.  I prayed, asking God to lead me to His will and His ways.  I never imagined that He would lead me to Messianic Judaism, Torah observance,  and my own personal rabbi as my husband.  Praise to His Name forever.

I found these statistics very interesting:

"Israel is the most Jewish-populated nation in the world, where 74% of its 10 million inhabitants identify as Jewish. As of 2023, Christians comprised only 1.9% of the Israeli population, numbering approximately 185,000. The majority of those are not Jewish nor speak Hebrew natively. Over three-quarters of the Christians in Israel are Arabs, mostly Greek Orthodox."

And this made me ponder: 

" However, from my own experience, most Israeli-born (“Sabra”) Jewish believers in Jesus do not attend church services or connect well with the messianic movement but worship on their own or in small groups."

I've noticed this and believe it to be because they do not have a strong, Torah observant Jewish rabbi as their shepherd.  One of our struggles in ministry is tearing down the strongholds of false teachings by non-Jewish teachers in the Hebrew Roots Movement.  We do persevere, however.

 Parts of his article are from his book:  Continue reading more in his book: “Why Don’t Jews Believe in Jesus.”  His other books look interesting, too.

 

 

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