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Jews who believe in Jesus betray Judaism.
Well what is Judaism to begin with? This is about as definitive as the opinion on who is a Jew. The definition is too hard to define in one blog and could be quite exhaustive in scope because of the smorgasbord of beliefs and traditions.
Judaism is largely what anyone wants it to be and modern day Judaism is more of a human invention of religious ideas, doctrines, practices, and superstitions rather than strict adherence’s to biblical precepts.
As previously stated on my last blog regarding contemporary Judaism I discussed how that Judaism has evolved from biblical times into an adaptive form of traditional teachings of men as expressed through the many ideas of the rabbis both past and present. Rabbinic Judaism has claimed the right as an authority of prophetic utterance which served originally to revise reshape and remold the structure of mainstream Judaism
To begin with Rabbinic Judaism evolved mainly from the Pharisaic tradition and was codified into various rulings and interpretations as handed down through many pieces of literature as being orthodoxy.
Prior to the destruction of the second temple there were different factions of religious Jews who took various positions on belief and observance. Several of these groups were the Essenes, Sadducee’s, and the Pharisees.
Today like then there are various divisions among those who make claims to the religion of Judaism. Some of these branches of Judaism encompass various forms of observance and belief whether you are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and groups such as the Karaites.
There is a vast diversity in the expressions of Judaism in that there are groups within groups and these compartmental groups have various traditional observances based on geographical influences. So to ultimately define Judaism both then and now wasn’t always definitive but nevertheless these groups tolerated each other to some degree even if there was no complete agreement.
Also there was yet another group that emerged and coexisted with these ancient religious groups of Jews and was known as Messianics. Not because they merely had messianic expectations and hopes such as was the case of many of the religious Jews of that time but because they believed in an actual Messianic figure.
The Jewish people have had several ancient as well as modern messiahs that have not impacted the world in the same way that the Jewish Messiah Yeshua or Jesus has. These groups or followers of these false messiahs usually fade out over the course of time and their followers or devotees are no longer in existence today and this will be the case for the Lubavitch as well who recently lost their candidate for the title.
These Messianic believers have always existed from the onset of Yeshua’s ministry 2000 years ago until modern times numbering as high as over 300,000 Jewish believers today. They too have a unique expression of their Judaism which is biblically based as the “New Covenant” people as outlined by the prophet in Jeremiah 31:31 and were considered originally as the “People of the Way” . Many of these people kept or tried to keep their cultural ties and identity within the Jewish community at large and they likewise deserve inclusion within the observant and religious Jewish community as well.
You know it wasn’t long ago that the Hasidic Jews were considered heretics and apostates just a few centuries ago but now today they have won the respect of the religious community having endured persecutions for their beliefs much like these Messianic Jews are suffering rejection and persecution today especially in Israel.
So who is betraying who here and by whose supreme authority can one group of Jews discriminate against another group? These Messianics have the same right to their personal expression of faith as being the heirs of the biblical promise in being new covenant Jews. These Jews still make claims and identify themselves with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
In conclusion Messianic believers who hold to belief in Yeshua as the Messiah by seeing themselves as new covenant Jews have minimally only betrayed perhaps other viewpoints of Judaism but then again who among the Jewish community doesn’t have opinions or challenging views in regards to the nature of religious expression.
Lastly you can believe in Yeshua or Jesus and be faithful to a personal expression of Jewish faith who finds it origins based on the biblical authority of the Hebrew Scriptures.

 

 

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Contemporary Judaism is not the true religion of G-d. When I say this I don’t mean that Judaism doesn’t have any beneficial or meaningful G-d ordained practices within its movement . However, I do challenge its claim to authority as regulated by the rulings of the Rabbis which I believe falls short in attempting to establish a meaningful relationship between G-d and his covenant people Israel.
To begin with a person must first realize that there is a difference between biblical Judaism and what would later evolve and continue to evolve into rabbinic Judaism. Many of Judaism’s beliefs are vast and widespread and sometimes it is impossible to even know how the belief or practice even originated. You can speak to one Jew from one location and they might practice their Judaism differently from another Jew who is situated in a different geographical location. In Judaism there are endless commentaries with various viewpoints. Combine this with some mystical teachings such as the Kabbala and you end up with a sea of varied beliefs that has the potential to drown you. For instance just to learn how to properly keep the Sabbath is an undertaking by itself let alone trying to observe it. It really makes you wonder if this is what G-d really had in mind in upholding the Sabbath day in keeping it holy. Was the Sabbath to be an impossible feat of avoidance’s with endless and various restrictions? Is their really any joy in undertaking such an arduous task to this celebrated event in the routine of life?
This whole system of rules and beliefs has contributed to a dialogue of confusion and impossibilities that is hardly discernible.
There are also claims that are impossible to substantiate such as the origin of the “Oral Law” which is ancient but does it really go all the way back to Sinai? When G-d speaks to Moses he instructs Him to write down His commands rather than committing them to the fallibility and frailty of human memory. Even though the Ten Commandments could be easily retained G-d had them inscribed in such a way so as to preserve their content. If you have ever played the game of telephone you know how easily something can be confused just from sharing simple information with a small degree of succession. Just the fact that today there are varied traditional beliefs of whose origins are questionable shows the inability to retain and preserve the original intent.
Also when Judaism give the Rabbis the same degree of authority as Moses then I believe this is overextending or stretching the application beyond the boundary stones of the biblical text. Anyway how can G-d contradict himself through the Rabbis since the Rabbis don’t always agree with each another nor are they always in harmony on their varied viewpoints. Is it any wonder that in the Tanakh that the prophet Isaiah says that “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men”.
G-d also warns Moses in Deuteronomy 4:2 not to add to what I command you and do not subtract from it.
In addition to this does G-d require the upholding and the keeping of 613 commandments? Here is yet another departure from biblical truth by stating some non-biblical traditions. How can G-d who is supremely just and righteous require you to keep something that is unattainable or impossible? The reason for this is because these commands would require reinstating the sacrificial system which can’t be done because there is no temple or priesthood.
Also today within Judaism there is a departure from upholding punishment which is due for the transgressor or violator of these commandments by enforcing the biblical requirements of capital punishment such as those who are guilty of committing crimes as related to adultery, Sabbath violations, and disrespectful children just to name a few.
If Judaism could bring people near to G-d then why after some many centuries of having the Torah did it bring a curse resulting in the Diaspora and now 33 centuries later it still hasn’t produced everlasting righteousness.
One of the definitions of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again while all along expecting different results and that is where the matter has taken us today. Just look at the lifestyles of many of the people residing in Tel Aviv and you will see a moral failure which communicates the Torah’s inability or influence by itself to transform people and society. A person can take up residence in the “holy land” but that doesn’t make a person “holy” through association. This isn’t to falter G-d or even the Torah but it depicts mankind’s inability to pursue G-d because of mans nature whose heart is continually corrupt and avoids a pursuit of G-d because of a selfish, self indulgent sinful nature. When you look at Eden and the universality of rebellious Babel, the flood of Noah which resulted from the deluge of evil during his time and the disobedience of corporate Israel then it becomes obvious that there is a cycle of sin that encompasses all of humanity regardless of time and space. You might think well what about religion doesn’t that prove mankind’s desire to connect with G-d. Yet what does the first commandment state? That a person is not to serve other G-d’s and the second commandment stipulates that there is to be no graven images. So position one and two of G-d’s covenant requirements deal with false religion and the tendency to create gods after their own design and that is what rabbinic Judaism has done and regardless of its zeal, piety, and sincerity these are not necessarily the qualities that G-d desires but rather a pursuit of honesty and truth. He desires for truth in the inward parts of mankind’s heart. A person might think that the biblical characters and the religious leaders were the holy ones since they were closer to the original source yet we see through the pages of the Tanakh that they were not exempt from corruption and it is still happening today.
The reason why biblical or modern Judaism does not work is because it was merely meant to be transitory in nature finding its replacement or fulfillment by means of a “New Covenant” people as described in Jeremiah 31:31 where G-d Himself facilitates a change of heart and mind in regards to the worshipper by means of an internal working of His righteousness rather than trusting in the weaknesses and failures of men who couldn’t even uphold the external out workings of the Law.
Why has man’s efforts continued to fail in achieving the righteous requirements of G-d’s law? Just look at the biblical narrative alone and the comments of the anointed servants of G-d who held an intercessory role as mediators including the likes of judges, prophets, priests, and kings and you will hear a certain theme resonating the condition of the human soul which speaks of ultimate depravity.
Just the observance of Yom Kippur alone shows the unequivocal and universality of sin from the greatest to the least, from the eldest to the youngest, from the noble to the common, from the religious to the simple minded.
All these people had one common denominator and that was the fact that they were all heavily laden with the yoke of sin which enslaved them because mankind’s depravity,which is not a respecter of persons, is a disease that has inflicted and plagued all of mankind since the beginning of time regardless of ones position or status in society resulting in one of the nations greatest needs for observance and that is the day that was set apart for the atonement for sin.
If the Mosaic covenant was truly efficacious and self sustaining then why did G-d make way for a “New covenant” thus annulling and rendering the Mosaic covenant as being ineffective and obsolete. You can read it for yourself in Jeremiah 31:31. Rather He has now opened up a new and living way by pouring out His Spirit on all flesh as spoken of by the prophet Joel. This new age has dawned finding its onset and consummation in the person and work of the Messiah Yeshua or Jesus. Who stated that this “New Covenant” was ratified in his body and His shed blood which was a typology of the sacrificial lamb served as the ultimate atonement for sin given on behalf of the worshipper.
Truly if G-d wanted us to uphold the Mosaic covenant then in His sovereignty He would of sustained His earthy temple with its sacrificial requirements. Now Judaism states that G-d has opened up a new way, which is really the same old way, which somehow now replaces the ceremonial laws by relying once again on mere human achievement and observances by the likes of prayer, good deeds, and fasting. This now becomes the replacement theology to satisfy these past ordinances. Strangely enough this was never spelled out by the authority of the scriptures but the Rabbis had to develop a system as a means of grappling with the loss of the temple rites.
Could it be that yes G-d is doing something different and He emphatically accentuates His position by allowing the likes of Islam to inhabit the very site of the temple mount for the last 1300 years.
The prophet Daniel speaks of the destruction of the second temple and the Messiah being cut off. Is it coincidental that when the temple was ransacked and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD that this event in history was only 40 years removed from the death of Yeshua or Jesus.
The destruction of the temple was a commentary from G-d not stating a need to abolish atonement but rather indicating that the atonement for sin was completely satisfied and fulfilled in Yeshua.
In religious Jewish thought it is the death of the righteous which atones. Read and meditate on the suffering servant as spoken of in Isaiah 53 and you will see a correlation to the person and work of Jesus or Yeshua.
In summary I would like to say that the Jewish people occupy a special and unique place in G-d’s economy of humanity. Yet alongside of this privilege was the responsibility to carry out this election by a means of integrity to the truth of G-d with an uncompromising sense of heartfelt devotion. To love the L-rd their G-d with all of their heart soul, mind and strength.
I am concerned that the religious community in its desire to fulfill its passion for its craving of Judaism’s porridge that it has sold it’s true position in the household of G-d by despising its birthright much like Esau. I believe if they only knew the deception and the lack or the temporary feeling of fullness that this pottage can bring to the emptiness of the soul of their stomach then they like Esau would grieve over their lost privilege to the new heir. The despairing thing is that no matter how much Esau pleads to the father over this matter it has already been settled and can not be over ruled, changed or altered which brings to heart a great sense of loss and jealousy. However we see latter that G-d greatly blesses Esau by his grace and mercy which included a reconciliation with his brother Jacob along with the accumulation of great wealth. G-d will not forsake his promises to the Jewish people and I believe that their glory will one day shine forth like the brilliance of the sun.
In closing I apologize for such a long and tiresome post and I hope that I have not over stated my position. My approach though direct and pointed is not meant to be interpreted as an opportunity to be intolerant, slanderous, and hateful towards the Jewish people. My intention in this post is to challenge the religious institution which I see as straying from its biblical roots by the means of substituting a counterfeit faith.
One might say that to challenge the cultural expression of religion as expressed within the confines of Judaism is then correlated to mean a rejection of the Jewish community. Yet most of the Jewish community is not even religious.
Even G-d Himself states that he hates the false religion of hypocrisy by declaring that He detests their religious gatherings Isaiah 1:14.
Its no wonder that Jesus also corrected and challenged this legalistic system which sought to make serving G-d an oppressive observance of great difficulty.
He warned the Pharisees about loading up burdens upon the peoples shoulders that they could not bear.
I am grateful that the ministry of Jesus was to release the captives,free the oppressed and bind up the broken hearted.
He also said come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Finally Joshua offered the people of Israel a challenge to make a choice of service in obeisance towards the false gods or the one true G-d. He being Israel’s leader openly and courageously declared his uncompromising faith by boldly stating “As for me and my house we will serve the L-rd.” At that moment He assumed His position of spiritual leadership even though there was question among the Israelite community on who G-d is. Perhaps his confession seemed intolerant and pointed as well yet He saw it as His G-d-given responsibility in not only leading the people of Israel into a mere physical conquest of Canaan but rather a leading in the dynamic expression of worship towards the one true G-d.
So in closing I would like to leave you with this same challenge. Who will you choose to serve? Will you side with G-d or the Rabbis? Be a Joshua and take a firm stand in the Jewish community on behalf of truth.It is better to stand alone then to stand against the truth of G-d’s word on the day of judgment. So be brave and courageous and possess the promises of G-d .

 

 

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Have Christians caused bloodshed for the Jewish people? True, only in the sense that others have taken the name of Christ but never truly represented Him or acted on His behalf. Jesus said that you are my disciples if you obey my commands. He never taught to kill or persecute Jews but rather He taught to turn the other cheek and to even love our enemies.
So these people who call themselves Christians or who identify themselves with the church are not true believers or followers of the Messiah. A true follower of Jesus rejects anti-Semitism and such things as the Inquisition, Crusades, Pogroms, and the Holocaust. These hate crimes are an affront to true Christianity. These actions were inaugurated by a man made politically oriented and corrupt religious institution. At times this pseudo church probably killed as many authentic Christians for refusing to follow their traditions as they killed Jews.
Also the Holocaust was never a Christian movement and as a matter of fact of the 11 million who died in this horrific genocide there were about 3 million Polish Christians that died likewise. Actually during the Holocaust there were Christians who were motivated by love to help the Jews during that time of great tragedy. Countries that were under protestant influence such as Norway and Denmark fought to save the Jews.
Today there is a battle going on but not on the Christian front but by the hands of anti-missionary groups. There is persecution in Israel against the Messianic Jews or Jews who believe in Jesus and they are often harassed and discriminated against even though they are citizens of Israel living in a democratic country. It is not possible for a Jew who proclaims Jesus to be the Messiah to make Aliyah to Israel based on the 1989 ruling on the “Law of Return”. Even today in some circles there are some Jews that curse these Messianic believers in Jesus or Yeshua three times a day.
Please don’t take this as an attack on the nation of Israel or the Jewish people whom I love but rather as a way of showing that there are always two sides to the story.
Ironically enough from a Jewish perspective the prime minister of Israel Netanyahu says that Israel’s greatest supporters and best friends are the Evangelical Christians. There are countless numbers of Christians who standby Israel and love Israel. There are Jewish programs such as Rabbi Eckstein’s agency “On the Wings of Eagles” in which He rallies the support of Christians in helping Jews in despair to make Aliyah to Israel. There are groups within Israel such as Bridges for Peace that help provide humanitarian support without proselytizing or seeking out converts.
In summary true believers are philo Semites. It is important to remember that no church leader in history has ever advocated exterminating Jews or to wipe out the Jewish people. The churches anti-Judaism stance bore no resemblance to Hilters racial anti-Semitism and that the Holocaust itself is considered anti-Christian and true Christians grieve over this event. Lastly the genuine Christians were the ones who helped the Jews not rounding them up or hunting them.

 

 

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This portion of Isaiah 52: 13-53:12 as found in the Tanakh does not need a commentary. Many Jewish people have come to believe in Jesus just  through this one source. Actually some Jewish people have never read from this book of the Prophets and when they hear it for the first time they think that Christians developed this passage not realizing that it came from their own Hebrew scriptures.

To say that Jews don’t believe in Jesus is merely a reactionary response without any tangible evidence. We must remember that Jesus Himself was a Jew and His first followers were Jews. The challenging question that was posed among Jesus disciples  was not  whether one could still be a Jew and believe in Him but rather how could one be a Gentile and receive Jesus. In actuality there has always been a believing community of Jews throughout the ages and today it is as large as several hundred thousand. The problem is that many Jews don’t even bother to research the person and work of Jesus and what little understanding they have of Him is often a misunderstanding. Yet many Jewish people that have seriously studied His life have surprisingly received Him. In closing, I would like to lovingly challenge you to solidify a position of belief or unbelief  based on the evidence of objective/subjective truth without relying upon irrational emotional charges.

 

 

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Jewish Resources of Jesus