This is written so that you can seek answers to many of the most often asked questions about Messianic Judaism. The most important fact to comprehend about Messianic Judaism is that it is centered around the belief that Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew) is the long promised Messiah of Israel. He is the Messiah of whom the prophets did speak. He came and died in atonement for our sins. He was raised on the third day and coming back again to reign over the entire earth. I trust and pray that as you read this, you will understand what Messianic Judaism is and how Jewish people can believe and follow Him and still remain Jewish.

Messianic Judaism is a community of Jewish people from all walks of life, who believe that Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew) is the promised Jewish Messiah and Savior for Israel and the world. Messianic Jews have not stopped being Jewish. On the contrary, we have continued to remain strongly Jewish in our identity, lifestyle, and belief that Yeshua is the Jewish Messiah and the fulfillment of true Biblical Judaism.

Rabbinic Judaism is a Judaism centered around the teachings and writings of Rabbis. Its formation began over 1,900 years ago when the second temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Before then, “Judaism,” or the faith of the Jewish people, was centered around the Temple and the sacrificial system according to the Torah (the Law or the five books of Moses). After the destruction of the Temple the Rabbis reorganized Judaism, adding many new laws, rules, and traditions. Today, their writtings and commentaries (the Talmud, etc.) form the foundation of Rabbinic Judaism.

Rabbinic Judaism consists of several branches: Orthodox (very traditional), Chasidic (Ultra-Orthodox), Reform (liberal), Conservative, and Reconstructionist. Some within Rabbinic Judaism are still looking for the Messiah but they are the exceptions.

Messianic Judaism differs in that we rely totally on the Scriptures. Our faith is the Judaism of the Bible (Biblical Judaism) and is centered around the Messiah and the worldwide salvation He brings. We in Messianic Judaism believe that Yeshua is the promised Messiah and that we don't have to go through the Sages or the Rabbis to know G-d. We have access to G-d because of the great atoning work of the Messiah Yeshua, who has fulfilled us as Jewish believers and therefore has fulfilled our Judaism (Mt. 5:17).

Christianity is the faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as expressed by non-Jewish followers of Him. Christianity today numbers over one billion people in the world, with innumerable denominations and doctrines, all centered around Yeshua as Savior. For most of the first century A.D., the faith in Yeshua was Jewish. As more and more non-jews came into the Messianic faith however, some did not understand its Jewish roots and G-d's eternal covenant with Israel. A “de-Judaizing” process set in, a separation from the Jewish roots of the faith and from the Jewish people.

This separation eventually led to the formation of a second wing of this faith in Yeshua composed of non-jewish believers i.e. “Christianity” which started in or about the second century.

While we feel we are the one in the Spirit with true non-jewish believers, Messianic Jews have our own expression of faith in Yeshua the Messiah. Messianic Judaism holds that it is Jewish to believe in Yeshua and is a return to the Jewish roots of the faith. We observe the Biblical feasts and holidays, while at the same time maintaining that the only way to be saved and truly born again of G-d's Spirit is through the great atoning work of the Messiah Yeshua (Rom. 11:24-25).

Messianic Judaism is actually 2,000 years old, dating back to the time of the Messiah Yeshua. Historically, Yeshua was Jewish. He was raised in a Jewish home and ministered to Jewish people in a Jewish land (Eretz Yisrael). His disciples were Jewish. The writers of the Brit Hadashah (New Covenant or New Testament) were Jewish, and for a time, the faith was strictly Jewish. Some historians believe that more than one million Jewish people in the first century A.D. believed that Yeshua was the Messiah, both in Israel and outside of Israel (Acts 2:37-42, 4:4, 21:20).

It was always G-d's will for the Gentile nations to also receive His Salvation (Is 49:6, 42:6). G-d told Abraham that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). At first, the early Messianic Jews did not understand that this was G-d's will and proclaimed the Good News of the Messiah only to Jewish people.

Ironically, the big controversy in the first century was not if it was Jewish to believe in Yeshua (naturally it was) but whether Gentiles could come in without having to “become Jewish!” When Messianic Jews finally recongnized that G-d's salvation was also for the Gentiles, they began to share the Messiah with non-Jews as well as with Jews. As a result, many Gentiles throughout the Roman Empire began to come into this Messianic faith (Acts 15:1-31).

When the early Messianic Jews took the Good News of the Messiah to the gentiles, a great number were brought into this Messianic faith. By the end of the first century A.D., the number of non-jewish believers outnumbered the Jewish believers by a ratio of two to one! This occurred primarily because there were (and still are) more non-jews in the world than Jewish people.

Through the years, as the number of non-jwqiah believers increased, they began to dominate this Messianic faith. Some Gentile believers, not understanding the Jewish roots of their faith and G-d's eternal covenant with Israel, wanted to split off and form a separate religion divorced from their Jewish roots (Rom. 11:1-2). This “deJudaizing process” continued until Christianity emerged as the dominant representative faith in the Messiah. In one of the greatest paradoxes in history, it became alien for a Jew to believe in Yeshua as his Messiah!

Surprisingly, Messianic Judaism continued to florish well into the seventh century A.D., in spite of the many pressures on the Jews to give up their Messianic faith.

First of all, the Rabbis pressured Messianic Jews to relinquish their faith in Yeshua as the Messiah. In addition, Christianity wanted Messianic Jews to abandon their Jewishness. Finally, in the seventh century A.D. the rise of Islam caused great pressures for Messianic Jews as well.

Despite all this, the real reason for the disappearance of early Messianic Judaism was simply that Messianic Jews lost their “vision.” They no longer saw that it was important to remain Jewish after accepting Yeshua. This was because the majority of believers in Yeshua were now members of Christianity. Consequently, Messianic Jews assimilated completely into the Christian Church.

Even though Messianic Judaism, as a distinct movement, faded from the ancient scene in the seventh century A.D., there have always been Jewish believers in the Messiah Yeshua. However, beginning in the early 1800's ever increasing numbers of Jewish people began to believe in Yeshua as the Messiah. The modern movement came to fruition after 1967 when tens of thousands of Jewish people suddenly accepted Yeshua.

Because that is when Jerusalem came back into Jewish hands in fulfillment of a profhecy given by Yeshua in the Brit Hadashah (Luke 21:24). This prophecy indicated that when Jerusalem was restored to the Jewish people in national salvation. Messianic Judaism is a prophetic movement and a direct result of the outpouring of G-d's Holy Spirit upon His Chosen People (Hos. 3:4-5, Joel 2:28-29, Deut. 30:1-3).

While there are no concrete figures, it has been estimated by many of those involved in the movement (and even by those outside the movement), that there are at least 1,000,000 Jewish believers in the Messiah Yeshua in the United States alone, and this number is growing all the time.

Today the movement of Messianic Judaism is in many other countries throughout th world including Israel, England, France, Scotland, Australia, New Zeland, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and other countries. This is truly an international movement! We believe that Messianic Judaism will continually spring up whenever there are communities of Jewish people throughout the world.

Because Yeshua is His given Hebrew name! “Jesus” is the hellenized-anglicized form of “Yeshua”, which means “Salvation”. Yeshua never heard the name “Jesus” in His lifetime. He was always called “Yeshua,” which is very similar to “Joshua,” a common Hebrew name at that time. Good examples of his name, in reference to the Messiah, are in Is. 62:11, in the Old Covenant and also in Mt. 1:21 in the New Covenant.

Some believe that “Christ” is Yeshua's second name or surname in the same way that we have a second or family name. Actually, “Christ” is a title in much the same way as “President” or “King.” This title is taken from the Hebrew word “Mashiach” or “Anointed One,” which was translated into the Greek “Christos” and later anglicized to “Christ.”

The actual English translation of Mashiach or “Anointid One” is “Messiah.” Once again, using “Messiah” rather than “Christ,” is more accurate. (Examples of this title in the Old Covenant are (Dan. 9:25. Ps. 2:2). Also, Yeshua claimed this title of Messiah in the New Covenant (Mk. 14:61-62).

The term “Christian” originally meant “follower of the Christ” or “follower of the Messiah.” With credit given for the name to Roman Emperor Nero as a derogatory description. In and of itself, it is a good term, describing faith in the Messiah or Christ. Unfortunately, over time, the term “Christian” came to mean more than simply “follower of the Messiah.”

Many people today have the dichotomy in their minds, that on the one hand, there are Jews and Judaism, and on the other there are Christians and Christianity. You are either one or the other. Accordingly, when a Jew accepts Yeshua he “switches over” from the Jew-Judaism side to the Christian-Christianity side and is no longer a Jew but a christian. For all intents and purposes, the term “Christian” has become synonymous with “non-Jew” or “Gentile” which is actually a mis-translation of the term.1)

Obviously, we believe that just the opposite has occured. Messianic Jews believe that we have found the Jewish Messiah and we are now “completed Jews” in Him. Consequently, we choose to call ourselves “Messianic Jews” which identifies us as Jewish people who believe and follow the Messiah Yeshua. Early Messianic Jews had many names for themselves e.g. believers, elect, remnant, followers, deciples, etc. Interestingly, there is no commandment in the Re-Newed Covenant to call ourselves “Christians.”

Because we believe that Yeshua is the fulfillment or completion of Biblical Judaism. As Jews, we have “completed” what G-d wants us to do as Jewish people, that is, accept the Messiah Yeshua as our atonement for sin and come into a personal relationship with G-d.

Yeshua never intended to start a new religion; He came to fulfill (make more clearly) the Law and the Prophets. Therefore, how could we, as Jewish people, by accepting the Jewish Messiah become non-Jews? On the contrary, we believe that Yeshua has fulfilled our Jewish heritage and faith. We have not “converted” to another faith, but rather we have been completed because we have found true Biblical Judaism through the Messiah Yeshua (Mt. 5:17).

Messianic synagogues are the heart of the Messianic Movement, Messianic communities and the center of Messianic life. A Messianic synagogue is where we can collectively believe in Yeshua, live a Jewish lifestyle, raise our children to be Jewish, and worship the G-d of Israel in a Jewish manner with Jewish believers. G-d wants us to be a “Kodesh” (holy; set apart from the world) people and a light unto all nations.

Interestingly enough, just as Messianic Judaism is not new, Messianic synagogues are not new either. Actually, we find they have existed for over two thousand years! From Biblical and historical records, we know that there were Messianic synagogues throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, as early as 50 A.D.! (Jms. 1:1, 2:2, Heb. 10:27).

There are well over 325 Messianic synagogues and congregations throughout the United States. There are also many in Israel and other parts of the world. Messianic synagogues range in size anywhere from 10-15 up to several hundred members. Many have their own synagogue buildings, Messianic day schools and Messianic communities.

True Messianic Jews celebrate the Biblical festivals, i.e. Passover, Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), Rosh Hashanah (the traditional Jewish New Year, the Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication or Lights) and Purim.

We celebrate all of the feasts because it is instructed by G-d in the Torah for Israel to observe these festivals forever (Lev. 23:21, 31, 41, Ex. 12:14). The Messiah Yeshua observed these festivals as did the early Messianic Jews and apostles such as Rabbi Shaul or Paul (Acts 20:16, Cor 16:8, Acts 28:17). We also believe that when the Messiah

Yeshua returns to this earth these festivals will be re-established worldwide (Zech. 14:11-21).

When we, as Messianic Jews, celebrate the festivals, we do so in a Messianic way, with the view that Yeshua is the fulfillment of all of these Holy Days (i.e. He is our Passover Lamb, our Atonement on Yom Kippur, etc.)

Generally speaking, Messianic Jews do not celebrate Christmas and Easter. There is no place in the Scriptures that commands us to celebrate the Birth or the Resurrection of the Messiah. Apparently, none of the early believers, Jewish or non-Jewish, celebrated these two days, as there is no mention of it in the Brit Hadasha (Re-Newed Covenant).

That does not mean that Messianic Jews are against the idea of the birth of Yeshua (Christmas) or His resurrection (Easter) (Rom. 14). During the Christmas season we do not have Christmas trees (Jeremiah 10), give gifts or have Christmas parties. At the same time, we do recognize the importance of the Birth of the Messiah and rejoice with believers who are celebrating this day throughout the world during “Sukkot - The Feast Of Tabernacles” when Yeshua was truly born. Similarly, on Easter while we do not have special services and Easter egg hunts, we do have believe in the resurrection of the Messiah and can rejoice with our non-Jewish bretheren in its celebration after the passover time. Because Christmas and Easter are pagan in origin, we do not greet people with “Merry Christmas or Happy Easter” or celebrate these days.

General worship and praise is the overall action of man coming to G-d to exalt Him, to pay respect to Him, and to esteem Him (Ps. 66:4, 95:6, 22:3). “Davidic” Worship and Praise goes back to the style, principles, guidelines and patterns that King David was shown by the Lord (II Chr. 28:11-13) and that he established in the Temple nearly 3,000 years ago.

As King David taught from the Scriptures, this type of praise and worship involves numerous musical instruments, singing, Hebraic music, psalms, lifting up hands, chanting, clapping of hands, processions and is also characterized by great joy. Probably, the most unusual charactreistic of “Davidic” Worship and Praise is dancing to the Lord. This is not dancing in a secular sense. While Messianic dancing uses a strong Israeli-Hebraic style, it is dancing unto the Lord in praise and worship as King David did and taught (II Sam. 6:14).

“Davidic” Worship and Praise is one of the great destinguishing traits of the Messianic Movement. It is a return to our Jewish roots in praising G-d and it is a cultural and spiritual expression of our faith in the Jewish Messiah.

Yes. The Torah (or Law of Moses) is composed of Mitzvot, or commandments in the Tenakh (Old Covenant or Testament) that G-d gave to Moses on Mount Sinai involving the festivals, the Ten Commandments, sacrafices,

kashrut (kosher laws), etc. Generally speaking, Christianity today maintains that the Law is completely dead now that Yeshua has come and that we should have nothing to do with it.

We, as Messianic Jews, recognize that one cannot be saved through the Law, because the only way to be saved through the Law is to keep all of the commandments perfectly. This is impossible because we have a sinful nature (Deut. 27:26, Eccl. 7:20). At the same time, while the Law cannot save, it is far from being dead. The moral precepts of the Law are carried into the Re-Newed Covenant. The Festivals are for eternity. Shabbat (or the Sabbath) on the seventh day was instituted before the Law was given, as was tithing, which most believers practice today. You simply can't pick and choose which commandments to keep.

There are many other areas of the Law that are valuable to us today as well. Rabbi Shaul (Paul) in the New Covenant makes it very clear that all believers have liberty in the Messiah Yeshua (Ga. 5:1), which means freedom from the consequences of the Law, not to just throw it away. Rabbi Shaul kept the Law as much as he could, as did the other early Messianic Jews, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:17).

True Messianic Jews support Israel unequivocally and unconditionally. We support Israel not only because we believe our Jewish people need a national homeland, but because we believe that the re-establishment of the State of Israel is a direct fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. We believe that G-d has done this supernaturally as predicted from Scriptures centuries ago (Ezek. 36:24, 37:1-14).

We know that Israel is not a perfect nation but believe that G-d's hand is behind Israel, and that our people will never be driven out of their land again (Amos 9:1)! While G-d loves the Arab nations, Eretz Yisrael (land of Israel), is the land that G-d gave to His Jewish people. We also believe that all believers should support Israel as should the United States because G-d promised to Abraham: “I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you.” (Gen.12:3).

Obviously, this is a question that has been debated for centuries. One cannot be considered Jewish strictly on the basis of religion, because most Jewish people today are not religious. The same applies to any definition of a Jew based on culture, as well. According to Rabbinic Judaism, to be considered a Jew, one must have Jewish parents, (in particular a Jewish mother).

This rabbinic definition is not Bibically correct. The Scriptural definition of a Jew is three-fold. First of all, we are a nation and a people. To be considered Jewish one must be a physical descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 12:1-3). Secondly, the Biblical lineage is patrilineal, i.e. carried through the father, not matrilineal or carried through the mother. For example, Moses had a Gentile wife and King David's great grandmother was Ruth, the Moabitess, yet their children were all considered Jewish. Finally, the Scriptures indicate that if either parent is Jewish or if a grandparent is Jewish on can identify himself or herself as being Jewish and can claim himself as a part of G-d's Chosen people.

When a Jew marries a Gentile there is an inherent danger of assimilation into Gentile society, and therefore a serious risk of being permanently lost to the nation of Israel. Rather than assimilating, we believe that it is G-d's will for the intermarried couple to be Jewish, to live a Jewish lifestyle, and to raise their children as Jews in much the same way that Ruth the Moabitess made her choice to become part of the Jewish nation (Ruth 1:16-17). Even in the New Covenant, Rabbi Shaul (Paul) had Timmothy circumcised into the nation of Israel because his mother was Jewish and his father was not (Acts 16:3).

In Temple days a “middle wall of partition” existed in the Temple that physically separated Jews and Non-Jews. Non-Jews could not enter past that point and were delegated to what was sometimes called the “Court of the Gentiles.”

According to the Re-Newed Covenant Scriptures (aka New Testament), this “middle wall of partition”, spiritually speaking, has been broken down (Eph. 2:14). We are all “Echad” ONE in Him. In fact, according to Rabbi Shaul, Gentile believers have entered a jewish faith (Rom. 11:24), and have become spiritually Jewish as they have accepted the Jewish Messiah.

Non-Jewish believers are one with us because the Spirit of G-d dwelling within a Jewish believer is the same Spirit within a Gentile believer. Our ethnicity, heritage and background may be different, but G-d has made us one in the Spirit (Jn. 10:16).

Yes and most Messianic congregations do have non-Jewish members. To be a member of a Messianic congregation as a Non-Jewish believer, one must have a burden and love for the Jewish people, understand what G-d is doing among the Jewish people, and have a “Ruth-like” calling to G-d's Chosen People. Praise G-d for the many wonderful Gentile believers who have such a love for Israel!

Generally speaking, Jewish believers in the Messiah Yeshua should be members of a Messianic synagogue. The reason? Because we have an eternal covenant with G-d that goes back to Abraham. Our history is unique in that we were not just chosen out of many nations, but were formed by G-d through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be a special blessing to this world. G-d has a purpose and calling for the nation of Israel and this covenant relationship is eternal (Gen 17:1-8).

If G-d has made an eternal covenant with us as Jewish people, then it is incumbent upon us to keep our covenant relationship with Him. It is G-d's desire for Jewish people not to assimilate but to continue to be Jewish. That desire and our eternal relationship with G-d is evidence by the preservation of the Jewish people for the over 2,000 years, and the fact that G-d has supernaturally restored the State of Israel.

The primary way a Jewish believer can continue to live a life as a Jew and not assimilate away from his Jewish belief, is to continue to live a life as a Jew and not assimilate away from his Jewish people, and to be a member of a Messianic synagogue. In a Messianic synagogue, a Jewish believer can continue to worship the L-rd in a Jewish way, celebrate the Jewish festivals, raise his children as Jews and be a testimony to his family and people.

Words are powerful. The terms, expressions, titles and labels that we use in every day life are crucial in expressing ourselves to one another. For instance, in the realm of politics terms such as hawk, dove, liberal, conservative, left-wing, right-wing, Republican and Democrat all help to identify concepts and positions.

In Messianic Judaism, terminology is also extremely important. The last two thousand years of history have seemingly boxed us into an undesirable dichotomy that exists in the minds of people. This thinking purports that one is either Jewish or Christian, a member of Judaism or a member of Christianity. We as Messianic Jews say that this is not true. We believe that it is Jewish to believe in the Messiah Yeshua and that He is the fullfilment of Biblical Judaism.

Consequently, we have come back to the pure/holy (lashon hakodesh) language (which is Hebrew) to more effectively express our faith. We also include “Messianic Terminology). By using some Messianic terminology, we accomplish a number of things. First of all, we put Yeshua back within the proper Biblical and historical Jewish context from which He was uprooted. Secondly, we are educating many people today to the Jewish roots of our faith in the Messiah Yeshua. Finally, this Messianic language simply is more accurate historically and Bibically (e.g. the name of Yeshua).

I encourage all Messianic believers to use this terminology, to change your language in order to more clearly express your Jewish faith in Messiah Yeshua (I Cor. 9:19-22). Here are some of the most important terms to understand:

- the actual Hebrew name for “Jesus” meaning “salvation;” Jesus is the hellenized-anglicized form of Yeshua, there is no “J” in Hebrew. Other names used such as Lord (L-rd) is Adonai, King is “Melech”, and God (G-d) is Elohim. The dash is used so that there is never any disrepect for The Most High.

- “the Anointed One;” a title like president or king; in the Greek it was translated to “Christos” and then anglicized to “Christ.”

- the community or movement of Jewish people who have come to believe that Yeshua is the promised Messiah of Israel. This movement is worldwide and is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy (synonymous with “true Biblical Judaism.”)

- a Jew who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah and remains Jewish in lifestyle and worship.

- a congregation where Messianic believers can worship and exercise their Jewish faith in the Messiah Yeshua.

(MRav. for short) - literally “teacher;” the spiritual leader of a Messianic synagogue. Can be a man or a woman of Jewish decent. A Messianic Minister MMin. for short) is equal with a Messianic Rabbi, but comes from a Gentile background.

- Jewish people who found the Mewish Messiah, have not converted to another religion but are fulfilled in their Judaism and heritage in the Messiah Yeshua.

- the Re-Newed Covenant or New Testament; books written in the first century by Jewish writers who believed and followed the Messiah Yeshua.

- Old Covenant or Old Testament.

- Paul of the Re-Newed Covenant; he was a rabbi who studied under the feet of the famous Rabbi Gamaliel in the first century. (Acts 22:3)

- Mikveh is the actual pool of water and immersion, it is the Jewish ceremony of being “immersed” in water for purification as commanded in the Old Covenant. In the Re-Newed Covenant, the Immersion also symbolizes purification when believers in Yeshua publicly confess their faith in the Messiah Yeshua. (Christians use the term “Baptism” for this Jewish ceremony).

- John the Immerser or Baptist.

While many of us have had a dynamic personal experience with the L-rd that has helped convince us that Yeshua is the Messiah, the primary evidence that Yeshua is truely the Jewish Messiah of Israel is in the Hebrew Scriptures themselves (i.e. the Tenakh or the Old Covenant.)

In the Tenakh, there are prophecies about the “Anointed One.” Over 25 prophets, covering a period of 1500 years gave predictions about the Coming One. The only way to know if Yeshua is the Messiah is to go back to the Scriptures and study these prophecies (I Pet. 1:10-12, II Pet. 1:19-21).

This issue concerning Yeshua not having brought worldwide peace is a result of a misconception many have about the purpose of the Messiah. The Messiah was not just to come to bring peace to the whole world. More than half the prophecies about the Messiah speak of His coming and dying for the sins of the world. Many rabbis recognized that the Messiah had to suffer and die and rabbinic literature at one time speaks of two Messiahs coming, Messiah Ben-Joseph (the Suffering Messiah) and Messiah Ben-david (the Conquering Messiah). In reality, there are not two Messiahs coming at one time, but one Messiah coming twice. The first time to suffer and die for the sins of the world, and the second time to set up His Kingdom over the entire world (Is. 53). Prophetically, we are very near to the Second Coming of the Messiah Yeshua (Mt. 24:3-21).

The next step is for you to grow spiritually in the L-rd until you become a strong, mature believer (Cor. 2:6,7). When you first accept the Messiah Yeshua and come into G-d's Kingdom, you are a “baby in the L-rd” or, as Scriptures say, a spiritual “babe” (I Pet. 2:1-3).

G-d wants you to begin to grow spiritually, and develop your own personal relationship with Him. You can do this by studying the Word of G-d, developing a strong prayer life, staying in fellowship with other believers (I Jn 3:14), attending services (Heb. 10:25) and putting Adonai first in your life. Your sins are atoned for. You have begun a new life in Him. You are a changed person. Praise G-d for this wonderful new life you have with the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! (Avraham, Yitzak and Yacov)

Baruch HaShem! (Bless the Name!)

(information listed was compiled from many sources)

— Dr. Anna Couture 2007/10/02 23:58