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Frequently Asked Questions about Messianic Judaism

What follows are my answers to some questions that are commonly asked about Messianic Judaism by Christians and by Messianic believers alike. As with everything on this site, the answers here are my own opinion.

If you have a question that you would like me to answer, please feel free to contact me.

What is Messianic Judaism?

This question is very important, since there are many groups out there that claim to be Messianic, while some of them are not Messianic at all.

Messianic Judaism is a branch of Judaism that believes that Yeshua of Natzeret is the Moshiach. It is not another denomination in Christianity, it is a form of Judaism, just like the Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Orthodox movements.

Some groups that are commonly thought of as Messianic are “Jews for Jesus”, “Ephraimites”, and those that hold to the “Sacred Name” theology. For my thoughts on these groups, please read my article, “Real Messianic Judaism.”

Are you one of those Baptists who tries to convert Jews?

No, I am not Baptist because I am not a Christian; conversely, Baptists are not Messianic, expressly because they are Christians.

Are you Jewish?

No, I am not. I was born a Gentile and raised a Christian; however, I now consider myself to be a “ger toshav,” a G-d Fearer.

So, even non-Jews can be Messianic?

Yes, they can! In Yeshiyahu 56, Hashem says that the Gentiles who bind themselves to Him and keep His commandments will be given a place with His people.

You follow the Law? I thought we were free from the Law!

How can you be free from something that you were never enslaved to? The Torah is the covenant that G-d made with the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, not a list of do’s and don’t’s designed to hold people captive. Since we know that Hashem only gives good gifts to His children, it is impossible for a covenant that He instituted to enslave men.

Are you trying to “earn your salvation”?

No! I am walking out my deliverance in Yeshua with fear and trembling, doing the good works that Messiah planned in advance for me to do.

Do you think that everyone should follow the Torah?

Yes, I do believe that everyone should follow the Torah. However, I must state unequivocally that Torah observance does not make someone Jewish, nor does the fact that all of mankind should follow the Torah mean that the covenant of Hashem with the Jewish people is abrogated. According to Yirmiyahu 31, the Renewed Covenant that Messiah established, just as the Mosaic Covenant found in the Torah, has been established with the Jewish people.

It sounds like you are very firm in your belief that Gentiles should follow the Torah and that that observance must be within a Jewish context. Does that mean you follow the Torah in that way?

Yes, I do.

So, does your observance level mean that you are Orthodox?

No. It means that I am Messianic. This is something that we are going to have to get past soon in the Messianic movement. The longer we define ourselves in light of the other expressions of Judaism, the longer it is going to take us to stabilize what “Messianic Judaism” means. This “definition” of who we are, based on our own lifestyle and halacha instead of on the practices of other Jewish movements, is necessary if we are going to combat the teachings of groups like the ones that I spoke of before. You don’t see the other Jewish movements defining themselves based on everyone else. On the contrary, they go back to the Torah, the Talmud, the midrashim, and the traditions and they base their halacha and their minchagim on their understanding of these sources. That is the Jewish way.

‏נָצֶרֶת‎ — Nazareth, a town in Northern Israel, in the Gallil.

‏מָשִׁיחַ‎ — “Messiah”; means “Anointed One.” The concept of Moshiach as a deliverer is a completely Jewish concept.

A technical term referring to a Gentile who has bound themselves to the G-d of Israel and follows all of the Torah that Gentiles can follow (baically everything except brit milah (covenant of circumcision) and other covenental observances).

‏יְשַׁעְיָהוּ‎ — Isaiah, one of the prophetic books in the Tanach.

‏הַשֵּׁם‎ — Literally, “the Name.” A common replacement for the Shem Hameforash in everyday speech. See my article on The Name of G-d.

‏תּוֹרָה‎ — The first five books of the Bible. Alternately, refers to the entire body of commandments of G-d. The Torah is read in the synagogue on a yearly schedule, starting and finishing on Simchat Torah.

‏יִרְמְיָהוּ‎ — Jeremiah, one of the prophetic books in the Tanach.

‏הֲלָכָה‎ — Literally, “the way to go.” Jewish Law, the practical application of the mitzvot found in the Torah she’biktav and Torah shebal peh. More...

‏תַּלְמוּד‎ — Literally, “study.” A collection of teachings, commentaries, and discussions on the Torah, comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara. Usually refers to Talmud Bavli, unless otherwise stated. More...

‏מִדְרָשִׁים‎ — (Singular ‏מִדְרָשׁ‎, “midrash”) A method of interpreting the Biblical text that involves developing stories and deep teachings out of it. May also refer to a compilation of such teachings.

‏מִנְהָגִים‎ — (Singular ‏מִנְהָג‎, “minhag”) Custom, usually referring to customs of a specific community.