My friend Daniel tells me that to use the term “Messianic Judaism” is to associate with a host of groups reflecting a variety of, to put it diplomatically, “troubling” views on theology, identity, and practice.
Indeed, one could easily argue that the “Messianic Jewish” groups- whatever they might entail, exhibit at times, if anything, little commonality with each other in more than chaos.
But alas, we are faced with the simple fact that no matter what term we use, the Judaism, Daniel and I adhere to, while largely foreign to the aforementioned groups, does view a certain Jew from Nazareth as the Messiah of the People of Israel.
So how then does my Judaism differ from those “messianic” groups which often reflect little if any understanding of traditional Jewish thought?
Well that in and of itself is the first answer. My Judaism encompasses the experiences of the Jewish people. While most Messianic Jews or non-Jews view the world through the sole prism of the Bible in a fashion reminiscent of Protestant evangelicalism’s sola scriptura, my world view is informed by the Hebrew Scriptures, but also by Chazal; by the Mishnah and the Gemara; by halakhah; by the Jewish philosophers of the medieval period like the Rambam and Saadia Gaon.
My Judaism and faith is influenced by the likes of Don Isaac Abravanel and even the seeming outcasts of the Jewish community like Baruch Spinoza. My Judaism knows the words of the Rebbe Nachman. My prayers are the Amidah, the Birchot haShachar, those of the siddur.
Yet my Judaism encompasses the belief that a Jew from Nazareth offered the Jews of his time, just like he offers Jews of today a chance at guelah -at redemption via teshuvah (i.e. repentance).
My faith knows history and philosophy, historical criticism, and scientific inquiry.
This is my Judaism. It is not doubt confusing to most and an enigma to others, but it is my Judaism.
Jacob
Tags: Amidah, Baruch Spinoza, Halakhah, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Mishnah, Orthodox Judaism, Rambam, Rebbe Nachman
7 responses so far ↓
1 slevi // Mar 21, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I personally don’t consider any thing sponsored by the southern baptists to be messianic judaism to begin with.
I would reference it as ‘hebrew christianity’ or something like that.
As far as losing ones place in the world to come, I know have many friends who are karaites and the rabbis say they have no place in the world to come either since they do not consider the talmud to be from the time of Moses.
2 Samuel // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:32 am
“Messianic Judaism” is a contradiction in terms, to begin with. Although both of them derive from the religion which was practiced by Jews in Palestine before the destruction of the II Temple, Karaite and Talmudic Judaism developed as a reaction agaînst the Christian interpretations of Torah. If persons of Jewish origin accept nowadays Jesus as their messiah, they cease to be Jews and become Christians for all the effects.
3 Jacob // May 9, 2008 at 2:29 am
So in that light, do Breslevers or the Chabad cease being Jews for their belief in their Rebbe’s Messiahships….Chabad Members become Schneersians…perhaps?
Much of what has been said about interpretation is very decieving. For example…Rashi was one of the first to espouse the position that Israel was the suffering servant. Rabbis…Rabbinics before and since have disagreed with his reactionary interpretation of that section of Isaiah. The Targumim and even the Talmud witness to the backbone of the Tanakh…Messiah.
What is more Jewish than believing in a Jewish Messiah? Yes!!!…Messianic Judaism is not Rabbinic Judaism….it is…Biblical Judaism. It’s not going away.
4 admin // May 9, 2008 at 2:44 am
I would argue that Messianic Judaism is not in fact “Biblical Judaism” and that such a statement is incorrect.
To argue that “rabbinic” Judaism is not Biblical is to betray a fundamental misunderstanding of what is “biblical” and what is “rabbinic.”
While I obviously adhere to the view that Yeshua is the Maschiach, I embrace “rabbinic” Judaism. I know no other.
5 admin // May 9, 2008 at 2:46 am
The issues that face “Messianic Judaism” are largely halakhic and paradigmatic in nature.
That is few “Messianic Jews” understand the nature of halakhah (in any form), are not halakhically Jewish, and largely embrace non-Jewish paradigms for their world views and thinking.
6 Daniel // May 9, 2008 at 10:40 am
some Messianics call their thing Apostolic Judaism. Adminstration what problems would you find with that label?
7 Objector // May 9, 2008 at 10:55 am
There is only one Judaism, and appealing to the outskirts of Judaism, Schernerson’s Crew who is waiting for his resurrection is ridiculous! Traditional Judaism encompasses different periods Biblical, Talmudic/Rabbinic, Medieval and Post-Enlightment. Classical historical Judaism has existed though the centuries in comparison the Messianic movement which only lives in people’s minds and is a divided identity not only because of the teachings of your Rebbe but the disconnection that Messianics have from the Jewish people. If you label Jews “rabbinic”,” talmudic” in a derogatory manner then you have no part in them and don’t complain if they do not accept you.
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