Messianic JudaismThe recently announced decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to reverse a decision by the Israeli Ministry of Interior barring a group of “Messianic Jews” has been touted as a great victory by certain Messianic Jewish camps.
A clear reading of the Israeli’s court decision however reveals that the “Messianic Jews” involved in the case have nothing to be ecstatic about. Yes, there desire to emigrate under the Law of Return has been granted, but the real issue lies in the courts affirmation of the status of these individuals as non-Jews.
The original contention of the Ministry of Interior was that these individuals in “converting” to Messianic Judaism had left the historic Jewish faith and were thus ineligible for citizenship under the Law of Return. From a purely halakhic standpoint, the Israeli Supreme Court correctly noted that since the parties in question were not “halakhically” Jewish to begin with, they could not “leave” the Jewish faith to begin with.
Rendering claims of Jewish status via patrilineal descendant invalid has been the norm for the Israeli court. The Messianics in question will be allowed to enter Israel as non-Jews where they are ineligible to marry, be buried in Jewish cemetary, etc.
The other issue which has to be raised is the character and connection to Judaism of the individuals in question. This will come as a hard blow to many, but knowing the father of one of the individuals in question, and the very problematic and disappointing view of Judaism, in my opinion, that this individuals holds, raises the question of what emigrating to Israel really accomplishes.
What benefit is brought to Judaism? To Klal Yisrael? This is not to invalidate or exclude those who Reform or Reconstructionist in their perspectives on Jewish identity, but to ask what the goals and purposes of this group are.
Tags: Aliyah, Israel, Israeli Supreme Court, Jewish Identity, Judaism, Messianic Jews, Messianic Judaism, Reform Judaism
2 responses so far ↓
1 Daniel // Apr 23, 2008 at 10:44 am
Thios is how is hyped up in Messianic circles:
BREAKING NEWS: Israeli Supreme Court Allows Messianics In! I had this posted for about four hours Wednesday morning and then got a call that it was premature and the final word hadnot come down. Now, the agreements have been made and thisis news . . . I just received word from Jamie Cowen, the president of theUMJC (umjc.net) that the Israeli Supreme Court has reversed its decision from the late 1980’s which gives Messianic Jewsno right of return to Israel. WE CAN MAKE ALIYAH!!! Can this mean we are very close to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (aka theTribulation) and then, at the end, the Return of Messiah? Well, I’ve always pointed people to the prophecy of Yeshua in Matthew 23:39 (also Luke 13:35)that says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones thosewho are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together,the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from nowon you will not see Me until you say, ..BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’” Now, I think we still have a ways to go — open prostlyzation is stillbanned, and Messianics are still being persecuted by many Israeli Jews. BUT IT’S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! Come, Yeshua, Come!
so called Rabbi so and so
2 Daniel // Apr 29, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Administrator can you speak about Anti-Semitism in Messianic circles?
Example: “Here are some samples of the kind of anti-Messianic literature now being distributed by the enemies of our faith.”-From the Messianic Prophecy Bible Website
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