Introduction:
For the Messianic Jewish community, as well as for the broader Jewish world, I think it is time to come to a definition of the Jewish identity and what it means to be Jewish. With this I would like to provide an answer to the question of public interest: Can "Messianic Jews" rightfully claim to be Jews?
to the full discussion
Content:
I. Introduction - Defining Jewish Identity
Part 0 : What makes up an identity?
- 0.1. Belonging: What causes people to take on an identity or identify with a certain community?
- 0.2. Selfdefinition: How is identity defined?
- 0.3. Purpose of life within identity: Does the answer to the purpose of life have to be the same for all that claim the same identity?
- 0.4. Accountability regarding the identity and its responsabilities: How are the self-expectations as well as the expectations of outsiders in regard to the identity formed?
Part 1: Is there a distiction to be made between Jewish believers and followers of Yeshua and non-Jewish ones?
- 1.1. Do all believers in Yeshua have to observe the Torah given specifically to Israel?
- regarding Shabbat
- regarding other commandments
- 1.2. Is the Olive Tree something bigger than the Jewish people?
- 1.3. Is Christianity supposed to be true Judaism and the Church supposed to be true Israel?
- 1.4. If being a Jew is an honour, which entails special promises but also responsabilities, are these promises and responsabilities automatically transfered to non-Jews that become believers?
Looking forward for your comments and contributions!
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2 comments:
Hello! I found your website. My name is Anders Branderud and I am from Sweden.
For an answer to that question we need to examine first century history.
According to world-recognized authorities in this area Ribi Yehoshua was a Pharisee (a Torah-practising Jewish group - who according to 4Q MMT practised both written and oral Torah). As the earliest church historians, most eminent modern university historians, our web site (www.netzarim.co.il) and our Khavruta (Distance Learning) texts confirm, the original teachings of Ribi Yehoshua were not only accepted by most of the Pharisaic Jewish community, he had hoards of Jewish students.
Ribi Yehoshua said:
"Don't think that I came to uproot the Torah or the Neviim [prophets], but rather I came to reconcile them with the Oral Law of emet (truth). Should the heavens and ha-aretz (the land, particularly referring to Israel) exchange places, still, not even one ' (yod) nor one ` (qeren) of the Oral Law of Mosheh shall so much as exchange places; until it shall become that it is all being fully ratified and performed non-selectively. For whoever deletes one Oral Law from the Torah, or shall teach others such, by those in the Realm of the heavens he shall be called "deleted." Both he who preserves and he who teaches them shall be called Ribi in the Realm of the heavens. For I tell you that unless your Tzedaqah (righteousness) is over and above that of the Sophrim (Torah Scribes), and of the [probably 'Herodian'] Rabbinic-Perushim (corrupted to "Pharisees"), there is no way you will enter into the Realm of the heavens! “
NHM 5:17-20
First century Netzarim have always been accepted among the Jews, while Christians haven't
Finding the historical Jew, who was a Pharisee (today's Orthodox) Ribi (see www.netzarim.co.il), brings, for the first time in your life, his *true* formula for profound meaning, inner happiness and purpose in your life.
From Anders Branderud
Geir Toshav, Netzarim in Ra’anana in Israel (www.netzarim.co.il) who is followers of Ribi Yehoshua – the Messiah – in Orthodox Judaism
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