hum 130 week 9 final project

Running head: AN OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE OF MESSIANIC JUDAISM 1

An Outside Perspective of Messianic Judaism

John W. Stroud

HUM/130

November 28, 2010

Terry Barnes

AN OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE OF MESSIANIC JUDAISM 2

An Outside Perspective of Messianic Judaism

Many people are born and raised in a religion without ever feeling complete or whole.

There are those born and raised Jewish but never felt Judaism provided the answers for which

they sought. These unsatisfied Jews have often looked to other religions for their answers.

Many of those answers have been found in a form of Judaism that is often looked down upon by

the more traditional Jews. This Messianic Judaism combines the core beliefs of Christianity with

the traditional Jewish lifestyle. This combination of two distinct religions has shown the world

that a religion can allow its members to maintain their traditional lifestyle while providing them

with the spiritual nourishment they long for.

Messianic Judaism

Messianic Judaism is a branch of Judaism that believes Yeshua or Jesus was the Son of

God and the Messiah as foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible. Messianic

Judaism also believes that the Bible, which consists of the Tenach or Holy Scriptures and the

B’rit Hadasha or New Covenant, is the only infallible and authoritative word of God (Union of

Messianic Jewish Congregations, 2008). This belief includes that the Bible comes from divine

inspiration and its teachings are the final authority in matters of faith and how to practice that

faith (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues, 2010). The

significant difference between Messianic Judaism and traditional Judaism is the inclusion of

Yeshua as the Messiah. According to Messianic Judaism, this gives validity to the B’rit

Hadasha, which is not recognized by traditional Judaism as part of the word of God.


Messianic Judaism has been in existence since the time of Jesus. Early followers of Jesus

were Jewish and many left behind their Jewish customs and traditions to bring the message of

Jesus to the Gentile population (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and

Synagogues, 2010). It was not until the mid 1970s that Messianic Judaism experienced a rebirth

and return to some of the more traditional ways of Judaism. Dan Juster was leader of the First

Hebrew Christian Church in Chicago and wanted to express his faith in Yeshua in a more Jewish

fashion. This was accomplished by shifting worship to Shabbat, observance of Jewish holidays

and inclusion of Jewish style worship songs in their services. These changes allowed for the

development of the messianic synagogue (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, 2008).

This allowed Jewish believers in Yeshua to incorporate their Jewish identity into their worship

lives and freed them from the Christian church structures and customs that often were at odds

with another part of their Jewish lives. This new incorporation of traditional Jewish customs into

Jewish believers in Yeshua reflected a shift back towards the Judaism practiced at the time of

Jesus. Chicago’s First Hebrew Christian Church renamed itself Adat Hatikvah to show their

Jewish heritage and their belief in Yeshua (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, 2008).

This religious group is slightly different from traditional Judaism and Christianity

although their beliefs combine certain elements from both religions. The group is Jewish,

although non-Jews or Gentiles are welcomed into their ranks without the necessity of conversion

to Judaism. The group allows members to convert to Judaism if they so desire, but it is not a

requirement to belong to the group. The belief in Yeshua as the Messiah is a point of conflict

between the group’s Jewish members and traditional Judaism. Traditional Judaism does not


recognize Yeshua as the Messiah and tends to look suspiciously on any Jew who does recognize

Yeshua as the Messiah. This often leads to divisions between families members as many of the

Jewish members of the group were raised in traditional Jewish households. The holidays

celebrated by the group are in accordance with the Bible, specifically Leviticus 23. This often

leads to a conflict with some of the families of Gentile members of the group because although

Christmas and Easter are recognized Christian holidays, they are not recognized by Judaism or

members of Messianic Judaism (Reinckens II, 2005).

Remnant of Israel

The building at 3700 E. Pawnee in Wichita, Kansas, looks very similar to many others in

the city. Subtle differences are noticed as one enters the parking lot on a rainy Friday evening.

The small, lighted sign mentions this is a Messianic Synagogue in English and offers words

unknown in what is assumed to be Hebrew. The marked parking spot with the blue mini-van

simply states Rabbi. Entering the foyer one is greeted by two young ushers wearing kippahs and

a “Shabbat Shalom.” The usher nearest the sanctuary door opens it and motions for one to be

seated. Walking into the sanctuary is similar to most Christian churches. Pews align both sides

of the hall with walkways on the sides and center. Music fills the air as young adults and small

children perform a rhythmic dance in a circular motion near the front of the sanctuary. The

words are foreign but the music is familiar to many hymns heard in any Christian church. The

adults in the congregation sing along with the dancing children and teenagers. Some of the

adults are wrapped in prayer shawls and hold their hands toward heaven. This continues for

several minutes until the end of the song is reached. The song leader changes the overhead


display to show a new song – one side of the display is Hebrew, the other is English. The music

starts again and the children resume their dance.

The end of the music signifies a break in the service. Children leave their dance circles

and return to their parents. The rabbi mentions a few words and parents take children to their

classes. One is greeted by smiles, welcoming handshakes, and “Shabbat Shalom” repeatedly as

invitations to attend the after service festivities are extended. The rabbi signals the beginning of

the next part of the service and everyone returns to his or her seats.

The rabbi begins his sermon and speaks of Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, and how his

lack of faith denied him entry to the Promised Land. The rabbi mentions the life and teachings

of Yeshua and how it relates to today’s world. As one listens, additional items about this

synagogue are noticed. A baptistery is located at the far end of the sanctuary. Menorahs are

located behind the lectern at which the rabbi delivers his message. The left side of the sanctuary

nearest the lectern is free of pews to allow for the children to dance. As the service comes to a

close, the rabbi calls his wife to join him at the lectern. With his wife at his side, the rabbi wraps

his prayer shawl around the both of them and they bow their heads. Other men in the

congregation pull their wives close and wrap shawls around them in similar fashion. Men

without shawls place their arms around their wives and children and pull them close. The rabbi

ends the service with a prayer to God and Yeshua.

Interview with Rabbi Richard Segal


Rabbi Richard Segal was interviewed immediately after the above-mentioned service.

The rabbi is a pleasant man, with much patience and understanding for explaining the details of

this way of life for him and his family. Although Rabbi Segal was raised traditional Jewish, he

found that something was missing in his life and sought for answers in Christianity. In 1972,

Richard Segal became a Gentile and spent 13 years as a member of a Christian church. This

included turning his back on many of his beliefs and customs that he had known since childhood.

Messianic Judaism allowed him to continue to worship Yeshua and to follow the traditions and

observations required of Jews by the Torah.

Rabbi Segal’s interpretation of Messianic Judaism is that they believe in Jesus Christ as

the Messiah where traditional Judaism does not. Rabbi Segal would not recommend Messianic

Judaism as a form of religion for everyone. It has to be a calling to live that lifestyle and it is not

for everyone. For those who do join, there is some material that is required to be learned. This

material is designed to introduce the Jew to Yeshua, and to introduce the Gentile to Judaism.

Conversion to Judaism is not a requirement for admission and is, in fact, discouraged.

According to Judaism, Gentiles are not required to follow the 613 Commandments from God to

the Jewish people. Only seven Commandments exist that the Gentile population is required to

keep. Rabbi Segal’s interpretation is why would someone want to take on the requirements of a

much harder Jewish life?

Rabbi Segal described the holidays and traditions of Messianic Judaism as coming

directly from the book of Leviticus in the Bible. Specifically, chapter 23 refers to the Biblical

feasts of the Lord and their significance. These include celebrating the Passover, Spring and Fall


Feasts of the Lord, Shavuot or Pentecost, and Channukah (Remnant of Israel, 2005). One of the

more important traditions mentioned by Rabbi Segal was the act of continual prayer. This is

something that many have trouble attaining or maintaining. Although Messianic Judaism does

not require a kosher diet, they do follow a Biblically clean diet. According to Rabbi Segal, this

diet is supported by scripture and prohibits certain types of meat. Rabbi Segal also mentioned he

had tried pork during his years as a Gentile and was pleased to return to the Biblically clean diet.

When questioned about prohibited practices, Rabbi Segal said the specific sins are in the

scripture, but things such as contraception and consumption of alcohol are allowed.

Many Jews have long been stereotyped because of their religious and ethnic beliefs.

When questioned about his feelings on being negatively stereotyped, Rabbi Segal stated he

would pray for them as God is the only judge of people. When asked about his views on

religious extremists, the rabbi said such activity is not of God or the Messiah. According to

scripture, hating someone is the same as murdering that person. When asked about some of the

practices observed in the service, the rabbi explained that prayer shawls symbolize God’s

covering of His people. Kippahs and head scarves are worn as a sign of respect for God because

Judaism requires the head to be covered when praying. The dancing children in the service are a

regular occurrence because dancing is considered an important part of worship and praise, just as

when King David danced before the Lord.

Messianic Judaism and Christianity


Many differences exist between Messianic Judaism and Christianity, although some are

not as noticeable as others. The most obvious differences are the celebration of holidays and the

Sabbath. Messianic Judaism observes the traditional Jewish holidays and biblical feasts while

Christianity does not observe these events. Christian holidays borrowed from paganism or that

are simply made up, such as Christmas and Lent, are not observed by Messianic Judaism.

Messianic Judaism observes the biblical Sabbath, which falls from Friday evening until Saturday

evening, not on a Sunday as most Christians do (Reinckens II, 2005).

Lesser known differences are that Messianic Judaism places a special emphasis on the

relationship between God and the Jewish people. This emphasis is not as prevalent in

Christianity. Messianic Judaism also claims that the Torah is still in effect but Christianity

claims it no longer applies because Jesus fulfilled the Law. Most sermons in Messianic Judaism

originate from the Tenach while most Christian sermons originate in the New Testament

(Reinckens II, 2005).

Messianic Judaism and Christianity also have many similarities. The two religions share

the same core beliefs. Christianity contains both Jewish and Gentile believers who practice their

faith in different denominations. Messianic Judaism contains both Jewish and Gentile believers

who practice their faith in the Jewish heritage (Congregation Shema Yisrael, 2010).

Conclusion

Although it is technically considered a part of Judaism, Messianic Judaism is very

different from traditional Judaism. Messianic Judaism’s belief in Yeshua as the Messiah is at the


core of this difference. This belief in the Messiah allows Messianic Judaism to incorporate the

worship of Yeshua into their otherwise traditional Jewish lifestyle.

Prayer shawls, kippahs, and greetings of “Shabbat Shalom” lead one to recognize this

group as a Jewish congregation. Songs in Hebrew, Davidic dance, and the presence of Menorahs

remove all doubt of this being anything but a Jewish synagogue. The mention of and prayers to

Yeshua make one realize this is not a traditional Jewish synagogue.

Jews who longed for more than traditional Judaism became Christians. When

Christianity did not provide the answer for what they sought, they returned to Judaism. This

return to Judaism was quite different because they took Yeshua with them. Incorporating

Yeshua into Judaism gave the Messianics the answers they had searched for in two religions.

Even though there are many differences between Messianic Judaism and Christianity,

there are also similarities. The core of these similarities is their belief in Yeshua or Jesus as the

Messiah. This sharing of beliefs allows the two religions to exist and worship the same Divine

Being in their own unique ways. This co-existence of two different religions should be a model

for all religions of what is possible when two groups can put aside how they are different and

focus instead on they are similar.


References

Congregation Shema Yisrael. (2010). What is Messianic Judaism? Retrieved from

http://www.shema.com/messianic_judaism.php

International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues. (2010). What We Believe.

Retrieved from http://www.iamcs.org/WhatWeBelieve.php

Reinckens II, J. (2005). Differences between Messianic and Christian. Retrieved from

http://www.messianicworship.com/html/differences.html

Remnant of Israel. (2005). Remnant of Israel a Messianic Congregation. Retrieved from

http://www.remnantofisraelwichitaks.org/index/html

Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations. (2008). Introducing Messianic Judaism and the

UMJC. Retrieved from http://www.umjc.org/resources-mainmenu-101/documents-

mainmenu-110/cat_view/176-messianic-judaism

hum 130 week 9 final project

Documents