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'Messianic Jews' in the News 2007-03-19 22:05:58 I just did a search on Google News for 'Messianic
Jew' and I found the following interesting stories which are of interest to anyone who wants to study or know more about this modern tendency in Christianity.1.) " 'Messianic Jew' attacked, wrongly arrested" (March 14, 2007)According to the Baptist Press, in Israel a Jewish Christian evangelist was attacked and wrongly arrested after being beaten up by what have been described as 'ultra-Orthodox' Haradim Jews. See http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=25172 for more information.2.) "Local [Messianic] Religious Leader on Trial for Soliciting Sex" (March, 12th 2007)This always happens in every religion and it sickens me. For more on this subject read the story at http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=e14128f8-a9f1-4003-8439-e55a9424bdb2.3.) " 'Messianic Jew' finds few options for group practice" (March 8th, 2007)An article about a 'Messianic Jew' seems interesting. I disagree with the first sentence which
Israel vs. England 2007-03-19 21:36:30 Shalom! Today I will do something out of character. I will talk about football. Why may you ask? Because if you have been paying attention to the news Israel
are playing England
on Saturday 24th of March at the Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv. The coverage starts about 6:30 UK time but according to Chabad Shabbat in London ends at 7:09 and in Edinburgh it doesn't end until 7:27! I hope that observant Jews who live somewhere between London and Edinburgh will set their videos at lunchtime on Friday to record the match or fly to Israel to watch the game. It’s such a shame that football happens on a Saturday. So is life…. Anyway, who will you support? I will support England unless they start the match badly. I reckon England will win but the team seems to have doubts. If we lose, it will be an uphill battle to qualify! I predict that the final score will be Israel 1 England 3. We shall see.Links to check out: 1.) Rabbi Mark Ankcon bloggerhttp://markankcorn.blogspot.com/2006/09/england-v
The Pig 2007-03-18 22:27:54 Jewish & Christian Sources about PigsWhat does Judaism/Early Christianity have to say about our four legged, sty dwelling, oinking friends? Tanakh1.) "And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you." (Vayikra [Leviticus] 11:7)2.) "The pig is also unclean; although it has a split hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses." (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 14:8)3.) "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." (Mishle Shlomoh [Proverbs] 11:22)Talmud1.) "A pig is like a moving latrine" (Berakhot 15a) + "a pigs mouth is like moving excrement" (Berakhot 25a)2.) "Ten measures of plague came into the world, and pigs took nine of them" (Kiddushin 49b)New Testament1.) "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces". (Matthew 7:6)2.) "Some distance from them a
What do Jews think about Jesus? 2007-03-18 21:20:42 To all Christians I would like to say the following....Time and time again Christians ask the following question: what do Jews think
about Jesus
? The answer is simple. For Orthodox, Conservative (Masorti in the UK and Israel), Reform, Liberal and Reconstructionist Jews Jesus was not (1) God, (2) the Messiah, (3) a prophet. Some of the same ilk as Maimonides would say he was a heretic. Some say he didn't even exist. Others would argue that he was a good Jew or a Jewish reformer whose divinity was a myth created by the Early Church. Messianic Jews (i.e. those who are not officially recognised as religiously Jewish by the Jewish Community) would accept all of the same claims as Christians or would accept claim number 2 but not number 1. I would recommend looking at a copy of Jesus Through Jewish Eyes in your local library or from your local book store to find out more. I'm not sure if the Orthodox position is represented in this book but there are some interesting insights into what Jew
A 'Hebraic Christian'? 2007-03-18 21:20:02 Shalom! I was talking to a friend about Jewish/Christian
things the other day. Afterwards I began to think about my faith and the term "Hebraic Christian"! Despite being a Gentile, I like to use that, as I want to acknowledge my respect for the Jewish roots of Christianity, which were, and are, overlooked by 'Christian' anti-Semites. Jesus (Yeshua for Messianics et al.) was a night. Friends jokingly say I want to be rabbi but I am also a church going Christian! I feel that Jew! I also use the term as I like Judaism and go to Shul (Yiddish for Synagogue) every Friday the God of Abraham Hashem is the same God which Christians (albeit in Trinitarian terms and in human form) worship. I am opposed to "Jews for Jesus" which engage in a strange syncretism of Jewish Law and Christianity. Despite their best efforts, they fail to acknowledge that Rabbinic Law, by which I mean that which is found in the Mishnah and Talmud, and the Law of Moses in the Torah, is incompatible with Christianity (lo
Halakhic tension in Early Christianity 2007-03-18 21:19:29 I have had many discussions with my Jewish friends with regard to the question of whether Christian's should be following Jewish Law. The question at the heart of these discussions is this: Did Jesus follow Jewish Law, and were Christians who lived after Jesus wrong to abandon the Law?1.) Jesus appears to have kept the Written Law as:"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certai Read more:Christianity
, Early
A groovy translation of Bereshit (A.K.A. Genesis) 2007-03-18 21:17:47 I know I'm posting on Shabbat but this translation of the relevant liturgical passage is so awesome (סוף הדרך if you know Israeli slang!) I'm posting it today. It's also good for those who are not Jews or Christians."By the seventh day G-d had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. G-d blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day. Because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating G-d had done." (Bereshit 2:2-4)More liturgy related material is coming your way. Watch this space... Read more:Genesis
A woman, a kippah and criticism 2007-03-18 21:17:01 Women who dare to wear a kippah (skullcap) are rare. For those who do it is a powerful symbol of their yearning for G-d and Torah and their willingness to challenge thetraditional male female dichotomy, which finds its clearest expression in the different roles that are proscribed for men and women. I know someone who wears one all the time and I dedicate this post to them... Shalom my friend.A woman
tells of her yearning for a Kippah"I proudly wore my kippah daily for about two weeks. Friends applauded me for my commitment to Judaism and willingness to display it with this circular fabric. But the questions and comments abounded from both women and men, Jews and non-Jews alike. "What gives you the right?" "But women don't have to obey these laws. Why do you want to take on more than you have to? "You shouldn't wear a kippah unless you're willing to take on all the traditions from wearing Tzitzit and donning tefillin."I couldn't handle the pressure. It was easier to just pack the k
The trouble with Christianity today... 2007-03-11 18:46:33 As some Jews and many books have taught me, the trouble with Christianity
today is that it has left its Jewish roots. In the past this break led to Christian anti-Semitism which is the most ironic and hypocritical thing in the entire world. Jesus was a Jew for crying out loud! By Jewish roots I mean the Hebraic mindset which manifested itself in structured services, beautiful liturgical Psalms, a close knit community, a manner of prayer which did not divide the mental from the physical and encouraged believers to give thanks to their Creator at all times.Don't get me wrong I am not arguing for a full blooded return to halakhic observance for as St. Paul says that would be to ignore Jesus. Jews have far better liturgical practices than Christians do. Indeed the singing of Psalms is an important part of each Friday night service. If Christians seriously accept the notion that Jesus fulfilled Judaism, they cannot discard one of the key sources of Jewish ideas.What is wrong with Christian
If I were Jewish... 2007-03-03 20:00:34 If I were Jewish
I would either be a British Masorti Jew (Conservative) à la Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs or on the fringe of the Orthodox movement. I believe that the Torah is inspired by G-d rather than being divinely dictated. Reform Judaism would be too liberal for me in that it rejects much of the tradition associated with Judaism. There is not a enough Hebrew. If I lived in America Reconstructionist Judaism would be too secular for my liking. Then again given my Christian background if I became Jewish I would probably be a Karaite-- a Jew who like Jesus rejects the Oral Law. I would be quite contraversial.http://www.karaites.org/
Website of the day... 2007-02-19 18:56:28 I have just returned from a Kabbalat Shabbat service (a service where the Sabbath is recieved/welcomed) and a meal at the local Shul (Yiddish for Synagogue). Just wanted to point everyone who's interested in the direction of a website called Kosher Kabbalah. While I don't personally believe in the teachings of Kabbalah I love this great website which claims to be based in Safed in eretz yisrael (the land of Israel for those unlettered in Hebrew like myself). Safed was the place where mystics such as Rabbi Yitzchak Luria and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai used to hang out.What gets me about this site are the nice articles. I also love the fact that the site is not a veritable treasure of 'Madonnaesque' Western style 'crapballah' with holy water, red ribbons, and Zohar posing. This is the real deal. Not sure what I think about the not before 40 policy which used to be adopted by Ashkenazi Rabbis. In this respect Sephardi + Israeli culture rocks. Of course I get what the Ashkenazi are get
He's not the Mashiach , he's a very naughty boy, now go away! 2007-03-21 21:10:24 As the immortal words of Terry Jone's of Monty Python fame suggest this post is about the Mashiach (מָשִׁיח) and those who have claimed or are believed to have claimed this title. Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ) means 'annointed one' and is the origin of the term Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ). Christos (Χριστός) is the Greek translation of Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ). The Messiah has variously been described by Jews and Christians as a millitary leader or G-d himself in human form.Key Messianic claimants.1.) Jesus of Nazareth (c.4 BCE- c.30 C.E )2.) Judas of Galilee (c.6 CE)3.) Benjamin the Egyptian (c.55-c. 60 CE)4.)Menachem (c. 67 C.E.)5.) Simon Bar Kohkba (c. 135 C.E.)4.) Shabbetai Tzvi (1626-1676 C.E.)5.) Jacob Frank (1726-1791 C.E.)6.) Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn (The Rebbe) (1902 C.E.-1994 C.E)Articles on the Messiah1.) The Rebbe and Jewish-Christian Relations: http://www.icjs.org/info/rebbe.html2.) Jewish Counter-Missionary site explaining the Jewish concept of the M
Jews For Judaism 2007-03-27 11:14:00 Anti-missionaries have existed in every age. Here comes 'Jews For Judaism
' the arch-enemy of 'Jews 4 Jesus'. While I don't like it when Christians attempt to convert Jews from Judaism to Christianity there are two things I dislike about Jews 'For Judaism':1.) They attack the beliefs of other people. "They [i.e. Christian missionaries] deliberately misquote, mistranslate and misinterpret Jewish scriptures and rabbinical texts in an attempt to "prove" that Jesus was both the Jewish Messiah and G-d"2.) They use large numbers without citing the source:"Christian denominations such as the Southern Baptist Convention -- which passed a resolution in 1996 targeting Jews for conversion -- and the Assemblies of G-d, as well as countless other Christian groups worldwide, contribute more than $250 million annually to aggressively evangelize Jews" I've also seen a site that says: "Evangelical Christianity has spent over one billion dollars in the last decade to convert Jews to Christianity
Matisyahu-Jerusalem. 2007-03-27 19:29:05 Shalom! Jerusalem
by Matisyahu is great. He is unique being a Hasidic reggae/rap star. Well he hasn't always been Hasid. He started off as a Reconstructionist then became more Orthodox! Anyway, that's beside the point Jerusalem is amazingly catchy. Here are some of the words and a video. Jerusalem:"Jerusalem, if I forget you/ fire not gonna come from me tongue.Jerusalem, if I forget you/ let my right hand forget what it’s supposed to do.In the ancient days, we will return with no delay.Picking up the bounty and the spoils on our way. We’ve been traveling from state to stateAnd them don’t understand what they say/3,000 years with no place to beAnd they want me to give up my milk and honeyDon’t you see, it’s not about the land or the seaNot the country but the dwelling of his majesty"YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ5FvaASrs0Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matisyahu
A response to anonymous comment concerning the last post 2007-03-29 18:26:03 In response to my post: "Jews For Judaism" Anonymous said..."How is saying that they misquote, etc. attacking their beliefs?"(27 March 2007 11:47)My Answer:As religion is a subjective personal experience or set of experiences what one-person (i.e. a Jew/Muslim) calls, a misuse of scripture another person (i.e. a Christian) could view as a legitimate use of scripture. As a Christian, I might believe that Isaiah 53:13-53:12 ("The Suffering Servant") is about Jesus. A Jew might think it is about Israel rather than Jesus and say that I am misreading the passage. "You would say that there is an enormous gulf between us" (Ludwig Wittgenstein). The Jew and the Christian should respect that there are two different ways of looking at a passage. I do not mean to imply that truth is relative but that scripture can be ambiguous. Of course, objectively speaking, there will be a right and wrong way of reading the passage. However, respect needs to be shown between and by each party. If respect isn' Read more:anonymous
Pesach chag sameach! 2007-04-01 20:43:44 Just a quick post as I'm feeling tired out after spending all day on an essay question: "Must the Jewish liturgy change?" I don't want to discuss it now...LOL I just wanted to say have a good Pesach
. Pesach chag sameach! This post goes out to my friend Miriam who is celebrating Pesach in Eretz Yisrael! For Gentiles who might be reading this Pesach is the Hebrew name for Passover and commemorates G-d's miraculous rescue of the Jews from Egypt. The Christian holiday Easter takes a lot from Pesach (not the eggs, fluffy bunnies or its possibly pagan origins of course!) The Last Supper might have been a Passover Pesach Seder. Anyway, Pesach starts at sunset tomorrow. Have a good one.... Leshana Haba B' Yerushalayim!"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14)
Re-addressing the balance 2007-03-31 21:10:20 Why I don't like missionary activity: I think I have opened myself up to misinterpretation. While it might appear that I only disagree with anti-missionaries such as 'Jews for Judaism' (sorry I forgot to express my views on 'Jews for Jesus' and other mission based groups) in reality I disagree with missionary groups even more. I would be more comfortable with Messianic Jews if they did not go out on missions. Why is this the case? Firstly, I dislike the idea of forcing beliefs 'down the throats' of those who do not want to hear. Secondly, minority groups feel insecure (i.e. Jews etc). Thirdly, they attack other religions and can cause tension between communities. Poster campaigns are fine. What I want is a peaceful society where Jews, Christians and Muslims can engage in dialogue without the fear of conversion. Conversion should be a choice. I know it might sound rather idealistic of me to say all this but that is how I am. I love all people (or at least I try to with the help
Synagogue burns down... 2007-04-03 19:50:41 Did you hear about the Neturei Karta synagogue burning (or being burned) down? While I strongly disagree with the views of the group and their attendence at at a Shoah (holocaust) denial conference I never think burning a synagogue is justified. Whether someone did it is unclear but it is not hard to know why they would have done it. There are some horrible comments going round on the Ha'aretz message board:"With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm the G-d of Abraham seems to have had his say. Especially at this time" (David, London England) Yuck!"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14)
I agree... 2007-04-05 10:17:28 As a Christian I couldn't agree more with the following statement:An Appeal to the Leadership of the Churches from the British Messianic Jewish Alliance:"It is with great concern that we witness the rapid growth of worldwide anti-Semitism, all too often these days in the guise of anti-Zionism. We wish to express our concern that anti-Jewish sentiment is so frequently manifested in British society. We call upon the church to oppose it.As Jews who are part of the church we are distressed to hear anti-Jewish attitudes expressed in the church and in the name of Christianity. We call upon our fellow believers from many nations to acknowledge that Jesus was a Jew, and to disavow all racism aimed at Jewish people both inside and outside the State of Israel. We call upon the church to publicly affirm G-d's ongoing relationship with the Jewish people, and his determination to continue to work with them since he has not cast them away. Even more unthinkable [and insulting] would be the idea
The L-rd's Prayer is Jewish 2007-04-13 19:38:50 According to Christianity Jesus used and taught the following prayer:"Our Father in heaven,Hallowed be your name.Your Kingdom come, Your will be done,On earth as in heavenGive us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,As we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.Now and for ever" AmenAccording to the Jewish
Encyclopedia (1906):"[t]his special prayer is merely a shortened form of the third, fifth, sixth, ninth, and fifteenth of the Eighteen Benedictions"L-rd's Prayer
in multiple languages:http://www.christusrex.org"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14)
Shabbat shalom! 2007-04-13 18:59:16 Shabbat shalom! Hope everyone has a relaxing Shabbat. Remember that on Sunday it is Yom Hashoah a day to remember all those who died in the Shoah (Holocaust).Kaddish (mourners prayer):"Glorified and sanctified be G-d's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will.May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;and say, Amen.May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.He who creates peace in His celestial heights,may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.BBC information:http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/juda Read more:Shabbat
Talmud 2007-04-13 18:45:22 I'm bored so I will look at some Jewish sources that mention (or appear to mention) Jesus:1.) A possible mention of Jesus in the Talmud."They hanged Yeshu on the Sabbath of the Passover. But for forty days before that a herald went in front of him (crying), 'Yeshu is to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and seduced Israel and lead them away from G-d'. Anyone who can provide evidence on his behalf should come forward to defend him.' When, however, nothing favorable about him was found, he was hanged on the Sabbath of the Passover" (Baraitha, Sanhedrin 43a) 2.) Maimonides on Jesusa.) "Also, Jesus the Nazarene, who imagined that he would be messiah and was killed, is alluded to in the book of Daniel, as it is said, `And the sons of the transgressors among your people will rise, in order to establish a vision, and will stumble' (Dan. 11:14). Can there be a greater stumbling then this? All the prophets said that messiah will be a redeemer and a savior to the Israelites, will brin
Jesus drinking Coca-Cola? Not this Easter 2007-04-12 16:34:59 Sorry I haven't posted for a while I have lots of work. Some new material will be coming soon. Watch this space... Anyway I found this funny article:Jesus
drinking Coca-Cola? Not this Easter
"A film showing Jesus drinking Coca-Cola sparked such strong protest from the drinks giant that it blocked the Easter weekend premiere. The film 7 km from Jerusalem is about an Italian advertising executive soul searching after losing his job and marriage. He flies to Jerusalem, where he runs into Jesus. According to local press reports, he offers the returned Christ a can of Coca-Cola and, seeing Jesus drink, thinks: "What a testimonial!" Apparently Coca-Cola disagreed. Italian papers said the company felt the use of its brand was unacceptable.The director, Claudio Malaponti, said that if further talks were unsuccessful, the scene would be cut. "This recasting requires about 20 days and the hope is to be able to have in cinemas by the end of April," said Malaponti" I can't be believe people ma
Jews for Judaism: Strange questions . 2007-04-19 22:03:58 I found this strange question on the Jews for Judaism
website: Question: Is it true that in conformity with Isaiah 53:9, "he had done no violence," Jesus did nothing of a violent nature during his lifetime?Answer: No, this is not true.Violence, while not always an act of evil, may be defined as causing injury or damage by rough or abusive treatment. If the New Testament account is true, Jesus did commit certain acts of violence. Whip in hand he attacked the merchants in the Temple area, causing a fracas (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15-16, Luke 19:45, John 2:15). He caused the death, by drowning, of a herd of swine by allowing demons to purposely enter their bodies (Matthew 8:32, Mark 5:13, Luke 8:33) and destroyed a fig tree for not having fruit out of season (Matthew 21:18- 21, Mark 11:13-14). Well if one is taking it as given that Isaiah 53 ('The Suffering Servant') foreshadows the Passion of Christ then the passage is saying that violent actions did not put Jesus on the cross. If one l Read more:questions
, Strange
One Jewish Joke too many... 2007-04-17 19:35:59 How stupid can people be? A Gentile should not make an offensive Jewish
joke in front of Jews the day after Yom Ha Shoah. Well this is what Tommy Thompson a Roman Catholic running for the US Whitehouse did. In fact he chose the worst joke (or ethnic slur if you wan't to be hard on the man) in the book. He said that earning money is part of the Jewish tradition. ILuckily he apologised...Check this political blog for more:http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/17/tommy-thompsons-other-dumb-statements/trackback/And this political satire bloghttp://wonkette.com/politics/idiots/tommy-thompson-nothing-wrong-with-money+loving-jews-252721.phpI hope he doesn't become President soon. LOL :)"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14)
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