A Genuine Messianic Jewish Identity

By Rick “Aharon” Chaimberlin

 

Intro by Dr. Garrett:

Awhile back I wrote an article, Truly Who is a “Jew” [see previous chapter], but I did not touch on the subject of who is a Messianic Jew. Well, Rick Chaimberlin covers this subject in his article below, which is reprinted here with permission. In Mr. Chaimberlin’s article, he does cover both topics, Who is a Jew and Who is a Messianic Jew; however, I am only reprinting the latter portion of his article concerning Who is a Messianic Jew. The portions in the [] brackets are added for clarification by me and not part of the original article.

“WHO IS A MESSIANIC JEW?”

In the 20th century, we have seen the rebirth of Messianic Judaism, which complicates the picture [of Judaism] still further. It took decades for the Reform and Conservative branches of Judaism to be recognized as legitimate branches of Judaism, and it may take several more years before Messianic Judaism gains the same recognition.

Today we have an additional question, “Who is a Messianic Jew . . . and who isn’t?” We have come into contact with many Torah-observant people all over the world who believe in Yeshua [Yahoshua], but do not consider themselves Christians. They consider themselves converts to Messianic Judaism. When you ask them what they are, they will tell you that they are Messianic Jews. We are in contact with folks such as this in such diverse places as Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Poland, South Africa, Japan, the Philippines, and of course western nations such as the USA and Canada. They may or may not have actual Jewish ancestry. Yet they identify with the God of Israel [YaHVaH], Torah, and the Jewish People, the three main items often called the Jewish “Trinity.”

Messianic Jews seek to be included in their rightful place as part of the Jewish people. At the same time, Messianic Jews seek a definition to answer the question “Who is a Messianic Jew?”

Some answer this question from a strictly ethnocentric viewpoint, and say that a Messianic Jew is simply a Jew who believes in Yeshua [Yahoshua] (or Jesus) as his or her Messiah. This is, I believe, a fundamentally flawed definition. This definition would include Torah-Observant Jewish believers who strongly identify with their bretheren according to the flesh, as well as Jews who have basically converted to one of the many denominations of Christianity. For some of them, their Jewish identity is nearly completely obliterated. Such Jews, for all practical purposes, have converted out of Judaism, and out of Jewish people-hood. It would be incorrect, even dishonest to consider such a person a Messianic Jew. Perhaps another term such as Hebrew Christian might be more appropriate.

The other flaw in the above definition of “Messianic Jew” is that it excludes the Gentile who has converted to Messianic Judaism, such as those mentioned earlier in this article. Just as traditional Judaism considers its converts to be fully Jewish. Many, if not most of these converts, lead a far more Observant Jewish lifestyle than most Messianic Jews who were born Jewish.

MESSIANIC JUDAISM IS DEFINED BY THE TERMS IT USES TO IDENTIFY ITSELF:

Judaism by definition includes observance of “The precepts of the Old Testament.” “Messianic,” of course, indicates a belief in the Messiah. If an individual doesn’t show even an inclination to observe Shabbat, the Holy Days, and the dietary laws, it would be ridiculous to call such a person’s religion “Messianic Judaism.”

  • A Messianic Jew is someone who believes in the Messiah. We are Yeshua’s [Yahoshua’s] Talmiddim (disciples). We desire our lives to be lived out in accordance to His teachings. (See Matthew 5:7-19, as well as the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.)
  • A Messianic Jew is someone who has chosen to live an observant Jewish lifestyle. This doesn’t mean that (s)he must be observant according to Orthodox Jewish Halachah. However, it does indicate that some minimal observance of Torah should be incorporated into the life of the individual.
  • A Messianic Jew, whether born Jewish or not, must identify with Israel and the Jewish people. For instance, when an individual comes to the United States and decides to take on American citizenship, (s)he swears loyalty to this country, its constitution, and its laws. (S)He also renounces any previous citizenship. Likewise, in Judaism, the convert is immersed in the Mikvah. The person goes down in the water as a Goy (Gentile), and rises a Jew. Judaism is a movement made up of Jewish people. If the individual doesn’t identify with the Jewish people, then it would be inaccurate to consider such an individual a Messianic Jew.
  • Messianic Judaism is also enriched by the participation of Non-Jews. There is no “Middle Wall of Partition” rejecting Non-Jewish participation in Messianic Judaism. Not every Christian has a calling to “convert” to Messianic Judaism. Israel and the Jewish people need Christians [Believers] who love Israel, and who are willing to confront Anti-Semitism. We have met Christians seeking conversion to Judaism who cared nothing about the Shabbat or the dietary laws. But because they loved Israel and the Jewish people, they sought conversion. While I fully appreciate their “Jewish Heart,” this does not mean that they should convert to Judaism! Just as the new American citizen agrees to uphold the American Constitution, so also should the convert to Messianic Judaism be expected to uphold Torah, which is the Jewish “Constitution.” We appreciate Christians who participate in Messianic Judaism as Non-Jews. We do not expect them all to “convert,” although such conversions are welcome when genuine. Mere participation in a Messianic Jewish Assembly; however, does not make a person a Messianic Jew.
  • Messianic Jewish identity will be determined by both beliefs and external expressions. In Judaism, the emphasis is upon the external expressions. One of my friends was a Holocaust survivor from Poland. He claimed to be an Atheist. Yet he lived a scrupulously observant Orthodox Jewish lifestyle, including the Rabbinic separation of milk and meat dishes, etc. I asked him why he went to the trouble of living such a strictly observant lifestyle if he was an Atheist? He told me “Because I am a Jew.” Good answer! In Judaism, even an Atheist is considered a good Jew if (s)he is observant. In Christianity, it seems that faith and creed are paramount. What you believe is far more important than your actions. In Messianic Judaism, we need both, in proper balance.

 

First published in Petah Tikvah 2004, © 2004, 2017

 

 

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