Recently, we have had a spirited discussion concerning the place of Jews and Gentiles in relation to Torah and each other. Here is a related timely article that addresses a paper we previously mentioned. I absolutely encourage every reader to take the time to read and process this article!!
One Law, One God, One Body
A Critical Look at Why There is a Hebrew Roots Movement
Several years ago, the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) published a pamphlet entitled Defining Messianic
Judaism. It was an attempt to define and justify the actions of certain Messianic Jewish leaders as they separated themselves from “Gentile believers.” They explained themselves by saying that Messianic Jews have a “unique” calling in the LORD that Gentile believers are not part of. It was a racist document that offended many believers in the Messianic movement (both Jew and non-Jew).
That document has been followed this year by the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) and the International Alliance of Messianic Jewish Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) publishing a document entitled One Law, Two Sticks: a Critical Look at the Hebrew Roots Movement. It has very little to say about the titled subject of teaching the Torah to all people or the prophetic restoration of the Two Houses of Israel. Instead, the bulk of the document is an effort to find fault with independent Messianic teachers. It presents a “rogue’s gallery” of those they take issue with. The actual authors of this document are listed merely as being the “Steering Committee” of the IAMCS. It is strange that they weren’t proud enough to mention their own names, so allow me to supply them
to you as listed on the IAMCS website.
Rabbi Frank Lowinger, IAMCS Chairman,
Congregation B’rith Hadoshah, Buffalo, NYRabbi David Chernoff,
Beth Yeshua, Philadelphia, PARabbi Charlie Kluge,
Gesher Shalom, Orlando, FLRabbi Eric Lakatos,
Tikvat Yisrael, Cleveland, OHRabbi Joel Liberman,
Tree of Life, San Diego, CARabbi David Schneier,
The Messianic Initiative, Paris, FranceRabbi Robert Solomon,
Yachad Ministries, Roswell, GARabbi Michael Stepakoff,
Temple New Jerusalem, Tampa Bay, FLRabbi Michael Weygant,
Rosh Pinah, Oklahoma City, OKI am not sure that everyone listed here actually wrote or contributed to any part of the paper in question. Many times, documents published under several names are written by one or two and then endorsed by the larger list to add credibility. It would be interesting to actually question each person on the Steering Committee to see if they really participated in the drafting and fully understood the gravity of this paper. I know some of these men from earlier years and I am saddened that they are part of this.
While I am not going to pick apart their paper, I will use this opportunity to present a Biblical argument for why believing Gentiles are to join believing Jews and are part of the commonwealth of Israel. (Continue reading at LionLamb.net)
Please return here for comments!!
natsab 
Pete, just a few comments (supporting, niot criticising).
Most, if not all, of the New Testament (so-called) is and was actually written to the Northern House of Israel, the dispersion. I would suggest getting on the mailing list of Yair Davidiiy for massive amounts of support. Probably the most important scripture re the Jews is Matthew 21:43, “…the kingdom of God is taken from you (the Jews) and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
re the parables. Matthew is the only writer of the gospels who records the parables as being about the kingdom of God. The parables in the other gospels only talk of the Kingdom of Heaven.
As an aside, the so-called new covenant is the old covenant, now written on the hearts of Israel. I note that both Jer 31:31ff and Hebrews 8:8ff omit the heart-writing from the House of Judah. Also, there is a major misconception of the actual identity of the Old Covenant. It is actually recorded precisely in Exodus 19. Read from the word “if…..then…”
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David,
I might be misunderstanding you, but the Messiah is for all Israel, or, to use Ezekiel’s words, the whole house of Israel. Judah, according to Paul, is grafted into Messiah just as the wild branches are.
While I understand your point about the law being written on the heart of the House of Israel, I do not think this omission in the statement of the new coveannt means that it is not written on Judah. There is in place right now everlasting promises to Judah which cannot and will not be removed.
Your use of Matthew 21:43 seems to insinuate a replacement of Judah which I believe Scripture outright rejects. If I am wrong in understanding what you are saying, please clarify.
Shalom!
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Pete,
Becoming one, united, or echad, does not mean we stop being individuals. Anyone who is married knows this is true. One of the problems we have is that our modern culture holds up democracy as God’s way. It’s not!
I have great sympathy for my Messianic Jewish brothers they have a problem. If they qualify every Gentile who comes through their doors as being their complete equal and give the vote to each, their fellowship very soon …. Let’s just say changes.
My mother’s side of the family carries a Jewish last name. Yet none of that family, in the United States has ever been part of a synagogue to my knowledge. The family history is that they came here in the 1700’s as Mennonite farmers and thus many are today. Yet 100 year old family history books tell of how the family converted to Christianity over 500 years ago in the old country.
I have always been amazed that they lost their Jewishness by accepting the Jewish Messiah,
Here is my point, Judah is called to lead, Levi is called to the priest hood. They are echad but have different callings, so also these Gentiles who are drawn to all things Hebrew, Each has a unique calling but it’s not leadership and it’s not priesthood.
These Gentiles, by the way are lost sheep, lost coins lost sons, according to the parables of Luke 15. Lost can never mean found for the first time. (Think about it)
Somehow this prophecy needs to be allowed to play out.
Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:23
Thanks again for you Blog
Barry
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Barry, Scripture does not exactly support your thought. Some might suggest that those that become believers in Yeshua, and therefore also a Bride, will be marrying into Judah. Is this a royal priesthood? Is this for all who believe on Yeshua and keep on keeping the Torah (Rev. 14-12)?
In Ezekiel 47 we find all Gentiles will be joined to a tribe, and considered “born in the land” 47:22-23. That does suggest that some “ger” will not also be added to Judah or even Levi, does it? As I write this I can’t remember where but is does say “and some of yu will be made priests”.
This will happen regardless of whether anyone “feels threatened” in their flesh that they will “loose a vote” which is a spirit of fear of loosing control, not of YHVH. That same fear caused the rejection and death of Yeshua, and is unacceptable and has proven deadly in the past.
When Ezekiel is asked “who those are” in Ezekiel 37:11 he is told, these are the whole house of Israel, that is whole, restored from the divided Kingdom. That is why the sticks coming together follows as an explanation of this.
There is only 1 King, and He lives today in the hearts of true believers. They know His voice and hear it when Moses is read, rather than Moses. They are not afraid to hear His voice and follow Him into all truth.
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My only purpose for bringing up marriage is that unity does not mean sameness.
Nothing more!
Even Ezekiel 37 makes it clear Judah will be joined by Joseph not vise-versa.
As it has to be.
The point is there is a proper order to things…..
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I agree with you. Personally, I look forward to the day when Judah accepts and loves those coming in and instead of either forcing conversion or treating as second class citizens they rather lead to Torah without forcing all the rabbinics and love as equals those who pursue the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
What I see is a fulfillment of Isaiah 11:13 where Judah and Ephraim (Isaiah’s words, not mine) are no longer envious or jealous of each other. Rather, they acknowledge the great gifts and accomplishments of the other. Judah has guarded and kept Torah for millenia, while Yeshua has been taken to the ends of the earth. Now it is time to bring the two parts together and reveal ONE body that has many parts… As we appreciate and love each other we can say with Paul, ‘Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom of God…. Romans 11:33ish…
Shalom!
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Yes your longings and mine are the same. None-the-less as Prodigals, now coming home we have to deal with the results of our sin. When they are willing to teach us we need to learn and count on the Father to deal with them on their attitude.
I like to look at the glass as half full… think about where things where 70 years ago.
Look how much has changed for the good.
Grace is still the answer, but challenge is required for progress. So keep the heat on but as you point out…innovative ways to show love needs to be right in there with truth.
The family is still dysfunctional but progress is being made….Slowly I am afraid.
Thanks again
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I received this in the mail a few days ago. Very good read (though I’m not a fan of the “Lords” and “Gods” personally, I can deal with it).
I will say that my wife grew up at a Messianic Synagogue, led by “Rabbi” Gary Shansky. However, Gary died about a decade ago, and since his death the “head man” was replaced by a man who happens to be married to Daniel Juster’s daughter.
I say all this only because at the time Gary was sick (cancer), there was a storm brewing in the assembly. One certain family began hosting and teaching a Bible study, where they were telling all believers (regardless of meaningless DNA) that they should be keeping Torah BECAUSE they’re grafted in, and are now Israelites. Juster heard about that and excommunicated the family. He then sent out a letter that all the families of the Synagogue were to no longer associate with the family that was kicked out (cult much?). A couple other families were also kicked out and/or left because they agreed with the family that was booted originally.
Since then, the Synagogue has become a horrid mixture of the paganism of christianity (that is, xmas, ishtar, valentines day) and rabbinic Judaism (keeping tradition over Torah).
When I met my wife, it was there at that synagogue when we were just 16. While my family had started attending, we also received a letter (signed by Daniel Juster) in the mail. The letter warned of avoiding “heretical teachings such as the ‘Ephraimite’ and ‘Two House’ teachings as well as the ‘One Law’ teaching, which tries to force gentiles to become Jews.” It was after receiving this letter that my family met with the leader and informed him that since their “official” position on the issue of these things that we believed, labeled us as heretics, we would no longer be attending.
The Synagogue now has the “official” position that it is OK to keep xmas and Hanukkah, because every generation gets to define how they use customs. So, you can worship Adonai with xmas and easter. They even say Messiah WAS resurrected ON easter.
So the issue that Monte wrote about in this publication of YAVO hits home with me. I personally not only dealt with the issue of “Jews vs Gentiles” but I have also seen the damage that the writings of Daniel Juster have done. I have witnessed Juster standing on stage there at that synagogue stomping his feet (to get his point across) that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with keeping xmas. Oh the greater level of responsibility that he has, and what he will be accountable for would make me shiver.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment and share some history.
Indeed, it is a shame that this issue is so divisive, but it all tracks back to envy and jealousy. Instead of theological positions to protect our own identities, we should all be seeking what it means to be One Body… not, two brides.
Shalom and thank you.
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