yourjewishcousin
That's interesting. Do they still keep the 613 commandments, do a Torah procession, and celebrate Simchas? What about Bris?
As Jews, we are required to keep the 613 Mitzvot, but the Book of Acts in chapters 15 and 21 do not require that Gentiles yoke themselves under the Law as we have.
There was a debate in the Book of Acts as to IF Goyum....Gentile believers in Y'shua should become Jewish in addition to believing Messiah had come. In this debate Yakkov (James) stood up and said what things that those Goyum who believe in Y'shua should do since they are NOT under the Law or called to be Jews:
"Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Goyim (Gentiles) who turn to G-d, but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood." Acts 15:19-20 Hebrew Names VersionMany Jewish believers in Y'shua at the time of Sha'ul (Paul) thought that He had abandoned the Law of Moishe and was preaching what Yakkov had said to BOTH Jews and Gentiles. But that is NOT what Sha'ul meant!!! It was meant for Gentiles. Sha'ul took a Jewish vow in Acts 21 to show he was still a Jew keeping G-d's Commandments and then Yakkov repeats to the people what he said in Acts 15.
Yes many MJ synagogues, including mine, have a Torah Procession.
As for Simchas, we always have celebrations.
wink But if you are refering to a Simcha is another way of saying “Gentile conversion to Judaism”, We Messianics believe that all Messianics, whether from Jewish heritage or not, are unified as One new creation of G-d through our faith in Messiah Y'shua.
There are actually valid points for having an MJ Simcha:
These are some valid reasons for having a Messianic Jewish Simcha:
1.) Unification of a mixed marriage. A married couple might find it to be a unifying help for both of them to be considered Jewish.
2.) Unassimilated Jewish ministry. A non-Jewish person called for ministry to the Jews may want to make sure that their work does not think to remove Jews from their Jewishness.
3.) Ambiguous Jewish heritage. A person may have strong indications that they have Jewish heritage, but no "proof", so the Simcha serves as a point of assertion and commitment to their Jewish heritage.
4.) Other motivations. There may be other valid reasons that yet need to be tested.
Yet, there are great difficulties with a Messianic Jewish Simcha that must be considered:
First, a Messianic Jewish Simcha is likely to be confused among the unlearned with conversion to Messiah Yeshua, which is a spiritual conversion from sin, from darkness to light in Him.
Second, those Messianic non-Jews who do not want to have Simcha may feel second-class. Their position as equals in the promises may seem to be watered down. They may experience increased alienation unless their Messianic group is capable at explaining the situation properly. (I propose an adult non-Jewish confirmation as “a grafted in member of the Olive Tree of Israel” for them.)
Third, some will say that Messianic Jewish Simcha is a form of Judaising, in that becoming “officially” a Jew may seem to some as the proscribed or preferred path. (Actually, biblical Judaising was a doctrine of a very small Jewish sect who thought that being circumcised would make one exempt from being accountable for sin.)
Fourth, presently no other branch of Judaism will accept a Messianic Jewish conversion. Aliyah is presently not available to Messianic Jews. (Of course, Messianic Judaism does not recognize being Jewish or Jewish conversion as sufficient for salvation either, touche’.)
As for a bris.. I had my son Joshua brised by a Christian (Gentile) Doctor and a Messianic Rabbi, it was a beautiful ceremony!
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