JFJ Forums

Some of you probably remember some of my previous posts. I'm the guy that was raised by my non Jewish mom. I was raised without my Jewish father.

I was raised Catholic, visited various others and now go to a Baptist church.

Saturday I went to www.beitsimcha.com Talk about culture shock! Yamulkes, Dangly things, large cloth thingy, Israeli flag, that horn you blow...I mean WOW! That said, I thought the whole thing was pretty beautiful. Is it my blood that makes me feel that way?

The pastor...um I mean Rabbi is wonderful:
www.beitsimcha.com/s_video.asp

I ate afterwards and met some beatiful people (I'm married with kids but I went alone, at least for this initial visit). I asked a lot of people about pork and Sabbath and how that's an obstacle for me because of how I've been raised...ham dinners after Sunday church :o)

I left not sure if I'd come back again or not. I actually decided against it last night. I emailed the Rabbi that I would not be meeting with him as planned to discuss my many questions. Since then I did some reading and I am becoming convinced that Saturday, not Sunday is the Sabbath. I'm thinking of rescheduling with the Rabbi.

*Sabbath is a ten commandment, I think this might be a serious thing for me to consider.

Howabout the rest:
*Is pork and shellfish unacceptable or is it more optional? I mean it's not a commandment. Doesn't Paul say this is no longer an issue?
*Do I have to buy a Yamulke? Commandment in the Bible or tradition?
*Do I need to wear that big cloth on my head and then move it to my shoulders? Commandment in the Bible or tradition?
*Do I need to wear those tassels? Commandment in the Bible or tradition?

Honestly, part of me wishes it was less Jewish. I mean make the Jewish part important but not this far. Any opinions? Is this typical or are some congregations less Jewish?

Double thumbs up for you coming to this conclusion.



It is a commandment in the Torah not to eat these things (the
restrictions are not limited to pork and shellfish; there are other
things you may not eat). If you want to follow Torah, you don't eat
these things.

Only if you wish and are more comfortable wearing one in
the church. No where in the Torah is it commanded to wear one;
it is traditional.


Only Jews should wear a tallis (the big cloth) so you should not.
Again nowhere in the Torah does it say you must explicitly wear a
tallis. The commandment is to wear the tzitzit (the tassles). How
this is done is determined through Oral Law, which messianics do
not accept. And they are supposed to be worn all the time, not
just while davening.

  The commandment is to wear the tzitzit (tassels); the tallis
is just the manner this commandment is fulfilled. The current manner of wearing them again comes from Oral Law, so unless you follow it there is no need to do as Jews do . Again, only Jewish males need to wear them.


From what I have read, Messianic congregations are all over the board from some that are almost like church with a few Jewish trappings thrown in,
to others that go way way overboard trying to show how "Jewish" they
are....the one you went to sounds like the latter. Best option is probably
just to visit several and see where you feel most comfortable.

You have to be on the right paradigm.  We are saved by faith, not works of the law, so you can take it or leave it with the Jewish trappings.  I went to Beit Simcha one time to see Zimer Levav.  I stayed for the Havura service, shomething I had never seen before, a beutiful thing.  

As I drive by the Jewish homes here in deal on saturday I kind of wish I could be part of it.  You can see them all as one selebrateing Shabat.

It's no wonder Jewish people tried to hang onto these things even after they were forced to convert in Spain.

Really I would answer this post with 2 main things-

1) Don't forget salvation by faith along

2) You need to be kind of on the same wave length with the people in the congregation.  If it is close enough there may be some things you don't like, but for the sake of harmony and obeying elders then you keep your mouth shut.  Can you buy into their vision?  Does it have a feel that matches what is in your heart?

Chad, I so agree. If I sense they start making laws a prerequisite for salvation, I'm outta there! I don't think they do. The Shabbat was beautiful.

I'm sure there will be things I don't like just like any congregation. Time will tell.

Thanks

Taking any time out for the L-rd is always pleasing to Him... but true Sabbath rest is only in Yeshua... in communion with the Holy Spirit.

You are saved by faith alone!
Make certain you are well grounded in His Righteousness.

Never fall into the trap of thinking someone is better or worse just because of some tradition or commandment of observing certain days or you will disqualify His manifested love. New Covenant glory is honored by steps of faith in Jesus Name and not in who you are. G-d is not a respecter of persons. I am not saying that there was no glory in the Old Covenant but the witness of Y'shua has a greater witness than that of John. Believe as you did in the beginning when the L-rd confirmed your walk but learn from all and always shema to G-d. You are called to freedom and may keep any commandment you choose as long as you do not enter into self righteousness through your presumable obedience to His commandments. We are saved sinners! Trust in Him!

Hag 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

Romans 14:20 "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble." Wow, these chapters say a lot in this regard. I'll have to bring it up with the Rabbi to see what he says.

Can anyone make an argument that we shouldn't eat pork? I mean these 2 chapters are pretty clear to me that it doesn't matter anymore. Is it personal preference? Does it matter if your are Jew or Gentile? I'm being considered a Jew even though my Mom's not. They say even if either of your grandparents are, you are...

Genesis 9

God's Covenant With Noah

1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

The great-grandparents also count. Yosef and Y'hudah had Jewish sons by gentile woman. So, for example, Peretz ben-Y'hudah would be Peretz ben-Y'hudah-ben-Ya'akov-ben-Yitzchak.