I am in a bit of a pickle so to speak ... I recently found out that I was born to a Jewish mother, of Jewish parentage, and was raised by a Catholic family (aunt and uncle) who took me in when my mother and grandparents died. I have been active in non-denominational church activities and beliefs. But strongly want to have the Judaeo-Christian connection/cohesion as basis for my beliefs. Where do I start??? There are no Messianic congregations anywhere near me that I know of.
I really need help with this, if you will ...
I have been to Israel twice and want to to go back. I love the country and its people and the heritage of the Jewish people. I identify with them.
There are no pickles so great that God cannot solve them. Start in the Bible, as you say in your bio. That must be a shock to discover this at age 62, but it should be a good shock in the final analysis. If you focus on what God thinks and not on what men think, then you should have no problem. Messianic congregations were formed for those with this kind of identity crisis, but to my way of thinking, forming a different congregation with a Jewish slant is not absolutely necessary to resolve this. I knew several people who were of Jewish descent in Christian congregations, and everyone called them Jewish and generally treated them with special respect. Orthodox rabbis would disagree here, but I believe that Jewishness is a matter of physical descent and that believing Jesus is the Messiah makes a Jewish person more aligned with his or her Jewish heritage than the one of Jewish descent that denies that the Messiah can be the Word of God made flesh.
Hey RG,
A lot of us would love to attend Messianic Congregations, but, alas, there are none near me either. (Have you googled it?)
So we hold it in our hearts (our love for Messianic Judaism) and know that there is a better way. (At least I can make that comment in this forum, cause elsewhere I would be booed.)
I will also add that Jews for Jesus has an excellent program that you could participate in where ever you are. It's called the "Co-Laborer in Messiah" program. I don't know the name of the coordinator any more however. The friend who lead it back when I participated is retired now. There's probably something on the JFJ website that will take you in the right direction.
Shalom, and welcome to the family!
I have been to Israel twice and want to to go back. I love the country and its people and the heritage of the Jewish people. I identify with them.
Then don't throw away that heritage by aligning yourself with a movement that is anathema to traditional Judaism. Go for the real thing.
You don't say where you are located, but I suggest you try the nearest Chabad Rabbi to you for advice. Go to
http://www.chabad.org/ and click on your location.
Good Luck!
I have been to Israel twice and want to to go back. I love the country and its people and the heritage of the Jewish people. I identify with them.
Then don't throw away that heritage by aligning yourself with a movement that is anathema to traditional Judaism. Go for the real thing.
You don't say where you are located, but I suggest you try the nearest Chabad Rabbi to you for advice. Go to
http://www.chabad.org/ and click on your location.
Good Luck!
Silly wabbit! Why go to Chabad, when Y'shua has the Words of Life!
Besides Chabad, there are a lot of tastes of Judaism off course. As long as it fits a certain seriousness about Jewish Law, you might up understanding Judaism better.
Two beliefs will stay difficult I know out off experiance with a lot of people.
If your mother is Jewish, The Almighty wants you to keep the laws as Mozes got them. There are always small arguments. But hey, Jesus, nor Peter or Jacob ate any pork... So go back to the standards I wish for you...
Good luck anyway.
RGValley Girl,
If you are Jewish by birth, then don't you think you owe it to yourself to at least find out what Judaism really is? Not what others or non-Jews tell you?
Start "In the Beginning". Learn Judaism first. Don't start with a "sequel" or a "part 2" if you haven't learned the original.
After that, the decision is yours.
May Hashem bless your journey to the truth.
And what is more Jewish than the Jewish Messiah?
We are talking about Biblical Judaism here, not the laws of man (ie rabbinic entrapment).
Shalom.
Hi RG,
Just a couple of suggestions.
On the Jews for Jesus site, you can sign up for a newsletter which might help a little.
There is also a newpaper called Messianic Times which you can subscribe at
http://www.messianictimes.com/
Jews for Jesus has an ingathering once a year for Jews who believe in Jesus. There is a west coast gathering in California. If you can get there, you will probably enjoy it.
The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America has special conferences and retreats also. You might want to check up on their website to see what they have going.
There are additional organizations which you can find on the web. Maybe others can mention some more.