I am hoping to write a series of articles about Messianic Judaism. My purpose is to tackle what it both is and is not as a movement. I also want to address what I feel are some of the major issues which we as a body need to address to move forward in our development.

I realize that many books and articles have been written about the Messianic Jewish movement. I am not trying to reinvent the wheel. If you want to read those books search the internet. One of my primary goals is to stir up discussion and debate among others both in the Messianic Jewish community and those who are on the outside, for example Christians.

I realize I am but one voice in the Messianic Jewish community; however I really want feedback from others on these articles, because we all need to have input into our growth and development.

The first step I believe is the need to identify Messianic Judaism. The need for identity is primary in all circumstances. A doctor cannot treat a patient until the problem has been identified. A researcher needs to identify the issue prior to conducting the research.

The Messianic Jewish movement currently finds itself in the midst of a rabid identity crisis. From its inception, Messianic Judaism’s primary goal has been to be a home and way of life for Jewish followers of Yeshua. However, if we are honest with ourselves we must admit that our efforts have largely been a failure. In the decades since our recent inception, we have not yet succeeded at creating a Messianic Jewish Movement.

In my opinion we need to realize that we are a Jewish movement first who happen to be Messianic. Rav Shaul (Paul) emphasizes that "The Good News…is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Rom 1:16).

He goes on to further state that “the people of Israel! They were made God’s children, the Shekhinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises; the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be HaShem forever! Amen. (Romans 9:4-5)

Paul argues in (Rom 11:1) "In that case, I say, isn’t it that God has repudiated his people?" Heaven forbid! For I myself am a son of Israel, from the seed of Avraham, of the tribe of Binyamin. Furthermore, verse 11 says "I say, isn’t it that they have stumbled with the result that they have permanently fallen away?" Heaven forbid! Quite the contrary, it is by means of their stumbling that the deliverance has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.

The point is that non-Jews who believe in Yeshua have been grafted into the olive tree which represents Israel. Therefore, I think it is important to call ourselves Jews first and Messianic secondary. Do I mean to diminish the importance of our belief in Yeshua? Heaven forbid!! I am simply suggesting that if we are to reach the Jews we must identify ourselves as Jews.

Part of the problem is that neither Jews nor Christians know how to relate to our movement. Jews look at us as Hebrew Christians which are not really Jews. Christians seem to look at us as people who are trying to obtain salvation by keeping the law. My goal is not to disparage Christians or Jews because I believe both groups have misconception of Messianic Judaism. There are many Christians who love Israel and the Jews and many Jews who have respect for Christians.

I think it is important to look at our similarities and differences within Judaism to come to grips as to which side of the fence we belong Jewish or Christian.

If you have any questions, comments, or any suggestions for future topics, please feel free to e-mail me at at this address.  You can also leave comments on Facebook once the articles are posted. I want to finally thank HaShem for all the glory goes to Him.  He gave me the strength and ability to write this article.  I am only a piece of clay in the hands of the Potter.

Baruch HaShem

Avraham Benjamin