Having To Return To Basics For a Minute: Who the Heck Are Messianic Jews, And Are They Really Jews?

Messianic Jews are Ethnic Jews who believe in Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah. Unlike Divorah and Adamlance (who are clearly Anti Messianic/"Anti Missionary"/"Counter Missionary") state here, Messianic Jews are Jews by birth but follow the Christian religion. Also, Messianic gentiles who call themselves "Messianic Jews" are gerim tzdukim (lit. "righteous strangers", converts, spiritual Jews) but not Ethnic Jews in any way, shape, form, fashion, circumstance, manner, or fashion (Granted that some "gentiles" may be Jewish and/or of Jewish descent and not know that they are such, but that is another discussion).

Christianity (Messianism) was originally a Jewish sect that did not part too much with traditional/mainstream/P'rushi/Pharisaical Judaism--as Pharisees were the dominant sectarians with Judaism, with Tzdukim (Zadokians, lit. "Righteous Ones"; Sadducees) being the second-most-dominant sectarians (See Ezekiel 44:15-16 and 48:11, for example). Nonetheless, there were Anti Messianics among the Non Messianic groups who even still--albeit begrudgingly--considered their Messianic counterparts as Jewish--albeit "minim" ("heretics"), "koferim" ("apostates"), and "meshumadim" ("baptized apostates").

However, when the Temple fell in 70 AD, the break between Non-Messianic (mainly P'rushi/Talmudic) and Messianic Jewish seemed final and irreparable.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Discuss:What_do_Messianic_Jews_believe_in#ixzz2fe88dM55
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Discuss:What_do_Messianic_Jews_believe_in#ixzz2fe88dM55

By the way, Adamlance is in an actively-homosexual relationship, which is forbidden in Tanakh (specifically, Torah).That he "live[s] in Las Vegas with [his] husband of 16 years" may explain why, in the words of Gamali'el, he is "fight[ing] against God".

I Had To Report Antimissionary Divorah To Answers.com Because...

She was using much of Answer.com's Judaism and Messianic Judaism questions to persecute, lie about, attempt to inflame, and derogatorily attack Messianic Jews. Some of the outright lies included lies on even the Law of Return. Divorah's lie about the Law of Return is underlined below.

According to Wikipedia:

Messianic Jews are only considered eligible for the State of Israel's Law of Return if they can also claim Jewish descent.^[26] An assistant to one of the two lawyers involved with an April 2008 Supreme Court of Israel case explained to the Jerusalem Post that Messianics who are not Jewish according to Jewish law, but who had sufficient Jewish descent to qualify under the Law of Return, could claim automatic new immigrant status and citizenship despite being Messianics.^[145]

The state of Israel grants Aliyah (right of return) and citizenship to Jews, and to those with Jewish parents or grandparents who are not considered Jews according to halacha, e.g. people who have a Jewish father but a non-Jewish mother. Specifically excluded were any “person who has been a Jew and has voluntarily changed his religion.” An Israeli Supreme Court decision in 1989 ruled that Messianic Judaism constituted another religion.^[146] However, on April 16, 2008, the Supreme Court of Israel ruled in a case brought by a number of Messianic Jews with Jewish fathers and grandfathers. Their applications for Aliyah had been rejected on the grounds that they were Messianic Jews. The argument was made by the applicants that they had never been Jews according to halacha, and were not therefore excluded by the conversion clause. This argument was upheld in the ruling.^{[145][147][148]}

Yes, the majority of Jews are offended by Messianics who are Christians, not Jews. This is supported by the fact that the Law of Return, which grants automatic Israeli citizenship to Jews and even the descendents of Jews (at least 1 Jewish grandparent), was modified to specify that Jews who become Messianics are not eligible to apply for citizenship as Jews. 

This being said, in the majority of Jewish communities around the world, when a a person who is born a Jew becomes a Messianic, it is met by sadness and pity by the rest of the community. This is because the individual is seen as having cut themselves off from the Jewish community and having renounced his or his path to HaShem (The Creator). There is always the underlying hope that these individuals will eventually find their way back to Judaism though.

As for Messianic organisations such as "Jews for Judaism", they are unanimously despised by all Jewish communities around the world.

In Case The Antimissonaries on Answers.com Keep Deleting the Correct Answers...

Why are Jews Jews?

In: Judaism [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

Jews are an ethno-religious group. Technically, a Jew is anyone either born of a Jewish mom or dad (as the first Jew was Isaac, thus making Jacob and Esau Patrilineal Jews, and their sons Patrilineal Jews; and the sons of Judah and Joseph Patrilineal Jews) or converted of his or her own free will and effort. A person's place of birth, or the level of their practice of Jewish law and tradition, are entirely irrelevant. 

Note: Most Reform communities will accept a child born to a non-Jewish mom and Jewish dad as Jewish if, and only if, the child is raised as a Jew. However, individuals raised in such a manner are not accepted as Jews by Conservative, Orthodox, and Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews. 


Note: Karaite Jews consider only Patrilineal Jews to be ethnic Jews. Karaite scholar Nehemia Gordon notes: 


Most Karaites believe in patrilineal descent, meaning that if your father is Jewish than you are Jewish. This is based primarily on the fact that all descent in the Bible goes according to the male line. Some Karaites believe that both parents must be Jewish. However, anyone who 1) is circumcised [males only], 2) accepts the God of Israel [YHWH] as their own God, and 3) accepts the People of Israel as their own people is a full-fledged Jew [Israelite], see Exodus 12,43-49 and Ruth 1,16.

Note: There are comments associated with this question. See the discussion page to add to the conversatio

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_Jews_Jews#ixzz1iuxnmxcP

Who or what are Anti- or Counter-Missionaries?

In: The Bible, Tanakh and Talmud, Jesus Christ [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

Anti- or Counter-Missionaries are staunchly-Non-Messianic and ardently-intolerant Jews who believe that any Jew who believes in the New Testament (called the Brit Hadashah by Messianic Jews) has become a gentile or was never Jewish enough to be Jewish in the first place. Anti- or Counter-Missionaries zealously believe Christianity (including Messianic Judaism) to be kofer (apostate), and will even lie about Messianic Jews and Messianic Jewish organizations to push the Anti-Missionary cause and proselytize Judaism. 
Anti- and Counter-Missionary lies include but are not limited to:

1. Jews for Jesus is a spinoff of the Southern Baptist Convention (whereas in reality, Jews for Jesus is a fully-independent, 501(c)3 Messianic Jewish organization founded by Martin "Moishe" Rosen, who happened to denominationally be a Southern Baptist at least at one point in his life. Moishe Rosen was also raised an Orthodox Jew in Denver, Colorado).
2. Congregation Yeshuat Yisrael in Franklin, Tennessee is a spinoff of the same (whereas it is actually also independent and just Messianic Jewish by denomination).
3. Messianic Jews are like Hitler, trying to wipe out the Jewish population.
4. Messianic Jews are like the Crusaders, Pogromists, and Inquisitors.
5. Once a Jew believes in the historical and Biblical Jesus of Nazareth, he or she is no longer a Jew.
6. Most "Messianic Jews" are or were never even Jews (which takes and twists the fact that some number of self-identifying "Messianic Jews" are indeed gentiles who falsely-- whether unintentionally or maliciously-- label themselves as Messianic Jews once they become denominationally Messianically Jewish or part of the spinoff "Hebrew Roots" movement).

Anti- and Counter-Missionary organizations include Jews for Judaism and JewFAQ. Anti- and Counter-Missionary individuals include Traci Rich (JewFAQ), Skylar Curtis, and answer.com's own Divorah. 

Non-Anti-Missionary and tolerant Non-Messianic Jews include Michael Medved and Dennis Prager.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_or_what_are_Anti-_or_Counter-Missionaries#ixzz1iuyCgvJo

Approximately how many Messianic Jews are there in the world?

In: Judaism, Statistical Information and Demographics [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

There is no exact or fair approximate count of how many Messianic Jews there are for several reasons. Among them: Many Messianic Jews do not know that they are Jewish and have Jewish heritage.Many Messianic Jews are not openly Jewish or openly Messianic Jewish.Many Messianic Jews are Patrilineally Jewish and otherwise"not Jewish enough" for the (for a lack of a better term) typical (Non-Messianic) Jewish person (even though Isaac was the first Jew, and Jacob and Esau were Patrilineal Jews; the sons of Jacob were one-fourth Patrilineally Jewish, and at least three of Jacob's sons had one-eighth Jewish, Patrilineally-Jewish children). 


Anti- and Counter-Missionary types of people do not consider Messianic Jews to be Jews. However, tolerant Non-Messianic Jews do consider Messianic Jews (even though they are in staunch disagreement with Messianic Jews) to be Jewish.

First answer by Divorah. Last edit by Nicole Czarnecki. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]. 

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Divorah is one of the notorious Antimissionaries.

What is judaism like today?

In: Judaism [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

For the most part, with few exceptions, Judaism is driven by one factor: anything but Jesus (Yeshua). Judaism increasingly has tended to be very Anti-Christian (Anti-Messianic, "Anti-Missionary") in nature. Otherwise, Judaism continues to be divided into divisions such as: 

1. Haredi-- Following Torah and the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) zealously, even to the point of seclusion from the rest of society.
2. Orthodox (including Modern Orthodox)-- Following Torah and the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) observantly to very zealously, but with little or no seclusion from the rest of society.
3. Conservative (Masorti)-- Following Torah and the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) in a traditionalist but not zealous sense. Conservative Jews do not believe in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
4. Reform (Liberal, Progressive)-- Following Torah and the Talmudim (Bavli and Yerushalaymi) as far as individual sanctity is concerned-- that is, following whatever they feel brings them closer to G-d. Reform Jews do not believe in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
5. Reconstructionist-- Founded by Mordechai Kaplan (a kohein) in 1920. Reconstructionist Jews are even more lax than Reform Jews in their belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
6. Humanistic Judaism-- Self explanatory and more liberal than Reconstructionist Judaism regarding belief in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the Talmudim.
7. Karaite-- Following only Torah and believing in the inerrancy or infallibility of Torah and the rest of Tanakh.

In terms of Anti-Missionary activity, for example: 

1. Haredi-- Yad L'Achim
2. Orthodox (including Modern Orthodox)-- JewFAQ and Jews For Judaism.
3. Conservative (Masorti)-- From the USCJ website, one could read an article where Messianic Jews were compared to Hitler in trying to wipe out the Jewish people.
4. Reform (Liberal, Progressive)-- The CCAR and their resolutions.
5. Reconstructionist-- No examples at this time.
6. Humanistic Judaism-- Da'at Emet, which is more against religious Judaism and religion than it is specifically Anti-Missionary.
7. Karaite-- No examples at this time.

First answer by Nicole Czarnecki. Last edit by Nicole Czarnecki. Question popularity: 0 [recommend question]. 

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Are traditional Jews offended by messianic Jews?

In: Judaism, Tanakh and Talmud [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

"Yes, the majority of Jews are offended by Messianics who are Christians, not Jews"-- so says Divorah. 
In truth, however, not all traditional Jews are offended by Messianic Jews (who are Jews who believe in the historical and New Testament Jesus as the Jewish Messiah). There are some traditional (Non-Messianic) Jews who may be or are in staunch disagreement with Messianic Jews and may or do even take offense to Messianic Judaism, but who are not offended by Messianic Jews. On the other hand, many traditional and non-traditional (including Reform) Non-Messianic Jews do take offense at Messianic Jews (the offense often being unprovoked and mainly because of the Messianic Jew's beliefs). 


Two examples of tolerant Non-Messianic Jews are Michael Medved and Denis Prager.

First answer by Divorah. Last edit by Nicole Czarnecki. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]. 

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Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_traditional_Jews_offended_by_messianic_Jews#ixzz1iuzBUROr


Re Jewish Presidents:

There've been three- Thomas Jefferson (who I just learned was a patrilineal Jew. See JoeSettler's blog.), Gerald Ford (nee Leslie Lynch King, Jr.; also a patrilineal Jew), and Barack Obama, whose mom Ann Dunham Soetoro was a Jew.By the way, Alexander Hamilton was Jewish and apparently a Levite.... Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_of_the_past_US_presidents_have_been_Jewish._Would_Hillary_be_the_first#ixzz1iuzcIb23

Do the Jewish have sacred texts?

In: Judaism [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

There are several texts considered sacred in Judaism. They include the 24 books of Tanakh (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim-- i.e., Law, Prophets, Writings). The 24 books of Tanakh are also the 39 books of the Christian (including Messianic Jewish) Old Testament.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_the_Jewish_have_sacred_texts#ixzz1iv06w2kD

What are the main sacred texts of judasim?

In: Judaism [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

They include, but are not limited to, Torah, Talmudim Bavli v'Yerushalayimi, and various P'rushi midrashim and gemerot.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_main_sacred_texts_of_judasim#ixzz1iv0nIvfd

Should Jews marry Jews?

In: Marriage, Judaism, Tanakh and Talmud [Edit categories]

Answer:

  

That a Jew would marry a fellow Jew would make the marriage between the two partners work. Jews are even supposed to marry cousins per Numbers (B'midbar) 36: 
" 5 And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: 'The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right. 6 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying: Let them be married to whom they think best; only into the family of the tribe of their father shall they be married. 7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall cleave every one to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers. 9 So shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall cleave each one to its own inheritance.' 10 Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad.11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons. 12 They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 13 These are the commandments and the ordinances, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. {P}"

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Should_Jews_marry_Jews#ixzz1iv0zIRas

Why don't Reform Jews keep kosher?

In: Judaism, Tanakh and Talmud [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

According to the Union of Reform Judaism, " Reform Judaism affirms my right, our right, to make those kinds of choices." That is, choices relating to Torah and Talmud. Thus, " Each aspect worked for some Jews, once upon a time, somewhere in our history. Each, therefore, has the potential to open up holiness for people in our time as well, and for me personally. However, each does not have equal claim on us, on me. Some (the agricultural laws, for instance) are no longer possible to observe. Others (the sacrificial laws, for instance) come from a social context so foreign to our own that it would be impossible to conceive modern people finding holiness in their revival." Therefore, some Reform Jews do not keep kosher due to that they are not "finding holiness in their revival" in doing so.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_don't_Reform_Jews_keep_kosher#ixzz1iv1Gh7sS

What might reform Jews do that orthodox Jews don't?

In: Judaism [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

According to FAQs.org, "Reform differs from the other major movements in that it views both the Oral and Written laws as a product of human hands (specifically, it views the Torah as Divinely inspired, but written in the language of the time in which it was given). The laws reflect their times, but contain many timeless truths. The Reform movement stresses retention of the key principles of Judaism (as it sees them; for details, consult the [5]Reform Reading List). As for practice, it strongly recommends individual study of the traditional practices; however, the adherent is free to follow only those practices that increase the sanctity of their relationship to G-d. Reform also stresses equality between the sexes." 
Thus, Reform Jews may be more lax in following Torah and Talmud-based halakhah whereas Orthodox Jews would not be as, if at all, lax in any way, shape, or form in following Torah and Talmud.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_might_reform_Jews_do_that_orthodox_Jews_don't#ixzz1iv1QIKae

How many Messianic Jews are there in Israel?

In: Judaism, Israel, Statistical Information and Demographics [Edit categories]

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Answer:

  

There are approximately 8,000 Messianic Jews known to be living throughout Israel. However, a true count is almost impossible for several reasons, INCLUDING THAT: 

1. Many Messianic Jews are unrightly considered to be Non-Messianic Jews by the Israeli government. 
2. Many Patrilineal and even Matrilineal Jews are already not considered Jewish enough to be counted as Jews. Couple that and their Messianic Jewishness, and they are left all the more uncounted as Jewish.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_Messianic_Jews_are_there_in_Israel#ixzz1iv28r05S


I hope that I got all of the answers that the Antimissionaries like Divorah keep trying to delete.