Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments. I agree with what you are saying with the following exceptions:

There is inherent value in culture and tradition apart from Yeshua. We can’t — and shouldn’t attempt to — separate these things from our history and heritage as a people. That said, your point is well taken — culture and tradition shouldn’t “replace the agenda of Yeshua”. The place of culture and tradition must not supercede or supplant the Jews’ calling as Israel. (Some would argue that we can’t fulfull our calling as Jews without heavy emphasis on culture and tradition, but I beg to differ. Scripture is sufficient.)

I also take exception with your comment that “the true intent of the Torah… was to bring salvation by faith and obedience to His commandments.” The Torah was given to distinguish Israel from the nations. It was not given to “save” Israel, nor anyone else. Salvation does indeed come by faith, not obedience to Torah. Torah was also not given just so that Israel would have a set of commandments to obey. Israel’s obedience to Torah is a means to an end, and that end is her learning to love Adonai, love her neighbors, and her distinction among the nations in order to be the Messianic, priestly nation Adonai set her apart to be — to serve the nations in restoring them to Adonai through Yeshua.

Thanks again for your comments!

I also disagree with your statements that Jewish literature “offers a long standing interaction with Torah” and has some kind of “influence” on the “New Testament.” First, I personally find the Rabbis to have a superfluous interaction with Torah at best—it aids in the intellectual dissection (and occasionally destruction) of Torah, not its Scriptural application or fulfillment in Messiah. Second, if Jewish literature has “influenced” the “New Testament,” that threatens the “New Testament’s” very foundation as Scripture. Are you implying that the “New Testament” is merely another collection of Jewish literature and that the “New Testament” is not Scripture?

I am not challenging the intrinsic usefulness or value of Jewish literature in and of itself—only its usefulness or value in understanding Yeshua. I agree, Jewish literature is part of the Jewish conversation, but that doesn’t mean we have to spend a lot of time listening to it.

As I read your post I see several problems with what you are saying in an attempt to understand the Jewish back ground of the New Testament. But to me the question should be “what is Jewish literaure to the New Testament” and not “what good does it pose for us? In other words, Jewish literatire aisde from the Hebrew scriptures offers a long standing interaction with Torah for the jewish people. The problem is when we pit religious systems or writngs against one another then we come to conclusions that I do not think are right. One text - we cannot not understand what Paul means by the “3rd heaven” in 1 Cor. unless one understand the Jewish tradtions of levels of heaven revealed for mankind kind to know God, found in the Jewish litertaure of “3rd Enoch” and the Talmud (although I cannot right now tell you where). In Matthew 5:17-19 we are told about the importance of both the small and big commandment, and exact teaching as found in the Mishnaic book “Perke Avot.” Even the dual identity of Yeshua - priest and king - stood as part of the Jewish world with the Messiah of David and the Messiah of Aaron found in the “Testament of the Twelve Patriachs.”

The New Testament is part of Israel’s conversation on Torah and to remove it from the tradtion of people is to lose out on understanding how it developed. I certianly agree that there are things that New Testament followers would not embrace from Talmud or other Jewish books but to dismiss them out of hand is not good for us either. If we do not see ourselves as part of the Jewish conversations it just becomes “us and them” vis-a-via we are a “remant of the whole” and us is a pat of them and they are a part of us. If we think in terms of being “saved” then we further miss the connection to the literature of the Jewish people and its influence on the entirety of the New Testament. Adam

I mean, Time magazine writes an article that the Re-judaizing of Jesus will be one of the top 10 trends of the coming decade!!! And all you can do is complain.

very disappointing.

You see the difference here. I would agree with your point if Yeshua taught as those of Talmud/Rabbinic sources taught, but he did not. Yeshua quoted and taught from the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings; the Rabbis only quote and teach from themselves and others like them. Remember when the crowds gathered and were amazed at Yeshua’s teachings because HE DID NOT TEACH AS THE PHARISEES TAUGHT, HE TAUGHT AS HAVING AUTHORITY (Mat 7:29, Mar 1:22) Yeshua taught with the authority of Elohim, the Rabbis only taught with the authority of those that preceded them.

It is my utmost belief that the only contextual way to understand Yeshua’s teachings; in fact any teachings found in the Brit Chadasha, is through the lens of the written Torah of Elohim (and of course by the leading of the Ruach, which should go without saying). Shalom, sister in Yeshua, and may the Shalom and truth of our master Yeshua and the Elohim of Israel guide you in all ways.

Aaron

I give you credit because so many in the “messy-anic” movement would call such a comment as “anti-semitic”. I would say anti-semitic against who? Why is the “true Judaism” always referred to how one follows the Talmud and the rabbis, instead of of how one follows the true God and His Messiah Yeshua?

I applaud you Kevin, as you continue to inspire believers to realize that they do not need man’s “interpretations” to live a life dedicated to The Almighty. By allowing the Ruach to guide you and Yeshua as the example for you to live a life pleasing to the Father, is the personal relationship that He desires from all those who He calls His own.

May He bless you and keep you, and may He bring blessings to you and your family and on all of the work of your hands.

Aaron L.