Jesus the Jewish Messiah
Jesus the Jewish Messiah
BE FORWARNED! I’m about to drop a bombshell in a radio-shock jock kind of way (without the profanity). Don’t touch that dial! Hang in there and hear me out.
Sometimes the Yeshua (Jesus) that the Roman Catholic Church and even at times the Modern Day Protestant Christian Church depicts is a very Westernized, Romanesque version and barely, if at all resembled who He really is as the Jewish Messiah.
Don’t Ask WWJD, Just DWYD (Do What Yeshua Did)
II Thess. 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for except there come a falling away first, and that the man of sin revealed…”
I Jn.3:4 Defines what sin is. “Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law (Torah) for sin is the transgression of the law (Torah).”
Mt.7:21-23 “Not everyone that says, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
What is the “will” of the Father? Torah!
Verse 22: Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? And in Your Name cast out demons? And in Your Name done wonderful works?” Verse 23: And then I will profess unto them, “I never knew (Hebrew: have been intimate with) you: depart from me you that work iniquity (Torahlessness).”
Iniquity is defined as, “Lawlessness” (Torahlessness) Greek: Anomia. A = Anti, against or another. Nomia = law. (Strong’s: 458)
The “Jesus” of Catholicism and Christianity is seen as a Leonardo Divinci painting, a Hellenistic, Greco-Roman looking, toga wearing, longhaired, fair skinned, blue eyed, British speaking, zombified, hippy guru and rebel, who came and did away with Torah (Law), and started a strange new religion. Like a bad fashion episode of, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” make over, they have turned Yeshua into something He is not.
It’s like calling Dr. Phil the Messiah yet painting him to look like Sigmund Freud, and taking, and reading Dr. Phil’s books and yet not doing one thing he said to do, and on top of that interpret what he has said as to say something entirely different from what he meant.
This is NOT my Messiah! This is NOT the Jews’ Messiah! I hope that it is not YOUR Messiah. This, according to II Thess. 2:3-12, is a description of the anti-Messiah (anti-Christ)! It is no wonder that the Jewish people will not accept this “Jesus” Christianity portrays as the Messiah. And rightly so, because He is NOT! The Jews look at the Tanak (“Old Testament”) and it tells what their Messiah is supposed to be like, and they see the “Jesus” portrayed in Catholicism and Christianity, and immediately dismiss him. Why? Because the “Jesus” they see does not line up with the Torah (Law).
Most Catholics and Christians today believe and claim that the Law has been abolished by the work of Christ on the cross. However, this “Christ” Himself, who died on that cross, said this about the Law.
Mt.5:17-20 “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law (Torah) or the Prophets: (Nevi’im) (Both are the Tanak or the “Old Testament”) I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.” The word fulfill in v.17 does NOT mean, to complete, as in, to put an end to something. It DOES mean to fill up, to bring and render its full and complete meaning, to perform. In other words, Yeshua came to show us the true meaning of the Torah so we could live it out as He did. In Yeshiva, when Jewish students are learning to interpret Torah, in Yeshua’s day and now, a Rabbi would give a passage for the students to interpret and the students would go away and hash out the passage, and then would come back to the Rabbi, excited and full of zeal, and say, “Rabbi, this is what this passage means!” If they would give a wrong answer, the Rabbi would say, “No, you have abolished or made void the Torah by your interpretation!” Then the students would go and study the passage again and come back meeker and say, “Rabbi, we believe the passage means this.” If they were correct the Rabbi would say, “Well done, you have brought fulfillment to the Torah, you have given this passage its full and correct meaning.” I believe that this known custom is what Yeshiva was drawing from when He said this. V.18 For verily (Truly, Most assuredly) I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass…[Get up right now and look out side. Is the sky still up there? Is the earth still out there?]…not one jot… (Jot is “Yod” in Hebrew, the smallest letter that looks like an apostrophe.) … or one tittle… (Tittle is the tiniest extension of the Hebrew letter “Dalet,” that differentiates it from another similar Hebrew letter, the “Resh.” It can also refer to the decorative flare on any given Hebrew letter.) …shall in NO wise pass from the Law (Torah) till ALL be fulfilled (performed fully and all come into its full and complete meaning, understanding and practice).
Again, the term to “fulfill the Law” is not foreign to Judaism. It is a phrase used quite regualarly in Yeshivah’s (Jewish schools) world wide. When a student gives a correct interpretation to a passage of Torah the teacher proudly exclaims, “You have fulfilled the Law.” Meaning that the student brought the passages into its full and complete meaning and understanding.
Reverand Moorehead concurs:
“Some understanding of Yeshua's words needs to be expressed. The terms 'destroy the law' and 'fulfill the law' are Pharisaic arguments. When someone disagrees with a Torah teacher they accused him of 'destroying the law' even on a little point. Usually the teacher will respond that he is 'fulfilling the law' by correctly interpreting it. Thus Yeshua was responding to those who disagreed with his teaching by saying that he was correctly interpreting or establishing the law and thus, 'fulfilling the law'. Yeshua said that not one jot (an apostrophe-like a Hebrew letter known as a yod) or a tittle (a Hebrew decoration atop the letter) would pass away until heaven and earth pass. Since Heaven and Earth are still here in its current form, I would say that the Torah is still in effect. Verse 19 is a sobering warning to those who teach others to break any commandment in the Torah. To teach others to break even the least of these commandments would result in being called the least in the kingdom of God. This is one example of what can happen when teaching others to break God's Torah. God did not say they will lose their salvation, but they will still pay a price. God help those who are teaching others to break the larger Torah commandments. By the way the least of the commandments is mentioned in Deut 22:6-7. It was forbidden to take the mother bird and her offspring at the same time for food. Later this was also taught that you could not even take the eggs or offspring in front of the mother bird. This showed God's compassion to ease the anguish of animals when they lose their young. The last part of Yeshua's teaching here says that if you do and teach the Torah, you shall be great in the kingdom of God. Let us be careful not to condemn the Torah as so many have and teach it instead.
Remember that Yeshua was an observant Jew. He was sinless. If he violated any part of Torah he would not have been sinless and thus could not be the Lamb of God. Yeshua followed the Torah perfectly!” – Law vs. Grace by Rev. Allan Moorehead
V.19 Whosoever therefore shall break (Greek: to loose or destroy) one of the least commandments (according to the ancient rabbis, Deuteronomy 22:6 is the least of all commandments, concerning the disturbance of a birds nest), and teaches men so… (“Ah, go ahead, it’s alright, we’re not under the Law anymore, but under Grace.”) …he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall DO and TEACH; the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Verse 20: For I say unto you that except your righteousness … (Not the righteousness of Messiah bestowed upon a believer, but YOUR righteousness, meaning your works!)… shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees… (Performing all the commandments with ALL your heart and mean it! Not only on the outside, but on the inside as well)… you will in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven. Verse 20 of Matthew chapter 5 mentions righteousness and connects it with works. Although we are not saved by works, but by faith in Messiah's sacrificial death in our place, we must prove, show, and back up our faith by our faith-full-ness to His Torah. Speaking of Torah, Yeshua said in John 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, (The Living Torah) for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words (Which are no different from the Written Torah)?”
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Messiah and ADONAI are One (Jn.17) so Yeshua’s commandments are no different from GOD the Father’s. So Yeshua did not teach anything new, He just taught Torah, and taught us how to live it correctly.
James 1:22 “Be DOERS of the WORD (Torah) and not hearers only…” v25b “…a DOER of the word, this man will be blessed in his deed.” (Deut.27-28) James 2:17-18 “Even so FAITH, if it hath not WORKS is dead being alone. Yes, a man may say, “You have faith, I have works: show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith BY my works.””
Yeshua and all the Apostles were Torah observant, and because Yeshua was Torah observant, I don’t have to ask myself, W.W.J.D? (What Would Jesus Do?) I simply D.W.Y.D.! (Do What Yeshua Did!)
There were two schools of Jewish thought. The school of Hillel and the school of Shami. Hillel was conservative. Shami was ultra conservative. Yeshua sided with Hillel and agreed with everything the Pharisees (which was from the school of Hillel) taught, except, on the issue of divorce, (Mt. 19:1-9) and the issue of tradition, oral torah and rabbinic law, which at times nullified the Torah. (Mk. 7:1-13) Yeshua even kept traditions except when it conflicted with Torah itself. (Lk. 2:52) During the “Last Supper” Messiah held a Passover Seder for His Talmidim (disciples) and made the traditional blessings over the tirosh (non alcoholic grape juice) and matzah, (for everything even the wine was without yeast or leaven) and followed the traditional order of the Passover Seder haggadah (the program and order of the Seder).
All of the Apostles were Torah observant; all His followers were Torah observant as well. Let’s take a look. Acts 21:20 talks about how they were all ZEALOUS for the TORAH!
Jim Myers has this to say concerning the early Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua, from his article, “Would Your Church Really Allow You To Be Like Jesus?” Found at: http://www.biblicalheritage.org/Jesus/would.htm
“The book of Acts provides us with some very valuable information. Acts 21:17-25 records Paul's return to Jerusalem and his meeting with the leaders of the "church." Keep in mind that these were the men who had been personally taught by and lived with Jesus. Their words provide us with some very enlightening information. The translation given below is based on a cultural and historical methodology. Your translation most probably reflects the doctrines of the Roman church and therefore may differ.
"You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have become faithful (observant). All of them are zealous for the Torah (Law). They have been informed that you have taught the Jews of the Diaspora to not keep the Torah, that they should not circumcise their children or live according to the Jewish religion.... Take these men and do the following... so that everybody will know that there is no truth in these reports about your teachings, but that you yourself are living an observant lifestyle and keeping the Torah."
A quick summary provides us with some very significant information. Is your church producing the same results?
(1) Jews became more faithful (observant) Jews because of the message.
(2) They became zealous for the Torah (Law).
(3) They kept the Laws of Moses (the Torah).
(4) They circumcised their children.
(5) They lived according to the traditions (Jewish religion).
Notice that Paul did as he was requested - he wasn't teaching the Jews to abandon their religion. Paul was "under the law" and lived an observant lifestyle. How then could he have been the author of a doctrine that advocated rejecting the law?
I don't mean to linger on this point forever, but are you really getting the importance of this message?
(1) The message of the apostles caused Jews to repent and become observant Jews who practiced Judaism faithfully.
(2) The apostles were causing Jews to become eager for the Torah and to pursue it with fervor. It is clear that they were not teaching them that "they were under grace and no longer under the law." This one point is in complete opposition to most fundamental teaching of every modern Christian doctrine.
(3) The Jewish members of the early church continued to circumcise their children. In other words, they continued to see themselves as participants in the Abrahamic Covenant, just as every practicing Jew does today. Their children were Jews, not members of some new mystical religion that replaced Judaism.
(4) The Jewish members of the early church continued to practice Judaism. They did not switch to a new religion.”
Further examples of the Torah observant lifestyle of the apostles:
Kefa (Peter) – prayed Mincha (afternoon) prayers and he kept kosher. (Acts 10)
Rav Sha’ul (Paul) – said “I am (not was) a Pharisee…” He kept the traditions and customs of the Jewish people. (Acts 23:5-6, 28:17)
He made a sacrificial offering at the Temple after Yeshua’s death and resurrection. (Acts 21:17-26)
One day the temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will resume. During the millennial reign of Messiah, everyone will keep the Feasts (Isa.66:22-24). Yeshua said he didn’t come for the ones who were already keeping Torah, He came for the ones who did not keep Torah. (Mt. 9:9-13, Mk. 2:13-17, Lk. 5:27-32) These are but a few examples.
Daniel 7:25 is giving a description of the Anti (against or another)-Messiah.
“He shall speak great words against the Most High (How? By speaking against His Words, His Torah!) and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change TIMES (the Feast of the LORD, Lev. 23) and LAWS (Torah) (Forbidding Sabbath observance and Biblical Festivals, and enforcing Christianized pagan holidays, like Christmas and Easter just like the “Christian” Roman Emperor Constantine did!), and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of times.”
How many Catholics and Christians today are Torah observant? How many keep all of the Feasts commanded by the LORD in Leviticus 23? Almost none! Most Catholics and Christians keep Sunday, not Sabbath. Most Catholics and Christians go by a Roman solar calendar, instead of the traditional Hebrew lunar one. Most Catholics and Christians keep pagan rooted holidays (Christmas and Easter etc.) instead of the Feasts of the LORD.
The Anti-Messiah (Anti-Christ) is called the man of lawlessness or we could say, Torahlessness (2 Thes. 2:3-12). Because of this, I believe many Catholics and Christians will be deceived. He will agree with the majority of Catholicism and Christianity and say that the Torah has been done away with. Remember, sin is anything against the Torah, (I Jn.3:4) God’s standards for holiness.
Matthew 24:24 tells that the Anti-Messiah (if it were possible will deceive the very elect!), he will not show up with horns, pitchfork, pointed tail, with 666 blazing across his forehead. He could not fool anyone like that. No, he will look just like the “Jesus” of Catholicism and Christianity, working miracles, making peace everywhere, changing laws and holy day observances, making Temple worship to cease as if to say, “I am the Messiah. You don’t have to sacrifice anymore, I’m here, and I have fulfilled it all (Mt.24:15, Dan. 9:27; 12:11)!” All because Most Catholics and Christians believe today that most, if not all, the Torah was done away with in the death of Christ. NO! The penalty of death has been done away with, NOT the LAW itself! (Rom.7:7-13; 24-25)
Matthew 5:17-20 paints the TRUE picture of the Messiah, that non-believing Jews NEED and MUST see! Are you “Taking The LORD’s Name in vain” by living like the Catholic and Christian “Jesus”, contrary to His Word, Thus Soiling His Name? Or, are you living like Yeshua, the Jewish, Torah observant Messiah? Will you, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may SEE YOUR good WORKS, and glorify your Father in heaven (Mt.5:16).”
So, is “Jesus” the Anti-Christ? Well, that depends on how YOU present Him.
So what is the Jewish Messiah REALLY like? Let’s take a look...
Who is Yeshua the Messiah?
What is Jesus’ Real Name?
Don’t get me wrong, when some one says, “Jesus”, I know whom they are talking about. But it is as if some one came up to me and said, “You know who Former President Bush is? He’s that Hip-Hop, East coast, rapp’n, gangsta, thug, who was the leader of the Free World.” I know who they are talking about, but I also know that is not who Former President Bush really is. Somewhere, somehow, that person got the wrong idea or impression about Former President Bush. It is the same with Yeshua Ha Moshiach (the Messiah). I know when people say, “Jesus Christ,” I know whom they are referring to, but the picture most Catholics and Christians paint in describing Him is not whom He really is! The “traditional” paintings of “Jesus” we see today look like Kenny Loggins! As far as His name is concerned, I prefer to say Yeshua, because “Jesus” is not even a real name. “Jesus” is NOT His Name. “Jesus” is a Greek grammatical, syntaxual transliteration of Yeshua. In the Greek translation of Scripture Yeshua in Hebrew becomes Iesous (Jesus). In the Septuagint, the Greek Translation of the Tanak (Old Testament), the Book of Joshua is called the book of Iesous by the Jewish translators themselves. My question is, why then do we not call Joshua of the Tanak Jesus, too? Or, visa versa, why do we not call Jesus the Messiah, Joshua the Messiah? Better yet? Why do we not call both by their Hebrew name anyway, Yeshua!? Jesus leaves a very bad taste in Jewish mouths so I say, Yeshua. Yeshua Himself said, “I am come in My Father’s Name. (Jn.5:45) And, we know through the Psalms that “Yah” is the first half of the divine name of God, though we do not know for sure how to pronounce the last half. Hence, in reference to the Messiah, some say it is “YAH-shua”, and some say “Yeshua”.
“Dr. Daniel Botkin writes that the name Yahshua didn’t come onto the scene until 1936 and by people that didn’t really know Hebrew. Dr. Ben-Gigi says, ‘there is no such name in Hebrew’ and that people invented ‘the name Yahshua to fit their theology.’”-- http://www.seedofabraham.net/jesusyeshua.html
It’s one of the big mysteries in Christianity and Messianic/Natsari Judaism is the alleged cover up of Yeshua the Messiah’s Hebrew Name. There are a lot of religious conspiracy theorists out there who claim this. I use to believe it too because of all the Anti-Semetic and Anti-Nomian garbage that has made its way into the English versions of the Brit Chadasha (New Testament).
We know that the Messiah’s Name, “Yeshua” is shortened form of the Hebrew, “Yehoshuah (Joshua)” but why in the Greek Septuagint they used “Joshua” but for the Greek New Testament they call, Yeshua/Joshua; Jesus!?
I am by no means fluent in Koine Greek or Hebrew. Heck, I’m not the greatest of my mother tongue, English! But I have taken Koine Greek and Biblical Hebrew in College and I am increasing my knowledge and proficiency in the languages one day at a time and I discovered how they got Jesus out of Yeshua.
Since Yeshua means, “Yah’s Salvation.” I use to say, “Why not make the Greek name of Messiah, “Theo-Sotar” (which is Greek for “God’s Salvation”) to symbolize Yeshua’s Name in the Greek? But I believe I have discovered why the translators did what they did, and it wasn’t to hide the Hebrew Name of Messiah, nor was it to secretly link Messiah to Zeus as I have heard and read by many Hebrew Roots believing circles. On the contrary, it was, I believe to distinguish Messiah’s Name from other Joshua’s.
My thoughts are confirmed by this author of this website:
“The reason that the interpreters made the mistake is because the Greek translation of Jesus and Joshua are exactly the same. The same translation is used in the Septuagint (for the name of Joshua) as in the Greek scriptures of the New Testament. I'm just guessing that somewhere along the line, someone thought that the Lord's name should be distinguishable from the other "Joshuas" in the Bible (because there are others). I'm just guessing on that one. I also guess that Anglo Saxons, fresh from defeat at the Crusades, were willing to give the Lord a more Englishly pleasing name than, Yeshua (I'm using the more modern name and the one recognized worldwide as our Lord's true name in Hebrew), which had (and has) a Middle Eastern sound to it.” -- http://www.wheres-the-church.com/yhoshua.html
In the Septuagint the translators transliterated the Hebrew name Yehoshuah to sound as close to the Hebrew as possible in the Greek and thus we get in the English; Joshua. Now so as not to confuse the Old Testament Joshua with the Messiah or any other Joshua for that matter the translators translated Yehoshuah into Greek. They took the Hebrew Yud and made it a Greek Iota. The Shin became a Sigma and the Vav became an Omicron-Upsilon and it is necessary for a final sigma to be placed at the end of the word to distinguish that the name is masculine. Greek grammar rules require that the Hebrew Ayin, the “ah” sound be dropped and BAMB! Yeshua becomes Jesus in the English.
“Dr. Daniel Botkin pinpoints the interchangeableness of the names Joshua and Jesus noting that Neh. 8:17 has Yeshua (Jesus) for Yehoshua (Joshua). Joshua’s name in Greek is (also) Yeasous and is seen in the Septuagint (Josh. 1:12; 2:11; 3:1; 4:4, etc.) which predates the Messiah’s birth by more than 200 years. Botkin also says that this too is proof that ‘Yesous has no connection to Zeus’ for the Jewish Sages who wrote the Septuagint would have been well aware of the pagan god by that name and wouldn’t have used those Greek letters to form Joshua’s name with it if they thought there was a connection to it or to ‘Hail Zeus!’ as some infer.”-- http://www.seedofabraham.net/jesusyeshua.html
I use Messiah’s Hebrew Name, Yeshua Ha Moshiach. But even though this issue of Yeshua to Jesus has caused a lot of confusion in religious circles today I pray that a little knowledge of the languages involved we can see how Yeshua became Jesus.
Yeshua, “Jesus’” REAL Hebrew Name that his Mommy and Daddy called Him by, means, “Yah’s salvation.” “Jesus” is in essence a made up name. Yeshua’s English equivalent is Joshua. Even in the Septuagint (Greek version of the Tanak) the book of Joshua is called, “Jesus”. In addition, “Christ” is not His last name. “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the term “Messiah” which means “Anointed”.
As it turns out in the Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts from which the HRV (Hebrew Roots Version), is translated two versions of Messiah’s name are used, and that is Yeshua and Yahushua.
“Yeshu – This is a very controversial and somewhat
misunderstood word. The Hebrew name Yeshua is pronounced in
Aramaic as "Yeshu" or "Ishu" (depending on the Aramaic
dialect). In Aramaic this final AYIN is silent. Now if one wanted to
transliterate the Aramaic pronunciation of "Yeshua" into Hebrew
letters in a Hebrew document then one would do so by dropping the AYIN. The original followers of Yeshua may have seen in these three
letters an acronym taken from the first letters of a series of words of
a Messianic prophecy in Gen. 49:10. Perhaps in reaction to this
Rabbinic Judaism created its own acronym from the same letters spelling a Hebrew phrase meaning "may the name be blotted out forever." Unfortunately this derogatory acronym has been largely been mistaken as the origin of "Yeshu" rather than the more obvious fact that "Yeshu" is the Aramaic pronunciation of Yeshua.
Yahushua (KJV "Joshua") (Strong's # 3091) – This
is the name for Messiah which appears in the Munster Hebrew text of
Hebrews and in at least some places in the manuscript which served as
the source for Munster's Hebrew text of Matthew. This is the same
name as that of "Joshua" of the book of "Joshua" in the
Tanak. The Masoretic Text transliterates all names which begin with the "tri-gammaton" (first three letters of the Sacred name) as
"Yeho-" but all names which end in the tri-grammaton as
"-yahu". This is because the Masorites transplanted the vowels
from the Hebrew word ELOAH ("God") into the name YHWH forming
the word YeHoWaH. These same Masorites transplanted these same vowels into names that started with the tri-grammaton while (for whatever reason) neglecting to make this revision to names that ended in the tri-grammaton. In the HRV we have restored "Yahu-" to the
beginning of these words rather than the Masoretic "Yeho-".
-- “Yeshua or Yahushua,” Rabbi James Scott Trimm
I would like to quote extensively from a booklet by Rabbi Daniel Harris and comment here and there regarding his work about the Jewish Messiah:
The Jewish Messiah
“For too long now has the true identity of the Messiah been concealed. For centuries, He has been grossly misrepresented as a white, European “Christ,” who came to deliver man from the “bondage and burden of the old law” (i.e. the Torah) and to start a new religion called, “Christianity.” As modern day Netzarim (“Nazarenes”-Acts 24:5), it is our intention to represent a more authentic and biblically accurate portrayal of the One Who upheld the Law of G-d, fully identified Himself as an orthodox Jew and zealously practiced first century Judaism, Yeshua HaMashiach, Yeshua the Messiah.
If you could go back in time and see how He looked, how He dressed and how He practiced His religion, you would see a Jewish man with Semitic features, who had a full beard (Isaiah 50:6) and wore a kippah on His head at all times (Leviticus 10:6; 21:10. Ezekiel 24:23). He would have dressed modestly and fringes would be attached to the four corners of His garment in accordance with the Torah and Jewish tradition (Numbers 15:37-41). He spoke the Aramaic and Hebrew language (not Greek as most “New Testament” translations are based on). He ate a strictly kosher diet (Leviticus 11) and regularly attended synagogue services. He kept the biblical seventh day Sabbath (Exodus 20:8) and led a Jewishly Torah observant life in general.
How is it then that the main religion in America which claims to follow His ways and promote His Message, bears no resemblance whatsoever to the religion which the Messiah Himself practiced and taught? If it was good enough for Him, isn’t it good enough for us? If He observed the seventh day Sabbath, why then is the first day of the week observed? If He upheld the Torah, why then is it taught that He came to do away with it?
Isn’t it time to unbiasly re-analyze the life, religion and practice of the historical Yeshua HaNetzri (Yeshua the Nazarene, Matthew 2:23)?
TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION
Yeshua was born into the tribe of Y’hudah (Judah), one of the twelve Jewish tribes of Israel. Matthew 1:2, “Avraham begat Yitzchak, Yitzchak begat Ya’akov, Ya’akov begat Y’hudah and his brothers.” Hebrews 7:14, “For it is evident that our L-rd sprang out of Y’hudah….” Revelation 5:5, “Behold, the Lion, from the tribe of Y’hudah, the root of David….”
HIS REAL NAME, HIS HEBREW NAME
His Jewish parents gave Him a Jewish Name, “Yeshua.” Matthew 1:21, “And behold, she will bear a Son and you will call His Name, ‘Yeshua;’ for He will save His people from all their sins.” “Jesus” is the anglicized pronunciation of the Greek name, “Iasous.”There is no “J” pronunciation in Hebrew. His parents, His tal’midim (disciples) and we today call Him by His given Name, “Yeshua.”
SIGN OF THE COVENANT
Yeshua underwent B’rit Milah (circumcision) eight days after His birth as prescribed by the Torah. Genesis 17:10-12, “This is My Covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your seed after you; Every man child among you shall be circumcised….And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised.” Luke 2:21, “And when eight days had passed so that the boy could be circumcised, His Name was called ‘Yeshua’.…” It is a Jewish tradition to publicly announce a Jewish boy’s Hebrew name at his B’rit.”--The Jewish Messiah, Rabbi Daniel G. Harris
BAR MITZVAH
The life of Messiah from the “manger” to the start of his public ministry at the wedding at Canaan where he preformed His first recorded miracle, turning the water into wine, is a mysterious one. The silence of Canonical Scripture has spawned many legends and Apocryphal documents, most of which were written not by Natsari Jews, but Gentile Roman-esk, anti-Torah, Constantinian “Christians” and it clearly shows in their writings. Much of what they say contradicts the Brit Chadashah itself, such as young Jesus getting even with the neighborhood boys by turning them into things, making clay animals come to life, etc. (The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ: XV, XVII) However, there are some clues into Yeshua’s life from the Manger to the wedding as recorded in what is called the Archko Volume, which are the writings of the Sanhedrin and the Talmud. Some of these documents are interviews and investigations commanded by the Sanhedrin to find out more about who this Yeshua of Nazareth was. The Shepherds who were the first to receive the proclamation of Messiah’s birth were interviewed; Mary and Joseph were interviewed by the famous Gamaliel, the teacher of Rav Sha’ul (Apostle Paul). These are very intriguing documents. Although I read these documents with some trepidation as more than likely, they have been altered from the original to attempt to shed an unfavorable view of Yeshua and his family in an attempt to discredit Him as any sort of Messiah.
Many wonder about Yeshua’s education, as most all Jewish boys went to a Yeshiva or had a personal tutor in the ways of Torah. All we see of Yeshua’s childhood is when during Pesach he ditches his parents and is found in the Temple in weighty conversation regarding the Torah with the Rabbis and Scribes. This occurred when he was 12 years of age.
Luke 2:41-52
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
This is considered Yeshua’s Bar Mitzvah, before Bar Mitzvahs, as we know it today, were invented. Rabbi Jeffery Salkin said:
“None of the great Jews of antiquity – Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Rabbi Akiva – had Bar Mitzvah ceremonies. As a status, Bar Mitzvah comes into the Jewish world in the second century of the Common Era.”
According to Gamaliel’s interview with Mary and Joseph regarding Yeshua’s education said,
“His parents told me of an old man who lived on the road to Bethany who had once been a priest, a man of great learning, and well skilled in the laws and prophets, and Jesus was often there with him reading the law (Torah) and the prophets together; that his name was Massalian…” –The Archko Volume pg.87
Massalian is recorded as saying of Yeshua’s character:
“…He was a young man of the finest thought and feeling he ever saw in his life; that he was the most apt in his answers and solutions of difficult problems of any man of his age he had ever seen; that his answers seem to give more universal satisfaction – so much so that the oldest philosopher would not dispute with him, or in any manner join issue with him, or ask a second time” – The Archko Volume pg 87
Regarding Yeshua’s teaching Massalian said:
“His mother said that he had always known how to read the law (Torah); that his mind seemed to master it from the beginning; and into the laws of nature and the relation of man to his fellow in his teachings of talks, he gives deeper insight, inspiring mutual love and strengthening the common trust of society.” – The Archko Volume pg 87-88
“Through Jesus, in his teachings or talks (his words sound so much like the teachings of Hillel or Shammai that I must call it teaching, though he has no special scholars),” - The Archko Volume pg.89
This backs up the fact that Yeshua was skilled and proficient in the two major schools of thought in His day, the school of Hillel, which he sided more with, and the school of Shammai; and this shows in the records of the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). It may interest one to know that the school of Hillel was actually considered liberal and the school of Shammai was considered conservative.
Further, in the document it says:
“Massalian is a man of very deep thought and profound judgment. All his life he has made the Scripture his study. He, too, is a good judge of human nature, and is satisfied that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Christ (Messiah). He said that Jesus seemed to understand the prophecy by intuition.”
I don’t think we can know for absolute certainty if these testimonies are absolutely true, but they are fascinating to contemplate, nonetheless, and as always, I weigh what is said against the Torah and the documents of the Brit Chadashah. If what is found in extra-biblical sources backs up what is in the “Canonical Scriptures,” I tend to accept what is said therein.
“Yeshua was taught at an early age to observe the Jewish holidays, to be zealous in attending the Temple and synagogue services and learning the Torah. Luke 2:40-42, 46, 47, “And the child grew and became strong in spirit and was filled with wisdom and the favor of Eloah (God) was upon Him. And His people, during every year went to Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem) for the celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, of Pesach (Passover). And when He was twelve years old, they went up as they were accustomed for the celebration. And after three days, they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. And He was listening to them and questioning them. And all those who heard Him were amazed at His Wisdom and His answers.” *Where are the hearts of our twelve year olds today?*
It is interesting to note that Yeshua received His Torah education from Jewish rabbis, just as Rav Shaul did (i.e. “Apostle Paul” ~ Acts 22:3).
MAGGID: A JEWISH PREACHER
Yeshua began His ministry by preaching the Jewish concept of Mik’vat Teshuvah (Immersion of Repentance), which was an already well known Jewish doctrine. Exodus 29:4, “And Aharon and his sons you shall bring to the door of the Tent of Meeting and shall immerse them in water.” Luke 3:3, “And He came into the entire region that was around the Yarden, proclaiming the Immersion of Repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Many of Yeshua’s parables and teachings were not His own but were direct quotes or paraphrases from the Torah and His rabbinic contemporaries. A parable from Midrash Shir HaShirim: “Once upon a time, there was a king who had a desire to plant a beautiful garden. He instructed his servants to procure the finest seed, to till the land and prepare it for planting. After the planting was done, the king entrusted the garden to a tenant to watch over the land and to care for the newly budding flowers. Some time later, the king returned to inspect his garden. Much to his dismay, he found it completely overgrown with thorns and thistles. He immediately ordered everything to be destroyed.
It was then that he noticed, intertwined among the thorns and thistles, one very beautiful and solitary rose. From the very center of its petals, came the sweetest fragrance. He inhaled its scent and its fragrance was so lovely that his anger subsided and his good mood returned. Yet so intertwined was the rose amongst the thorns, that even if one thorny bush was touched, the rose would surely perish. ‘For the sake of the rose,’ he declared,’ let the whole garden be spared.’”
Now see how astonishingly similar this parable is to Yeshua’s in Matthew 13:24-30, “Yet another parable put He forth to them, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is comparable to a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came in and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the blade grew up, and produced the fruit, then appeared there the tares also. So the servants of the householder came near and said to him, ‘My master, did you not sow good seed in your field? From where then came the tares into it? And he said to them, ‘A man that is a enemy has done this.’ Then the servants said to him, ‘Will you that we go and gather them up?’ But he said. ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather first the tares and bind them in bundles for burning but gather the wheat into the floor.” It only stands to reason that Yeshua’s Jewish education which He received from His rabbinic teachers would often be reflected in His own ministry.
FAITHFUL SYNAGOGUE MEMBER
Yeshua did not go to “church” or “Sun-Day School.” He was a regular and faithful member of the synagogue. He was especially careful to attend synagogue services on the Sabbath day (i.e. the 7th day Sabbath, Saturday).
A popular misconception is that a synagogue is a “Jewish church.” However, this is far from the case. The differences between the church and the synagogue are substantial. Yeshua attended the same synagogues that the P’rushim (Pharisees) attended and He was not even the rabbi there; He actually sat under a rabbi! What an example for us! Luke 2:46, “And after three days, they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. And He was listening to them and questioning them.”
Matthew 12:9, “And when He had passed over from there, He entered into their synagogue.” Matthew 13:54, “And when He had come into His native land, He taught them in their synagogues.…” Mark 1:21, “And when they entered K’far-Nachum, immediately He was teaching on the Sabbath in their synagogues.” Mark 3:1, “And Yeshua again entered into the synagogue.…” Mark 6:2, “And when the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue….” Luke 4:16, “And He came to Natzeret where He had been raised. And He entered the synagogue as He was accustomed, on the day of the Sabbath. John 6:59, “These things He said in the synagogue while teaching in K’far-Nachum.” John 18:20, “I spoke in the open with the people and I always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple….”
It is quite apparent to those who are familiar with synagogue norms that not only was Yeshua a member of the synagogue, He also held esteemed positions within the synagogue; otherwise, He would not have been allowed to teach in them as frequently as He did nor read from the Holy Scrolls. In Luke 4:17-20, we see Yeshua publicly reading from the Bimah (“pulpit”), the Haf’tarah (prophetical readings) in the Jewish tradition: “And the scroll of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) the prophet was given to Him and He stood up to read and Yeshua opened the scroll and found the place where it was Written: ‘The Spirit of Adonai vuvh is upon Me, and because of this, He has anointed Me to proclaim to the poor and has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to proclaim to the captives forgiveness, and to the blind, sight and to send away the brokenhearted with forgiveness, and to proclaim the Acceptable Year of Adonai.’ And He rolled up the scroll and gave it to the shammash (servant) and went and sat down. And all those in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on Him.”
In Acts chapter 15, the Zik’ney Netzarim (i.e. Elders of the Nazarenes) pass a halachah, a ruling, that the gentiles who have just converted to Nazarene Judaism should start their new walk by “abstaining from things sacrificed to idols; from fornication; from eating animals that were strangled to death and not to eat blood.” Ya’akov, James, then goes on to basically say that the gentiles can learn the rest of the Torah when they go to the synagogue every Sabbath day. Acts 15:21, “For Moses [“the Law”] has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”
YESHUA AND THE P’RUSHIM (the Pharisees)
It is commonly taught and believed that Yeshua was adamantly anti-Pharisaical. While it is true that there were some who persecuted our Messiah and His followers and were hypocritical and legalistic, these certainly do not constitute the whole. The P’rushim in general were God fearing men, who sought earnestly to teach the people the Word of God and to lead them to a life of kedushah, holiness.
Dr. Philip Birnbaum, in his book, A Book Of Jewish Concepts, says of the P’rushim: “The true Pharisees insisted on inwardness and sincere intent (kavannah) and despised all hypocrites and charlatans, not to be admitted in the Presence of G-d. Hence, it has been concluded that of all the strange ironies of history, perhaps the strangest is that the word ‘Pharisee’ is current as a word of reproach.” Both Yeshua and Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) received their Torah education and teaching and preaching styles from their Pharisaic rabbis.
Abba Eban, who served as Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United States, Minister of Education and Culture and Deputy Prime Minister, has this to say about Yeshua in his book, My People-The Story of the Jews, “Yeshua was a Pharisaic Jew. He lived among the common people of Galilee and was the spokesman of their ideas. Galilee was the stronghold of a robust Jewish patriotism, which found resonance in the teachings of Yeshua insofar as they conformed with those of the ancient prophets. He never considered Himself a universal prophet outside the Jewish context. It cannot even be said that He was indifferent to the external forms of religion. He meticulously kept Jewish laws, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem on Passover, ate unleavened bread and uttered a blessing when He drank ‘wine.’ He was a Jew in word and deed.
“Yeshua articulated the ideas and manners of the masses. Even His attacks on the hypocritical leaders were not unprecedented. He Himself declared in the Sermon on the Mount that He ‘had not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it.’ Nourished by the ideas of Pharisaic Judaism, He stressed the Messianic hope, predicting its fulfillment in His own time.”
Aside from the numerous scriptures which detail the many negative traits of some of the P‘rushim, there are also scriptures which shed a more positive light on them. In Luke 7:36-50, Yeshua was not the least bit apprehensive to visit with a Parush (Pharisee) at his house and dine with him. In verse 40, Shimon the Parush even acknowledges Him as Rabbi, which means, “my teacher.” Yeshua admonished the people and even His own tal’midim (disciples) to follow and obey the teachings of the P’rushim (but not to be hypocritical and legalistic about it). Matthew 23:3, “And all that they (the P’rushim) say to you, observe and do [that’s a command!]. But do not you according to their works, for they say but do not.”
Yeshua actually had a following of P’rushim who believed in Him. Their leader, Rabbi Nak’dimon (Nicodemas) referred affectionately to Yeshua as “Rabbi.” John 3:1,2, “Now, there was there one man from the P’rushim. His name was Nak’dimon, a ruler of the Judeans. This man came to Yeshua at night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you have been sent from Eloah (G-d) as a teacher, for no man is able to do these signs that you do but He with whom Eloah is.” Acts 15:5 mentions a group of P’rushim who believed in Yeshua as the Messiah: “But there rose up certain of the sect of the P’rushim which believed….”
Rav Shaul (“Apostle Paul”) boasted in the fact that he was “taught the perfect manner of the Torah at the feet of the great Rabbi Gamaliel.” He then proceeds to proudly proclaim that he IS a Parush. Acts 22:3, “I am a Jewish man and I was born in Tarsus of Cilicia but I was educated in this city at the feet of [rabbi] Gamaliel and was instructed perfectly in the Torah of our fathers.” Acts 23:6, “I am a Parush (Pharisee), the son of P’rushim!” If being a Parush was such a terrible thing as some teach, why then didn’t Shaul cease from being one upon his acceptance of Yeshua? Yet we see him speaking in present tense that he IS a Pharisee. Had Yeshua been so adamantly anti-Pharisaical, Rav Shaul would not have been so verboice in his proclamation.”--The Jewish Messiah, Rabbi Daniel G. Harris
Growing up in a Christian home and going to church most all my life, one thing that has been pounded into my head is the so-called “fact” that the Pharisees were conceited, haughty, holier-than-thou, selfishly evil men who invented the bondage of legalism and wanted Jesus killed. They were the “Bad Guys” and we should not desire to be like them in any way, shape or form. Even in Hollywood movies about Jesus, the Pharisees were always the arrogant, snotty, hateful ones who always wore a scowl on their faces.
However, I have come to the conclusion that the Pharisees were not the bad guys, and, if it were not for them and their influence, Christianity and Judaism would not exist today.
Many so called “Messianic” Jews today foolishly believe that the 1st Century Messianic movement sprang from the Karite movement. The Karites are a sect of Jews who do not adhere to the Talmud (Oral Torah) but only to the Written Torah of Moshe. However, the Karites did not exist then. The Essenes were similar in their beliefs to the modern day Karites but they were isolationist and too small of a sect to have any sort of influence upon Judaism as a whole, let alone the 1st century Nazarene Jewish movement.
In Yeshua’s day, there were two major sects of Judaism, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Sadducees pretty much ruled the Temple precinct and their form of Judaism was tied up in the Temple itself. Therefore, when the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E. their sect slowly died off. The Pharisees persisted to exist, and they were the forefathers of the modern orthodox Jewish movement today. The Pharisees lived their lives as if they were serving in the Temple, making everyday mundane activities holy and sacred. They produced Yeshivot (schools) and Synagogues modeled after the example of Ezra, when Judah returned from exile. The home and the synagogue was the focus of activities of their form of Judaism and the Temple was important, too, but their form of Judaism could exist on its own without a Temple and so it has even until this day.
We see Yeshua interacting very little with the Sadducees. He mostly dealt with the Pharisees, because this was the sect in which He grew up, and in all their interaction, discussions and debates, the issues mostly revolved around Talmudic type issues, issues of custom, tradition and the hallakot (the customary way of performing the commandments of Torah) established by the Rabbis, not clear cut unarguable issues of Torah. And, it makes sense that ones main opponents would be from ones own sect. Why would the Sadducees care if Yeshua and His Talmidim ate grain from a field on Shabbat without washing their hands? This takes place in Matt.15:3-7 and was regarding Mishna Nedarim 64, regarding how by some of their man- made traditions they make null and void the Torah itself, which wasn’t penned until after the time of Yeshua but was taught and a well known teaching in the time of Yeshua. Things they argued about would be comparable to two Christian pastors who believe in baptism by immersion arguing over the proper way to baptize a person, whether they dunk once or three times, and what formulated prayer or speech you say when performing the baptism.
There were two schools of Jewish though in the Pharisaical movement, the school of Hillel and the School of Shammai. Most of the time (except on the issue of divorce) Yeshua sided with the school of Hillel, which may surprise one to learn it was considered the liberal school of that day because they were accommodating to a degree when a commoner wanted to study Torah and turn to Judaism. Shammai was more harsh and intolerant of the common Jew or Gentile. They were more rigid in their religious observances as opposed to the House of Hillel, which was more flexible.
It was to the Pharisees He said that they do not need a Physician, for they were not sick, they were well because they followed and kept the Torah (Matt. 9, Mark 2). Yeshua said he was there for the common Jew who did not keep Torah, partially because of the man-made, imposed rules the Pharisees added to the simple commands of Torah.
Christianity’s greatest missionary hero and spokes person, Paul, never gave up his Pharisaical Judaism when he accepted that Yeshua was indeed the Messiah. (Phil. 3:5, Rom. 11:1, Acts 23:6, Gal. 1:13-14, Acts 28:17)
The major issue Yeshua had against the Pharisees is one He would have against most Christians of today, putting their denominational and man- made doctrinal traditions ahead of the Torah itself. He also took up issue with heartless devotion and performance of the Torah, not the Torah itself. And I think we can agree that all of us deal with mechanically living out our faith at one time or another in our lives. Therefore, in reality there were only a handful of conceited, haughty, holier-than-thou, selfishly evil Pharisaical men as seen in the story of the pious Pharisee and the sinner (Luke 18). Yeshua was strict upon Himself and His Talmidim, but liberal with the commoner who in essence did not know better. This is how He won the love of the masses. He was unlike any other Pharisaical Rabbi at that time.
Yeshua did not start a new religion or a new sect in that of major opposition to the Pharisaical movement in which He was raised. However because of the people’s belief in His claim to be Messiah, a new Jewish sect was formed called the Natsarim/Nazarenes. However, until the Bar Kochba revolt, they lived, fellowshipped, worked and worshipped side by side in synagogues and the Temple without major opposition. This is because they were in agreement with most of the traditions, customs and the teachings of the Pharisees.
YESHUA AND JEWISH TRADITION
Many of the aforementioned facts already conclude that Yeshua was obviously a traditional, practicing Jew. The following however, are a few more facts to further authenticate His identification as such.
He observed the Jewish holiday of Channukah: John 10:22,23, “And it was at Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem), the Feast of the Dedication (i.e. Channukah) and it was winter. And Yeshua walked in the Temple in Solomon’s Porch.” “Dedication” in Hebrew is “Channukah.”
As is commanded by the Torah (Deuteronomy 16:16), Yeshua went to Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem) to observe the Jewish holidays. In Matthew 26, we see Him keeping the festival of Peysach (Passover) which is where Christianity derives the “Communion.” Matthew 26:18, “And Yeshua said… ‘I will celebrate the Passover with My tal’midim (disciples).’”
He also observed the festival of Sukkot (“Tabernacles” – Leviticus 23:33-44). John 7:10,37, “And after His brothers had gone up to the Feast (of Sukkot), then He also went up…And on the Great Day, which is the last of the Feast (of Sukkot), Yeshua stood and cried out and said, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’” At this moment, the Kohen (Priest) was pouring out a water oblation to G-d thanking Him for the life giving waters.
As a regular and faithful member of the synagogue, Yeshua was very familiar with and practiced Jewish liturgy in the synagogue services. In Luke 4:17, Yeshua is filling the role of “Maf’tir,” which is the official reader of the Haf’tarah, the prophetical portions of the scriptures. Luke 4:17, “And the scroll of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) the prophet was given to Him and He stood up to read and Yeshua opened the scroll….” The role of Maf’tir still exists to this day in synagogues and is practiced as well at Kehilat Beyt Avraham Synagogue.
There are two basic t’filot, prayers, which are essential to the liturgy of the synagogue service. They are, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) and the Amidah prayer. The Shema declares the Oneness of God and the Amidah offers praise, thanksgiving and benedictions of petition. Yeshua actually quotes the Shema in Mark 12:29-30, “Yeshua said… ‘The foremost of all the commandments is: ‘Hear o Yis’raeyl (Israel), Adonai vuvh our God, Adonai vuvh is One. And you should love Adonai vuvh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with your entire mind and with all your might. This is the most important commandment.’” When asked by the scribe, ‘Which is the Greatest Commandment?,’ Yeshua answered by quoting an “Old Testament” passage, the Shema.
The content of the Amidah prayer has gone through many modifications over the centuries but was very much an established part of synagogue liturgy in Yeshua’s time. He most definitely would have prayed this prayer in the synagogues He attended.
The Amidah is called the Standing Prayer, for as the name implies, one stands during its recitation. Yeshua makes a positive reference to this prayer in Mark 11:25, “And when you Stand to Pray, forgive anything that you have against any man, that your Father Who is in Heaven may also forgive you of your transgressions.” It is interesting how Yeshua’s admonition of forgiveness directly coincides with the Forgiveness section of the Amidah prayer which says, “Forgive us our Father, for we have erred; pardon us our King, for we have willfully sinned; for you are the Good and Forgiving God. Blessed are You Adonai vuvh, the Gracious One Who pardons abundantly.”
Yeshua dressed just like any other Torah observant Jewish man in His day. He would have dressed modestly and had a full beard and decent haircut in accordance with the Torah. Contrary to the classic, but very inaccurate, Leonardo de Vinci styled portrayals of the “Messiah,” Yeshua did not have long hair. Ezekiel 44:20, “Nor shall they shave their heads nor allow their locks to grow long.” 1 Corinthians 11:14, “Does not even nature teach you that it is a shame for a man when his hair grows long?” Leviticus 21:5, “…Neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard….” Isaiah 50:6, “I gave My back to the smiters and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.”
He also would have been easily identified as a Torah observant Jew by the tzitziot, the fringes, that were attached to the four corners of His garment, known as the tallit. This is based on Numbers 15:37-41, “And Adonai vuvh spoke to Mosheh, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Yis’raeyl and bid them to make fringes in the four corners of their garments throughout their generations and that they put upon the fringe of each corner a thread of blue: and it shall be to you a fringe that you may look upon it and remember all the Commandments of Adonai and do them….” It is this fringe which the woman with the issue of blood reached to touch out of faith for her healing in Matthew 9:20, “And behold, a woman which had an issue of blood twelve years, approached behind Him and touched the tzitzit of His garment….”
YESHUA AND THE TORAH
Contrary to the belief that Yeshua came to abolish or replace “the Law,” He emphasized to the people not to even think of such a thing! He came rather to fulfill the Law and to teach it to men. Matthew 5:17-19, “Think not that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill. Truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one yod (the smallest Hebrew letter) or one hook (a decorative flourish on the letters) will pass away from the Torah, until they all be fulfilled.” In Matthew 19:6, a man approached Yeshua and asked, “Rabbi, what good thing must I do to have Eternal Life?” Yeshua answered, “Keep the Commandments!”
In Luke 16:19-31, Yeshua gives over the parable of the rich man and El’azar (Lazarus) the beggar. When the rich man cries out from She’ol (“Hell”) that his brothers be forewarned, Avraham answers, “‘They have Mosheh and the Prophets (i.e. the Torah); let them hear THEM.’ The rich man replied, ‘No father Avraham, but if one went to them from the dead, they would repent!’ Avraham answered, ‘If they won’t hear Mosheh and the Prophets (the Torah), they won’t even listen to One Who Rose from the Dead!’”
Many think of the so-called “Old Testament” as the old, dead, dry law which was eventually replaced by the so-called “New Testament.” However, taking a closer look at the power behind the supposed old, dead, dry scriptures as Yeshua used them against HaSatan (i.e. Satan) reveals the fallacy of this view. Whenever Yeshua says, “It is Written,” He is quoting the TeNaCh, that is, the so-called “Old Testament;” He is not using His own words as some believe. He actually relied on the Torah as His ammunition against HaSatan! Matthew 4:3-4, “And the Tempter came and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of Elohim (God), say that these stones be made bread.’ And Yeshua answered and said, ‘It is Written, For not by bread alone will man live, but by everything that proceeds from the mouth of Adonai vuvh will man live.’” Here, He is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, “...Man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of Adonai vuvh does man live.”
Matthew 4:7, “And Yeshua answered him (HaSatan) and said, ‘It is also Written, You shall not tempt Adonai vuvh your Elohim (God).’” He is quoting Deuteronomy 6:16,“Do not tempt Adonai vuvh your God.” Matthew 4:10, “…Then Yeshua said, ‘It is Written, Adonai vuvh your Elohim (G-d) you shall worship and Him Alone you shall serve.” Once again, He is using a direct quote from Deuteronomy 6:13, “You shall fear Adonai vuvh your God and serve Him.” Now look at the power and result which these “Old Testament” words had as Yeshua quoted them to HaSatan. Matthew 4:11, “Then HaSatan LEFT Him!” – The Jewish Messiah, Rabbi Daniel G. Harris
Allow me to let a Nazarene Rabbi I once knew weigh in on this issue of the Jewishness and Torah Observance of Messiah.
“WARNING, If you don't want to be offended don't read this...
I have, after much thought and prayer, considered that I should do this, this being an expose on Yeshua (Jesus) and his Talmadeem (disciples). Now let me just say from the beginning and give a clear WARNING, this will offend some, and step on others’ toes, though it is only in my heart to share and teach in love and compassion. I really want to share the truth in a way that will impact your life. Maybe some of your own questions will be answered. If you have questions that are not answered please don't hesitate to contact me.
Whether to start at the end or proceed from birth is the question. I do like to establish a good foundation, but I also feel free to prove the solid-ness of my doctrine by being able to tackle any point on the go.
In Luke chapter one, it shows that Yeshua's parents were indeed strictly Jewish; if you are not sure get your scriptures and start in Luke chapter One. A child having this foundation would have continued in it. We are of course talking about the man, or the Man part of Messiah. Speaking of Messiah, it is written that HaShem (Adonai) does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets. That being said, where did He say to any of His prophets, 'Oh by the way I am gonna send my Messiah and He will do away with your religion completely and make a new one. If you don't get on board with this new religion, then I'll send you straight to hell, cause I am mad at you and I've decided to change.' It then goes to reason that the Messiah would come according to prophecy not conjecture.
Okay let me just start by sharing a few questions I have received by Yehudi (Jew) and Goy (Gentile) alike.
BE FORWARNED! I’m about to drop a bombshell in a radio-shock jock kind of way (without the profanity). Don’t touch that dial! Hang in there and hear me out.
Sometimes the Yeshua (Jesus) that the Roman Catholic Church and even at times the Modern Day Protestant Christian Church depicts is a very Westernized, Romanesque version and barely, if at all resembled who He really is as the Jewish Messiah.
Don’t Ask WWJD, Just DWYD (Do What Yeshua Did)
II Thess. 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for except there come a falling away first, and that the man of sin revealed…”
I Jn.3:4 Defines what sin is. “Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law (Torah) for sin is the transgression of the law (Torah).”
Mt.7:21-23 “Not everyone that says, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
What is the “will” of the Father? Torah!
Verse 22: Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? And in Your Name cast out demons? And in Your Name done wonderful works?” Verse 23: And then I will profess unto them, “I never knew (Hebrew: have been intimate with) you: depart from me you that work iniquity (Torahlessness).”
Iniquity is defined as, “Lawlessness” (Torahlessness) Greek: Anomia. A = Anti, against or another. Nomia = law. (Strong’s: 458)
The “Jesus” of Catholicism and Christianity is seen as a Leonardo Divinci painting, a Hellenistic, Greco-Roman looking, toga wearing, longhaired, fair skinned, blue eyed, British speaking, zombified, hippy guru and rebel, who came and did away with Torah (Law), and started a strange new religion. Like a bad fashion episode of, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” make over, they have turned Yeshua into something He is not.
It’s like calling Dr. Phil the Messiah yet painting him to look like Sigmund Freud, and taking, and reading Dr. Phil’s books and yet not doing one thing he said to do, and on top of that interpret what he has said as to say something entirely different from what he meant.
This is NOT my Messiah! This is NOT the Jews’ Messiah! I hope that it is not YOUR Messiah. This, according to II Thess. 2:3-12, is a description of the anti-Messiah (anti-Christ)! It is no wonder that the Jewish people will not accept this “Jesus” Christianity portrays as the Messiah. And rightly so, because He is NOT! The Jews look at the Tanak (“Old Testament”) and it tells what their Messiah is supposed to be like, and they see the “Jesus” portrayed in Catholicism and Christianity, and immediately dismiss him. Why? Because the “Jesus” they see does not line up with the Torah (Law).
Most Catholics and Christians today believe and claim that the Law has been abolished by the work of Christ on the cross. However, this “Christ” Himself, who died on that cross, said this about the Law.
Mt.5:17-20 “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law (Torah) or the Prophets: (Nevi’im) (Both are the Tanak or the “Old Testament”) I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.” The word fulfill in v.17 does NOT mean, to complete, as in, to put an end to something. It DOES mean to fill up, to bring and render its full and complete meaning, to perform. In other words, Yeshua came to show us the true meaning of the Torah so we could live it out as He did. In Yeshiva, when Jewish students are learning to interpret Torah, in Yeshua’s day and now, a Rabbi would give a passage for the students to interpret and the students would go away and hash out the passage, and then would come back to the Rabbi, excited and full of zeal, and say, “Rabbi, this is what this passage means!” If they would give a wrong answer, the Rabbi would say, “No, you have abolished or made void the Torah by your interpretation!” Then the students would go and study the passage again and come back meeker and say, “Rabbi, we believe the passage means this.” If they were correct the Rabbi would say, “Well done, you have brought fulfillment to the Torah, you have given this passage its full and correct meaning.” I believe that this known custom is what Yeshiva was drawing from when He said this. V.18 For verily (Truly, Most assuredly) I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass…[Get up right now and look out side. Is the sky still up there? Is the earth still out there?]…not one jot… (Jot is “Yod” in Hebrew, the smallest letter that looks like an apostrophe.) … or one tittle… (Tittle is the tiniest extension of the Hebrew letter “Dalet,” that differentiates it from another similar Hebrew letter, the “Resh.” It can also refer to the decorative flare on any given Hebrew letter.) …shall in NO wise pass from the Law (Torah) till ALL be fulfilled (performed fully and all come into its full and complete meaning, understanding and practice).
Again, the term to “fulfill the Law” is not foreign to Judaism. It is a phrase used quite regualarly in Yeshivah’s (Jewish schools) world wide. When a student gives a correct interpretation to a passage of Torah the teacher proudly exclaims, “You have fulfilled the Law.” Meaning that the student brought the passages into its full and complete meaning and understanding.
Reverand Moorehead concurs:
“Some understanding of Yeshua's words needs to be expressed. The terms 'destroy the law' and 'fulfill the law' are Pharisaic arguments. When someone disagrees with a Torah teacher they accused him of 'destroying the law' even on a little point. Usually the teacher will respond that he is 'fulfilling the law' by correctly interpreting it. Thus Yeshua was responding to those who disagreed with his teaching by saying that he was correctly interpreting or establishing the law and thus, 'fulfilling the law'. Yeshua said that not one jot (an apostrophe-like a Hebrew letter known as a yod) or a tittle (a Hebrew decoration atop the letter) would pass away until heaven and earth pass. Since Heaven and Earth are still here in its current form, I would say that the Torah is still in effect. Verse 19 is a sobering warning to those who teach others to break any commandment in the Torah. To teach others to break even the least of these commandments would result in being called the least in the kingdom of God. This is one example of what can happen when teaching others to break God's Torah. God did not say they will lose their salvation, but they will still pay a price. God help those who are teaching others to break the larger Torah commandments. By the way the least of the commandments is mentioned in Deut 22:6-7. It was forbidden to take the mother bird and her offspring at the same time for food. Later this was also taught that you could not even take the eggs or offspring in front of the mother bird. This showed God's compassion to ease the anguish of animals when they lose their young. The last part of Yeshua's teaching here says that if you do and teach the Torah, you shall be great in the kingdom of God. Let us be careful not to condemn the Torah as so many have and teach it instead.
Remember that Yeshua was an observant Jew. He was sinless. If he violated any part of Torah he would not have been sinless and thus could not be the Lamb of God. Yeshua followed the Torah perfectly!” – Law vs. Grace by Rev. Allan Moorehead
V.19 Whosoever therefore shall break (Greek: to loose or destroy) one of the least commandments (according to the ancient rabbis, Deuteronomy 22:6 is the least of all commandments, concerning the disturbance of a birds nest), and teaches men so… (“Ah, go ahead, it’s alright, we’re not under the Law anymore, but under Grace.”) …he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall DO and TEACH; the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Verse 20: For I say unto you that except your righteousness … (Not the righteousness of Messiah bestowed upon a believer, but YOUR righteousness, meaning your works!)… shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees… (Performing all the commandments with ALL your heart and mean it! Not only on the outside, but on the inside as well)… you will in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven. Verse 20 of Matthew chapter 5 mentions righteousness and connects it with works. Although we are not saved by works, but by faith in Messiah's sacrificial death in our place, we must prove, show, and back up our faith by our faith-full-ness to His Torah. Speaking of Torah, Yeshua said in John 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, (The Living Torah) for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words (Which are no different from the Written Torah)?”
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Messiah and ADONAI are One (Jn.17) so Yeshua’s commandments are no different from GOD the Father’s. So Yeshua did not teach anything new, He just taught Torah, and taught us how to live it correctly.
James 1:22 “Be DOERS of the WORD (Torah) and not hearers only…” v25b “…a DOER of the word, this man will be blessed in his deed.” (Deut.27-28) James 2:17-18 “Even so FAITH, if it hath not WORKS is dead being alone. Yes, a man may say, “You have faith, I have works: show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith BY my works.””
Yeshua and all the Apostles were Torah observant, and because Yeshua was Torah observant, I don’t have to ask myself, W.W.J.D? (What Would Jesus Do?) I simply D.W.Y.D.! (Do What Yeshua Did!)
- He was circumcised. Lk. 12:21
- He was dedicated and named at his circumcision. Lk. 2:22-24,39-40
- He kept the Feasts of the LORD. Lk. 2:4, 9:28-36 Jn. 10:22-23
- He was trained in Torah. Lk. 2:46-52
- He was “mikvahed” (baptized). Mt. 3:13-17
- He kept the true Sabbath. Lk.4:14-21
- He went to the Temple. Lk. 19:47
- He went to the Synagogue. Lk. 4:16,44
- He read and taught a portion of the annual Torah and prophetic reading cycle. (Parashat) Lk. 4:14-21
- He most likely prayed the ancient set of Jewish prayers, prayed 3x a day, and called the “Amidah” meaning, “To stand.” He refers to this very prayer in Mark 11:25-26, “When you STAND to pray....”
- He said the Shema the Jewish declaration of ADONAI’s Oneness that is said every day by faithful Jews, from Duet. 6:4: Mark 12:29, 30.
- He was a Rabbi. Lk. 10:25-28, Jn. 20:16
- He taught Torah. Lk. 24:44-45
- He wore tzitzit (fringes). Lk. 8:43-44, Jn. 19:23-24
- He kept Torah. Jn. 15:10
- He taught us to live out Torah. Mt. 5:17-20, Jn. 14:15, Lk. 5:14
- He lived and died as a Jew. Jn. 20:6-8, 19:40
- He left as a Jew. Lk. 24:50-51
- He is returning as a Jew. Rev. 19:13,16
- He will reign forever as the Jewish Messiah. Rev.21:1-6, 22:3-5
There were two schools of Jewish thought. The school of Hillel and the school of Shami. Hillel was conservative. Shami was ultra conservative. Yeshua sided with Hillel and agreed with everything the Pharisees (which was from the school of Hillel) taught, except, on the issue of divorce, (Mt. 19:1-9) and the issue of tradition, oral torah and rabbinic law, which at times nullified the Torah. (Mk. 7:1-13) Yeshua even kept traditions except when it conflicted with Torah itself. (Lk. 2:52) During the “Last Supper” Messiah held a Passover Seder for His Talmidim (disciples) and made the traditional blessings over the tirosh (non alcoholic grape juice) and matzah, (for everything even the wine was without yeast or leaven) and followed the traditional order of the Passover Seder haggadah (the program and order of the Seder).
All of the Apostles were Torah observant; all His followers were Torah observant as well. Let’s take a look. Acts 21:20 talks about how they were all ZEALOUS for the TORAH!
Jim Myers has this to say concerning the early Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua, from his article, “Would Your Church Really Allow You To Be Like Jesus?” Found at: http://www.biblicalheritage.org/Jesus/would.htm
“The book of Acts provides us with some very valuable information. Acts 21:17-25 records Paul's return to Jerusalem and his meeting with the leaders of the "church." Keep in mind that these were the men who had been personally taught by and lived with Jesus. Their words provide us with some very enlightening information. The translation given below is based on a cultural and historical methodology. Your translation most probably reflects the doctrines of the Roman church and therefore may differ.
"You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have become faithful (observant). All of them are zealous for the Torah (Law). They have been informed that you have taught the Jews of the Diaspora to not keep the Torah, that they should not circumcise their children or live according to the Jewish religion.... Take these men and do the following... so that everybody will know that there is no truth in these reports about your teachings, but that you yourself are living an observant lifestyle and keeping the Torah."
A quick summary provides us with some very significant information. Is your church producing the same results?
(1) Jews became more faithful (observant) Jews because of the message.
(2) They became zealous for the Torah (Law).
(3) They kept the Laws of Moses (the Torah).
(4) They circumcised their children.
(5) They lived according to the traditions (Jewish religion).
Notice that Paul did as he was requested - he wasn't teaching the Jews to abandon their religion. Paul was "under the law" and lived an observant lifestyle. How then could he have been the author of a doctrine that advocated rejecting the law?
I don't mean to linger on this point forever, but are you really getting the importance of this message?
(1) The message of the apostles caused Jews to repent and become observant Jews who practiced Judaism faithfully.
(2) The apostles were causing Jews to become eager for the Torah and to pursue it with fervor. It is clear that they were not teaching them that "they were under grace and no longer under the law." This one point is in complete opposition to most fundamental teaching of every modern Christian doctrine.
(3) The Jewish members of the early church continued to circumcise their children. In other words, they continued to see themselves as participants in the Abrahamic Covenant, just as every practicing Jew does today. Their children were Jews, not members of some new mystical religion that replaced Judaism.
(4) The Jewish members of the early church continued to practice Judaism. They did not switch to a new religion.”
Further examples of the Torah observant lifestyle of the apostles:
Kefa (Peter) – prayed Mincha (afternoon) prayers and he kept kosher. (Acts 10)
Rav Sha’ul (Paul) – said “I am (not was) a Pharisee…” He kept the traditions and customs of the Jewish people. (Acts 23:5-6, 28:17)
He made a sacrificial offering at the Temple after Yeshua’s death and resurrection. (Acts 21:17-26)
One day the temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will resume. During the millennial reign of Messiah, everyone will keep the Feasts (Isa.66:22-24). Yeshua said he didn’t come for the ones who were already keeping Torah, He came for the ones who did not keep Torah. (Mt. 9:9-13, Mk. 2:13-17, Lk. 5:27-32) These are but a few examples.
Daniel 7:25 is giving a description of the Anti (against or another)-Messiah.
“He shall speak great words against the Most High (How? By speaking against His Words, His Torah!) and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change TIMES (the Feast of the LORD, Lev. 23) and LAWS (Torah) (Forbidding Sabbath observance and Biblical Festivals, and enforcing Christianized pagan holidays, like Christmas and Easter just like the “Christian” Roman Emperor Constantine did!), and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of times.”
How many Catholics and Christians today are Torah observant? How many keep all of the Feasts commanded by the LORD in Leviticus 23? Almost none! Most Catholics and Christians keep Sunday, not Sabbath. Most Catholics and Christians go by a Roman solar calendar, instead of the traditional Hebrew lunar one. Most Catholics and Christians keep pagan rooted holidays (Christmas and Easter etc.) instead of the Feasts of the LORD.
The Anti-Messiah (Anti-Christ) is called the man of lawlessness or we could say, Torahlessness (2 Thes. 2:3-12). Because of this, I believe many Catholics and Christians will be deceived. He will agree with the majority of Catholicism and Christianity and say that the Torah has been done away with. Remember, sin is anything against the Torah, (I Jn.3:4) God’s standards for holiness.
Matthew 24:24 tells that the Anti-Messiah (if it were possible will deceive the very elect!), he will not show up with horns, pitchfork, pointed tail, with 666 blazing across his forehead. He could not fool anyone like that. No, he will look just like the “Jesus” of Catholicism and Christianity, working miracles, making peace everywhere, changing laws and holy day observances, making Temple worship to cease as if to say, “I am the Messiah. You don’t have to sacrifice anymore, I’m here, and I have fulfilled it all (Mt.24:15, Dan. 9:27; 12:11)!” All because Most Catholics and Christians believe today that most, if not all, the Torah was done away with in the death of Christ. NO! The penalty of death has been done away with, NOT the LAW itself! (Rom.7:7-13; 24-25)
Matthew 5:17-20 paints the TRUE picture of the Messiah, that non-believing Jews NEED and MUST see! Are you “Taking The LORD’s Name in vain” by living like the Catholic and Christian “Jesus”, contrary to His Word, Thus Soiling His Name? Or, are you living like Yeshua, the Jewish, Torah observant Messiah? Will you, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may SEE YOUR good WORKS, and glorify your Father in heaven (Mt.5:16).”
So, is “Jesus” the Anti-Christ? Well, that depends on how YOU present Him.
So what is the Jewish Messiah REALLY like? Let’s take a look...
Who is Yeshua the Messiah?
What is Jesus’ Real Name?
Don’t get me wrong, when some one says, “Jesus”, I know whom they are talking about. But it is as if some one came up to me and said, “You know who Former President Bush is? He’s that Hip-Hop, East coast, rapp’n, gangsta, thug, who was the leader of the Free World.” I know who they are talking about, but I also know that is not who Former President Bush really is. Somewhere, somehow, that person got the wrong idea or impression about Former President Bush. It is the same with Yeshua Ha Moshiach (the Messiah). I know when people say, “Jesus Christ,” I know whom they are referring to, but the picture most Catholics and Christians paint in describing Him is not whom He really is! The “traditional” paintings of “Jesus” we see today look like Kenny Loggins! As far as His name is concerned, I prefer to say Yeshua, because “Jesus” is not even a real name. “Jesus” is NOT His Name. “Jesus” is a Greek grammatical, syntaxual transliteration of Yeshua. In the Greek translation of Scripture Yeshua in Hebrew becomes Iesous (Jesus). In the Septuagint, the Greek Translation of the Tanak (Old Testament), the Book of Joshua is called the book of Iesous by the Jewish translators themselves. My question is, why then do we not call Joshua of the Tanak Jesus, too? Or, visa versa, why do we not call Jesus the Messiah, Joshua the Messiah? Better yet? Why do we not call both by their Hebrew name anyway, Yeshua!? Jesus leaves a very bad taste in Jewish mouths so I say, Yeshua. Yeshua Himself said, “I am come in My Father’s Name. (Jn.5:45) And, we know through the Psalms that “Yah” is the first half of the divine name of God, though we do not know for sure how to pronounce the last half. Hence, in reference to the Messiah, some say it is “YAH-shua”, and some say “Yeshua”.
“Dr. Daniel Botkin writes that the name Yahshua didn’t come onto the scene until 1936 and by people that didn’t really know Hebrew. Dr. Ben-Gigi says, ‘there is no such name in Hebrew’ and that people invented ‘the name Yahshua to fit their theology.’”-- http://www.seedofabraham.net/jesusyeshua.html
It’s one of the big mysteries in Christianity and Messianic/Natsari Judaism is the alleged cover up of Yeshua the Messiah’s Hebrew Name. There are a lot of religious conspiracy theorists out there who claim this. I use to believe it too because of all the Anti-Semetic and Anti-Nomian garbage that has made its way into the English versions of the Brit Chadasha (New Testament).
We know that the Messiah’s Name, “Yeshua” is shortened form of the Hebrew, “Yehoshuah (Joshua)” but why in the Greek Septuagint they used “Joshua” but for the Greek New Testament they call, Yeshua/Joshua; Jesus!?
I am by no means fluent in Koine Greek or Hebrew. Heck, I’m not the greatest of my mother tongue, English! But I have taken Koine Greek and Biblical Hebrew in College and I am increasing my knowledge and proficiency in the languages one day at a time and I discovered how they got Jesus out of Yeshua.
Since Yeshua means, “Yah’s Salvation.” I use to say, “Why not make the Greek name of Messiah, “Theo-Sotar” (which is Greek for “God’s Salvation”) to symbolize Yeshua’s Name in the Greek? But I believe I have discovered why the translators did what they did, and it wasn’t to hide the Hebrew Name of Messiah, nor was it to secretly link Messiah to Zeus as I have heard and read by many Hebrew Roots believing circles. On the contrary, it was, I believe to distinguish Messiah’s Name from other Joshua’s.
My thoughts are confirmed by this author of this website:
“The reason that the interpreters made the mistake is because the Greek translation of Jesus and Joshua are exactly the same. The same translation is used in the Septuagint (for the name of Joshua) as in the Greek scriptures of the New Testament. I'm just guessing that somewhere along the line, someone thought that the Lord's name should be distinguishable from the other "Joshuas" in the Bible (because there are others). I'm just guessing on that one. I also guess that Anglo Saxons, fresh from defeat at the Crusades, were willing to give the Lord a more Englishly pleasing name than, Yeshua (I'm using the more modern name and the one recognized worldwide as our Lord's true name in Hebrew), which had (and has) a Middle Eastern sound to it.” -- http://www.wheres-the-church.com/yhoshua.html
In the Septuagint the translators transliterated the Hebrew name Yehoshuah to sound as close to the Hebrew as possible in the Greek and thus we get in the English; Joshua. Now so as not to confuse the Old Testament Joshua with the Messiah or any other Joshua for that matter the translators translated Yehoshuah into Greek. They took the Hebrew Yud and made it a Greek Iota. The Shin became a Sigma and the Vav became an Omicron-Upsilon and it is necessary for a final sigma to be placed at the end of the word to distinguish that the name is masculine. Greek grammar rules require that the Hebrew Ayin, the “ah” sound be dropped and BAMB! Yeshua becomes Jesus in the English.
“Dr. Daniel Botkin pinpoints the interchangeableness of the names Joshua and Jesus noting that Neh. 8:17 has Yeshua (Jesus) for Yehoshua (Joshua). Joshua’s name in Greek is (also) Yeasous and is seen in the Septuagint (Josh. 1:12; 2:11; 3:1; 4:4, etc.) which predates the Messiah’s birth by more than 200 years. Botkin also says that this too is proof that ‘Yesous has no connection to Zeus’ for the Jewish Sages who wrote the Septuagint would have been well aware of the pagan god by that name and wouldn’t have used those Greek letters to form Joshua’s name with it if they thought there was a connection to it or to ‘Hail Zeus!’ as some infer.”-- http://www.seedofabraham.net/jesusyeshua.html
I use Messiah’s Hebrew Name, Yeshua Ha Moshiach. But even though this issue of Yeshua to Jesus has caused a lot of confusion in religious circles today I pray that a little knowledge of the languages involved we can see how Yeshua became Jesus.
Yeshua, “Jesus’” REAL Hebrew Name that his Mommy and Daddy called Him by, means, “Yah’s salvation.” “Jesus” is in essence a made up name. Yeshua’s English equivalent is Joshua. Even in the Septuagint (Greek version of the Tanak) the book of Joshua is called, “Jesus”. In addition, “Christ” is not His last name. “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the term “Messiah” which means “Anointed”.
As it turns out in the Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts from which the HRV (Hebrew Roots Version), is translated two versions of Messiah’s name are used, and that is Yeshua and Yahushua.
“Yeshu – This is a very controversial and somewhat
misunderstood word. The Hebrew name Yeshua is pronounced in
Aramaic as "Yeshu" or "Ishu" (depending on the Aramaic
dialect). In Aramaic this final AYIN is silent. Now if one wanted to
transliterate the Aramaic pronunciation of "Yeshua" into Hebrew
letters in a Hebrew document then one would do so by dropping the AYIN. The original followers of Yeshua may have seen in these three
letters an acronym taken from the first letters of a series of words of
a Messianic prophecy in Gen. 49:10. Perhaps in reaction to this
Rabbinic Judaism created its own acronym from the same letters spelling a Hebrew phrase meaning "may the name be blotted out forever." Unfortunately this derogatory acronym has been largely been mistaken as the origin of "Yeshu" rather than the more obvious fact that "Yeshu" is the Aramaic pronunciation of Yeshua.
Yahushua (KJV "Joshua") (Strong's # 3091) – This
is the name for Messiah which appears in the Munster Hebrew text of
Hebrews and in at least some places in the manuscript which served as
the source for Munster's Hebrew text of Matthew. This is the same
name as that of "Joshua" of the book of "Joshua" in the
Tanak. The Masoretic Text transliterates all names which begin with the "tri-gammaton" (first three letters of the Sacred name) as
"Yeho-" but all names which end in the tri-grammaton as
"-yahu". This is because the Masorites transplanted the vowels
from the Hebrew word ELOAH ("God") into the name YHWH forming
the word YeHoWaH. These same Masorites transplanted these same vowels into names that started with the tri-grammaton while (for whatever reason) neglecting to make this revision to names that ended in the tri-grammaton. In the HRV we have restored "Yahu-" to the
beginning of these words rather than the Masoretic "Yeho-".
-- “Yeshua or Yahushua,” Rabbi James Scott Trimm
I would like to quote extensively from a booklet by Rabbi Daniel Harris and comment here and there regarding his work about the Jewish Messiah:
The Jewish Messiah
“For too long now has the true identity of the Messiah been concealed. For centuries, He has been grossly misrepresented as a white, European “Christ,” who came to deliver man from the “bondage and burden of the old law” (i.e. the Torah) and to start a new religion called, “Christianity.” As modern day Netzarim (“Nazarenes”-Acts 24:5), it is our intention to represent a more authentic and biblically accurate portrayal of the One Who upheld the Law of G-d, fully identified Himself as an orthodox Jew and zealously practiced first century Judaism, Yeshua HaMashiach, Yeshua the Messiah.
If you could go back in time and see how He looked, how He dressed and how He practiced His religion, you would see a Jewish man with Semitic features, who had a full beard (Isaiah 50:6) and wore a kippah on His head at all times (Leviticus 10:6; 21:10. Ezekiel 24:23). He would have dressed modestly and fringes would be attached to the four corners of His garment in accordance with the Torah and Jewish tradition (Numbers 15:37-41). He spoke the Aramaic and Hebrew language (not Greek as most “New Testament” translations are based on). He ate a strictly kosher diet (Leviticus 11) and regularly attended synagogue services. He kept the biblical seventh day Sabbath (Exodus 20:8) and led a Jewishly Torah observant life in general.
How is it then that the main religion in America which claims to follow His ways and promote His Message, bears no resemblance whatsoever to the religion which the Messiah Himself practiced and taught? If it was good enough for Him, isn’t it good enough for us? If He observed the seventh day Sabbath, why then is the first day of the week observed? If He upheld the Torah, why then is it taught that He came to do away with it?
Isn’t it time to unbiasly re-analyze the life, religion and practice of the historical Yeshua HaNetzri (Yeshua the Nazarene, Matthew 2:23)?
TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION
Yeshua was born into the tribe of Y’hudah (Judah), one of the twelve Jewish tribes of Israel. Matthew 1:2, “Avraham begat Yitzchak, Yitzchak begat Ya’akov, Ya’akov begat Y’hudah and his brothers.” Hebrews 7:14, “For it is evident that our L-rd sprang out of Y’hudah….” Revelation 5:5, “Behold, the Lion, from the tribe of Y’hudah, the root of David….”
HIS REAL NAME, HIS HEBREW NAME
His Jewish parents gave Him a Jewish Name, “Yeshua.” Matthew 1:21, “And behold, she will bear a Son and you will call His Name, ‘Yeshua;’ for He will save His people from all their sins.” “Jesus” is the anglicized pronunciation of the Greek name, “Iasous.”There is no “J” pronunciation in Hebrew. His parents, His tal’midim (disciples) and we today call Him by His given Name, “Yeshua.”
SIGN OF THE COVENANT
Yeshua underwent B’rit Milah (circumcision) eight days after His birth as prescribed by the Torah. Genesis 17:10-12, “This is My Covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your seed after you; Every man child among you shall be circumcised….And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised.” Luke 2:21, “And when eight days had passed so that the boy could be circumcised, His Name was called ‘Yeshua’.…” It is a Jewish tradition to publicly announce a Jewish boy’s Hebrew name at his B’rit.”--The Jewish Messiah, Rabbi Daniel G. Harris
BAR MITZVAH
The life of Messiah from the “manger” to the start of his public ministry at the wedding at Canaan where he preformed His first recorded miracle, turning the water into wine, is a mysterious one. The silence of Canonical Scripture has spawned many legends and Apocryphal documents, most of which were written not by Natsari Jews, but Gentile Roman-esk, anti-Torah, Constantinian “Christians” and it clearly shows in their writings. Much of what they say contradicts the Brit Chadashah itself, such as young Jesus getting even with the neighborhood boys by turning them into things, making clay animals come to life, etc. (The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ: XV, XVII) However, there are some clues into Yeshua’s life from the Manger to the wedding as recorded in what is called the Archko Volume, which are the writings of the Sanhedrin and the Talmud. Some of these documents are interviews and investigations commanded by the Sanhedrin to find out more about who this Yeshua of Nazareth was. The Shepherds who were the first to receive the proclamation of Messiah’s birth were interviewed; Mary and Joseph were interviewed by the famous Gamaliel, the teacher of Rav Sha’ul (Apostle Paul). These are very intriguing documents. Although I read these documents with some trepidation as more than likely, they have been altered from the original to attempt to shed an unfavorable view of Yeshua and his family in an attempt to discredit Him as any sort of Messiah.
Many wonder about Yeshua’s education, as most all Jewish boys went to a Yeshiva or had a personal tutor in the ways of Torah. All we see of Yeshua’s childhood is when during Pesach he ditches his parents and is found in the Temple in weighty conversation regarding the Torah with the Rabbis and Scribes. This occurred when he was 12 years of age.
Luke 2:41-52
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
This is considered Yeshua’s Bar Mitzvah, before Bar Mitzvahs, as we know it today, were invented. Rabbi Jeffery Salkin said:
“None of the great Jews of antiquity – Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Rabbi Akiva – had Bar Mitzvah ceremonies. As a status, Bar Mitzvah comes into the Jewish world in the second century of the Common Era.”
According to Gamaliel’s interview with Mary and Joseph regarding Yeshua’s education said,
“His parents told me of an old man who lived on the road to Bethany who had once been a priest, a man of great learning, and well skilled in the laws and prophets, and Jesus was often there with him reading the law (Torah) and the prophets together; that his name was Massalian…” –The Archko Volume pg.87
Massalian is recorded as saying of Yeshua’s character:
“…He was a young man of the finest thought and feeling he ever saw in his life; that he was the most apt in his answers and solutions of difficult problems of any man of his age he had ever seen; that his answers seem to give more universal satisfaction – so much so that the oldest philosopher would not dispute with him, or in any manner join issue with him, or ask a second time” – The Archko Volume pg 87
Regarding Yeshua’s teaching Massalian said:
“His mother said that he had always known how to read the law (Torah); that his mind seemed to master it from the beginning; and into the laws of nature and the relation of man to his fellow in his teachings of talks, he gives deeper insight, inspiring mutual love and strengthening the common trust of society.” – The Archko Volume pg 87-88
“Through Jesus, in his teachings or talks (his words sound so much like the teachings of Hillel or Shammai that I must call it teaching, though he has no special scholars),” - The Archko Volume pg.89
This backs up the fact that Yeshua was skilled and proficient in the two major schools of thought in His day, the school of Hillel, which he sided more with, and the school of Shammai; and this shows in the records of the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). It may interest one to know that the school of Hillel was actually considered liberal and the school of Shammai was considered conservative.
Further, in the document it says:
“Massalian is a man of very deep thought and profound judgment. All his life he has made the Scripture his study. He, too, is a good judge of human nature, and is satisfied that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Christ (Messiah). He said that Jesus seemed to understand the prophecy by intuition.”
I don’t think we can know for absolute certainty if these testimonies are absolutely true, but they are fascinating to contemplate, nonetheless, and as always, I weigh what is said against the Torah and the documents of the Brit Chadashah. If what is found in extra-biblical sources backs up what is in the “Canonical Scriptures,” I tend to accept what is said therein.
“Yeshua was taught at an early age to observe the Jewish holidays, to be zealous in attending the Temple and synagogue services and learning the Torah. Luke 2:40-42, 46, 47, “And the child grew and became strong in spirit and was filled with wisdom and the favor of Eloah (God) was upon Him. And His people, during every year went to Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem) for the celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, of Pesach (Passover). And when He was twelve years old, they went up as they were accustomed for the celebration. And after three days, they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. And He was listening to them and questioning them. And all those who heard Him were amazed at His Wisdom and His answers.” *Where are the hearts of our twelve year olds today?*
It is interesting to note that Yeshua received His Torah education from Jewish rabbis, just as Rav Shaul did (i.e. “Apostle Paul” ~ Acts 22:3).
MAGGID: A JEWISH PREACHER
Yeshua began His ministry by preaching the Jewish concept of Mik’vat Teshuvah (Immersion of Repentance), which was an already well known Jewish doctrine. Exodus 29:4, “And Aharon and his sons you shall bring to the door of the Tent of Meeting and shall immerse them in water.” Luke 3:3, “And He came into the entire region that was around the Yarden, proclaiming the Immersion of Repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Many of Yeshua’s parables and teachings were not His own but were direct quotes or paraphrases from the Torah and His rabbinic contemporaries. A parable from Midrash Shir HaShirim: “Once upon a time, there was a king who had a desire to plant a beautiful garden. He instructed his servants to procure the finest seed, to till the land and prepare it for planting. After the planting was done, the king entrusted the garden to a tenant to watch over the land and to care for the newly budding flowers. Some time later, the king returned to inspect his garden. Much to his dismay, he found it completely overgrown with thorns and thistles. He immediately ordered everything to be destroyed.
It was then that he noticed, intertwined among the thorns and thistles, one very beautiful and solitary rose. From the very center of its petals, came the sweetest fragrance. He inhaled its scent and its fragrance was so lovely that his anger subsided and his good mood returned. Yet so intertwined was the rose amongst the thorns, that even if one thorny bush was touched, the rose would surely perish. ‘For the sake of the rose,’ he declared,’ let the whole garden be spared.’”
Now see how astonishingly similar this parable is to Yeshua’s in Matthew 13:24-30, “Yet another parable put He forth to them, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is comparable to a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came in and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the blade grew up, and produced the fruit, then appeared there the tares also. So the servants of the householder came near and said to him, ‘My master, did you not sow good seed in your field? From where then came the tares into it? And he said to them, ‘A man that is a enemy has done this.’ Then the servants said to him, ‘Will you that we go and gather them up?’ But he said. ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather first the tares and bind them in bundles for burning but gather the wheat into the floor.” It only stands to reason that Yeshua’s Jewish education which He received from His rabbinic teachers would often be reflected in His own ministry.
FAITHFUL SYNAGOGUE MEMBER
Yeshua did not go to “church” or “Sun-Day School.” He was a regular and faithful member of the synagogue. He was especially careful to attend synagogue services on the Sabbath day (i.e. the 7th day Sabbath, Saturday).
A popular misconception is that a synagogue is a “Jewish church.” However, this is far from the case. The differences between the church and the synagogue are substantial. Yeshua attended the same synagogues that the P’rushim (Pharisees) attended and He was not even the rabbi there; He actually sat under a rabbi! What an example for us! Luke 2:46, “And after three days, they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. And He was listening to them and questioning them.”
Matthew 12:9, “And when He had passed over from there, He entered into their synagogue.” Matthew 13:54, “And when He had come into His native land, He taught them in their synagogues.…” Mark 1:21, “And when they entered K’far-Nachum, immediately He was teaching on the Sabbath in their synagogues.” Mark 3:1, “And Yeshua again entered into the synagogue.…” Mark 6:2, “And when the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue….” Luke 4:16, “And He came to Natzeret where He had been raised. And He entered the synagogue as He was accustomed, on the day of the Sabbath. John 6:59, “These things He said in the synagogue while teaching in K’far-Nachum.” John 18:20, “I spoke in the open with the people and I always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple….”
It is quite apparent to those who are familiar with synagogue norms that not only was Yeshua a member of the synagogue, He also held esteemed positions within the synagogue; otherwise, He would not have been allowed to teach in them as frequently as He did nor read from the Holy Scrolls. In Luke 4:17-20, we see Yeshua publicly reading from the Bimah (“pulpit”), the Haf’tarah (prophetical readings) in the Jewish tradition: “And the scroll of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) the prophet was given to Him and He stood up to read and Yeshua opened the scroll and found the place where it was Written: ‘The Spirit of Adonai vuvh is upon Me, and because of this, He has anointed Me to proclaim to the poor and has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to proclaim to the captives forgiveness, and to the blind, sight and to send away the brokenhearted with forgiveness, and to proclaim the Acceptable Year of Adonai.’ And He rolled up the scroll and gave it to the shammash (servant) and went and sat down. And all those in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on Him.”
In Acts chapter 15, the Zik’ney Netzarim (i.e. Elders of the Nazarenes) pass a halachah, a ruling, that the gentiles who have just converted to Nazarene Judaism should start their new walk by “abstaining from things sacrificed to idols; from fornication; from eating animals that were strangled to death and not to eat blood.” Ya’akov, James, then goes on to basically say that the gentiles can learn the rest of the Torah when they go to the synagogue every Sabbath day. Acts 15:21, “For Moses [“the Law”] has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”
YESHUA AND THE P’RUSHIM (the Pharisees)
It is commonly taught and believed that Yeshua was adamantly anti-Pharisaical. While it is true that there were some who persecuted our Messiah and His followers and were hypocritical and legalistic, these certainly do not constitute the whole. The P’rushim in general were God fearing men, who sought earnestly to teach the people the Word of God and to lead them to a life of kedushah, holiness.
Dr. Philip Birnbaum, in his book, A Book Of Jewish Concepts, says of the P’rushim: “The true Pharisees insisted on inwardness and sincere intent (kavannah) and despised all hypocrites and charlatans, not to be admitted in the Presence of G-d. Hence, it has been concluded that of all the strange ironies of history, perhaps the strangest is that the word ‘Pharisee’ is current as a word of reproach.” Both Yeshua and Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) received their Torah education and teaching and preaching styles from their Pharisaic rabbis.
Abba Eban, who served as Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United States, Minister of Education and Culture and Deputy Prime Minister, has this to say about Yeshua in his book, My People-The Story of the Jews, “Yeshua was a Pharisaic Jew. He lived among the common people of Galilee and was the spokesman of their ideas. Galilee was the stronghold of a robust Jewish patriotism, which found resonance in the teachings of Yeshua insofar as they conformed with those of the ancient prophets. He never considered Himself a universal prophet outside the Jewish context. It cannot even be said that He was indifferent to the external forms of religion. He meticulously kept Jewish laws, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem on Passover, ate unleavened bread and uttered a blessing when He drank ‘wine.’ He was a Jew in word and deed.
“Yeshua articulated the ideas and manners of the masses. Even His attacks on the hypocritical leaders were not unprecedented. He Himself declared in the Sermon on the Mount that He ‘had not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it.’ Nourished by the ideas of Pharisaic Judaism, He stressed the Messianic hope, predicting its fulfillment in His own time.”
Aside from the numerous scriptures which detail the many negative traits of some of the P‘rushim, there are also scriptures which shed a more positive light on them. In Luke 7:36-50, Yeshua was not the least bit apprehensive to visit with a Parush (Pharisee) at his house and dine with him. In verse 40, Shimon the Parush even acknowledges Him as Rabbi, which means, “my teacher.” Yeshua admonished the people and even His own tal’midim (disciples) to follow and obey the teachings of the P’rushim (but not to be hypocritical and legalistic about it). Matthew 23:3, “And all that they (the P’rushim) say to you, observe and do [that’s a command!]. But do not you according to their works, for they say but do not.”
Yeshua actually had a following of P’rushim who believed in Him. Their leader, Rabbi Nak’dimon (Nicodemas) referred affectionately to Yeshua as “Rabbi.” John 3:1,2, “Now, there was there one man from the P’rushim. His name was Nak’dimon, a ruler of the Judeans. This man came to Yeshua at night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you have been sent from Eloah (G-d) as a teacher, for no man is able to do these signs that you do but He with whom Eloah is.” Acts 15:5 mentions a group of P’rushim who believed in Yeshua as the Messiah: “But there rose up certain of the sect of the P’rushim which believed….”
Rav Shaul (“Apostle Paul”) boasted in the fact that he was “taught the perfect manner of the Torah at the feet of the great Rabbi Gamaliel.” He then proceeds to proudly proclaim that he IS a Parush. Acts 22:3, “I am a Jewish man and I was born in Tarsus of Cilicia but I was educated in this city at the feet of [rabbi] Gamaliel and was instructed perfectly in the Torah of our fathers.” Acts 23:6, “I am a Parush (Pharisee), the son of P’rushim!” If being a Parush was such a terrible thing as some teach, why then didn’t Shaul cease from being one upon his acceptance of Yeshua? Yet we see him speaking in present tense that he IS a Pharisee. Had Yeshua been so adamantly anti-Pharisaical, Rav Shaul would not have been so verboice in his proclamation.”--The Jewish Messiah, Rabbi Daniel G. Harris
Growing up in a Christian home and going to church most all my life, one thing that has been pounded into my head is the so-called “fact” that the Pharisees were conceited, haughty, holier-than-thou, selfishly evil men who invented the bondage of legalism and wanted Jesus killed. They were the “Bad Guys” and we should not desire to be like them in any way, shape or form. Even in Hollywood movies about Jesus, the Pharisees were always the arrogant, snotty, hateful ones who always wore a scowl on their faces.
However, I have come to the conclusion that the Pharisees were not the bad guys, and, if it were not for them and their influence, Christianity and Judaism would not exist today.
Many so called “Messianic” Jews today foolishly believe that the 1st Century Messianic movement sprang from the Karite movement. The Karites are a sect of Jews who do not adhere to the Talmud (Oral Torah) but only to the Written Torah of Moshe. However, the Karites did not exist then. The Essenes were similar in their beliefs to the modern day Karites but they were isolationist and too small of a sect to have any sort of influence upon Judaism as a whole, let alone the 1st century Nazarene Jewish movement.
In Yeshua’s day, there were two major sects of Judaism, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Sadducees pretty much ruled the Temple precinct and their form of Judaism was tied up in the Temple itself. Therefore, when the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E. their sect slowly died off. The Pharisees persisted to exist, and they were the forefathers of the modern orthodox Jewish movement today. The Pharisees lived their lives as if they were serving in the Temple, making everyday mundane activities holy and sacred. They produced Yeshivot (schools) and Synagogues modeled after the example of Ezra, when Judah returned from exile. The home and the synagogue was the focus of activities of their form of Judaism and the Temple was important, too, but their form of Judaism could exist on its own without a Temple and so it has even until this day.
We see Yeshua interacting very little with the Sadducees. He mostly dealt with the Pharisees, because this was the sect in which He grew up, and in all their interaction, discussions and debates, the issues mostly revolved around Talmudic type issues, issues of custom, tradition and the hallakot (the customary way of performing the commandments of Torah) established by the Rabbis, not clear cut unarguable issues of Torah. And, it makes sense that ones main opponents would be from ones own sect. Why would the Sadducees care if Yeshua and His Talmidim ate grain from a field on Shabbat without washing their hands? This takes place in Matt.15:3-7 and was regarding Mishna Nedarim 64, regarding how by some of their man- made traditions they make null and void the Torah itself, which wasn’t penned until after the time of Yeshua but was taught and a well known teaching in the time of Yeshua. Things they argued about would be comparable to two Christian pastors who believe in baptism by immersion arguing over the proper way to baptize a person, whether they dunk once or three times, and what formulated prayer or speech you say when performing the baptism.
There were two schools of Jewish though in the Pharisaical movement, the school of Hillel and the School of Shammai. Most of the time (except on the issue of divorce) Yeshua sided with the school of Hillel, which may surprise one to learn it was considered the liberal school of that day because they were accommodating to a degree when a commoner wanted to study Torah and turn to Judaism. Shammai was more harsh and intolerant of the common Jew or Gentile. They were more rigid in their religious observances as opposed to the House of Hillel, which was more flexible.
It was to the Pharisees He said that they do not need a Physician, for they were not sick, they were well because they followed and kept the Torah (Matt. 9, Mark 2). Yeshua said he was there for the common Jew who did not keep Torah, partially because of the man-made, imposed rules the Pharisees added to the simple commands of Torah.
Christianity’s greatest missionary hero and spokes person, Paul, never gave up his Pharisaical Judaism when he accepted that Yeshua was indeed the Messiah. (Phil. 3:5, Rom. 11:1, Acts 23:6, Gal. 1:13-14, Acts 28:17)
The major issue Yeshua had against the Pharisees is one He would have against most Christians of today, putting their denominational and man- made doctrinal traditions ahead of the Torah itself. He also took up issue with heartless devotion and performance of the Torah, not the Torah itself. And I think we can agree that all of us deal with mechanically living out our faith at one time or another in our lives. Therefore, in reality there were only a handful of conceited, haughty, holier-than-thou, selfishly evil Pharisaical men as seen in the story of the pious Pharisee and the sinner (Luke 18). Yeshua was strict upon Himself and His Talmidim, but liberal with the commoner who in essence did not know better. This is how He won the love of the masses. He was unlike any other Pharisaical Rabbi at that time.
Yeshua did not start a new religion or a new sect in that of major opposition to the Pharisaical movement in which He was raised. However because of the people’s belief in His claim to be Messiah, a new Jewish sect was formed called the Natsarim/Nazarenes. However, until the Bar Kochba revolt, they lived, fellowshipped, worked and worshipped side by side in synagogues and the Temple without major opposition. This is because they were in agreement with most of the traditions, customs and the teachings of the Pharisees.
YESHUA AND JEWISH TRADITION
Many of the aforementioned facts already conclude that Yeshua was obviously a traditional, practicing Jew. The following however, are a few more facts to further authenticate His identification as such.
He observed the Jewish holiday of Channukah: John 10:22,23, “And it was at Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem), the Feast of the Dedication (i.e. Channukah) and it was winter. And Yeshua walked in the Temple in Solomon’s Porch.” “Dedication” in Hebrew is “Channukah.”
As is commanded by the Torah (Deuteronomy 16:16), Yeshua went to Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem) to observe the Jewish holidays. In Matthew 26, we see Him keeping the festival of Peysach (Passover) which is where Christianity derives the “Communion.” Matthew 26:18, “And Yeshua said… ‘I will celebrate the Passover with My tal’midim (disciples).’”
He also observed the festival of Sukkot (“Tabernacles” – Leviticus 23:33-44). John 7:10,37, “And after His brothers had gone up to the Feast (of Sukkot), then He also went up…And on the Great Day, which is the last of the Feast (of Sukkot), Yeshua stood and cried out and said, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’” At this moment, the Kohen (Priest) was pouring out a water oblation to G-d thanking Him for the life giving waters.
As a regular and faithful member of the synagogue, Yeshua was very familiar with and practiced Jewish liturgy in the synagogue services. In Luke 4:17, Yeshua is filling the role of “Maf’tir,” which is the official reader of the Haf’tarah, the prophetical portions of the scriptures. Luke 4:17, “And the scroll of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) the prophet was given to Him and He stood up to read and Yeshua opened the scroll….” The role of Maf’tir still exists to this day in synagogues and is practiced as well at Kehilat Beyt Avraham Synagogue.
There are two basic t’filot, prayers, which are essential to the liturgy of the synagogue service. They are, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) and the Amidah prayer. The Shema declares the Oneness of God and the Amidah offers praise, thanksgiving and benedictions of petition. Yeshua actually quotes the Shema in Mark 12:29-30, “Yeshua said… ‘The foremost of all the commandments is: ‘Hear o Yis’raeyl (Israel), Adonai vuvh our God, Adonai vuvh is One. And you should love Adonai vuvh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with your entire mind and with all your might. This is the most important commandment.’” When asked by the scribe, ‘Which is the Greatest Commandment?,’ Yeshua answered by quoting an “Old Testament” passage, the Shema.
The content of the Amidah prayer has gone through many modifications over the centuries but was very much an established part of synagogue liturgy in Yeshua’s time. He most definitely would have prayed this prayer in the synagogues He attended.
The Amidah is called the Standing Prayer, for as the name implies, one stands during its recitation. Yeshua makes a positive reference to this prayer in Mark 11:25, “And when you Stand to Pray, forgive anything that you have against any man, that your Father Who is in Heaven may also forgive you of your transgressions.” It is interesting how Yeshua’s admonition of forgiveness directly coincides with the Forgiveness section of the Amidah prayer which says, “Forgive us our Father, for we have erred; pardon us our King, for we have willfully sinned; for you are the Good and Forgiving God. Blessed are You Adonai vuvh, the Gracious One Who pardons abundantly.”
Yeshua dressed just like any other Torah observant Jewish man in His day. He would have dressed modestly and had a full beard and decent haircut in accordance with the Torah. Contrary to the classic, but very inaccurate, Leonardo de Vinci styled portrayals of the “Messiah,” Yeshua did not have long hair. Ezekiel 44:20, “Nor shall they shave their heads nor allow their locks to grow long.” 1 Corinthians 11:14, “Does not even nature teach you that it is a shame for a man when his hair grows long?” Leviticus 21:5, “…Neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard….” Isaiah 50:6, “I gave My back to the smiters and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.”
He also would have been easily identified as a Torah observant Jew by the tzitziot, the fringes, that were attached to the four corners of His garment, known as the tallit. This is based on Numbers 15:37-41, “And Adonai vuvh spoke to Mosheh, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Yis’raeyl and bid them to make fringes in the four corners of their garments throughout their generations and that they put upon the fringe of each corner a thread of blue: and it shall be to you a fringe that you may look upon it and remember all the Commandments of Adonai and do them….” It is this fringe which the woman with the issue of blood reached to touch out of faith for her healing in Matthew 9:20, “And behold, a woman which had an issue of blood twelve years, approached behind Him and touched the tzitzit of His garment….”
YESHUA AND THE TORAH
Contrary to the belief that Yeshua came to abolish or replace “the Law,” He emphasized to the people not to even think of such a thing! He came rather to fulfill the Law and to teach it to men. Matthew 5:17-19, “Think not that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill. Truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one yod (the smallest Hebrew letter) or one hook (a decorative flourish on the letters) will pass away from the Torah, until they all be fulfilled.” In Matthew 19:6, a man approached Yeshua and asked, “Rabbi, what good thing must I do to have Eternal Life?” Yeshua answered, “Keep the Commandments!”
In Luke 16:19-31, Yeshua gives over the parable of the rich man and El’azar (Lazarus) the beggar. When the rich man cries out from She’ol (“Hell”) that his brothers be forewarned, Avraham answers, “‘They have Mosheh and the Prophets (i.e. the Torah); let them hear THEM.’ The rich man replied, ‘No father Avraham, but if one went to them from the dead, they would repent!’ Avraham answered, ‘If they won’t hear Mosheh and the Prophets (the Torah), they won’t even listen to One Who Rose from the Dead!’”
Many think of the so-called “Old Testament” as the old, dead, dry law which was eventually replaced by the so-called “New Testament.” However, taking a closer look at the power behind the supposed old, dead, dry scriptures as Yeshua used them against HaSatan (i.e. Satan) reveals the fallacy of this view. Whenever Yeshua says, “It is Written,” He is quoting the TeNaCh, that is, the so-called “Old Testament;” He is not using His own words as some believe. He actually relied on the Torah as His ammunition against HaSatan! Matthew 4:3-4, “And the Tempter came and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of Elohim (God), say that these stones be made bread.’ And Yeshua answered and said, ‘It is Written, For not by bread alone will man live, but by everything that proceeds from the mouth of Adonai vuvh will man live.’” Here, He is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, “...Man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of Adonai vuvh does man live.”
Matthew 4:7, “And Yeshua answered him (HaSatan) and said, ‘It is also Written, You shall not tempt Adonai vuvh your Elohim (God).’” He is quoting Deuteronomy 6:16,“Do not tempt Adonai vuvh your God.” Matthew 4:10, “…Then Yeshua said, ‘It is Written, Adonai vuvh your Elohim (G-d) you shall worship and Him Alone you shall serve.” Once again, He is using a direct quote from Deuteronomy 6:13, “You shall fear Adonai vuvh your God and serve Him.” Now look at the power and result which these “Old Testament” words had as Yeshua quoted them to HaSatan. Matthew 4:11, “Then HaSatan LEFT Him!” – The Jewish Messiah, Rabbi Daniel G. Harris
Allow me to let a Nazarene Rabbi I once knew weigh in on this issue of the Jewishness and Torah Observance of Messiah.
“WARNING, If you don't want to be offended don't read this...
I have, after much thought and prayer, considered that I should do this, this being an expose on Yeshua (Jesus) and his Talmadeem (disciples). Now let me just say from the beginning and give a clear WARNING, this will offend some, and step on others’ toes, though it is only in my heart to share and teach in love and compassion. I really want to share the truth in a way that will impact your life. Maybe some of your own questions will be answered. If you have questions that are not answered please don't hesitate to contact me.
Whether to start at the end or proceed from birth is the question. I do like to establish a good foundation, but I also feel free to prove the solid-ness of my doctrine by being able to tackle any point on the go.
In Luke chapter one, it shows that Yeshua's parents were indeed strictly Jewish; if you are not sure get your scriptures and start in Luke chapter One. A child having this foundation would have continued in it. We are of course talking about the man, or the Man part of Messiah. Speaking of Messiah, it is written that HaShem (Adonai) does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets. That being said, where did He say to any of His prophets, 'Oh by the way I am gonna send my Messiah and He will do away with your religion completely and make a new one. If you don't get on board with this new religion, then I'll send you straight to hell, cause I am mad at you and I've decided to change.' It then goes to reason that the Messiah would come according to prophecy not conjecture.
Okay let me just start by sharing a few questions I have received by Yehudi (Jew) and Goy (Gentile) alike.
- Well if Jesus didn't do it we shouldn't be doing it. Show me where Jesus wore those fringes and that funny little hat?
- Show me where He or His disciples didn't eat pork.
- How do you know He was Torah observant?
- Well Jesus did away with all that law stuff.
- Oh no we here at... believe Jesus didn't do away with the law.
- Jesus created Christianity and His disciples followed, only later did some Jews try and go back to it.
- Paul said if you practice any part of the law you have made Chr-st of no use and lost your soul.
- See the NT is in Greek, and that shows that they were moving away from the Jewish ways.
- The church is built upon Peter who was no longer a Jew.
- When Jesus comes back He will be a Christian.
- None of the Gospels are Jewish.
- Well if Jesus didn't do it we shouldn't be doing it. Show me where Jesus wore those fringes and that funny little hat?
- Matt. 9:20 Mark 5:25 Luke 8:43