Tag Archives: unity
Introduction to Messianic Judaism: An Exercise in Wholeness
Similarly, New Testament scholars have long-held that the Jerusalem community headed by Ya’akov/James was (1) primarily composed of Yeshua-believing Jews who (2) remained within the bounds of Second Temple Judaism and (3) lived strictly according to the Torah (Acts 15:4-5; … Continue reading
Debate or Beer?
One of the glories of life in the Messianic Jewish community is the unity of worship and service between its Jewish and Gentile members within a specifically Jewish context. In recent years, however, a trend has developed that challenges the … Continue reading
The Fragmented Body
Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthians grant us an up-close and personal portrait of the Corinthian community he was leaving behind. They were a diverse community of Jewish believers, God-fearing Gentiles, and recently converted pagans. They were not perfect people. … Continue reading
Sparking Illumination
The Jewish people have no monopoly on G-d and spirituality. In fact, Judaism’s core desire is that the world perceive G-d’s presence in their lives, and grow spiritually. What’s curious then is the wording of what is arguably Judaism’s most … Continue reading
Healing the Enemy
It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work. -Ethics of the Fathers 2:21 In economics, the bottom line measures success and failure. Someone who goes into a business venture with complete recklessness, yet makes a great deal of … Continue reading
Whitewash
Mordechai said to respond to Esther, “Do not think that you can save yourself [from Haman's decree of annihilation] because you are in the royal palace.” -Esther 4:13 Esther, the heroine of the Purim episode, received this sharp rebuke from … Continue reading
Imploring Unity
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. -Acts 16:13 (ESV) They did … Continue reading
Throwing Stones
Do not throw a stone into the well from which you drank. -Bava Kama 92b The Talmud states that this folk saying is related to the Torah commandment, “Do not reject an Egyptian, because you were a dweller in his … Continue reading
The Divine Path to Taking Out the Garbage
One who degrades another person is a fool, and a man of understanding will make himself deaf to his words. -Proverbs 11:12 When people feel good about themselves, they have no need to enhance their self-evaluation by berating others. Those … Continue reading
Take a Deep Breath
I am grateful that the secular spirit of the modern world has made the medieval option of fear of God’s punishment spiritually irrelevant. I felt dignified and challenged as a teacher of Torah in not having the support of God’s … Continue reading
