Sadly, there is a charade occurring in several places throughout Pierce County.  This charade is a religious phenomenon known as “Messianic Judaism,” or “Jews for Jesus.”  These groups claim to be organizations for Jews who believe that Jesus is the messiah.

Imagine what would happen if one day I decided to declare myself a Zulu.  I’d learn some Zulu dances, throw a few Zulu words into my vocabulary, and accessorize my clothing so as to give myself a distinctly nouveau-Zulu look.

It might be an interesting sight, but I have a feeling that this yuppie-looking white guy masquerading as a Zulu wouldn’t fool anyone for a second.

The religion of these “Messianic Jews” is best described by a single word: Christianity.  Many of these groups are funded by evangelical Christian denominations as a way of encouraging Jews to become Christian.  Although some of their members may [ital]technically[ital] be Jews, the movement known as “Messianic Judaism” isn’t Judaism at all.  It is, rather, fundamentalist Christianity disguised as Judaism, and about as Jewish as I am Zulu.

 Status

“Being Jewish” has nothing to do with your beliefs – it is a question of status.  According to Jewish law, a person is Jewish only if born of a Jewish mother or converted to Judaism by an ordained rabbi.

Yes, by that definition a few members of these groups may actually be Jewish, but most were neither born Jewish, nor did they convert under rabbinic supervision.  So, regardless of the nature of their religious practice, the overwhelming majority of the people involved in “Messianic Judaism” aren’t even Jewish.

 Religion

“Messianic Jews” will tell you that they embrace the “Judeo-Christian” religious tradition.  Unfortunately, however, there is no such thing – there is a Jewish tradition, and there is a Christian tradition.  Each teaches great religious truths; each is quite different from the other.  There are areas of agreement (often regarding ethics), but the differences are fundamental.

For example, who is the messiah?  Christians hold that it is Jesus; Jews say that the messiah has not yet arrived.  How do we achieve salvation?  Christianity teaches that we do so by sincerely accepting Jesus as savior – an intensely individual process; Judaism teaches that salvation is achieved by observing [ital]mitzvoth[ital], sacred commandments, and that it is collective in nature.  Which matters more to God – belief or behavior?  Christianity teaches that belief – creed – is the primary religious act, while Judaism cares far more about what we do than about what we believe.

Clearly, an intelligent person could embrace either Judaism or Christianity, but not both; for embracing both would involve becoming a walking, religious oxy-moron.

“Messianic Jews” will also remind you – repeatedly – that Jesus was a Jew.  I’m not sure why they focus on that so much.  Perhaps they think that Jesus’ Jewishness somehow validates them; that it means their religion is more “authentic” than plain ol’ Judaism or Christianity.

Of course Jesus was Jewish!  But his followers chose to form their own, distinct religion because they embraced Jesus’ critique of Judaism and what it had become.  Jesus was a rebel – his rebuke of the Jewish world of his day inspired his followers to boldly chart their new course.  “Messianic Jews” thus undo the work of their courageous forbears.

 I don’t agree with everything Jesus taught, but I do have deep and profound respect for his teachings and for many of his followers.  That “Messianic Jews” show such disrespect for both saddens me greatly.

  Sociology

As you might guess, the “Messianic Jews” of Pierce County are about as connected with the local Jewish community as I am with the Zulus.  These groups have never reached out to us here at Temple Beth El, which is Pierce County’s only synagogue.  Never.  If they did, we in the Jewish community would need to decide whether to befriend a group that deceives the general community by calling itself Jewish.

One of the most important commandments in Judaism is not to separate from the community.  But to the best of my knowledge, no “Messianic Jews” anywhere have ever expressed any interest in becoming part of the Jewish community.  Clearly, “Messianic Judaism” isn’t very Jewish at all.

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Let me be clear:  My only objection to these groups is that they call their religion Judaism.  Judaism it is not!  Their religion is form of Christianity disguised as Judaism; their goal is to deceive people into becoming fundamentalist Christians; it offends all of us who treasure the richness and distinctiveness of these two great religions.  Unfortunately, many in search of Judaism or the local Jewish community find these groups and fall prey to their dishonesty.

If I ever want to explore what it really means to be a Zulu, I’ll go to Africa and learn from the Zulus themselves.  If you’re in Pierce County and want to learn about Judaism, please, come on over to Temple Beth El.  We’re the only synagogue around, and we’d love to welcome you.