What are some basic beliefs of Messianic Jews?

Question

I am very interested in learning about them and any information would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Messianic Judaism is typically defined by a belief that Mashiach ben Yosef - the "suffering servant" Messiah patterned after the life of Joseph - has already come some 2000 years ago in the person of Yeshua. They believe the Mashiach ben David - the "reigning king" Messiah - is yet to come, but will be this same Yeshua.

To explore the concept of how Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David are seen in Orthodox Judaism, read Kol HaTor (The Voice of the Turtledove) which is based on the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna. You will find it online in English here:
http://www.yedidnefesh.com/kaballah/kol-hator/index.htm

The majority of them believe that Torah is eternal and is still binding instructions for how to live their lives. So they continue to follow the Feasts of the L-rd, keep the Sabbath, keep kosher, etc. Obviously normative Judaism views them as being heretical, and some would claim that they stopped being Jews. But this is a misunderstanding which the Lubuvitcher Rebbe clearly corrected:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4462924665331442133
Where the Rebbe clearly states that one is "always a Jew" even when he has followed an aberant belief.

To review a little as to why Messianics put so much emphasis on the person of Joseph in comparision to Yeshua, it is helpful to review the story of Joseph:
Joseph was sent to find his brothers at the place where the father had instructed them to be, but they were not there and had gone to Dotan (which means "decrees" - like rabbinical decrees). The brothers hated Joseph because of who he was and plotted to kill him, and so they threw him into an empty pit. He was sold for pieces of silver. In Egypt he was unjustly accused of a crime he didn't commit. He interprets the dreams of the baker and the cup-bearer (a reference to bread and wine) and after 2 years is put in charge of all of Egypt being given the new name of Tzafnat-Peneach (which in Egyptian means "Savior of the world") and he takes a gentile bride. There are 7 years of Tribulation (famine) in the world which Joseph saves them from. The other brothers come down to him in Egypt but do not recognize him since he has a foreign name, has been dressed in pagan clothing, and speaks in a foreign language. He reveals himself to them in the 2nd year of the Tribulation. Despite the fact that his brothers had mistreated him, he provides them with a good land to dwell in. The Messianics would draw some obvious (and not so obvious) parallels from this story to the story of Yeshua, including an explanation of why the Jewish community doesn't recognize Yeshua yet (any more than the brothers didn't recognize their brother.) They generally view the Christianized Roman-toga-wearing "Jesus" as being similar to the way Joseph was hidden behind a foreign name and foreign clothing.

The Messianic Movement sees this sort of parallel insight throughout Scripture. There is also much emphasis placed on the occurances of the word YESHUAH ("salvation") in the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, Exodus 15:2 "The L-RD is my strength and my song, He also is become my YESHUAH..." - such references are understood as being tied directly to Yeshua.

The Messianic Movement is a wide spectrum of beliefs and practice, and will vary by community and individual. Typically the organization "Jews for Jesus" is not considered to be Messianic as they generally believe Torah is done away with; while the Messianic Movement generally believes that Torah is Eternal in nature. (Psalm 119:89)

The Messianic Movement has more recently started to reach out towards Gentile Christian groups to show them some of these insights. These efforts have met with mixed results. The majority of Christianity believes Messianics to be heretical and "under the law". But there have been many Gentiles that have migrated into the Messianic Movement over the years. Again, this will vary by your local area. Some Messianic Jewish groups have fully accepted Gentiles into their congregations. Other Messianic Jewish groups have desired to remain only a "Jewish" group and have tried their best to keep Gentiles out. So it is best to talk to the leadership of your local Messianic Congregations to find out which type they are before visiting.

Answer 2

They believe that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Messiah. The rest of Judaism are still waiting for Him. They read the New Testament, the rest of the Jews read only the Torah the five (5) books of Moses.

The Messianic Jews still keep all the Old Testament feast days, and they worship on the Sabbath (Saturday).

You can contact a fine organization called "Jews for Jesus." They are based in San Francisco. Check your local phone book for more information.

Answer 3

THE SECRET OF CHRISTIANITY !

1 GOD became a man !
2 HE was perfect in all ways !
3 HE was seen by angels as HE was
originally (THE GOD), and as a man !
4 HE taught the non Jewish ( as well as many Jews) !
5 HIS teachings were (and are) believed by MANY people !
6 HE returned to HIS place - we call that place heaven !

This is The Entire Story required to become
A TRUE CHRISTIAN.

Answer 4

Jews for Jesus are Jews who become Christians (believe in Christianity), but the people who converted them have convinced them that they can still call themselves Jews. (It would be like an organization called Christians for Mohammed.)

Answer 5

Go here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Judaism


but basically they are Jews who believe in Christ and honor the traditions of the original Jewish Christians.

Answer 6

They believe that navel lint is the number one problem facing today's youth, for starters.