Messianic belief is the same faith as the Jews that belief in Yahweh, the G-D of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and G-D's Law Torah which is known as Judaism and we accept Yeshua (Yeshua) as the Messiah and Son of G-D that died for our sins on the cross.

A Christian Jews is someone who practices Judaism and believes that Yeshua Christ is the true Messiah (Son of G-D). Hebrew or Messianic Christians believe Yeshua was the Jewish Son of G-D born of the Virgin Mary. Christian Jews believe that He became the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Christian Jews call Yeshua by the name of Yeshua or Y'shua since the mentioning of the name Yeshua can provoke anger from the other Jews who do not believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. Y'shua has the authority from G-D. This authority stands as proof for Christian Jews that Christ is the Messiah He claimed to be in His teachings. Y'shua had power to perform miracles and teached G-D’s will. Y'shua was committed to be about His Father's business, as was spoken of when His family found Him speaking in the temple at the age of twelve. Y'shua had a great love for all people who wanted it. Yeshua willingly allowed Himself to be tried, convicted, and crucified without a legal fight. The world was changed by His life's examples.

Christian Jews take the relationship G-D has with His chosen people seriously. With the entire world's anti-Semitism, they understand the closeness G-D desires with His children. The teaching of Judaism becomes real in their lives as they feel a deep sense of direction to what G-D has done for them. Many state that the feast holidays have become more significant to them spiritually. This has brought meaning and purpose to them as Jewish descendants who are Christians.

Messianic Jews differ from Christians in their use of terminology:

• Most Messianic Jews belong to Messianic Jewish congregations or synagogues. However, some follow a Messianic Jewish lifestyle, while attending regular Evangelical Christian churches.

• Their synagogues are similar in design to other Jewish houses of worship.

• Congregations typically call their leader a Rabbi, hold at least part of their service in Hebrew and display the Torah.

• Torah observant Messianic Jews who follow strict orthodox practices such as Kosher methods of food preparation and eating.

• Jewish members who live a lifestyle between these two extremes.

• They generally observe the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath), starting at sundown on Friday night.

• Many continue the practice of circumcision of male newborns.

• Many Messianic Jews keep the strict rabbinical kosher dietary laws.

• They observe all of the traditional Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Succoth, Shavuot, etc. A few observe Yom Yeshua (the day of Yeshua)

• The Hebrew Scriptures are referred to as the Tanach (Old Covenant Scriptures). The Christian Scriptures are called the B'rit Chadasha (New Covenant Scriptures).

• They enthusiastically support the nation of Israel.

Should Christians celebrate Passover or any of the other Jewish holidays?

Yeshua observed the biblical holidays during his earthly life. In addition, the apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian Christians to celebrate the seder (1 Corinthians 5:8). The biblical feasts were given to teach, in a practical way, more about the nature of G-d and his plan for mankind. For example, Passover is rich in the symbolism of the Messiah's death, burial, and resurrection. One of Yeshua's last earthly acts was the celebration of the Passover. Gathering his disciples in a small room in Jerusalem, he led them in the annual seder dinner. For more detailed information, see G-D's Appointed Times: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Celebrating the Biblical Holidays, The Messianic Passover Haggadah, and our Passover Family Packs. These materials provide a first-hand experience of the Jewish Passover, as Yeshua and his followers celebrated it.

Is there any relationship between the Jewish customs and the Christian ones?

Definitely. The Lord's Supper comes from the Passover meal (called the seder) and the ordinance of baptism comes from immersion (t'vilah) in a special pool of water (mikveh). The Jewish marriage ceremony is also very similar to the marriage feast of the Lamb. For more detailed information, see "G-D's Appointed Customs: A Messianic Jewish Guide to the Biblical Lifecycle and Lifestyle" and "G-D's Appointed Times: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Celebrating the Biblical Holidays."

Why do Messianic Jews still keep parts of the Law of Moses; after all, wasn't the Law done away with?

When a Jew becomes a follower of Yeshua, he does not cease being a Jew. Yeshua said that he did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17-19). In addition, James and the elders of the congregation in Jerusalem told the apostle Paul that tens of thousands of Jewish people had believed in Yeshua and were zealously keeping the Law (Acts 21:20). Thus, the early Jewish believers (approx. 30 years after Yeshua's death and resurrection) were still keeping the Law. For more detailed information, see "They Loved the Torah."

Why do Jews, especially non-religious ones, reject Yeshua?

It is a common misconception that Jewish people are experts on the Old Testament, and that after much study they have decided that Yeshua is not the Messiah. The truth is that most Jewish people know less about the Old Testament than the average Christian. They reject Yeshua because of the way in which he has been portrayed by the Church down through the centuries. There has been so much persecution of Jews by so-called Christians (e.g., the Crusades, Inquisition, Holocaust, and modern-day white supremacist groups) that the Jewish community has rejected Yeshua without even knowing what he taught.

Should I really try to persuade my Jewish neighbor to believe in Yeshua (Jesus)?

Yeshua commanded us to go out into all the world and make disciples (see Matthew 28:19-20), beginning in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria (Acts 1:8). Even the apostle Paul, who was called the apostle to the Gentiles, said that the Gospel should go to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). Paul was so convicted by the need for Jews to receive salvation that he was willing to give up his own salvation if this would have brought salvation to the Jewish people (Romans 9:2-4). The salvation of the Jewish people was a priority in the lives of both Paul and Yeshua, and it needs to be a priority in the life of every Christian. It is every Christian's duty to share the Gospel of Yeshua with their Jewish neighbor. The apostle Paul said that "it is by means of their [the Jews] stumbling that the deliverance has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them [the Jews] to jealousy" (Romans 11:11, Jewish New Testament). Every Christian is called to make the Jewish people jealous, so that they will want to hear the Good News. For more detailed information, see "You Bring the Bagels, I'll Bring the Gospel: Sharing the Messiah with Your Jewish Neighbor" and "Jewish New Testament."

What is the Talmud?

The Talmud is comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah is a compilation of the Jewish Oral Law that was codified in 220 CE (Common Era). Orthodox Judaism believes that the Oral Law (corresponding to what the New Testament calls the "tradition of the elders") was given by G-d to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Gemara completes the Talmud by providing commentary on the Mishnah. It was compiled between the second and fifth centuries CE. The English-only version of the Talmud (by Soncino Press) contains 20 volumes. Messianic Jews do not accept the Talmud as the authoritative Word of G-d.

What is a Messianic Congregation?

"Messianic congregations are a recent phenomenon on the pages of ecclesiastical history, but they have a heritage that extends back to the earliest period of the New Covenant faith. . . . Messianic congregations are part of the ecclesia [a Greek word meaning "called out ones," referring to the gathering together of believers in the Messiah]. However, they refer to themselves as congregations or synagogues to reflect and communicate the Jewishness of the Messianic faith to a people [the Jews] who have mistakenly come to associate belief in Yeshua the Messiah with anti-Semitism." (Excerpted from "Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism.")

	Shabbat Shalom
	Family Erev Shabbat Blessings Erev Shabbat is the beginning of the most holy day of the week. Traditionally, it begins on Friday at sundown and it is celebrated in both the synagogue and afterwards, in the home. This set of blessings illustrates how you can welcome the Shabbat into your families and homes.
	Candle Lighting, Friday Evening Blessing over the Cup Blessing over the Bread The Husband: Blessing our Wives Father/ Parent: Blessing our Sons Blessing over our Daughters Barchu / Blessing Mechamocha Blessing of Messiah Ve’sham’roo Shema Aaronic Blessing
	Candle Lighting, Friday Evening Baruch atah Adonai Elohenu melech ha alom, asher kidshanu b'mitzvahtav vetzi vonu l'chad leek ner, shel Shabbat. Amayn. Blessed are you, oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments and has commanded us to be a light to nations and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World. Amen. Blessing over the Cup Baruch atah Adonai Elohenu melech ha alom, borey p'ree ha gaphen. Amayn. Blessed are thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. Amen. Blessing over the Bread Ha motzi le chem min ha eretz. We give thanks to God for bread, Our voices rise in song together, as our joyful prayer is said. Baruch atah Adonai Elohenu melech ha alom, Ha motzi le chem min ha eretz. Amayn. Blessed are thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from out of the earth. Amen. The Husband: Blessing our Wives Father, we thank You for giving us wives of proverbs (31:10-31); and Lord I thank you for the wife that You've given me. May you _______ be blessed as you rise while it is yet night to see about the ways of our household and may you be blessed as you see about the daily care and education of our children.  May your mouth be filled with wisdom and kindness.  May your heart meditate on the power and the glory of the Lord and may your hands perform the mitzvot, as you do the work of Yeshua. Amen. Father/ Parent: Blessing our Sons May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to shine upon you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace.  May you be as Ephraim and Manassah. May the Lord always be with you. May He bring you home unto the land prepared for you. (Father adds) May God Bless you and grant you long life. (Mother adds) May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you. May God make you good husbands and fathers. (Father) May He prepare and send holy wives for you. May the Lord protect and defend you. May His spirit fill you with grace. May our family grow in happiness, please hear our Shabbat prayer. Amen. Blessing over our Daughters May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to shine upon you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace.  May you be as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah. May the Lord always be with you. May He bring you home unto the land prepared for you. (Father) May God Bless you and grant you long life. (Mother) May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you. May God make you good mothers and wives. (Father) May He bring you a husband who will love, cherish, and care for you. May the Lord protect and defend you. May His spirit fill you with grace. May our family grow in happiness, Father, please hear our Shabbat prayer. Amen. Barchu / Blessing Leader: Barchu et Adonai ham vo-rach. All: Baruch Adonai ham vo-rach le-olam va-ed. Leader: Blessed be the Lord who is to be praised All: Blessed be the Lord who is praised for all eternity. Mechamocha All: Me-cha mo-cha bah-ay-leem Adonai. Me-cha mo-cha neh-dahr bah-ko-desh. No-rah te-he-lote O-sey feh-leh, O-sey feh-leh. All: Who is like You, Oh Lord among the gods? Who is like You, Lord there is none else. You are awesome in praise, doing wonders, Oh Lord. Who is like You, Oh Lord. Blessing of Messiah Leader: Ba-ruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher na-tahn lanoo et deh-rech ha-ya-shoo-ah b'meh-shee-ach Yeshua. All: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has given us the way of salvation in Messiah Yeshua. Ve’sham’roo Leader: Ve-sham-roo ve-nay Yisrael et ha-shabbat le-dor-otam be-reet olam. Be-nay oo-va-yan benay Yisrael ot hee le-olam kee she-shet ya-amin a sah Adonai et ha-sha-ma-yeem v'et ha-eretz oo-va-yom ha-shevee-ee sha-vat vay-een-a-fash All: The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath and observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He ceased from His work and rested. Shema All: Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad. Baruch shem ke-vod mal-choo-to lay-olam va-ed. Yeshua, ha-ma-she-ach, hoo Adonai. All: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Blessed be His name, whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever. Yeshua the Messiah, He is Lord. Aaronic Blessing Ye-va-recha Adonai ve-yeesh-me-recha. Ya-er Adonai panav e-ley-cha vee-choo-ne-cha. Yeesa Adonai panav e-lay-cha Shalom. B'Shem Yeshua ha-ma-she-ach sar ha-shalom, shalom. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. In the name of Yeshua the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, Shalom. Traditional Blessings The act of blessing is taken very, very seriously in the land of Israel. In fact, most of the daily prayers that is said, is in the form of blessing. Here then is a few blessings that is said on a daily basis. May you find them helpful and use them well. Who gives us discernment Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, asher natan lasechvi vina l`havchil bein yom u`vein lailah. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night.) Who made us partakers of Israel Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, she-asani Yisrael. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who made me an Israelite) Who made us free Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, shello `asani aved. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who did not make me a slave) Who made us in His image Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, she`asani be`tzalmo. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who made me in His image) Who made us as we are Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, she-asani kirtzono. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who made me according to His will) Who opens our eyes Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, pokeiach `ivrim. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who gives sight to the blind) Who clothes us Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, malbish `arumim. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who clothes the naked) Who sets the captives free Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, matir `asurim. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who releases the captives) Who makes the crooked straight Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, zokeir k`fufim. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who straightens the bend) Who enables us to walk Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, rokei`a ha`aretz al hamayim. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who spreads the earth upon the waters) Who meets all our needs Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, sha`asah li kol tsorki. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has provided for all my needs) Who establishes all our steps Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, hameichin mits`adei gever. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who establishes the footsteps of man) Who girds us with might Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, ozeir Yisrael bigvurah. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who girds Israel with might) Who crowns us with glory Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, `oteir Yisrael b`tifarah. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who crowns Israel with glory) Who gives us strength Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, ha-notein laiya`eif koach. (Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, Who gives the weary strength) Who formed mankind in wisdom Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-Olam, asher yatzar et ha`adam b`khochmah, u`vara vo nekavim nekavim, chalulim chalulim. Galuy ve`yadua lifnei khisei khevodecha she`im yipateiach echad meihem, `O yisateim echad meihem, `i efshar le`hitpaiyeim ve`la`amod lefaneycha. Baruch atah Adonai, rofei chol basar u`mafli la`asot. (Blessed are You Lord our God, Master of the universe, Who formed mankind in wisdom and created in him all manner of openings and cavities. It is manifest and known before the throne of Your glory that if any one of them raptured or were blocked, it would be impossible to survive and stand before You. Blessed are You Lord, Who heals all flesh and is wonderful in His acts.) AFTER READING BERIT CHADASHAH (Blessing for the New Covenant) Baruch Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Natan Lanu Ha-Devar Ha’emet Ve-chayei Olam Nata Betokheinu. Baruch Attah Adonai, Notein Ha-Berit Ha-Chadashah (Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the universe, Who gave to us the Word of Truth and planted everlasting life in our midst. Blessed are You Lord, Giver of the New Covenant.) BEFORE READING BERIT CHADASHAH (Blessing for the New Covenant) Baruch Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Natan Lanu Mashiach Yeshua Ve-Hadiberot Shel Ha-Berit Chadashah. Baruch Attah Adonai, Notein Ha-Berit Ha-Chadashah (Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the universe, Who gave to us the Messiah Jesus and the Commandments of the New Covenant. Blessed are You Lord, Giver of the New Covenant.) HAMOTZI LECHEM (Blessing over bread) Baruch Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Ha’Motzi Lechem Min Ha-Eretz (Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.) HAGAFEN (Blessing over wine/grape fruit) Baruch Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Borei Peri Hagafen (Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.) MESSIANIC CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSING Baruch Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kideshanu Bemitzvotav Ve’Tsivanu Lehiyot Or Le-Goyim v’Natan-Lanu Et Yeshua Meshicheinu Or Ha’Olam (Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His Commandments and Commanded us to be a light to the nations and Who gave to us Jesus our Messiah the Light of the world.) AARON BENEDICTION Ye varechecha Adonai v`yishmerecha; ya er Adonai panav eleicha vihuneca; Yisah Adonai panav eleicha v`yasem; l cha shalom. (The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and gives you peace.)