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"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever."
- Psalm 117, NIV

Things That Make You Go Hmmm . . .

by Chaia Kravitz
Jewish people are told a lot of things about Yeshua, mostly reason why we are not to accept Him. Here are a few things that we are not told, as well as some advice on how to have a personal relationship with God.

If you are visiting this site as someone who is curious about Messianic Judaism, especially if you are from a Jewish background, I applaud you. I congratulate you on your desire to seek God and for your open-mindedness.

I know you have probably been told a lot of reasons why Jews don't believe in Jesus, so I don't blame you if you are skeptical about Messianic Judaism. But there is a lot that you haven't been told.

With that in mind, I have some little known facts to put forward. Since you are obviously curious, intelligent and willing to search for the truth, please investigate these claims and come up with your own conclusions.

As you already know, the Haftorah is the portion of the Jewish Bible that is read after the Torah portion. But Isaiah 53 is always skipped.

In fact, in Yeshivas (Jewish seminary schools where Rabbis are trained), students who argue the meaning behind Isaiah 53 are often expelled.

Ditto for the Book of Daniel. Many Yeshiva students have not or are not allowed to read it.

As far as the New Testament is concerned, don't even go there, according to the Rabbis. Yeshiva students are not permitted to read it or have a copy. In families, fathers make their sons and son's sons promise never to read it. Most Rabbis have never read it. Why the big secret?

Most Jews will agree that a historical Jesus did exist. They will describe Him as a teacher and a "good man," but not the Messiah and certainly not God incarnate. This demonstrates a serious flaw of logic. One cannot be a good teacher or good person and be a liar. Is Jesus/Yeshua who He says He is?

Over the centuries, Rabbis from a variety of walks of Jewish life and movements, including Orthodox ones, have come to the realization that Yeshua is Messiah. We just never hear about them. Their names are erased from formal Jewish communal books and Rabbinical records. What we know about these Rabbis are from word of mouth passed down through their families.

Josephus was a Jewish historian in Jesus' time who was not a Believer. He reported of a man named Yeshua healing the sick and performing miracles, who was crucified by the Romans and then seen walking around three days later. The writings of Josephus are readily available in libraries and book stores.

Yeshua is mentioned in early Talmudic writings, by the name Yeshu (an extremely derogative term). His miracles and healings are mentioned but explained as being a result of His using sorcery and witchcraft.

Some contemporary Rabbis, struggling to explain the fulfilled prophecies of Yeshua, have gone so far as to say that perhaps Jesus is the Messiah -- for the Gentiles. There will be another Messiah for the Jews. However, nowhere in the Bible is there ever talk of the coming of two Messiahs, only a Jewish Messiah.

As well, some Rabbis have written about Jesus in glowing terms, as being a model for humanity and an extraordinary man -- but stopping short of agreeing that He is the Messiah. But like the argument given earlier, one cannot in good conscience be so complimentary towards someone who is either lying (about being the Messiah) or mentally ill (delusional to call himself the Son of God).

The "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53 is often explained by the Rabbis as talking about Israel. However, following with this same line of logic in reading the passage, it follows that the salvation of Israel will be Israel. That is circular reasoning and makes no sense.

In closing, I want to ask you if you ever think about the concept of having eternal life? Of having a close personal relationship with God? Then I urge you to investigate what the Bible says about the Messiah. And if you come to the conclusion that Yeshua is the Messiah, all you have to do is pray to the One True God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and ask Yeshua into your heart. You can pray something as simple as this:

LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I confess that I have not lived a perfect life. I have sinned and fallen short of Your expectations. I ask that Yeshua come into my heart and that I am forgiven through His blood and Your grace. I pray in the name of Yeshua the Messiah, Amen.

If you have said this prayer, please let us know. We would love to stay in touch with you and pray for you.

" . . . it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
- Romans 1:16, NIV