Monday, 25 August 2014

Status of Gentiles in Messianic Judaism

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This is a New Covenant Halacha for Tikkun International, dealing with the status of Gentiles in Messianic Jewish communities. Can Gentiles convert? Should they, if they are embracing a Torah observant lifestyle? What is Tikkun's position on conversion?

Derivatives of the word "convert" are used in English translations of the Scriptures and by religious communities in different ways.

After delving into who recognises whose conversions, the paper explores the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council ruling to this issue and affirms the Tikkun position on making halacha in a New Covenant Context.

... any halacha made by Tikkun should be viewed, not as law, but rather as apostolic guidance

Dr Juster, the shaliach for Tikkun, views conversion as unnecessary - but with differing positions even within the Tikkun network, can there be a consensus? With a resounding 'yes', the paper puts forth five points on which there is total agreement. These include the olive tree from Romans 11, the call of a k'rov Yisrael and the recognition of who is a Jew.

You can read the whole article here and when you have thought it over, drop by and let us know where you stand on this issue and what your community thinks about it.