Part II: Excerpts from UMJC 2012 Conference lecture by Boaz Michael (FFOZ)
I was asked by a number of my readers to post more excerpts from the Boaz Michael’s One Law and Supersessionism lecture. [Note: Part I can be found here.] So, without further ado:
There’s no value or distinction in being Jewish [in a Messianic Gentile movement]. Anyone who claims that there’s value or distinction in being Jewish is labeled in the Messianic Gentile world as arrogant, racist and exclusivist. By Jews trying to defend their identity and guard what is rightfully theirs, unfortunately they are labeled in this manner.
Gentiles who choose this path are often mistaken for being Jewish. When they reveal that they are not Jewish in the normal sense of the word Jewish, it brings confusion and resentment. It has the same effect as someone who does not have medical training claims to be a doctor – they might argue they have the right to dress like a doctor, but in reality they are sending a message that is misleading and harmful. When Gentiles dress and act like Jews it simply becomes difficult to tell who is Jewish and who isn’t, it blurs the line of distinction between Jew and Gentile that Paul so adamantly fought to keep throughout his ministry. It hurts both Jew and Gentile by making Gentile identity seem somehow inadequate before G-d and by misusing the customs in an inappropriate way that were designed to set the Jewish people apart as a unique people.
But there’s more to One Law theology than just looking and acting Jewish. Some of the core ideas inherent in One Law destabilize the very foundation of what it means to be Jewish and practice Judaism. One way is the unique role that the Jews have [and one] that is completely removed within the One Law theology is an across the board rejection of the authority of the Jewish people to define the halachic parameters of how the Torah is to be applied. One Law theologians have no desire to defer to the halachic standard normative of the Jewish people because in doing so would remove any basis for the idea that Gentiles should be obligated to the Torah the exact same way as Jews. Judaism has always rejected this idea and rightfully so.
In rejecting the right and the responsibility of the Jewish people to define what it means to be Jewish and practice Judaism, One Law theology strikes directly at the core of authentic Judaism. One Law replaced the Jewish rabbis and sages with self-appointed Gentiles who believe that they are divinely sanctioned to interpret Torah outside of the Jewish context. Whatever conclusion they come to are given a greater weight than those of the Jewish halachic authorities. That can be compared to the rebellion of Korah in the wilderness. Moses and Aaron have been given unique roles by G-d, but Korah and those with him thought that they were just as qualified to take on those roles. They were not content with being Israelites and Levites. They wanted something more. Similarly, One Law adherents are not content with just simply being Gentile followers within the broad community of Israel – they want ownership and leadership and the right to define or redefine.
When G-d intrusted Israel with the Torah, He commanded them to appoint leaders to interpret the Torah and to judge whether or not the people had broken the Torah. Inherent in this process is the development of case law, history, tradition of the Jewish people which establishes the precedence that fleshes out the full meaning and implications of each of the commandments. This body of tradition was created by the Jewish people at the commandment of G-d…The Torah invests the divine authority in the spiritual leaders of the Jewish people (this is in the Deuteronomy ch. 17), where their rulings are called…”a word of Torah”. Any Israelite presumptuous enough to reject the rulings of the judges of Israel was cut off from his people, the same punishment as for someone who rejected the written Torah. How much more presumptuous is it for a gentile to cast off entire body of Jewish tradition and claim the right to act as the judge and definer of the Torah? By divorcing the Torah and its interpretation from the Jewish people and their culture and their religious heritage and history, One Law theology assumes a role that G-d specifically gave to the Jewish people. That is Supersessionism.
The denigration of Judaism always masks itself in a form of antisemitism. You can hear it when it is spoken of. They speak of the rabbis in a joking way. They speak about the rabbis following “traditions of men.” They do not respect the spirituality of the Jewish people. The unexplainable desire to control the Jewish literary and religious heritage is an implicit statement that the Jews have no right to interpret their own texts or define their own national or religious character.
“But there’s more to One Law theology than just looking and acting Jewish. Some of the core ideas inherent in One Law destabilize the very foundation of what it means to be Jewish and practice Judaism. One way is the unique role that the Jews have [and one] that is completely removed within the One Law theology is an across the board rejection of the authority of the Jewish people to define the halachic parameters of how the Torah is to be applied. One Law theologians have no desire to defer to the halachic standard normative of the Jewish people because in doing so would remove any basis for the idea that Gentiles should be obligated to the Torah the exact same way as Jews. Judaism has always rejected this idea and rightfully so.”
“In rejecting the right and the responsibility of the Jewish people to define what it means to be Jewish and practice Judaism, One Law theology strikes directly at the core of authentic Judaism. One Law replaced the Jewish rabbis and sages with self-appointed Gentiles who believe that they are divinely sanctioned to interpret Torah outside of the Jewish context. Whatever conclusion they come to are given a greater weight than those of the Jewish halachic authorities.”
This is exactly correct. Whatever the One Law proponents are seeking, it isn’t “Judaism” in the sense we understand the term. If anything, what they seem to believe they’re pursuing, is a more “pure” or “original” sense of Torah and Tanakh without the “Rabbinization” of the scriptures that took place after the loss of the Second Temple. I’m not even sure if you can call what they’re doing “Hebrew Roots” at this point, because what seems to be happening is that they are not just trying to recreate Torah observance for Gentiles, but to redefine what Torah observance is supposed to mean. I doubt if even Moses and Jesus would recognize what they’re doing, even though many OL congregations say they’re “observing Torah” without the “leaven of the Pharisees” which was supposedly introduced with the Talmud.
As far as the Korach rebellion is concerned, I saw that parallel, too.
Wow, I can’t believe he said that! To say that one is like Korach to reject Rabbinic authority?! Oy vey! I just made a blog post about it:
http://orthodoxmessianic.blogspot.com/2012/08/ffoz-says-you-are-no-better-than-korach.html
Peter, you reading it wrong and missing the point. It’s not about “Rabbinics”. The Korah example is about resenting G-d-given roles of others and wanting to be something you are not, not being satisfied with who G-d created you do be.
Also, when a Gentile says “I want to follow Torah, but I reject “Rabbinics”, they DO demonstrate their rejection of Jewish authority and halachic leadership.
Decided to go right to the source and comment on Peter’s blog. Didn’t think I’d actually do that…at least so soon.
Powerful stuff. Thanks to Gene for posting it.
I actually do incorporate Rabbinic tradition into my observances. Yeshua did. And it would be impossible to hold a Passover seder today without rabbinics, or wear a kippa even. It is so clear in the Torah that the Jews had been endowed with the right of interpretation and application. That said, I think most rabbis would not have me laying tefillin as a gentile. So it’s a contradiction I live with.
I guess that means the earth is gonna open up and send me to Detroit.
Derek Leman and Tsvi Sadan seem to part ways however on handwashing.
“Derek Leman and Tsvi Sadan seem to part ways however on handwashing.”
Drake, nobody is perfect, but I am sure even they would wash if every observant Jew around their table did that.
Interesting point. When I was at the FFOZ Shavuot conference a few months back, hand washing was available for those who chose to observe. Since I’m not Jewish, I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, but I noticed that many people did.
Gene,
RE: ” It’s not about “Rabbinics”. The Korah example is about resenting G-d-given roles of others and wanting to be something you are not, not being satisfied with who G-d created you do be. Also, when a Gentile says “I want to follow Torah, but I reject “Rabbinics”, they DO demonstrate their rejection of Jewish authority and halachic leadership.”
I have two quick points:
(1) They (the gentiles) do have some authority to interpret Scripture–enough to trump even the Rabbis at times. And you would agree with this because they interpret the Moshiach to refer to Yeshua whereas the “authoritative” Rabbis do not. So the gentiles are obviously right to refuse to bow to the Rabbis in all matters.
Next:
(2) You illogically equate rejecting Rabbinic authority with being resentful of Rabbinic writings. This is like if you were to argue that I resent my child because I don’t look at her as an authority figure. One does NOT follow the other.
Thanks for participating on the blog by the way.
Shalom,
Peter
“They (the gentiles) do have some authority to interpret Scripture”
Peter, you are confusing interpreting Scripture with issuing halachic rulings of how to observe Torah and how one is to live within a context of Judaism (if these Gentiles view themselves as attached to Judaism or Israel in some way). I personally do not find it my business to tell Christians how to interpret Scripture to live out lives within their own Christian community (although they will do well to listen to the rulings in Acts 15). However, once you start claiming that you are “Israel” and that you “observe Torah” (as various assorted Gentile messianics tend to do), then it’s a whole other matter altogether.
“You illogically equate rejecting Rabbinic authority with being resentful of Rabbinic writings.”
I never once said or equated that. I don’t know what you are referring to.
Shalom Gene. Thank you for Part 2. Good work. Sad just that your post and good work here will be wrapped in “silly” comments by some. But in good way, I’m immensely thankful to you for this work. What Boaz posted is very timely and very right.
Eli, it’s my pleasure. I also applaud Boaz for his boldness in addressing the issues plaguing the Messianic Jewish movement. I have received requests for the audio of the lecture from Messianic Jewish leaders who told me that the One Law/Two-House teachings are very popular among the non-Jewish members and new visitors in their congregations. Many in our movement are only now waking up to the problem.
“However, once you start claiming that you are “Israel” and that you “observe Torah” (as various assorted Gentile messianics tend to do), then it’s a whole other matter altogether.”
This is a great point and very clarifying. I agree, we Gentiles ARE allowed to look into the scriptures and try to determine what is “right” for us to live by and, in light of Yeshua’s life and teachings, I’m not convinced the Rabbis always got everything correct.
However, that’s not the same thing as saying I (one who hasn’t studied the Hebrew, culture, OR the Torah to anything even close to the same degree as the sages and rabbis who’ve formed R Judaism) am then qualified to determine what Judaism SHOULD look like is beyond flagrant! It’s arrogant, impudent, insolent and ignorant. Yes, it’s downright offensive and that is NOT what we are called to be, rather, Paul says to be humble and to love them (Jews) and show mercy…It’s OUR (gentile) job and calling!
And if those same people (Gentiles who feel they replace Jews and that it’s their duty to reinterpret Judaism and Jewishness) can critiscize Jews for “missing” what they think is so clearly there, how can they read Romans 11 (of course other examples too) and ignore their true mandate and calling? It’s beyond me…
lrw79, thank you very much for your thoughtful and valuable input!
Gene,
Re: “I personally do not find it my business to tell Christians how to interpret Scripture to live out lives within their own Christian community (although they will do well to listen to the rulings in Acts 15).”
They only do well to observe the fourfold decree so that they can present themselves undefiled in synagogue each week to learn the Torah of Moses (15:21). You are arguing something illogical, that by only observing four commands and nothing else they will do well. Wrong. These are related to idolatry. There’s a lot more to life than not being an idolater. They still have to not steal, not murder, observe Shabbat, get baptized, etc, etc. There’s much more to life than being a non-idolater.
Oy vey,
Peter
P.S. my most recent blog post is all about you:
http://orthodoxmessianic.blogspot.com/2012/08/gene-vs-nations-question-11.html
Peter, you like the word “illogically”, don’t you? You must be a Spock fan, of the Star Trek fame!
First of all, devout Christians already observe all the Torah they need to observe, beyond the four idolatry, blood and fornication regulations of Acts 15. Idolatrous Gentiles can’t defile a synagogue by their mere presence, it’s not a Temple (where did you get this from?). The old tired One Law argument of “what, Gentiles can now murder?” ignores the fact that Gentiles have already a type of “Torah” on their hearts by which they will be judged (Romans 2:15) – G-d gave each man a conscience.
Gene, you didn’t know that Vulcans are Jewish? You’ve seen the hand sign for live long and prosper right? : )
Actually, Leonard Nimoy contributed the Vulcan hand sign to the original ST series episode “Amok Time”. The script called for some sort of hand signal that Vulcans were supposed to use. Nimoy said in an interview that as a child, when his parents took him to shul (Nimoy is Jewish), when the Rabbi was giving the Aaronic blessing, his parents told him to close his eyes. Being a small child, he peeked and saw the Rabbi holding his hands in that particular fashion. He used it as the basis for the Vulcan hand salute and (Star Trek) history was made.
But I digress.
Peter said:
“Oy vey! I just made a blog post about it:”
And
“Oy vey, P.S. my most recent blog post is all about you:”
No offense Peter, but all your comments about your blog reminds me of Calhoun from “In Living Color” when he’d say “wrote a song about it, wanna hear it, here it goes…”
Just saying’…. :-)
Btw Gene, I too was at the MD conference and on the theological track including Boaz’ talk, but not sure if we met!
1rw79,
What is it with everyone saying “just saying”? What does this mean? It’s all I hear these days. Of course you said it if you just said it.
1rw79, your insults just show your true colors. You try to attack me, make me look foolish, rather than address the evidence that I present. However, I am not afraid to look like a fool for Yeshua’s sake.
When you try to attack someone who only desires to discuss Torah, HaShem will deal with you.
Some people tried to hurt my family recently, kicking us out of a community because I spoke out against one of the elders. Do you want to know what happened to that community? The elder wound up in the news for committing crimes (allegedly, however, he did turn himself in). And the community imploded. The eldest among them was still friends with me, an elderly woman (though not one of their elders). She said “the community is no more.” I said “why?” She said “Because they treated you unfairly.”
Peter:
The very first thing I said was “NO OFFENSE PETER” so maybe you could look at my remarks through the lense of NOT taking offense to see that I was merely joking with you about your frequent (I’ve seen them elsewhere too) references to your BLOG; I said nothing about Torah, or your desire to study it. You’re confused.
Additionally, do I to understand you to decree that I am now doomed to commit crimes and be arrested, and lose my “community” now that you’ve taken offense at my joking with you?
Wow… If you feel “foolish” it isn’t because of anything I’ve said.
1rw79,
You honestly expect people to believe it’s impossible for you to have said something insulting after you’ve prefaced the insult with “No offense”? That’s like a trucker piling a bunch of junk on the back of his truck without bothering to secure it because he posted a note to his rear bumper that says “I waive all responsibility for any accidents that might occur from junk falling out of my truck.” You need to learn some manners.
Deep breaths, everyone.
“You honestly expect people to believe it’s impossible for you to have said something insulting after you’ve prefaced the insult with “No offense”?”
No Peter, I don’t think it’s impossible to to have said something offensive after making a disclaimer, but what I said was that my intent was not to offend you and I stand by that. That you wish to take offense is your choice, of course, and I can see you are determined to do so. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I was joking with you. Obviously you aren’t perceiving the difference and would rather try to threaten me with Gds wrath for upsetting you, but this had nothing to do with your pursuit of Torah. Agreed?
Keep on breathing. The blogosphere is a hazardous place sometimes.
@lrw79 “Btw Gene, I too was at the MD conference and on the theological track including Boaz’ talk, but not sure if we met!”
Hmmm.. send me an email (see Contact page above) and I’ll send you my photo. May be you’ll recognize me.
“I have received requests for the audio of the lecture from Messianic Jewish leaders who told me that the One Law/Two-House teachings are very popular among the non-Jewish members and new visitors in their congregations.”
Gene. Is there any possibility to send me actual audio file?
This “One Law/Two-House teachings” a plague become. Absolute illness of mind, we encountered it in our work as well. It takes long time and much effort to show those people otherwise. People will it be outside or inside of Jewish messianic congregations falling too easy pray to this deception. It looks like next stage of epidemic disease. (I guess big Mr. P will be “offended” again, having such an illness) It appeared that there is a need to double effort to count the epidemic. Bleach spray is one of those old stile solutions.
To lrw79.
Irw79, be careful with Mr. P. He is a big fella. Scary one. I tried to help him to do some work on our farm. He don’t want. He preferred to bazz around blogs. No wonder someone have enough with him at that community. Love you Mr. P. Smile.
Eli,
I love you too, Eli.
Eli… check your email.
Thank you Gene. Much appreciated.
what do we do with the Rabbinic ruling that Yeshua is NOT the Messiah?
“what do we do with the Rabbinic ruling that Yeshua is NOT the Messiah?”
Joan, what rabbinic ruling might that be (can you quote it for me)? You probably meant what do we do about the Jewish people in general not believing that Yeshua was the Messiah? Well, I propose that we just be very patient and loving, and look forward with much anticipation and joy to the time when Messiah will reveal himself to them, just as Joseph revealed himself to his brothers.
You may have more knowledge than I about this topic. However my studying has shown rabbinic sources in the Babylonian and Yerushalmi Talmud which denegrate Yeshua as a magician and sorcerer who led people astray and who did not resurrect from the dead. Sandhedrin 43 a.b., B. Sandhedrin 103a, Gittin 56b, 57a, Sotah, 47a. Later of course Toledot Yeshua from the middle ages. I totally agree that HaShem will reveal His Salvation to the Jewish people in His timing. And that if He had not partially blinded them, Salvation would not have come to me as someone from the nations. I study and recognize the authority of the rabbis to interpret scripture. I am just wondering, are they to be recognized as authoritative on the question of Yeshua? I know non-Jewish people who have accepted their authority on Yeshua and have come to deny that he is Moshiach.
Joah, first of all, even if the much disputed passages you mentioned actually do talk about Yeshua or some other person, is it really surprising that most of Jewish people do not respect (or worse) the person of Yeshua considering how much unbelievable evil was done to them in his name by his professing followers?
“I know non-Jewish people who have accepted their authority on Yeshua and have come to deny that he is Moshiach.”
And I know of many who have accepted it on themselves or at least acknowledged rabbinic authority for the Jewish people and have NOT come to deny Yeshua as Messiah as a result. I also know of Christians who simply walked away from G-d and from Yeshua and who had nothing to do with Judaism whatsoever. The point is that G-d gave each person a brain and each one of us decides what to do with the information received from whatever the source.
Gene I’m not trying to start an argument. I simply asked a question. Yes ,we do have brains and the revelation of Yeshua as the Moshiach comes from the Ruach HaKodesh. I will continue to study the rabbis’ teachings and continue to not agree with them on some things. Shavuah tov from one of the “annoying goym” who is not going back to Church. Like Paul, once those scales have come off your eyes, I just can’t see things the same way anymore.
Normally, I’d insert the following in one of my blogs and ask for opinions but since I’ve decided to be a “kinder and gentler” blogger this week, I’m trying to avoid controversial topics in my writings. Nevertheless, since I read this Daf Yomi Digest commentary a few days ago, I’ve wanted to ask someone more knowledgable in this area (and just about everyone else is compared to me) how we might interpret the following in light of Gentiles and the Messianic (or Christian, if you will) faith.
The Nesivos, in the introduction to his Sefer Nachalas Yaakov, asks how we can say in Birchos HaTorah that Hashem chose us from all the nations, when we know that God went to each nation and offered them the Torah? It was only after the other nations refused the offer did God approach Klal Yisroel to offer us the Torah, and even then it was given to us only because of our declaration, .נעשה ונשמעWhy, then, in the brocha do we say that God chose us?
The Nesivos answers by pointing out that there are three differences between the mitzvos given to Klal Yisroel and the seven mitzvos given to the other nations. The first difference is that we fulfill a mitzvah when we study the Torah as opposed to the other nations who do not fulfill a mitzvah when they study the seven Noahide laws. Secondly, we were given the inner dimensions of the Torah and the non-Jews were not. Lastly, we were given the authority to decide halachah according to our understanding, and that becomes binding halachah even in shamayim. Non-Jews do not have that authority even for the mitzvos they keep.
The three Birchos HaTorah correspond to these three features. The first brochah, “”אשר קדשנו…לעסוק בדברי תורה emphasizes that we were given the Torah to study. The second brochah refers to the inner dimensions of Torah which can not be understood by man without a spirit from Above. The last brochah, “”אשר בחר בנו highlights the fact that only Klal Yisroel was given the Torah to decide issues according to our understanding and even had the other nations agreed to accept the Torah they would not have been granted that authority. It is with this idea in mind that we say, “God chose us from all the nations.”
Commentary on Berachos 11b
Obviously, this viewpoint doesn’t take the validity of Jewish and Gentile faith in Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah into account. I have two questions that are related to the “three differences.” First, if we believe that Jews, according to midrash, fulfill a mitzvah when they study Torah, is this not true when Christians (non-Jews who are disciples of the Jewish Messiah King) study the Bible (New Testament and/or full Bible)? Second, if Jews were given the authority to decide halachah as it applies to them, do not Christians have the same sort of autonomy in deciding whatever “halachah” applies to us based on our understanding of the teachings of Jesus?
(I’m avoiding the second difference of “inner dimension of Torah” because I don’t have enough of a command of mysticism to properly address this, nor do I know it even applies to Christianity in any way).
Gene, I was wondering if you had any insights into my queries. None may be available, but it’s a compelling topic and one worthy of inquiry and study.
Thanks.
James, you pose a very “thick” question. I’ll have to think about this. I did allude to this issue elsewhere. I believe that each faith community will naturally have certain halachic differences and will need to make decisions which may only apply to that specific community.
Can we use Acts 15 as an example of a Jewish leadership making Gentile-specific halachic decisions to direct certain observances in Gentile communities? Or, do we say, instead, that their decisions carried weight not because they were a Jewish leadership of the Judaism-originated movement based in Jerusalem, but only because they were the apostles (that is being Jewish leaders and judges who base their decisions on Judaism, and having a council based centrally out of Jerusalem did not matter in it of itself.)
Yeah, I figured it would be a “tough nut to crack,” so to speak.
I seem to remember having a similar conversation with you a few years back and at that time, I believe you said (using my increasingly leaky middle-age memory) that in the current age, the non-Jewish Christian community is self-determining in terms of whatever “halachah” we tend to observe.
Back in the time of Acts 15, the community of Gentile believers would have still been heavily “mentored” by Paul and the Jerusalem Council as the source of authority for the disciples of the Master. No one in the newly minted non-Jewish “church” would have had much of a clue as to how to proceed in the worship of the God of Israel without Jewish guidance.
However, once Jerusalem fell and the Temple was destroyed, the center of Jewish leadership for the Gentile believers was no longer centralized, so over time, the Gentile church began to become increasingly autonomous. Today, not only is there no central Jewish Messianic authority to make decisions of halachah for Gentile disciples, but the church would not welcome such an authority.
But in the future Messianic Age, we will all have one Messiah and one King and his authority will reign over us all.
Anyway, that’s the best I can do with such a “thick” question. However, knowing that I can miss important matters and lack a great deal of perspective in Torah and Talmud, I thought I’d toss this one out there. After considering the matter, any further insights you may have will be appreciated.
James, I think you just about summed it up.
I think that Jews will play a role of leaders and teachers in the Kingdom (Zechariah 8:23). However, at the same time I do not believe that this will preclude Gentile teachers. I think that there will be a great need in teaching the nations about the G-d of Israel and non-Israelite teachers will too shine like stars and will fan out far and wide to cover the earth.
Hi, Gene. I meant to get back to you before this but it slipped my mind (darn middle-aged memory). In reading your last comment, it’s like you’re offering me a job. OK, not really, but it seems like you’re suggesting something for my future, or at least for some Gentiles like me in the Messianic Age.
When I was at the FFOZ Shavuot conference last spring, I met a young Jewish woman named Jordan (I don’t know if she wants her last name blasted all over the Internet, so I’ll refrain from using it for now). She actually does some editing for FFOZ and is a gifted young scholar in her own right. She gave a few presentations during the conference and at one point during her last lesson, she referred to the Gentiles who supported the spiritual and national redemption of Israel as the crown jewels of the nations (yes, of course I blogged about it).
Anyway, your comment reminded me of that and the fact (in spite of all the objections to the contrary in the blogosphere) that we Gentile disciples of the Master do have a wonderful gift from God, and He has planned out a terrific future for us…as long as we don’t go off chasing shadows that lead us away from the path.
Gene and James. You made quality observations and also very timely. I hope some in messianic movement may still have some mind to listen. It will do much good to this people.
Its absolutely correct. They where not just Apostles (kind of churchie flavor). They where Jewish Apostles, core of the core. Authority for all others, really a Jerusalem Church.
“…Gentile disciples of the Master do have a wonderful gift from God, and He has planned out a terrific future for us…as long as we don’t go off chasing shadows that lead us away from the path….” So true. Kol haKavod.