Volumne 13 Number 3
January/February 1998
Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5758

Why a Messianic Synagogue?

by Barney Kasdan, Messianic Rabbi

G-d is truly up to something. How else can you explain the fact that many thousands of our Jewish people are becoming followers of Yeshua in our day? It has often been noted that probably more Jews have accepted Yeshua in the last 20 years than in the previous 2000 years combined. Not coincidently, we have seen at the same time the rise of the Messianic congregational movement (some 200 strong worldwide). Although there have always been some Jewish believers in Yeshua, the new thing in our day is the proliferation of Messianic synagogues where modern believers are building whole communities within this Jewish expression. This has been a great blessing to us; yet the sceptics, among both Jews and Gentiles, sometimes ask "why bother?" Why not just be "church Christians" after you accept Jesus? Or why not just attend a "traditional shul" to express your Jewishness? Well there are several compeling reasons why a Messianic synagogue provides some unique answers.

First, a Messianic synagogue is messianic. Those of us who are Jewish and who have accepted Yeshua as our Messiah obviously desire to have a place of worship that reflects this foundational belief. Mashiach, the very cornerstone of biblical Judaism, has come! We love our heritage and culture, yet we now see that Messiah should be the focal point of all that it means to be Jewish. In some traditional circles today, our people speak of the expectation of Mashiach. More often, our people have all but forgotten that this was one of Maimonides 13 Principles of our faith. While we often fellowship with our non-Messianic family and friends, the only place were Jewish believers (and Messianic-minded Gentiles) can openly embrace Yeshua is in the Messianic synagogue. We should note that this was the obvious answer which the early Messianic Jews came to in the first century. The interesting verse written by the elder from Jerusalem reminds the Jewish believers not to show favoritism when "a man comes into your assembly (grk=synagogue) with a gold ring...you pay special attention" [Yaakov/James 1:1;2:2-3]. Contrast this description with the many times, especially among the Gentile believers, that the place of assembly is called "ekklesia" (later translated church). The early followers of Yeshua continued in their synagogue structure of worship, yet they developed a Messianic synagogue to properly fit their new faith conviction. The traditional synagogue simple cannot (nor does it desire to) meet this vital need.

So why not just go to a good church? Afterall, they too believe Jesus is the Messiah. True, but this brings us to the second foundational reason for a Messianic synagogue. At the risk of sounding too simplistic, a Messianic synagogue is a synagogue. We joyfully affirm that Messianic Jews share the same spiritual faith with the Bible-believing church community. Yet, strictly in cultural terms, the modern church does not meet the felt need of many Messianic Jews and likeminded Gentiles. Those of us in Messianic Judaism not only uphold the centrality of Yeshua as Messiah, but we also have the deep conviction that G-d desires for us to continue in the biblical call in our Jewish lifestyle. Afterall, it was Yeshua himself who said "Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill" [Mattityahu 5:17]. Even Saul of Tarsus, who is sometimes unjustly accused of encouraging Jewish assimilation, clearly exhorts Messianic believers "As G-d has called each, in this manner let him walk...was a man called already circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised" [I Corinthians 7:17-18]. Messianic Jews usually have the desire (and are even exhorted) to continue in our rich culture and spiritual heritage. There are many good churches in San Diego but where can we naturally continue in Hanukkah, Passover, Shabbat, Bar Mitvahs for our kids or have a Jewish wedding? Where the traditional synagogue falls short in upholding Yeshua, the church falls short in providing a natural context for us to continue in the Jewish expression of our faith. The Messianic synagogue, we believe, is simply a return to the early model of our faith where both sides of the equation can be adequately addressed. It may look strange at first glance, but the more one reflects on the Scriptures and early history, the more a Messianic synagogue approach makes sense. Not only does the Messianic synagogue provide some practical answers for many Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua, it is also a public testimony as to the true roots of the New Covenant faith. The Jewish community will be reminded that Yeshua can fit into our faith and the Gentile Christians will be reminded that they did not start a new religion but are grafted into the Olive Tree heritage of Israel. In light of all this, the exhortation to the Jewish believers is just as relevant today as in the first century: "not forsaking our own assembling (grk.=synagoging) together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day of Messiah drawing near" [Hebrews 10:25].

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Last Modified May 8, 1999