From the Mailbag: “Are the Hebrew Scriptures for the Jews only?”

I just received this comment on one of our Hoshana Rabbah YouTube channel videos from a Jewish fellow:

It is interesting to see how Christians have interpreted the Hebrew scriptures. I think it’s great that you are interested in our faith, but adopting traditions that aren’t yours is not respectful. Talk to a rabbi, you might find new perspective.

Natan addressing the points one by one:

A) The Hebrew Scriptures including the Written Torah were given to ALL people starting with the children of Israel who YHVH commanded to take to all the nations of the world as per Deuteronomy/D’varim. That’s why Elohim placed Israel and Jerusalem at the center of the trade routes of the ancient world between three continents, so that they could be a light to the nations. Isaiah also talks about this as I’m sure you must know. So the Written Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy) is not just for the Jews who are primarily descended from one of 12 tribes—Judah. In fact, the Written Torah itself says that there was to be one Torah-law for the native born and the one and same Torah-law for the alien and/or sojourner. So the modern Jews DO NOT have exclusive rights over the Hebrew Scriptures. To say they do is unbiblical and a manifestation of ethnic or racial superiority, i.e. a form of racism. I reject racism in all of its permutations.
B) The Hebrew Scriptures IS NOT your faith only. My previous point addresses this. Now if by “your faith” you mean rabbinic Judaism, yes then I will concede to your point. You see, rabbinic Judaism is not strictly comprised of the Written Torah, but many, additional and even unbiblical traditions of the elders that are now found in the so-called Oral Torah or Talmud. You are welcome to your extra-biblical, second temple and post-second temple traditions. They are, for the most part, of little or no interest to me. I follow the Hebrew Scriptures of which the Written Torah is the cornerstone foundation.
C) As noted above, the Jews are primarily descended from the tribe of Judah as per Scripture and as per rabbinic tradition. There are still 11 other tribes out there that are scattered worldwide. Your own morning shacharis/t prayers call for the regathering of the tribes. The Hebrew Scriptures prophesy this to occur over and over again as well. Your own sages call this regathering of the tribes to the land of Israel “the final redemption,” and which is to occur at the end of the “Messianic Era” and which is part of the beginning of “the Messianic Age.” So how do know that the Christians who are taking an interest in the Hebrew Scriptures, which by the way is part of their Bible as well, aren’t some of those “lost” and returning tribes that the Hebrew Scriptures and your own Jewish sages predict will return to their spiritual heritage?
D) Talk to a Jewish rabbi? There is only one Rabbi (a word which in strict Hebrew means “my great one”), and that is Yeshua the Messiah whom the Christian call Jesus. All other “rabbis” though highly learned sages, with all due respect, are not rabbis by technical biblical definition. And frankly, the only perspective I care about is that of Scripture, and not that of some man or woman be they Christian, Jewish or any other faith. It is the Word of Elohim/God that will judge every human in the last days, not unbiblical man-made traditions as ancient or was widely accepted as they may be.

This has been a strong dose of medicine presented in a way you’ve likely never heard before. I pray that at least a point or two contained therein will cause you to ponder the truth-basis of your cherished religious position. In the mean time, I bless you and call you my brother as I am one your tribal brothers who is returning to the Hebraic roots of our faith even as Malachi prophesied would happen in the last days (Mal 4:3–6) and as your own Medieval Torah scholars predicted and observant Orthodox Jews pray every morning will happen. Therefore, you should rejoice that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled meaning Messiah’s coming is imminant rather than decry our videos for encouraging Christians to make teshuvah and come back to the Torah. Shalom aleichem!

 

7 thoughts on “From the Mailbag: “Are the Hebrew Scriptures for the Jews only?”

  1. Nice response Natan. Some of what the Jewish fellow said was at least true. He mentioned the Hebrew Scriptures rather than the Jewish Scriptures or the Complete Jewish Bible. I am reminded of the words of our beloved brother, Bradford Scott, in blessed memory, who would say that he likes what the sages or rabbis had to say when they agreed with him. :). Shavua tov!

  2. I am absolutely appalled by this fellow; instead of preaching Elohim’s instructions to the rest of the world as he was told to do, he has the hide to complain about people who try hard to obey our Creator. I can only assume, that he is ashamed that non-Jews are keeping Elohim’s Word better than the Jews themselves.
    Sonja

  3. Well crafted response, Natan. And… this is why I tend to avoid “Jewish traditions.” When they are extra-biblical I leave them alone.

    • Interestingly, the fellow who wrote the comment on one of my YouTube videos and to which I responded on my channel and here on this blog responded to me on this blog with nasty note, which I refused to publish. Evidently he is a jealous Jew who is not a truth seeker, nor cares or knows anything about the Torah or the rest of Elohim’s word, but is only interested in upholding unbiblical rabbinic traditions of men. Needless to say, his comment found a home in “the round file.”

  4. Right. The round file is where it belongs. It is sad that some of our family (or who appear to be family) are not truth-seekers, not that any of us have a corner on the truth; but let’s at least listen and be ready to learn and even to be surprised.

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