Y‘shua stood before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:55-56). Some of the religious leaders tried to find something of
which to accuse Him. Nevertheless, they were unable to find one thing in His life that they could present as a
violation; He had lived flawlessly according to the traditions. But finally, they found something. As a man, He
had claimed to be YHWH; blasphemy from their perspective.
They could accuse Him of no other violation of the Torah or the traditions! Did He break any one
commandment of the 613? Then He would have been guilty and a sinner, which He was not. Was Y‘shua
Torah observant? You bet!
Y‘shua was a Pharisee in good standing. An Orthodox scholar and rabbi, Pinchas Lapide, wrote, "Jesus
never and nowhere broke the law of Moses, nor did he in any way provoke its infringement – it is entirely
false to say that he did ... In this respect you must believe me, for I know my Talmud more or less ... This
Jesus was as faithful to the law as I would hope to be. But I suspect that Jesus was more faithful to the law
than I am – and I am an Orthodox Jew‖.
As a result of Y‘shua‘s example and teaching, we find his followers remained fully involved in the Jewish
community. They continued to worship in the Temple (Acts 2:46; 3:1).
They continued to worship in the synagogue and to pray the liturgy (Acts 2:42). In fact, we find that several
centuries later Jewish believers were still observing Jewish traditions, as Epiphanius (A.D. 375-400) noted
about the Nazarenes (Panarion 30:18; 39:7). "They make use not only of the New Testament, but they also
use the Old Testament of the Jews; for they do not forbid the books of the Law, the Prophets, and the
Writings ... so that they are approved of by the Jews, from whom the Nazarenes do not differ in anything; and
they profess all the dogmas pertaining to the prescriptions of the Law and to the customs of the Jews, except
they believe in Christ".
Further, Jerome indicates that the Nazarenes are to be found "in all the synagogues of the East among the
Jews‖. Viewing the First Century, it is accurate to say that the talmidim and their followers remained a part of
the "traditional" Jewish community, as Y‘shua had instructed them.
WHOSE AUTHORITY ARE WE UNDER?
Doing good deeds to obtain a reward was opposed by the rabbis, not just by Y‘shua. The Midrash expounds
on that this way. "David said, 'Some trust in their fair and upright deeds, and some in the works of their
fathers, but I trust in you. Although I have no good works, yet because I call upon you, you answer me‘".
Likewise, the Pharisees criticized those among them who continually asked, "What good deed may I do?" In
their discussions and commentaries, the Rabbis repeatedly refer to YHWH‘s grace. The Midrashim reflect on
this Scripture, ―Deal with the servant according to your mercy" (Psalm 119:124) with this comment "Perhaps
you take pleasure in our good works? Merit and good works we have not; act toward us in grace‖. (Tehillim
Rabbah, on 119:123).
YHWH‘s grace is an important concept in rabbinical teaching; it is a significant and representative aspect of
the rabbis‘ thinking. Pinchas Lapide once again makes this clear: "It is evident to all Masters of the Talmud
that salvation, or participation in the world to come, as it is called in Hebrew, can be attained only through G-
d‘s gracious love (grace)‖. Another statement of the Talmud says this: ―...then came the prophet Habakkuk
and reduced all the commands to one, as it is written: ̳the just shall live by his faith‘‖. (Makkot 23- 24 ).
SO WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF MESSIANIC JUDAISM?
The focus of Messianic Judaism (Torah-observant Messianism) is to remain focused squarely on Y‘shua, but
this does not mean setting aside Torah or Jewish traditions. Y‘shua, the apostles, and the early Messianic
Jews all deeply respected the traditions and devoutly observed them; and in so doing, validated them.
There are many Jewish traditions that do not contradict the Bible and provide a great deal of richness,
beauty and depth in Messianic Judaism‘s adherents‘ walk with YHWH. Messianic Judaism‘s adherents are
not under "the authority of the rabbis" – rather, Messianics are under Messiah's authority – who is the living
Torah!