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Messianic Judaism: A Rabbi's Journey Through Religious Change in America

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One of the first thing that Rabbi Harris-Shapiro (a Reconstructionist Rabbi) states in her book is that the book is more of an ethnography than a study of a particular religious group. Although as an ethnography it does dig into the movement - and rather deeply, too - it also takes a comparative standpoint and seeks to illuminate the reader about the similarities between Messianic and other popular forms of Judaism. The main question that she seeks to answer is, "What does Messianic Judaism say about mainstream Judaism?" On a deeper and more basic level is the question of Jewish identity, a la "What makes someone a Jew?" Harris-Shaprio does an excellent job detailing the history and main tenents of Messianic Judaism, as well as the experiences of several of its followers. The only complaint that i really have with this book is that the author doesn't seem to be able to decide whether or not her goal is to a) provide a sort of diary of her experiences while studying the group; or b) provide the reader with a factual, dissertation-like evaluation of the movement and its ramifications and implications for Judaism. The first half of the book seems to be more of the former, while the second half is more of the latter. It actually would have been nice if there had been some statistics in the book, such as the number of adherents, % male/female, and % jew/gentile. It also would have been interesting to know the # of converts to Messianic Judaism from one of mainstream Judaism's five branches (Hasidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist). After reading the Preface, it seems that she is still following the "movement" (which actually appears to be rather diversified) and if this is true, I hope that Harris-Shapiro writes and releases more books on either the movement or facets of the movement in the future. This book is well thought out and will cause one to question both popular notions of identity (particularly the religious and cultural aspects of it), and the creation of religious movements, noting the no religious movement is really "pure" in its formation. Highly recommended, for both those interested the study of religion (especially from a comparative standpoint), as well as those interested in the psychological and sociological developments and aspects of a small group that is on the outside of the mainstream, yet desires to be accepted into and by it.

I've read this book as well as the reviews and articles about it. Contrary to what the Forward wrote, this is an even-handed, balanced book that, besides being on a topic of crucial concern (how an apostate group works out their own identity questions within the larger context of religious identity), it is also -- a fact unrecognized by Harris-Shapiro's detractors -- a remarkable, original, stunning piece of research. This is not just about "jews for jesus" and what their existence says about Jewish identity; it's also about America, and how our culture accomodates and squelches the formation of faith-based communities. Anyone interested in the significant and quiet change in religious belief in America and elsewhere needs to read this book. I would give it ten stars if I could.

This is an excellent overview of Messianic Judaism written by an expert in the field who previously completed a PhD thesis on the movement. It is illuminating and raises important questions.

Carol Harris-Shapiro, a Reconstructionist rabbi, did a research project on Messianic Judaism by going inside and examining it. Her conclusions are interesting and the questions she raises makes one doubt whether we can continue to deny that Messianic Jews are Jews in full, espeically as she cites an Orthodox rabbi as saying that it was good if it led Jews to be more observant of the mitzvot. Good questions. However, her writing style doesn't always flow well.

I am a Messianic Gentile who has attended the largest free-standing Messianic synagogue in the world (in Dallas, Texas) since December 1999. I have studied a number of religions extensively including Protestantism from an evangelical perspective and Judaism and I also attend both a Protestant church and a Reform synagogue on a weekly basis.

This book does present a somewhat distorted view of Messianic Judaism in that Dr. Harris-Shapiro gives the impression that certain activities or views have cultic overtones when similar activities occur in any medium or large organization. For instance, she gives an example of a woman who spoke with her privately about some disagreements the woman had with the congregation's leadership and the woman seemed concerned that she might be viewed as a "troublemaker". But the same thing occurs in mainstream churches and synagogues too.

However, the two main reasons for such occasional distortions are (1) understanding the dynamics in depth requires *years* of active involvement with an organization or (2) the particular congregation she is writing about, Martin Chernoff's Beth Messiah, is considered the very first Messianic congregation and Messianic Judaism was in a much more formative stage at the time.

Also, to a much lesser extent, Dr. Harris-Shapiro occasionally presents a single individual's theological views despite the fact that they are totally at odds with Messianic Judaism. It would be like someone reading a book about evangelical Protestantism and the author says, "I interviewed Fred, a member of the congregation, and Fred told me that he believes Mohammed was a prophet." Fred might believe that, but it doesn't represent the views or practices of Protestantism and so it could give the reader a distorted view of what Protestants believe.

The foregoing is not meant as a harsh criticism and the distortion is not substantial, only "somewhat" distorted now and then. Considering that she is neither Messianic nor Christian, she does an absolutely astounding job of accurately portraying the main theological teachings and beliefs and practices--far better than the vast majority of Christian clergy could. In most instances where her portrayal is not accurate it is because she is describing a particular congregation whose teachings, rituals, etc., at the time are different than where Messianic Judaism has gone now that there are leaders with seminary degrees, etc.

As is routine among Jewish clergy who are not Messianic, Dr. Harris-Shapiro sees the relationship between Evangelical Protestantism and Messianic Judaism as being a bit closer that it actually is. Non-messianic Jewish clergy routinely view Messianic Judaism as merely a facade for Protestantism and misinterpret support as covert control. However, even in this, her distortion is far less than is common.

I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK HIGHLY ENOUGH. This is INDISPENSABLE for anyone who really wants an understanding of Messianic Judaism, its history, its relationship to Christianity and Judaism, and its theology and practices.

Carol Harris-Shapiro is a rabbi in the Reconstructionist movement, as well as a lecturer in the Intellectual Heritage Department at Temple University. This book (published in 1999) is a detailed study (including interviews with members of a "messianic" congregation) of the beliefs, history, and practices of "Messianic" Jews. However, she is very conscious of the larger issues concerning this subject: "(T)he topic of Messianic Judaism is inescapably meshed in an ongoing power struggle to establish the character and future of the Jewish community ... In this place, there is no neutral ground."

Harris-Shapiro points out that Messianic Jews (MJs) deny that they are a "blend" of Judaism and Christianity, yet also acknowledges the tension between the two faiths: "Both the evangelical ideal and the Jewish real uneasily coexist," and "Messianic Jews are even more afraid of disappearing into the culturally Gentile evangelical subculture." She also acknowledges the deep-rooted suspicion in the Jewish community about MJs, since "there developed within the mainstream Jewish community a suspicion that these people were deliberately infiltrating mainstream Jewish organizations for the purposes of conversion."

Harris-Shapiro also presents common objections to Messianic Judaism, such as, "Why don't we see rabbis being saved?" The difficult and painful issue of the victims of the Holocaust was also posed to her interviewees, and "The response that 'maybe they were saved in the end' was repeated to me by others in the Messianic movement. In only one interview was a person willing to de-sanctify Holocaust victims, and be willing to admit that they were damned."

MJs believe that "Israel and the Jews are also the key to the end time," and that "Messianic believers need a strong, healthy Israel to sustain their identity." Ironically, however, while "the very existence of Messianic Judaism is predicated on an ongoing loyalty to the Jewish people," she comments that "Messianic Gentiles are also among the most enthusiastic proponents of 'Jewish behavior.'" (In fact, many or most members of "messianic" congregations are Gentiles, not Jews.)

Harris-Shapiro actually supports the notion that MJs are "Jewish." For example, "If DOING Jewish is BEING Jewish, ironically, Messianic Jews are more Jewish than many born Jews." She further argues that "Celebrating Jewish holidays, and NOT celebrating Christian ones, confirms members' Jewish identity." This contention is quite controversial, of course, and is rejected by the large majority of Jews.

Under Halakah (Jewish law), a person born to a Jewish mother is Jewish---UNLESS the person converts to another religion. It is most unlikely that the mainstream Jewish community will ever accept "Messianic Jews" into the "fold"; nevertheless, MJs are a vibrant and growing part of the religious landscape, and this study by Harris-Shapiro is essential reading for anyone interested in Messianic Judaism, or Jewish identity.

This is a well reseached book written by a Reconstructist Rabbi examining a messianic jewish group. I learned a lot about this movement, including the racial boundaries set up by messianic temples (gentile vs. "originally" jewish), and of course, their evangelical roots. The Rabbi although clearly rejecting the group, makes good arguments at the end as to why this group should be accepted as "jewish" and a part of the Jewish Community. I don't know myself. While I am facinated at the possible blending of Christianity and Judaism, as a Jewish convert raised Epsicopal, I found the blending too odd - even ridiculous. Judaism doesn't need Christianity for it to be meaningful, holy or complete. Judaism is too self-examining to really fit in with Evangelical Christianity. Judaism is about Jews; Christianity is about Jesus, who also happens to be a Jew. That's a BIG difference! All today's Jewish rituals, they were not practiced the same way in Jesus' time (remember all those sacrifices in the Temple...). Today's Judaism is not Jesus' Judaism, which he rebelled against, not by a long shot.

Of couse I am just a Christian Apostate (the worst kind according to NT!) so what do I know? As things are though, perhaps in another 100 years, various forms of Jewish-Christianity will be the Jewish community core and the other strictly Jewish sects the splinter groups (orthodox, conservative)? This is an important researched document that should be read by all Jews and Christians. Messianic jews aren't the "boogey man". Though prosetlyzing is quite annoying to say the least, messianic jews should have a role in our continuing Judeo-Christian dialogue and the jewish community should hopefully one day accept their "jewishness", even if as their ugly stepchild.

The author poses as an unbiased investigator, but her agenda is to debunk the Messianic movement. There is no reason to believe the one congregation she choses to study is representative of Jewish believers. She depicts Messianic Jews as clinging to their Jewishness illegitimately. An entertaining and somewhat suspenseful read nevertheless, as one anticipates the author's erroneous assumptions to soften in response to the gospel. Don't hold your breath.

While this recontructionist 'rabbi' seeks to make Jews Jesus/Yeshua/Yahska/Whatever believers I suggest the following V'Da Mah SheTashiv: Know What To Answer (To Missionaries) A Thorough Jewish response To Missionaries