God's Appointed Customs: A Messianic Jewish Guide to the Biblical Lifecycle and Lifestyle (Paperback)

by Barney Kasdan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Are the biblical/Jewish customs just for Jews? Or can Christians also receive blessings by observing them? This book explains how God’s appointed customs can be part of anyone’s lifestyle, Jew or Gentile. This is especially relevant to believers in the Messiah, since Yeshua (Jesus) himself observed them. God’s Appointed Customs is divided into two sections, Biblical Lifecycle and Biblical Lifestyle. Each chapter offers historical background, traditional Jewish observance, relevance to the New Testament, and a practical guide to help believers observe these customs within the context of a biblical lifestyle.

From the Publisher
This book seeks to present a balanced approach to understanding the importance and the danger of traditions. There are good traditions and there are bad traditions. Additionally, there is a good spirit and a wrong spirit in which one can approach the customs. These were certainly issues that faced the first Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua.

On the Jewish side, the acceptance of Yeshua did not mean that they converted to a new religion. The Jewish believers actually saw themselves as having received the fulfillment of what was spoken of in the Hebrew Scriptures. They understood this to mean they were now Messianic Jews who would naturally continue in their God-given heritage. This fact is confirmed in a description of this Messianic Jewish community in the book of Acts: "You see, brother [Saul], how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealots for the Torah" (Acts 21:20).

The first Jewish believers in Yeshua continued in the only lifestyle they knew: the Jewish life based on the Scriptures and customs consistent with the Bible. Their new understanding that Yehua of Natzeret (Nazareth) was the Messiah made them even more zealous for their traditions, as they understood the spiritual reasons behind them. Modern Messianic Jews frequently feel the same way and share the same enthusiasm.

The Gentile believer was not excluded. Saul wrote to many of them concerning their new life in Messiah: "Therefore, brothers, stand firm; and hold to the traditions you were taught by us, whether we spoke them or wrote them in a letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The first-century, non-Jewish believers in Yeshua understood many of the details of the Hebrew Scriptures and many of the traditions that enhanced them. An example of this is the cup shared at Messiah’s last Passover seder. This element is not mandated in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet it became part of the tradition of Passover. The third cup is called the Cup of Redemption and, although it is a rabbinic tradition, it was blessed by Yeshua himself.

All traditions were weighed by the authority of the Bible, yet these believers were blessed as they understood the Jewish roots of their faith in Messiah. This is the balance that believers in Yeshua need to return to today. This book is an effort to bring out the spiritual richness of the biblical/Jewish traditions.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Messianic Jewish Resources International (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880226634
• ISBN-13: 978-1880226636
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,503 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it not only informs, but inspires - to the utmost., April 15, 2000

By	"shofar" (Kissimmee, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

The companion book to "God's Appointed Times" by the same author, is just as fascinating as it's predecesor. After reading it, a Gentile believer in Yeshua Ha Meshiach may wonder how he understood anything in the Bible at all before this. Understanding the Jewish background to the Old and New Testaments can make a world of difference. The reader will be delighted to have a resource that not only informs, but inspires - to the utmost. The author relates the customs to specific events in the scriptures so that we become aware of what was happening, but the main focus is the spritual significance which will really make your spirit soar. All the Hebrew prayers are transliterated and translated, which further helps to connect us with our Jewish roots, and immerse us into the culture. This is a great book!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deceptively thin, it's full of helpful, relevant info., January 15, 1999

By A Customer

Anyone wishing to better understand the biblical Jewish customs of lifecycles and faith would do well to read this book. It is an easy to use and interesting reference, opening the eyes of the reader to material often neglected, forgotten, or discounted. Good - and recommended - for any Christian, but especially for leaders and Sunday School teachers.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The relavance of Judaic customs in the New Testament, June 30, 2001

By	A. J. Valasek (Clemmons, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book presents a nice, non-combative approach in trying to teach modern Christianity the relavance and wonderful symbolism found in the modern day Judaic customs. It even gives a practical guide for those who want to try these traditions themselves to have an instructional tradition for their descendants. I thought this book did a good job relating modern observance to New Testament times. I know that the next time I read the passages mentioned, I'll have a better understanding of the context surrounding the actions of Christ and the apostles. This book is very easy to read and structured for even the most elementary student of New Testament history.