Messianic Jew/s

CARR 108-109

CCAR RESPONSA

Contemporary American Reform Responsa

67. Burial of “Messianic Jews”

QUESTION:

An active member of the group called “Messianic Jews” recently died. His family, which is also active in this movement, has requested that he be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Should that request be granted? (Rabbi S. Prystowsky, Laffayete Hill, PA)

ANSWER: “Messianic

Jews” claim that they are Jews, but we must asked ourselves whether we identify them as Jews. We can not do so as they consider Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah who has fulfilled the Messianic promises. In this way, they have clearly placed themselves within Christianity. They may be somewhat different from other Christians as they follow various Jewish rites and ceremonials, but that does not make them Jews. After all, Seventh Day Adventists celebrate Saturday as their day of rest, and various Black Christian churches continue to celebrate a number of Jewish festivals throughout the year. The theology and underlying beliefs of “Messianic Jews” remove them from Judaism and make them Christians.

The

early Evel Rabbati (Semahot II) listed apostates among those whom the community has no obligation to bury. Although the later codes agreed, they were lenient under special circumstances and the law developed along those lines, mandating burial even for apostates. The division of opinion centers around the question of what is done for the “honor of the dead” and what for the “honor of the living.” The latter are more readily performed; this means burial in a Jewish cemetery, but without eulogy or takhrikhim, nor a period of mourning, as these are “for the honor of the dead” (Moses Sofer, Responsa Yoreh Deah #341; Tur, Yoreh Deah 344, 345 and commentaries). Of course, if the death of the apostate was sudden, then it is assumed that he has repented (Isserles to Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 340.5; Hoshen Mishpat 266.2). In our case, the family of the deceased also consider themselves “Messianic Jews,” so there is no question of doing anything for “the honor for the living.”

We should also note that when special conditions endangered the community,

burial could be, and was, refused (Nahmanides, Responsa #224; Jacob Levi, Responsa #49). “Messianic Jews” present such a danger as its members masquerade as Jews and mislead Jews, while they are actually Christians. We should refuse to bury this “Messianic Jew,” despite his self identification he was a Christian.

November 1985

If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.

CARR 107-108

CCAR RESPONSA

Contemporary American Reform Responsa

66. Children of “Messianic

Jews”

QUESTION: A couple previously affiliated with a “Messianic

Jewish” congregation has returned and affiliated with my Congregation and became quite active. The children are enrolled in religious school and are doing well in school. Recently, l found out that the couple had not actually abandoned their “Messianic Jewish” conviction. They hope, in fact, that the rabbi and the remainder of the congregation would eventually adopt their philosophy. May this couple be permitted to continue as members of my congregation? How should we treat their children who are currently enrolled in religious school and seem to be normative Jews? (Rabbi N. Cohen, St. Louis Park, MN)

ANSWER: The Responsa

Committee has dealt with the question, ‘”Status of a Completed Jew in the Jewish Community.” It indicates that such individuals should be treated as apostates. They have become apostates willingly without the duress frequently felt in the medieval period; we should, therefore, take the strictest position of our tradition toward them (see also “Apostate Proselyte,” W. Jacob, American Reform Responsa # 71). We should follow the suggestions of the previously cited responsum.

“We can not, and should not, exclude such individuals from

attendance at services, classes or any other activity of the community, for we always hold the hope that they will return to Judaism and disassociate themselves from Christianity, but they should be seen as outsiders who have placed themselves outside the Jewish community. This should be made very clear to them and to the Jewish and general community especially as many such individuals are active proselytizers.

Such individuals should not be accorded

membership in the congregation or treated in any way which makes them appear as if they were affiliated with the Jewish community, for that poses a clear danger to the Jewish community and its relationships with the general community. We certainly do not want these individuals to speak for Judaism in any public forum.

In conclusion, we should make the distinction

between ourselves and these individuals very clear to them, to the Jewish community and the general community around us.”

In the question you have asked, the matter is

somewhat complicated by the children who are enrolled in the religious school, and appear to be normative Jews. We should continue to permit the enrollment in religious school and do our best to raise them as Jews. It may be necessary to arrange a school membership, or other category with equivalent dues, but without the parents being considered members of the congregation. Similar situations have arisen in the case of a Christian widow of an intermarriage who wishes to continue to raise her children as Jews. There the congregation arranged for a special category for this individual and her children.

In other words, we should not deprive the children

of a Jewish education. On the other hand, we should not permit the parents to proselytize, openly or quietly, within the congregation, or to be considered as normative Jews, either within or outside the Jewish community.

July 1984

If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.

NARR 175

CCAR RESPONSA

New American Reform Responsa

110. Berit for “Messianic Jews”

QUESTION: A woman who just delivered asked for a mohel to do the berit milah. While he was talking to her she had a visitor who she introduced as her “minister”. When the mohel asked the “minister” if he was a rabbi, an evasive answer was given. The mohel wanted to know what to do as it was clear these were “Messianic Jews”. (Lewis M. Barth, Berit MilahBoard of Reform Judaism, Los Angeles CA)

ANSWER: We consider “Messianic Jews” as apostates who have adopted another religion without coercion in contrast to those who were forced to take this step in the Middle Ages. The attitudes toward these individuals who have converted to Christianity has been expressed by several responsa (W. Jacob (ed) American Reform Responsa #150; W. Jacob Contemporary American Reform Responsa#66-68).

The small group of “Messianic Jews” or “Jewish Christians” pose little danger to the Jewish community, but they do cause considerable confusion. The real threat is minimal but nevertheless they have the capacity to lead some peripheral members of the Jewish community astray and misinform the general American public about the nature of Judaism. We, therefore, have been stricter in our relationship with these groups, and its members, than with other apostates. We will continue to make every effort to create a clear line of demarcation and indicate that they are, in every way, to be considered as Christians and not Jews. The mohelshould not circumcise this child or bring him into the Covenant of Abraham as that, in fact, is not the intent of these parents.

September 1987

If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.

✕