Jewish Tradition – Page 6 – Messianic Apologetics

A Summarization of Jewish Shabbat Traditions

13 October, 2023 J.K. McKee

If there is any area where today’s Messianic movement tends to absolutely excel, it is with integrating a wide selection of the mainline Jewish traditions and customs for observing the Sabbath. Regardless of their background before coming to Messiah faith, religious or secular, today’s Messianic Jews tend to remember Shabbat with the common elements of lighting candles, breaking challah, drinking wine, and attending synagogue services with traditional liturgy and Torah readings. Non-Jewish Believers who have been led by the Lord into the Messianic movement, seeking to embrace more of the Hebraic and Jewish Roots of their faith, have also taken a hold of Shabbat, the opportunity for rest it offers to the people of God, and many of the significant traditions that can make the Sabbath a very holy and sanctified time.

A Summarization of Jewish Kosher Traditions

12 October, 2023 J.K. McKee

Much of the Messianic community has promoted what it considers to be “Biblically kosher,” which primarily begins and ends at not eating pork and shellfish. In traditional Judaism, however, what it means to be kosher is much more involved than observant Jews not eating certain meats labeled to be “unclean.” Kashrut involves classification of unclean meats to be sure, but also involves some significant traditions regarding the butchering of animals, how meat is to be prepared, what can and cannot be eaten together, separation of utensils and cookware—as well as a variety of theological and philosophical reasons proposed for the institution of these Biblical instructions, and their subsequent interpretation and application over the centuries by Jewish religious authorities and diverse Jewish communities.

Headcovering Garments – FAQ

15 May, 2023 J.K. McKee

Do you believe it is acceptable for Messianic men to wear a kippah or yarmulke, when Paul says that it is a dishonor for men to have their heads covered? How do you interpret 1 Corinthians 11:4-16?

My Personal Experience With Purim – Messianic Insider

1 March, 2023 J.K. McKee

Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee reviews some of his own personal encounters with remembering the Festival of Lots or Purim, over the past twenty-seven years of being a part of the Messianic community. What are some good traditions and customs to remember? What are some critical lessons of Purim which need not be overlooked?

Passover, Eating Lamb – FAQ

12 April, 2022 J.K. McKee

Should we eat lamb as Messianics during Passover? Is it true that the Jews do not eat lamb during Passover?

A Summarization of Purim Traditions

16 March, 2022 J.K. McKee

The holiday of Purim is a relatively minor festival in the Tanach (Old Testament), yet it portrays a very important story which all of God’s people need to understand. Having been dispersed into Babylonian exile in 585 B.C.E., the Jewish people found themselves under Persian rule. While many found their new Persian rulers more tolerant than the Babylonians, the Jews were still a minority and were often subject to harassment and persecution. In the Book of Esther, King Ahasuerus’ (or Xerxes’) grand vizier, the evil Haman, devised a plot to kill the Jews when he was not worshipped by Mordecai. But Ahasuerus’ new wife, the Jewess Esther, was placed in just the right position at just the right time to see that this scheme did not come to pass. Instead, Haman was executed using the very means which he intended to use against the Jews.

How Do We Move Toward an Open Discussion?

7 February, 2022 J.K. McKee

John McKee evaluates some of the notable features of the Jewish worldview, Protestant worldview, and Fundamentalist Christian worldview. How do each of them customarily approach the issues of the day? How have they each affected, or not affected, the worldview of today’s Messianic community?

A Summarization of Chanukah Traditions

29 November, 2021 J.K. McKee

The holiday of Chanukah, or the Festival of Dedication, is full of many customs and traditions that give our celebration great life and depth. During this time of year, we have the awesome opportunity to commemorate the work of God from some 2,200 years ago during the time of the Maccabees. If they had not fought against the Seleucid invaders of Israel, the Jewish people would have either been destroyed through war, or would have disappeared via cultural assimilation.

Who Were the Judaizers? – Messianic Insider

17 June, 2020 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics discusses how the term “Judaizer” is theologically and socially loaded—but how the Scriptures themselves might actually present something different than what is commonly considered.

Straight Talk from the Q&A List – Part 5 – Messianic Insider

5 June, 2020 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics continues going through a long list of reader-submitted questions and issues: no connection to the Jewish philosophical tradition.