| Introduction |
Although Messianic Judaism may seem to be a fairly new movement, its organizational roots go back to the early 1900s. Indeed, there are some who would advocate the position that the movement has been in existence, in one form or another, for several hundred years, but we will limit ourselves to the more modern expression of the movement. If you are new to Messianic Judaism, or if you are just curious about it, then you may be wondering what is Messianic Judaism and what are some of its organizations?
Briefly, and in general, Messianic Judaism is a Jewish movement (including both Jews and non-Jews) committed to the idea that Jesus (known by his Hebrew-Aramaic name, Yeshua) is the Jewish Messiah. The movement is made up of autonomous congregations or synagogues which have joined themselves, in many cases, to one or another of following two main organized groups: the MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America), and the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations). However, there are other groups such as the Messianic Israel Alliance (MIA) and the more loosely organized Ephraimite groups (or the Two-branch movement). In addition, there are minor groups and independent congregations that have not associated themselves with a particular group.
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| MJAA |
The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) is perhaps the oldest organized Messianic Jewish group in America having been founded in 1915. Its original name was the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA). It holds to the traditional Christian teaching concerning the Deity of Yeshua, but with an emphasis on Shabbat (Saturday) observance and worship. The name change occurred under the leadership of Martin Chernoff in 1973.
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| UMJC |
The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) was formed in 1979. The UMJC can be described as “a loose confederation to aid in fellowship and education.” It also holds to the traditional Christian teaching concerning the Deity of Yeshua. As with the MJAA, there is an emphasis on Shabbat observance and worship.
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| MIA |
The Messianic Israel Alliance (MIA) was formed in 1999 as an organization geared toward Christians who were interested the Jewish foundations of Christianity. It is inclusive of both Jews and non-Jews. The MIA holds to the traditional Christian teaching concerning the Deity of Yeshua; however, there is an emphasis on Torah observance: Shabbat observance, keeping the Feast days, and keeping the dietary laws.
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| Ephraimite |
In addition to these organizations, there are other independent congregations that hold to a variety of beliefs including the Two-branch movement known as Ephraimites and those congregations where the Divine Name (YHVH) is pronounced. The MJAA has written a positional paper called "The Ephramite Error"
http://www.mjaa.org/engine.cfm?i=4&sl=22
Very basically, the Ephraimite or Two-branch movement holds to the belief that the ten tribes that formed the Kingdom of Israel were scattered and migrated to different lands (mainly to Europe). Also, among this group are congregations where the Divine Name is freely spoken along with variations to Yeshua’s name that incorporate the supposed pronunciation of the Divine Name.
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Minor and Independent Groups
CTOMC
OMJRA
Simchat Torah
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Our last group of Messianic Jewish congregations are those like the Coalition of Torah Observant Messianic Congregations (CTOMC) and the Observant Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Association (OMJRA) (having 5 member congregations) which have adopted a more Jewish tradition-oriented view toward their worship and lifestyle. While some of these congregations have formed themselves into an organized body, some congregations like Simchat Torah in Dallas, Texas have not formed themselves into an organized group, but they all share certain common view points including but not limited to the following: Torah observance – Shabbat observance, keeping the Feast days, and keeping the dietary laws; reverence for Rabbinic thought in matters regarding Halachic tradition (how a Jew should live) including the ineffability or non-pronunciation of the Divine Name, but balancing this with the writings of the B’rit Chadesha, the New Testament (how a believer should live). The basic concept is a holistic approach in worship and lifestyle for the Messianic Jewish believer.
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| Summary |
The goal of this essay was not to give the reader an exhaustive study into Messianic Judaism, but to provide a frame work whereby the reader will want to study further for themselves into this rich and diverse movement known as Messianic Judaism and its various organizations and associations.
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