This blog-post is mostly by way of a reference article for newcomers.
Do you have to become Jewish to follow Jesus?
Paullist theology has one way of answering the question, “Do you have to become Jewish in order to follow the teachings of Jesus?” Both Paullism and Talmidaism answer this with a ‘No’, but Paullism qualifies that ‘No’ by taking the stance that a Gentile must not, under any circumstances, follow Torah, because following Torah would be a step backwards, away from salvation through the death of ‘Christ’.
The way Talmidaism answers with a ‘No’ is quite different. Torah is a free choice, not an imposition or an obligation on Gentiles. That’s the difference between Paullism’s ‘No’ and Talmidaism’s ‘No’. Torah is for those who wish to become priestly ambassadors for YHVH’s ethics to the Nations. Not everyone is called to be a priest, and so in Talmidaism, not every Talmidi is required to become Jewish.
The 3 types of Gentile – definitions
In ancient, 1st century Judaism, there were considered to be 3 kinds of Gentile:
* A Righteous Gentile: a non-Jew who lived a righteous and ethical way of life, but worshipped their own national gods and followed their own people’s culture (covered by the Universal Covenant)
* A Noahide: a Gentile who worshipped YHVH, but did not identify with or practice Jewish culture (covered by the Noachide Covenant)
* A Godfearer: a Gentile who observed Torah, but has not gone through conversion (and for males, has not been circumcised; Godfearers are included in the Moab Covenant). A Godfearer is considered to be ‘a Gentile living amongst the assembly of Israel’ (a geir toshav, in Hebrew), therefore abiding by Torah’s requirements for Gentiles living in the midst of Israel
I’m now going to concentrate on the latter two, since these have immediate relevance to the modern Talmidi community.
Gentiles within the modern Talmidi Community
If you concentrate on the ethical teachings of Yeshua as the core basis of Talmidaism, then we informally accept 3 different levels of identity or commitment:
1. A Talmidi Noahide: A Gentile who fully accepts Talmidi beliefs, philosophy and ethics, but identifies with the culture of their birth or upbringing, rather than with Jewish culture. A Noahide does not practice the ritual or cultural requirements of the Sinai Torah in any way. The minimum ethical requirements are the Noahide laws, and the maximum would be the general ethical practices and ideals of those who worship YHVH
2. A Talmidi Godfearer: A Gentile who fully accepts Talmidi beliefs, philosophy and ethics, and also does their best to follow the Written Sinai Torah, as much as they are able to, without going through the full process of conversion. A Godfearer will often have an affection for Jewish culture and practice, which is often the initial impetus for following Torah.
3. A Talmidi Israelite: Someone who is either born Jewish, or has gone through full conversion in order to gain Jewish status, and also holds to Talmidi beliefs and ethics. Such an individual does their best to practice Sinai Torah as their way of life.
Talmidaism as a form of ‘Ethical Yahwism’ for all peoples
Some people criticise us by saying that Judaism can only ever be for Jews, and therefore it is culturally restrictive; that only Christianity or Islam can be for all peoples. However, Yahwism – the worship of YHVH and the ethics of YHVH – is open to all human beings, regardless of their ethnic background. In ancient times, several non-Israelite peoples followed Yahwism, such as the Avvites of Abraham’s time (the people who lived in the Gaza area before the Philistines arrived, and considered themselves ‘a righteous people’); also the Jebusites of Jerusalem (eg Melchizedek), and also Jethro’s Kenite tribe among the Midianite federation. Jonah also preached ethical Yahwism among the people of Nineveh (i.e. he did not convert them to Judaism).
The bottom line is that in Talmidaism, Torah and a Jewish lifestyle are not meant to be imposed on anyone, especially if they feel they are not ready for it. Cultural identity is a deeply personal thing, and no purpose is served by forcing someone to do or be something they don’t want to, or feel able to accept. The Sinai Torah is for the Assembly of Israel (Israelites and Godfearers), but ethical Yahwism, such as Talmidaism, is for all peoples.
peace and blessings in the Name of YHVH, God of all Nations
your brother
Shmuliq