Yeshuinists & Yeshuinism

Definition: For American visitors to this page, I should point out that in Europe (including the UK), the word ‘Liberal’ means something very different to what it does in the US. In the US, ‘liberal’ and ‘progressive’ both mean ‘far left’ or ‘extreme left’. However, in the UK and the rest of Europe, ‘liberal’ means ‘centre-left’ (in other words, it is not associated with any kind of extremism). It is with this European meaning of the word that I wrote the description below (Yeshuinists were not extremists).

Present status of group: I have not heard anything about Yeshuinists for several decades now, so I think that they are now well and truly defunct. However, I personally favour a pluralist and diverse Talmidi community, so I kept this information up on the website, in the hope that someone would take up the reins of Yeshuinism one day, and restart the Yeshuinist community. I think there is a need for Yeshuinism, just as there is a need for Massoritism and Ebionism.

WHAT YESHUINISM WAS LIKE AS A PHILOSOPHY

Yeshuinism is the most liberal of all the Talmidi sects. It upholds values of freedom of thought, tolerance and understanding above dogma. It affirms the right to question and examine everything as an important religious principle. It holds that one’s own life-experience is just as important as biblical teaching. It respects the right of all religious traditions to exist, and feels that each Talmidi sect has its part to play in the Congregation of the Way.

Yeshuinist theology is less rigid than that of any other Talmidi sect. It emphasises gender equality in worship language, and even language describing God is less defined. They prefer terms like, ‘The Eternal One’ or ‘The Holy One’ or ‘The Divine’ rather than ‘God’, and avoid gender specific pronouns with relation to God.

There is also an appreciation of the oneness of humanity, of creation and of the universe. It sees everything as interconnected and interrelated. It has concerns about the environment and the rights of animals. It values the diversity of the human race, and values difference and variety.

It decries how religion has divided humanity, understanding that, more than religion itself, it is tribalism and nationalism which divides humanity; as long as human beings are afraid of difference, there will be conflict. It teaches that we have to learn the courage to accept difference, and not be afraid of it.

Yeshuinists are not ‘New Age’ or extremist in any way. They are very much within the Yahwist tradition. They do not invent things, or pick and choose what to believe. They very much use their individual consciences to help them in their daily observance and adherence to the Covenant.

Scripture is seen as a collection of life-lessons, and a vehicle of preservation for the Jewish people. Talmidi culture is valued, however Yeshuinism holds that it is important for an individual to understand why they do what they do – to participate in the act of being an eternal witness to God’s active presence in history.

If you wish to start up the Yeshuinist community, please contact Shmuel Parzal at: shmuliq.parzal@googlemail.com