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==Messianic Judaism in the 19th century==

==Messianic Judaism in the 19th century==

==Criticism of Messianic Judaism==

==Criticism of Messianic Judaism==

Converts to Messianic Judaism are usually shunned by their Jewish families of origin and are excluded from the local Jewish community. The Central Conference of American Rabbis has stated: ''"For us in the Jewish community, anyone who claims that Jesus is their savior is no longer a Jew and is an apostate. Through that belief she has placed herself outside the Jewish community. Whether she cares to define herself as a Christian or as a 'fulfilled Jew,' 'Messianic Jew,' or any other designation is irrelevant; to us, she is clearly a Christian."''<ref>Robinson, B. [http://www.religioustolerance.org/mess_jud4.htm ''Opposition to Messianic Judaism''] Religious Tolerance. Accessed 21 February 2008</ref>

One rabbi said the following concerning Messianic Judaism “Messianic congregations are Christians portraying themselves as Jews,” said Rabbi Richard Margolis, the leader of Temple Beth Sholom in Melbourne and a member of the Jewish Federation board of Brevard. In an e-mail, he added, “The issue is deceit. This is a deceptive missionary movement, organized and heavily funded by evangelical Christians whose sole purpose is to convert Jews to (fundamentalist) Christianity. There is nothing Jewish about any of this.”<ref name="a"/>

 

In acknowledging Jesus and the Christian Scriptures, these congregations are accepting many other theological concepts contrary to the Jewish belief system, including original sin, the devil and demonology, “vicarious blood atonement,” and the trinity, Margolis said.<ref name="a"/>

The Jewish community often perceives Messianic Judaism as Christianity hijacking Judaism in order to convert Jews and misrepresenting Judaism to gain converts. They believe that Messianic Judaism is a corruption of the most deeply spiritual rituals and customs that honor Judaism's connection to God through Torah. Unfortunately, when Messianic Jews defend themselves against such claims, it often results in the Jewish community being perceived as attacking Christianity rather than defending Judaism, which intensifies the distrust between all parties.

“I have great respect for the authentic Christian tradition and maintain an ongoing program of interfaith activities in our community,” Margolis said. “But I cannot countenance couching fundamentalist Christianity in Jewish symbols.”<ref name="a">http://www.religionnewsblog.com/12955</ref>

 

Many Jews, see Messianic Judaism, as the Church's last resort to convince Jews to accept Jesus as their messiah.

Dr. David A. Rausch, associate professor of church history and Judaic studies at Ashland Theological Seminary, [[Ohio]], summed up the attitude of many Jewish people in the comment he was given by a member of the Jewish Defense League: ''"These Messianics are the [[Nazi]]s - the spiritual Nazis. They pretend to be Jews and use traditional Jewish symbols to trap children and the unsuspecting."''<ref>Rausch, David A. [http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1339 ''The Messianic Jewish Congregational Movement''] Religion Online. Accessed 21 February 2008</ref> The sentiments are not confined entirely to Judaism; the same author was told by a Christian missionary: ''"To these "Messianic Jews" Jewishness means Judaism, a rabbinic Judaism of the Ashkenazic flavor. They neither have a real knowledge of Jewish history or of Jewish-Christian history, nor do they possess a good handle on biblical [[exegesis]]. Like the Ebionites of old they will finally blend into Judaism and deny the Messiah."''<ref>''ibid''</ref>

Anti-missionaries, Jews who try to counter the work of Messianic missionaries have reported being assaulted. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rS35_UnHRw</ref> The Jewish community has produced several groups to counter Messianic Judaism, which it sees as Evangelical Christianity disguised in Jewish garb, such as, Jews for Judaism, Outreach Judaism, and produced the Lets Get Biblical Series, a tape series produced by Outreach Judaism.

 

The Israeli Supreme Court decreed on 25 December 1989 that Messianic Jews were not eligible to immigrate to Israel under the [[Law of Return]]. Because of their belief in Yeshua, they are viewed as belonging to another religion. In contrast Jews who are [[atheists]] and [[humanist]]s can return.<ref>Robinson, B. [http://www.religioustolerance.org/mess_jud4.htm ''Opposition to Messianic Judaism''] Religious Tolerance. Accessed 21 February 2008</ref> In 2008, the Israeli Minister of Interior began moves to revoke the citizenship of Messianic Jewish believers who immigrated into Israel in accordance with the Law of Return. Many well known Israeli Messianic leaders received notices from the Ministry of Interior that their citizenship is under review for this procedure. <ref>Decker, Michael [http://www.mjaa.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5417 ''Jerusalem Institute of Justice News''] Messianic Jewish Alliance of America. Accessed 22 February 2008</ref>

==See also==

==See also==