The original followers of the man called Yeshua/Jesus were Jews. They practising & observant Jews..shomer mitzvot Jews. To the extent that their movement was considered a movement within the pale of the Jewish faith, and they were referred to as “Nazarites” (because of the town where their Rabbi grew up..not too different from how some of the Hassidic movements/sects arrived at their names: i.e Satmar).
The problem came when those who did not understand the basics of the movement and did not value Torah and the mitvot seized control and created hybrid religion which retained the name “Christianity.” This hybrid version, having more paganism and less connection to Torah purposely sought to distinguish itself from the Jews and the Jewish practises/form of worship – actually, it was quite anti-Semitic at heart.
THAT is why such horrors against the Jewish people(among others) where perpetrated so often and readily over the centuries of this new religion.
Those who understood the nature of the teachings of Yeshua/Jesus – that his intention was never to steer people away from Torah, but rather to stress sincere faith and love-based observance of G-d’s principles for right living – Organised/Official “Christianity” (“the Church” – based in Rome, and it’s later offspring) saw them as enemies and heretics. This historical context is important to understand and bear in mind when judging modern day followers of the teachings of Yeshua/Jesus.
There is a tendency today among “Christians” to embrace and respect the Jewish people and Torah more than ever before, and a distancing from the elements of that “hybrid” religion which are contrary to Torah and the rest of Tanakh. Sadly, too much has been ignored or withheld on both sides of the “Messianic Jew” controversy.
I strongly believe that the day will come when both sides will move towards greater understanding and harmony – but not at the expense of Torah and the Mitzvot. However it all plays out, the Prophets are clear on the following: Hashem will draw the Children of Israel back to Himself and Torah, and the hearts of His people will RETURN to Him and His commands and Zion.
There are ethnic, historical, genealogical, and religious approaches to defining who we are. The view of one cannot be imposed on, or necessarily disqualify/invalidate the view of, another. The Halacha position is what it is, and must be accepted as such without contention if Orthodox Judaism is your goal. As to all else, we strive to respect each other, and the “Jewishness” that we believe is a part of our true soul-self (ancestral or otherwise), which we long to learn more of and connect more strongly with.
for more info. http://cryptojews.wik.is
