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by Rabbi Reuel Dillon

As I have spoken to various leaders and people within the Messianic community over the years, specifically those who can be described as not being supportive of non-Jewish believers living a Torah life, I often hear the question; "Why would a Gentile want to keep the Torah?". This is often said as if it was only a burden incumbent upon someone who is physically Jewish. And although they themselves, being Jewish, see it as something that they have some kind of a responsibility to keep, their question betrays the fact that they do see it as a burden, and not as something that would be desirable for those who they feel have a choice to opt out.

I believe this type of thinking, the thought that the Torah has nothing positive or beneficial to offer the non-Jewish believer, is a major stumbling block to the calling for both Jew and those from the Nations to become one new man, as we are exhorted to in Ephesians 2. Ephesians 2:12-15 states the following about those from the nations who were coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua. It says that they, "at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Yisra'el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom - he has made us both one and has broken down the m'chitzah (wall) which divided us by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances, that He might in Himself create the two into one new man, and thus make shalom".

I believe the point of this passage is to tell us when it comes to our worship and drawing close to Adonai, much like in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple), there was a wall that separated Jew and Gentile. It was a man-made wall that separated God's people, which could be seen as representing mad-made ordinances, which were said to be inspired from the Torah, but some of these man-made ordinances separated Jewish believers from Gentile believers. In Messiah Yeshua the wall that separates believing Jews from non-Jews is supposed to come down. For us to discourage the nations from crossing the line that leads to the Torah...we once again build up the wall that separated us. The text says of the believing Nations, "You were estranged from the national life of Yisra'el". When Messianic

Jewish believers in the greater Messianic community present the Torah as either off-limits or as non-desirable to those of the believing Nations it serves to violate the exhortation as found in Ephesians chapter two and causes those from the Nations to truly be "...estranged from the national life of Yisra'el".

But, our text clearly says in Ephesians 2:19, "...you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's family". The problem is, when Messianic Jewish leaders and Messianic Jewish believers in the movement communicate to their non-Jewish brothers and sisters who come into our synagogues, or who are being called to a Torah life, that either the Torah is not for them or that it is not a desirable thing...in communicating this they cause our non-Jewish brothers and sisters to truly feel like foreigners and strangers and cause them to feel "estranged from the national life of Yisra'el". The question is, how can one be immersed in the national life of Yisra'el while being disconnected to a Torah life as a life of spiritual expression, worship, and culture? I would like to share an account of a brother whose origin is from the Nations. Once he entered into a local Messianic Jewish congregation in our area and because of his Torah conviction he was wearing tzitziyot (the Biblical fringes). The congregational leader there noticed it and quickly stopped the brother and questioned him as to where he thought he was, and what he thought they were about, and pointed out his tzitziyot and said that for him, that is - a non-Jewish person, to wear tzitziyot in their congregation "was like him wandering into the women's bathroom"... Could you imagine how foreign and strange that made this brother feel amongst a people who he was supposed to be a "fellow-citizen" with? And, from much of my experience, I believe that this is characteristic of too many leaders and congregations within the greater Messianic Jewish community. Thus, this is one of the reasons for the existence of the United Messianic Jewish Assembly (UMJA). One of our purposes as a growing assembly of Messianic congregations and ministries is to never make those from the Nations who are taking hold of Messiah and the commonwealth of Yisra'el to feel like strangers, but to welcome them in as fellow-citizens, and not as second class citizens, as we learn to become one new man.

When Messianic Jewish leaders and community members cause those from the Nations to feel like strangers through these type of actions it frustrates the plans and goals of The Messiah himself. For in Yochanan (John) 10:14-16 Yeshua The Messiah states, "I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me -- just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life on behalf of the sheep. Also I have other sheepwhich are not from this pen; I need to bring them, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd". So, Messiah also communicates this concept of "one new man" when he speaks of "one flock". This one flock follows this one Shepherd wherever he goes and in whatever he does. And, it just so happens that this Shepherd is a Jewish Rabbi, who lives and teaches a life of Torah. As is falsely claimed, there is not "the church" and "the Jewish people" as two separate groups. Messiah says that there is to be only one flock, and as Rav Sha'ul communicates, this combined group of people will make up the Yisra'elicommonwealth.

So again, as we take into account the context of our passage in Ephesians, one can see that doctrines that create a separation between the two flocks and the two groups of people is a major issue and stumbling block to Jew and Gentile moving forward as one new man, or if you will, one new sheep. And, as we can see from our scripture passage, this one new man is characterized as not being "estranged from the national life of Yisra'el" and not being "foreigners to the covenants". Quite to the contrary they are described as being immersed in the national life of Yisra'el and described as being members of Yisra'el's covenants. This is what the "one new man" of Ephesians 2 looks like.

Furthermore, we shouldn't be surprised to learn that this "one new man" looks like Yeshua The Messiah. As disciples of The Master, whether we are Jew or Gentile, our goal is to look like him and be like him. As we continue to read the book of Ephesians in context it further expounds upon what this "new man" is suppose to look like. Ephesians chapter 4 exhorts our leaders to build the body of Messiah into what the "one new man" is supposed to look like. Indeed, this is the purpose of our conference. Ephesians 4:12-16 states, "Their task is to equip God's people for the work of service that builds the body of the Messiah, until we all arrive at the unity implied by trusting and knowing the Son of God, at full manhood, at the standard of maturity set by the Messiah's perfection. We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in every respect grow up into him who is the head, the Messiah. Under his control, the whole body is being fitted and held together by the support of every joint, with each part working to fulfill its function; this is how the body grows and builds itself up in love".

As we continue to read, Ephesians 4:17-18 it tells us that the "one new man" doesn't look or act like a Gentile or as one from the Nations. What does it say? Rav Sha'ul (Paul) says, "...indeed, in union with the Lord I insist on it: do not live any longer as the pagans (Gentiles - Greek root "ethnos") live, with their sterile ways of thinking. Their intelligence has been shrouded in darkness, and they are estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance in them, which in turn comes from resisting God's will". Again, notice how he links the two passages with the phrase "they are estranged from the life of God", which Ephesians chapter 2:12 says is "the national life of Yisra'el". So, to encourage those from the Nations to continue to live as "Gentiles", and not as fellow-citizens amongst the commonwealth of Yisra'el, being estranged from the National life of Yisra'el, is totally contrary to the concept of becoming "one new man".

With that being said, other than not wanting to feel like strangers amongst the commonwealth of The Kingdom of Heaven...why would believers in Messiah amongst the Nations want to live a Torah life? Although, a sense of obligation is an important motivation, the question is...why would the Nations want the Torah? This is in response to the semantic argument that says, "I don't know why a Gentile would want to keep the Torah". What possible benefit or advantage could be obtained? As I mentioned before, the one asking this question betrays a deeper problem within some of the Messianic Jewish community...namely that there is no benefit to a Torah life and that it is a grievous and burdensome responsibility that they wouldn't wish on anyone. But, is that how the tzedukkim (holy ones) of Adonai have described a Torah life, as seen in the TeNaKh?

Melech David (King David), a man described as a "man after God's own heart" (Sh'mu'el Alef/1Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22) proclaims the following at the beginning of Tehillim (Psalms) 119. Vs 1-3 states, "How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, who live by the Torah of HaShem! How happy are those who observe his instruction, who seek him wholeheartedly! They do nothing wrong but live by his ways". In Tehillim (Psalms) 119:33-35 he states, "Teach me, HaShem, the way of your laws; keeping them will be its own reward for me. Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart. Guide me on the path of your mitzvot (commandments), for I take pleasure in it". And, in Tehillim (Psalms) 119:97-99 Melech David proclaims, "How I love your Torah! I meditate on it all day. I am wiser than my foes, because your mitzvot are mine forever. I have more understanding than all my teachers, because I meditate on your instruction".

David considered it a great privilege and delight to live and learn more about a Torah life. With that being said, what benefits does the observant Jewish person have in living a Torah life as compared to their deprived Gentile neighbor looking on from the other side of the wall? Romans 3:1-2a states, "Then what advantage has the Jew? What is the value of being circumcised? Much in every way!" Does the text say "In some ways" or "there is no advantage". No! It says, "Much in every way!". One of the primary reasonings behind this is that Sha'ul says that the Torah was entrusted to the Jewish people. Romans 3:2b states, "In the first place, the Jews were entrusted with the very words of God", aka the TeNaKh.

Because of this the Jewish people had a closer and more intimate walk with Avinu Melchenu (our Father and King). When those of the Nations are kept on the other side of the dividing wall and are being estranged from the national life of Yisra'el, they are being kept from a more intimate walk with the Father. For the closer one gets to Adonai's word, the greater our intimacy with His word becomes, and thus with Him. Likewise, we develop a closer and more intimate relationship with The Father as we become more of a disciple of our Master Yeshua, a Torah observant Rabbi; who just so happens to be Adonai's goal for all human-kind. Thus, one of the benefits of living a Torah life is to be more Messiah-like, and thus Messianic, or if you like...Christian.

A similar reason that those from that Nations would want to live a Torah life is because it demonstrates that they are part of God's family. Speaking of the commonwealth of Yisra'el, and as we further meditate on Ephesians 2, B’midbar (Numbers) 15:15-16 states, “For this community there will be the same law for you as for the foreigner living with you; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations; the foreigner is to be treated the same way before HaShem as yourselves. The same Torah and standard of judgment will apply to both you and the foreigner living with you.'"

On this scriptural note, if I had natural children who were born to me by my wife and they grew up while living in my home, according to my house rules and instructions, and I later decided to adopt a younger child, someone who was not of my seed, and I brought them into my home, how would I treat them, as compared to my physical children? To make them feel like a full-fledged family member, I would strive to treat them just as I would my natural children. How would I do this? I would include them in every family meeting and

get-together and they would do everything with their brothers and sisters. And, although as a younger son or daughter growing up in my home they would take some time to learn the house rules that my other children had already learned and mastered...Nonetheless, the same house rules would apply to them, and even more so as they grew and matured. But, I would be patient and gracious with them as they learned how to live more and more according to the house rules and instructions. And, they would be disciplined according to those instructions. If I only disciplined my natural born children, and not the adopted ones according to the house rules...than this would actually be a sign that I love them less.

Mishlei (Proverbs) 13:24 states, "One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him". And, Ivrim (Hebrews) 12:6-8 states, "For whom Adonai loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children".

Also, if I had a set of rules for my adopted children and a different set of rules and instruction for my natural born children...this would naturally create a separation, possibly a rivalry, and could even cause them to be estranged from one another, as is evident from the history between the Jewish people and between those of the Nations. This is an extremely valid and potent point to make because Adonai gave us family to understand our relationship to Him. So, the question is, why would those from the Nations want to feel like a step-child who didn't have the same intimate connection to the Father that the natural children enjoyed? This is why I believe in several places throughout the Torah that Avinu states, "the foreigner is to be treated the same way before HaShem as yourselves".

On the national level, each individual Nation has a Law that governs its citizens. Ideally, the purpose of these laws are to protect its citizens and to keep the shalom of the Nation. But, sometimes that doesn't happen because many of these laws are made by men who don't have the best of the Nation in mind, but are interested in furthering their own agendas and personal interests. Thus, most of those from the Nations would want a law to govern them that is a 100% for their own benefit. Where could they find such a law to govern them? Of course, from God Himself! Devarim (Deuteronomy) 10:12-13 states, "So now, Yisra'el, all that HaShem your God asks from you is to fear HaShem your God, follow all his ways, love him and serve HaShem your God with all your heart and all your being; to obey, for your own good, the mitzvot (commandments) and regulations of HaShem which I am giving you today". Likewise, Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 48:17 states, "Thus says HaShem, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Yisra'el: "I am HaShem, your God, who teaches you for your own good, who guides you on the path you should take. If only you would heed my mitzvot (commandments)! Then your shalom would flow on like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea".

Something that the believing Nations should recognize is that Yisra'el and the Jewish people are His special chosen people and treasure amongst the Nations, and He only wanted the very best for them. As we can see from our previous passages, one of the ways that Adonai would ensure that His people would enjoy a high quality, prosperous, and protected life was

to give them His Torah...the instructions He gave them for life. Isn't this what we also do as fathers and mothers for our own children...don't we try to give them the very best instructions and precepts to live by to ensure their success, protection, and vitality? Knowing this, wouldn't those of the Nations want Adonai's best as well? When seeking instructions and precepts to live by, wouldn't they want the very best? Would they want to settle for a cheap knock-off or watered-down version?

In fact, there is a prophecy in the Torah that says in the future that when Yisra'el begins to keep Torah as a nation, the Nations will recognize the Torah as the very best. They will recognize that Adonai's Torah is superior to any other code of conduct. Where do we see such a prophecy?? Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:5-8 states, "Look, I have taught you laws and rulings, just as HaShem my God ordered me, so that you can behave accordingly in the land where you are going in order to take possession of it. Therefore, observe them; and follow them; for then all peoples will see you as having wisdom and understanding. When they hear of all these laws, they will say, 'This great nation is surely a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has God as close to them as HaShem our God is, whenever we call on him? What great nation is there that has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah which I am setting before you today?"

This passage shows that when someone follows the Torah this will be equated with someone who has "wisdom and understanding". So, in other words, a Torah observant person is to be considered spiritually smart. And, I don't have to tell you want the alternative means... And, as I mentioned before, a close relationship to the Torah also is connected in the scriptures to a closer and more intimate relationship to The Father, something that any believer should want. For the text states, "For what great nation is there that has God as close to them as HaShem our God is...?" And, as we continue to read...a rhetorical question is asked. It says that it will be said, "What great nation is there that has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah...?" Of course, being a rhetorical question, the answer is...there is no other Nation that "has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah". So, the question is, if the scriptures say that there is absolutely no other set of laws and rulings that is better or more superior than the Torah given to Yisra'el...than why would you want to settle for anything less??

If as Messianic Jewish leaders and teachers within the Messianic community we are seeking to establish "tikkun olam" (the fixing of the world), and we read passages like these and consent that it is truth and than turn to those of the Nations who are seeking stability and shalom, and they begin to recognize the wisdom of the Torah and say, "This great nation is surely a wise and understanding people" and than in-turn we say, "Yes, their is no other Nation 'that has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah'" and we then tell them..."But, this superior Torah, which is indeed better than any other Nations' Law, is not for you"..."we feel as the chosen people that this Law, this Torah, is only for us because of our close relationship to God, that...you don't have. When we speak in these terms we are not only saying that God doesn't have much love for those of the Nations, but we are also saying that Adonai doesn't want His best for those of the Nations. Regardless of the words we use, when we think this way and talk this way we are guilty of a great arrogance!

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 56:1-7 has shown us that it was always Adonai's purpose to bring the Nations into His covenants, and for them to take hold of them. It says, "Here is what HaShem says: "Observe justice, do what is right, for my salvation is close to coming, my righteousness to being revealed." Happy is the person who does this, anyone who grasps it firmly, who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, and keeps himself from doing any evil. A foreigner joining HaShem should not say, "HaShem will separate me from his people"; likewise the eunuch should not say, "I am only a dried-up tree." For here is what HaShem says: "As for the eunuchs who keep my Shabbats, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant: in my house, within my walls, I will give them power and a name greater than sons and daughters; I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut off. "And the foreigners who join themselves to HaShem to serve him, to love the name of HaShem, and to be his workers, all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, and hold fast to my covenant, I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all people". This passage tells those of the Nations who take hold of the Torah that they will have an exalted position within the commonwealth of Yisra'el.

There are also some other very basic reasons why those of the Nations would want the Torah. It is only the Torah that defines what sin is. And, any believer in Messiah that seeks to honor their Master and God should want to avoid sinning against their God. The Torah provides a clear definition of what we should avoid and what we should be pursuing in life. Without making a distinction between Jew and non-Jew the Apostolic scriptures state in Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by The Law is the knowledge of sin.”. Here we see that we do not gain our salvation by keeping the Father's Law, but the verse says that we know what sin is by knowing God's Law, that is, His Torah. Romans 7:7 states, “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? God forbid. Let it not be! I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, you shall not covet.”. And, Yochanan Alef (1John) 3:4 states, “Whosoever commits sin transgress also The Law (Torah): for sin is the transgression of The Law (Torah)”.

In Yochanan (John) 8:34, “Yeshua answered them, "Yes, indeed! I tell you that everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin.” Here Yeshua says that it doesn't matter if you are Jew or non-Jew, anyone who practices sin is a slave to it. B'resheet (Genesis) 4:7 tells us from the very beginning, “If you are doing what is good, shouldn't you hold your head high? And if you don't do what is good, sin is crouching at the door — it wants you, but you are to rule over it". So, contrary to what some teach, knowing and practicing a Torah life leads us out of bondage. What does the man after God's own heart say about these things? In Tehillim (Psalms) 119:44-45 he says, "So I will obey your Torah continually, forever and ever. I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts". In the next verse Melech David (King David) also believed that this message of freedom was one that should be shared with the Nations. In verse 46 he says, "I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed".

So, if one from the Nations wants to live a spiritual life, naturally, such a one will not want to be constantly stepping in sin so that they are not continually coming before the Father with such a stench. Instead, we want to be a sweet smelling aroma before Him. If a Christian wants to be spiritually minded and not be associated with a carnal and fleshly mind, they will want to associate themselves with a Torah life. This is all central to the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant). The carnal man is subject to sin and slave of it, but the true spiritual man is subject to The Law (Torah) of His God. Romans 8:5-8 states, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to The Law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God”.

If we are filled with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), than we are enabled to do all things (Phillipians 4:13) that were not possible before...including the keeping of God's commandments! In fact, this is one of the covenant promises of the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant). Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 36:26-27 states, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you; I will take the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit inside you and cause you to live by my laws, respect my rulings and obey them.”.

One of the final and most basic motivations why those from the Nations would want the Torah is because of love. That is, it is God's love language when we express it to Him, whether we are Jewish or not. Any believer should want to show more love to their God. If you are a father or a mother you feel quite blessed if your children follow your commands and instructions. So how do you apply the saying, "Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself" when it comes to God? That is, imagine that you were the Father of the Universe…if as fathers and mothers we want our children to do what we say (follow our commands)...should we not do unto our Heavenly Father as we would have our children do unto us, that is - obey?

Indeed, God views true love towards Him as a love that is characterized by keeping His commandments. And, where do we see commandments being given directly from Him other than in the Torah? We see this in the following scripture passages. Shemot (Exodus) 20:2-6 states, "I am HaShem your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, HaShem your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." Devarim (Deuteronomy) 11:1 also states, "Therefore you shall love HaShem your God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments, always."

Likewise, in Yochanan (John) 14:15 Yeshua The Messiah said of The Father, "If you love me, keep my mitzvot (commandments)." And, in Yochanan (John) 14:24 Yeshua says, "He

who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me". The Scriptures often use the word "know" to communicate love and intimacy. In Yochanan (John) 2:3-7 we read, "This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him. But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked. Brothers, I write no new mitzvah (commandment) to you, but an old mitzvah which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning." And, in Yochanan Alef (1John) 5:2-3 we are told, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not burdensome." Contrary to what some teach, this passage of scripture says that the Torah, His commandments, are not to be considered a burden or an undesirable thing, as some portray it to be.

Although the list is not exhaustive, thus far we have explored several compelling reasons to answer the question not only for ourselves, but also for those in the Messianic Jewish community and in the Christian community that may ask the question, "Why would the Nations want the Torah?" But, another important and related question is; What interest should the Jewish people, Jewish leaders, and Rabbis have in teaching the Nations to live a life of Torah? Because it is our mandate! We cannot forget the great commission given to our people long ago. Shemot (Exodus) 19:5-6 states, "Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you will be a kingdom of cohanim (priests) for me, a nation set apart. 'These are the words you are to speak to the people of Yisra'el." We are to be a Kingdom of priests! If as the Nation of Yisra'el we are to be a Kingdom of priests, and we are all priests, who are we priests to? The priest acts as an intermediary between two parties, between God and the other party. If Yisra'el is a nation of priests, than we are to be priests unto the Nations, the other party. We are to be bringing them into a closer relationship with the God of Yisra'el. And, how do we do that? Through His Torah, something that goes hand and hand with His Messiah Yeshua, as the Torah points directly to The Messiah!

Adonai's Torah is equated with His light. Mishlei (Proverbs) 6:23 states, "For the mitzvah (command) is a lamp, Torah is light, and reproofs that discipline are the way to life". The nation of Yisra'el, because they were entrusted with the Torah (the oracles of God), they were to be, like their Messiah, "Or LaGoyim", a Light Unto The Nations. Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 49:6 says, "It is not enough that you are merely my servant to raise up the tribes of Ya'akov and restore the offspring of Yisra'el. I will also make you a light to the nations, so my salvation can spread to the ends of the earth." Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 51:4-7 confirms this for us as it says, "Pay attention to me, my people! My nation, listen to me! For Torah will go out from me; I will calm them with my justice as a light for the peoples. My righteousness is at hand, my salvation goes out, my arms will judge the peoples. The coastlands are putting their hope in me, trusting in my arm. "Raise your eyes toward the skies, look at the earth below. The skies will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like clothing. Those living on it will die like flies; but my salvation will be forever, and my justice will never end. "Listen to

me, you who know justice, you people who have my Torah in your heart: don't be afraid of people's taunts, don't be upset by their insults".

In light of these passages, Yeshua not only saw himself as the light of the world, as we see in Yochanan (John) 8:12 when he said, "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.", but he also saw these passages also applying to his people Yisra'el when in Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:14-19 he said to them, "You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don't cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. "Don't think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah -- not until everything that must happen has happened. So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot (commandments) and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven".

Notice how Rebbenu Yeshua speaks of us being a light unto the nations in direct connection with not only living a Torah life, but also by teaching them to observe the Torah. This has always been part of the Great Commission given to our people and is something of great importance that our Master Yeshua tells us in Mattityhahu (Matthew) 28:19-20 to fulfill as our great commission when he says, "Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim (disciples), immersing them into the name of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age."

Until the Messianic Jewish movement of God takes this great commission seriously...we will not be enabled to accomplish the goals of Adonai and will not be used as the Cohenim (Priests) that Adonai needs to accomplish His great plan for mankind, with the goal of establishing Tikkun Olam, the restoration of the World. The establishment of Yeshua and The Torah in the hearts of the world's inhabitants, the fulfillment of the Great Commission, will not only lead to the peace of the nation of Yisra'el, but eventually will lead to world peace as well. And, Yeshua The Messiah calls us to be peace-makers.

Today the nations (the US government being amongst them), are raging over Yisra'el. They are desperately seeking their version of a peace plan to end the war and violence in Yisra'el and the Middle East. In Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:3 we read Adonai say the following about the commonwealth of Yisra'el, “If you walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them.."...We than go on to read that if the commonwealth of our people would endeavor to keep Adonai's Torah that one of the results would be peace in the land. Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:6-7 says, "'I will give shalom in the land - you will lie down to sleep unafraid of anyone. I will rid the land of wild animals. The sword will not go through your land. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall before your sword.". But, we see that the direct result of ignoring Adonai's Torah would produce the opposite effect. For those of us whom seek a Torah and Messianic centered life, we should be encouraging our non-messianic Jewish

brothers and sisters to take hold of a Torah life, not only because it will eventually lead them to Messiah, but also because it is the recipe for the nation of Yisra'el's shalom in the land and in the world.

In connection to widespread teaching of the Torah to the Nations, we read about a glorious future, as spoken of in Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 2:2-3 where we are told; "In the acharit-hayamim (End Of Days) the mountain of HaShem's house will be established as the most important mountain. It will be regarded more highly than the other hills, and all the Goyim (Nations) will stream there. Many peoples will go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of HaShem, to the house of the God of Ya'akov! He will teach us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Tziyon will go forth Torah, the word of HaShem from Yerushalayim". And, the result of the Torah going forth to the Nations and the Nations learning to observe it...is non-other than world peace. In connection with this, verse 4 goes unto say that, "He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades and their spears into pruning-knives; nations will not raise swords at each other, and they will no longer learn war".

Calling our country and the Nations back to a Torah centered life will serve to bring peace in our land and peace from our enemies, as Adonai will give us all the victory. If only both Jew and non-Jew understood how central the Torah is to an abundant life and living together in peace, we wouldn't have waited so long to establish it as the supreme law of the land. But, for us to experience this blessing we must be meek and humble ourselves under the authority of Adonai and submit ourselves to His Torah. In Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:5 our Rabbi Yeshua teaches us, "How blessed are the meek! for they will inherit the Land!".

In order for us to call our country and world to a Biblical centered life, to a life of Torah, as one new man, all the various Messianic communities need to come together and proclaim a unified message so we can move forward together in unity. In connection to Yeshayahu (Isaiah) chapter 2, we read the following in Zecharyah (Zechariah) 8:22-23. It says, "Yes, many peoples and powerful nations will come to consult HaShem-Tzva'ot in Yerushalayim and to ask HaShem's favor.' HaShem-Tzva'ot says, 'When that time comes, ten men will take hold - speaking all the languages of the nations - will grab hold of the corner of the cloak of a Jew and say, "We want to go with you, because we have heard that God is with you."'" The Hebrew words "bichnaf ish Y'hudi", meaning, "of the corner of the cloak of a Jew" is more literally translated as "on the corner of a Jew" and refers to the corner of the garment that a Jewish man covers himself with. And, what is on the corner of the garment of an observant Jewish man? The answer is; his tzitziyot, the Biblical fringes that represent the Torah and the mitzvot (commandments). And, this is what those from the Nations will be taking hold of as both Jew and Gentile move forward together as one new man. As this is all happening it is also very symbolic of the Nations taking hold of Yeshua, who is both a Jewish man, and the living Torah. This is a glimpse of what the "one new man" relationship will look like and what it needs to look like more and more amongst our Messianic fellowships and the Christian community. As Messianic Jewish leaders and believers, why would we want to resist our calling, the words of prophecy, and the clear teaching of scripture?

As we fulfill our purpose, not only will this serve to clarify the message of Yeshua and Adonai's Torah, but the message will also be more genuine and believable. We need to be able to come together and be unified on a few pillars of our faith. I suggest five pillars as a foundation for this great work. I propose that the first pillar is belief in the God of Yisra'el as the one true God, the God of Avraham, Yitz'chak, and Ya'akov. The second pillar is the belief that Yeshua (Jesus) is The promised Messiah and future King over all. The third pillar is the belief that the TeNaKh, from Genesis to Revelation is our source of authority and holy scripture and that it proclaims a consistent, non-contradictory message from beginning to end. The fourth pillar is the belief that Adonai's Torah is still valid as the constitution of His Kingdom and that the Torah is not only for physical Yisra'el, but also for those of the Nations who would join its commonwealth. And, the fifth pillar is that we strive to put aside all other differences, that we would do our best not to offend each other or to cause one another to stumble, so that we may enjoy a sense of unity, love and fellowship with one another.

In Yochanan (John) 13:34-35 Yeshua gives us the following mitzvah, "I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my disciples by the fact that you have love for each other". Even when we have doctrinal disagreements that we believe to be important to our faith, if we lack love for one another and completely separate ourselves from one another...when we do this we set a major stumbling block before the unbeliever as we proclaim that we are followers of Yeshua The Messiah and as we beckon them to accept the message of the Good News and a Kingdom life.

In Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:9 Yeshua teaches us, "How blessed are those who make peace! for they will be called sons of God". As the commonwealth of Yisra'el seeks each other's peace and one another's well-being this will lead to more unity where our people can come together, both Jew and non-Jew, to work together as better representatives of the Father. As we concentrate our light, the Torah will be strengthened, it will shine more and more to the backslidden of our people, and to the Nations, and the result will be shalom in the land. But, our love towards one another, especially towards those brothers and sisters whom have doctrinal differences and whom have stood in opposition to us must be sincere and not just an outward show.

In Romans 12:9-14 the Emissary Sha'ul (Paul) teaches us, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the holy ones; given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse." In Romans 12 we are told to in honor prefer one another. So often we are so concerned about getting our own way and having our own view being represented that we do violence to one another within the land. We will often even use Adonai's Torah in an unlawful manner to accomplish this.

Amongst the sages a story is told of two men who were making their way to the synagogue for prayers. As they arrived at the small synagogue to their dismay, they found the path to

the door was muddy and waterlogged. The first man, whose name was Shalom, reasoned "there is no sense in both of us getting dirty. One of us should climb on the other's shoulders, that way at least one of us will be clean." His friend, Yisra'el, readily agreed with this splendid idea. Now only one problem remained: who would be the lucky one to go on top? They agreed that whoever could provide a hint or clue from a biblical verse would be the one to go on top. "That's easy", said Shalom. "The Torah uses the phrase, “Shalom al Yisra'el” (which literally means 'peace upon Israel', but here could mean Shalom on top of Yisra'el) so I should go on your shoulders". Yisra'el reluctantly complied and Shalom climbed up on his shoulders. After a few steps, Yisra'el suddenly threw Shalom to the ground. "I should go on top -- it says in the Torah that "v'nosati shalom ba'aretz" ('I will provide peace in the land' or, literally, 'I shall place Shalom on the ground') -- I should go on your shoulders.". And so they arrived at the synagogue, both of them filthy and none the better for their cunning plan. Many times we find ourselves doing a similar thing. Two brothers (or sisters), each of us trying to prove we are right, even using the Torah to back up our claims. One of us trying to build up while the other tears down. In the end nobody wins and everybody gets soiled along the way.

Instead of trying to take advantage of one another, instead of doing things that serve to destroy each other, instead stepping on each other's head to get ahead, instead of trying to push others into the mud to further our own interests, in Galatians 6:2 we are told to, "Bear one another's burdens - in this way you will be fulfilling the Torah's true meaning, which the Messiah upholds.". Instead of throwing mud at each other, our Master teaches us to do different. In Yochanan (John) 13:14-17 Yeshua says, "Now if I, the Lord and Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other's feet. For I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you. Yes, indeed! I tell you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is an emissary greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.".

Both Jew and non-Jew need to learn how to work with each other better and learn how to better serve each other. As Adonai works out His plan in both of us we have to be patient with each other and see each other with the same potential that Adonai sees in all of us. There is a time and a place to exhort our brothers and sisters unto righteousness and unto a life of Torah, but we have to do it in such a way that is consistent with communicating with a beloved family member. We must all remember that together, with our Christian brothers and sisters, we are the body of Messiah. This means that if we believe this...we must also recognize that we make up different parts of that body with various ministries and purposes. So, although each part of the body can fulfill similar duties to one degree or another, the fact is, certain parts of the body are geared to lead and fulfill certain areas to a much greater extent. As an example, I would say that much of the Gentile Christian part of the body of Messiah excels in the area of feeding the poor, providing housing, various resources for the needy, and many other institutions that they have had the time and capital to build up over a period of several hundred years. And, we should encourage them in those things and even praise them for it...for those are the ministries that Adonai has enabled them in. In fact, I believe that if possible, instead of recreating the wheel...the Messianic community should try to plug into these ministries and work better together as a body.

On the other hand, I also believe that Messianic communities play a specific part and role in the body of Messiah. I believe that its purpose and ministry at this time to a large degree is to be a teaching ministry and that we are to be proclaiming the truths of the Torah, the Prophets, and The Messiah to our people Yisra'el, to the Christian community and to the world. I believe that this is our primary purpose and I believe that if we are doing this in love...than we are fulfilling our purpose as a part of the body of Messiah. But, if we approach our Christian brethren in such a way that continually alienates them, than we will have defeated our purposes and they will be more and more resistant to the Torah life that we are holding out to them. The beautiful thing is...if Christians and Messianic Torah observant believers recognize each other as brothers and sisters and as necessary parts of the same body...as 1Corinthians 12 says, we support each other in the ministries and callings that Adonai has called us all to, recognizing and respecting our differences...than as a body we accomplish it all together, as we are actually acting as one organism, and thus together we all fulfill the overall calling of the body of Messiah.

In the meantime, although the Messianic community doesn't excel in some of the areas and mitzvot that the larger Christian community has been enabled to, we need to strive to do what we can and learn to better work with each other. For if we cannot get along with the rest of the other members of the body of Messiah...than our growth will be significantly stunted and corporately we will not be the light Adonai wants us to be to the rest of the Nations. It is all in Adonai's hands, and we should find shalom in that. As 1Corinthians 12:18 says, "God arranged each of the parts in the body exactly as he wanted them." Therefore, I believe the Messianic community is exactly where we are supposed to be right now, and this conference is a part of where Adonai wants us to be at this time in history. And, as we are further enabled, we will accomplish whatever Adonai calls us to do. As a body, as both Jew and non-Jew, especially as we more and more recognize our dependence on each other, and as we recognize the shared blue print and instructions for success...together we will accomplish all of Adonai's purposes. And, as we work together we will better enable each other's part to accomplish our purpose and calling as "one new man".