From the Editor – Issue 25
By Kesher Editor
The majority of the articles in this issue are drawn from the proceedings of the Helsinki Consultation on Jewish Continuity in the Body of Messiah that took place on June 14-15, 2010. These meetings in Heslinki were groundbreakers and participants included six Messianic Jews, three Catholic priests, one Lutheran, two Russian Orthodox intellectuals, one Russian…
Messianic Judaism: The Ecumenical Factor
By Antoine Levy
When it comes to ecumenism, the common view is that it is a movement involving the main traditional Christian denominations. Besides, it is generally perceived as a peripheral issue, even for these denominations. The primary task of a Church or a congregation is self-assessment and the search for inner coherence. Dealing with the reasons that…
Khurbinek: Some Thoughts on the Church of Israel
By Anna Shmain-Velikanova
In order to speak about the Church of Israel, it is assumed that one has a precise understanding of what is Israel and what is the Church. This assumption is, of course, wrong. We are incapable of providing such definitions. For the sake of clarity, let us state that the name Israel refers to this…
“Salvation is from the Jews”: An Assessment and Critique of Karl Barth on Judaism and the Jewish People
By Jennifer Rosner
Introduction It has often been said that, over the centuries, more than the Jewish people have kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jewish people. The idea behind this expression is that Jewish practice is a key factor in the preservation of the Jewish people. Perhaps this should not be all that surprising to…
Christianized and Messianic Jews: Real Problems and Prospects from the Point of View of Religious Sciences
By Yuri Tabak
Dear friends, it is a great honor for me to present here at this consultation. I have to say from the outset that I take a position which will likely be different from the majority of those present. Being Jewish by ethnic origin, I do not belong to any religion—neither Christianity, nor Judaism. At the…
Book Review
Review: Flesh of Our Flesh, Tsvi Sadan
By Yaakov Ariel
Sadan, Tsvi Flesh of Our Flesh: Jesus of Nazareth in Zionist Thought (Hebrew) Jerusalem: Carmel, © 2008. 314 pages. Reviewed by Yaakov Ariel Jewish attitudes towards Jesus of Nazareth have been of particular importance for the shaping of Jewish-Christian relations as well as of Jewish religious and cultural identity. A fascinating new book by Tsvi…
Book Review
Review: The Challenges of the Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Messianic Jewish Movements
By Daniel Juster
Hocken, Peter The Challenges of the Pentecostal, Charismatic and Messianic Jewish Movements Ashgate: Cornwell, England, © 2009 Reviewed by Daniel Juster Anyone not familiar with Monsignor Dr. Peter Hocken and his writings would do well to pursue them. They are insightful, show great depth, well thought out and well .written. Hocken is an English Roman…
Border Lines, Daniel Boyarin
By Joshua Brumbach
Boyarin, Daniel Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Chrstianity Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, © 2004. 392 pages.1 Reviewed by Joshua Brumbach Do the terms “Judaism” and “Christianity” represent two distinct religious .entities in late antiquity, and are they the direct result of a very early parting of ways over the issue of an exalted messianic…
Ezekiel 36:25-27 as the Besorah for Israel
By Hanoch Ben Keshet
Less than a century after the second Temple’s destruction two respected sages, R. Jose and R. Meir,1 apparently viewed Ezekiel 36:25 as a national eschatological marker for Israel. Our Rabbis taught: Mamzerim and Nethinim will become pure in the future:2 this is R. Jose’s view. R. Meir said: They will not become pure. Said R.…
