Our Statement of Faith and Vision

1. We believe in one God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who manifests Himself in many ways

Manifestations include: the Names of HaShem, the Shekinah, the Angel of HaShem, the Torah, Yeshua, the Spirit of HaShem (aka Ruach haKodesh), the sephirot, etc.He is the only God, Creator of all things, and necessary to existence, without Beginning or End

1. We believe in Yeshua’s atoning death, and that by his merit and virtue we have a covenant relationship with HaShem, salvation (Ref).

His merit was achieved through his sinless life, undeserved death – crucifixion – in obedience to his Father, HaShem.To verify Yeshua’s claim as Messiah, Son of God, HaShem resurrected him from the dead, and ascended him to sit at the right hand of the Father.

1. We believe in the coming Messianic Era (i.e. the kingdom or Millennial Reign) by which HaShem will bring about through the agency of Yeshua as Messianic King.

HaShem will use this time in the Messianic Era to bring about all of His promises of Redemption, including all the promises made to His Chosen People Israel.We believe that this Era will be initiated by the full revelation of Yeshua (ben David) as Messiah King at a time only the Father knows (Ref).

1. The Spirit of HaShem’s (aka the Holy Spirit – Ruach haKodesh) main job is to instill wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. (Ref.)

As part of this, the Spirit convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgement. (Ref) The Spirit has been poured out on each believer in Messiah Yeshua by measure to empower them as witnesses to the glory of God the Father.Messiah Yeshua is the only one for whom the Spirit was poured out without measure (Ref).As part of this empowerment, the Spirit gifts many gifts which are manifest among believers. (Refs)

1. We believe the Bible (the Tanakh – the “Old Testament” & the Brit Chadashah – “New Testament”) is the authoritative word of HaShem, and the Torah uniquely so.

It is divine in origin, prophetically-inspired, and validated by God-ordained authority.The Torah is of special divine origin, given before 600,000+ witnesses at Mt. Sinai and therefore possesses a unique inspiration that will never be nullified or expire.We believe the whole of Scripture must be understood in its context as the foundation of Jewish literature, historically, culturally, and spiritually.

1. We believe in the continuing choseness of Israel, the Jewish people, by HaShem forever.

This is referring to the literal people of Israel, those halakhically Jewish.This calling and gift can never be revoked, removed, superseded or changed (Ref).This calling and gift is a national mission of being a light to the nations and the keepers of the oracles of God (Ref).

1. The Torah is authoritative forever (Ref), especially for establishing God’s Chosen People, Israel, and that the Noachide Laws apply to all mankind.

Torah laws apply differently for priests and kings and men and women and farmers and Levites and non-Jews, not because they’re not equals, but because they have different missions in life.  The seven Noachide Laws apply universally to all mankind (with their 23 subcategories – see below, Section E) (Acts 15) No believer will go without his or her reward for keeping any other mitzvah in Torah.  This is what the Jerusalem Council clearly alludes to (with murder, theft, sexual immorality and courts of justice already Roman Law), needing to clarify the need for sexual immorality to include all in Leviticus 18, food laws, and staying away from idolatry.

1. We believe that through Messiah Yeshua Gentiles have been grafted into the olive tree of Israel (Rom 11).

Through this grafting we are co-heirs with the Jewish people of the coming Kingdom and World to Come.This does not replace or change the Jews as the Chosen, but it does put righteous non-Jews on equal footing on an individual level.

 

Section E: The Noachide Laws

 

Each category of Noachide Law is in BOLD

            + or - depending on if it’s a positive or negative commandment

Source material – SG = Shmuel ben Hofni Gaon’s list, RF = R. Menachem Azariah di Fano

            Talmudic source in italics, mine in []

 

1+ Blessing (ie Cursing) G-d (Birkhat HaShem)

Includes not cursing G-d’s Name (Genesis 2:16-17 w/Leviticus 24:15-16, b.Sanhedrin 56a:14-23), recognizing G-d’s Oneness (SG3), to Pray (SG4), and to give Offerings (in the future Temple) (SG19)

2+ To Learn Torah

(Leviticus 18:5, R. Meir in Sanhedrin 59a:4; Isaiah, Zechariah, Micah, et al; RF 22)

Note: b.Sanhedrin 59a:2-5 has 2 different interpretations on Torah learning

3+ Honoring Torah

Respect for Torah Scholarship (b.Chullin 92a:21-92b:1; RF21), Honoring parents (Deuteronomy 5:16, b.Sanhedrin 56b:15-16; SG 21), Respect for all human beings (Ben Zomma), & Not to covet (Exodus 20:14(17))

4+ Observing Shabbat             (Genesis, Exodus 20:8-10, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Isaiah 56)

[Observing other holidays in accordance with what applies universally]

Note: a nocri is forbidden from observing Shabbat (Genesis 8:23, b.Sanhedrin 58b:25-59a:1)

 

5- Idolatry (Avodah Zarah)

Not to engage in any idolatrous practices or beliefs (Genesis 2:16-17 w/Exodus 20:2(3) b.Sanhedrin 56b:4,6)

6- Child Sacrifice        Not to engage in any form of child abuse (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF2, SG22)

7- Incantation              Not to employ any forms of black magic (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF3, SG23)

8- Superstition             Not to make calculations based on “lucky” or “unlucky” days or omens (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF4, SG24)

9- Divination               (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF5, SG25)

10- Witchcraft              (Exodus 22:17, Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, 59b:25-60a:1, RF6, SG26)

11- Charms & Concoctions                 Not to produce or use: (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF7, SG27) Idolatrous charms, Potions, Brews, Incense (outside of what’s prescribed specifically for the Temple)

12- Channeling Deceased Ancestors (Ov)                  Not to worship or attempt communication w/ dead ancestors (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF8, SG28)

13- Channeling the Dead (Yidoni)                 Not to seek knowledge from the deceased through idolatrous/magical means (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF9, SG29)

14- Necromancy (Doresh Metim)       (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, b.Sanhedrin 56b:2, RF10, SG30)

 

15- Sexual Immorality (Giluy Arayot)                    (Genesis 2:16-17 w/Jeremiah 3:1, b.Sanhedrin 56b:4,7)

Includes Adultery (Genesis 2:24, Sanhedrin 57b:9-10, RF11, SG8), Incest (Genesis 2:16-17, Leviticus 18:6-18 w/26-28, b.Sanhedrin 57b:11-13, RF11, SG10), Sodomy (Genesis 2:24, b.Sanhedrin 58a:6, RF14, SG11), and Bestiality (Genesis 2:24, Exodus 22:17, Sanhedrin 58a:6, 59b:25-60a:1, RF11, SG12)

16+ Marriage               (Genesis 2:24, b.Sanhedrin 57b:16, SG9)

17- Same-Sex Marriage          (Genesis 2:24, b.Sanhedrin 58a:6, b.Chullin 92a:21-92b:1; RF14)  

[Against cross-dressing – Genesis 1:26-27]

18+ Reproduction                   (Genesis 1:28, 9:1, 2:24, b.Sanherin 58a:8; RF12, RF13)

[Laws of Niddah (Leviticus 18:19 w/26-28)]

19- Castration              (Genesis 9:7, b.Sanhedrin 56b:1,21-22, 57a:6, RF16, SG13)

20- Cross-Breeding Animals               (Genesis 6:20, Leviticus 19:19, b.Sanhedrin 56b:3,21-22, 57a:7, 60a:2-5, RF15, SG17)

21- Grafting Trees (of different species)                     (Genesis 6:20, Leviticus 19:19, b.Sanhedrin 56b:3,21-22, 57a:7, 60a:2-5, RF17, SG18)

 

22- Murder (Shfikhut Damim)        (Genesis 2:16-17 w/Genesis 9:6, b.Sanhedrin 56b:4,6)                     Suicide (SG6)

23- Abortion                (Genesis 9:6, Sanhedrin 57b:2-7)

24- Striking a Fellow              (Exodus 2:12, b.Sanhedrin 58b:17-24, RF19)                      

Jew, Noachide (or Gentile) – These are different categories of striking both for Jews and Noachides

 

25- Theft (Gezel)                    (Genesis 2:16-17, Deuteronomy 5:17(19), b.Sanhedrin 56b:4,7)

Kidnapping (Exodus 20:15, 21:16, Deuteronomy 24:7), Rape

 

26- Limb of a Live Animal (Ever Min haChai)      (Genesis 2:16-17, 9:4, b.Sanhedrin 56b:4,7)

Includes animal cruelty

27- Blood of an Animal           (Genesis 9:4, b.Sanhedrin 56b:1, 59a:6-11, RF28, SG16)

28- Flesh of the Dead

Includes Consuming Dead Animal Carcasses (Chullin, RF29) and Consuming Human Flesh (b.Chullin 92a:21-92b:1, RF30)

 

29+ Justice (Dinim & Mishpat)       (Genesis 2:16-17 w/18:19, b.Sanhedrin 56b:4-5)

Includes establishing courts of law (Genesis 2:16-17 w/18:19, b.Sanhedrin 56b:4-5), Observing civil laws (Genesis, Sanhedrin), and not to swear falsely (Exodus 20, SG5)

30+ Charity                 (Genesis 18:19, Sanhedrin 57b:7-8)