Yeshua is a teacher of Torah

by Isabelle Esling published author-certified teacher-

Many spiritual leaders whether in Judaism or in Christianism are interested in gaining popularity. A person that is focused on being popular or pleasing the masses will often sacrifice the truth in order to be loved.

Should our goal, as believers and followers to offer the masses a truth that arranges them? Certainly not. This is how the biggest lies have been introduced into the most invaluable teachings of our Messiah.

A true follower ( there are very few, actually) of Yeshua should always state the truth, no matter how people react to it. Yeshua never promised us that we would reach the world's approval. On the contrary, He pointed out that the world would hate us.

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." John 15:18

I've listed five (non exhaustive)truths about our Messiah and the Torah.

You are free to accept them or to reject them. They nevertheless remain TRUTH.

-our Messiah is Jewish

-Yeshua is a teacher of Torah

-Yeshua's teachings are rabbinic discussions

-Yeshua is showing Pharisees tough love in order to correct their practices

-whoever despises Jewish people despises Yeshua

Yeshua's Jewishness

The first truth is that Yeshua our Messiah is Jewish and Israeli (born in Israel, in the town of Bethlehem). This is not a theroretical statement. By stating that Yeshua is Jewish, I fully acknowledge that He grew up in a Jewish context, having a devout mom and adoptive father, family and disciples. Zechariah, the father of Yokhanan, John the Baptist, was a priest at the Temple. Everybody in Yeshua's surrounding worshipped the God of Israel and followed Jewish customs.

Believe it or not, I have been hated badly by so called "Jesus lovers" for stating this simple truth. My question remains open to you "Jesus lovers": do you really know the One you pretend to love?

Teacher of Torah

The second truth is that Yeshua is a teacher of Torah, a rabbi.

A lot of Bibles have simply diluted the meaning of rabbi, by translating it into "teacher", which is very imprecise and misleading.

What is a rabbi? A rabbi is a doctor of the Law, so an expert in all Torah matters.

It is nonsense to take our Lord out of context in His original teachings. People who do so are actually sinning without knowing it.

Here is a precise example: the story of the bleeding woman in the New Testament who touched Yeshua's garment.

The Torah is linked with truth (Torah Emet).

In no way, one should do away with the Torah. Yeshua says in Matthew 5:19:

"Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

The Book of Proverbs boldly confirms:

"If one turns away from hearing the Law (Torah), even his prayer is an abomination" (Proverbs 28:9)

The translation of the Book of Proverbs shows the word "law", but anybody who has had a Tanakh in his hands knows that it clearly says Torah.

Our Messiah's teachings are rabbinic discussions

The third truth is that our Messiah's teachings are rabbinic discussions. No, the Torah is not a "burden", it is not meant to be eradicated by the New Covenant. The New Testament makes sense when put into context after Torah's wisdom.

Also the Hebrew language is a flexible language that allows us (when vowels are absent) to interpret words in different meanings.

Of course the truths of Torah will be revealed to the humble hearts who accept to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Here is a pretty clear example of Yeshua's rabbinic approach.

Yeshua is showing Pharisees tough love in order to correct their Torah practice

Everything is summarized in the title: Yeshua wants Pharisees to practice with a loving heart. But in no way He is doing away with Jewish customs, as it is so often taught in Christianity.

Whoever despises Jewish people despises Yeshua

In the Gospel of John, Yeshua reminds us that "Salvation comes from the Jews."

He also states in Matthew 15:24 that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.

All of us, who have been saved by His immense mercy and thus, been grafted into the Covenant of Israel, are not entitled to judge Israel's rejection of the Messiah.

Without their rejection, that was in His plan, we would not be part of His wonderful plan of Salvation.

Know the truth and the truth will set you free.