Many Christians are getting back to their roots. But not in the way you think. Judaism is Biblically at the root of Christianity (Heb. 11:1-24), yet only some Christians are familiar with Jewish culture. Understanding or even practicing Jewish feasts and festivals brings rich meaning to the Christian faith. Most Christians believe in the authority of the Old Testament but reject Jewish culture because they either don’t understand it or don’t want to compromise their identity as those who recognize the Messiah versus the Jews who don’t. Because of this, a vast divide has formed between the two groups. As Christians, we attempt to emulate Jesus – except for the Jewish parts. Was Jesus celebrating Passover (Matt. 26:17-30), attending a synagogue (Luke 4:16), and other Jewish behaviors because he just happened to be Jewish, or does that have something to do with our faith as Christians? Over the years, some Christians have realized that the two faiths weren’t meant to diverge so drastically. They take Jesus literally when he says he fulfilled the Torah (or Law – Matthew 5:17) but didn’t abolish it. So, what does that look like in a modern Christian home? In short, it’s different for everyone.
It’s not Messianic Judaism
The Hebrew Roots Movement isn’t an organized religion but a path for individuals to grow and explore their faith. Most of its “members” are Christians who recognize their need for Jesus as their savior from their sins but desire to enrich their faith by incorporating biblical Jewish customs. Although these Gentile Christians may worship alongside Messianic Jews, the Hebrew Roots Movement differs from Messianic Judaism in that its constituents are not Jewish. When a person of Jewish heritage recognizes Jesus as their Messiah, they are referred to as Messianic Jews. Gentiles are non-Jewish and stay non-Jews even when they embrace Jewish customs.
It’s not one doctrine
The primary source of doctrine in the Hebrew Roots Movement is simply the bible itself – both the Old and New Testaments. Some in the Movement incorporate rabbinical teachings, and some do not. Some follow Kosher dietary laws, honor the New Moon Festivals, and keep their heads covered, while others do not. Some follow all Christian traditions but also incorporate the three annual festivals commanded in Deuteronomy 16:16. It is practiced differently in every Hebrew Roots family I know, but they all have one thing in common: They seek to mature their faith and pass it on to others by illuminating the Gospel and the God of the Bible through the practice of Jewish customs.
It’s not legalism
“Legalism” is the main argument I hear from Christians against the Hebrew Roots Movement. Its Christian critics fear that embracing the commands of the Torah conflicts with the doctrine of salvation by grace. While the Hebrew Roots Movement is presented in many ways, I have yet to meet a constituent who believes that salvation occurs from keeping the Torah. We fully embrace salvation through Jesus as the sacrifice worthy of payment for our sins. Since we cannot earn our salvation because of our sin, we embrace Jesus, who kept the Torah to the letter, as our only way to approach a Holy God. Following the laws of the Torah results from our devotion to and love for our God and Messiah. Out of gratitude for our salvation, we “work out” that salvation (Phil. 2:12-13) as we mature in our faith, to become more and more like Jesus and closer to God daily.
What it is
Again, there is more than one way to practice Hebrew Roots Christianity. It’s a type of grassroots movement to follow Jesus and practice our Christian faith by returning to the Jewish roots of that faith. Incorporating Jewish customs and learning the Hebrew language increases our understanding of Biblical Jewish culture, which differs significantly from our own. When reading Scripture written by predominantly Jewish people about primarily Jewish people (including our Jewish Messiah), a lack of understanding of Jewish language and culture can create confusion. Many are drawn to the Movement because it brings clarity to their biblical studies, leading to an increase in knowledge of our God and our Messiah.
Some have arrived at the Movement as a solution to the problem of passing their faith on to the next generation. As Christians, we strive to find ways to teach and demonstrate biblical concepts to the next generation. Practicing Jewish traditions is often a simple and natural way to do this. The use of symbols and celebrations helps concrete biblical messages to children and adults.
Many Hebrew Roots Christians merely want to be as authentic as possible in the practice of their faith. For example, most Christians would say that Christians are responsible for adhering to the fourth commandment (Keeping the Sabbath), but many don’t do that or even know how. The Hebrew Roots Christian is bothered by inconsistencies such as this one and seeks to resolve it in their life. Jewish customs resolve many of these inconsistencies because of their history of strict devotion to the Torah. As Christians, we also have the New Testament, which sheds light on the Old Testament through prophecy fulfillment, the ushering in of the New Covenant, and the life of Jesus and the apostles.
Here’s a brief yet thorough video generally explaining the Hebrew Roots Movement. There are many different ways Christians can express this side of their faith, but most in the Movement agree on the basics at the very least.
Despite many misconceptions surrounding the Movement, more and more mature Christians seeking authenticity in their faith are going down this path. The number of Hebrew Roots congregations and resources has exploded in recent years. The outcome is spiritual growth for both those inside the Movement and those researching it due to their skepticism.
Is there. a way to give to your ministry in this web site? I was just thinking you have put so much out there for us to enjoy, learn from, get answers, etc., that I thought it would be right to send a donation. Please let me know as I would like to do that as my own way of saying “thank you”.
Thank you so much! I have put a lot of work into it but it’s rewarding in that I hear from many, like yourself, for who it has been helpful. If you would like to donate, scroll to the bottom of the homepage (hebrewrootsmom.com) to where it says “Would you like to support the Hebrew Roots Mom Ministry?” and follow the instructions. Blessings and Shalom to you!
I’ve recently become aware of the Hebrew Roors movement through a new friend. In searching for information to understand it better,I came across your website. I have appreciated your kind and clear explanations of the movement from your experience. Thank you so much. I still do have disagreements with some of the things in the movement, and I would appreciate the opportunity to clarify something I read in your response to a comment of April 11, 2023.
I’m concerned about the Hebrew Roots movement, but I am certainly NOT at all on the extreme political left. I’m much more conservative than almost anybody else. All the things you wrote about these people who disagree with your faith are so unlike me and my family. We are sincere, strong followers of Jesus as you are, just not in the Hebrew Roots movement.
Maybe I shouldn’t have felt offended in reading your response to an April 11, 2023 comment, but I admit to being bothered when I read the words you wrote–” Without exception, those who disagree with my faith are on the extreme political left, with anti-Biblical principles, such as abortion and all variants of sexual immorality, topping the list of their values. Most of them express hatred for any Christian with Biblical values, not just Messianics/HRM, etc.”.
It felt like I was being accused of being left wing and other bad things, and of not being serious about my Christian faith. I’m sure that you didn’t mean to hurt your sincere brothers and sisters with your comment; It just came out that way to me. Perhaps if you can paint a comment not so broadly, it will be more clear.
In any case, I do appreciate your helpfulness in helping me understand the movement better, and I thank you for this. Have a lovely day!
Barb
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[…] Believers have decided to return to the Biblical roots of their faith, including celebrating the Biblical Feasts. Just after Passover and during the Feast […]
May I ask, do you have contact or even personal friendship to messianic Jews? I’ ve been interested in the Jewish roots of our faith for some years, but I’m not really practicing Torah except joining Passover Seder and reading articles during the feasts or listening to Shabbat Services online. Once I longed to celebrate Shabbat together with Jews, but I don’t know how to do alone, especially since my teenage kids are not believers yet. Sometimes I felt discouraged by discussions between Jews and Gentiles within the messianic movement, sometimes it seemed, many Jewish people do not like gentiles to adopt Jewish practices in order to not give a false impression to be Jewish when you are not. What are your experiences?
I have attended Messianic Jewish Synagogues for 9 years and I find Messianic Jews to be welcoming to Gentiles who come alongside them in their practices and spiritual wisdom. I have Messianic Jewish friends, and one of my closest and best friends is a Messianic Jew. I have even had some non-Messianic practicing Jews contact me through my website and thank me for teaching Gentile Christians to turn back to God and His Torah and the Biblical roots of the Christian faith.
I know of one group of people who disagree with Gentile Believers practicing their faith like those in the HRM/Messianic/Hebraic faiths do, though. This group is mixed – Jews and Gentiles and atheists and Believers, but the one thing the whole group has in common is their political leaning. I usually avoid discussing politics on my website, but it’s necessary to answer your question. Without exception, those who disagree with my faith are on the extreme political left, with anti-Biblical principles, such as abortion and all variants of sexual immorality, topping the list of their values. Most of them express hatred for any Christian with Biblical values, not just Messianics/HRM, etc.
The conversations I’ve had with them are unproductive at best. They do not know or care what the Protestant or Hebrew Bible says, so their only defense is what other leftists have taught them is wrong or right. They accuse me of cultural appropriation but refuse to acknowledge what our Bible says. They accuse me of anti-semitism, not knowing that Hebraic Christians are the single most phylosemitic group of people on the planet. They call me racist, a colonizer, and much worse, even insulting my children, Jesus and God.
This noise can be discouraging those trying to get back to a more Biblical faith, but we must realize that their argument with our faith is merely persecution, which Yeshua warned us we would have to endure. Ultimately, The Almighty is the only one we will have to answer to for how we practice our faith, and we’re accountable to Him alone. We must ensure we don’t allow the world to distract or pull us away from our quest to worship God in the way He desires.
Does the HRM observe Good Friday and Resurrection Day? If not why not? Does HRM consider these two events as Christian only? If so then why? AsJesus was the reason why these events took place and He was front and center during it all it applies to Judiasm too. I have a HRM friend who doesn’t observe those days anymore and I’m confused why she would ignore the importance of the events for Jew and Gentile. It’s almost like she left Christianity complete switched over to Judiasm. Please help explain. She considers herself Jewish now, not a Christian who participates in Jewish festivals and says she now has a deeper understanding of scripture.
Hello!
I understand how your friend’s actions could be concerning to you. Since I don’t know your friend and beliefs in the Hebrew Roots/Messianic/Hebraic faiths differ, I’ll answer from my perspective.
Most in the HRM do not observe Good Friday or Easter. There are two reasons for this. The first is that they are not in the Bible. There are, however, Holy Days God did command us to observe throughout all generations – the Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. All of these Holy Days reflect on God and Jesus. You can read more about these and how they relate to Jesus here.
The second reason many don’t celebrate Good Friday and Easter anymore is that not only are they not rooted in the Bible, Easter especially is entirely pagan, other than the connection to the resurrection ascribed to it later by the Catholic Church. I’m guessing this bothers you a bit, too, since you do as I used to in calling it “Resurrection Day” instead of Easter to detract from the original meaning of this celebration. We do not ignore the importance of Jesus’s death and resurrection; we celebrate them in the way dictated by the Bible, not the Catholic Church.
Many Messianic Jews and people in the HRM would agree with you that what applies to Jesus applies to Judaism. The opposite is also true. Since we follow Jesus, a Jewish rabbi, and the early church was Jewish also, what applies to Judaism applies to followers of Jesus too! The Biblical Jewish root of the Christian faith is why the faith of those in the HRM tends to look more Jewish.
Where I may disagree with your friend is that she is now Jewish. I don’t believe that a Gentile can become Jewish by practicing Biblical holidays and practices. Some in the HRM no longer describe themselves as Christians, though. They don’t do this because they no longer believe that Jesus is the Messiah, just that their faith no longer looks like the traditional Christian faith.
Having been part of the traditional Christian Church all my life, I agree with your friend that it is indeed a deeper understanding of the Bible that has brought me to the HRM. That’s how almost all of us have arrived here. We’ve realized that many of the beliefs we held for so long are church doctrine and are only loosely rooted in the Bible. Through deeper study of the Bible, we’ve discovered that God and Jesus made clear exactly how God’s people should worship, and we’re applying that to the faith we live out.
Blessings and Shalom to you,
Holly
What resources do you recommend for teaching children in the Hebrew Roots perspective? . My granddaughter is 6.
I’ve used a few different things but my favorite (and the one I’ve used the most for all ages) is Bible Pathway Adventures. I use their activity books for the kids to study the Torah portions, the Feasts, and other topics. Here’s the link to one of the Torah portion activity books.
I also find videos to supplement their study on YouTube – Bim Bam, The Bible Project, and Aleph Beta (and the Aleph Beta website) are all good videos on the Torah portions.
We have a midrash group on Sat morning at 12 am central on Facebook..called set apart a way of life….join us
I have a friend that has turned to Hebrew roots and threw away all his Bibles and turned away from Jesus as his lord and savior and says that because I don’t agree with this I risk going to Hell. He says Being a Christian and believing in Jesus as my Lord and Savior is not right. He says that Jesus is Satan. And that Jesus didn’t die on the cross. And he says that “God” is pagan and wrong. He also is trying to follow rules and the laws of the Old Testament.
Wow! I’m not sure what your friend’s beliefs are but they’re very different from what I believe. There are different beliefs that fall under the umbrella of “Hebrew Roots” but I’ve never heard of what you described.
As far as Old Testament Law is concerned, I find that it’s supported by Jesus and that we, as followers of his, need to pay special attention to what he says about it, particularly in Matt. 5:17, Matt. 19:15-17, Matt. 22:34-40, and other places. Here’s a podcast I listened to recently that covers the basics of this concept: https://youtu.be/4HzqgZtg7u8
I live in Plymouth Wisconsin, are there any groups around me that I could join that are a part of the Hebrew Roots movement ,I am having a very difficult time finding groups anywhere near me other than Madison, and that is a little too far for me to drive.
The good news is that there’s a growing number of Hebraic communities worldwide! But it can be difficult to find one in some areas. Here are some resources to start your search: https://hebrewrootsmom.com/how-to-find-a-hebraic-congregation/
Hello. I have recently come to the realization that I am part of Hebrew roots. In the past year, I have been drawn in to the spirit of the Torah because I want live as close to Yeshua as I can. Are you still on this site, what resources can help me in rural Kansas? I want to observe the sabbath but the only thing close to this is the Seventh day Adventist group. What do I do?
Hello, Carrie! This is where you may find resources to search for a congregation near you but there are also resources in it in the case that you can’t find one, such as The Rooted Kafe, which is a group of women that meets online: https://hebrewrootsmom.com/how-to-find-a-hebrew-roots-congregation/
Thank you. I would say that my life was improved step by step from catholic background have some Jehová witnesses at my door, Mormons and finally became Baptist, not agreeing with everything, started going to Pentecostal and Assembly of God churches but still not feeling right worshiping Sunday that was not for me. Seeking to know more but didn’t know what I prayed and the Lord answered; a friend called me and asked if I want to take some classes online from a Hebrew Roots pastor. Didn’t think twice and jumped in. I can tell now I don’t missed anything, sometimes my daughter invites me to go to her Pentecostal church but I feel is like giving tasteless “ Gerber food” to someone who is already eating meat.
There are so many lost pieces in Christianity, they say they follow “Jesus” but they don’t do what He did. He obeyed the Tanaj, He said until heaven and earth pass not one iota shall pass away from the law. ( Mt 5:18) as far as I know neither heaven or earth has passed away so is the law for today? Yes! But Christianity still following momma catholic traditions. Cursed is the man who trusts in man… Jeremiah 17:5
Christ come for the lost house of Israel, not for gentile. If someone accepted Christ he becomes part of Israel even if they don’t like, so have to follow what God says, commandments, statutes. No choices here you are in or out, no halfway.
Karim,
I’m so glad to hear this journey has been a blessing to you and has improved your spiritual life! A lot of what you say resonates with me from my experience as well as that of others I know.
Shalom!
Hello there! Happened upon your site to learn about the HRM for the sake of a friend of mine. Would you be willing to answer this question for me as I seek to understand more about HRM from one who actually follows it?
Is following Jesus in a more Jewish way necessary for every true believer in Jesus?
Is it better to follow Jesus in a more Jewish way?
I’m not intending to debate you, but to understand your perspective.
Full disclosure: I’m a pastor of a conservative evangelical church.
Thank you for your questions and for visiting my website, Pastor Riggs.
No, it’s not necessary for all Believers to follow Jesus in a more Jewish way. I don’t think a person who’s not practicing their faith in a way that incorporates the Jewish roots of that faith is prevented from having a genuine relationship with Jesus. And whether one practices in this way certainly doesn’t affect the salvation of that person.
I do, however see it as better to follow Jesus, which is why I practice my faith in this way, pass it on to my children, and provide information for others to practice in this way if they choose.
When I say it’s better, I do not mean those practicing while incorporating Jewish roots are superior to other Christians. I mean it allows us to more deeply understand many of the cultural aspects of the Bible, giving a clearer picture of what’s going on there.
For example, when Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is (Matthew 22:34-40), those who see from a more Jewish perspective recognize immediately that he answered that the Shema is the greatest command, which is a prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, recited multiple times daily by Jewish people.
Jesus then cites the second greatest commandment – “Love your neighbor as yourself” – another command from the Torah (Leviticus 19:18). Both Jesus’s immediate audience as well as those practicing Judaism today would recognize that he was confirming these commands from the Torah they study as the greatest of the commandments.
Another major thing I see as “better” in how I practice my faith now, as opposed to how I did through traditional Christianity is Bible study. Most in this faith are Hebrew students/Hebraists of varying degrees and use that knowledge to delve into the Scriptures to really learn what God is saying through His word. In the past, I’ve learned much from pastors that integrate the original Hebrew into sermons in traditional Christian churches and I learn and understand even more as I’m able to study Hebrew texts in my own Bible study.
I belong to a Hebrew Roots assembly. Sometimes I feel like we are on a small island out in the middle of the sea, so its refreshing to find other Christians who see scripture in the same light. Thank you for your site!
I’m so glad you found the assembly you belong to, Dawn! It can be difficult to find a community of like Believers, especially in this aspect of our faith, but the resources for us are growing quickly right now so I’m hoping it won’t always be that way. Shalom!