The exterior of a Messianic synaoguge. | Photo by Flickr user katiew (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
After a video of a recent service in Georgia with the controversial Bishop Eddie Long went viral, Jewish groups and bloggers were left scratching our heads and saying, “Huh?” The clip, found in last Friday’s Required Reading, featured Long being wrapped in a Torah scroll and declared “king” (though of what is unclear). There were all manner of odd moments, though the one that came across creepiest was the removing of the Torah’s cover, which was compared in the video to foreskin removal. Ouch?
Long has since issued an apology, noting that he did not arrange the ceremony, and had no intention of hurting anyone. The instigator was Messianic rabbi Ralph Messer (the Forward article linked above uses the phrase “self-described”). This too shall pass, but it leaves us with a genuine question: what do Messianic Jews think of all this? On the surface, it seems like yet another cue for Jews to shake their heads (or even their fists) at the Messianic Jewish community, which melds Jewish rituals with an evangelical belief in Jesus Christ, and is controversial for insisting on its authenticity without much agreement from the wider Jewish world. It seems, however, that even they are appalled at the implications of what Messer did.
In the blog, “Messianic Jewish Musings,” Derek Leman takes Messer to task for his so-called credentials, arguing Messer’s apparent lack of affiliation or standing with a list of Messianic organizations.
“Ralph Messer is not a rabbi affiliated with the UMJC, the MJAA, or the IMJA. He does not represent Messianic Judaism. Anyone may claim to be a priest, rabbi, or pastor. A friend constantly tells me that there are mail-order and internet ‘Ordination Certificates’ available as cheaply as $5. I have heard of Ralph Messer and from time to time people have sent me material by him. I have regarded it with the same lack of seriousness as a Chick tract (google Jack Chick) or a video of Robert Tilton.”
While Leman concludes the article with a characteristic call for any members of Messer’s congregation to find “true Judaism and/or true Christianity,” at least he makes a compelling point about the willingness to make connections between sensational people and those they claim to represent, even when the connections are unfair. While this incident was unbelievably disrespectful, and relationships between Jews and Messianic Jews are not likely to improve anytime soon, it’s important to note that Messer’s actions aren’t apparently representative of the whole of the Messianic world, nor were they apparently vetted by anyone in a position of authority.
This is not a defense of Messianic Judaism, only an acknowledgement of the precious times when members of two communities who have existed within undeniable friction can come together and say, “That ain’t kosher.” It’s reassuring to know in moments like these, when Jews (myself included) can easily think of Others, “They don’t want to understand us, and they have no respect for us,” the indignation is actually shared, even if for very different reasons. Thank God for those times, however rare.
Nice Post. Please include in your updated blog a print-friendly button, thx.
Links to several statements by the two largest Messianic Jewish organizations and Leaders condemning Ralph Messer’s Torah desecration.
http://towardblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/messianic-jewish-leaders-condemn-torah-desecration-at-atlanta-church/
First of all, I apologize to my Messianic brothers and sisters. This happening is definitely news to me as I have not heard of it before. With as little knowledge of the Torah I have, even I know one does not touch the Torah. It is to be highly respected. To disrespect the Torah is to disrespect G-d. It is His Word. I am at a loss of words.
In addition to Derek Leman’s quote here, and a further comment regarding “what do Messianic Jews think about this,” Messer does not have formal ordination from any recognized rabbi, and according to a statement by Messer’s son, Russell Messer, to the Atalanta Journal-Constitution, never received any rabbinical training.
Furthermore, the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC), and the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA), which together represent the majority of Messianic congregations around the world; released a joint press release on Friday stating:
“Messer is not recognized by any major branch of Messianic Judaism and, under the standards of the UMJC and the MJAA, is not even considered part of our community, let alone a rabbi. He is operating entirely outside the mainstream Messianic Jewish community. Furthermore, his claim to be acting on behalf of the Jewish people is outrageous and without merit.”
We Messianic Jews stand in solidarity with our wider Jewish community, as well as with many faithful others, in condemning Messer’s actions, his merit-less coronation ceremony, and his desecration of a Torah Scroll.
Rabbi Joshua Brumbach
Ahavat Zion Messianic Synagogue
Beverly Hills, CA
I am just a singular messianic Jew – I prefer the term Perfected, but I don’t anyone to have a caniption.
I’m going to withhold judgement on this incident as it seems there’s a lot of piling on.
No one has given RABBI Messer a chance to explain whatever it was he was doing.
And why would I EVER listen to what MSNBC says about a church service.
How bout they investigate REV WRIGHT’S church services a little deeper and make fun of them? Whoops! Can’t do that. haha
Bottom Line:
The secular media hates Eddie Long and of course HATES televangelists even more which is why RABBI Messer was called one.
But no one hates ANYONE more than unsaved Jews hate Jews for Jesus like me. I have a FAMILY full of angry hateful people to document that claim.
OK…maybe Black Republicans are HATED by Black Obama supporters in equal proportion.
LOL!!