For several months I've been struggling with trying to reconcile what I truly believe with what Christianity teaches. Unsuccefully. I've also been studying Judaism, and have felt drawn to it. Long story short, I stopped attending church several months ago and have been attending a local shul for quite sometime. I won't get into a deep Judaism vs. Christianity debate, since that isn't Byzcath's purpose.

Since I now identify as a Jew spiritually emotionally and intellectually, I feel my time on the Byzcath forum has come to it's close.

I wish everyone here the best.
Shalom,
David

Not to stir controversy, I'd like to ask a question. Which rabbinical texts have you been studying?

I have read a little from the Babylonian Talmud. A translation of it will be one of the texts on an e-reader if I ever get one. I was reading it to better understand parables and their use in rabbinical literature. On the other hand, I found a good use of humor and wit in the rabbi stories I came across.

Terry

David,

Keep in mind that Rabbinical Judaism since Jamnia bears only a slight resemblance to the historical faith of the Old Testament and of Ancient Israel. Your shul, I'm afraid, is only a de-messianized version of Old Testament teaching and life, a form of "spiritualized Judaism" with no temple, no sacrifice and no Messiah.

As a believer in the fulfillment accomplished by Christ of the Old Testament (not the revised, de-messianized version touted by post-Jamnian rabbis), I am very sorry to see you abandon faith in Christ for such a thing. I pray that you will return someday after realizing your profound error. God's mercy is infinite and He always desires our return when we have fallen away from the true path of salvation.

God bless,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

God bless, and may the Holy Theotokos and your guardian angel intercede unceasingly to Christ our God for the salvation of your soul.

Alexis

Dear David,

I respect the freedom of conscience that all of us are given from God and I wish you the best. I, too, am sorry to see your apostasy from Christ; but I do understand the difficulties that you, and many people, have. Christianity is not an easy faith (you will find that the more Orthodox versions of Judaism are not easy either). And please listen to what Father Deacon Daniel has said. Today's Judaism (even Orthodox Judaism) is profoundly different from the biblical faith of the ancient Hebrews. Go with God.

Joe

I really love the Jews because my Lord Jesus Christ was Jewish on this earth, and I can certainly understand the attraction to the strong bond and traditions of Judaism and the Jewish people, but I really cannot understand how one can just put aside and discount Jesus after knowing Him.

I hope that within your heart you still believe in Him as Lord and Messiah, even if you are attracted to the outwards of Judaism...(in that case, I don't think that you would be blaspheming agains the Holy Spirit).

What about Messianic Judaism? Have you considered looking into that?

In Christ our salvation,
Alice

L'Chayim. May God be with you.

David,

Be at peace. While I cannot say that I understand the choice that you've made or the reasons behind it, I respect that you believe it to be correct and you have my prayers in your spiritual journey.

Many years,

Neil

David, be well and go with G-d.

If this is the way to which you feel you are being drawn and you cannot do other than respond - then so be it.

Many of us are on journeys that we do not understand .

Be at peace

May the Lord be with you, and may you find the Lord who is beside you.

I must say that I have been tempted to go to Judaism given their testimony of courage but with the blessed Polycarp at his trial when
"...the proconsul urging him, and saying, "Swear, and I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ;" Polycarp declared, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"

CDL

My thoughts are as Alice is saying. My prayers are for you.

Dear David,

I can understand an attraction to Judaism, especially in its Orthodox form. After all, as Christians acknowledge, it is a revealed religion. I have read many books on Judaism and been fascinated.

That being said, I must now speak the truth in love. You have been a Christian. You have presumably known the Messiah. You have known God incarnate. Whatever hope a Jew who has not known Christ has of being saved, cannot be yours. In denying Christ, my friend, your salvation is lost. Your only hope is to repent of your apostasy. I will be praying for you. You may discount what I say now, but Jesus has a place in your heart. Woe to you if you deny Him.

Fr David Straut