Talmudic Judaism is that form of Judaism which centers around the Talmud as the primary source of halakha (Jewish law) and as the primary interpreter of Torah. Most (90% or more) of all Jews in the world today are Talmudic Jews to one degree or another. Talmudic Judaism relies on the Talmud, and the derivative codifications of law, even to the point of contradicting or changing the clear and plain meaning of the writings in the Hebrew Bible.
How is Talmudic Judaism different from Netzarim Judaism?
The core difference between Talmudic and Netzarim Judaism is that we do not accept the Talmud as anything other than historical writings. Of course, from that stance comes a great number of divergent practices and beliefs. Our practice of kashrut is different; we don’t see a need for stand-alone mikvahs (showers are cleaner); our calendar, holidays, and associated practices are somewhat different; we place a greater emphasis on individual understanding and interpretation of Torah; rabbis are teachers, not judges or legal decisors; and the list goes on.
What is Karaite Judaism?
Karaite Judaism rejects the Talmud and oral traditions of Judaism as binding. Karaite Jews believe that the written Torah is the only authority for Halakha as well as being the source of Jewish theology.
How is Karaite Judaism different from Netzarim Judaism?
Netzarim Judaism is very similar to its parent Karaite Judaism. Both streams of Judaism emphasize the written Torah as the source of Halakha and reject the Talmud. However, Netzarim Judaism tends to have a more open and liberal approach to Biblical interpretation, being open to more modern approaches of the hermeneutical sciences. Netzarim Judaism does not believe that Malachi was the last prophet from God, but that God could continue to send further prophets. Though no authentic teacher can counter the written word of God.
Where does the term Netzarim come from?
The term Netzarim comes from the Hebrew word netzer (נצר) which means branch or shoot. This term was originally adopted to describe our form of Judaism as one branch of Israel and our connection to the roots and original tradition of Judaism. Unfortunately, the term has also been co-opted by the Christians and their obsession with Judaism because they believe the great prophet Isaiah uses the word netzer to refer to the coming of the future messiah as a ‘branch’ growing from the stump of Jesse in Isaiah 11. This reference, which Christians very wrongly attribute to Jesus of Nazareth, was then taken to refer to some types of Christianity that are disguising themselves as Judaism – wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Is Netzarim Judaism Messianic or Christian?
Authentic Netzarim Judaism is not, unequivocally not, a form of Christianity nor of the so-called messianic Judaism, which is just poorly disguised Christianity. Any attempt to change the strict monotheism of God, as Christians do with the trinity, is heretical and a denial of one of the core truths of Judaism. Jesus of Nazareth was just a man, born of human parents. He was a human teacher, a local teacher, with very real human attributes. He would have been married, had brothers and sisters, maybe children. He was not God incarnate or somehow part of God. He was not the messiah we look forward to, nor was he some type of savior – something Jews absolutely do not need or believe in.
What are your views on Messianic Judaism?
Messianic Judaism comes in a few different colors. In the most popular form, it is just Christianity disguised as Judaism. The so-called messianic Jews who accept Jesus as God, as a savior, are not real Jews – they are Christians playing dress up. There are a few other forms of messianic Judaism where they believe Jesus was a messiah, but not God. They deny the trinitarian teachings of Christianity and keep Torah. While we strongly disagree with their conclusions that Jesus was some type of messiah, we would say they are still Jews in the same sense that some of the hasadim who see their rebbes as messiahs are still Jewish. We disagree, but leave their individual beliefs to them.
What about other Netzarim Jewish organizations?
Most organizations that claim the term Netzarim have taken it’s use from authentic Netzarim Judaism and used the word to disguise their own forms of Christianity as Judaism. In other words, most organizations claiming the term netzarim apart from us, are not Jewish, they are Christians in disguise.