Definitions and Glossary

Messianic Judaism:  A worldwide movement of Jewish people who believe that Yeshua is the promised Jewish Messiah and Savior for Israel and the world.  Messianic Judaism depends entirely on the Scriptures.

Rabbinic Judaism: Judaism centered around Rabbinic writings and teachings. Birthed in 70 A.D. after the destruction of the Second Temple. Prior to that Judaism was centered around the Temple and the Torah, The Law of the five books of Moses. After the destruction the Rabbis reorganized Judaism introducing many new laws, traditions and rules into what has become the Talmud. There are many branches of Rabbinic Judaism, Orthodox, Chassidic, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist.

Yeshua: The Hebrew name of Jesus meaning Salvation.

Messiah: "The Anointed One" A title like king. In the Greek it was translated to "Christos" and then anglicized to Christ.

Messianic Jew: A Jew who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah AND remains Jewish in lifestyle and worship.

Messianic Synagogue: A congregation where Messianic believers can worship and exercise their Jewish faith in Messiah Yeshua.

Messianic Rabbi: Teacher, the spiritual leader of a Messianic synagogue.

Completed Jews: Jewish people who have found the Jewish Messiah, have not converted to another religion but are fulfilled in their Judaism and heritage in the Messiah Yeshua.

Brit Hadasha: The New Covenant or New Testament, books written by Jewish writers who believed and followed the Messiah Yeshua.

Tenach: The Old Covenant or Old Testament.

Rabbi Shaul: Paul of The New Covenant, a rabbi who studied under Rabbi Gamaliel in the first century A.D. (Acts 22:3)

Mikveh: Literally the pool of water for Immersion, the Old Testament ritual for purification, also the New Covenant Baptism to symbolize the purification of belief and faith in Messiah Yeshua.

Yochanan: The Immerser, John the Immerser or Baptizer.