It is one of those things that seems to take on a life of it's own, first started by people only skimming an article and drawing erroneous conclusions, then making accusations that are spread even further by the parrots among us.
My remarks about Rabbinic authority have offended some people. They do not realize that they were made ONLY within the context of 1st century Messianic Judaism. The rabbinate of traditional Judaism was formed from the reaction to the Babylonian captivity and it's progenitors were instrumental in bringing the Jewish people back to proper observance according to Deuteronomy 30 and therefore bringing the Jewish people back to Judea and ending the diaspora.
There are few among us that would argue that traditional Judaism has some notable differences with Messianic Judaism. So when reading articles about Messianic Judaism from within the perspective of traditional Judaism, it is easy to misinterpret the intent of an article. But care should be taken before make accusations. Sometimes, all you have to do is ask what is intended. That is why the Comments section is open to all. Please feel free to use it.
There is the story of one of the brethren that had given his life in the service of his Messiah and HaShem. The man had come to the end of a long life and was nearing his death. For a time, he had enjoyed a good reputation in the congregation of the faithful, but then a rumor felled his ministry and laid waste to his testimony.
As this old man lay on his death-bed, a woman, known to him from his past, came to visit. She arrived bearing small gifts of bread and such, lovingly formed and baked by her own hand. Their time together was a bitter-sweet reunion. Her visit now was to make amends while there was still time. She heard that he was dying. She had waited to the last minute.
The small talk sputtered and trailed off. She finally revealed the purpose of her trip. She confessed that she had been one of those behind the rumors that ruined his life and cost him his reputation, his ministry, his marriage and his livelihood. She wept bitter tears, confessed her part in his undoing and begged for his forgiveness, which to her surprise he readily gave.
The old woman felt humbled, but renewed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She asked if there was anything she could do to help make him more comfortable and he replied, "Yes. Would you humor an old man and take that pillow over there? I want you to stand outside my window where I can see you and I want you to cut the pillow open with those scissors."
"Why?", she asked.
"It's a little windy and I just want to watch the feathers dance in the breeze."
The old woman did as she was asked. The wind seemed to pick up as she stepped outside and she was amazed as she watched the small white goose down feathers billow like a cloud and dance across the meadow. Some lifted with the updraft at the edge of the woods while many frosted the forest like a light dusting of snow. She felt like she understood what was required of her because of the beauty of the sight. Reluctantly, as the last of the feathers departed, she returned to the old man's bedside.
"That was amazing," she whispered. "I think I understand now."
"Good", he replied,"because now I want you to go and gather all of those feathers and put them back in the pillowcase!"
"That's impossible!" she exclaimed, involuntarily jumping to her feet. Completely shocked at the turn of the conversation she asked, "Why would you want me to do that?"
The old man smiled a little smile and explained, "I just want you to get a feeling for what the last thirty years have been like for me, trying to put to rest all the rumors that you started."
Freely you have received, freely give.
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