Welcome to Torat Chesed! This blog is dedicated to exploring the tools and methods needed to shape a Messianic Orthodox halachah. I would like to briefly present the main purpose of this blog before entering specific examples.
One of the greatest difficulties for a Messianic Jew to approach the Jewish corpus in general, and the halachic world specifically, is the lack of an outlook, a framework or lens through which to examine them. This is not a mere formality, providing a wider view to go along with our more narrow immediate focus. The lack of an outline through which to read the halachah often leads to an end of this attempt. Because of an inability to deal with certain obstacles, it may become difficult to proceed, or faith in the usefulness of the halachah may be lost.
One of the greatest problems is an either/or approach. We usually feel that there are only two options, either receive the halachah (as if it is monolithic) as it is commonly presented or choose an outside option and be labeled as an outsider. Other options are often commonly available. However, this does not mean that everything will be acceptable so much as that there are methods of creating variety within the halachah. Also, some answers will fully follow these methods but still will not be acceptable by and large. These answers are still necessary to provide integrity to our halachic system for our own sake. We could claim that there is no point since others may not accept the fruit of our work, but first and foremost, we also need these results for ourselves so that we can feel that, baring the gut level resistance to our message, there is a contiguity in our view of the halachah. The halachah is not rejecting us, it can be encountered as a friend.
The most obvious area of halachah that needs to be examined pertains to belief in Yeshua, especially where it creates halachic results. Another major area is that of gentile relations whether that be in the areas of Shabbat, kashrut, financial laws, idolatry, etc. Other important fields might include the laws of idolatry, prayer, oaths, divorce, and even the shmitta year. The key in all these endeavors is to examine where changes are truly necessary, and not just cosmetic. The most difficult part is the skill that needs to be developed in order to skillfully create t’shuvot in these areas in a way that stays as close to the halachah as is possible.
So, I will provide, in future posts here, a few attempts at this goal. These are first attempts, not polished final answers. They are, at best, only suggestions, not psak. I hope, with proper feedback, to refine these suggestions or, better yet, spur on the production of even better answers from others.
Awaiting salvation
