CONGREGATION MELECH YISRAEL OF TORONTO

"G-d I don't want to be one of your priests. I don't want to be holy. I'm not interested in your commandments, I just want to do things my own way!"

An attitude like this, demonstrated by violating G-d's commands, should not expect anything less than harsh, divine judgement. In fact because the act has to be deliberate, this karet can be seen as a self-inflicted punishment. The whole issue therefore focused on Israel's need to be a holy people set apart by the L-rd for His service.

What significance does this teaching have for Second Covenant believers? The answer is quite simple: Efesim / Ephesians 2:11-14 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without G-d in the world: But now in Messiah Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Non-Jewish believers have become part of the commonwealth of Israel, therefore all the requirements which apply to Israel in Scripture, have become their requirements as well. This of course would also include being a royal priesthood and a holy nation, as Kefa (Peter) so eloquently put it:

Kefa Alef / 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:

Many believers believe that they have been released from Torah, with no obligation to follow any of its commandments. But we find that not to be the case, as outlined in the Book of Acts. Some background. The apostles were discussing which of the commandments should be immediately placed on the non-Jewish believers, that were now entering the kingdom through the preaching and teachings of Shaul (Paul). This was their conclusion:

Ma'asei Hashlichim / Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

All four items agreed upon by the apostles immediately applicable to non-Jewish believers, come under the judgement of karet, if not followed. This would mean that Second Covenant believers also come under divine judgement for eating bloody rare meat.

But the apostles didn't stop there: Ma'asei Hashlichim / Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

First century Messianic believers, followed Yeshua's example and worshipped in local synagogues. It was in these synagogues, that faithfully the weekly Parashot were read and I'm sure commented on, for all to hear and learn (much as we are doing right here, right now). These new believers therefore would have ample time to learn Torah and its requirements for a holy, pure and separated life. Thus the apostles knew, that by the convicting of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and the power of His sanctification process they would eventually adhere to all the commandments and be assimilated into the commonwealth of Israel, much as immigrants do today.

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Baruch HaShem
Rabbi Jack (Ya'acov) Farber