Is the Torah Observant movement kosher?

Got an e-mail from a friend a few days ago that contained a forwarded message from a particular ministry concering the "Torah-observant" Messianic Jewish movement.  The author of this e-mail said that, while he had no problems with people calling Jesus "Yeshua" or observing the Sabbath on Saturday, bells would go off inside of him when he heard the term "Torah observant" being thrown around.  My friend asked me what I thought of this.  Below is a portion of my answer:

"Jewish roots are a very, very important part of our faith. You know that I believe that part of the reason the Church has gotten so powerless and off-track is because of the severing of those roots. However, many people, when they come into an understanding of this...often they become overly impatient for others to "get it" re this new revelation, and do not allow their friends and loved ones the time and grace needed to "get it." They get locked into rigidity, and become permanently out-of-balance.

"Even as I say this, I am reminded that our ultimate purpose is not new revelations, but more of Him.  He is our Lifegiver, our Source, our Guide, our Friend.  I believe that when Paul told the Galatians that they'd become alienated from Messiah (Christ) and "fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4), he was chastising them for forgetting this principle.  They'd perhaps subtly traded in genuine relationship with Jesus for legalistic ritual.  We do the same when we esteem anything--prophecy, deliverance, evangelism, pastoring, having a public ministry, going after Jewish roots--above knowing Him.

 

"This is where many go awry, and where many genuine moves of God get a bad name.  The Hebrew roots movement is a genuine move of God to restore that which has been lost.  And yes, it has been given a bad name by some--perhaps many.  I've met a number of people trapped by the excesses of that movement.  I've heard testimonies of a few (thankfully not many) whose love for Israel and Jewish roots got so out-of-balance that they ended up embracing Orthodox Judaism and renouncing Yeshua.  Needless to say, this grives my heart immensely."

Obviously, there are a lot of specifics that can be addressed in the Torah observant movement, but the key issue is this: is it arising out of deep personal relationship with Yeshua?  If not, what is it arising out of.

 

Perhaps this is something you've struggled--or are struggling--with.  Perhaps you have friends and/or loved ones approaching you about it.  Questions may arise such as: How do we honor and keep the Torah today?  How do we honor and keep the Sabbath?  Or other questions.  If you relate to this, feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail.  I'd be happy to be of service in helping you sort out these issues.