Messian[T]ics Podcast
By Messian[T]ics Podcast
Messian[T]ics PodcastNov 03, 2023
May 3: S2E30 - Pro-Hamas Protests on University Campuses
The world has obviously gone mad... College and university campuses across the U.S. are being overrun by protests/riots in support of Hamas, a terrorist organizations, and are proving to be petri dishes for antisemitism... Our rabbis discuss these issues and more as they wrestle with finding ourselves in a world in which it is becoming ever-increasingly more and more dangerous to be a Jewish person (and let's be honest, those that hate Jews could care less that we're Messianic, so that won't keep us safe either...).
Apr 26: S2E29 - Israel Conflict & Iranian Attack...
Rabbi David and Rabbi Eric were suppose to be in Israel last week to try to minister into the lives of friends and ministry connections who live and serve there and have been facing this unprecedented war. However, the plans changed with the Iranian attack... Listen to Rabbi David, Rabbi Eric, and Rabbi Toby share some of their thoughts and hearts on the current conflict in Israel on this week's episode of MessianTics Podcast.
Apr 19: S2E28 - Convo on Messianic Jewish Worship
What exactly is MJ worship? Is it just Christian music with the word Yeshua replacing Jesus? Is there a place for Christian music in the MJ congregation? How do we define MJ worship music? Should we only use identifiably MJ music in services? Where should our focus in worship be? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis dig into these questions and so much more on today's new episode.
Apr 12: S2E27 - Conversation on Luke 9:49-50
Why does it seem like within Messianic Judaism, and really the Body of Messiah as a whole, we are always at each others' throats? What happened to the idea that if someone isn't against us then maybe they're for us? This seems to be the point Yeshua was making to His Talmidim in Luke 9:49-50. Listen to our MessianTics Rabbis dive into this conversation on today's episode.
Apr 5: S2E26 - Convo on Our Take on Easter/Passover Issue
Every year the MJ community is riddled with discussion and arguments over Easter and Passover... This year is no different, except that the majority of the Church celebrated Easter almost a month before Passover, so the discussions have been all over the place and often rather divisive. In this episode of the MessianTics Podcast our rabbis dive head first into this conversation and share their thoughts on the subject, especially with regards to producing unity rather than further division.
Mar 29: S2E25 - What about Paul's beef with Peter in Galatians 2?
What's the deal with Paul's beef with Peter in Galatians 2? What was it really about? And what implications does it have for the Body of Messiah and especially Messianic Judaism today? Listen to the MessianTics rabbis dive into this important topic on today's episode.
Mar 22: S2E24 - Convo on Reverence for Jewish Customs and Practice
One of the biggest realities in a local MJ congregation is that a significant portion of the congregation comes in with little to know connection to Jewish customs and practice. As such, does one jump in head over heels with their zeal for this new-found experience? Or should there be a period of time in which one respectfully learns reverence for the culture, the customs, and the practices starting with observation and working toward participation in a healthy and productive manner? If so, what should that look like? Our MessianTics rabbis dive into this conversation full-throttle in this episode.
Mar 15: S2E23 - Convo on Messianic Jewish Conversion
There has been complicated and prolonged discussions, arguments, and battles since the First Century over whether or not Gentiles should or can convert to Judaism as believers in the Promised Jewish Messiah. In this episode our MessianTics rabbis discuss this very issue and share their thoughts on the issue and whether or not this conversation was settled in the Brit Chadashah. As always, give it a listen and share your thoughts with us.
Mar 8: S2E22 - Convo on Having Difficult Discussions
So many issues we discuss with other people (especially other believers) draws out so many different opinions/positions and often are rather contentious because of it--such as the current Israel/Arab War, Russia and Ukraine, Jew and Gentile, etc... How do we have discussions on difficult matters with others and still be edifying, and more so still shine the Light of Messiah? The MessianTics rabbis dig into this conversation in this week's episode. Give it a listen and share your thoughts with us.
Mar 1: S2E21 - Succession Plans vs. Contingency Plans
The MJ Movement is facing an intriguing crisis in the coming years as more and more of our pioneering rabbis are getting older and within the next 10-15 years an overwhelming number of MJ congregations may be without a rabbi due to a current lack of up and coming rabbis. As the old addage goes, "failure to plan is planning to fail..." It is time for intentionality in raising up a new generation of MJ rabbis and for developing successful succession plans instead of holding tight to what are likely contingency plans at best... LIsten to our MessianTics rabbis share their thoughts and toss around some ideas on how we can right the ship before it's too late.
Feb 23: S2E20 - Unique Call of Messianic Jews & Gentiles
On this episode of the MessianTics Podcast our rabbis dig into a dynamic conversation on the unique calling of Messianic Jews and Gentiles, on how they enhance each other, and should work in unity to advance the Kingdom of Messiah rather than working against one another or excluding one another without either feeling less than or as second class citizens. This is a very important conversation and we pray it is a blessing to you and that you'll share it with others.
In this episode we also mention Rabbi David's newest book which deal with this very issue in depth. If you'd like to get a copy of it, you can do so on Amazon via this link: https://a.co/d/h8Cdk6X
Jan 26: S2E19 - Conversation on True MJ Validation
Does Messianic Judaism seek its validation in the Jewish world? Or in Messiah? What exactly is our validation? And would seeking validation in the traditional Jewish world help or hurt our shining the Light of Messiah? These and many more related issues are heavily discussed in this episode of the MessianTics Podcast. Listen to our rabbis dig into this important conversation.
Jan 19: S2E18 - Conversation on Relational Unity
Messianic Judaism is a such a beautiful and powerful reality, it is an end-time prophetic restoration movement, but while we work toward the restoration of the relationship of the Jewish people and the Jewish Messiah and the Body of Messiah with the Jewishness of the Messiah, why can we not work toward relational unity within our own community? In this episode of the MessianTics Podcast listen to our rabbis dig into the very pertinent topic of relational unity and what we can do to foster more of it.
Jan 12: S2E17 - Convo Based on a Quote from "Wicked"
In this episode of the MessianTics Podcast our rabbis dig into a very important conversation, albeit launched from a very unexpected inspiration. This discussion is based off of an epiphany had when coming across a powerful quote from the book "Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West". This quote struck a nerve with our rabbis as it can also be said for our beloved Messianic Jewish Movement, a reality for which we need to drastically right the ship.
The quote says: "Elphie glanced sideways at [her elderly father], and for the first time she saw him as feckless... Constantly pawing at the edge of events, reacting instead of acting, mourning the past and praying for the future instead of stirring up the present."
Jan 5: S2E16 - Conversation on Restoration
What does restoration look like? Are there limitations to restoration? How do we extend or seek restoration with others? In this episode of the MessianTics Podcast our rabbis dive into this difficult (and often left to the back burner) conversation and share some of our thoughts and experiences on the matter.
Church of the Highlands Resources: https://resources.churchofthehighlands.com/
Dec 30: S2E15 - Convo on Unity in MJ Post Oct 7
This week's episode is a introspective look at the urgent need for unity in the Messianic Jewish Movement in light of the events of Oct 7th and the war that has transpired since. Nearly the entire Jewish world has come together in unity, so why is the MJ Movement not leading the way? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue and the various tangents it takes them down and share with us your thoughts.
Dec 22: S2E14 - What about assimilation?
This episode should have ran two weeks ago in preparation for Hanukkah, however, as happenstance would have it, it is a very fitting episode for this week too. This discussion is a springboard off of the discussion of where Hanukkah comes from and why and connected with the many various ways the Body of Messiah and Judaism tends to give into assimilation today. Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this important issue on today's episode of the MessianTics Podcast.
Dec 8: S2E13 - Politics and the Pulpit?
Our rabbis tackle a very uncomfortable conversation in this week's episode of the MessianTics Podcast. Listen as they dig into the conversation of whether or not politics has a place in our pulpit and to what extent.
Nov 24: S2E11 - Mistakes Made in Our MJ Ministry
I know people often think their rabbis/pastors are on some sort of pedestal, but truth be told, we are only human too... We make mistakes all the time too, sometimes those mistakes are costly, sometimes they hurt people, sometimes they bless people, but looking back over the years, they always end up giving us a cringe worthy laugh. Listen to the MessianTics rabbis share about some of the mistakes they've made over the years in ministry, and be encouraged in our failures and lessons we've learned from them.
Oy! How Did I Get Here? -- by Rabbi Eric Tokajer
https://a.co/d/gTgbgIa
Nov 17: S2E11 - Messianic Jewish Conferences
There are several really important Messianic Jewish congregations coming up this winter, and this is one of our rabbis favorite seasons. Listen to our rabbis share their thoughts and love for these conferences and we hope to see each of you at one of them in the coming months.
https://mjaa.org/conferences/
https://www.iamcs.org/rabbis-conference/
https://www.umjc.org/events
Nov 10th: S2E10 - Dual Cong. Leadership, MJ Rabbis, & the Future?
On this episode of the MessianTics Podcast our rabbis dive into an intriguing conversation dealing with the decline in the pastorate and MJ rabbinate, MJ rabbis leading MJ synagogues and churches, and if this could be a feasible model for solving a growing problem in both MJ and the Church. The truth is, we came out of this episode with far more questions than we walked in with, and we will be further exploring this topic in the months to come. Listen to our MessianTics Team have one of the most interesting conversations for our show to date.
The following link is to the article that started the whole conversation, and it may be behind a paywall: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/april/pastor-succession-church-next-generation-leader-barna-surve.html
Nov 3rd: S2E9 - Interview w/Petra and Garry Scott pt. 2
This week we have the second episode of a special two part interview with our good friends Petra and Garry Scott from The Road to Jerusalem. Listen to the Scotts share the heart and purpose of The Road to Jerusalem with our MessianTics rabbis.
https://theroadtojerusalem.org/about/
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_Facebook
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_Twitter
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_Instagram
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_YouTube
Oct 27th: S2E8 - Interview w/Petra and Garry Scott pt. 1
This week we have the first episode of a special two part interview with our good friends Petra and Garry Scott from The Road to Jerusalem. Listen to the Scotts share the heart and purpose of The Road to Jerusalem with our MessianTics rabbis.
https://theroadtojerusalem.org/about/
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_Facebook
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_Twitter
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_Instagram
http://bit.ly/TRTJ_YouTube
Oct 18th: S2E7 - Conversation on the Conflict in Israel
Unless you've literally been sleeping under a rock, you are aware that Israel has been at war for nearing two weeks with Hamas in Gaza. Likewise, you've probably seen the hints at full-scale attacks form Hezbollah and others, and the many anti-Israel/anti-Semitic riots and protests that have spawned all around the world since this war broke out. In this episode our MessianTics Team dive full throttle into this discussion with our thoughts on what is happening, how we got here, what the potential ramifications going forward could be and everything in between.
If you would like to give financially to help support Israel Aid and Relief during this crisis, here are a few links of trusted Messianic Jewish organizations we encourage you to donate through:
Oct 13th: S2E6 - Is Kashrut for Jews and Gentiles?
One of the most common questions we hear as Messianic Jewish rabbis is about Kashrut, whether or not Jews and Gentiles HAVE to keep Kosher as followers of Messiah... This is such a common discussion that we decided to hit record and let our conversation on the matter hopefully be a blessing to you. Listen to our MessianTics Team dive into this conversation and let us know your thoughts.
Oct 6th: S2E5 - Antisemitism and MJ Synagogue Safety
With antisemitism on the rise and there being no apparent slowing in site, what are some logical steps we should take to make sure our congregations are safe and protected? We'd love to imagine this to not be an issue we'd ever face, yet a number of MJ synagogues have experienced direct antisemitic attacks and/or threats in recent years, and even months. Listen to our MessianTics Team discuss this issue with care, grace, and love, but also with healthy dose of reality.
Sept 29: S2E4 - Messianic Jewish Identity Crisis
In this new episode of the MessianTics Podcast, our rabbis discuss some of the biggest issues the Messianic Jewish movement faces--MJ Identity Crisis. This conversation addresses several important situations that must be overcome in order for the MJ Movement to see the future we long for. Listen and share your thoughts on this episode with us.
Sept 22nd: S2E3 - The First Year of the MessianTics Podcast
This is a very special episode for the MessianTics Team as it commemorates the first full year of the podcast. On Sept 1st we officially hit one full year of the podcast and this episode is our reminiscing over the first year and talking about some thoughts and ideas we have for the years that lie ahead of us.
Sept 15th: S2E2 - What Movies/Shows Influenced our Faith?
As we prepare for the High Holy Day season, we wanted to share a little more of a lighthearted episode with you. In this episode we discuss some of our favorite secular movies or shows that have influenced our faith over the years. And yes, we said secular, because we serve a G-d Who can use anything to get our attention. Listen to this week's show and let us know your thoughts, and what movies/shows have impacted your walk with the L-rd.
Sept 8th: S2E1 - What About the High Holy Days?
On the first episode of our second season we dive into a heartfelt conversation about the High Holy Days and what to expect if you attend these special services at a Messianic Jewish synagogue. Listen to our MessianTics team dig into this beautiful season.
Sept 1st: #50 - What About Hearing the Voice of G-d?
We received a listen submitted question about hearing the Voice of G-d and we wanted to share our thoughts and hearts on the matter. So give this week's episode of the MessianTics Podcast a listen and be sure to take some notes as you go along. We pray it is a blessing.
Aug 25th: #49 - Interview with Aybars Uckun (Pt. 2)
Today's episode of the Messian[T]ics Podcast is the second of a two part interview with our good friend Aybars Uckun. Aybars has one of the most interesting backgrounds and testimonies, which includes being Turkish and raised Muslim, coming to faith in a MJ synagogue, becoming a MJ rabbi, and ultimately G-d bringing him full circle again to share Yeshua with Muslims as part of a unique ministry called the Al Ma'idah Initiative. You will not want to miss this conversation.
You can learn more about the Al Ma'idah Initiative and all that Aybars is doing via the links below.
www.al-maidah.org
https://www.youtube.com/@TheAlMaidahInitiative/featured
aybars@al-maidah.org
Aug 18th: #48 - Interview with Aybars Uckun (Pt. 1)
Today's episode of the Messian[T]ics Podcast is the first of a two part interview with our good friend Aybars Uckun. Aybars has one of the most interesting backgrounds and testimonies, which includes being Turkish and raised Muslim, coming to faith in a MJ synagogue, becoming a MJ rabbi, and ultimately G-d brining him full circle again to share Yeshua with Muslims as part of a unique ministry called the Al Ma'idah Initiative. You will not want to miss this conversation.
You can learn more about the Al Ma'idah Initiative and all that Aybars is doing via the links below.
www.al-maidah.org
https://www.youtube.com/@TheAlMaidahInitiative/featured
aybars@al-maidah.org
Aug 11: #47 - What is a Successful Congregation?
Our rabbis dive head first into a very important conversation: What is a successful congregation? What metrics, data points, factors, indicators do we use to determine a successful congregation? Is it size? Finances? Depth of staff? Or are there more important factors to consider? Listen to our Messian[T]ics team dive into this valuable discussion on today's episode.
August 4: #46 - Is That Actually What the Bible Says?
Today's episode is a bit different as our MessianTics Team dives into an educational, interesting, and hilarious conversation on things that believers love to say about the Bible, but aren't actually in the Bible. Listen to our rabbis rectify a number of odd and out of place biblical misrepresentations as only they could.
July 28: #45 - What About Intermarriage in MJ
The Messian[T]ics Team loves to dig into controversial topics within the Messianic Jewish movement and have deep and honest conversations wrestling with these important issues. In this episode our rabbis dig into the conversation about intermarriage within the Messianic Jewish movement... the good, the bad, and the ugly. You won't want to miss this week's episode.
July 14: #44 - How Do We Do Erev Shabbat in Our Homes?
We received a question from one of our listeners asking how we observe Erev Shabbat in our own homes, particularly as regards traditional prayers said. So, with this episode, we dive into this very discussion, how do we do Erev Shabbat in our homes? Hopefully this discussion will not only be educational, but will be a blessing for you as we prepare to enter Shabbat this evening.
July 7: #43 - Favorite Moments from MJ Conferences
All four of us agree that some of our best and most memorable experiences have occurred at Messianic Jewish conferences and retreats. They are awesome opportunities for spiritual growth, vision igniting, fellowship, and especially building and fostering relationships in the Movement. In today's episode we discuss some of our favorite moments at MJ conferences and retreats over the years.
As a side note, the recording of this episode took place during the week that the MJAA Messiah Conference is happening, we unfortunately were not able to attend this year, but potentially while you are listening to this episode many will be in Grantham, PA being tremendously blessed by the conference.
Along with this, the UMJC Summer Conference is right around the corner as well. Below are links to some of the major organizations in the MJ Movement, we strongly encourage you to consider attending and participating in their events that lay ahead, such as the UMJC Summer conference, the MJAA Southeast Regional Conference, the MJAA Southwest Regional Conference, and many, many others.
June 30: #42 - Funny Encounters as a Messianic Rabbi
A lot of times we joke that MJ is the granola of the Body of Messiah, we attract all the fruits, nuts, and flakes... Today's episode of the Messian[T]ics Podcast is dedicated to some of the funny, strange, and antic-worthy encounters that we've had over the years in Messianic Jewish ministry.
June 23: #41 - Validity and Value of Gentiles in MJ Congregations
Something that tends to appear as one of the most complicated issues to wrestle with in the Messianic Jewish movement is the place and role of Gentiles in the MJ congregation. Listen to our MessianTics rabbis share their thoughts and hearts on this vitally important issue, and feel free to share your thoughts with us as well.
June 16: #40 - The Sweet Relief of the MJ Summer Break
In the Messianic Jewish congregational life cycle we find ourselves now in the season between the Spring and Fall Moedim and our MJ leadership finds a brief opportunity to catch their breath, relax, reset, and plan for the future. On this week's episode our MessianTics rabbis will talk openly and candidly about the sweet relief of the MJ Summer Break (and you definitely want to listen to the very end, Rabbi David drops a little hard-hitting nugget at the end that we all need to hear). Listen to episode 40 of the MessianTics Podcast and share your thoughts with us.
June 8: #39 - What About Unity Within the MJ Spectrum?
Our conversation on today's episode is a followup of sorts to last week's conversation on unity within the Body of Messiah... Today we turn our attention to fostering unity within the vast spectrum of Messianic Judaism. Listen to the Messian[T]ics Team's take on this very important issue and share your thoughts with us.
June 2: #38 - What About Unity with the Greater Body?
May 26: #37 - What About Shavuot?
As the Jewish world celebrates Shavuot, many of you may be wondering what exactly is it all about? Is it just another holiday? Or is there something vital and prophetic that the Body of Messiah should be aware of connected to Shavuot? Give this episode a listen and hear what our MessianTics team has to say about Shavuot.
May 12: #36 - Convo: Fellowship or Denomination Part 6
The Messianic Jewish congregational movement tends to operate off of a fellowship model within the various congregational/rabbinic organizations. Is this the best model available for us? Or could the movement benefit from a more structured organization similar to a denominational structure? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue in a multi-part conversation on the issue. We don't have all the answers, but we are willing to discuss the questions and see where it takes us.
May 5: #35 - Convo: Fellowship or Denomination Part 5
The Messianic Jewish congregational movement tends to operate off of a fellowship model within the various congregational/rabbinic organizations. Is this the best model available for us? Or could the movement benefit from a more structured organization similar to a denominational structure? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue in a multi-part conversation on the issue. We don't have all the answers, but we are willing to discuss the questions and see where it takes us.
April 28: #34 - Convo: Fellowship or Denomination Part 4
The Messianic Jewish congregational movement tends to operate off of a fellowship model within the various congregational/rabbinic organizations. Is this the best model available for us? Or could the movement benefit from a more structured organization similar to a denominational structure? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue in a multi-part conversation on the issue. We don't have all the answers, but we are willing to discuss the questions and see where it takes us.
April 21: #33 - Convo: Fellowship or Denomination Part 3
The Messianic Jewish congregational movement tends to operate off of a fellowship model within the various congregational/rabbinic organizations. Is this the best model available for us? Or could the movement benefit from a more structured organization similar to a denominational structure? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue in a multi-part conversation on the issue. We don't have all the answers, but we are willing to discuss the questions and see where it takes us.
April 14: #32 - Convo: Fellowship or Denomination Part 2
The Messianic Jewish congregational movement tends to operate off of a fellowship model within the various congregational/rabbinic organizations. Is this the best model available for us? Or could the movement benefit from a more structured organization similar to a denominational structure? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue in a multi-part conversation on the issue. We don't have all the answers, but we are willing to discuss the questions and see where it takes us.
April 7: #31 - Convo: Fellowship or Denomination Part 1
The Messianic Jewish congregational movement tends to operate off of a fellowship model within the various congregational/rabbinic organizations. Is this the best model available for us? Or could the movement benefit from a more structured organization similar to a denominational structure? Listen to our MessianTics rabbis discuss this issue in a multi-part conversation on the issue. We don't have all the answers, but we are willing to discuss the questions and see where it takes us.