Every Jewish person who seriously considers Jesus eventually asks this question. Many are raised to believe that Christianity is incompatible with being Jewish, leading them to feel like placing their faith in Jesus means rejecting their Jewish identity. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Believing in Jesus is not just an individual decision for Jewish people; it carries the weight of Jewish history and the sacrifices of past generations. Turning our backs on them feels like a betrayal of our heritage.
Why Being Jewish Matters
“Jewish identity” has become a significant topic in the Jewish community as society becomes more pluralistic and assimilation rates increase. The quest for a strong Jewish identity has become crucial, but what does it really mean? How Jewish do you have to be to have a Jewish identity?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all Jewish identity.
There is no single way to be Jewish, as different individuals express their Jewish identity in various ways. As Jewish studies professor Adam Kirsch notes, the ongoing discussion about what Jewishness means indicates its enduring significance.
Being Jewish is valuable and cannot be taken away from you, no matter your practices or beliefs. Your Jewish identity is inherent and cannot be lost, even if you choose to follow Jesus.
Embracing Both Identities
Attitudes towards belief in Jesus are evolving within the Jewish community, with a significant percentage of Jewish Americans believing one can still be Jewish while accepting Jesus as the Messiah. As more Jewish individuals embrace Jesus while maintaining their Jewish heritage, the misconception that one cannot be Jewish and Christian simultaneously is debunked.
For Jewish believers in Jesus, navigating their identity can be complex. However, many find ways to authentically express their Jewish identity while following Jesus. Embracing Jesus has even led some to a deeper appreciation for Jewish traditions and practices.
If Jesus is truly the Messiah, then following him can coexist with Jewish life. Placing faith in Jesus means allowing him to shape your Jewish identity and understanding of God as the ultimate authority on what it means to be Jewish.
Being Jewish and following Jesus is possible. Embracing both identities can lead to a richer understanding of your heritage and faith.
Endnotes
1. Adam Kirsch, “What is a Jew?”.
2. S. Stencel, A Portrait of Jewish Americans: Findings from a Pew Research Center Survey of U.S. Jews (Washington, DC: Pew Research Center, 2013), 58.