As Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus), we uphold our Jewish identity and affirm the sanctity and importance of the Torah. The Torah is the Word of God and is eternal. As Jewish individuals, we believe that we have been chosen to be a light to the nations through the covenant God established with us. We also believe that the sacrifice of Yeshua provides atonement for us and that salvation has always been based on faith in God and His provision for atonement.
Within this movement, there are varying levels of adherence to the 613 commandments.
Jews for Jesus is a nonprofit organization that is part of the broader Messianic Judaism movement. Within this movement, some adhere strictly to the 613 commandments (to the extent possible, as many commandments cannot be observed today) while others do not. This article offers an overview of the relevant Biblical passages on this topic, as well as guidance on forming your own convictions regarding Torah observance as a Jewish believer in Jesus.
The Torah is a precious gift
Exodus 19 recounts the Jewish people receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. This event marked God’s decision to dwell among us. The Torah was given to enable us to fulfill our role as a light to the nations. According to rabbinical teachings, God’s voice was heard in 70 languages as flames of fire, so all nations could understand His instructions. By allowing the Torah to impact our lives, we were sanctified and able to lead others to the God of Israel. The Torah and the Messiah are foundational gifts from God to the Jewish people and, through us, to the world.
Interpretations of the Torah
While some strive to follow the literal meaning of the text, such as the Karaites (a group that emerged in the 9th century AD rejecting rabbinic authority), over time, our community developed traditions to help us apply the commandments in our daily lives. The Talmud records these traditions (Mishnah) and the discussions surrounding them (Gemara). Talmudic-influenced Judaism focuses on practicing the faith without a Temple following our exile from Jerusalem in 70 AD.
The writers of the New Testament were contemporaries with some of the earlier rabbis (the Tannaim) who are mentioned in the Talmud. Both groups were concerned with living out the Torah before and after 70 AD.
Like the rest of our people, Jewish believers in Yeshua also experienced exile.
Along with the rest of our people, Jewish believers in Yeshua were also exiled, and the New Testament provides guidance on how to fulfill the purpose of the Torah in the absence of the Temple. It also includes instructions for Gentile followers of the Jewish Messiah, explaining how Gentiles can follow the God of Israel and have a relationship with Him without converting to Judaism.
What does the New Testament say about the Torah?
Yeshua taught that the intention behind each commandment is crucial, not just the outward compliance. For example, while the Torah prohibits murder, Yeshua emphasized that harboring hatred is equivalent to breaking this commandment. Similarly, though the Torah forbids adultery, Yeshua taught that even lustful thoughts constitute a violation of this commandment (Matthew 5:21–30).
Yeshua not only interpreted the Torah but also fulfilled it.
Jewish teachings suggest that when the Messiah arrives, he will interpret the Torah and instruct accordingly. This is precisely what Yeshua did during his ministry. He not only interpreted the Torah but also stated that he came to fulfill it, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17).
The term “fulfill” (plēroō) means to bring something to completion or “fill it full.” In other words, the Torah was meaningful before, and with the arrival of the Messiah, it gained even deeper significance.
The New Testament reveals how Jesus provides enhanced meaning to many of the Torah’s symbols, such as being our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Prior to the Temple’s destruction, atonement for transgressions could be made through sacrifices. But without a Temple, how do we seek forgiveness for our sins? Through his death and resurrection, Yeshua became the ultimate sacrifice. Paul asserts that he is the fulfillment (telos) of the entire Torah.
Should we observe the Torah today?
While Scripture teaches that salvation is not attained through adherence to the law but through faith in Messiah Yeshua’s sacrifice, there are two reasons why practicing the Torah’s commandments holds value for us as Jews.
Alongside the Tanakh and the New Testament, the Torah is a revelation of God’s will.
Firstly, the Torah is part of Scripture. Together with the Tanakh and the New Testament, the Torah reveals God’s will. Its teachings remain relevant, valuable, meaningful, and beneficial. Paul wrote that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Secondly, the Torah is integral to our Jewish identity. As Jews, we are called to be a light to the world and a witness to God’s faithfulness. How can we fulfill this calling if we do not engage in meaningful Jewish practices? Observing the Torah’s commandments, along with Rabbinic Jewish traditions and customs, helps us embody our calling as Jewish individuals. This includes observing holidays, observing Shabbat, and upholding Jewish values. Individuals within the Messianic Jewish community express this calling in diverse ways based on their personal convictions of being a Jewish witness for Yeshua.
Yeshua emphasized love as the foundation of the entire Torah.
Yeshua emphasized love as the cornerstone of the entire Torah when he taught, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). Paul elaborates on this in his letter to the Corinthians, explaining that even if we excel in keeping the law outwardly and use our spiritual gifts, without love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). Guided by the Holy Spirit, each of us must actively seek God’s guidance on how to manifest His love and follow His instructions within the context of our relationship with Him.