בית אור החיים
קהילה משיחית
BEIT OR HA'CHAIM
MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATION VIENNA
BIBLE & QUESTIONS OF FAITH
What does the Bible say about God, Jesus – Yeshua –, faith, prayer, salvation, baptism, heaven, the end times, and the Christian life? In the Knowledge section of Beit Or Ha'Chaim, we explore questions that concern Christians from different denominations, people interested in the Bible, and those searching for truth.
We do not look at the Holy Scriptures apart from their historical background. The Bible emerged largely within a Jewish and Hebrew context. Understanding this historical and cultural background can help us better understand many passages in both the Old and New Testaments.
Our goal is to encourage people to read, ask questions, examine, and understand the Bible for themselves.
JESUS – YESHUA AND HIS JEWISH ROOTS
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Jesus was Jewish. He lived in the land of Israel, knew the Torah, attended synagogues, and participated in the Jewish religious life of His time. In Hebrew, the name Jesus is commonly rendered as Yeshua.
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To better understand the life and teachings of Jesus, it is therefore important to also understand His Jewish background.
Important Questions Include:
Was Jesus Jewish?
Yes. The New Testament describes Jesus as part of the Jewish people and places His life within the context of Israel.
Why Is Jesus Also Called Yeshua?
Yeshua, related to Yehoshua, is a Hebrew form of His name. The name is connected with the idea of salvation and deliverance.
Is Jesus the Messiah?
Christians and Messianic believers understand Jesus – Yeshua – as the promised Messiah. Judaism holds different views on this question. At Beit Or Ha'Chaim, we explore the relevant biblical passages and messianic prophecies.
Did Jesus Keep Shabbat?
The Gospels regularly show Jesus observing Shabbat. Many of the discussions surrounding Him were not about whether Shabbat existed, but about how it should be properly understood and observed.
Which Jewish Feasts Did Jesus Celebrate?
The Gospels mention Passover and other Jewish feast periods. Many of Jesus' words and actions become easier to understand when the biblical feasts and their background are known.
What Language Did Jesus Speak?
Jesus – Yeshua – lived in a multilingual environment. Aramaic played an important role in everyday life, while Hebrew was used in Scripture, prayer, and religious texts, and Greek was also widely spoken in the broader region. Understanding this Jewish and linguistic background can help clarify many passages in the Gospels.
Jesus and the Torah
Jesus – Yeshua – lived within the Jewish faith and regularly referred to the Torah and its commandments. Many discussions in the Gospels are not about whether the Torah had become meaningless, but rather about how it should be properly understood and lived out.