The words “I Believe”– in Hebrew “Ani Ma’amin”– are very familiar words in Jewish tradition. The great medieval Jewish thinker Moses Maimonides began his famous “Thirteen Principles of Faith” with the words “Ani Ma’amin” –“I Believe.” His “I Believes” are still repeated every morning in synagogues all over the world. Certainly, what we believe has a powerful influence upon our lives and the lives of others. Here are some “I Believe’s” of another sort. These “Five I Believe’s,” you will not find in Maimonides’ statement of faith, or any other statement of faith. These “I Believe’s” drive me, they inspire me, and they encourage me. They also challenge me, because each one of them demands a response. I am convinced that if we, as a community, are willing to respond to them, then there is no limit to what G-d will do in our hearts and in our midst. 1) I believe most of our Jewish people are curious about Yeshua 2) I believe Jewish believers in churches need Messianic synagogues. 3) I believe in exercising radical humility. 4) I believe true spirituality requires social action. 5) I believe Messianic synagogues can change the world. 1) I believe most of our Jewish people are curious about Yeshua The curiosity may be blatant, or it may be latent. It might manifest itself through interest in the person of Yeshua; it might express itself in feigned indifference; or, it may even emerge in hostility toward Yeshua, and those of us who believe in him. Regardless, our people should be curious: Who is this figure who is one of us, yet has been so distanced from us throughout history? They should be driven to ask: “why is it that when I enter a congregation of people who believe in Yeshua that I find real joy, true peace, sincere love, and genuine unity, all of which I have always wanted, but never found?” Yes, I believe most of our Jewish people are curious about Yeshua. And, so, what is our response? We will answer that curiosity like this: There is a spiritual emptiness that only Yeshua can fill, and he came to fill it first in the hearts of his Jewish people, and also for all humanity. We will always choose the route, no matter how unpopular or uncomfortable, of revealing Yeshua’s true identity as Messiah and Lord first to our people, and to everyone else who is curious. Back to top 2) I believe Jewish believers in churches need Messianic synagogues. Messianic synagogues are uniquely equipped and called to meet the specific needs of Jewish believers. We are a place where Jewish followers of Yeshua can plug back into their G-d-given heritage. What better place to learn Hebrew? What better place to bring friends and family to hear about Yeshua? Where better to celebrate our holidays? Where else is it possible to raise our children with an understanding of their G-d-given identity while equipping them to flourish as followers of Yeshua? Yes, I believe Jewish believers in churches need Messianic synagogues. What will our response be? We will be here to serve and equip Jewish believers of all types, whether Sha’arei is their primary congregation or not, as G-d brings us into contact with one another. We will not be judgmental. We will not become ingrown or isolated. We are not better than other houses of worship. We will be inclusive; and, we will meet the needs G-d has called us to meet. Back to top 3) I believe in exercising radical humility. I can think of 3 examples of radical humility. One: Moses is called the most humble man who ever lived, and the New Covenant says his greatness is eclipsed only by the Messiah himself. Two: When he saw Yeshua, Yochanan, John, the Immerser, said, “I must decrease,” and Yeshua said that no one greater than him had arisen. Three: There is, of course, Yeshua himself, the supreme example of radical humility. The one who took off the robes that were rightly his, to become a man, a bondservant, and one who died on a tree–not for himself, but all for the sake of others. Yes, I believe in exercising radical humility. But, how will we do it? We will be a place that lives out the attitude of humility that was also in Messiah Yeshua. We will not merely look out for our own personal interests; we will consider others more important than ourselves. When we think of “greatness,” we think of superheroes, of legends, and of movie stars. But, the “greatness” that results from radical humility is of a different type. It is not glamorous. It is not mythic. It is not even alluring; and, yet, it is the only greatness that truly matters–greatness that comes from serving the most humble servant of all time. Back to top 4) I believe true spirituality requires social action. A wholistic expression of our faith meets spiritual needs as well as physical needs. To separate the two is simply foreign to a Scriptural worldview. Helping those in need is, of course, rooted in Torah. It is reflected in Jewish values, like Gemilut Chasadim (supplying for needs) and tzedakah (giving charity). And, it is reaffirmed in the New Covenant, which, like the Tanakh, emphasizes helping the impoverished, the underprivileged, and the marginalized. Yes, I believe true spirituality requires social action. So, how will we respond? As we mature as a community, we will increasingly be known as a group that goes out and helps people. This is not something that is peripheral to our vision; it is an integral part of our calling. And, we will find, that the more active we are, the more opportunities we will have to share with questioners what it is that motivates us to give so freely of ourselves. Back to top 5) I believe Messianic synagogues can change the world. David Ben Gurion said, “A Jew who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.” I guess I’m a realist. I do believe in miracles. I do believe these lowly, humble, and marginalized places called Messianic congregations can change the world. Why do I believe this? First, because synagogues are made up of people. Not just one person, but people. People with a variety of complimentary gifts and callings. We can have far greater influence together than we can as isolated individuals. Second, synagogues are situated in local communities. We are present. We read the local papers. We know communal culture and needs. We have friends. We have relationships. We have a voice from the inside. Third, healthy Messianic synagogues understand profound truths that have been misunderstood for centuries, and that are still misunderstood by large segments of the Jewish and Christian worlds. We know Jesus was a Jew. We know belief in him began as a Jewish movement. We know that no tragic events of history can ever change the fact that the New Covenant model is of Jews following the Jewish Messiah as Jews, and doing so arm-in-arm with people from diverse backgrounds who follow the same risen Messiah. But, the truth is, now is an awkward moment in Messianic Judaism. There is too much dissection and not enough introspection. There is too much separation and not enough orchestration. There are far too many fears and far too few tears. In lonely, private moments, all of this has left me wondering if people still really believe that Messianic synagogues can change the world. Well, I still believe! I still believe Messianic Judaism is fundamentally right. I still believe it won’t come and go like a passing trend. I still believe that G-d has called Israel to be a light to the nations. I still believe that that light is the knowledge of the living G-d that comes through knowing His Messiah. And I still believe that Messianic synagogues are pregnant with the potential to be the venue for Israel to take a giant step toward her ultimate destiny of being a conduit for G-d’s blessings to flow out into all of the earth. Yes, I actually believe Messianic synagogues will change the world. But, when? Although I believe we are living in a crucial moment in history, G-d’s mysterious timetable remains known to G-d alone. But, to be a part of Sha’arei Shalom means to join together as we cry out in one voice: “Here we are Lord. Send us!” Back to top Seth N. Klayman Spiritual Leader, Congregation Sha'arei Shalom S’micha Address 26 Tamuz 5766/July 22, 2006