Jewish Convert, LDS Author and Speaker
Establishing Dialogue with those of Jewish faith
Seek to Understand before being Understood
Basically, Jews believe the Messiah is yet to come and when he does, he will appear as a warrior to save the nation of Israel. Consequently, we think it is important to understand how unwelcome Jews find our usual excited testifying of Christ. We hope you will adjust the usual approach that you would use with people who acknowledge a Christian theology, to include careful explanation of the Gospel's basic relationship to Judaism. A prophet once said, "Warm them before you warn them." This is about warming them. Please read the ideas below and seek spiritual understanding and direction from the Lord. |
Engage with Sensitivity
| What would a Jewish convert bring to your congregation? - A deep studiousness; very scholarly. - A deep understanding of the foundation... not only of Christianity, but of the full, restored gospel. - A fervent love for the Savior. - A deep appreciation of and reverence for the sacrament and ordinances. - Once a serious Jew accepts Jesus as the Messiah, he will be most passionate, so don't get in the way while you knit. This person will lead the pack! |
Be aware from the start that if they are seen by their fellow Jews welcoming an obvious Christian at their door, they may have a social problem. They also face trouble with their families. Orthodox families may hold a funeral for a convert and declare them dead. Many Jewish families do in fact disown their family members who leave that faith - much more so than someone of a Christian faith who joins the LDS church.
Put your contact at ease. Be informal, engage in conversation, be disarming, show genuine appreciation and interest, ask for another visit.
Don't ask for entrance right away. Instead, speak on the steps a while and make another appointment if possible.
Jewish people, by culture and teaching, have a very studious lifestyle. Respect that. Use that respect to gain confidence, as you should with anyone.
Engage with Respect
If you can use some Hebrew words of greeting, this may disarm them. It's best to know the words and say them correctly. As in any interfaith communication, start out by complimenting the other's culture, picture, faces, star, country, language, HOST culture. Build on the common ground.
Show Interest
Remember you are, when at their door, in their culture. Open your mind to things around, ask, show interest, share some related knowledge from your own life.They know who you are, so you can downplay it. Simple dialogue: Hi, really nice day, new in the area, have you children? Ask directions, relate to area locations, look at family pictures when invited into a home, play with kids. You might scope out what your contact does for a living, ask about traditions and holidays. When a comfortable contact is established, ask about their religion and be appreciative of it. Approach the Gospel carefully, without speed or pushing.
Ask them about themselves, forget about yourself: this is ALWAYS a good general principle in conversation.
If you see a mezuzah at the door, your contact may be an Orthodox or a Conservative Jew. Ask about the mezuzah. Express genuine interest. Ask about the nearest synagogue.
Teaching Concepts
Ask the Lord to guide you. Tell your prospects they don't have to give up anything they already know, but to progress in their understanding. They may be interested in the trek of Lehi to America, the value and content of the brass plates to the people of America. As a matter of information, you should understand that the definition of being a Jew follows a matriarchal line. One is a Jew if one's mother is a Jew, whether or not one adheres to those practices and beliefs.
First, teach to the similarities.
Be aware that in many ways there is little breach between Judaism and Christianity as it was originally taught. Understand why an Austrian Jewish convert declared "the Church is the true continuation of the Jewish religion."
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We know of several who were quite enlightened by a knowledgeable sharing of Isaiah 53, and the prophesy there about the persecution of the Messiah when he comes. Many of them tearfully realize, after you go all through it, that it has already happened. Couple this with Zechariah 12. This has been part of several very exciting stories...
Then know this: the D&C has been the initial mind-opener for many. A studied Jew will see the restoration of many things in the D&C. We know one brother who read the D&C, read the Book of Mormon, then read the D&C four more times. It's value MUST be recognized. The suggestion is to not offer, immediately, that book whose cover says "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". If you understand what we are explaining in this web page, you surely can understand why, then. When you do discuss it, you should be aware and discuss the Jewish aspects of it, the origins of Lehi and his family, etc. The more you are personally and thoroughly familiar with the Jewishness of the Book of Mormon, the more you will be personally excited about that aspect of it. We could say that if Joseph Smith did not receive it in the way we know he did, then he had to have been schooled thoroughly by a Rabbi or gone to Hebrew school, and you know there is no evidence of that. In short summary, there are many things about words used, names, structure of sentences and discourse, phrases, and other matters that identify the genuine connection with the Jewish origins in a delightful way. |
Remember that the Savior was a Jew and that he taught in an enlightened way the Old Testament and he read from Torah scrolls. Latter-day Saints have been given in good part the restoration of ancient Hebrew beliefs. Mention similarities in morality, fasting, honoring life and charity (mitzvots), repentance, Sabbath practices.
Tell them of the Mormon exodus and trials in settling new lands, compare following a prophet of God and the similarities between all prophets.
Tell them about prophets in these latter days. They appreciate prophets. (Know that Rabbis are viewed on some level as prophets.) Be able to relate to them the persecution and martyrdom of latter-day saints; they appreciate such things due to their own known history.
Tell them you understand the ancient Aaronic priesthood and its duties, that you revere Abraham for his great faith with his son, Isaac. Let them come to know the symbolism behind the red blood that was sprinkled on door posts of Israelites in Egypt during the plagues. Become familiar with the true meaning of Jewish sacrificial practices, the scapegoat principle of repentance, the Seven Feasts of Israel, the temple.
Gain their attention with simple statements about the similarities between the two religions and your respect for the Jewish people, because the words Jesus Christ still frighten many Jews, but without them, dear ones, you would not be taking your missions! (They will learn, as I did, that when they accept Christ they'll willingly give up their Judaic practices.)
Remember to be careful about using the name of Jehovah among religious Jews. Jehovah and Yahweh mean the same God (Heavenly Father) to Jews. They avoid the names out of feelings of respect.
Learn of the mention of Urim and Thumim in the Old Testament - the scriptures that they know. Understand that the Urim and Thumim was anciently a High Priest's breastplate. Then if you have the opportunity you can mention that, and relate the usage in the areas we are more often familiar with. It was through this medium that they received revelatory experiences.
Tell them how the Nephite and Lamanite populations practiced the Law of Moses. The story of Enos and Jacob will stir many of them. (Show them that the names of the prophets in the Book of Mormon are in large part Hebrew names.)
I would refrain from mentioning that the Jewish people disobeyed God's commands so often they were punished with invasions, conquering, plague, dispersion, etc. The Jews believe themselves heroic through oppression they never caused.
If you can get that far, you'll have to explain Christianity in general, because many Jews are taught to completely ignore it and all study of other religions in any depth.
Explanations about the Godhead will be confusing because Jews believe in one God. You will have them shaking their heads and telling you it violates the First Commandment about having gods other than The Eternal One.
Try to interest them in the Savior as a Jewish priest and in some of the similarities of Christ's mission to Jewish ritual and myth (ancient cultural or religious story, usually true) that you recall from scripture, such as Abraham and Isaac, King David, the story of Joseph of the Coat of Many Colors, the covenant Abraham made with God and what it truly means.
Share Isaiah 53, a messianic chapter. If they can see that the Jewish Mashiach came to rescue and exalt ALL mankind, not just the Jewish nation, you will have gained a major victory.
Approach a Jew from the outskirts of his/her belief and cultural system and if you can gain their confidence, proceed carefully through history to the present. You will have to pray mightily that the Holy Ghost will touch them to effect change because they will discern they're being faced with a change of identity - a Herculean, frightening task, but, of course, one that must eventually be accomplished, for we know that "every tongue ...confess that Jesus is the Christ".
Know some Phrases
- L'Chaim - to your health
- Sholom Aleichem - peace and health be with you
- Mitzvot - good deed, charity
- Mazeltov - congratulations
- Todah - thank you
- Shabbat Sholom - peaceful Sabbath
- U'rim and Tu'mim (NOT yourum and thumum!) which means lights and perfections (truths)