Rabbi Yochanan Levine's Page

B"H
Shalom aleichem!

A little about me so you will know where I am coming from. My views are a bit different from most but are based firmly on my understandings of the Torah of Adonai. If you read what I post here I sincerely invite you to ask questions or add comments, whether you agree or disagree. We are all seeking greater Light into the Ways of HaShem.

I spend much of my time in Torah study and in developing my knowledge and understanding of Judaism. I also spend a fair amount of my time talking with people on line, answering questions, writing and posting studies and so on.

Terminology is always problematic. Please don't make assumptions about what I believe simply because someone uses the same terms.

I believe Am Israel, People Israel, are the unique and specially chosen of HaShem. They have been so since the days of Avraham Avinu and will ever be.

Originally there were 12 Houses of Israel, the physical descendants of Ya'acov, grandson of Avraham avinu and Sarah. Circa 722 B.C.E. the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians and ten of the 12 Houses were divorced (Jeremiah 3:8) by HaShem. They were scattered and will remain "lost" and roaming among the nations until Mashiach comes and establishes the Kingdom of HaShem on earth (Zechariah 8:18-23). Until then Judah (and Benjamin) remain as the Elect of HaShem (Romans 11). Adonai blesses all who bless them and curses all who curse them (Genesis 12:1-3). Of all others Adon Y'shua said: You people don't know what you are worshipping; we worship what we do know, because salvation comes from the Jews (John 4:22).

I also believe that Daniel was correct on his timing and that the human being and rabbi named Y'shua ben Miriam came to serve Adonai and Am Israel and to invite the Goy (Gentiles) into communion with Adonai and His people. But some things went terribly wrong. The Jewish "Way" movement he established was taken over by Roman and Greek Pagans and fundamentally altered with what Yochanan the Emissary called the Nicolaitan heresy (Revelation 2:6 etc) but better known to us today as the Nicene heresies.

Y'shua ben Miriam was a devout, Torah observant P'rushim (Pharisee) and an orthodox rabbi. He did not establish a new religion. He established a New Covenant within Judaism. Those who enter into this New Covenant or B'rit Hadashah are "grafted into" or "adopted into" Am Israel ("People Israel"). Such people do not and will not ever replace the Jews; they become Jews in the same way as the other Jewish Movements (Orthodox, Reform, etc.).

HaShem is Echad (One). Adon Y'shua is His Son, the "firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15). HaShem is without beginning, middle or end. Adon Y'shua is my chief rabbi and the cohen gadol (high priest) of the world, whether he is accepted in that role or not. In due time (I believe soon) he will return and take up the mantle of mashiach (messiah). Adon Y'shua is a Jew and so are his talmidim (students).

I am an ordained rabbi through Temple Beth HaShem in Magalia, California. Our beliefs are different from many who call themselves "Messianic" and so on (many who use this term are merely Nicene Christians wrapped in a tallit and kipa, we are not). Our chief Rabbi, Larry Levine, is a Yeshiva educated Jew. He was raised Orthodox and came to faith in Y'shua's reform message. Our shul is Torah based in all things and observes Orthodox traditions in the main. I am not here to convert anyone into other beliefs however as a rabbi I am called to share my understandings and to learn from others.

I believe my beliefs in the Echad Elohiym of Israel fits the membership requirements of this site. If not, I will bow out with Shalom for the decision of the admins. If anyone wishes to discuss these topics or the points I raise in my blogs etc. I sincerely invite you to contact me.

Baruch Hashem,
B'ezrat Hashem
~ Rabbi Yochanan ben Avraham