The Religious Community of Orthodox Netzarim is a religious association of men and women, old and young, united in their commitment to Torah study. We are not associated with modern day “Messianic” or any new age or new religious groups or cults.
We are dedicated to living a Torah observant lifestyle in a modern day setting, without compromising God-given truths of the Scriptures, as taught by the historical teachers of the Torah including Rabbi Yeshua ha’Mashiach and those whom he appointed.
The Religious Community of Orthodox Netzarim is a non-selective Torah observant community which believes in the Oneness of God (Deut. 6:4), in His Torah given to us through Moses, and in a future Redeemer. We adhere to the “Thirteen Principles of Faith” outlined by Maimonides.
Renewal of the Covenant
“Gather to Him, His hasidim, who have made a covenant with Me with sacrifice.” (Psalm 50:5)
“He exalts the horn of His people, the praise of all His hasidim – the B’nai Yisrael, a people near to Him. Praise Yah!” (Psalm 148:14)
The Teacher of Righteousness is extending an invitation to the nations to take his hand and come into a covenant with him – that a remnant from the world is being accepted by the Creator.
Mar Chayim bar Ya’aqub, of blessed memory, once said: “I shall turn my hand to the nations and take from among them a remnant who covenants with the Father, all those who give honour to the God of Israel and to His Torah. This is a new covenant that is being made with those who call upon the Name of the Lord Yahweh. In it is eternal life.”
Synod
This is a basic outline of the senior officers of the Assembly of Jerusalem (The Religious Community of Orthodox Netzarim), for those who are not aware.
Moreh ha’Tzedek
The Moreh ha’Tzedek is another word for the English “Teacher of Righteousness.” He is the Chief Rabbi (Rabban) of the Assembly.
Beit Knushta (Sanhedrin)
The Beit Knushta (a phrase meaning the governing “house of assembly”) consists of senior elders with various councils and committees of other members. All members of the Beit Knushta come from the blessed family of Ya’aqub ha’Tzadik which has been the practice of Essenes (Netzarim) since the early 100’s C.E. Almost all members are very advanced in age. Their main responsibilities are concerned with Netzarim halacha. The head of the Beit Knushta is the Teacher of Righteousness.
The General Council
Moreh ha’Tzedek
Rabbi Ya’aqub (Secretary General), China
Rabbi Saul, Iran
Rabbi Andrew, Iran
Hakham/Sofer Nehemiah Cohen (Sofer/Scribe), USA
Hakham/Sofer Jacob, USA, retired 18 February 2014 due to eye sight
Rabbanim
A Rabban is defined as a senior rabbi who teaches. The term is rarely used today, with the exception of a few high ranking clerics appointed by the Teacher of Righteousness.
Mebaqqer
The Assembly has what equates to the office of “Bishop” – this is called a “Mebaqqer.” Those with this responsibility oversee specific territories. For example, such a cleric may be assigned to India or Japan.
Priest
A priest is one who is born in the Kahein line and helps make intercession for all of us. We used to use the term “priest” in two different ways, but to avoid any confusion as to what the Biblical priest is, this term is now only applied to those born in the Kahein line.
Rabbi
Rabbis are usually assigned to a local congregation, and sometimes, depending on circumstances, more than one congregation, or even to an entire country. They look to the Mebaqqer as their immediate supervisor.
Other Offices
Among the Netzarim there are also:
Levites – Those who are born in the Levite line and assist the Kahein.
Prophets – This one is self explanatory. A person is called to serve as a prophet, no one chooses this “office”.
Scribes – Those who serve as scribes are responsible for making sure the congregations and individual members who might be in isolated areas have access to Torah and other Scrolls, the most recent publications, translation, and various other responsibilities. Most of our scribes live in seclusion so that their work is not hindered by the world outside.
General Staff of the Torah Scribe Library
The staff members care for translation, editing, publishing, correspondence and other duties assigned to each one by Moreh ha’Tzedek.
- Nehemiah Cohen
- Abraham Hassan (USA)
- Benyamin Kyriakos (Iran)
Previous Members of the Staff
- Miriam Hadida (USA) – Deceased
- Hakham Jacob (USA) – Retired
Conversion
Those who wish to be active participants in the nation of Israel are required to undergo a simple conversion process. This includes acknowledging the God of Israel (abandoning and renouncing all other gods), circumcision, and following the Torah to the best of one’s ability. It is imperative for a person who is contemplating conversion to Judaism to abandon all creeds that are outside of the Tanakh with the belief that any creed that is not directly from Torah are mere teachings of men. These three steps make a man or woman an Israelite. As far as circumcision is concerned, only infants undergo an actual circumcision, while older children and adults undergo a symbolic circumcision where an earlobe is slightly pricked to draw a single, tiny drop of blood. Only males are circumcised.
Those who wish to be active participants within The Religious Community of Orthodox Netzarim additional information will be provided as to how to become members. However, if you are a non-Jew you are encouraged to follow the Seven Noahide Laws rather than converting to Judaism. The goal of The Religious Community of Orthodox Netzarim is not to actively proselytize non-Jews, but to encourage all Israel to worship the One True God and to follow Torah.
“When a stranger shall live as a foreigner with you, and will keep the Passover to YHWH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one who is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.” (Exodus 12:48)
“Also the foreigners who join themselves to YHWH, to minister to him, and to love the Name of YHWH, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:6,7)
Can one still remain a member of another religion and convert to the House of Israel? Not at all. There is no such thing as “Messianic Netzarim” or “Christian Netzarim.” There are certain elements in other religions that are diametrically opposed to the faith of Orthodox Netzarim. A real and personal commitment to the Commandments of the Torah and the faith and teachings of Yeshua ha’Mashiach are required.