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Introductory level material:
Most of what I recommend is reference material that you will continue to use throughout your entire walk. I suggest books that will also help get you up to speed and once you feel this has happened please check out my topical recommended lists. The reference materials will allow you to research a good number of things, as well answer a good number of questions you might have. I am sorry, but if you are going to truly study out Messianic Judaism to find about the Jewishness of the Christian faith as it existed in the first century common era, it is going to be expensive. At the Intermediate level, I will recommend more reference material, most of which will be the important Rabbinic works as well as Wisdom Literature and other Extra-Canonical Books. This also will not be cheap, but will be well worth it if you are the type of person who likes to study things out for yourself. It is necessary to read books from the people who have studied, but I also believe in equipping people to study the same books the studiers study as well as be able to double check the work of the studiers. PROVE ALL THINGS!!! (For a basic explanation of any of the books listed below click on the book. You will be directed to Amazon.com where you can not only read what the book is about, but you can read reviews and check out the author's sources)
Most of what I recommend is reference material that you will continue to use throughout your entire walk. I suggest books that will also help get you up to speed and once you feel this has happened please check out my topical recommended lists. The reference materials will allow you to research a good number of things, as well answer a good number of questions you might have. I am sorry, but if you are going to truly study out Messianic Judaism to find about the Jewishness of the Christian faith as it existed in the first century common era, it is going to be expensive. At the Intermediate level, I will recommend more reference material, most of which will be the important Rabbinic works as well as Wisdom Literature and other Extra-Canonical Books. This also will not be cheap, but will be well worth it if you are the type of person who likes to study things out for yourself. It is necessary to read books from the people who have studied, but I also believe in equipping people to study the same books the studiers study as well as be able to double check the work of the studiers. PROVE ALL THINGS!!! (For a basic explanation of any of the books listed below click on the book. You will be directed to Amazon.com where you can not only read what the book is about, but you can read reviews and check out the author's sources)
First off is the Bible:To do your study I use and recommend the KJV/ KJER I do not believe that the KJV always uses the best English words to convey the proper meaning, but I do believe that it is one of the very few Bibles that is based off of the proper manuscripts for both the Old and New Testament. Also, the King James Version is far from a “Messianic Translation”. But the I do not believe that the current Messianic Bibles use the correct underlying manuscripts.Concordance:Whatever Bible that you decide to go with, you must get a concordance that goes with that Bible. Always aim for an exhaustive concordance.Auxiliary Bible:I would highly recommend the Complete Jewish Bible : I would not recommend this as a study Bible. It does a decent job at a “Messianic” translation, but in my opinion it is based on the wrong manuscripts for both the Old and the New Testament. The main reason to get this Bible is for the abundant extras included. This Bible has fantastic helps.You should also consider archeological encyclopedias as well as Jewish history. Consider books by Alfred EdersheimMake sure that you take good notes when you read his books. (You can get all his books on the E-sword Bible program for free.)
Brad H. YoungAbsolute must have books whether you are new to Messianic Judaism or not. One of the very few Messianic Authors I actually recommend.
Phillip GoodmanHe has an “Anthology” series on the Festivals of the Lord. They contain valuable nuggets for your Festival studies. Well worth getting, but not at all and end all series to Festival studies, but rather a decent priced compliment to it.ArtscrollConsider “Festivals of the Lord” books, Tanach, Amidah and their History Books.Festival ServicesTo Pray as a Jew by R.' Hayim Halevy DoninIf you are simply looking to set up basic Festival services that would be acceptable and agreeable to almost any Conservative or Orthodox Jewish Congregations then this is the best book out there. If you want to get your services back to the times of the Second Temple, this is just one of the books you will need. Trust me, I’ve been working on that for over 4 ½ years. (I am nearly done with those services.)
For books on prayer consider Lawrence Hoffman and Rueven HammerHorizons of Jewish Prayer by Jeffrey M. CohenVery insightful, an absolute must read. He also has a “Questions and Answers” series on some of the Festivals of the Lord which are an absolute must have reference material.
The Ancient Synagogue the first 1000 years b y Lee I. LevineHuge book, most likely a once read so make sure that you take good notes.
Brad H. YoungAbsolute must have books whether you are new to Messianic Judaism or not. One of the very few Messianic Authors I actually recommend.
Phillip GoodmanHe has an “Anthology” series on the Festivals of the Lord. They contain valuable nuggets for your Festival studies. Well worth getting, but not at all and end all series to Festival studies, but rather a decent priced compliment to it.ArtscrollConsider “Festivals of the Lord” books, Tanach, Amidah and their History Books.Festival ServicesTo Pray as a Jew by R.' Hayim Halevy DoninIf you are simply looking to set up basic Festival services that would be acceptable and agreeable to almost any Conservative or Orthodox Jewish Congregations then this is the best book out there. If you want to get your services back to the times of the Second Temple, this is just one of the books you will need. Trust me, I’ve been working on that for over 4 ½ years. (I am nearly done with those services.)
For books on prayer consider Lawrence Hoffman and Rueven HammerHorizons of Jewish Prayer by Jeffrey M. CohenVery insightful, an absolute must read. He also has a “Questions and Answers” series on some of the Festivals of the Lord which are an absolute must have reference material.
The Ancient Synagogue the first 1000 years b y Lee I. LevineHuge book, most likely a once read so make sure that you take good notes.
