The primary difference between Ashkenazi Jews and Messianic Jews is that the former refers to a race i.e. Jews with a lineage from a particular region of the world while the latter is a sect of Judaism. This article is a closer examination of how these two types differ from each other and what defines them.
The History of Ashkenazi Jews
Medieval Judaism has two distinct divisions: the Ashkenazi Jews and the Sephardic Jews. These divisions were made purely on the geographical locations of the Jews. The Ashkenazi Jews are those who come from north-western Europe mainly western Germany and northern France. Today it also refers to Jews from Eastern Europe which includes Russia.
The original Ashkenazi Jews came from various communities in the region of Ashkenaz. This was the name given to Germany in Hebrew. In the modern context the term Ashkenazim characterizes most Jews. If you consider a case of the United States for example, you will find that a vast majority of the Jewish population are actually Ashkenazi Jews.
The customs and traditions of Ashkenazi Jews
This Jewish community has various customs and traditions that set them apart from their counterpart the Sephardic Jews.
Food: During Passover Ashkenazi Jews do not eat rice, millet, corn and legumes. The Jews of this category also eat milk products and fish together. The others do not mix the two.
Child naming: Ashkenazi Jews often name their children after a family member who is deceased. They never name them after relatives that are alive.
Clothing: With respect to their clothing the Ashkenazi Jewish people have set ways in which they wear certain clothing. This differentiates them from the other Jews. Let us take the example of the prayer shawl. Ashkenazic Jewish men wear this shawl only after their Bar Mitzvah or marriage. Other Jews wear it from early childhood. The Ashkenazic Jews also allow their married women and widows wear wigs.
Language: This group of Jewish people also has their own way of pronouncing Hebrew.
The beginning of Messianic Judaism
The Messianic Jews are not a very old sect. In fact the term Messianic Judaism only came into existence as late as 1895 in order to separate these Jews from the rest. Messianic Jews are distinctly different from the rest of the Jews in that they are believers in Jesus and the notion that he is the Messiah of the Jews. They however still follow the Torah and the Halakha along with the Scriptures and believe that obedience to this is a true expression of their faith. Messianic Jews are very much part of the Jewish people and while they follow the covenant, faith in Jesus (Yeshua) is also an integral part of their religion.
The difference between Messianic Judaism and Christianity
Just because Messianic Jews believe in Jesus or Yeshua, that does not make them Christian or similar to Christians. One must also note that Jews who convert to Christianity are Hebrew Jews and are not referred to as Messianic Jews. Messianic Jews observe biblical feasts and Jewish holidays. They do not observe the same holidays as the Christians. The day of worship for Messianic Jews is Friday evening going on to Saturday. Christians observe a day of worship on Sunday. Like these, there are many more factors that differentiate Messianic Jews from the Christians.