At the very center of Jewish life and thought, one finds the Torah. It is sacred text, master story, covenantal code, way of life, ongoing instruction, cosmic power, and integrative symbol. As Louis Jacobs has pointed out, "the terms ‘Judaism’ and ‘Torah’ are virtually interchangeable." Christian thought, on the other hand, has traditionally been ambivalent toward the Torah – affirming the continuing authority of the Pentateuch as instruction, but denying its covenantal validity and its continued detailed applicability. But as many Christian theologians have begun to overcome their heritage of supercessionism, they have also begun to revise their view of the Torah. In this new theological context, it is now necessary for Messianic Jews to develop a coherent and appreciative understanding of the role of the Torah for Messianic Judaism in the light of Yeshua’s teaching, work, and person, and to come to terms with the tradition of Rabbinic interpretation that has endured without interruption for two millenia.

To acquire an understanding of what the Torah is and how it has functioned historically as the center of Jewish thought and practice.
To understand the various perspectives on the Torah found in the Apostolic Writings within the context of the Jewish world of the time.
To explore the main options available to 21^st century Messianic Judaism in America as it seeks to observe the Torah and interact respectfully, creatively, and fruitfully with the Rabbinic heritage.

Balentine, Samuel. The Torah’s Vision of Worship. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999. [254 pages]
Bockmuehl, Markus. Jewish Law in Gentile Churches. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2000. [240 pages].
Goldberg, Michael. Why Should Jews Survive? New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. [178 pages]
Halivni, David Weiss. Revelation Restored. Boulder: Westview, 1997. [101 pages]
Levenson, Jon. Sinai and Zion. San Francisco: Harper, 1985. [217 pages]
Scholem, Gershom. On the Kabbalah and Its Symbolism. New York: Schocken, 1965. [Only Chapter 2: 55 pages]
Tomson, Peter. "If this be from Heaven…" Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001. [427 pages]

Berkovits, Eliezer. Not in Heaven. Ktav, 1983.
Crusemann, Frank. The Torah. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1996.
Gruber, Daniel. Rabbi Akiba’s Messiah. Hanover, NH: Elijah, 1999.
Halivni, David Weiss. Peshat and Derash. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.
Heschel, Abraham Joshua. God in Search of Man. New York: Noonday, 1955.

Two 1,000-1,500 word comparative book reviews of: (1) Balentine and Levenson; and (2) Bockmuehl and Tomson. Three 500-750 word book reviews of: (1) Halivni; (2) Goldberg; and (3) Scholem.