What is wrong with the Hebrew Roots Movement?

Even though the motivation behind the Hebrew Roots Movement (Torahism) might include some noble ambitions, their teachings contain dangerous ideas. We're going to look at the three biggest dangers of this false belief system, and hear some real stories about how those teachings damage families, friendships, and even churches.

OTHER HELPFUL VIDEOS:
Five tips for responding to Torah-keeping family and friends:

How the Hebrew Roots movement misses the mark:

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CHAPTERS
00:00 What's the big deal with the Hebrew Roots Movement?
00:27 What is Torahism (aka Hebrew Roots, Torah-observant Christianity)
01:49 Salvation vs. obedience
03:20 Danger #1: Torahism is unbiblical
06:52 Danger #2: Torahism is divisive
13:23 Danger #3: Torahism undermines Christ
19:17 Wrap it up, Solberg

Subtítulos disponibles en español
Aunque la motivación detrás del Movimiento de Raíces Hebreas (Toraísmo) puede incluir algunas ambiciones nobles, sus enseñanzas contienen ideas peligrosas. Voy a compartir con ustedes algunas historias reales sobre cómo esas enseñanzas dañan a las familias, las amistades e incluso las iglesias mientras observamos los tres peligros más grandes de este sistema de creencias falsas.

[jaylar]

4:06 ...
1 John 2:3-6 "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

[thelighthouse]

My husband after being in the hebrew roots movement for well over 12 years and I for well over 3 officially left the movement about 6 months ago after carefully studying the word from front to back. Every stament you've said thus far on this is true, and that why we walked away from it.

[amjz]

“For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11:16-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

[Blockishbookhead]

I appreciate your concerns about those in the Hebrew Roots movement who are becoming a stumbling block. But those people exist everywhere in all types of movements from Minimalism to veganism. That has less to do with following God’s law and more to do with sinful man. God’s law was given so we could love Him and others and be in right relationship with Him. The fault is not with His law but with our ability to keep it perfectly. That is the salvation of grace through Jesus Christ. But that doesn’t give us license to ignore God’s law. It gives us freedom to try and fail and try and fail until He completes His finished work in us as He writes His law on our hearts and we desire and love to live His ways. Law and grace are not at odds. Trying to do the law in our own strength to earn salvation is death. Trying to do it with grace to fail is life, abundant life. I have tried to live without the law and I nearly died from the consequences. I endured pain and suffering because I didn’t walk in His ways. As a prodigal returned, I love His law and am so thankful for it. It is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I tell people about all of God’s Word (Torah included) because I want them to have abundant life and avoid the pain that comes from sin. Things like remembering the Shema each morning and evening and wearing Tzitzit are so helpful for me in my walk with God. They bring my mind that is prone to distraction back to Him and remind me why I am here to love Him with all I’ve got. The longer I live the more I understand why God tells us to do these things, even the small seemingly insignificant things. Shalom!

[JonathanGrandt]

Many times they will take a soft approach that says they don’t want to push their beliefs on anyone and then in a very short time they are telling you that you aren’t really even saved.

[kimartist]

Paul the Pharisee said Torah keepers are under a curse:

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"
~ Galatians 1 : 8

"As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!"
~ Galatians 1 : 9

"For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'"
~ Galatians 3 : 10

The Torah itself curses Torah keepers who fail to keep Torah:

"Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out."
~ Deuteronomy 27 : 26

Do you know anyone who does any of these?

"At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts."
~ Deuteronomy 15 : 1

"If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need."
~ Deuteronomy 15 : 7

"Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you."
~ Deuteronomy 16 : 16ff

"If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.' Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid."
~ Deuteronomy 21 : 18ff

"When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof."
~ Deuteronomy 22 : 8

Guaranteed anyone who says they keep the law has not actually read it, because if they read it they would realize not only how much of it they have broken already, but how much of it is impossible to keep without a Temple in Jerusalem plus how much of it would run afoul of the lands that they live in if they went around stoning people for various offenses.

Voluntarily keeping a tradition(s) (eating certain foods, worshipping on certain days, celebrating certain feasts, etc.) is one thing, but requiring oneself/other people people to do so & puffing up with religious pride & claiming one is KEEPING THE LAW by so doing is a sure recipe for coming under the curses of God.

[christinadufek]

I appreciate this conversation, biblical views and gentle explinations. I can only speak from experience, that there is a richness in observing the Lord's Holy Days. I would never tell another believer they have to, and we are to pursue peace with one another as much as possible. But I can not deny the blessing of setting aside mainstream Christian ideas to walk in more solid biblical observances. There is a line that can be easily crossed, which causes pride and division. But for those walking humbly with the Lord, He has something beautiful for those willing to step out into the pasture. Willing to question, 'Why do you do what you do?" And willing to 'leave Egypt', in a sense. There is freedom from bondage, a deeper side of connection between Jesus and the OT to be found. One must walk by faith, and follow the Shephard. If done correctly, there is nothing to be afraid of. Sadly, many have crossed that line and there lies the bad fruit, false theology and spiritual deception.

[hosea]

Ezekiel 36:19
So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds.

Deuteronomy 28:64
Moreover, the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth; and there you shall serve other gods, wood and stone, which you or your fathers have not known.

Zechariah 10:9
“When I scatter them among the peoples,
They will remember Me in far countries,
And they with their children will live and come back.

James 1:1
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Matthew 15:24
But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

There are two houses the House of Israel, and the House of Judah. The House of Judah was made up of Judah, Benjamin, and some of Levi. The House of Israel were the remaining 10 northern tribes that were dispersed into the nations and lost their identities as shown in the verses above which is what James, peter, and Matthew are referring too. It’s was prophesied in Isaiah 11 that Yah will once again gather his people for a second time(Greater Exodus). Now that we have the groundwork established, Paul also stated in Romans 11 that the gentiles are grafted into the common wealth of Israel. He is referring the the regathering of the lost sheep of Israel, those from the dispersion.


Jeremiah 31:31-33
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The new covenant is with Israel and Judah(two houses), not “The church”. If you aren’t a part of Israel or Judah then you aren’t in the new covenant. As said above we are grafted into Israel and that is how we are a part of this new covenant. However it’s more of a renewal contract. The terms are the same(keeping Yah’s Law) but the people are different(think of the parable of the wedding guests).

Exodus 12:49
One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”

There has always been one law for the native born and the stranger in their midst, and now that very law is written on our hearts.


Sin is transgression of the Law 1 John 3:4, if it was a sin when the messiah walked the earth then it is still a sin today. For example if it is okay to eat unclean meats like pork then why is every mention of swine in the bible(new and old) in the negative context; Lev. 11:7, Deu.14:8, Isa. 66:5, Isa. 66:3, Isa. 66:17, Pro.11:22, Matt. 7:6, Matt. 8:30-32, Mark 5:11-13, Luke 8:32-33, Luke 15:15-16, 2peter 2:22. Why does Isaiah 66 say that eaters of swines flesh will be destroyed by fire upon the Day of the Lord.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:15-17‬ ‭‬‬
“For behold, the Lord will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword The Lord will judge all flesh; And the slain of the Lord shall be many. “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together, ” says the Lord.”

You say that “Torahism” is unbiblical when in reality it is the true biblical world view and more and more people are coming to that realization.

[christopherdeans]

They are prideful. My experience with them is they cancel you if you even question them.

[jaylar]

19:15
If the destruction of the temple signifies the Law becoming obsolete -- if the temple itself has become forever obsolete, then why do passages like Isaiah 2, Jeremiah 31, Micah 4, point to a future time when all nations will again go up to worship God at His temple in Jerusalem?

[pastordavidberman]

Problem is brother; many of them do not accept Paul.

[BeeMumU]

Went through this over a decade ago when our church was upheaved because the Pastor (with no prior Biblical training) was listening to a few Hebrew Roots websites/YouTubes and one day started running down the road with this and dragged an entire congregation of both new and mature Christians along with him who stumbled along trying to pick up the pieces. It divided and destroyed the church for a season. But, God restored a remnant and the church has healed now from the damage done and is thriving. Unfortunately, that pastor now has his own YouTube channel and is teaching a Hebraic roots/ Hebrew Israelite combined doctrine now. Honestly, right before this happened, the church was growing, maturing and growing strong in unity and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Glad to see it restored now. So thankful for your time and effort to put this out there!!

[davidward]

Galatians 5:4 settles the issue for me and expresses the true danger of this movement.

[gilbertcarrasco]

Thanks! I'm dealing with this at work right now. I noticed that since I started getting closer to God by obeying him I am getting more attacks. A person I work with said that when I stand before God I will be thrown into the lake of fire because I go to church to worship on Sunday and because of this I'm not keeping the Sabbath. He says Sunday Worship is the mark of the beast. Please help me give me some guidance thank you God bless you.

[Slktrx]

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned.

Baptism is essential to salvation, obedience is essential to salvation.

The question then is obedience to what! The ten commandments are commandments to be obeyed.

The forth commandment of the ten is the keeping of the Sabbath.

If it is permissible to break it then it's permissible to lie, steal, and cheat as well.

Yes salvation is by grace and through faith buy faith in what?

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus kept the Sabbath and the high Sabbaths as well. He taught by example that others were to do like wise.

[primalway]

" if your faith isn't strong enough to change your behavior to align with God's standards, what makes you think it will be strong enough to change your destiny?"

Don't use God's love and grace and patience to slip out of his defined loving commands. You know better.

[steveharris]

You seem like a very sound teacher! I'm surprised you don't have more subscribers! I pray God will give you many more!

[williamking]

I was a seventh day adventist, and have a brother law that was condemned for not keeping the sabbath. Also sense being one my life has changed for the worse. I hope for your prayers.

[vandyred]

Let me try to be clear on this subject... First of all I don't think I would call myself a Hebrew Roots movement kind of guy I have basic Christianity in my heart from Early childhood just like you maybe I don't know your story... But what you really really really really really really really really should understand and have so much love about is that this is a whole generation of brothers and sisters and something to maybe consider giving more thought of trying to watch your words when you say the things like dangerous or anything negative because this thing is going to be bigger than you no and I think you know this already or you wouldn't be making a video about it... Either way these are people who have been abused in some way by modern-day Christianity and they are still holding on to what they know they should Love somehow and trying to find their way back in and some kind of honest way that makes sense and the law of Moses is the only thing that makes sense right now... These people are almost the equivalent of the Protestant Reformation.... You need to understand that they are not out there calling anyone to observe the law or it's a salvation issue... They are all on a path of trying to break down their bad Christianity and build it back up new inside something that is related to or a little bit closer to the Jews then it has been once before.. grasping to the Sabbath because they used to know Sundays... Figuring out the reason why they went to church on Sunday in the first place and that's always a bummer., . We really need to find a way to open our arms up and have a good theology for new members and or our children so that things like brainwashing, colts, replacement theology and or racism or whatever does not happen to anyone else and God forbid anyone being lost because our Lord and savior was not presented correctly or in the right manner...

[markpercival]

This is an interesting take concerning Bible interpretation; it is unfortunate that most of Christendom today follow the “replacement theology” style as you appear to do, this rings alarm bells in itself. May I humbly remind you of the warning that James gave concerning those that would set themselves up as teachers… Jas 3:1 (ESV) “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
As I watched your piece I noted many things that you spoke were indeed correct concerning Jesus Christ being our King and High Priest. Moses prophesied the coming of the Messiah.
Deu 18:18-19 (KJV) “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (19) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken [H8085 shema. (Hear and obey)] unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”

With this in mind let us now turn to the words that Jesus spoke as recorded for us…

Mathew 5:17-20 (KJV) “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil*. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
*Make complete. (G4137).

I find that the reconciliation between your teaching here and the words the Jesus spoke in the above scripture impossible to correlate, furthermore, I find it surprising that you seem not to be familiar with the apostle John’s words in 1Jn 3:4 (KJV) “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
What do we call people who refuse to obey the law? Lawless, that does not take a master’s degree to deduce.

I feel sure that you will agree with me when I say that, when reading God’s word we must read it exegetically, the scripture you used in an attempt to justify all meats as being clean is a common misconception.
Mar 7:19 (ESV) “… since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
However, the King James version says:
Mar 7:19 (KJV) “Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging* all meats?”
*Causing evacuation from.

Most Bible scholars agree that the words “Thus he declared all foods clean” are a later interpolation and out of the context of the discussion. This shows us how important it is to read the scriptures in context, here the religious leaders were accusing Jesus of breaking the rabbinic traditions (netilat yadayim) by allowing his disciples to eat bread without the ritual washing of their hands, it has absolutely nothing to do with eating meat.

I hope this has shed some light on the truth for you, but I encourage you and all that read this insight to be like the Bereans, do not just take anyone’s word for it, make the truth your own and do not read through a Hellenistic filter.

As a final thought…

1Jn 5:1-5 (KJV) Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Jesus told us all to "follow me", if Jesus kept torah impeckably don't you think we should too?

Shalom Aleichem.