The Law of Messiah: Volume 1

This book is in two volumes. Its uniqueness is in its commentary of the Commandments of Torah from a New Covenant perspective, its cross-references to the mitzvot compiled by Maimonides and other classical commentators, and its utility as a handbook and a framework for biblical study and research.

In modern times until recently, the New Covenant and the Kit'vei B'rit Chadashah (New Testament) were considered solely Christian while God's Law as an approach to biblical living has been considered exclusively Jewish and limited to the commandments given through Moses. In addition to mainstream Judaism's having rejected Yeshua as Messiah, a chasm of interpretation and application of Scripture developed between Judaism and Christianity such that Judaism's approach to holiness has come to be through obedience to law, while Christianity's approach has largely been through faith and grace apart from law. The resurgence of Jewish belief in Messiah Yeshua in the Twentieth Century has created the need for a fresh look at God's law applied with New Covenant principles and the Holy Spirit's interpretation, and taking into account historic Rabbinical interpretations as well. This book seeks to fulfill that need by codifying and commenting on God's mitzvot wherever they may be found in the Torah, the Nev'im, the Ketuvim, while cross-referencing to the Besorah (Gospels) and the Apostolic Writings.

Rabbi Dr. Michael Rudolph was born and raised in New York City, the third generation of Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Russia. He studied mathematics, science, medicine, and law, became a member of the bars of Virginia and the District of Columbia in 1968, and practiced law until 2006 at which time he transitioned to full-time ministry. He holds a B.S. in applied mathematics from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, a J.D. from The George Washington University School of Law, a Th.M. from Messiah Biblical Institute, and a D.Min. from online study at Trinity School of Theology & Apologetics. His Messianic rabbinical ordination is from Tikkun International. Dr. Rudolph came to faith in Messiah Yeshua in 1976, founded congregation Ahavat Yeshua in Washington, D.C. in 1985, and served as Ohev Yisrael Messianic Jewish Congregation's senior leader in Northern Virginia from 2006 to 2018. He is the author of "Disputes, Discipline and Reconciliation in the Body of Believers," and co-author with Dr. Juster of "The Law of Messiah: Torah from a New Covenant Perspective." He currently serves as a rabbi at Ohev Yisrael, an Associate Shaliach of Tikkun America, and is a founding member of the UMJC's Judiciary Committee. Dr. Rudolph resides in Maryland with Marie, his beloved wife of forty-five years and partner in ministry and in all other of life's endeavors.