What is a Mikraite?

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What is a Mikraite?

fschmidt
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This post was updated on .
Mikraites attempt to follow an old book, the Old Testament, as an alternative to modern culture.  The word "Mikra" means Old Testament in Hebrew.  Unlike the New Testament and the Quran, the Old Testament does not require faith.  It only requires moral action.  This makes Mikraite a real alternative to faith-based religions.  We also think that the fact that modern culture hates the Old Testament more than any other book is a good sign that the Old Testament is a very good book.

The Old Testament specifically supports trust ("You must not act deceptively or lie to one another." - Leviticus 19:11) and cooperation ("love your neighbor as yourself" - Leviticus 19:18, "If you come across your enemy's stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.  If you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying helpless under its load, and you want to refrain from helping it, you must help with it." - Exodus 23:4-5).  We are a very small group, but we are serious about helping each other succeed in business and in personal life.  You will not find anything like this level of cooperation in modern culture.

We have chosen a set of six required practices which we believe will select for good people and exclude bad people.

1.  Make the Mikraite Declaration.
2.  Keep the Sabbath.
3.  Help Each Other
4.  Keep Passover.
5.  Dress modestly.
6.  Have no tattoos.

We are not like Rabbinic Judaism which is based on the Talmud.  Rabbinic Judaism defines members by who your mother is.  We define a Mikraite as one who follows the required practices.  Unlike Rabbinic Judaism, we consider God to be reasonable and understandable.  Deuteronomy 6:24 makes clear that the commandments are for our benefit, and therefore we can analyze the commandments based on how they benefit us.

If this sounds interesting to you, please join us for an Old Testament reading.
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Re: What is Biblic Judaism?

Andrew Matthews
While we're at it, Franklin, I'd love to hear your take on this site:  http://chaver.com/index.html, specifically the whole concept of "woven texts."

Thanks!

Andrew
Andrew Matthews
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Re: What is Biblic Judaism?

fschmidt
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I looked this site over a little bit.  It seems quite Talmudic.  The Rabbinic view is to try to find meaning in the Bible in many different ways, but the Karaite view is to simply use the plain meaning of the text.  I sympathize with the Karaite view.  The plain meaning is enough for me, and I would rather combined that with my knowledge of history and science than to look for esoteric ways of interpreting the Bible.  But I haven't really given this site a fair hearing yet.  When I know Hebrew better, I will look at this site again.
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Re: What is Biblic Judaism?

Andrew Matthews
In reply to this post by fschmidt
Thanks, Franklin. Of course, first the basic have to be learned, but I'm sure you're well aware of the importance of genre and literary composition for meaning.  
Andrew Matthews
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Re: What is Biblic Judaism?

David Yochanan
In reply to this post by fschmidt
This looks interesting.
I agree that there is a 'market' for a 'community' of people who agree on a Jewish approach to life.
Personally I cannot convert at the moment because of family reasons but I have converted '/ adopted formally to Humanistic Judaism.
But I think this approach means that we are Jewish by consent, not by descent.
And it could go far, I will 'watch this space'
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Re: What is a Mikraite?

TheAmalek
In reply to this post by fschmidt
Very interesting indeed...

I don't like modern culture either and a lot of this appeals to me.