As Christians, we know Jesus the Savior, but rarely do we stop to consider Jesus the Rabbi. For centuries, Jesus has been viewed through a post-Gentile lens. Rediscovering Jesus within His Jewish identity does not diminish Christian faith; it deepens and enriches it.
To understand Jesus fully, we must return to first-century Judaism. He was a Torah-observant Jew and true rabbi, born into a devout household. His father Joseph, described as a carpenter (nagar), an Aramaic term that also refers metaphorically to a learned man or Torah scholar. Jesus’ upbringing was steeped in halakhah (legal interpretation of Torah). Jesus grew up in a kosher home, attended synagogue, observed the Sabbath, and regularly studied the Torah. The ultimate sign of His devotion as a pious Jew was His reverence for observing biblical feasts (John 10:22).
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
The book of Luke records that Jesus regularly taught in synagogues (Luke 4:15–16, 32–33, 44, KJV). “And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee” (Luke 4:44, KJV). His teaching reflected the Hasidim, pietistic rabbis who interpreted Torah through chesed (lovingkindness). Each rabbi’s “yoke” modeled living the commandments, which disciples followed. When Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you… and ye shall find rest” (Matt. 11:29, KJV), He extended a familiar rabbinic invitation to all.
To order Jonathan Cahn’s new book, The Avatar, visit Amazon.com.
His yoke contrasted with other rabbis who “bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne” (Matthew 23:4, KJV). Jesus’ halakhah was grounded in mercy, justice, and humility: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:30, KJV).
His miracles and teachings were inseparable. Crowds came to hear the Torah interpreted with authority and to be healed. He declared, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matt. 5:17, KJV). In rabbinic idiom, lekayem (fulfill) means to interpret Torah correctly; levatel (destroy) means to misinterpret it. Jesus positioned Himself as one restoring God’s original intent.
He lived as a hasid (pious one), serving the poor, healing the sick and welcoming the outcast, embodying Isaiah’s prophecy: “A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench” (Isa. 42:3, KJV). His halakhah did not crush; it restored.
Jesus often taught in mashalim (parables) – His unique tools for transformation – revealing the Malkut Shemayim (kingdom of heaven) and calling for covenantal obedience. To first-century Jews, the form was familiar, but His content was radical: clarifying God’s commandments, inviting transformation and calling for allegiance to God’s reign.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
When Jesus said, “Follow me,” He was calling for us to take His yoke – to walk as He walked. Knowing Jesus, the Rabbi, restores the fullness of His identity. To know Him is to understand the soil from which He sprang and to respond to His invitation:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…” (Matt.11:28–29, KJV).
Dr. Michelle Corral is the founder of the Day of Destiny podcast and CEO of Breath of the Spirit Ministries, Dr. Corral has spent more than 45 years spreading the prophetic Word of God worldwide. Through Chesed for Humanity International, she provides global humanitarian aid and shares destiny-focused principles through her books, broadcasts and outreach.
