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They Loved the Torah: What Yeshua's First Followers Really Thought about the Law
Did Yeshua observe the Law? Did Paul teach his congregations to abandon the Torah? Was the devout Jew, Peter, persuaded that the Commandments were cancelled? The answers you'll find in this book may surprise you! Even though many Jews believe that Paul taught against the Law, this book disproves that notion. Most Christians are disconnected from the Torah; reading this book will reconnect them. Dr. Friedman makes an excellent case for his premise that all the first followers of Messiah were not only Torah-observant, but also desired to spread their love for God's entire Word to the Gentiles to whom they preached. Part 1 Yeshua and the Torah Part 2 Yeshua's Talmidim and the Torah Part 3 Reactions to the Torah Observance of Yeshua and His Followers Part 4 Torah Observance: Legalism or Love? David Friedman, former academic dean of King of Kings College in Jerusalem, holds a Ph.D. in Judaic studies and an M.A. in Arabic.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
23 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
David Friedman
96 books23 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 19, 2025
What an interesting read as someone who is both a Messianic follower of the Torah, and a non-Jew at the same time.
It’s interesting because I resonate with the arguments Friedman presents regarding the practice of Old Testament teachings among the Messiah and His followers, however I ultimately gave this book two stars due to the lack of clarity in the design of the book.
Friedman never designated the audience for his book, and even upon finishing, it is still confusing to me who the book was written to, and the ideal objectives for a reader to take away and apply to their life. The disciples followed the Torah— now clearly what do we do with that information? How do these arguments hold up against popular modern-day arguments teaching that the law was abolished?
I had a few theological disagreements as well, particularly pertaining to Chapter 13 and the discussion revolving around Gentile believers, but truly it’s the lack of clear objectives, clarification of audience and background from the author that altogether make this a difficult read to navigate.
If you’re interested in the Messianic Jew perspective on how Torah fits into the New Testament, it’s a confusing but okay read.
***IF you’re looking for a good book about modern day application of the law for ALL believers, I highly recommend The Truth: Reformation 2.0 by Luke Abaffy!
It’s interesting because I resonate with the arguments Friedman presents regarding the practice of Old Testament teachings among the Messiah and His followers, however I ultimately gave this book two stars due to the lack of clarity in the design of the book.
Friedman never designated the audience for his book, and even upon finishing, it is still confusing to me who the book was written to, and the ideal objectives for a reader to take away and apply to their life. The disciples followed the Torah— now clearly what do we do with that information? How do these arguments hold up against popular modern-day arguments teaching that the law was abolished?
I had a few theological disagreements as well, particularly pertaining to Chapter 13 and the discussion revolving around Gentile believers, but truly it’s the lack of clear objectives, clarification of audience and background from the author that altogether make this a difficult read to navigate.
If you’re interested in the Messianic Jew perspective on how Torah fits into the New Testament, it’s a confusing but okay read.
***IF you’re looking for a good book about modern day application of the law for ALL believers, I highly recommend The Truth: Reformation 2.0 by Luke Abaffy!
February 21, 2019
In a world that was remotely knowledgeable about the Bible, writing a book like this should be akin to carrying coals to Newcastle. After all, it should be glaringly obvious that the apostles kept the Sabbath and holy days and food laws and that their approach was obedient to the point of being scrupulously so when it came to the laws of God, whatever their disagreements about aspects of nonbiblical traditions. It should go without saying that I have myself heard sermons and written blog entries and even longer works concerning some of the matters the author discusses in the book. Both from direct biblical citation as well as a great deal of sound inference the author proves decisively the pronomian position of Jesus Christ (consistently called Yeshua here in honor of its original pronunciation) and the early apostles and leaders (who the author tends to call by their Aramaic names as well). I personally think that this sort of Messianic Jewish book is the kind I appreciate the best because its approach is essentially the same as my own, as well as its view of the relationship between law and grace and early Christianity and the Second Temple Judaism it sprang from.
This short book of a bit over 100 pages contains fourteen chapters and various other material divided into four parts. The author begins with a foreword and preface that demonstrate the author's own commitment to the law and his joy in expounding upon it. The first part of the book consists of four chapters that examine the question of the Torah observance of Jesus and his family--starting with his family (1), then looking at Jesus' Sabbath observance (2), then looking at Jesus' view of the dietary laws (3), and then discussing other examples of Jesus' Torah observance (4), none of which should be surprising to readers. The author then turns his attention to the Torah observance of early disciples, including how Paul lived (5), the Torah observance of Peter (6), Torah observance in the writings of John (7), and some notes from other early Torah-observant believers (8). The third part of the book consists of three chapters that examine the response of others to Jesus' observance of God's laws, including the common people (9), Jewish leaders in Jerusalem (10), and those encountered in the book of Acts and beyond (11). After this the author address the question of whether this Torah observance was legalism or love with a discussion of love, grace and mercy in the early messianic community (12), obedience as a sign of love to the nations (13), and thoughts on what God's law says about observing the law (14), after which there is a conclusion and an epilogue and various supplementary material.
Reading a book like this one leaves me with several questions. For one, why is this sort of book necessary? Is the Bible so little read with understanding that someone felt it necessary to detail the various and obvious ways that Jesus Christ and the early believers were obedient to God's laws in ways that are foreign to contemporary Hellenistic Christians? The author likely views these as rhetorical questions to be answered in the affirmative. Similarly, the reasoning of Jesus Christ is so obviously drawn from the rabbinical styles of his day that there is no question that early Christianity sprang from Second Temple Judaism with its many divisions and quarrels over the legitimacy of various authorities and various traditions, in which He and His followers were certainly distinctive but were by no means outside of the community in terms of their approach. The course of history has hardened the feelings of many followers of Jesus Christ and many self-professed Jews towards each other, but this gulf is not one of hostility to God's laws by those who are genuine followers of the Messiah. In addition to these concerns about the content of the book and its concerns, I am left with the question of how I would be considered myself by the author of the book and others like him, given their own considerable concerns about Jewish identity questions.
This short book of a bit over 100 pages contains fourteen chapters and various other material divided into four parts. The author begins with a foreword and preface that demonstrate the author's own commitment to the law and his joy in expounding upon it. The first part of the book consists of four chapters that examine the question of the Torah observance of Jesus and his family--starting with his family (1), then looking at Jesus' Sabbath observance (2), then looking at Jesus' view of the dietary laws (3), and then discussing other examples of Jesus' Torah observance (4), none of which should be surprising to readers. The author then turns his attention to the Torah observance of early disciples, including how Paul lived (5), the Torah observance of Peter (6), Torah observance in the writings of John (7), and some notes from other early Torah-observant believers (8). The third part of the book consists of three chapters that examine the response of others to Jesus' observance of God's laws, including the common people (9), Jewish leaders in Jerusalem (10), and those encountered in the book of Acts and beyond (11). After this the author address the question of whether this Torah observance was legalism or love with a discussion of love, grace and mercy in the early messianic community (12), obedience as a sign of love to the nations (13), and thoughts on what God's law says about observing the law (14), after which there is a conclusion and an epilogue and various supplementary material.
Reading a book like this one leaves me with several questions. For one, why is this sort of book necessary? Is the Bible so little read with understanding that someone felt it necessary to detail the various and obvious ways that Jesus Christ and the early believers were obedient to God's laws in ways that are foreign to contemporary Hellenistic Christians? The author likely views these as rhetorical questions to be answered in the affirmative. Similarly, the reasoning of Jesus Christ is so obviously drawn from the rabbinical styles of his day that there is no question that early Christianity sprang from Second Temple Judaism with its many divisions and quarrels over the legitimacy of various authorities and various traditions, in which He and His followers were certainly distinctive but were by no means outside of the community in terms of their approach. The course of history has hardened the feelings of many followers of Jesus Christ and many self-professed Jews towards each other, but this gulf is not one of hostility to God's laws by those who are genuine followers of the Messiah. In addition to these concerns about the content of the book and its concerns, I am left with the question of how I would be considered myself by the author of the book and others like him, given their own considerable concerns about Jewish identity questions.
May 20, 2018
This book was a bit difficult, but very good. It makes a very good case and I think a correct one on how Jesus and his disciples love of Torah shaped all their actions. This can be more difficult to wrap ones head around if you've have some types of Christian theology driven into you that the law is "bad" or "over" or "useless". I'd recommend this book for anyone wanting to get behind the words and actions of Jesus and his followers in their 2nd Temple Torah observant context.
March 31, 2008
A good look at Torah observance in the New Testament.
October 30, 2008
A great source for scripture passages dealing with Torah observance in the New Testament as well as God Fearers.
November 23, 2017
Despite being a relatively quick read, my main critique of this book is that it could have been even quicker. Something like the first ten chapters felt like formulaic essays giving examples of individuals following the Torah. Some of this needed to be said, certainly, but in not so many words perhaps. It felt like Friedman also repeated himself often, perhaps as though each chapter could be read on its own apart from the whole? I definitely appreciated his insight and found his position to be a welcome challenge to what is commonly believed. It also gave me a new appreciation for the Old Testament as a whole. This book was a thorough introduction to an idea I hope to delve deeper into in the future.
January 21, 2024
Excellent work!
This book is educational and clearly shows that it was never Yeshua's intention or desire to "destroy the Law". If you are a believer in Yeshua the Messiah, you are fully expected to obey the Law or the Torah as He and His disciples or students did.
This book is educational and clearly shows that it was never Yeshua's intention or desire to "destroy the Law". If you are a believer in Yeshua the Messiah, you are fully expected to obey the Law or the Torah as He and His disciples or students did.
May 31, 2018
Not bad, a good first step to understanding the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.
April 29, 2021
An affirming, gracious account of Yeshua and His followers' torah-observant lifestyle. Rich with biblical references.
November 4, 2021
Fantastic insight into the emissaries and they Love and devotion to all things Torah.
Must read for those who are exploring Torah observance and interested in early Christianity
Must read for those who are exploring Torah observance and interested in early Christianity
May 26, 2015
"They Loved the Torah" gives evidence that Jesus and his disciples were Torah-observant. I already assumed this was true since Jesus fulfilled the Torah (and was sinless) and his disciples were Jews. Rather than going in depth into an argument, the author would often refer the reader to another book or article for that information. I was left feeling like the substance of his arguments was elsewhere.
The author's arguments were mainly based on examples from the gospels and Acts. However, he sometimes based his argument on an unproven or shaky assumption. For example, he assumes that the common people wouldn't feel positively about Jesus if he wasn't Torah-observant. He gave examples of common people having a positive reaction to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus was Torah-observant. I don't accept his assumption. There have been cults and movements were the "Christian" leader didn't stick with the Bible but people still liked what they heard and followed that leader. Jewish history also contains examples of this. His stronger arguments involved actual examples of Jesus and his followers observing the Torah in one way or another.
Basically, I'm not sure these arguments are strong enough to convince someone who didn't start off at least partly agreeing with his views. If you already agree or have previously read books about the debates among the Pharisees at that time (like what constitutes work on the Sabbath?), then there isn't much reason to read this book.
The author's arguments were mainly based on examples from the gospels and Acts. However, he sometimes based his argument on an unproven or shaky assumption. For example, he assumes that the common people wouldn't feel positively about Jesus if he wasn't Torah-observant. He gave examples of common people having a positive reaction to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus was Torah-observant. I don't accept his assumption. There have been cults and movements were the "Christian" leader didn't stick with the Bible but people still liked what they heard and followed that leader. Jewish history also contains examples of this. His stronger arguments involved actual examples of Jesus and his followers observing the Torah in one way or another.
Basically, I'm not sure these arguments are strong enough to convince someone who didn't start off at least partly agreeing with his views. If you already agree or have previously read books about the debates among the Pharisees at that time (like what constitutes work on the Sabbath?), then there isn't much reason to read this book.
January 28, 2009
I enjoyed the scripture references in this book, so that I can refer to my Bible for more information and details later. I did think that the overall book was going to be way better just by the title. It was good just not amazing like I was hoping. I think I would have enjoyed it much better if I would have read it earlier in my journey of becoming a G-dfearer.
August 6, 2011
Quick read. The book concisely shows examples of Yeshua, the apostles and other figures in the New Testament (the 1st church) keeping the Law (Torah) of Moses. The Law wasn't abolished then and isn't abolished now.
September 6, 2008
Great presentation as to how Jesus and his followers praticed Judaism. And remember ... Judaism isn't legalism. Legalism is a condition of your heart, not a particular tradition that is foreign.
November 24, 2008
This was almost too condensed for the amount of content involved. The things I found most helpful were stated in his conclusion and then not dealt with very much.
January 4, 2010
Will not finish.
April 5, 2013
Ready for a new yet ancient perspective of God's Law? This is one place to start.
Read
July 31, 2013Extremely informative.
January 26, 2021
They loved the Torah
One of the best books on the subject of Yeshua and the first believers in relation to the books of Moshe and the whole Tanakh
One of the best books on the subject of Yeshua and the first believers in relation to the books of Moshe and the whole Tanakh
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews