The podcast episode commenced with Richard Cortes and Jeramiah Giehl providing introductions. Jeramiah presented the Pulling the Thread podcast and delved into Richard's background, emphasizing his role as the founder of Foundation of the Word, a previous Messianic congregation that later embraced Judaism. Richard then shared his personal journey, recounting his initial exposure to Hasidic Judaism in New York City and subsequent encounter with Christianity in Puerto Rico. He discussed his reconnection with religion as an adult and his involvement with the Assemblies of God, which ultimately prompted him to explore the teachings of the Church Fathers and pursue leadership within the church. Richard Cortes recounted his path toward Judaism, which involved locating a synagogue and dedicating two years to study under an Israeli rabbi. He detailed the challenges associated with establishing infrastructure and living conditions in Northeast Arizona, including the acquisition of a septic system, water supply, and the construction of his mother's retirement residence. He also highlighted the difficulties of building on clay-rich terrain and contrasted the region's weather conditions with those of the valley, which were more suitable for camping. In summary, Richard's experiences underscored the significance of adapting to unfamiliar environments and acquiring new skills when navigating uncharted territory. Jeramiah and Richard delved into the origins and mission of their organization, which aimed to transition people from church settings to Torah-based practices. They clarified that their objective was never to convert Jews but rather to facilitate an understanding and practice of Messianic Judaism among individuals. The conversation revolved around the label of "Messianic Judaism" and its potential for misinterpretation, as many of their members were Gentiles who had not converted to Judaism. They reflected on their decade-long involvement in the movement, their interactions with fellow educators and organizations, and the controversies surrounding their recent embrace of Judaism, including the criticism they faced for identifying as Messianic Jews. The discussion also touched upon the significance of studying Hebrew and comprehending the cultural context intertwined with the language. They explored the limitations of relying solely on concordances and the potential for misunderstandings when interpreting Hebrew through a Christological lens. Richard shared his personal journey of transitioning from Messianic Judaism to mainstream Judaism and his decision to cease teaching the New Testament. They also emphasized the importance of questioning one's beliefs and pursuing knowledge, even if it entails challenging deeply ingrained convictions. Chapters & Topics - Chapter descriptions 0:13 Introduction and Personal Background 2:32 Richard's religious upbringing and exposure to different faiths 5:56 A Personal Experience at Holyland Theme Park 8:58 Richard Cortes' Journey to Judaism 13:46 Building Infrastructure and Living Conditions in Northeast Arizona 17:24 The Origins and Mission of the Organization 23:27 Messianic Gentiles and Authentic Judaism 34:10 Discussion on Studying Christianity and Hebrew Roots 36:46 The Importance of Learning Hebrew and the Distortion of Christological Concepts 41:32 The decision to no longer follow Jesus and embrace Judaism 45:10 Debunking the Virgin Birth 50:13 Richard Cortes discusses removing New Testament teachings from Shabbat services 56:40 The realization that Messianic Judaism is not authentic Judaism 57:48 Experience with Character Assassination 58:52 Character assassination and its impact on truth Keywords: Hebrew, Judaism, Jesus, Movement, Arizona, Torah, Congregation, Christianity, Gentiles, Conversion, My Life, Synagogue, Christians, Jews, Antisemitism, AntiJudaism, Messianic Judaism, Hebrew Roots, Antimissionary, --- Send in a voice message: https://podc