QUESTION: What is your opinion of the First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ)? D.S.
Our Reply: We
used to be enthusiastic supporters of First Fruits of Zion decades ago. We
often recommended FFOZ to our readers within the pages of Petah Tikvah.
Like us, they used to believe that Torah (the Law) was (and is) God’s
instructions for how a Believer should live for Jew or Gentile. We don’t keep
Torah to “get” redeemed. Instead, the Torah is God’s instructions for those who
are already redeemed. We and FFOZ also believed that “there shall be one
statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute
throughout your generations; as you are, so shall it be for the alien be before
the LORD. There shall be one law and one ordinance for you and
for the alien who sojourns with you.” (Nm. 15:15-16)
Like us, they used to believe the New Testament definition of sin in 1 John 3:4: “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Law (Torah); for sin is transgression of the Law (Torah).” I don’t see any exception for Gentiles who may also be in a covenant relationship with God.
Here are the words of Yeshua when he gave the Great Commission: “Go therefore, and make talmidim (disciples) of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Ruach HaKodesh, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you, even to the end of the world. Amen.” (Matityahu – Matthew) 28:19-20)
In other words, the goyim (nations) were expected to observe all of the same precepts that Yeshua’s own Jewish brethren were expected to keep, as we see in Matt. 5:17-19:
“Think not that I have come to destroy the Law (Torah) or the Prophets (Neviim). I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, ‘Until heaven and earth pass away, not one yod (jot) or tittle shall in any way pass from the Law, until all be fulfilled.”
FFOZ used to encourage both Jewish and Gentile Believers to wear the tallit (prayer shawl) in prayer, according to the command in Numbers 15:37-41. They also used to teach their followers to have a thread of blue on the corner fringes, according to Numbers 15:38. Today, they teach that Gentiles should not wear the tallit, and that there should be no blue on the fringes of the tallit.
Like us, they used to encourage both Jewish and Gentile Believers to obey the dietary laws of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. They also used to teach that both Jewish and Gentile believers should keep the Fourth Commandment to observe Shabbat (the Sabbath) on the seventh day of each week. Today they no longer encourage Gentile observance of these commandments.
FFOZ used to teach that Shavuot was to be celebrated on Yom Rishon (“Sunday”). This was based on the 50-day count towards Shavuot which began the day after the Shabbat that occurred during the week of Passover (Lev. 23:15) and ended on the 50th day after the seventh Sabbath (Lev. 23:15). Regardless of when you begin the count, it ends after the seventh Sabbath, which is always “Sunday” (Yom Rishon). However, the Rabbinic count varies from the biblical count, and can occur on any day of the week. The Sadducees observed Shavuot on Yom Rishon, as do the Karaite Jews to this day. They didn’t get everything right, but they were right about Shavuot. Even Christians recognize “Pentecost Sunday.” Christians often get things wrong, but when they are right, they should be congratulated. By the way, except for Shavuot, we personally observe all of the other Biblical holy days on the same dates as they are observed in traditional Judaism.
FFOZ used to produce excellent teachings on DVDs and in their publications. For all these things and many others, we were enthusiastic supporters of FFOZ, and promoted FFOZ in Petah Tikvah. I was also a good friend of Boaz Michael, the Director and Founder of FFOZ. I once asked him if he would like to publish a recommendation for Petah Tikvah in FFOZ publications. He refused. They don’t promote other ministries. He angrily told me that he never asked us to recommend FFOZ. That was fine with me, and we ceased recommending FFOZ.
However, in 2009, FFOZ instituted many changes, basically changing their doctrines on everything mentioned above. When that happened, I added a short statement in one of our magazines that we can no longer support FFOZ. Boaz Michael contacted me. He was very angry that I included that short statement. It’s curious. He was angry when we recommended FFOZ, and he was angry when we no longer recommended FFOZ. I tried several times to make peace with Boaz Michael, but he refused my gestures to make peace.
Tim Hegg was once very much a part of FFOZ. He wrote excellent books for FFOZ, which were also strongly supported by FFOZ. However, FFOZ went through a series of major changes in early 2009, no longer supporting the doctrines that FFOZ had promoted for decades. As a result, Tim Hegg broke off his relationship with FFOZ. He wrote the following critique in 2009, which is part of a much longer article:
"The time has come for me to make clear my relationship with First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ). In the past I have been closely associated with that ministry as an author, seminar speaker, and a regular contributor to and theological editor of Messiah Magazine. I must now state openly that I am no longer associated with that ministry. Sadly, I must further state that I strongly disagree with recent changes they have made in important aspects of their teaching. These changes were confirmed to me this week in a face-to-face meeting I had with Boaz Michael, the Director and Founder of FFOZ.
“These changes relate to 1) their teaching that Jews and Gentiles have a different relationship to the Torah, 2) their intention to lead messianic communities to define themselves within "normative Judaism," 3) their encouragement for messianics to appreciate and accept a Kabbalistic approach to spirituality, and thus 4) their willingness to employ a mystical hermeneutic as a valid means for interpreting the Scriptures.
“While each of these shifts in the teaching of FFOZ touch vital aspects of our faith and community life, I believe that the most important issue is that of biblical authority, because the Bible forms the foundation upon which all other matters of faith and practice rest. I am therefore very concerned by the fact that in their recently published Commentary and Study Guide to Paul Levertoff's Love and the Messianic Age, they embrace a kabbalistic hermeneutic as a valid method for interpreting the Scriptures." [1]
I also find it concerning that FFOZ has certain cult-like tendencies. They still have some good teachings, mixed in with some false teachings. However, they are not the final authority on biblical truth. Those who follow FFOZ seem to point to FFOZ as the final authority on how to interpret and observe the Scriptures. Most of those who held fast to FFOZ doctrines before 2009 were willing to completely change their theologies to accommodate the changes made by FFOZ. I asked one adherent of FFOZ to tell me if he had any disagreements with anything taught by FFOZ. He couldn’t think of anything. As an alternative, if he had any disagreement, he perhaps didn’t want to criticize FFOZ.
Here at Petah Tikvah, we attempt to present sound Biblical teachings. However, we never set ourselves up as the final authority. We also recognize good ministries outside of Petah Tikvah, and are happy to recommend them to others. We can’t be everywhere, and it is important to “forsake not the assembling of others, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
Each Shabbat and holy day of Leviticus 23 is a mikra kodesh – a holy convocation. It is important to have a place to attend on these days. If unable to find a place to do so in person, it is possible to attend “virtually” via the internet. However, each of these days is a mikra kodesh – a holy convocation. Therefore, the Biblical ideal is to do so in person.
Regretfully, some Messianic Jewish assemblies have lost members to those who adopted FFOZ doctrines, and no longer feel it is important to assemble on Shabbat or the Holy Days. They can attend their FFOZ Torah Club meetings any day of the week and go to church on Sunday instead.
FFOZ now more closely represents much of current Messianic Judaism, which also teaches a Torah-optional approach for Gentile observance. Many so-called Messianic rabbis and Messianic congregations also have a very sloppy attitude for Torah-observance even among Jewish believers, some of whom have no problem serving and eating pork or shellfish. After Shabbat services, many of the congregants and their leaders head out to the restaurants and shopping malls.
To the credit of FFOZ, they at least believe that Torah-observance is important for Jewish believers. I have no problem with Rabbinic observance of Torah. However, when Rabbinic observance is contrary to Biblical observance, we go for the Biblical observance. However, FFOZ now actively discourages Gentiles from wearing the tallit and other elements of Torah. Most mainstream Messianic Jewish congregations and fellowships do not discourage Gentiles from observing Torah, to their credit.
Petah Tikvah maintains congregational membership with the United Messianic Jewish Assemblies. Unlike the FFOZ, the UMJA endorses Torah-observance for Jews and also for Gentiles who are grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree described in Romans 11. RAC