What an adventure, an education, and blessing to converse with the lively and jovial Rabbi Henry Morse of the Sha’ar Hashamayim Messianic Congregation in Stoughton, Massachusetts. I first encountered the Rabbi as he led his merry band of people down the hill after the If My People prayer event at the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2021.
This was part of the American Pilgrimage Celebration commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the pilgrims’ arrival in Plymouth, MA, and the first Thanksgiving celebrated with the Native Americans of the region.
It took me more than a year to line up an interview with Rabbi Morse, but it was well worth the wait to hear his Road to Rabbi: A Messianic Jew’s Journey to Jesus (and more). Enjoy!
AUDIO BELOW: Road to Rabbi: A Messianic Jew’s Journey to Jesus | Interview with Rabbi Henry Morse
A measure of good relationships is not just how much we agree, but how well we handle our differences. I believe we should strive to love, listen, and learn from each other amidst our differences. In our interview, Rabbi Morse said he was putting me on the spot with some issues he raised, but I didn’t need to respond to them right then. I responded in part and now do so now with more below. I also look forward to continuing this conversation with Rabbi Morse and learning more from him.
I wholeheartedly agree: studying the Bible from its Jewish cultural context, understanding correlations between Old and New Testaments, the law and grace, enriches our faith. It’s been a revelatory joy to learn the parallels and promises the Jewish feasts point to regarding salvation and other biblical prophecies. It’s wonderful and beneficial to celebrate the Jewish feasts. But doing so or not has no bearing on our salvation (and the Rabbi agrees) as whether Jew or gentile, we are saved by grace.
In regard to our differences in how Rabbi Morse and I handle Halloween: The devil doesn’t own the day. He is a thief, a perverter, and tries to claim a day as his own. But God owns all 365 days and I plan to utilize every one as God calls and as I’m able to be a light for the Gospel. Pray. Pray and then do. “I become all things to all people, so some may be won.” No, I don’t participate in their sin, but I’ll use the tools before me for God’s glory. What Satan means for evil, I will use for good. You’ve inspired me to fast the day before Halloween, Rabbi. And it’s good to know I’ll have your prayer cover as you do the same on Halloween while I hand out candy and gospel tracts. Just a spoonful of sugar…
A comment I received on social media and Rabbi Morse’s response to it: A young man on social media responded to my announcement that I was hosting Rabbi Morse as an interviewee by stating he is a Jewish Christian not a Messianic Jew. He went on to say he wasn't a fan of Messianic Jewishness and it was tempting to place dependence on tradition and feeling superior to gentile believers. He then pointed to a book in which the author accuses followers of Messianic Judaism of causing division and confusion among Jewish and Gentile believers insisting on following rabbinic form. Rabbi Morse’s response: “First of all, I don’t support Rabbinic Judaism. I am a Biblicist. Second, there is much diversity among Messianic Jews. As for Jews needing to be Messianic, I would say why do we need to convert to one of the 43,000 denominational ideas of Christianity to believe in our Jewish Messiah? Did the early Messianic believers look like the 21st century Christians do today, or did they live as Jews who accepted the Messiah of Israel? Short and sweet and to the point. Shalom, my sister. It was a pleasure speaking with you yesterday.” Thank you, Rabbi. Blessed to talk with you and I look forward to visiting your congregation. Shalom.
A List of Some of the Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Yeshua from Rabbi Morse’s Sha’ar Hashamayim Messianic Congregation’s website
Download Rabbi Morse’s books HERE: The Lord Chose… Who??? by Rabbi Henry M. Morse My name is not God: To know His name and titles is to know Him
Fun fact: The Rabbi was an acrobat!
“I started training as an acrobat at the age of nine and performing at 19 and stopped at 55. I performed as a Juggler, unicyclist, rope walker, tumbler, hand balancer, stilt walker, magician, etc. I did this to support my ministry. I also used it in my evangelism. I had a three-hour one-man show.” — Rabbi Henry Morse
An old promo video of the rabbi as an acrobat: The Great Benafuchi
Scroll for more below.
Check out this episode The Feats of Unleavened Bread on Stephanie Pavlantos's podcast Grafted: Jewish Roots of Christianity "Have you ever wondered why Jesus wasn’t actually in the tomb for three days and three nights as He said He would be? The math doesn’t add up…We will discuss that and more on today’s episode."
AUDIO: Reading of Poem He is Risen by Rachael M Colby
Happy #Passover and #ResurrectionDay, everyone. #HeIsRisen #Shalom #Yeshua – #HeIsRisenIndeed
GREAT BOOKS FOR ALL AGES ON MY RESORCES PAGE HERE
Watch full video here: UKRAINE: Finding God in Crisis – Special report from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Excited to announce that The Courage to Write: 62 Devotions to Encourage Your Writing Journey is a 2023 Selah Award Finalist. Blessed to be a contributor to this compilation.
- No Record of Wrongs
Unforgiveness, like a dam, hinders the flow of God’s Spirit and leads to spiritual … Continue reading “No Record of Wrongs” - Missing from the Manger
Christmas 2017 In the year of our meager manger, a snowman made of sand, … Continue reading “Missing from the Manger” - A Second Wind & Christmas Clementines
~Second Wind~ With Christmas days away and money scant for gifts, I determined to … Continue reading “A Second Wind & Christmas Clementines” - Bold & Vulnerable
Vulnerability doesn’t come easy for me. But God calls us to live boldly and … Continue reading “Bold & Vulnerable” - When Can-do Won’t Do
“God,” I said, “why is this so hard lately?” Sweat beaded on my forehead … Continue reading “When Can-do Won’t Do”
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© 2023 Rachael M Colby | Tattoo It On your Heart
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Tattoo It On Your Heart 
OH, Rachael, you do such interesting writing and interviews, all in your passion for God and His Kingdom. I’m longing for an hour when I can sit and listen to your interview with the Rabbi. Loved your poem.
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You are such an encourager, Phyllis. Looking forward to your feedback. God bless you and Dr. Bill.
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Rachael, I think this was one of the best interviews you’ve had, and that’s saying a lot because I like them all. We Christians miss so much when we remove the Hebraic background of the scriptures. We’ve got so much to learn from our Jewish roots since we are all one in Christ Jesus. I hope you get to have him on again. Thanks for providing such needed messages for us!
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You are most welcome, Ben. Yes, what a joy to learn the Jewish roots of Christianity. I’m grateful for Rabi Morse’s time and sharing with us. Thanks for listening and commenting, Ben.
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Can I agree with everything some other denomination believes or practices? No. Does that make them wrong and me right? What if it’s actually the converse? What I’ve come to understand with God’s help is that Jesus Christ created the body of Christ, the church. Man and Satan subverted Christ’s charter by dividing the church in the name of denominationalism. Manmade constructs may be necessary to apply man’s interpretation of God’s Word, His law, and His example. The common bond among all true Christians is our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice as the propitiation for our sin. The understanding and recognition that our salvation is achieved through belief in His Son, accepting grace through faith. Thank you for sharing both your and the Rabbi’s thoughts Ms. Rachael. Enjoyed hearing and learning from both of you.
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Amen, JD. So glad you enjoyed my interview with Rabbi Henri Morse. I learned much too. God bless you and your writing.
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