A Jew Should Know God 
by
Aaron Bortz
I was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a Reformed Jew. My religious
studies centered around Jewish history, Hebrew
and humanitarian concepts. The Reformed Judaism of my youth accentuated
a person’s responsibilities toward humanity. The teachings,
while admirable, had little to do with a relationship
to God. Consequently, while conceding the existence of a
"God", I possessed no definitive concepts.
Growing up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood caused me to believe that
Jews were in a majority. Furthermore, I felt that the
Gentiles' belief in Jesus was based on ignorance.
High School ushered in new experiences; I learned that Jewish people were a
minority. I also heard more about Jesus. The information was
very confusing. Each denomination had something different to say
about Jesus, Joseph and Mary. The confusion that appeared to exist in the Gentile world (regarding God)
caused me to retreat to the safety and comfort of the synagogue.
When I was fourteen years of age, I met Martin Chernoff.
He was very kind and informed me that Jesus was the Jewish
Messiah. This made sense, but being popular in school had greater
appeal than serving God. I also did not want to be a traitor to my
family and friends. Besides, how could I believe in someone whose
name got stuck in my throat? Thoughts of God and Jesus were put on the
shelf.
College
Spells Future
After high school, I went on to pursue a business degree in college.
Most of my time was spent on extracurricular activities and not
books. I flunked out of college after only one year.
Having lost my student deferment, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. Towards
the end of my tour of duty, I was assigned to an Armed Forces Examining
and Entrance Station. It was here that I met a man who was a real
Christian. He was from Texas, a member of a Southern Baptist church,
and educated. I never thought anyone who took the Bible literally
could be educated. He earned my respect. One day
our conversation turned to God. He unabashedly told me that
without Jesus, no man can really know God. Jew and Gentile alike must
first know Jesus to know God.
I was embarrassed and insulted. I thought "this guy has got a lot
of chutzpah (nerve)! " In my heart a
chord had been sounded. The truth that was hidden deep within me had
been laid bare. I did not know God! I had always felt that
being Jewish was more than matzah ball soup, Yiddish and mishpocha (family).
A Jew should know God!
The Big Change
From that day forward, I felt the need to investigate Jesus
further. Someone must have been praying for me because I was
always pointed in the right direction. I would be exposed to the
"right" radio program, the "right" book or the
"right" person.
By now, I was painfully aware that I was in rebellion against God.
Being a "good person” simply wasn't enough. I was
created to serve God and follow His will for my life. I repented
of my former life style. I sincerely asked God to reveal to me if
Jesus was the Messiah. The conflict that was raging in my soul
needed to be put to rest. I wanted to know the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob. If He required me to come to Him through Jesus, I
would. I had to have some form of assurance. My God, in His
mercy, revealed His Son to me both intellectually and spiritually. I
accepted Jesus and praise God He accepted
me.
About one week later, I received an unexpected confirmation of this
acceptance. While driving a car down an
expressway at 70 m.p.h. (the legal limit in 1970), the Lord God made His
presence felt in a very physical way. This skeptical Aaron Bortz knew at that moment that Yeshua Hamashiach
had just walked up to him shook his hand and was filling him with the
Holy Spirit. (I had never even read about the Holy Spirit!) Jesus
was no longer a "bone in my throat." The Bible was con-firmed
as the inspired Word of God. The river of living water that had
rushed into the depths of my being brought a new
"completeness" to my life.
Another interesting side effect was that I now felt more Jewish than ever
before! I had a keen appetite for understanding of Jewish
holidays, traditions & Hebrew. Baruch Hashem (praise God)!
The Lord had brought new meaning to my life! I now had a personal
relationship with my God.
Postscript
More than thirteen years have passed since true reality came into my
life. God has blessed me with wonderful
teaching from such people as Martin Chernoff
(during my important growing years), Rachmiel
Frydland, Jeff Adler and many others. The
Lord God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and two
beautiful daughters who are being taught the true meaning of being
Jewish. I have completed my education
and continue to be blessed by the Lord. Above
all, I know my God. Without this knowledge life would be meaningless. All who reach for
Him will not be disappointed.
Reprinted by permission from Messianic
Literature Outreach
www.messianicliterature.org
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