The Grammar of Multigenerational Faith

Isaac (back row, far left) in his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class.

Grammar: the elementary principles of a science or art. 

Multigenerational Faith: faith that is bigger than isolated individualism because it's goal is to be passed on, not only horizontally to the nations, but also vertically to the coming generations.

I recently enrolled Isaac in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy that is right up the street from our house. The place is run by a couple of brothers who happen to be from a family of Sephardic Anusim.These two guys have a deep passion for this martial art; they live it and breathe it. One of the coaches has his son in the class with Isaac. As I expected, the coach's son knows a lot of the basic moves because he's been formally training for more than two years now.

Before he started the class, I had to explain to Isaac the difference between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is basically grappling on the ground, and Kickboxing, which is basically striking while standing. But after the first class I was concerned that he would not understand why he was doing certain 'ground exercises' and not kicking and punching toward a mirror. As an attempt to keep him from becoming discouraged, I rented the 1984 movie, The Karate Kid, hoping that he would see how Daniel-san learned to fight through the obscure exercises prescribed by Mr. Miyagi. He got it and now, he does the sometimes silly-looking exercises without questioning them.

At this point, Isaac is learning the 'elementary principles' of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In much the same way that he is learning the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic Isaac is also learning the basics of this martial art. Sometimes he does not understand why he is learning certain exercises and positions; but once the coach explains it to him and once he uses them on his opponent, he gets it. He can then put the principle that he has just learned to use. It becomes a part of his thinking. I could not help but see some similarities between this class and our faith.

The sites, smells, and flavors of the Havdalah Ceremony
all help to engage the children and give them lasting memories.

Whether we have children or not, we are called to a Multigenerational Faith. Over and over in the Torah we find the phrase 'throughout your/their generations.' The implication of this phrase is that the Children of Israel were to teach and pass along the 'ways' of Adonai to the next generation who were to, likewise, pass it along to the generation after them. If we neglect to pass along our faith to the next generation, we have failed to accomplish this task given to us by Adonai. Being Torah observant is a way of life; it is a lifestyle and not a system of beliefs.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon parents and Messianic communities to equip their children, the next generation, with the elementary principles of their faith. The next generation needs to be taught, from an early age, the ways of Adonai. It needs to be explained to them 'why we do what we do.' They need to be shown the traditions of the community and given the meaning of their significance. The children need to be included in Shabbat and Moed Services and shown that they are an important part of the life of the community. They need to understand that the teachings of the elders are for them too and not just for the adults.

Like the father that diligently teaches his son Jiu Jitsu, Torah observant fathers must diligently teach their children the Torah of Adonai and the halakah of their family and their community. Parents must teach and disciple their own children in the faith and minister to their young hearts at every opportunity. Messianic Congregations must welcome the young people into their community functions and allow them to learn and grow with the adults. Elders must champion the accomplishment of this task to pass along the Torah to the next generation.

For I have chosen him, 

so that he may command his children and his household after him 

to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice...

- Genesis 18:19 (NAS)

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FAQ: Are You Sephardic?

A Marranito is a Mexican gingerbread-like pastry shaped like a pig.

Shortly after we embraced the Torah in 2000, after Shabbat Service one Saturday afternoon, a woman came up to my wife and I and told us that we were "Marranos." At first I was taken aback by her comment; I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Keep in mind, I'm not the most fluent, Spanish-speaking Texican but I know what a Marrano is--it's a pig! But the expression on her face was so happy and excited-like; I could tell that she wasn't trying to insult us but actually compliment us. I thought that maybe she had no idea what she was saying so I quickly repeated the word in my head, maybe I could tell if she was trying to say something else in Spanish. Nope, "Mar-ahhh-nose" sounds like "Mar-ahhh-nose." I had heard correctly, she was calling us pigs. Before I could wipe the confused look on my face she began to explain what she meant.

During the Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834) the Jews who lived in Spain, the Sephardic Jews, were either expelled, tortured, killed or forced to convert to Catholicism. Some believe that in order to prove that they had truly converted to Catholicism, they were forced to eat a piece of pork in public--hence the name 'Marrano.' This name has since been used to describe the 'Secret Jews' or 'Crypto Jews' who were forced to convert to Catholicism but kept their Jewish identity in secret. In Hebrew they are called Anusim which means 'Coerced Ones.'

Many of these Sephardic Anusim fled to Arabic counties in the Middle East, to North Africa, and to the Americas. Some historians believe that many of the people who came across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus in 1492, were actually Sephardic Jews fleeing from Spanish-Catholic persecution. Eventually, the Catholic Church would follow them to the New World.

During the Mexican Inquisition (1571-1820) the Jewish people were also tortured, killed or forced to convert to Catholicism. The 'Marranos' would continue to practice Judaism in secret and as generations passed, their secret Jewish traditions where handed down without an explanation. These traditions became unusual but unquestioned practices. For instance, women would light two candles on Friday evenings but they wouldn't know why; it was just something that their mothers had taught them.

Within the past few decades, more and more Sephardic Anusim have surfaced in the Southwestern United States; namely New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and California. Their eyes have been opened and their hearts are turning back to the culture of their forefathers. Their secret traditions are being traced back to Judaism and their true heritage as part of the Chosen People of Adonai has been revealed. Many believe that the Latinos who are now embracing the Torah and Hebraic traditions are actually long-lost Anusim, 'Marranos' being called back home.

When this woman called us 'Marranos' after Shabbat Service that afternoon, this is what she meant. She assumed that we were answering the call of our hearts to return to Judaism. It sounded convincing or at least I was convinced. But before we could say, "Yes we are Marranos" we first had to ask ourselves, do we have any of these tell-tale traditions or practices in our families? Or do we have any actual Sephardic Jewish ancestors in our family trees? After reflecting on our childhood and the religious practices of our grandparents and after thoroughly interrogating our parents, we could not identify the traditions nor could we find any Jewish ancestors. So no, I am not Sephardic, but I am a fellow heir (Ephesians 3:6).


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