WHAT IS LAPID JUDAISM?

“For Zion sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be still, until her righteousness emanates like a bright light, and her salvation blazes like a torch (lapid).”

Isaiah 62:1


The word “Lapid” is a title of Messiah with many deep meanings. Concerning the “lapid” of salvation, Radak (Rabbi David Kamichi 12th century) wrote: “Just as light is visible at a great distance, so too, your righteousness and salvation will be recognized universally.” It is noteworthy to mention that the word for “salvation” in Hebrew is the same word used for the Name of our Divine Messiah – Yeshua HaMoshiach, Peace be upon Him! Therefore, Lapid represents the blazing light; the shining torch of Yeshua HaMoshiach which will be recognized by the whole world, may it be soon and in our time, amen.


Concerning the term Lapid, the Midrash Rabbah Bereishis 30:8 states, “Thus is it written, A torch (lapid) scorned by the complacent, hardened ones, who are destined to stumblings of the feet. (Job 12:5). This is the meaning of the verse: The Holy One, blessed be He, said, ‘A single herald arose for Me in the generation of the Flood, that being Noah.’ The word lapid is interpreted to mean “herald” because it is customary there that they say instead of ‘Call him,’ ‘Lapid him’.” The comment to this passage reads, “Therefore a herald, whose job is to call out important messages, is called a Lapid.” What is the message of these Lapidim (Lapids)? The previous verse in Job (12:4) refers to צדיק תמים a “perfectly righteous one”. The Sages who authored the midrash above applied the title to Noah who was perfectly righteous in his generation איש צדיק תמים היה בדרתיו. However, where Noah was perfectly righteous in “his generation” our verse simply says “a perfectly righteous one”. Yeshua HaMoshiach alone is perfectly righteous. He is the Lapid and we proclaim His besorah (good news) as His Lapidim!


The first use of Lapid is in Genesis 15:17: “When the sun set and it became dark, behold, there was a smoking oven and a fiery torch (lapid) that passed between these pieces.” The phrase “and a fiery torch” is ולפיד איש, literally “and a torch of fire”. Our Sages (Midrash Rabbah Yitro) say that this is an allusion to the Torah referencing Exodus 20:15 “All the people witnessed the thundering and the lightning, and the sound of the shofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off.” The word translate “lightening” is lapidim, literally “torches”. To the ancient Sages, the torch and the Torah are synonymous. In another midrash, the Lapid is synonymous with the Divine Presence as Rabbi Elie Munk writes, “The Divine Majesty descended in a torch of flame…and passed between the pieces”. Thus another aspect of Lapid is the Divine Torah and the Divine presence. The Torah and the Torch are One!

YESHUA CENTERED JUDASIM

Lapid Judaism, as a movement, is defined as Yeshua-Centered Judaism. It is a return, restoration and revival of the original faith of Moshiach and His Talmidim (disciples). Lapid is a tradition with its roots in the Orthodox tradition and its soul linked to the Chassidic movement. We are distinct from so-called “messianic Judaism” in that we have a unique focus of being Torah-true and Messiah Yeshua centered. For the Lapidnic, the Torah is not just relevant it’s authoritative. The commandment is Divine and the fulfillment is a great joy. The Lapidic observes the Torah in the same manner that our Master Yeshua did, Jewishly. Our motivation is both to live as He lived (be faithful Talmudic) and to connect ourselves to the Divine by observing the mitzvot (commandments).

IS LAPID JUDAISM  ''ORTHODOX?''

Lapid Judaism is referred to as an “Orthodox” Jewish movement because it adheres to Jewish practice and observance within the guidelines of Talmudic law and its codifiers. We will not meet the criteria or specific definition of “orthodox” among every Jewish sect nor do we care to do so. Lapid is a Jewish movement centered on Yeshua. If one must have a label for our observance level then we should prefer “Torah-true”. To some men we will seem rather orthodox and to others less so. Our desire, however, is how we look in the eyes of the Holy One, blessed be He. Who we are and what we do will always be driven by the desire to please HaShem.

Lapid Judaism is Global Community of Individuals, Ministries, and Affiliated Organizations devoted to an Observant Jewish Lifestyle Fully Centered on Messiah Yeshua.


Originally, faith in Yeshua the Messiah, as lived out by the early talmidim, was a very Jewish faith. Not “Jewish” simply in terms of ethnicity or culture but in practice as well. The early talmidim lived observant Jewish lives in accordance with Rabbinic Judaism of the period. As we learn in Acts, even many Pharisees believed. Lapid is a movement / a new sect of Judaism that seeks to restore that original Torah observant practice, faith and message. May HaShem give us success! B’Shem


Our Mission – To revive the original sect of Torah Observant Judaism in Yeshua as seen in the 1st century. To be a light unto the nations; bringing them into the covenant as fully Jewish members of the mishpocha (Isaiah 2:3).