There is an interesting discussion going on within parts of the Messianic community in Israel. It began mentioning that the Babylonian Talmud ‘won out’ over the Jerusalem Talmud (sometimes referred to as the Palestinian Talmud, since it was codified after the Romans changed the name of the land of Israel to Palestine).
The point is put forward that this has been a negative factor in the development of a Jewish Israeli culture in general, and a Jewish Israeli Messianic (belief in Yeshua/Jesus) culture in particular.
For my part, I see that God, in His sovereign ways and thoughts, broadened the ‘fenced in’ Jewish perspective to encompass a wider view, which the gospel is accomplishing in a more perfect way. This wider and broader view does not negate who we are in particular, but it allows us to embrace much more of what — and who — also belongs to YHVH God’s creation and redemption. As Jewish people from all around the world and from so many diverse cultures are coming back to the land of promise, defining what makes for a “Jewish Israeli culture” within normative Judaism is not something tangible. And, of course, there is place for Gentiles in God’s land among His people. So, too, and more so, for those who also believe — whether Jewish or not — in Yeshua as Lord and Messiah, the Son of God. We come from, or enter into, various streams of the Messianic/Christian faith; yet we all belong to one river of inheritance in Him.
Only by the Spirit of God can a godly expression of culture unfold and mature; it can not be done by our own thoughts and understanding of what that should be or look like. It will be a new creation of the Holy One of Israel, and the glory will be His!
Perhaps I will add a few points on what has already been said and written, as it pertains to our discussion within Israel as disciples of the Lord:
1. Yeshua was cast out of the vineyard by His own people through their rulers. (Mt 21: 33-44; Lev 4)
2. “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” (Heb 13:13)
3. ~”…believe Me, the hour is coming, and now is, when you will neither . . .in Jerusalem worship the Father, but will worship Him in spirit and truth; for such the Father is seeking to worship Him.” (Jn 4:21-24) God is bringing back the gospel and the testimony to Israel and to Jerusalem now, but His focus for our worship, until the Lord returns, is still on the New Jerusalem above — the heavenly Zion. (Heb 12:22-24; Rev 3:11-12; 5)
There is something new and different for all who believe in Messiah under the New Covenant now that will affect our expression of culture in the Kingdom of God, and its impact on whatever culture we are living in or have come out from. (Gal 6:14-16; Lev 18:3-4)