Another Jewish casualty in Iraq
We mourn the loss of another Jewish soldier killed in Iraq: Sgt. Michael Shackelford, U.S. Army.
The local newpaper, The Daily Sentinal, offers a touching tribute to the fallen soldier.
Schackelford’s father offered the following at the funeral:
When Staff Sgt. Michael Bear Shackelford stands before HaShem, the Heavenly King will say, “Sergeant Shack, well done.”
Update: The original link is no longer working, so I’ve updated it with a story from the Denver Post.
While Sgt. Shackleford should be commended for bravely sacrificing his life in the service of his country, he should not be identified as a Jew. The story you link to above says that a “Messianic Jewish” rabbi greeted the mourners at his service. “Messianic Jews” are not Jews. They are Christians who believe in Jesus. This in no way should be construed as an attack on Sgt.Shackleford’s character nor his bravery but is merely some advice for jewsingreen to properly identify real Jewish servicemen and servicewomen.
My apologies. I am familiar with “Messianic Jews” and I must have missed that important detail in the article. Thanks for pointing it out.
As you mentioned, this means no disrespect to Sgt. Schackleford or his family, just that he shouldn’t be spotlighted by Jews in Green.
I would not be quick to take SGT Shakelford’s Jewishness away from him. It is my opinion that Sanhedrine 44a covers this fact. I enourage you to examine the text for yourself. If SGT Shakelford was born a Jew, he died a Jew wether he was practicing buddhism, aethism or christianity.
Wether you chose to spotlight non practicing Jews in Jews in Green is a matter of your choice.
CPTORD,
I don’t think the intention here is to “take away his Jewishness”. What (I think) JJ is suggesting is that Shackleford was not born a Jew (as is the case with many “Messianic Jews”).
Even if he was, there is still a great debate about the welcoming of such people into a congregation. You can see the USCJ’s view on the matter HERE.
I don’t want to open up a can of worms here, but I personally feel there is a difference between a “non-practicing Jew”and a “Jew for Jesus”. There is a line that is crossed at some point. I certainly would not investigate the observance level of someone before writing about them on the site (this site is for ALL Jews), but I think “Messianic Judaism” is a special case and does give me cause for concern.
Lt. Rubin is correct in his concern about “Messianic Judaism”. I have no idea whether the late Sgt. Shackelford was born a Jew or not. Either way he did not sacrifice his life for his country as a Jew. “Jews for Jesus” are Christians, not Jews. What makes “Jews for Jesus” or “Messianic Jews” even more not Jewish is there goal to convert Jews to Christianity. There is a huge difference between a non-practicing Jew and someone who’s goal it is to convert Jews to Christianity. Lt. Rubin should be commended for his wisdom on this subject and his devotion to Jewish soldiers irregardless of their level of observance.
I agree with your concerns regarding Jews for Jesus. They have been a divisive element within the community. I do not think that SGT Shakelford being recognized by this site in any way supports or commends the organization that he may or may not have belonged too. I only stated that “If he was born” The Sages determined this with far more wisdom than I will ever acquire.
Lt. Rubin, I thank you for the work that you are doing here. You are performing a great service for all of us. Keep up the great work!