Tikkun Olam
Have you ever head of tikkun olam? Tikkun olam means (translated) "repair of the world" and is the idea that the Jewish people are not only responsible for their own welfare (moral, spiritual, and material), but also for the welfare of the rest of the world. Some view tikkun olam as "Jewish social justice."
In addition, some Orthodox communities interpret tikkun olam as overcoming all forms of idolatry. The belief is that once everyone recognizes God as God - forsaking all false gods and idols in their lives - the world will be perfected.
The idea of tikkun olam has been around for around 2,000 years and originated from the Mishnah (a major rabbinical text). It is generally believed by most Jewish people that tikkun olam will help usher in the coming of the Messiah and the Messianic Age.
So in what ways do Jewish people contribute to this idea of tikkun olam? By performing good deeds and religious commandments, otherwise known as mitzvot, acting ethically, and through charitable giving.
The hard truth is, while many of these deeds may actually benefit the welfare of society, these actions are not enough to "repair the world"... or bring the coming of the Messiah (because the Jewish Messiah - Yeshua - has already come!). There is nothing that we as humans (Jewish or Gentile!) can do to perfect or heal our world. God already accomplished His perfect plan to redeem our world - through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Yeshua (Jesus). And as believers in Him, we can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth when someday all will be made new (Revelation 21).
That will be the true tikkun olam.
Our purpose in sharing these tidbits is not to imply that these traditions have to be followed by believers in Jesus/Messianic Jews, but in order to help others better learn about and understand their Jewish neighbors and friends so that they can better build bridges and connections with them.