"I thank Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, known to many as Jesus Christ, who led me out of religious bondage, (in my case it was Rabbinic Judaism) and back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Truth."
Aviad Cohen

3.19.07 update: Aviad Cohen is going to be working on an updated testimony and will post it soon.

Farewell to pride and ignorance...Hello Yeshua (Jesus) The Messiah

This is Aviad Cohen's "50 Shekel Testimony" from 2005, when he "publicly testified" that Yeshua is Lord. A new testimony will be up shortly. In the meantime, enjoy this unique testimony:

Note: For those of you who have already read this page before I put this note up and made the assumption that because you see that I had "1 bad experience in Orthodoxy" and that is the reason that I left "Judaism" please not that for 29 years I have been experiencing what "Judaism is" on many levels (Orthodoxy to Conservative to Reform to Traditional to non-affiliated) and now to have finally come to faith in Elohim's Truth and that includes accepting Yeshua Ha'Moshiach into my heart, it's too easy to see that serving Elohim surely has nothing to do with "religion" and at the same time I'm enjoying Torah and grasping how real it is and understanding my Jewish roots in a solid way like absolutely never before. Elohim is more real to me today. I see Him working in my life every second and He's challenged me to give up a lot so I can server Him Truthfully. One of the things that I had to do was humble myself in front of Him and drop my pride. If your arms are filled with religion and traditions, where do you have room for Him? Me, I gathered up the courage to drop every assumption I ever had about "Jesus" and said to Elohim, "If Jesus is really the Jewish Messiah, Abba, show me The Truth." Abba did what Abba does...He delivered...me out of the fleshly world and into His arms of salvation.

One of the hardest things I ever had to do was to truly learn to forgive people who have harmed me. Yeshua's more legit than Yom Kippur. If Elohim wants you saved, you will be saved and if He wants you to not be saved, just so He can use you as an example to the world of someone who thinks they are walking with Elohim but surely is not, then He will use you that way. Remember there are vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. Believe me when I say this, I'd rather not start pointing out Jewish: magazines, websites, fashion gear, music artists and groups, movies, writers, public speakers, leaders and more that are an absolute disgrace to Elohim (not to your taste in art), while they think they are "celebrating Jew life." I know that if I did point out the vessels of dishonor, I have a feeling you would agree with me. I won't "call em out" since I pray that they will all get right with Elohim and come to know The Truth. Elohim gave you specific talents. When you have realized the errors of your ways, repent, start walking with Messiah in Truth and give your talents and skills over to glorifying Him in Truth, you will become a vessel of honor. I'm thankful that He called me out to serve Him and I really pray that He does so for you.

If I wanted to sell out, I would have given you what you wanted from me, but instead I chose to give it all to Elohim, and that incudes my life and talents, which are actually His to begin with.

I would not be surprised if there were slanderings towards my name and character at Shabbos tables this weekend when only not too long ago, many of you were singing my In Da Shul song at your Shabbos tables, giving me props for being someone who was honestly Jewin something nice and clean with the little resources that I had to Jew something that had never been done before in a cool n hip way that kids can finally grasp and relate to more than just another dated "oy yoy yoy" song that they are embarassed to bump in their iPod, car or at parties. Don't act like ya'll don't know what I'm talking about. "Don't be fooled by (your assumptions of) the shirt that I rock, I'm still, I'm still Shekel from the block. Used to know a little now I know a lot. Now I really know whre I came from. Challelujah!"

Here's the spiel:

They call me 50 Shekel a/k/a “The World’s Most Kosher MC.” I was in what I call “Jew Rehab” on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I think it was the Spring of 2004. It had already been many months and I was emerged in the Orthodox community, but something was missing. I was learning about Jewish tradition, meeting nice Jews of all ages, shul hopping, reading Torah, eating great food and Jewin my best to become an Orthodox Jew, since I thought it was “legit” cause I guess, “they look more Jewish than I did.” If I’m a Jewish rapper and I’m representing, I might as well become as Jewish as I can. I just want to get right with God. I “guessed” this was how to do it. Let’s speed up to one surely unforgettable Shabbos afternoon. I was in my Shabbos suit on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Shul was out and I was invited to go to a Jewish home for a traditional Shabbos lunch meal. I turned it down. I was feeling drained from the version of Judaism I was being fed. It was more like Rabbinical boot camp. I didn’t feel connected to God at all. I just felt “literally” strapped to traditions.

I hear about that "Passion movie" which had the Anti-Defamation League up in a bunch of kvetching. I already started to investigate online about this “Jesus character” who seemed very peaceful, loving and righteous to me. The Jewish world “banned” the lost sheep that have gone astray from seeing this movie. Most of the lost sheep actually followed without even thinking or investigating for themselves. They heard gossip and they just assumed the worst about it. I had enough of listening to Rabbis and Orthodox Jews who fed me empty words of comfort, “Become more religious. God wants you too. Don't feel pressured. It’s ok, it takes time. Take it step by step a/k/a Le'at le'at chevrey (Hebrew).” Since when did God appoint all these Rabbis to be rulers over Jews? I guess, since Jews decided they didn’t want to deal with God anymore. Back to the story. I headed into Best Buy, went upstairs into the movie section, eased on over to take a look at The Passion. The DVD was there. I picked it up. That was a big step. I turned it over to begin reading. That was even a bigger step. Was anybody looking? I was in my black Gianfranco Ferre Shabbos suit. Nah, no Jews here, they’re all eating gefilte fish and horseradish…it’s appetizer time at Shabbos lunch tables. I know the driedel drill. Back to the flick. What was the big falafel fuss about this movie? What’s the big spiel deal? Prior to this day all I could hear was The Passion was anti-Semitic, gave a bad name to Jews, it will insight hatred towards Jews and so on. Besides that, every time I asked Rabbis or Orthodox Jews about Jesus, if it was at a Torah study or in da shul, all I got was, “Don’t ever mention that name here again!” There must be something to this Jesus guy. Obviously he did exist. But who was he? I grabbed a copy of Agent Cody Banks on DVD as well, which I also bought, so I could cover up the copy of The Passion on DVD when I went to pay for it. I went up to the register lady, slowly put the two DVDs on the table. I remember, slowwwwllly placing it on the table. As if I was in some sort of “Top Secret” mission, slipping someone money in exchange for a piece of secret and valuable information or as if it was some hush hush money for drugs exchange like a Miami Vice episode. I gave her the money, looked around to make sure that no Jews could see that I’m buying The Passion. The DVDs were in da bag. Mission accomplished, but I wasn't up to the "get away" part just yet. I still had to pass through the Judaism jungle of NYC.

I exited the store, turned left to head for the subway to take me back home. An Orthodox man spotted me. I was in my Shabbos suit, holding a bag from Best Buy. He gave me a snotty, “You’re such a less of a Jew…I don’t want to be seen with you…you are an embarrassment.” look and then he kept walking on. Did he think he was the kosher police or a better Jew? He surely had the same vibe as so many Rabbis, teachers and elders that have passed through my life, trying to make me feel like a worthless and lowly Jew, just because I was never a “good enough Jew” in their eyes. Apparently, they aren’t God. He is The Ultimate Judge. Now I know that and all I can do is show continuous love to people like that who are trapped in the Judaism game. Judaism is not Jewish. If Moses were alive today and all these Orthodox people would come to him cheering…”Look! We kept the law! Aren’t we good Jews?” Moses would most definitely say something like, “This has nothing to do with Abba. You are practicing religion of someone else’s. You have gone astray.”

Back to the story, I was on the subway, headed back to Queens, where I lived during that time, which I no longer do. I came home to my apartment. Opened up the DVD. Popped it into my Apple Powerbook. Started the movie. HOLY SHABBBOS!!!! This movie is Jewish. Jesus is Jewish! His name is YESHUA???? “May neeshtana, ha layla ha zeh…. “ – Wait! I thought this movie was supposed to be anti-Semitic. This is the coolest Jewish movie I have ever seen. The Pharisees look familiar…similar to The Pharisees of today. The top Pharisee looks almost exactly like the Rabbi I swore to never deal with in NYC. To make a long story short, he was trying to make me become Orthodox. His wife cooks well, so I have to hand it to her and the kids are nice. But The Rabbi, at times I still think he meant well, but now that I know The Truth, I realize he was scheming. One Saturday after shul, when I was staying over his apartment for Shabbos, I just broke down crying in front of like ten people at his house. I never cried so hard in my entire life. I told him that I just couldn’t handle the pressures of this entire “davening” a/k/a liturgy. Davening is different from praying. Praying is about you and God. Davening is reading some words a/k/a litrugy that we are subjected to read by our Rabbis...kinda like how Catholics and Anglicans do. God didn’t set that up, “man” did. I couldn’t handle turning Orthodox. It didn’t feel kosher. Surely tasted kosher, but didn’t feel kosher or true Jew. Back to the Rabbi's place, I was massively crying. Keep in mind, I have never cried so hard and so loudly in my entire life. I am now 30 years old. I was then 29. I was pushed and pressure so hard, as well as given a dose of God's Word laced with Kabbalah, Mishna, Gemarah, Talmud and who knows what else that they call "Judaism" today. It's like an ungodly cocktail of lies and if you don't take it, "How dare you call yourself a Jew!" All these people were there at the Rabbi's house. They saw me ballin with tears all over the place. I told the Rabbi, “I want to go home. I’m going to get my bag and pack.” He said, something like, “No. You are not leaving my house until Shabbos is over.” I said, “Excuse me? Are you holding me against my will? You’re not letting me leave?” He said something like, “You are staying here till Shabbos is over. You are not leaving.” This is the first time in my entire life where I was kept captive against my will by someone who forced me to keep “his version” of Shabbat. Isn’t this illegal? I kinda felt like I was held hostage. Now I know why many other young Jews ran away from this Rabbi and from Judaism-period. Do understand, this Rabbi that held me against my will was also hospitable. I kept on crying for a half an hour more in one of his children’s room, where I was all alone with a box of tissues. I weeped and weeped, asking God, “Why? WHY? WHY?????? I can’t take this! This can’t be of you God. You know how much I want to serve you. God, please help me! I love you. I'm just trying to be a better Jew!” There was a 6 x 12 x 3 inch big thingy of used tissues on my lap. I remember cradling them like a child with a rag doll. All my love for God was in these tissues. All the pain that I was being subjected to by Judaism for the past 29 years was what caused me to profusely and whole-heartedly cry out to God.

The Rabbi was kind enough to bring me a Shabbos cup with wine, a piece of challah bread and yummy food. I could barely eat, but I tried. It was nice of him to bring me food, since I was too embarrassed to be around the other Shabbos guests. Why is it that when the Rabbi told me I couldn’t go home and had to stay there till Shabbos was over, that not one person stood up and told him to chill out. Apparently they think this Rabbi is God…he is their authority…they serve him, not God. Now I know. This same Rabbi, I remember kickin it at a Torah study late at night with him and some cool Jews and we read Torah, some Kabbalah book was always there that the Rabbi referred to and quoted, so we could “supposedly” understand this week’s parsha better. Again, that’s like lacing fruit with cement. Cement is not meant to be consumed, just like Kabbalah isn’t either. God did not give it to us so we could eat. More than likely, it was meant to be stepped on. Kabbalah is an abomination to The Lord. Even ask many Rabbis. Unfortunately many of them are already practicing Kabbalah and are lacing it into their teachings at Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and beyond…shuls. So a bunch of us young guys were around. I remember hearing them discuss Hitler, Ha Satan, Bin Laden, Arafat and so on…evil characters and spirits. So I brought up Jesus. “So what’s up with Jesus?” The Rabbi’s response, “50 Shekel, do not ever mention that name again!” I could see the other young Jewish guys go silent. To this day, I truly wonder if some of those guys were wondering about Jesus, just like I was, but didn’t have enough matzoh balls to ask. Who is this Jesus guy? What’s his spiel? It’s rather odd that we can talk about Hitler, Satan, Arafat, Bin Laden at the Torah table and discuss it all with ease, but when I mentioned Jesus, it was like mentioning an evil beyond evil…more evil than Hitler, Satan, Arafat, Bin Laden combined. But wait, I know some cool Christians in LA. They’re nice people. They read The Bible each day and have weekly Bible studies. Go to church each Sunday and sings nice songs to God. What’s the spiel? Jesus can’t be that bad? I thought Jesus was about love. I would soon find out “He” was more than just a nice guy about love…He was and Is The Jewish Messiah…Moshiach! I can recall the Rabbi at one Shabbat dinner pounding his hands on the table in front of twenty young impressionable Jewish peeps like me, spirit fully saying, “We want Moshiach now!” If I knew then what I knew now, I would have said, “Rabbi, you want Moshiach? You got Him! Yeshua Ha’Mashiach! Jesus Christ. There you go. Your prayers have been answered. Mazel Tov! Let’s eat!!!!”

To conclude, after seeing The Passion, my mouth was wide open for about 20 minutes straight. I was shocked. “Oh my God!” Jesus was Yeshua. Jesus was The Messiah. Messiah is Moshiach, The Annointed One that we’ve been waiting for. This movie is not anti-Semitic. I have just fallen in love with God. I love being a Jew. Thank you Mel Gibson. You’re a Catholic and you just unveiled to me our Moshiach. You just helped me totally understand that there is more to being a Jew than just driedels and latkes. So why do so many Jews hate you? They should be cheering you and your movie on! Mel Gibson has more matzoh balls than Steven Spielberg. After that, I went online to read the book of Matthew in The New Testament. Wow! Jewish! Legit! It’s as if I’ve been hungry for so long and people just try to shove all these things down my throat for me to digest since they say it’s “good for me.” My stomach never took the ungodly stuff well…Orthodoxy, Conservative Judaism, Hassidism, Kabbalah, Traditional Judaism, New Age, Millionaire Motivational Speakers, Buddhism, American Indian rituals, Scientology and other cults. Every time I took that stuff in, I was always left confused, helpless and it gave me religious diarrhea. God hates religion. Thank God for Jesus. God in His complete Truth has 0 to do with religion. God is for everyone and so is Messiah. As The Bible tells us, “First for the Jew and then for the Greek a/k/a/ the gentile.” Yeay! Nice to know that I, along with an African man, Asian woman, Italian boy, Arab girl….all of us and everyone else are under the roof of The Lord and we all worship God through Moshiach! Everyone just has a different name for Him. Some call Him Yeshua, some call Him Jesus and others call Him other names “in their language. If anyone thinks that the same One that created the heaven and the earth did not create all the people in this world and we are not all entitled to His love and eternal salvation, that would be selfish, cold, cruel, racist, evil and straight up non-Scriptural. The Word of God points it out. His love is for everyone. Got it…good!

There is so much more that transpired before then, after and since. The rest of the story is even more interesting than this. This is just the bread, without the butter at a restaurant, before the water, the soup, the appetizer, the entrée and the dessert. This entire experience that I, Aviad Cohen a/k/a 50 Shekel went through, was “brought to you by God” and would totally benefit others if they saw it on the silver screen in the movie theaters. Yeshua taught me more than just to forgive my enemies. He taught me how to be a better Jew as a Christian a/k/a true follower of God and His Word. May you enjoy Mel Gibson's, The Passion. It’s the best movie ever made and the greatest story ever told.

Love,

Aviad Cohen a/k/a 50 Shekel

Note: I recently came across an onine video that had members of Jews For Judaism and Rabbis urging young Jewish people to beware of the movie and the message in The Passion. I could see the kids "weren't buyin his shlocky spiel." At the end, the Rabbi was boasting about how important it was for us to be "proud" as Jews. Well this is what Elohim said in the book of Job regarding pride:

"Look on everyone who is proud, humble him. And tread down the wrong-doers in their place."

Job 40:1