Written by ktmom15 on July 7, 2025

What commandments do Torah Observant Christians Follow

Recently, a comment was left on the following post.

Whole Bible Believer, Torah Observant Christian

The question was,

“Is there a list of commandments Torah observant Christians observe with scriptures I could go over and study? Not the inflated 613?”

This is such a great question and I wanted to take time to answer it. I have to admit, I don’t call myself a Torah Observant Christian, but others often call me by this title because my beliefs are very similar to Torah Observant Believers. That being said, I will answer the best I can.

Torah-observant Christians, sometimes called Messianic Jews, strive to follow the commandments of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. While some interpret these commandments broadly as ethical guidelines, others aim for a more literal observance, including specific dietary laws, Sabbath observance, wearing tzit tzit, and festivals, etc..

As for my family, we observe the weekly Sabbath, the annual feasts, and keep the dietary laws, and more. But, we do NOT keep them out of fear or to gain some special blessing, but rather we choose to obey out of love for our Creator and Redeemer. We believe, that Messiah has redeemed us and freed us. We avoid the bondage of added traditions and customs and of the commands of men and ordinances. (Colossians 2:14-4:18, Galatians 5)

Yet, we choose to see the beauty and prophecy of these commandments and observe them out of love.

Here is a list of what I believe are the most commonly observed commands and where the most common Scripture references are for their understanding and observing.

The Ten Commandments:

These are foundational to both the Jewish and Christian faith and are found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet.

These are the commandments that Jesus/Yeshua teaches and expounds on in Matthew 5-8. These are how we live together in God’s Kingdom.

Sabbath:

One of the most important commandments to a Torah Observant believer is the weekly Sabbath. It is the fourth of the ten commandments. There are many, many Scriptures about the Sabbath. Here is a link to a whole study on this topic. Sabbath Study by Anne Elliott

Most TO believers observe the Sabbath (Shabbat) from Friday sundown to Saturday evening sundown, refraining from work and engaging in religious activities. There is variation on how this day is observed. But, the study guide has the Scriptures for why we observe it.

Food Laws:

The next passage of Scripture that most Torah-observant Christians follow are found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, which include abstaining from eating certain animals.

Biblical Feasts:

Torah Observant believers celebrate the Biblical holidays such as Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), Sukkot, and Yom Kippur, found in Leviticus 23. Another great resource for all the Scriptures on this topic is Feast Study by Anne Elliott

Tassles/Tzittzit:

Most, but not all Torah Observant Christians wear tassels on their clothes called tzittzit. This comes from the passage Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12.

Circumcision:

Many Torah Observant believers practice male circumcision on the eighth day after birth. Genesis 17 and Leviticus 12:3 are two passages that speak of this requirement for God’s children. Some do not practice this based on the following passages sighting that it was only a symbolic practice that is no longer required.

Romans 2:25-29, Colossians 2:11-12,Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4,Acts 15:1-20,Galatians 5:1-6

Shema/Law of Love:

The most important commandment to observe I would say is the law of love. We are commanded to love God first, and to love our neighbor. The passages for this commandment are many, but most Torah Observant people would refer to the “Shema” Deuteronomy 6. For Torah Observant believers that follow Jesus/Yeshua this is also in Matthew 22:37-40.

There are other commands and practices that many observe. But, I would say this is the most common understanding of what Torah Observant believers see as applicable today.

I hope this list is helpful and blesses those seeking to understand and observe these commands.