Thank you Rick for putting the issue so clearly.  We live in a different time than Israel.  Those of the jewish tradition during the time before the cross and the time after the church (the rapture) must maintain thier salvation.  During the church age, and only during the church age, we are saved by grace alone.  God is married to Israel - in fact He married them in the desert while they were unfaithful.  Christ will marry the church (the whole church) in Heaven at the rapture.  The church is just a blip in the time line of God's dealing with Israel.  If jews want to be saved today, they must believe on the Lord, just like every one else.  It is always about faith in Christ, the main difference is that the church is sealed with the Holy Spirit while those outside the church, in any age, are not.  That is why the bridesmaids must make sure they have enough oil (enough of the Holy Spirit).  Saul lost the Holy Spirit and D! avid and Sampson prayed that God would not take the Spirit away from them.

Your sister in Christ,
Jill