Should Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) Continue to Follow the Jewish Traditions

The Facebook Group HEBREW FOR CHRISTIANS asked a pertinent question yesterday, should Jewish believers in Yeshua continue to follow the Jewish traditions?  I thought this was a fantastic question, one that should be open for discussion.  I left an answer that in truth was more of a question then an answer, yet one that I feel I must clarify since it it speaks to the modern Messianic Jewish movement.

As saved Jews, regardless if we call ourselves Messianic, saved or Christians, often find that we continue to follow that same traditions, often Rabbinical in nature, that we practiced prior to coming to Christ.  At times we may feel that these traditions have a greater cultural meaning, whereas at other times these traditions may have no other basis then to show those Jews who have not chosen to believe in Messiah Yeshua that we are still Jews.
Thus, two questions must be asked:  first, are we following traditions for ourselves and out of a sense of respect of the Word of God?  Or are we acting out these traditions to just prove to someone that we can still follow these traditions?

On final point must be made in regard to the traditions.  It concerns me that the modern Messianic Movement has become so transfixed upon the following of various Jewish traditions.  There are times, in my opinion, that the traditions are becoming more important then the Lord and King who stands behinds the tradition itself.    This is why the Apostle Paul wrote that, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.  Col 2:16-17 (KJV)"  TRADITIONS ARE MEANINGLESS IF JESUS IS NOT BACKING THEM UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!