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"It is better to take refuge in Adonai than to trust in human beings; better to take refuge in Adonai than to put one's trust in princes." -Tehilah 118:8-9



Who Am I? What Am I Doin' Here?
Friday, October 23, 2009

An interesting post on Messianic Jewish identity and blogger discussions thereof caught my eye. In it, the author writes:
Let me say it again: Messianic Judaism will never be a legitimate form of Judaism as long as Yeshua is Lord.
Which leads me to ask a series of questions:

The author argues:
There's a great inferiority complex in Messianic Judaism. Some of its leaders are trying very hard to make it fit in with greater Judaism, even to the point of alienating its own gentile friends and abandoning the New Testament model of joint, equal fellowship of Jews and gentiles.
Which leads me to ask why a Messianic Jew is defining a desire to relate to other Jews as a method for destroying relationships with gentiles? In the context of his argument why are the Jewish people still the scapegoat to be blamed for the "problems" of Jewish-Goyim relations?

Even more importantly, in the context of this conversation, why are Messianic Jews pinning one group against the other? And why is a Messianic Jew using Judaism as the fall guy?

One of the bloggers cited by this author writes:
by our own fault, and the simple overwhelming number of non-Jewish followers of Yeshua, the result of Messianic Judaism has largely been reduced to being a Torah revival for Christians.
To which I ask, what kind of "Torah revival" encourages gentile believers to continue behaving like gentiles, when the true purpose of Torah is to create a viable, sustainable, holy (a.k.a. "set aside"/"different") culture known as Judaism? If these goyim are truly adhering to Torah, doesn't that render them goyim-no-more? Aren't they, according to Rav Shaul, Jews in the sight of G-d?

Then again, I suppose that argument depends on whose eyes are G-d's, and that itself is dependent upon...who? The masses? The leadership? The blogger publishing a post? This blogger cites that "Nearly 95% of all Messianic congregations' websites state the purpose of a Messianic congregation is 'to be a congregation of Jews and non-Jews worshiping together.'" So, I suppose then that the difference between Jew and goy reside in the methodology that brings the most people in seats and the most money in the collection plates. Nothing much has changed; just ask the Guy who knocked over the merchants' tables for turning His Father's house into a "den of theives."

This particular blogger goes on to say:
It is not faith in Yeshua that is largely the stumbling block keeping us from effectively being a home to Jewish believers and seekers – it is our own hang ups.
This is absolutely true. The psychoses of the Messianic world are unmeasureable, unfathomable, and oftentimes so ridiculous and absurd it is a wonder that there is any functioning Messianic world at all, but for the mercy of HaShem Himself. The Messianic world has become a group of glorified navel-gazers, obsessed with seeing demonic forces around every corner and behind every sling and arrow shot our way. In short, they are trying so hard to be holy that they've forgotten how to be human. Didn't our Messiah dwell on earth to do exactly that--to illustrate the marriage between human and divine, to emphasize our inability in order to strengthen our faith in His ability?

Yet another blogger cited in the original complaint argues:
God, as I see it, was moving the hearts of Jews not only to follow Jesus as the long-promised Messiah, but also to identify as Jews and eventually to return to Judaism.
Which again, leads me to ask:

And, also:

This blogger continues:
Increasingly, however, in the 1980’s and 1990’s, Messianic Judaism became a haven for non-Jews looking to find a restoration of a perceived early church or some alternative to a church that had grown soft on Biblical practice and strong on revivalist tradition.

In other words, something God had been doing amongst Jewish people became a predominantly Gentile movement.

We could stop here and ask a lot of questions:
–What are some good reasons for Gentiles to be involved in Messianic Judaism?
–What are some less than helpful reasons for Gentiles to be involved?
–How can Messianic Jewish synagogues encourage the right Gentiles to stay and the wrong ones to move on and form their own movements?
Whether or not that is the reason for increased gentile involvement, I cannot say. But the questions this blogger asks are cheeky, at best, and completely ignorant of prophecy, at worst. Since when did Messianic Judaism become the "He-Jews Goyim-Haters Club"? Perhaps since it has become populated largely by Americanized, gentilized, Christianized people with absolutely no connection, no history, and no truly expressed interest in anything perceptively culturally Jewish outside of tallitot and shofarim that can be sold off to investors who phone in their donations by credit card.

In other words, Messianic Judaism suffers from the same cultural influenza that has been plaguing Diaspora Judaism since its inception in 70 C.E.: It is battling for cultural freedom against an opposition that is larger, stronger, and more overwhelming in nature than any one person or group could ever seemingly consume.

The reason Messianic Judaism is suffering an identity crisis is not because it favors gentiles over Jews or vice-versa. Messianic Judaism is suffering an identity crisis because it is a Biblical faith displaced into a world gone mad. Messianic Judaism is "in the world, but not of the world".

As to Messianic Judaism's relationship to and with Judaism at large, I'll revisit the questions I've been asking since the beginning of this post:

And, also:


The simple fact of the matter is that as long as Messianics continue to draw lines between Messianic Judaism, Rabbinic/Mainstream Judaism, and the gentile world, they will continue to "other" themselves into an ineffectual corner. It is also true that they cannot survive if they seek to imitate anyone else--Jewish or gentile alike. Messianic Jews must simply spend less time trying to be defined and more time defining themselves--not in light of the way everyone else thinks, but in light of the way G-d has always meant us to be.

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posted by Shoshana @ 3:35 PM




Prophets, prophets everywhere!
Saturday, August 15, 2009

At the Muqata we receive a timely translation of notices being distributed in Petach Tikva:
Included in the unsigned notice are the following dire predictions:


  • Israel about to be attacked by biological and chemical rockets from Hizbolla and Syria
  • Iran to attack Israel with an atomic weapon
  • Internal attacks on Israel by Israeli Arabs
  • Europe and America to join Muslim attacks on Israel and Jerusalem.
  • Massive Earthquake to Hit Israel -- investors in real estate to lose their money
  • Antisemitism will rise
  • America will sink into the oceans
  • etc.
With the exception of the "America will sink into the oceans" verbiage, these claims of prophecy sound a lot like the same "wisdom" coming from the Messianic world. Which is funny, because aren't the Orthodox and the Messianic Jews supposed to be mortal enemies?

They also sound a lot like probables based on current events. So, does that make them "prophetic predictions" or somewhat ideologically motivated theories?

Did anyone bother asking G-d what He thinks?

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posted by Shoshana @ 10:35 AM




Israeli v. Messianic Perspectives
Friday, July 03, 2009

'Watch out, missionaries!' JPost 7/2/09

This is a story the Messianic Times has been following for a while now. The Beckfords, a Messianic couple from America, moved to Arad & opened a coffee house/chess club ministry in 2001. Since then, the Gur Hasidim (what the Times calls "Ultra Orthodox") have verbally and physically harassed the Beckfords and those associated with their ministry.

The Post gave a balanced report on the subject, subtly taking the point of view of the majority of Israelis, portraying the Hasidim as fanatics while pointing out that the majority of "Messianics" in Israel are not Jewish born & bred:
The congregation in Arad includes Christians, Arabs, African refugees, foreign students and workers and Russian immigrants who weren't brought up Jewish, says Figueras.

Asked if there were also "standard" Israeli Jews - those raised Jewish by a Jewish mother and father - he replied, 'Very few.'
While the Messianic press in America tends to only focus on stories featuring abuse of believers in the land, the growing amount of Israeli press coverage of Messianics tells me that Israelis are taking notice of the believing community for themselves, instead of just taking the Orthodox's word for it when it comes to Messianic Judaism.

This, in and of itself, is a miracle. What most American Messianics don't know or understand is that Israelis generally fall into one of two categories: Orthodox or Secular. There is no religious middle ground in Israel-- no real Conservative or Reform movements of any strength or influence. Religion, in the mind of most Israelis, belongs to the Orthodox, and the Orthodox can keep it. Unlike in America, Jews in Israel do not need religion to identify themselves as Jews. So, for many, it is nothing more than an increasingly unnecessary obligation, while others pick and choose their level of observance with a sense of independence unknown to American Jewry.

Given that freedom of choice, secular Israelis are giving Messianic Judaism a second chance. I'm not saying they're flocking to congregations in droves. What I am saying is that they are less and less willing to depict a community of consciencious, good neighbors as a threat to their Jewish identity and way of life. Israeli media coverage of Messianic Judaism has been generally balanced and increasingly favorable.

You wouldn't know that, however, if your only sources for information are the Times or ministry newsletters. For some reason, the P-word--Persecution--has become the new buzz word in the Messianic world. You hear fewer and fewer good reports coming out of the Israeli believing world lately. Any more, it's "persecution"-- "believers are persecuted". And the arguments are always couched in charismatic terms of spiritual warfare: "The enemy is attacking" "this is a demonic spirit". Satan apparently has minions that go beyond the streets of Arad; Recently, I read one report from a ministry in the land in which the author documented a sinus infection as a "demonic attack." What's next? A sermon titled: "Sudafed: The Weapon of Choice in G-d's Army"?

This week, the MJAA held their annual conference at Messiah College. The keynote speaker last year was Derek Prince's daughter; the year before, it was T.D. Jakes. This year it is Dr. George O. Wood, "A popular speaker and writer, is Chief Executive Officer of the Assemblies of God, which has 2.8 million members and adherents."

I would like to take a moment to point out that this is the same organization that treats gentiles as "associate members," not giving them full recognition because they are not born Jewish. This is also the same organization headed by the same family of believers whose patriach was Jewish, but whose matriarch was not--rendering them, in effect, as half-breeds in Rabbinic terms. (Would that make them Full-Time Associate Members?)

So, if they are so interested in playing "Jew-Not a Jew" with their membership, why are they so excited about Christians that they've had Christian leaders as keynote speakers for the past three years & counting?

Perhaps it is for the same reason that they couch everything from stonings to sinus infections as Satanic attack. Let's see, how do I say this with couth...simply put: They talk like Christians.

But, to understand why they talk like Christians, you've got to think like my Jewish boss and follow the money. Where is their funding coming from? All those ministry newsletters, and even the Messianic Times, whose latest goal is to put free copies of the paper in Christian bookstores across the country--who is their audience?

I think the MJAA's keynote speaker selection answers that question quite nicely.

And if that doesn't, the biased coverage within the Messianic media certainly does. Emphasize "persecution", because "persecution" brings in dollars. Lots of them. Taking a few Bible verses out of context and promising innocent people in pews a place in Heaven in exchange for monetary blessing, then lacquering on promises of an up-and-coming apocalypse to happen any moment (as evidenced by all those Satanic attacks) for good measure...and you've got a scheme better than the best of the Wall Street tycoons.

To be sure, there is real persecution going on, especially in the case of the Beckfords. But the abuse is equal on both sides--the Hasidim and the Messianics who both seek to personally benefit from a bad situation. In the process, they are leaving millions of people blinded to the truth in order to advance their own agendas.

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posted by Shoshana @ 11:28 AM




The Unified Body: The Book

Geocities, the free host for The Unified Body: The Book is curtailing their free web services this summer. So the new home of the book will be the blog. Consider this a Table of Contents post, if you will, to organize your reading.

Each chapter has been posted separately. For your reference, links to each in chronological order may be found below.

The Unified Body: Introduction to the Virtual Version

Chapter One: And the Walls Come Tumbling Down

Chapter Two: Modern Messianic Judaism

Chapter Three: Replacement Theology: A Tool of HaSatan

Chapter Four: Gentile Debt & History

Chapter Five: Trouble With Translation and Terms

Chapter Six: G-d's Feasts & Gentile Christian Holidays

Conclusion


Sources & Recommended Reading

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posted by Shoshana @ 11:20 AM




Sources

All scripture verses are taken from the Messianic Edition of The Living Bible, Tyndale, or the Complete Jewish Bible, translation by Dr. David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications.


Material from the following sources has also been used in the writing of this booklet:


Derek Prince Ministries-International


Charlotte, NC


WAWZ-Christian Radio


Zeraphath, NJ


Joe Finkelstein-Kol Simcha


Philadelphia, PA


Zola Levitt Ministries, Inc.


Dallas, TX


Rabbi Jan Rosenberg—Beth Zion


Jackson, NJ


Recommended Reading


Author's websites are linked when available. We encourage you to seek out these publications at your local library, bookstore, or online at your convenience.


The Olive Tree Connection by Dr. John Fischer/Menorah Ministries


Our Hands Are Stained With Blood by Michael L. Brown/Destiny Image


A Time for Trumpets-Not Piccolos! Frank Eiklor/Promise Publishing Co.


G-d Intervenes in the Middle East Marion F. Kremers/Companion Press


Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church Dr. Ron Moseley/Ebed Publications


Torah Rediscovered Ariel & D'vorah Berkowitz/Distributed by First Fruits of Zion, Inc.


Yiddish Civilization: The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Nation Paul Kriwaczek/Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London



It doesn't end here! To read the adventures of living out a Unified Body lifestyle, check out The Unified Body: The Blog.



Comments? Questions? Contact the authors of The Unified Body.


posted by Shoshana @ 11:19 AM




Final Conclusion

But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased! -Daniel 12:4



We are now in that time period when G-d is revealing more of Himself through education, science, technology, and travel. Indications over the past several years are that divisions within the body (cultural, traditional, denominational) are being broken. This will eventually lead to ONE BODY of Messianic Jews and spiritual Messianic Jews (gentiles) where the balance of Old and New Covenants exist, where the L-rd's feasts are celebrated, and where faith is practiced according to scripture rather than according to the ideas of men. This is the culmination of G-d's plan from the beginning. This is Biblical Judaism.


Genesis 13:6-8 “There were too many animals for the available pasture. So fights broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot, despite the danger they all faced… Then Abram talked it over with Lot. ‘This fighting between our men has got to stop,’ he said. ‘We can’t afford to let a rift develop between our clans. Close relatives such as we are must present a united front!’”


John 10:16 “I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”


I Peter 2:25 “Like sheep you wandered away from G-d, but now you have returned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls who keeps you safe from all attacks.”


The increasing number of Messianic Jews is perhaps the greatest sign to the gentile Church and to the world of where we are in time on G-d's clock. Consider the recent prophetic political events and those on the threshold of happening. Is it not then possible that the world may suddenly be living the final moments of this age?

Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit. -Luke 12:35



HOW READY ARE WE?

posted by Shoshana @ 11:18 AM




Chapter Six: G-d's Feasts and Gentile Christian Holidays

The Feasts of the L-rd found in Leviticus 23 prove to be an in-depth, independent study, revealing that the physical commands within the Tanak are spiritually fulfilled in the Brit Chadasha. Discussion here is limited for the purpose of this booklet. (Origins of gentile Christian holidays also qualify as an independent study.)
Leviticus 23:1,4 The L-rd said to Moses, “Announce to the people of Israel that they are to celebrate several annual festivals of the
L-rd, times when all Israel will assemble and worship Me. ...These are the holy festivals which are to be observed each year.”



The seven Feasts of Israel are the L-rd’s Feasts which He commanded His people to celebrate annually so that they would remember what He had done for them. The first season of feasts begins with the Pesach (Passover) celebration, a time that commemorates HaShem's miraculous deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt. In making the connection between the physical Passover of the Old and the spiritual Passover of the New, G-d's plan of salvation is readily evident: Just as the Jewish people were set free from physical slavery in Egypt, they can also be set free from the slavery of sin through the atoning blood sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua.

Exodus 23:14-17 There are three annual religious pilgrimages you must make. The first is the Pilgrimage of Unleavened Bread ..then there is the Harvest Pilgrimage ...And finally the Pilgrimage of Ingathering at the end of the harvest season. At these three times each year, every man in Israel shall appear before the L-rd
G-d.



Immediately following Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins and lasts for seven days. During this seven day period the Feast of First Fruits occurs. It is in the coming together of these three Feasts that the Messiah is made known.


Passover: Yeshua became our Passover Lamb; His blood sacrifice being the acceptable atonement for our sin (Leviticus 1:1-8, 17:11) opened the gates of heaven to ALL who believe in Him (John 3:16).


The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Leaven is used to represent the concept of sin throughout scripture; it is this feast that at first pointed to, and now celebrates, the fact that Yeshua was without sin or blemish.


The Feast of First Fruits: Yeshua is the first man to be permanently resurrected; as the Messiah, He is the first fruit of all who will follow. (Isaiah 53:11)


The last of the spring feasts is known as The Harvest Pilgrimage: This pilgrimage is also known as Shavuot or Pentecost. The description of this Feast found in Leviticus 23:15-19 correlates precisely with its spiritual fulfillment in Acts 2. The promised Comforter, spoken of in John 14:15-17, is revealed through the arrival of the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit).


The season of fall holidays begins with Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah), followed by Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), and finally, The Pilgrimage of Ingathering: This pilgrimage is also known as Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles.


Within the three Pilgrim Feasts (Unleavened Bread, Harvest/Shavuot, and Ingathering/Sukkot) the Tri-unity of G-d is revealed: HaShem, Yeshua, and the Ruach haKodesh are the three who make up Adonai Echad. As the Brit Chadasha illustrates, the first two feasts have been fulfilled. In accordance with scripture, it is during the last Pilgrim Feast when the L-rd will return to dwell among (or "tabernacle" with) His people.


Anyone refusing to be in Jerusalem during these three moedim (appointed times) would miss that which G-d gave. Likewise, gentile Christians who do not understand
G-d’s purposes in the Feasts miss the complete picture and richness of who G-d is. Gentile Christians who are confined to the New Covenant are as incomplete as Jewish people who are confined to the Old Covenant.


Isaiah 66:3-4 But those who choose their own ways, delighting in their sins, are cursed. ...for when I called them, they refused to answer, and when I spoke to them, they would not hear. Instead, they did wrong before my eyes, and chose what they knew I despised.
Matthew 15:3, 8-9 [Yeshua] replied, “And why do your traditions violate the direct commandments of G-d? ...these people say they honor me, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is worthless, for they teach their man-made laws instead of those from G-d."



There is room for variety of expression while maintaining Biblical teachings. However, One in Spirit does not mean that we are free to practice any way we wish; rather, faith in the Word of G-d should guide practices according to the word of G-d. Scripture tells us that the L-rd’s Feasts are a commandment to be celebrated every year; that the King of the Jews is also the King of the Gentiles; that Gentiles CONVERT, being grafted into the Hebrew faith. Which holidays, then, should gentile Christians be celebrating? Through which holidays are the Jewish people most likely to see Messiah, wanting for themselves what gentile Christians have? In speaking of how His people would know the truth of His Messiahship, Yeshua said:


...but no further proof will be given except the miracle that has happened to Jonah. -Matthew 16:4



Today, gentile Christians celebrate the Messiah's sacrifice under the title "Easter," the name of a pagan goddess. Is there any justification in celebrating our Savior's death and resurrection under that kind of title, or in such a way? Jonah spent three days and three nights inside the whale. Are there three days and three nights from Good Friday to Easter Sunday? It is impossible, then, for Jewish people to see Messiah in the Easter holiday. In celebrating the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua the Messiah, gentile Christians are actually celebrating a fulfilled Passover. The Easter holiday does not attest to this.

Deuteronomy 32:21 ...Now I in turn will make them jealous by giving my affections to the foolish gentile nations of the world.
Romans 10:19 ...G-d had said that He would make His people jealous and try to wake them up by giving His salvation to the foolish heathen nations.



While the Great Commission of sharing the Good News with the world is being carried out with much success, the Jewish people have, for the most part, been set aside. Too much from pagan culture has been adapted and plays a significant role in gentile Christian holidays. Messiah cannot be seen in these things, therefore, the Jewish people have not been "provoked to jealousy" according to scripture. Again, practice of faith as instructed in the Book is a key element in accomplishing what G-d intends.

posted by Shoshana @ 11:17 AM




Chapter Five: Trouble with Translation and Terms

Jesus: A 500 year old transliteration from Hebrew to Greek to English


Yeshua: The original Hebrew name of Messiah


For centuries, the Jewish people have been persecuted without mercy in the name of "Jesus Christ." So much confusion over and hatred of Messiah has arisen because of this misuse of Messiah's transliterated name. Yet, gentile Christianity has not considered returning to the use of Messiah’s Hebrew name, Yeshua, despite what scripture teaches us about the power and role of the Hebrew language in drawing the Jewish people to Messiah Yeshua, and the body of believers closer to each other as they worship Him. To advance the call of G-d toward the Jewish people, as well as for personal and corporate enrichment, the gentile church must understand the profound meaning of Isaiah 52:6: “Therefore, I will reveal my name to my people and they shall know the POWER in that name. Then at last they will recognize that it is I, yes, I, who speaks to them.”

Matthew 23:39 For I tell you this, you [Israel] will never see me again until you say,"Baruch haba B'Shem Adonai" (Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the L-rd.)
Zephaniah 3:9 At that time, I will chance the speech of my returning people to pure Hebrew so that ALL can worship the L-rd together.
Zechariah 14:16-17 In the end, those who survive ...will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King... And any nation anywhere in all the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the L-rd Almighty, will have no rain.



Think of these three verses together and a picture will begin to form. As we have previously discussed, the restoration of the Jewish people to their G-d is in progress. Today, Hebrew is the national language of Israel. Hebrew will be the language the Jewish people use to call upon their Messiah. It is prophesied that believers from ALL nations will come to worship as one body, speaking HEBREW.


As a witness to the Jewish people of the truth of who Messiah is, and in preparation toward fulfillment of scripture, it is only logical that the use of the name "Yeshua" is restored and respected in the believing community of today, as it was among the first century believers.


Conversion: A change from one belief, religion, etc., to another


To Repent: To feel so contrite over one’s errors/sins as to change; be penitent (willing to atone)

Acts 3:25-26 You are the children of those prophets; and you are included in G-d’s promise to your ancestors to bless the entire world through the Jewish seed; that is the promise G-d gave to Abraham. And as soon as G-d had brought His servant to life again, He sent Him first of all to you men of Israel, to bless you by turning you back from your sins.


Zechariah 2:11 At that time many nations will be converted to the Lord, and they too shall be my people... [emphasis added]


Jeremiah 12:16 ...and if these heathen nations quickly learn my people’s way and claim me as their G-d instead of Baal... Then they shall be strong among my people.


Gentiles convert. Jewish people repent. Webster provides the definition and scripture clearly indicates who converts and who repents. Even so, error in the use of these two terms permeates gentles Christianity. This causes confusion and is a stumbling block to Jewish people who deserve every possible opportunity to know their Messiah. Therefore, details which may seem inconsequential take on important significance.


posted by Shoshana @ 11:16 AM




Chapter Four: The Gentile Debt and History

Genesis 18:18 For Abraham shall become a mightly nation, and he will be a source of blessing for all the nations of the earth.



While the world has received great blessings through the gifts of the Jewish people in medicine, science, technology, and the arts, the far greater gift is the word of G-d which is Yeshua HaMashiach manifest. (John 1:1-5) For ALL who choose Him receive the gift of life. Hebrews 7:24-25 states,

But Yeshua lives forever and continues to be a Priest so that no one else is needed. He is able to SAVE completely ALL who come to G-d through Him. Since He will live FOREVER, He will always be there to remind G-d that He has paid for their sins with His blood. (emphasis mine)



Psalm 122:6 states, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. The peace of Jerusalem means not only physical peace in Israel but also the spiritual peace of Yeshua. As this command to pray is followed, the gift which has been received becomes a gift in return. Through this promise, G-d is expressing His love for both Jew and gentile.

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, yes, comfort my people, says your G-d.
Isaiah 49:22 The L-rd G-d says, "See, I will give a signal to the gentiles and they shall carry your little sons back to you in their arms, and your daughters on their shoulders."



These two verses provide further direction from G-d to the gentile Church regarding their relationship to and with the Jewish people.


The second Satanic divisive factor stated in the Promise Keepers moment cited in the first chapter is “Racism.” While this cannot be denied, anti-Semitism, hostility toward or prejudice against Jews or Judaism, must be added. In my own experience as a gentile Christian I have encountered blatant anti-Semitism in one church and an absence of teaching on it in others. While all flesh bears responsibility, anti-Semitism must be understood before it can be alleviated. It is a spiritual battle that is being waged in the flesh. As we have discussed, John 10:17-18 makes clear that Yeshua gave his life for all humanity.

Isaiah 60:12 For the nations refusing to be your allies will perish; they shall be destroyed.



The position of the United States government in recent years on issues concerning Israel are cause for great concern. The strength, stability and future of America is now in question.

Obadiah v. 15-16: The Lord’s vengeance will soon fall upon all gentile nations. As you have to done to Israel, so it will be done to you. Your acts will boomerang upon your heads. You drank my cup of punishment upon my holy mountain, and the nations round about will drink it, too; yes, drink and stagger back and disappear from history, no longer nations anymore.”
Job 12:23: He raises up a nation and then destroys it. He makes it great, and then reduces it to nothing.
We have the opportunity to review history and let it be our teacher.
II Timothy 3:16-17 The whole Bible was given to us ...from G-d and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right. It is G-d’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.



The survival of the Jewish people through centuries of horrific persecution is prophecy fulfilled. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 is prophecy fulfilled. The hope or demise of America is expressed in Genesis 12:3, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you... The choice belongs to each and every citizen.

Romans 15:12 There shall be an Heir in the house of Jesse, and He will be King over the gentiles; they will pin their hopes on Him alone.



The King of the Jews is also the King of the gentile Church. Since the gift which the Jewish people brought to the gentiles has been received and accepted, what should be the response of the Church to the Jewish people?

Romans 15:25-27 But before I come, I must go down to Jerusalem to take a gift to the Jewish believers there. for you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have taken up an offering for those in Jerusalem who are going through such hard times. They were very glad to do this, for they feel that they owe a real debt to the Jerusalem believers. Why? Because the news about the Messiah came to these gentiles from the congregation in Jerusalem. And since they received this wonderful spiritual gift of the Good News from there, they feel that the least they can do in return is to give some material aid.



The Jewish people, at their own great expense, followed the command of Yeshua by bringing the Good News to a pagan world. (Matthew 28:18-20) Recognition of the gentile debt to the Jewish people is Biblical. A voice of thanks and appreciation as well as physical aide is Biblically in order.


Many believers are somewhat familiar with Jewish history, at least recent Jewish history. To all those who have seen Schindler's List, I would ask, what to you was most profound and significant? The very last scene where Schindler is presented with a gold ring will forever remain in my memory. For me, the reality of Jewish suffering was fully understood in that moment when, his face filled with intense remorse and regret, Schindler remarked, "But I could have done so much more."

posted by Shoshana @ 11:16 AM




Chapter Three: Replacement Theology: a Tool of haSatan

Replacement theology is the erroneous concept that the gentile Church is the new Israel that replaces both Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) and Am Yisrael (the people of Israel/the Jewish people). However, as Genesis 17:7-8 states, G-d’s covenant with Abraham is FOREVER and the land given to the Israelites is theirs FOREVER.


This is reaffirmed throughout scripture, and the covenant is never changed in any way. The intent of G-d to restore the Jewish people to Himself is clearly stated in Deuteronomy 4:29-31. Verse 30 indicated the latter days as the time when this restoration will occur. It is reasonable to assume then, that we are now living in the latter days since the restoration is well in progress; looking at scripture alongside current events will not permit denial. Have the heavens ever been measured? Have the foundations the earth ever been searched out? Then according to Jeremiah 31:36-37, G-d will not reject the descendants of Israel. The L-rd reiterates this in Jeremiah 33:24-26, saying He will restore their prosperity and have mercy on them.


G-d's judgment of attitudes and actions toward Israel and the Jewish people is promised a number of times throughout scripture. For example, Joel 3:20-21 states:

But Israel will prosper FOREVER, and Jerusalem will thrive as generations pass. For I will avenge the blood of my people; I will not clear their oppressors of guilt. For my home is in Jerusalem with my people.



Zechariah 12:9, For my plan is to destroy ALL the nations that come against Jerusalem, is one of many other passages that reiterate G-d's promised judgment against the enemies of His land and His people.


Three chapters, Romans 9-11, are known as the Olive Tree Connection. It is here that Rabbi Sha’ul explains the grafting in of gentiles to the Hebrew faith, and the restoration of the Jewish people to their G-d. My own favorite verse in all scripture is Romans 11:15:

And how wonderful it will be when [the Jewish people] become believers! When G-d turned away from them it meant that He turned to the rest of the world to offer His salvation; and now it is even more wonderful when the Jewish people come to the Messiah. It will be like dead people coming back to life.



The dead coming back to life; correlate this vision with the vision of the dry bones seen by the prophet in Ezekiel 37. When the Jewish people are restored to their land and to their G-d, when the veil is lifted and Messiah is known, Yeshua's return will be imminent.


This is a shared desire among ALL believers. Even so, Zola Levitt, a Jewish believer, recently stated, “When I became a believer I spent much time teaching in churches about Israel. Now, my time is spent defending Israel.”


I believe replacement theology is a lie perpetrated by Satan. The attempt to destroy Israel and the Jewish people through alteration of scripture is an attempt to prevent the message of Messiah from reaching His firstborn people. Therefore, it is also an attempt to prevent the return of Yeshua the Messiah.


Is it possible that the veil which has been covering the hearts of the Jewish people is now covering the hearts of those who adopt the concept of replacement theology?

posted by Shoshana @ 11:14 AM




Chapter Two: Modern Messianic Judaism

A Biblical prophecy was fulfilled in 1967 when, for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, Jerusalem came under control of the Israeli Army. The Israeli government has maintained control ever since. Taking a look at Amos 9:11-15 and Luke 21:24 it becomes apparent that what began in 1948 was fulfilled during the Six Day War.



Amos 9:11-15 Then, at that time I will rebuild the City of David, which is now lying in ruins, and return it to its former glory, and Israel will possess what is left of Edom, and of all the nations that belong to me. For so the Lord who plans it all has said, “I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild their ruined cities, and live in them again, ..I will firmly plant them there upon the land that I have given them; they shall not be pulled up again says the Lord your G-d.
Luke 21:24 They will be brutally killed by enemy weapons, or sent away as exiles and captives to all the nations of the world; and Jerusalem shall be conquered and trampled down by the gentiles until the period of gentile triumph ends in G-d’s good time.
Jeremiah 23:7-8 In that day people will no longer say when taking an oath, “As the Lord lives who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt,” but they will say, “As the Lord lives who brought the Jews back to their own land of Israel from the countries to which He had exiled them.”


This is prophecy in the process as Jewish people from Russia and from many other areas of the world are now returning to Israel.



While a remnant of Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua have always existed, the modern Messianic movement gained momentum during the turbulent decade of the 1960s. Simultaneous to the retaking of Jerusalem, young Jewish hippies in the United States began to search the scriptures for themselves. Once recognizing Yeshua as the Messiah in the Tanakh (Old Covenant), there was a willingness to investigate the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant).



Isaiah 53:4-6,10: In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by G-d. But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his stripes we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet Adonai laid on him the guilt of all of us. …yet it pleased Adonai to crush him with illness, to see if he would present himself as a guilt offering. If he does, he will see his offspring; and he will prolong his days; and at his hand Adonai’s desire will be accomplished.


Luke 24:46-48: And He said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day; and that this message of salvation should be taken from Jerusalem to all the nations: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to Me. You have seen these prophecies come true.”


Jewish believers have steadily increased in number and are now a world-wide community working tirelessly to share the good news of Messiah.

Isaiah 29:10: For Adonai has poured over you a spirit of lethargy; he has closed your eyes (that is, the prophets) and covered your heads (that is, the seers).


II Corinthians 3:14-15 Not only Moses’s face was veiled, but his people’s minds and understanding were veiled and blinded too. ...For this veil of misunderstanding can be removed only by believing in the Messiah...



The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed. Unlike Rabbinic Judaism and gentile Christianity, Messianic Judaism gives equal weights to both Covenants.

Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the New Covenant I will make with them: I will inscribe my laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honor me; then they shall truly be my people and I will be their G-d.
Matthew 13:52 Then He added, "Those experts in Jewish law who are now my talmidim (disciples) have double treasures, from the Old Covenant as well as from the New!"



Once again, you can see the prophecy and the fulfillment. As Jewish people are coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua and the fullness of the old as revealed in the New, gentile Christians are expressing interest in seeking and understanding their Jewish roots in the Old. The end result is a BALANCE, the importance of which is knowledge and blessing not experienced before. The whole picture of G-d's plan can be seen. It is not that Messianic Judaism or Messianic Jews have all the answers in themselves, but, rather, the answers are in the complete word of G-d, in the fitting together of the Old and New!

posted by Shoshana @ 11:13 AM




Chapter One: And the Walls Come Tumbling Down

By separating one man, Abraham, from a pagan culture, G-d established a nation, Israel,that would carry out His plan for mankind. The Jewish people are the receivers and keepers of G-d's oracles, the Bible. They were prepared to receive Messiah and, following His direction, they brought the Good News to the gentiles.


The L-rd directs Moses in Exodus 12 on the celebration of Passover, and in verse 19, gentiles are included: These same rules apply to foreigners who are living among you just as much as to those born in the land. In many other places throughout scripture it is clearly stated that gentiles are included. G-d never turned anyone away.

Zechariah 2:11 At that time many nations will be converted to the L-rd, and they too shall be my people...

Zechariah 9:7 Every one left will worship G-d and be adopted into Israel as a new clan...


Twice Zechariah states that ALL will become as ONE. From the beginning, gentiles have always been included as a part and having a part of and in G-d's plan.



Rabbi Sha'ul (Apostle Paul) teaches that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) came for the Jews and also for the gentiles. G-d is true to His promises. Prophecy in Tanakh (Old Covenant) has been fulfilled through Yeshua in the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant).

Romans 15:8-9 Remember that Yeshua the Messiah came to show that G-d is true to His promises and to help the Jews. And remember that He came also that the gentiles might be saved and give glory to G-d for His mercies to them.


Many people throughout the centuries and continuing today have difficulty with Romans 1:16, to the Jew especially, but equally to the gentile. A true story related by the founder and leader of a well known world wide ministry explains this perfectly:

An Arab, who we shall call Ali, became a Christian and, even then, could not come to terms with the Jews being first, until one day, while in prayer, the L-rd spoke to him, saying, "Ali, your problem is not with the Jews, it is with ME. For, you see, they did not choose me; I chose them."
Today, Ali leads a ministry which prays for and is a help to the Jewish people.



Deuteronomy 10:15: And yet, He rejoiced in your fathers and loved them so much that He chose you, their children, to be above every other nation, as is evident today.


John 15:16: “You didn’t choose me! I chose you!”


John 4:22: Salvation comes to the world through the Jews.
Yeshua GAVE His life for ALL which was His reason for coming.

John 10:18: “No one can kill me without my consent—I lay down my life voluntarily.”

On the execution stake He FORGAVE ALL.
Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive these people,” Yeshua said, “for they don’t know what they are doing.”

So it is through Him and Him alone that ALL may experience peace on earth and peace eternal. In Him we become one unified body of believers, which is the constant theme from Genesis through Revelation.



Ezekiel 47:22-23 clearly describes the plan of HaShem (G-d), that is, His intention of unity:

Distribute the land as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who live among you with their families. All children born in the land—whether or not their parents are foreigners—are to be considered citizens and have the same rights as your own children have. All these immigrants are to be given land according to the tribe where they now live.
Ephesians 2:14-22 describes beautifully how Messiah broke the separating wall of contempt by making us all (Jews and gentiles) one family, a unified body.



Denominations are NOT Biblical. They are diabolical to the plan of G-d found in the Bible. A Promise Keepers moment heard on Christian radio the week of May 13, 1996, stated, "There are two major Satanic divisive factors within the Church." The concept of "denominations" ranked number one. Cracks in the foundations of various denominations have occurred over the past 30 years and are widening significantly. In recent years, television, radio, and print media have reported on the efforts of the gentile church to unify with little success.



Believers, Messianic Jews and gentile Christians, are currently engaged in a process of becoming one body. This is what Yeshua prays for in John 17:20-23, so that the world will realize the truth of who He is. To enable fulfillment of our purpose as believers, we must strive for unity in the flesh as well as in the Spirit. As Matthew 12:25 states, a house divided against itself cannot stand.


From a Messianic Jewish newsletter report recounting a visit to a gentile church, I quote the following sentence, "Their love for our Jewish people is a solid testimony that the middle wall of partition has been broken down, and we are truly one in the Messiah!" (December 1, 1996)

posted by Shoshana @ 11:11 AM




The Unified Body: Introduction to the Virtual Version

When my mother first sat down to write what could be best termed "the thesis of her faith" in 1997, we had only technically been involved in the Messianic Jewish movement for around six years. In other words, we were novices at best, still learning, still growing, and still viewing our faith through that lens of new found love. To us, especially to my mother, the tenets and teachings of Messianic Judaism were amazing and awe inspiring; they fulfilled a lifelong faith in Yeshua because, through such a clear understanding of scripture, she was finally able to see Him face to face.

As with any new love, my mother was excited to share the truth of what she had learned with the people around her; first and foremost, her family. However, outside of my father and myself, the rest of the gang proved unwilling to listen, and would, at times, even mock and ridicule her in front of her children for what she believed.

So, the message she had so desired to share with a family that wouldn't listen went to the outside world. Friends, fellow congregants, acquaintances, shop owners, and even a few Jehovah's Witnesses who came knocking at our door would be the recipients of the gift she had received, first through comments and conversations, then, finally, through this booklet.

At the time my mother wrote The Unified Body, the modern Messianic movement in America was barely a generation old. Now, nearly ten years later, the movement is on the cusp of middle age, and her teenagers are running wild. Ten years ago, teachings on Rav Shaul's climactic Olive Tree Connection were slim and slow to gain popularity. Now, with the growth of the Christian Zionist and Hebrew roots movements, what was so new and exciting to the few, like my mother, is flowing like fresh water from a spring to thousands, if not millions of believers today.
"Mom," I told her once. "You'll probably never know how many of your books reached how many hands over the years, but I'll tell you something-- they've made an impact, probably more than you'll ever know." She gave a pensive nod, walked over to the bookshelf, and picked up her copy. Thumbing through it carefully, she re-read the tome she had poured over at the dining room table all those years ago, a housewife with no publishing credits to her name. "Nope," she said, "I still wouldn't change one word. Baruch haShem."

It is with the same conviction that I decided to expand "The Unified Body" from her original booklet into a blog charting my own experiences as a Messianic Jew; for what she wrote about, I lived and continue to live out to this day. It is a testimony to the truth of Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way she should go; and, even when old, she will not swerve from it." But I could not publish the blog without also publishing the booklet. While it is a teaching, it is also a testimony. It is also a document that records where the Messianic movement was at at that specific moment of time, and shows us how it has arrived where it is today. Prayerfully, it also reflects on where our community is going in the future.

Remember how the old days were; think of the years through all the ages. As your father, he will tell you; your leaders too, they will inform you." -D'varim 32:7

May you be blessed in the reading of this book. May it enlighten and inspire you to take up the easy yoke of Yeshua in your halacha with Him. May it be a blessing to the entire body of believers, that we will soon truly become that unified body we need to be in order to be a real light unto the nations.

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua haMashiach,

~Shoshana 6 Cheshvan 5767


Introduction 1998

This booklet serves as an introduction to a fuller understanding of G-d’s plan from Genesis to Revelation. For every scripture used here, many more exist which substantiate what is said.
Variation in background and experience of individuals may lend to some repetition, however, a picture not previously seen will become apparent at the completion. It is the responsibility of every believer to know the truth for him/herself so it is my hope and desire to stimulate every reader on to further investigation.

The L-rd has compelled me to be bold and plain in sharing what He has shown me. Please, do not confuse or misinterpret anything contained herein as accusing toward anyone, rather, it is in His timing that the content be made clear.

"Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully, and make it plain, as, of course, I should." Colossians 4:4

With Love and Shalom to all,

~Nancy

March 23, 1997

posted by Shoshana @ 11:08 AM




I Missed Yom Haatzmaut...Blame my Israeli BF
Friday, May 01, 2009

I've been run ragged with outside projects. Sorry for slagging off.

Fortunately, today I've been afforded an hour to catch up on Israeli bloggers--

Great Yom Haatzmaut post here:

61 more things I love about Israel

I'd list my favorites from his list, but I'd be copying and pasting for 20 minutes. It's great stuff.

YAY ISRAEL! Thank G-d for a place to call home. I will celebrate you to the hilt at the ISRAEL DAY PARADE in NYC on MAY 31!

Be there or be goy.

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posted by Shoshana @ 2:08 PM




We Made it to the Front Page

Religious Affairs: Jesus's Zionists in today's Jerusalem Post is a pretty even-handed article that portrays Messianic Jewish Israelis in a favorable light regarding their Zionism and military service.

It's interesting to note the confluence of culture evident in the paper's interpretation of Messianic Judaism, as well as in the Messianic Jewish Israeli expressions of faith. For instance:

"As believers, we are obligated to love and respect our enemies. But we are also citizens of Israel, which obligates us to serve in the IDF."

Why is there a but in that comment? Why is it automatically assumed that military service implies hatred and destruction of your enemies? Since when does the IDF fire on any of their opponents without first being provoked and then taking every precaution to avoid conflict and unnecessary casualties?

"Days are coming when the Jewish people will be forced to realize that Yeshua is the only solution to all our troubles," said Bar-David, using the Hebrew name for Jesus.

The sense of eminent apocalypse expressed by the Messianic believer here is interesting. I was recently at a dinner with an Israeli doctor who told me of his two jobs and his wife's three. When I commented on his insane workload, he said it is the same for all Israelis- they work all the time to keep their mind off the constant stresses of living in what is essentially a 24/7 war zone. Why would an Israeli believer in Yeshua, who lives in this war zone on a daily basis, focus his apocalyptic vision on days that are coming instead of the ones he is already living?

Moreover, why would you ever use the term "forced" when talking about coming to faith in Messiah? That is the antithesis of faith-- it cannot be forced. What? Trauma will worsen to such an extent that Israelis will be "forced" into believing in a Messiah in order to obtain salvation from the horror? That mindset assumes 1 of 2 things:

1. A forced belief in a false Messiah, since true faith cannot be forced, and if Messiah is Truth, then there can be nothing false about faith in Him, or;

2. Tying in the apocalyptic vision, this belief that Israelis will be "forced" into faith rings a note all to similar to the ones being sung by the Evangelical Christian Church in America, which--excuse the phrasing--is hellbent on being raptured so they can see the "Jews" duke it out in the tribulation until "Jesus" comes back to save His chosen.

Strange. Especially coming from an Israeli. Could it be that the translation from Hebrew to English wasn't that great, or does Christian eschatology have the same kind of influence on Israeli Messianic Judaism that it does on American Messianic Judaism?

Still, though, a fair report coming from the largest-read English daily in Israel on the eve before Shabbos. Should be interesting to see what the Messianic world thinks.

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posted by Shoshana @ 1:30 PM




Jewish Mother Joke of the Day
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

How to know your mother is anxious to impress your new Jewish boyfriend:

"We can have the roast beef for Passover dinner, but what kind of potato can I do?"

"Do a baked potato."

"But we can't have butter if we have beef!!!"

"Mom-- we've never done milk and meat. He knows we don't do milk and meat. He doesn't care."

"Are you sure?!"

This, after my 2 year old cousin decided to go "shopping" in the pantry and pull out dad's hidden bottle of Bacon Ranch dressing, which prompted me to say later, "I don't eat that! I don't even LIKE dressing!!"

It's a good thing he's a mensch.

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posted by Shoshana @ 12:16 PM




Then & Now
Sunday, March 01, 2009

"People like Wilders are always controversial, and they are never perfect. Yet, imagine if such a person had come to this country from Germany in 1934, to warn us about an unimaginable horror being prepared for Europe’s Jews. How many people would have dismissed such warnings as alarmist propaganda?"
--Rabbi Jon Hausman 3/1/2009


"I can remember back in High School [Simon Gratz High School, Philadelphia, PA 1937-1938] a Jewish Rabbi that spoke--He escaped from Germany and Hitler and talked about it. At that time no one believed him or that something that terrible could take place--not even the Jews!"
--My grandfather's memoirs, entry dated "Armistice Day 1988"

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posted by Shoshana @ 7:48 PM




CPAC: Limbaugh, Wilders, Intellectual Force, and the Creator

Pamela Gellar at Atlas Shrugs has an insightful report on this weekend's CPAC conference in D.C.. Unfortunately, the most I was able to catch of the conference was Limbaugh's "First Address to the Nation" last night. While I thought his speech was humorous, accurate, and inspiring, I can see what Gellar means when she says, "The people who attended desperately need educating on a vast range of issues that threaten American sovereignty and basic human freedoms."

Limbaugh talked ideology in an era and to a generation that, quite honestly, doesn't know the definition of "ideals" let alone how to act on them. In a way it was weird; you could compare his speech to some of the great Evangelical messages of the revival age, sans any mention of Jesus or the Bible, of course. Yet, while the Evangelicals combated the threat of hellfire and eternal damnation with the hope of the Rapture and eternal salvation, Limbaugh's message simply argued that living a Conservative life should be done because it is the right thing to do. For Limbaugh, righteousness is self-sustaining and hope is had in the "optimistic" belief that people can change their minds and learn to be good decision-makers/voters. Ironically, in that sense, his message was more Judeo than Christian: Your good works can save you, and they can save others as well, if they're smart enough to imitate you.

Limbaugh argued that Conservatives, by their very nature, are happy people. This is certainly true. However, doesn't that joy come from knowing that freedom is the endowment of a Creator, not merely an ideal held by the politically righteous among us?

The passion in Limbaugh's message did not radiate so much from the righteousness of Conservative ideals as it did from mocking Liberal hypocrisy. In this postmodern age where passion has been redefined by pleasure, following the "laugh a minute or you'll lose them" ethos of motivating an audience can have a self-defeating effect: You've impassioned your listeners, but only for that brief moment in time that they're able to laugh at the joke. The reality is that jokes get old and in the era of Joe Biden, where humorous material presents itself at a pace fast enough to keep even the 24-hour news cycle on its toes, speakers who rely on laughter to motivate their listeners run the risk of cultivating an audience blinded to the realities of the situation by their own tears of joy. Yes, G-d laughs at His enemies, but that is because He knows the battle is already won. Do we as mere mortals have that same luxury?

I enjoyed Rush Limbaugh's speech thoroughly, and no one deserved to be recognized for their commitment to Conservatism more than Rush. I also feel that it is nothing short of idiotic for the Obama administration to echo the musings of Liberals at large when they target Rush Limbaugh as an "intellectual force" (as Rahm Emanuel just said on "Face the Nation") who, in their terms, negatively impacts the Republican Party. The man has a high school education and a radio show, and you're calling him an "intellectual" who has a negative impact on America? As I recall, President Obama, who graduated from Columbia University, just spent trillions of dollars that taxpayers, who are out of work and in a recession, haven't even earned yet. Moreover, in exchange for the Chinese money that will cover our debt, President Obama has reportedly drafted the greatest shanda of a mortgage agreement ever, signing away eminent domain U.S. land rights to China. Will the real Dangerous Intellectual in the room, please stand up?

What I'm calling into question is not the speech of one man, but the rhetoric of an ideological movement caught like a deer in the headlights and wondering which way to turn to avoid getting run over.

Gellar quotes Patrick Poole from Pajamas Media who writes:
What should have been one of the most important events of this year’s CPAC, the appearance by Dutch parliamentarian and anti-jihad activist Geert Wilders, was relegated to the opposite side of the hotel, divorced from all of the other conference proceedings.

...Meanwhile, GOP operative and Karl Rove confidante Grover Norquist, who is single-handedly responsible for opening the doors of political power for convicted al-Qaeda fundraiser Abdurahman Alamoudi and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Sami Al-Arian, was given the honor of introducing House Minority Leader John Boehner on Friday morning. The contrast between the cold reception of Wilders and the warm embrace of Norquist by CPAC could not be any starker.
And so, it would seem, the tears of laughter have blinded the Conservative establishment from the realities in their midst. The simple truth is: Ideals don't get you very far because ideals, while they may be Creator-inspired, are man-made and, therefore, easily eroded.

We can barely keep our promises to G-d, let alone to each other, and hardly ever to ourselves. For the Conservative movement to survive and succeed, it needs to rely a lot less on the musings of men and a lot more on the Creator who endowed them with the ability to speak freely. Let's face it: that's what this conflict is all about. Not ideological differences over foreign and domestic policy, but the core belief behind those differences. Conservatives believe in the Superior Authority of the Divine Creator while Liberals believe they are the creators and, therefore, divine. Conservatives believe that they are empowered by a force outside of themselves, while Liberals believe they are the force of empowerment for the world. Conservatives believe in G-d, while Liberals believe they are gods. Hence, Limbaugh can tell his radio audience that his freedom to speak comes from his Creator, and Obama can secretly sign away the land of the voters who put him into office while calling Limbaugh the "Czar" of the Republican Party!

America was established by a group of people who believed that Divine Right was precisely that--Divine, not human. No King could be endowed with the power to enslave any human being's speech, land, or life. John Adams once told a group of British soldiers, "We have no Sovereign but G-d and no King but Jesus!" That is why Americans won their freedom--because they were humble enough to acknowledge that their freedom was a gift from someone higher and better than any other human being ever could be. Conservatives would do well to remember the faithful lesson of their role models and acknowledge their Creator and His benevolence a little more often, and always in the face of their enemies. That public acknowledgment--and not the righteousness of living an idyllic life--is what won our Independence, and it will be the only thing that will guarantee we stay that way.

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posted by Shoshana @ 10:15 AM




Purim in the Air...It's all Good
Monday, February 23, 2009

Thank you, Muqata, for reminding me that Rosh Chodesh Adar means that Purim is right around the corner.

In honor of Purim, this month's posts will be nothing but fun and positive.

Quit your laughing. It's a goal, okay? Contrary to popular belief, goals are good.

And speaking of good, we'll kick off our Purim Positivity by exploring the meaning of "Tov" the Hebrew word for "good":
What does "good" mean? The first use of this word is in Genesis chapter one where calls his handiwork "good". It should always be remembered that the Hebrews often relate descriptions to functionality. The word tov would best be translated with the word "functional". When looked at his handiwork he did not see that it was "good", he saw that it was functional, kind of like a well oiled and tuned machine.

via The Ancient Hebrew Research Center
For something to be good, it must have a purpose. Makes sense.
The tet is the initial letter of the word tov, "good." The form of the tet is "inverted," thus symbolizing hidden, inverted good--as expressed in the Zohar: "its good is hidden within it."

...Of the eight synonyms for "beauty" in Hebrew, tov--"good"--refers to the most inner, inverted, and "modest" state of beauty. This level of beauty is that personified in Torah by Rebecca and Bat Sheva, who are described as "very beautiful [goodly] in appearance."

via Inner.org
"Good" is beautiful, and much like true beauty, it often exudes from beneath the surface. Again, makes sense.

So, first good topic of the month: Hiking in Israel.

I'm a big fan of taking a walk. The longer the walk, the better. Needless to say, when I came across this article in the JPost, I was nothing short of motivated to take a hike (yes, every single pun intended):

What's Not to Hike?
No one knows that better than Israel's foremost father-and-son hiking duo, David and Eran Gal-Or. For the Gal-Ors, co-authors of a series of hiking guidebooks, Maslulim, subtitled "Falling in Love with Israel Again," an eight-month hike the pair took brought about unexpected benefits. What started out as a way to celebrate Eran's completion of his IDF service morphed into a complete career change for David, and for Eran, a chance to earn a living while pursuing his passion.


I wonder if they publish Maslulim in English...

Reading the JPost article made mewant to do this only I'd do it to raise money for textbooks in Israeli public schools. The classrooms in Israel (unlike those in UN-guarded, US/European-funded palestinian schools, aka Terrorist Training Camps) do not come stocked with textbooks, let alone a lot of other supplies and accoutrements Americans take for granted. Students in Israel are dependent upon their parents to purchase their textbooks each academic year, leaving many students carrying many different editions of the same book, or even no books at all. These kids deserve textbooks and all the structure unified resources provide.

Sadly enough, if you Google "Israeli school textbooks" you'll get headlines like "Israeli Textbooks and Children’s Literature Promote Racism", "Othering and Identity: Exclusion Practices in Israeli", and "Report says Palestinian school textbooks portray Jews badly", but you see nothing about the lack of funding for and organization behind the stock of textbooks for the Israeli public school system.

I want to hike Israel. I want Israeli kids to be provided with good textbooks at no cost. So, in the spirit of staying positive, I'm going to believe both things will happen "for such a time as this".

Chag Purim Sameach!

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posted by Shoshana @ 7:31 PM