Real Jews Don't Pay Retail
Saturday, November 15, 2008
On the Inspiration Network they're running a telethon. The prize of the day: For a $700 gift you get a prayer shawl.
A tallit.
One of the most sacred cultural emblems of the Jewish faith.
You get it for $700 bucks.
Pure Jewish reaction: "You can get them for $50 straight from Israel! What kind of deal is that?"
Pure Messianic Jewish reaction: "Why are you co-opting my faith and making money off of my traditions? Didn't that whole 'They bargained for His robes' verse mean ANYTHING to you at ALL?"
Seriously. How much credibility do Jewish believers have when gentile believers take on these cultural elements and manipulate them for their own benefit? It's as bad as turning the Temple into a den of robbers. Although, it really shouldn't surprise me; gentiles have been re-hashing and manipulating Jewish scriptures to suit their own needs for roughly 2,000 years, right?
Now, Pastor Huch is wearing a talit and praying over phoned-in prayer requests, because "there's power in doing things according to God's instruction."
No, really? Like ripping innocent believers off by telling them they'll receive supernatural anointing if they unload their wallets into your hands? Since when did God charge for the gifts of the Spirit?
The talit is a metaphor, a symbol for the wings of God; it is used by many observant Jews as a kind of individual prayer closet; it is the mode by which we wear the tzitzit, commanded fringes that identify who we are and remind us of the holiness of Torah, our covenant with God. And these gentiles, who don't observe Torah, who don't identify with Israel or the responsibilities of our nation, and who, therefore, don't even know what tzitzit are- are being SOLD prayer shawls by a bunch of pastors who want MONEY for THEIR OWN PURPOSES, INCLUDING A BUILDING FUND?
GOD'S GIFTS ARE FREE!
GOD'S GIFTS ARE FOR EVERYONE!
GOD REALLY DISLIKES SPIRITUAL LEADERS WHO ABUSE THEIR AUTHORITY!
One Pastor in the bunch explained, "God says He will bless us but we have to follow His commandments and tithe!"
Are you kidding me? Here's what people are hearing: "God will bless me if I give this holy man money. If I give this holy man money, I'll get the prayer shawls the Jews wear, and I'll have money like they do!"
No. No. No no no no no!!
Why aren't they just sharing the importance of Torah? Because it's hard. It's hard not to eat pork, or to put a Christmas tree in your house-- it's hard NOT to be like everyone else. I know-- I've been there. But, you know what? It's also an incredible blessing to know that you can be totally and completely independent. Torah is the founding document of spiritual, political, religious, social, economical, and national independence. That is the real reason why they don't teach Torah-- because if they did, these leaders would lose their authority over the people. Why? Because the people would catch on to the truth of their independence in HaShem and, suddenly, the authority they grant their pastors and spiritual leaders would be granted solely to HaShem.
"Furthermore, he gave some people as emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers. Their task is to equip God's people for the work of service that builds the body of Messiah, until we arrive at the unity implied by trusting and knowing the Son of God, at full manhood, at the standard of maturity set by God's perfection." - Ephesians 4:11-13
Pastors aren't meant to lead you through your life forever! Pastors are meant to guide you into an independent existence that trusts in HaShem!
Now, T.D. Jakes is talking about separating the wheat from the chaff and rebuking Satan. This is the same guy whose daughter's wedding was covered by Entertainment Tonight.
"Human being, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy! Tell them, the shepherds, that Adonai Elohim says this: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn't the shepherds feed the sheep? ...I am against the shepherds. I demand that they hand my sheep back to me. I will not allow them to feed the sheep, and they won't feed themselves either. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths; they will be food for them no longer." - Ezekiel 34:2,10
Okay, Pastors. You want to embrace Torah? You want your Jewish roots? Then quit thinking that the prophets were only talking about the leaders of ancient Israel. You're the shepherds, aren't you? And if you can wear a prayer shawl, you must think Torah-- ALL of God's words-- apply to you, right?
Start acting like it. Quit abusing the traditions of my faith for your own nefarious purposes. Quit abusing my people for the sake of your pocket. And quit abusing all of those true-hearted believers out there who really do want to understand why their Messiah is referred to as the Living Torah.
Remember, you believers: God's gifts are free. Yeshua paid the price. If you want to truly respect and understand what that means, you'll embrace the covenant--Torah-- and in doing so you'll come to understand that you weren't put on this earth to throw your hard-earned money at a bunch of glamorous church leaders who do nothing more for you OR God but throw familiar epithets in your face. Don't rely on leaders- BE a leader. That's what God has commanded of you.
Labels: Christian, Inspiration Network, Jewish Roots, Prayer Shawls, Talit
posted by Shoshana @ 12:50 PM
Obamination
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Via IsraelMatzav:
Jewish Fools in America:
An astounding 78% of American Jews voted for President-elect Barack Hussein Obama in Tuesday's Presidential election despite professing concern about terror attacks and the economy. More Jews voted for Obama than voted for John Kerry in 2004 and a higher percentage of Jews than Catholics or Protestants voted for Obama on Tuesday.JPost Reports: 76% of American Voters in Israel Vote McCain
I've already talked extensively about aliyah if Obama were to be elected. Now, the idea takes on a new cultural relevance: I have more in common with 76% of Israeli Jews than with 78% of Jewish Americans.
posted by Shoshana @ 12:45 PM
