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Visas for Evangelicals in Israel
MICHAEL DECKER - Guest Legal Commentator
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Shame
A suspected Orthodox Jewish bombing of a Messianic household in Israel marks an escalation that should make all Jews feel shame.
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The fear factor
Israeli ministers are right in that emotion should never dictate Israel's response, but fear is not an acceptable substitute.
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Just a Little Blood on Their Hands
Paying any price for the return of captured Israeli soldiers is an abuse of a noble practice since, from experience, we know that the terrorists freed in exchange will return to kill and maim more Israelis.
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Governmental Funding and Christian Charities
Messianic legal analysis
As Believers in the Bible, I am convinced that we need to abide by governmental authorities by participating in and enjoying all of the benefits that we deserve by right, according to the law.
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Shabbat reading: Ki Tissa
Exodus 30:11-34:35; 1 Kings 18:1-39
When spiritual leadership is missing tragedy befalls the people. Even today, we fall into danger when we lose sight of our mediator, the Son of God and Messiah, Yeshua.
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Revocation of citizenship - Urgent call for amendment
Messianic legal analysis
A new campaign by Israel's Ministry of Interior to revoke the citizenship of believers highlights an urgent need for reform.
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Shabbat reading: Shemot - Names
Exodus 1:1-6:1; Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23
When God chooses us to do a task for Him, He will prepare the way and put His words in our mouth.
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Visa opportunities in Israel
Messianic legal analysis
How can Christian Zionists gain long-term status in Israel, which only officially accepts Jewish immigrants? It may be easier than you think.
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Transforming Jewish Hearts towards Christians
If we continue to hate the Christians, why shouldn’t they hate us back? Love breeds love. Hatred breeds hate. Anti-Christianism breeds anti-Semitism.
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Shabbat reading: Toldot – Genealogy
Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1:1–2:7
In this week’s Torah Portion we meet another childless couple: Isaac and Rebekah (25:21). We can read of several men of God that shared the same fate like Abraham and later the parents of Joseph, Samuel, Samson and also John the Baptist.
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Shabbat reading: Chaye Sarah - The life of Sarah
Genesis 23:1–25:18; 1 Kings 1:1-31
Israel legally purchased three of her most wanted holy sites, hotly disputed until now: The Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
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Shabbat reading: Va'yera
Genesis 18:1 – 22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37
Abraham's life continues to offer tremendously valuable lessons for believers today, like being hospitable even when we don't feel like it, waiting patiently on the Lord, and obeying His Word even when it doesn't make sense or agree with our own desires.
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Real Estate Investments in the Land of the Bible
Messianic legal analysis
As believers in the Bible from around the world, we can be assured that the value of all this land is only going to rise. No substitute can be found for property situated in the vicinity of where the Third Temple shall be proclaimed.
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Shabbat reading: Lech lecha - go forth!
Genesis 12:1–17:27; Isaiah 40:27–41:16
You are never too old to be targeted by God’s callings. God renews the strength to those who "Wait upon the Lord."
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Life in the Israeli express lane
A routine experience in the express line at an Israeli grocery store exemplifies the frustrating - and often humorous - lack of social decorum that characterizes life in the Jewish state.
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Messianic Jews and the Law of Return
Messianic legal analysis
The nation of Israel has the right to define itself as a Jewish nation and the definition given, as of today, is that a Messianic Jew is not considered Jewish for the purposes of the "Law of Return."
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Yom Kippur and the Messianic Believer
Our sins are cleansed by the blood of Yeshua, our Saviour and Messiah, but we are fasting and praying for our nation as priests and representatives of the High Priest Yeshua today!
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Shabbat reading: Nitzavim/VaYelech
Deuteronomy 29:10-31:30; Isaiah 61:10-63:9
The Lord made sure that the Good News, His divine word, could be spread all over the globe and no one would need to travel to experience salvation or healing.
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Neither Male nor Female
Since 1992 a dramatic change is taking place in the structure of the classic Jewish family, that of a Jewish man and woman who are married "according to the Law of Moses and Israel."
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Shabbat reading: Ki tavo - When you will come
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8; Isaiah 60:1-22
After all the suffering that came over the Jewish nation and what was foretold already in Moses’ time, also this promise will be fulfilled: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you!”
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Freedom of Religion in Israel - Myth or Reality?
Messianic legal analysis
Israel views the freedom of religion as an important value and has signed international treaties safeguarding the right to share one's faith openly. But are those rights being violated?
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A Democratic Vision
Two recent events should cause great concern over the burgeoning political power of left-wing thinkers in Israel.
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Shabbat reading: Va'Etchanan
Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11; Isaiah 40:1-26
God Almighty chose Israel so that He could do mighty wonders and signs through this rebellious, stiff-necked people, because “in our weakness His power is perfected!”
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Shabbat reading: Matot - Masei
Numbers 30:2 - 36:13; Jeremiah 1:1 - 2:3
Israel is warned against seeking foreign comforts over its divine purpose, and cautioned regarding making treaties with hostile elements - lessons which still have relevance today!
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Dinner and a show
How I found myself in the company of the Palestinian prime minister and his "freedom fighters."
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Two important cases for Israeli Messianics
Messianic legal analysis
The decisions revealed the opinion of the Israeli government towards the Messianic Jewish community, and exposed the passive and non-political attitude of the Messianic community.
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Shabbat reading: Balak
Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8
Let it be a word of comfort to us: God can change any ordered and planned curse into a blessing!
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Shabbat reading: Hukkat
Numbers 19:1-22:1; Judges 11:1-33
Israel repeatedly grumbled against the Lord and His chosen leaders, but the story always ends in forgiveness and healing.
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A criminal for our sake
Israel’s policy shows that it is easier for her to explain the deaths of Israeli civilians than of Palestinian civilians.
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Egypt, the Darfur refugees and an uncaring world
Mask it however you like, but anti-Semitism is alive and well today, and the proof is in the disproportionate attention received by those who claim to be victims of the Jews.
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Shabbat reading: Korah
Numbers 16:1-18:32
Ministry leaders today should trust in God alone and not respond aggressively to threats to their authority.
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Homesh: Symbol of determination and faith
Many times followers of Yeshua are discouraged by the surrounding giants in the modern world we live in. We must forsake passiveness and exhibit faith through action.
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Stern v. the Palestine Post
Messianic legal analysis
Messianic leader David Stern's case against the Jerusalem Post determined an important precedent for religious minority groups.
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Shabbat reading: Shlach lecha - Send out
Our eyes must focus on the Word of God, on Him, and not on what’s going on around us. Today we call this living by faith and not by sight!
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Israel’s Rabbinate and the Holocaust
In future confrontations with Islam, it will be these Evangelical Christians who will stand beside Israel. And yet, the rabbis hate Evangelical Christians because of what Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches did to the Jews over the centuries.
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Forgotten truths of UN Resolution 242
Palestinian use of 242 to sieze control of Judea and Samaria is a cynical misrepresentation of the resolution and its authors' intentions.
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Our quality of living
by Adam Rosenfeld
There is a unique beauty and quality of life that comes only from the commitment to living in this land, a beauty that is not just skin-deep, but is based staying here, living here, and making Israel better
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Lessons from the Shuk
by Ann Hilsden
Something about Jerusalem's open air market makes me think of it as a microcosm of the nation of Israel - a colorful and vibrant mixture of people.
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Shavuot lessons for believers
by Michael Schneider
Shavuot is the second biblical pilgrimage feast, where we step into the second phase in following God after we have been saved and redeemed from slavery to sin.
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We Need a Spiritual Renaissance
by Yehuda Tzofef
When renowned novelist David Grossman spoke at the annual commemoration of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, much of the reaction to his harsh criticism of the government focused on the fact that he is a far left-winger. Grossman’s son Uri died in the Lebanon War last summer, further fueling his words. But the reaction to his strong words demonstrated how true they were: The political debate in Israel is shallow and simplistic.
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The New Jew
by Tsvi Sadan
There seems to be a swell in the interest of Israelis in Judaism. People talk about Bible and religion like never before, and there are abundant indications for it. For the unfamiliar reader, it needs to be clarified that for two centuries, Jews don't like their religion for the same reasons Christians grew to dislike their religion. However, within the last 10 or 15 years, Israelis have begun to ask, "If our secular values are so marvelous, how is it that crime and corruption have become so rampant?"
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Celebrated Spit
by Tsvi Sadan
Yifat Alkobi, a vulgar Israeli woman from Hebron, called her Palestinian neighbor a “whore.” Regretfully, such expressions are as common as “hello.” Yet when it comes to from settler, a common swear word turns into a feast of hate. The method of settler-bashing by Israelis is similar to Israel-bashing by non-Israelis.
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The Mystery – ‘Pleroma’
by Ludwig Schneider
In his discourse on Israel in Romans 9 to 11, the apostle Paul speaks of a great mystery: “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness [pleroma] of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved” (11:25).
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Ninet Who?
by Tsvi Sadan
As with the media in other countries, the Israeli media also engage in the annual ritual of summarizing the previous year. Part of this ritual, of course, is to choose the man or woman of the year.
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Why Did God Choose Israel?
by Ludwig Schneider
Among ardent supporters of Israel, one finds Christians who put Jews and Israelis on a pedestal because they are the “chosen people” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Such Christians are called philo-Semites—the opposite of anti-Semites.
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Peace Bribe
by Tsvi Sadan
Avi Shaked has made a great fortune from his internet gambling sites. Avi Shaked is also a committed socialist and is all for peace. A couple of weeks ago he had a brilliant idea. He will create a fund that will give one billion dollars to the Palestinians if they will make peace with Israel.
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Ahmed, Muhammad and Mahmoud
by Tsvi Sadan
Though Israel says it will never talk with a terrorist organization that refuses to recognize its right to exist, the fact is that it already has done so in what is known as “The Oslo Accords.”
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The Mystery of the Olive Tree
by Ludwig Schneider
The illustration of the olive tree, as described by Paul in Romans 11:17-24, is contrary to all the laws of nature. It begins with God calling His people Israel a “green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form” (Jeremiah 11:16). This description is used by Paul as the starting point for his metaphor in Romans 11:16.
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Shamans and Hackers
by Tsvi Sadan
Things are making less sense to me these days. Is it me who just doesn’t get it or is it this good vanguard who seeks to uplift me that begins to shine like a crazy diamond?
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Oh God
by Tsvi Sadan
Israel is a secular state that causes people to think of Israelis as atheists. However, as a recent poll has shown, this is not the case. The poll was conducted in October by Ynet – the most popular Israeli internet newspaper. According to Ynet,* over 40,000 people answered several questions regarding God, religion and Israel.
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Was the Dome of the Rock a church?
by Ludwig Schneider
Leilat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) is the night the Koran is said to have come down from heaven to earth. Researchers of Islamic Studies from the universities of Saarbruecken in Germany, Aix-en-Provence in France and Cattolica de Milano in Italy have come to some surprising conclusions about this, which were published in The Dark Origins of Islam—New Research on the Early History of Islam by Karl-Heinz Ohlig and Gerd-Rüdiger Puin.
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Beautiful Walls
by Tsvi Sadan
Those who made the decision to build walls around Israel cannot see them from Tel Aviv and those civil servants who drew the lines on the map have never set foot on the soil upon which they are built. Otherwise, why are there walls within walls? Why are there walls that cut through Palestinian villages? Why are there walls that stop half way through? Why are there walls that are high and walls that are low and why are there walls that are ugly and walls that are beautiful?
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From Tolerance To Tyranny
by Ludwig Schneider
There’s an old saying that “tolerance is the demise of tolerance.”
As can be seen in Israel’s present situation, the policy of appeasement and misplaced tolerance encourages lawlessness and terrorism. Simply stated, giving in to blackmailers turns them into tyrants.
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Animal Rights and the Quandary of God-fearing Meat Eaters
by Tsvi Sadan
October is the month designated by animal rights activists around the world to raise awareness to the suffering of domestic animals. According to the ‘anonymous’ Israeli organization (www.anonymous.org.il), there are over 50 billion domestic animals that suffer under inhumane farming methods. It is difficult not to sympathize with the cry to stop the suffering of animals born to feed our desire to eat flesh.
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Sue him, baby
By Tsvi Sadan
It is a juicy topic, this sexual harassment incident that is brewing in the house of Israel’s president Moshe Katsav. All that is known now is that President Katsav submitted an official complaint of attempted extortion by his former secretary who allegedly threatened him with a lawsuit for sexual harassment if he would refuse to pay her in return for her silence.
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On Heroism
by Tsvi Sadan
I spent the last week of July in Portsmouth, Virginia. Waiting for my connecting flight, I spent hours in the JFK airport in New York, and was unwillingly exposed to CNN. Why all big screen airport TVs in the U.S. are tuned to this channel I don’t know. The screen was split into three. Half of it was filled with Wolf Blitzer; the other half was split in two. On top was a Lebanese woman crying. The bottom showed an Israeli cannon firing.
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Proportionality
by Tsvi Sadan
Nine days into the war with the Hizballah and Israel presents a united front. This is quite remarkable considering the fact that ‘normally’ Israelis are deeply divided not only over the ‘occupation’ but over a whole range of issues. How long this united front will last is difficult to know.
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Abortion is not a done deal!
by Sandy Shoshani
Because the risks and consequences of abortion continue even after women go through with them, they need emotional and sometimes physical healing.
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Homophobia is Retardation!?
by Tsvi Sadan
Every once in a while, a media personage or a politician will give those who have attentive ears or eyes the opportunity to “look behind the curtain,” or to hear what they really think about issues they usually prefer to hide, and this for a variety of reasons – from straight forward professional courtesy to flattery and personal agendas. Such was the case with Arieh Golan, a senior news anchor of the Israel National Radio (Reshet Bet).
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Kosher Fireworks
How a Jewish man saved America and the fourth of July
by Dr. Richard Booker
In 1975 the United States Postal Department issued a stamp honoring a man named Haym Salomon for his contribution to the cause of the American Revolution. This stamp was uniquely printed on the front and the back. On the glue side of the stamp, the following words were printed in pale, green ink.
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‘Media reports say that Palestinians live in poverty because no one helps them.’
Well, the truth is that the international community is helping the Palestinians to the tune of hundreds of million of dollars a year. It is just that the people do not benefit because this money is siphoned into the pockets of corrupt officials or used to fund terrorism.
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