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Commentary

Thursday, June 07, 2007

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.

By Avi Lipkin

In the 1920’s my mentor, Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky, a Russian Jewish intellectual and nationalist admonished the Jews of Europe: “Liquidate the Diaspora, or the Diaspora will liquidate you.” In other words, the Jews must leave Europe. Jabotinsky predicted a Holocaust after the Ukrainians massacres during the Communist Revolution. He said an evil spirit in the air threatened the existence of every Jew in Europe at that time.

For his warnings, Jabotinsky was nearly assassinated twice by ultra-orthodox Jews at the behest of the fanatic rabbinic courts in Europe. How dare he threaten the “center of civilization” of Judaism? Hitler took care of that himself, eliminating those fanatic rabbis who could not see the writing on the wall.

Since World War II, a famous mantra of “Never Again” has been sounded by the Jewish people. However, they are completely blind to a new kind of Holocaust being foisted on the world by Islam. For the last 18 years, I have been working to create a Judeo-Christian understanding of this threat. By and large, the Christians get it. For the most part, the Jews don’t.

It is clear to me that Evangelical Christians who love and support Israel and who understand the predicament facing Jews today are not our best friends, they are our only friends. Organizations such as the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel, the International Christian Zionist Center among others have dedicated immeasurable time, money and effort to buttress the Jewish state. Yet, the recent ruling of certain senior rabbis that these groups are missionary organizations and the banning of cooperation with them flies in the face of common sense.

Indeed, this ruling is based on prejudice, ignorance and hatred of the Christians. I have worked with these organizations now for over 18 years, and can vouch for them not being missionary organizations.

But the rabbis don’t know and don’t care. Even Maimonides said it was permissible to study Torah with Christians because they revere the Torah, while it is forbidden to study Torah with Muslims because they seek to destroy and replace it with the Koran.

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. The rabbis know nothing of the differences within Christianity. This is tragic, and perhaps fatally wrong.

It says in the Torah: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” My question is: When will those who bless us be blessed and not cursed? Or is it so much more preferable for the ultra-Orthodox rabbis to hate the Christians and allow another Holocaust, this time Islamic, to threaten the Jews because of their self-imposed isolation?

These rabbis did not see the writing on the wall before, nor do they see it today. It is incumbent upon the rabbinic leadership to wake up before it is too late for all of us.

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[21] COMMENTS:

1 .

to Avi Lipkin

Don''t get to dismayed regarding this recent rabbinical ruling. The reason this occured is because an eastern orthodox deacon who was fully aware of discreet dialogue regarding the future progress of christian and jewish relationships said that technically there should be no Israel and Jesus was a palestinian and that the land should revert to Palestine though it was initally Canaan. Seriously. So they subsequently suspended their talks and at the same time according to your paper''s article increased the status of Messiach Jews. This I suppose had to be sufficent to satisfy me since Jesus is about the fulfillment of the law . Therefore is it a coincidence that the police commander was present the day that that ruling was made along with offering Israel''s protection of the Messiach Jews. The catholic clergy have only themselves to blame. Rather than follow the word of the Lord with ther hearts the submit their minds to the teachings of an infallible former nazi.

Anonymous Ireland

8/13/2007 5:12 PM

2 .

Israel''s Rabbinat and the Holocaust

Yes, those haters don''t see the difference between ''Christians'' and Messianic believers.
Evangelical believers love Israel and all Jews.
Evangelical believers never persecuted Jews, regardless how Orthodox they were. They pray for Israel and bless Jerushalayim with peace.
They are from all nations. Even from Germany. I am German, but I pray every day for the peace of Jerusalem.
Thank you, Maimonides, for distinguishing between real Christians and Muslims.
Yes, Muslims seek to destroy Torah & want to replace it with Koran.
I, as an Evangelical Christian, will continue to bless the Jews. I believe what Torah says. I learn from it.

Gunter Weber

8/10/2007 1:49 AM

3 .

the world council of churches is not bible-based

nor is the roman catholic nonsense, btw. Evangelicals by name does not always mean evangelical in faith. And then of course, there is Israel in the flesh, and Israel in the Spirit, descendants of Abraham.

woc

8/8/2007 2:35 PM

4 .

The Rabbinate

Re#10 & 11 -were the Jewish prophets of the Holy Scriptures holding contempt when they warned their fellow believers to repent? AS for the past sins of Christian entities, who were acting purely out of their own pride, (world council of churches) G-d will judge them too! That does not negate the grace & truth of G-d’s Messiah, Yeshua.

It seems some Jews want to shoot themselves in the foot...
So many are missing the Biblical fact that as long as they do not seek G-d''s face and turn from their wicked ways the flood of enemies will keep on coming!
To pray for Israel doesn''t just mean to pray for the nation that G-d has reassembled (as dry bones), but for ''Israel'' (as peoples of 12 tribes returned) including the Cohen, the rabbis for their hearts to turn to G-d for truth, direction and zeal, and not their own intellectual pride.
Maranatha indeed.

Conne

7/26/2007 4:05 PM

5 .

1) The Great Maimonides’ WORDS of TRUTH!

The main point in the article is a 100% correct, asstated by the author of the article, I quote:

Even Maimonides said it was permissible to study Torah with Christians because they revere the Torah, while it is forbidden to study Torah with Muslims because they seek to destroy and replace it with the Koran.

Kola Finger

7/16/2007 9:13 PM

6 .

2) The Great Maimonides’ WORDS of TRUTH!

This is the 2nd ending part...

What the Great Maimonides had concluded then is just how it is still today and NEVER WILL CHANGE - regarding the Muslims goal with their murderously ideas to own the entire world. To bring it back to the Hell!

To follow the notice of Maimonides words to the end will secure Jewish life. Because the Masters words are wise! Also not to forget, but to remember his eternal wise acknowledgment of the very important and undeniable fact he had made.

Kola Finger

7/16/2007 9:10 PM

7 .

To hate anyone is sin

CZE

6/29/2007 3:38 AM

8 .

What about the Armenian holocaust?

It seems there is only ONE holocaust Jews care about and that is the holocaust of homosexuals, Jehovah''s Witnesses, retarded, mixed race, Christians and Jews under Hitler.
It is this ''me me me'' mentality that is so egocentric and self-ingratiating. Most people have never even heard of the Armenian holocaust. And of course, today one is going on in Iraq..started by the war on Iraq.

CZE

6/29/2007 3:37 AM

9 .

To hate the Jews is sin

One needs to distinguish between a pharisee or scribe Jew and those Jews who actually believe the Torah. For the Torah or Old Testament bears in with the New Testament. Jesus loves the Jews and so did the Apostales. I''ll ask a question now concerning christians. Where did Jesus tell the Apostales or Christians to kill Jews? I have never read it. So all those who killed Jews in Christ name disobeyed Him. So what does disobedience bring?To say that all christians are quilty of the destruction of the Jews is the same as saying that all Jews are responsible for the death of Christ. This is not so. It is however religious church rules and laws that caused the death of Christ. The Christian world today are turning more and more away from Christ. They follow mans'' teachings. i.e. new bibles, false christs, wolves in sheeps clothing. So now Christ is turning back to the Jews to fullfill his promise unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Messenger

6/24/2007 1:48 AM

10 .

Aharon Michael ben Chunna HaLevi

when Satan asked Jesus to jump did not Jesus say to not tempt. To put oneself in Harms way intentionally is to tempt God. religious orders will fail. Jesus will reign and as for Jesus being mentioned 2000 yrs ago have you not read about the rock which spewed water, the angel which met Joshua, He who met Abraham before Sodom was destroyed. As for miracles and healing God reveals them to those who are worthy. Give up the false bible then you have a better chance to understand who God is and what He can do.

Messenger

6/24/2007 1:36 AM

11 .

Aggressive Evangelization & Mission Note

New International Version Bible:

Mark 16:
15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons they will speak in new tongues
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

First drink the deadly poison, prove your faith then we can talk more. If you can''t then you do not really believe, do you?

Aharon Michael ben Chunna HaLevi

6/12/2007 5:26 PM

12 .

Religious orders fail

Messenger accuses rabbis of seeking power and prestige and money - an ancient anti-semitic canard if we ever heard one and an unhelpful comment. However, I agree with him/her - the Law (Torah) is the Law and it was declared eternal by G-d Himself at Sinai, 1313 BCE. JC''s name was never mentioned there if I recall and the Jewish canon was closed 250 BCE by the Anshei Kennest HaGadolah. A side note - not defending religious freedom or self-definition of the Jews is tantamount to declaring war on the Jewish faith. If you feel good as a Xian then so be it, but do not push it on anyone else as if they do not have a say or brains or history or nation or culture that predates yours by 2,000 years. Your are talking replacement theology that most churches now call a sin.

Aharon Michael ben Chunna HaLevi

6/12/2007 5:20 PM

13 .

religious orders fail

I belong to no religious order or denomination but I believe what I read and understand from the King James Bible. This is how I understand. The whole problem between Jew and Christian is the power struggle. A rabbi wishes to keep his flock likewise a christian minister. It is when these people actually sit down and put aside religious custom and rules that the light will be revealed. Unfortunately power prestige and money is more important. Indeed christians will defend the Jews as is said but to defend a religion is not said. The Law is the Law. we serve one God and His name is Jesus.

messenger

6/12/2007 4:56 AM

14 .

Ministers who did not see

By saying Rabbis did not see, you draw upon the canard that Jews do not "see" (ie Jesus role). I would suggest that it was Protestant ministers (for 500 years) and for Catholic priests (for 1,900 years) who did not see the results of their teachings of contempt for Jews - the Holocaust when preaching their "holy" contempt. Be not so proud when you claim someone else''s clergy "did not see". Your own are have done far worse.

Aharon Michael ben Chunna HaLevi

6/11/2007 8:33 PM

15 .

Aharon Michael ben Chunna HaLevl

Calling our holy rabbis "anti-semites" is harsh. As members of the World Council of Churchs, most Protestant churchs have labeled love of Israel as "idolatrous" and Jews who love Israel as "misguided, racist and zenophobic". Those churches are anti-semitic as they reject the fundamental inclusion of Israel, the Land in the theology of Judaism as valid for Judaism - it is self-definitional and foundational for us. Rabbis who concern themselves with the souls of Jews to avoid contact with missionizers are holy, not anti-semites. The problem is sorting out the missionizers from the real non-missionizers. When your churches officially disavow and punish missionizing Jews, we will be able to talk more honestly.

Rabbis & Evangelicals 2

6/11/2007 8:29 PM

16 .

Ieshua U a Mashiax!

We need to see it in hebrew, in Israelis newspaper.

Believer from Beer Sheva

6/11/2007 8:26 PM

17 .

Rabbis & Evangelical Christians

As usual Christians get it wrong. The halacha is one may teach/study the Noachide commandments in the Torah with Gentiles, not the entire Torah (most of which is particulartistic). Rambam is not well understood by non-Jews at all. Christians who "certify" their non-missionizing need to do a better job at policing their own ranks as this is an affront to Jews. Trying to separate out which groups missionize or not is no easy task, so some slack is needed here. The reason for theoretically allowing praying in a mosque over a church is the absence of statues or praying to a human being which is a form of idol worship in Judaism. Pragmatically, we do not pray in either.

Aharon Michael ben Chunna HaLevi

6/11/2007 8:24 PM

18 .

Jesus orders us to preach the gospel

These non-missionary organisations are ignoring Jesus'' commandments in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 26:15. The Lord gave these commandments so that Luke 24:47 and Acts 1:8 will be reality. The reason for these commandments can be found in for example Mark 26:16. Most of us know the beautiful verse of John 3:16. However, you should also read John 3:18.

Therefore I believe that such "non-missionary" organisations are not acting according to God''s will. God never told us to politically support the state of Israel. He told us to preach the gospel to everyone, including Jews, and in Galatians 6:10 to do good to everyone, but especially to support our Jewish and Arabic brothers and sisters in faith in Jesus the Messiah.

If some people don''t like us to preach the gospel, so be it. We are supposed to look for the approval of God, not man.

Dutchy

6/8/2007 11:54 PM

19 .

I can not understand their hatred

the rabbis are supposed to be learned
men of God ? ? ?
They are no better than the anti -
semites perhaps one could say no
better than Hitler , who was not a
Christian , but openly hated the jews,
because they had something , that
the Nazzies lacked . I wished , there
were more people like Avi Lipkin in
power in Israel , yes a part of the
Knesset . Israel would at least have
a person , to stear them in the right
direction .
Well done Avi Lipkin with your
righteous and inteligent comments .

Sigvard von Brevern

6/8/2007 8:44 PM

20 .

Outstanding analysis

Avi Lipkin has his analysis quite correct. For some time I have seen that there are many Jews who despise us Evangelicals, while we do nothing other than love them as the Scripture requires.

Pastor Gary

6/8/2007 12:51 AM

21 .

Israel ata lo levad!

Most encouraging article, particularly that even Maimonides, understood the relationship was spiritual, not a flesh or intellect agreement. I was quite shocked when a bright young student said she could worship in a Mosque but not a church. As a matter of fact of all the prayer meetings we go to, the church one is very powerful and the ones for Israel equally anointed, and that is very encouraging let us hope it encourages you too. Christians are exhorted to love not the world........
and those who support Israel are not only lovely souls, but the braver ones.

Valerie

6/8/2007 12:46 AM