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Why Israel Matters to the World It’s undeniable that Israel matters to the world. But why? We need to consider there is something Sovereign at work. And an important “something” in the Bible makes it very clear. “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” – Isaiah 60:3 From the western viewpoint, Isaiah 60 is often referred to from the perspective of “the Church.” Which would suggest that the world will come to the light that we, Christians, have within us. While that may be partially true, this is a classic replacement theology view. Isaiah 60 was… Подробнее »Why Israel Matters to the World

At 10, I fled the Nazis to live starving and alone in the woods. For two years, detection meant death Maxwell Smart lost his family in the Holocaust, but was saved by his mother’s instruction to run. It was seven decades before he told anyone what had happened By Chris Godfrey The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Maxwell Smart still feels at his safest when it rains. The 93-year-old first learned this as a boy of 10, alone in a forest, lying on a bed of leaves in… Подробнее »At 10, I fled the Nazis to live starving and alone in the woods. For two years, detection meant death

The Place of Rabbinic Tradition in Messianic Judaism by Michael L. Brown, Ph.D. Every one of us involved in Messianic ministry has thought long and hard on the question of the place of rabbinic tradition in Messianic Judaism. My own thinking has developed gradually over the last few years, but I would like to share with you why I have come to the conclusion that rabbinic traditions have little or no place in our private lives or public services. Let me say first, however, that even though I have given myself to much prayer, study, and discussion over this very… Подробнее »The Place of Rabbinic Tradition in Messianic Judaism

The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible Posted by Rabbi Eric Tokajer If you had to choose one verse to call the most misunderstood verse in the Bible, I believe a strong case could be made that Ephesians 5:22 is that verse. Speaking of submission, it says, “wives to your own husbands as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22, TLV). If you don’t believe me, just do a Google search, and you will find a plethora of Bible teachers using this verse as a baton to beat down women who refuse to become servants and slaves to domineering husbands who use it… Подробнее »The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible

8 Signs Your Christianity Is Too Comfortable BRETT MCCRACKEN In many parts of the world today, it can be easy to live a comfortable life as a Christian. Certainly where I live—in Orange County, California—this is the case. But is that a good thing? I’d like to suggest that the Christian faith is inherently uncomfortable. To be a disciple of Jesus is to deny oneself (Matt. 16:24), to take up a cross (Luke 14:27), to be subject to persecution (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12), to give up the creature comforts of home (Luke 9:58), to forsake the priority of family (Luke 9:59–62; 14:26), to… Подробнее »8 Signs Your Christianity Is Too Comfortable

Don’t Settle for Only Half of the Passover Story Rabbi Eric Tokajer Every year in homes all over the world, Jewish people will gather with their family and friends around their tables for their annual Passover Seders where they will read from the Bible and tell the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. They will remind their families of the powerful way that G-D used the 10 plagues and the parting of the sea to redeem His people from their bondage in slavery. Believers in Yeshua, both Jewish and non-Jewish, will also be gathering to celebrate Passover and they will… Подробнее »Don’t Settle for Only Half of the Passover Story

The Rise of «Messianic Judaism» by Peter Hocken There have always been individual Jews who have come to faith in Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, and who have become members of Christian churches, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. The common understanding, both Gentile and Jewish, has been that these persons have «converted» from Judaism to Christianity, and have thus abandoned Judaism.{1} Nonetheless, some of these new believers retained a love for things Jewish, and maintained a hidden Jewish identity.{2} Evangelical missionary efforts targeting the Jewish people intensified in the 19th century, probably stemming from heightened eschatological interest following the French… Подробнее »The Rise of «Messianic Judaism»

Was Jesus «God» or «the son of God»? For the first nine years of the church there were no gentiles in their fellowship.  It was not until Peter’s visit to Cornelius in about 39CE that gentiles were even permitted to fellowship with the followers of Rabbi Joshua ben Joseph [a.k.a. Jesus the Christ].  It was not until the Jerusalem Council in 50CE that it was decided that gentiles did not have to convert to Judaism prior to fellowshipping with the church. Actually, there was no church until about 135CE.  The followers of Rabbi Joshua ben Joseph were called Nazarenes. By the time of the destruction to… Подробнее »Was Jesus «God» or «the son of God»?

THE ASTONISHING SIGNIFICANCE OF RED HEIFERS IN OUR DAY Now the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,“This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer without defect, in which there is no blemish, and on which a yoke has never come”. (Numbers 19:1-2) God’s law, given to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, included the requirement of perfect red heifers. No defects, no blemishes. The unyoked, flawless heifers become “unkosher” once hairs are spotted that are not uniformly red. They have to be perfect. What happens to… Подробнее »THE ASTONISHING SIGNIFICANCE OF RED HEIFERS IN OUR DAY

10 traits of narcissistic leaders Joseph Mattera By definition, a narcissist is a person who believes the world revolves around them to such an extent their desires blind them to relational reality, which makes them insensitive to the needs and perspectives of others. One of the sad realities in our consumer-driven, hedonistic culture is that we are producing millions of narcissistic people, including leaders of large organizations. Because of our sinful nature as human beings, all of us have some narcissistic tendencies to deal with. The following traits identify leadership narcissism. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get… Подробнее »0 traits of narcissistic leaders

The Nazareth Inscription: Proof of the Resurrection of Christ? Part One: Translation, Commentary, and Date by Clyde E. Billington, Ph.D. This article originally appeared in the journal Artifax and is reproduced here with permissio Introduction The Nazareth Inscription is a Greek inscription on a marble tablet measuring approximately 24 inches by 15 inches. The exact time and place of its discovery is not known. In 1878 it became an addition to the private Froehner Collection of ancient inscriptions and manuscripts, but the details of its acquisition are unknown. Froehner’s inventory of this Inscription simply states: “This marble was sent from Nazareth in… Подробнее »The Nazareth Inscription: Proof of the Resurrection of Christ?

The Vanishing — The erasure of Jews from American life JACOB SAVAGE KYLE ELLINGSON Editor’s note: This piece is part of Tablet’s top 10 of 2023. Find the full list here.  Suddenly, everywhere you look, the Jews are disappearing. You feel it like a slow moving pressure system, an anxiety of exclusion and downward mobility. Maybe you first noticed it at your workplace. Or maybe it hit when you or your children applied to college or graduate school. It could have been something as simple as opening up the Netflix splash page. It’s gauche to count but you can’t help yourself: In… Подробнее »The Vanishing — The erasure of Jews from American life

ON CREATIVE MINORITIES Jonathan Sacks Almost exactly twenty-six centuries ago, a man not otherwise known for his positive psychology sat down to write a letter to his coreligionists in a foreign land. The man was Jeremiah. The people to whom he wrote were the Jews who had been taken captive to Babylon after their defeat at its hands, a defeat that included the destruction of Solomon’s temple, the central symbol of their nation and the sign that God was in their midst. We know exactly what the feeling of those exiles was. A psalm has recorded it in the most… Подробнее »ON CREATIVE MINORITIES

The History of Antisemitism in the Church BY MITCH GLASER The long history of antisemitism in the Church has affected where the Jewish people are today. If antisemitism is the hatred of Jews, how could it exist in the Church at all? Growing up in a Jewish home, I was sure of two things. That Christians did not like Jews, and that Jesus was not the Messiah… And I knew that the two were intertwined. Why? For many reasons! Early Christian Antisemitism The antagonism of early Christian leaders toward Jews and the Jewish religion planted the seeds of antisemitism. As early… Подробнее »The History of Antisemitism in the Church

Why Not Judaism for Jews and Christianity for Gentiles? Michael Brown In the midst of the ongoing controversy concerning GOD TV’s new Hebrew speaking channel in Israel, a larger question has emerged. Is it right for Christians to share their faith with Jews? After all, the Jewish people were chosen by God and have the Torah and their traditions. Why try to “convert” them to an alien faith, especially in light of centuries of “Christian” antisemitism? Why not leave the Jewish people with their faith and offer Jesus to the Gentiles? As attractive and irenic as this sounds, it cannot work for… Подробнее »Why Not Judaism for Jews and Christianity for Gentiles?

Please Don’t Tell Me That God is Punishing the Jews, Especially Today iStock.com/coldsnowstorm By MICHAEL L. BROWN & JONATHAN FELDSTEIN Published on January 17, 2024 There are many areas of agreement between Jews and Christians. For example, both emphasize the foundational importance of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, as well as the importance of living by the ethical ideals of the Torah and the Prophets. Both emphasize a final Day of Judgment where we give an account for our lives before God. There are many more. There are also many areas of disagreement. These would include the acceptance or rejection of Jesus… Подробнее »Please Don’t Tell Me That God is Punishing the Jews, Especially Today

THE CENTRAL STATEMENT OF JEREMIAH  “If you return, O Israel, says the LORD, to me you should return. If you remove your abominations from my presence, and do not waver, and if you swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory” (Jer 4:1-2). Whenever we take Jeremiah’s calls to Israel to repent out of the larger context of the Book of Jeremiah, and use them as our calls to people to repent, our message becomes a man-centered, flesh-empowered, human effort to make our… Подробнее »THE CENTRAL STATEMENT OF JEREMIAH 

Jewish History in the U.S. Jewish history in what would become the United States began in New York City in 1654 when 23 Sephardic Jews from Brazil, seeking refuge from the Spanish Inquisition, arrived at what was then New Amsterdam. By 1815, there were 3,000 Jews in the United States. That number jumped to 15,000 by 1840. In 1880, there were about 230,000 Jewish people living in the United States. That number has grown to more than 5,500,000 with the vast majority of these Jewish people emigrating from Russia and parts of Eastern Europe. From 1880 to the mid-1920s, about… Подробнее »Jewish History in the U.S.

A MOTHER’S TEARS MOVE THE HEART OF GOD Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And… Подробнее »A MOTHER’S TEARS MOVE THE HEART OF GOD

Rabbi Daniel Zion z”l The first record of Jews in Sofia, Bulgaria, is from 811 A.D. Before that time the center of Jewish life, which has a continues existence in Bulgaria since the early days of the Roman Empire, was in the city of Viddin. Jews came to Sofia with the return of Krum, the victorious king, who brought to Sofia some 30,000 prisoners, among whom there were also many Jews from Asia Minor. To these Jews were added also Jews who ran away from the persecution in Hungary, and Austria. When King Muad I conquered Sofia in 1389, he… Подробнее »Rabbi Daniel Zion z”l

THE SHOULDERS OF THE HIGH PRIEST “You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, according to their birth. As a jeweler engraves a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel; you shall set them in filigree settings of gold. “You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, and Aaron… Подробнее »THE SHOULDERS OF THE HIGH PRIEST

THE LIGHT OF HANUKKAH And just like that, it’s time to light the candles of Hanukkah. Israelis, by and large, are still stuck in October 7. Time has lost meaning as it simultaneously stays static, yet flies by. So here we find ourselves in December, or Kislev, as the Jewish calendar tells us. How did that happen? Yet as the Feast of Hanukkah approaches, the first candle to be lit on 25th day of Kislev, the meaning of the festival seems so appropriate for us in Israel right now. The light of Hanukkah shines bright in the darkness. There are… Подробнее »THE LIGHT OF HANUKKAH

The Scenes of Genocide I Saw in Israeli Morgues This wasn’t an emotional frenzy of killing like the pogroms of the 1880s. It was methodically planned. A fetal heartbeat flutters and then stills, a bullet lodged in the embryonic heart. The mother survives the shooting and her child’s stillbirth. A body that has been decomposing for almost three weeks lies on the autopsy table, riddled with knife and bullet wounds. Another is nearby, the man’s bluetooth receiver still clipped onto his shirt. Death came as a surprise. This is Israel. I arrived on Oct. 19 to spend 10 days as… Подробнее »The Scenes of Genocide I Saw in Israeli Morgues

INDEPENDENCE Lev Falkovich Adam and Eve were the first and, unfortunately, not the last who fell into the trap, set up by Satan. What was this hidden trap that destroyed Adam and Eve? Satan promised independence: “… and you will be like God…” and even now Satan sings the same song: you are educated enough to make your own decisions, you do not need to depend on anybody, including God. This seductive desire for independence of Adam and Eve passed on to all mankind. This is a mark of Satan – “the old Adam” – a fallen, sinful nature that is hidden… Подробнее »INDEPENDENCE

THE MEANING BEHIND THE ISRAELI FLAG The Israeli flag can be seen all around the country, and is a symbol of joy and dreams realized to many. If you love Israel, it is likely dear to you too. The meaning and symbolism behind the flag are important to know for all who love Israel, as it tells the story of God and His people. THE BASE IS A PRAYER SHAWL The background is white, with two blue stripes. This is to represent the “tallit” – the Jewish prayer shawl. The wearing of a tallit has developed from this commandment in… Подробнее »THE MEANING BEHIND THE ISRAELI FLAG

Hamas Is Borrowing Tactics from the Amalekites PETER LEITHART Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel was like something from the dark ages of antiquity. Marauders invaded Israel not to claim territory or even treasure but to slaughter innocents and take hostages. They killed young women, snatched elderly people from the streets, murdered and burned families with their children. Hamas’s tactics resemble nothing so much as those of the biblical Amalekites. Yahweh’s Curse Coming up from Egypt, Israel gets its first taste of war in a battle with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8–16). While Moses sits on the hill with hands held up by… Подробнее »Hamas Is Borrowing Tactics from the Amalekites

WAR IN ISRAEL! Daniel C. Juster We in Israel are now at war. We will be fighting the biggest war since Yom Kippur 1973. I wrote an article on Sukkah, Tabernacles, for our official Facebook Page, Justers, Restoration from Zion. I was looking forward to the 8th-day celebration, Shemini Atzeret, which in Israel is also the day of Rejoicing in the Torah, Simchat Torah. We were planning a great celebration in our congregation and a fellowship dinner afterward. Then the sirens sounded in our town, just West of Jerusalem. The service had to be canceled. Our bomb room is very… Подробнее »WAR IN ISRAEL!

Avigdor Ben-Gal, and abandoned Syrian tanks on the Golan HeightsPHOTOCOLLAGE: TABLET MAGAZINE; ORIGINAL PHOTOS: WIKIPEDIA; @IDF/TWITTER Remembering the dead lost under Avigdor Ben-Gal’s pivotal battle to hold the Syrian army on the Golan Heights in the 1973 Yom Kippur War BY ABRAHAM RABINOVICH MAY 08, 2019 Col. Avigdor Ben-Gal drove along the cease-fire line in his halftrack and scanned the Syrian plain. There was a large army out there, much larger than he had ever seen the Syrians deploy. Camouflage netting cloaked hundreds of tanks and artillery pieces spread over the terrain like stacks of hay at harvest time. Nothing was stirring.… Подробнее »The War for the Golan Heights

Why are little Jewish children all over the world singing, “Dip the apple in the honey…”? “If they are not prophets, then they are the children of prophets.” (Pesachim 66A) So what are these little Neviim telling us and why do we dip the apple in the honey? I just started using a special Siddur called “Matuk M’Dvash”, literally “Sweeter than Honey”. What’s so good about this siddur? All of the words are in the Holy font of Ksav Ashuris like the Hebrew writing in a Sefer Torah, and the Name of HASHEM is dressed up and beautified with a rich combination of pronunciations and… Подробнее »Sweeter Than Honey

Still Seeking a Spirit Sign? Dan Juster Congregations that maturely invite and allow the Holy Spirit to act, also show greater power in evangelism and motivating people to give their all to the Kingdom of God. I have been observing this now for over 40 years. This was so true in the days when I pastored. However, most congregations that say they believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit have little in the way of showing the Spirit. There are too many reasons why we have so few manifestations of the Spirit, but I will list some here: It… Подробнее »Still Seeking a Spirit Sign?

DAVID J. RUDOLPH excerpt from DAVID J. RUDOLPH’s book «A MESSIANIC JEWISH RESPONSE» I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! As regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.1 (Romans 11:1,28—29) In 2019 I had the pleasure of attending a public debate between N. T. Wright and Mark Kinzer, a Messianic Jew, that focused on two questions: (1) Are non-Messianic Jews members of God’s covenanted people? And (2) if so, do they as a people have a unique covenantal calling that distinguishes their… Подробнее »A MESSIANIC JEWISH RESPONSE

Netivyah Bible Instruction MinistryThe Jerusalem Prayer List – August 18, 2023by Joseph Shulam  Does Yeshua Mean what He Says? This week, the Jewish Synagogues around the world will be reading a portion that in Hebrew is called Shoftim, and translates as Judges. The reading is from Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9. The Haftarah, the reading from the Prophets comes from Isaiah 51:12 – 52:12, and from the New Testament we will be reading from the Gospel of John 14:9 – 20. I have heard pastors say, “Why do we have to study and spend time reading and learning from the OLD… Подробнее »Does Yeshua Mean what He Says?

From Palestine to jail in Mauritius: When Britain deported 1,580 Shoah refugees They fled the Nazis to Mandate Palestine in 1940, only to be deported and, over Churchill’s objections, locked up for 5 years; August 12 marks 75 years since their release By ROBERT PHILPOT  LONDON — On December 5, 1940, 1,580 Jewish men, women and children were taken from the Atlit detention center near Haifa, transferred on to two ships, and deported to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. On their arrival in the small British colony 17 days later, the refugees — who had fled Nazi-occupied Europe… Подробнее »From Palestine to jail in Mauritius: When Britain deported 1,580 Shoah refugees

As the Mountains Surround Jerusalem: A Biblical and Modern Look BY KAYLA MUCHNIK Ascending the Jerusalem Mountains Today Every year, Jews throughout Israel go up the mountains to Jerusalem, to celebrate the victory of the Six Day War in 1967. It brought the reunification of the city and the reestablishment of Israeli control over the Old City of Jerusalem. This celebration is called Jerusalem Day or “Yom Yerushalyim”, and we just celebrated it on May 28-29 this year. Our Heavenly Father delights in His people, His nation of Israel, and the city of Jerusalem. In Psalm 125, we see that God compares… Подробнее »As the Mountains Surround Jerusalem: A Biblical and Modern Look

The Shoah’s Other Lost Children BY TONI KAMINS On March 4 of this year the Vatican announced that it would finally open the papacy archives of Pius XII, the pope whose tenure from 1939 until 1958, covered the years of the Second World War. This step has been a long time coming and historians hope that it will finally shed light on the actions taken by Pius XII and the Catholic Church as Jews were being rounded up and slaughtered in Europe by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. “The Church is not afraid of history,” declared Pope Francis, the current… Подробнее »The Shoah’s Other Lost Children

Why Jews Speak of Memory, Not History by Meir Y. Soloveichik On a recent visit to Israel, I toured the Museum of the Underground Prisoners, in Acre. It is housed in the Ottoman fortress that the British utilized as their most important prison during their colonial administration of Palestine between 1920 and 1948. It was the most emotional museum visit I have ever experienced. It was at this site that the pioneering revisionist Zionist leader and thinker Vladimir Jabotinsky had been held in 1920 by the British for the “crime” of organizing a Jewish defensive response to Arab riots in Jerusalem.… Подробнее »Why Jews Speak of Memory, Not History

The Truth Behind the Palestinian ‘Catastrophe’ by Sol Stern MARCH 2023 ISRAEL Israel will soon celebrate the 75th anniversary of its independence. Around the same time, Palestinians will stage their annual Nakba Day, the official commemoration held every year on May 15 to protest Israel’s creation. The marking of this supposed “catastrophe” (nakba) will surely be a key feature of the elite media discussion of Israel’s anniversary. As such, it will represent an ongoing public-relations triumph for the Palestinians—and a victory for deceit and disinformation. For the past quarter century, leaders of the Palestinian Authority have been insistent that their people were… Подробнее »The Truth Behind the Palestinian ‘Catastrophe’

Bava Batra: A Surprising Look at the Messiah in the Talmud by Joseph Shulam This is a rabbi’s teaching from the tractate Bava Batra, concerning the Messiah in the Talmud. Watch the video, or read the transcription below: Shalom, my name is Joseph Shulam and I want to share with you something very, very interesting that happened about a year ago, one Sunday evening after all the workers of Netivyah had already left the office, I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door and I see a big man dressed in a silver striped kaftan, an Orthodox… Подробнее »Bava Batra: A Surprising Look at the Messiah in the Talmud

The New Kibbutz Kishorit, a self-described neurodiverse kibbutz, is redefining Israeli communal living at a time when these communities are on the decline BY MATTI FRIEDMAN The kibbutz, one of the greatest ideas ever put into practice, has fallen on hard times. Having pioneered a new country and wrought a revolution in Jewish history, most of these communes no longer subscribe to radical Zionist egalitarianism and have resigned themselves to life as suburbs, leaving a hole at the center of the country’s consciousness that we haven’t managed to fill with anything better. I’m always happy to hear a pulse—like the… Подробнее »The New Kibbutz

Nazi Antisemitism & Islamist Hate A review of recent scholarship on the shaping of the modern Middle East in the aftermath of the Holocaust, and how Islamist hate has roots in Nazi antisemitism. JEFFREY HERF In early June 1946, Haj Amin el-Husseini, also known as the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, escaped from a year of pleasant house arrest in France and flew to Cairo. Husseini, by then often referred to in Egypt simply as “the Mufti,” was internationally renowned as a collaborator with Nazi Germany as a result of his meeting with Adolf Hitler in Berlin in November 1941, and… Подробнее »Nazi Antisemitism & Islamist Hate

What is Tithing? And Does it Apply to Me? What is tithing? What do you think of when you think of tithing? Most of us are familiar with the term. But what does it really mean? And more importantly, what does it mean to us personally?  What is tithe in the Bible; what does “tithe” mean? Biblically, a tithe means a tenth. Which even by definition is different from an offering. We see the first tithe in Genesis when Abraham gives a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek, King of Salem, a mysterious, enigmatic Canaanite priest of the Most High… Подробнее »What is Tithing? And Does it Apply to Me?

All Israel Will Be Saved // Understanding God in Romans 11  BIBLE TEACHINGS ON ISRAEL Do we believe that all Israel will be saved? For most of Church history, a large part of the Church believed that we were moving away from Israel and God’s plan for the Jewish people—that all Israel will be saved. However, Paul paints a much different picture for us in Romans 11. Paul reveals that not only does God still have a plan for Israel now… But that all of history is moving towards the final salvation of Israel when the Messiah returns to Zion.… Подробнее »All Israel Will Be Saved // Understanding God in Romans 11

INVITATION Come up to me at early dawn,Come up to me, for I am drawn,Beloved, by my spirit’s spell,To see the sons of Israel.For thee, my darling, I will spreadWithin my court a golden bed,And I will set a table thereAnd bread for thee I will prepare,For thee my goblet I will fillWith juices that my vines distil:And thou shalt drink to heart’s delight,Of all my flavours day and night.The joy in thee I will evinceWith which a people greets its prince.O son of Jesse, holy stem,God’s servant, born of Bethlehem!

The Source Ron Cantor Some people wrongly see the book of James as a book about action. Hold your tongue. Help widows and orphans. Don’t show favoritism. But it is not about action—it is about the source of power and purity that leads to action. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water (James 3:11-12). The key to living a holy life of service is not human effort, but being filled with God—being connected… Подробнее »The Source

My Ministry Syndrome and Celebrity Christianity Ron Cantor There is a phrase that we used to use in Bible school that I have all but purged from my vocabulary. It is the phrase “my ministry.” We used to ask each other, “What is your ministry?” Or confess, “I think evangelism will be my ministry.” Or even envision an organization led by one charismatic figure—his or her ministry. Now, of course, we all have unique individual callings, but rarely does someone fulfill that call by themselves. Yes, when the disciples scattered after Stephen’s death, Phillip goes to Samaria alone, but what… Подробнее »My Ministry Syndrome and Celebrity Christianity

On April 12, just now, Robert Faurisson suffered one more minor legal defeat in a French court, which is good news, in a small way, for the world, and, in a bigger way, for the newspaper Le Monde. The court ruling means that, in France, you can denounce Faurisson as a “professional liar” and a “falsifier of history.” And you do not have to worry about a defamation suit—which is good news for Le Monde because, back in 1978, the editors made the insane error of judging Faurisson to be a man-with-an-idea-worth-debating, and they welcomed him into their pages. Faurisson is of course the theoretician… Подробнее »The Grand Theorist of Holocaust Denial, Robert Faurisson

CAN WE DO ANYTHING TO STOP ANTISEMITISM? This article was written by staff member Olivier Melnick who serves in the Dallas area and reported live on location in Colleyville. We can easily answer this question in the negative, and yet, there are several things that people of goodwill in general and Christians, in particular, can do to help in the fight against “the oldest hatred.” RECENT ANTISEMITIC EVENTS On Saturday, January 15, 2022, a hostage situation unraveled in Colleyville, Texas near Fort Worth. Pakistani UK citizen, Malik Faisal Akram entered Congregation Beth Israel during a live-streamed Sabbath service and took the… Подробнее »CAN WE DO ANYTHING TO STOP ANTISEMITISM?

Mentally Prepared for Marriage Vladimir Savchuk Unsplash What makes someone ready for marriage?  If you’re in the season of life where you’re wondering about this, here are a few things to think about. When I look around at culture, I see a lot of boys who think they’re men, but they haven’t truly matured. There’s a certain maturity that takes place when the commitment is made not only to date someone, but to take them to the altar. Here are three things, aside from being God-fearing individuals, that can ensure a healthy marriage: Commit to marriage for life. When you… Подробнее »Mentally Prepared for Marriage

Is there something idealistic and holy in loving the Jewish people? Or is this just another form of nationalism, an emotion far less noble than a universal love for all peoples? Chanukah Lights The minimal obligation during Chanukah is to light one candle each night of the holiday. The academies of Hillel and Shamai, however, disagreed as to the optimal way to light: “The school of Shamai ruled that the most punctilious individuals (Mehadrin min HaMehadrin) light eight lights on the first day, and the number of lights decreases each day. But the school of Hillel ruled that they should… Подробнее »Chanukah: The Highest Love

*Reprinted from the Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 19:1, Winter 1982 Rabbi Emden(1697—1776) was one of the leading Torah authorities of the past several centuries. Historians of the rabbinate have often compared him to Maimonides, both having written on all branches of Jewish knowledge, and both having shared a pragmatic and even innovative approach. Even those who disagreed with him sought his opinion, and he is read with interest to this day. Thus, Moses Mendelssohn, founder of the Haskalah (Enlightenment) movement, wrote to him as «your disciple, who thirsts for your words.» Although Emden did not approve of the Hasidic movement—which had its beginnings in… Подробнее »RABBI JACOB EMDEN’S VIEWS ON CHRISTIANITY* and THE NOACHIDE COMMANDMENTS

Messianic Rabbi: This One Biblical Truth Can Save Your Troubled Marriage Rabbi Eric Tokajer Charisma Media archives Read Time: 3 Minutes 13 Seconds In Judaism, we read the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) in a cycle every year beginning in the Fall. Each year as I start over, I prayerfully read the weekly portion with hopes that I will see something that I have not seen previously. Because the Torah is a living document which contains the eternal Words of G-D, I have never been disappointed in my search for something new. This year while reading, I… Подробнее »Messianic Rabbi: This One Biblical Truth Can Save Your Troubled Marriage

The Cool Kids DARA HOR he teenage boys who played competitive athletics in the gymnasium in Jerusalem 2,100 years ago had their circumcisions reversed, because otherwise they wouldn’t have been allowed to play. In the Hellenistic empire that conquered Judea, sports were sacred, the entry point to being a person who mattered, the ultimate height of cool—and sports, of course, were always played in the nude. As one can imagine, ancient genital surgery of this nature was excruciating and potentially fatal. But the boys did not want to miss out. I learned this fun fact in seventh grade, from a… Подробнее »The Cool Kids

Pray Your Uncensored Thoughts ESTHER SMITH 5 Questions to Help Change Unwanted Thoughts Too often, we want to have the “right” thoughts before we go to God—thoughts that are true, reasonable, and figured out. But often this isn’t possible. We can’t always change what we’re thinking in an instant just because we want to. What’s more, I don’t believe this is what God asks of us. God invites us into his presence where he can transform even our uncensored thoughts. Pour Out Your Heart Psalm 62:8 extends an invitation: “Pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”… Подробнее »Pray Your Uncensored Thoughts

THANK YOU PRAYER About the Author: Rabbi Loren HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED AND NOT ALLOWED IN OUR LIVES. THANK YOU FOR UNANSWERED PRAYER. IT REMINDS US THAT YOU KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR US EVEN WHEN OUR OPINION DIFFERS. THANK YOU, HEAVENLY FATHER, FOR THE TIMES YOU HAVE SAID “NO.” THEY HAVE HELPED US DEPEND ON YOU MORE. THANK YOU FOR THE DOORS YOU HAVE CLOSED. THEY HAVE PREVENTED US FROM GOING WHERE YOU WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE US GO. THANK YOU FOR THE THINGS YOU HAVE WITHHELD. YOU HAVE PROTECTED US FROM DANGERS WE MAY… Подробнее »THANK YOU PRAYER

Your Bread of Choice About the Author: Rabbi Glenn For most of you this is review; but for those who are new here, or are watching for the first time, Jewish history is summed up in three statements. Say it with me… What is it about food being such a big part of everything? We feast at Chanukkah and we feast at Purim. And as Passover draws near… more food. Think about it: Adonai could have accomplished Israel’s national redemption – the Exodus from Egypt, without a lamb roast dinner. Yet He chose to do it this way (and, of course, those lambs… Подробнее »Your Bread of Choice

The Beast I Become How to Bring Bitterness to God Scott Hubbard Sometimes, as you watch the hand of God’s providence draw some picture in your life, the pencil suddenly turns, and what you thought would be a flower turns into a thorn. The unanswered prayer seemed finally heard, the hope deferred seemed at last fulfilled — but no. You reach for the daisy and get pricked, instead, by a thistle. C.S. Lewis’s marriage to Joy Davidman strikes me in this regard. The couple married later in life, when Joy appeared to be dying of cancer. After a prayer for healing, however,… Подробнее »The Beast I Become How to Bring Bitterness to God

HOW TO DEAL WITH CALAMITY THE JEHOSHAPHAT WAY Stories like that of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 may be thousands of years old, but this one in particular seems as relevant today as ever! Let’s look at how Jehoshaphat responds to impending doom, and what we can learn from his great example… Trouble of great magnitude has come up against Israel before and it will again. But wonderfully, we have a guidebook to surviving calamity. This magnificent book gives many pieces of trustworthy advice about how to survive and even thrive against all odds. The wisdom is tried and… Подробнее »HOW TO DEAL WITH CALAMITY THE JEHOSHAPHAT WAY

We are often tempted by destructive or selfish impulses. How can we control and resist these urges? When King David called upon his opponents to repent, he counseled them: רִגְזוּ וְאַל-תֶּחֱטָאוּ. אִמְרוּ בִלְבַבְכֶם עַל-מִשְׁכַּבְכֶם, וְדֹמּוּ סֶלָה. (תהילים ד:ה) “Tremble and do not sin. Speak in your hearts upon your bed, and be still forever.” (Psalms 4:5) According to third-century scholar Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish — himself a well-known penitent — this verse outlines a four-step program how to master the temptations of the yeitzer hara, the evil inclination. These are four tools to overcome negative urges and unhealthy desires. But if the ultimate weapon… Подробнее »Psalm 4: Controlling Negative Impulses

«TO THE JEW FIRST»: WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? There are two problems that Gentiles used to wrestle with back in the first century, and even though the Bible gives us wonderful solutions to these two problems, they still plague many people today!What are these problems, and what help does the Bible give to us to solve them? PROBLEM ONE: “I’M A WORTHLESS GENTILE… I WISH I WERE JEWISH!” The first problem is a deflated sense of worth. Sadly, there are Gentiles who are unhappy with the identity God has given them, and wish they were… Подробнее »TO THE JEW FIRST: WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Why Not Judaism for Jews and Christianity for Gentiles? Michael Brown In the midst of the ongoing controversy concerning GOD TV’s new Hebrew speaking channel in Israel, a larger question has emerged. Is it right for Christians to share their faith with Jews? After all, the Jewish people were chosen by God and have the Torah and their traditions. Why try to “convert” them to an alien faith, especially in light of centuries of “Christian” antisemitism? Why not leave the Jewish people with their faith and offer Jesus to the Gentiles? As attractive and irenic as this sounds, it cannot work for… Подробнее »Why Not Judaism for Jews and Christianity for Gentiles?

Where did the Pope come from? Many Catholics claim that Peter was the first pope. Yet there is no biblical or even historical evidence for this idea. Josephus never refers to a pope, and certainly, the New Testament does not. Even Catholic historians must admit that the idea of one person having central power is foreign to the New Testament and the century that followed. Most Christian scholars from both sides of this divide agree that the threefold structure of ministry, with one Bishop along with a number of presbyters and deacons and each local church, does not appear in… Подробнее »Where did the Pope come from?

What Does the Jewish Community Want From Jewish Followers of Jesus? «Just like the first followers of Yeshua were Jews who continued to live as Jews, so also these Messianic Jews live today.» Michael Brown Back in April, the Jewish world was shocked to learn that a Gentile Christian couple was living in an ultra-Orthodox section of Jerusalem, claiming to be Jews, with the husband serving as a rabbi. In response to that scandal, I wrote an article titled, “As Jewish Followers of Jesus We Deplore Deceptive Techniques.” As Messianic Jews, we too were shocked to read this report. This… Подробнее »What Does the Jewish Community Want From Jewish Followers of Jesus?

History of Messianic Judaism Published on June 19, 2018 While the history of Jewish Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) is nearly 2,000 years old – dating to Yeshua’s first disciples – the modern Messianic Jewish movement (also commonly called Messianic Judaism) is relatively young. The modern Messianic movement has evolved through five specific periods of recent history. 5 Eras of Jewish Faith in Yeshua 1. Formation Before Yeshua’s death, His earthly ministry focused on Jewish people. He told the Canaanite woman that He “was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:21‒28). After His resurrection, He… Подробнее »History of Messianic Judaism

10 Biggest Lies about Yeshua, His Jewishness, and What Some Call ‘Jewish Christianity’ More Jewish People live in America than anywhere else in the world, with the possible exception of Israel. And yet, efforts to reach the Jewish People with the Good News have not been very successful in the U.S. The Idea of Messianic Judaism, or what some call Jewish Christianity, can be confusing to Jewish People. Many Christians who have tried to share their faith with Jewish friends, co-workers, or family members have often been met with rejection. Jewish Believer Rabbi Jonathan Bernis notes, however: It is important… Подробнее »10 Biggest Lies about Yeshua, His Jewishness, and What Some Call ‘Jewish Christianity’

Messianic Rabbi: Our Exodus Doesn’t End at the Red Sea Eric Tokajer In this week’s blog, I am going to write about something that may challenge your beliefs concerning one of the most foundational doctrines held by those who believe in Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel. I am saying this in the opening paragraph for two reasons: first, in hope that you the reader will take the time to consider what I am sharing in light of the entirety of the Holy Scriptures, and second, in hope that you will read the entire blog before making any conclusions about… Подробнее »Messianic Rabbi: Our Exodus Doesn’t End at the Red Sea

New Hebrew University study probes how Israelis and Germans perceive each other The two countries are at a critical stage in their relationship, says the study’s lead author; “We need to look to the future. History is a strong pillar but it fades away.” The German and Israeli flags. Credit: DPA. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Wednesday released the results of a recent study on how Israelis and Germans perceive each other. According to the survey’s designers, the results reveal a “complex picture,” showing attitudes varying with ethnicity, age and a number of other factors. The survey was prepared… Подробнее »New Hebrew University study probes how Israelis and Germans perceive each other

Many titans of industry and finance collaborated with Adolf Hitler to produce weapons, seize Jewish property and exploit concentration camp labor. By GLENN C. ALTSCHULER A BMW model at the International Geneva Motor Show. The author draws attention to German companies that got rich off the suffering of Jews and other oppressed persons during the Nazi era. (photo credit: REUTERS) On September 30, 2007, Germany’s primary public broadcasting station aired a program entitled The Silence of the Quandts. The documentary revealed that in the 1930s and ’40s Germany’s wealthiest family produced weapons for the Nazis, seized the property of Jews, and exploited… Подробнее »Nazi billionaire dynasties built on Jewish blood explored in new book

YESHUA THE MESSIAH? Two thousand years have come and gone, but the question remains the same: Is Jesus of Nazareth the Jewish Messiah, the Savior of the world? If he is, then let’s follow him, for we have no other way. If he’s not, let’s expose him, for only the truth will set us free.Although the world is full of religions, the controversy surrounding the Messiahship of Jesus is unique, because both those who accept Jesus and those who reject him base their beliefs on one and the same Book. Jews who follow Jesus say: “He must be the Messiah.… Подробнее »YESHUA THE MESSIAH?

Parashat Terumah, Exodus 25:1-27:19 Becoming a Mishkan Rabbi Isaac S. Roussel, Congregation Zera Avraham, Ann Arbor, MI In Christian circles you often hear people talking about inviting Jesus into your heart, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and God living within us. Many years ago there was a booklet entitled “My Heart, Christ’s Home” which drew an analogy between a house and our inner lives. It likened the study to what we expose ourselves to in reading, the kitchen to the food that we eat, the workshop to our actions, and the recreation room to the kinds of entertainment we… Подробнее »BECOMING A MISHKAN

Azar seated with Hebrew writers Shimoni, Brenner, and Agnon (Jaffa, 1910) Azar’s Question During the years that Rav Kook served as chief rabbi of Jaffa, he met and befriended many of the Hebrew writers and intellectuals of the time. His initial contact in that circle was the ‘elder’ of the Hebrew writers, Alexander Ziskind Rabinowitz, better known by the abbreviation Azar. Azar was one of the leaders of Po’alei Tzion, an anti-religious, Marxist party; but over the years, Azar developed strong ties with traditional Judaism. He met with Rav Kook many times, and they became close friends. Azar once asked Rav Kook:… Подробнее »Mishpatim: An Eye for an Eye

Dr. Brachi Elitzur The phenomenon of prophets who appointed by God to lead the nation who try to refuse or leave that position is familiar to students of Tanakh, recurring in the stories of the inauguration of Eliyahu, Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel, and Yona. Their refusal arises from the difficulty of carrying out the thankless task of rebuking the people and warning of punishment and from the fear that their prophecy will be of no benefit; instead of bringing about desired change in the defiant people, it will merely make the prophet a laughingstock and object of ridicule among them.[1] The episode of… Подробнее »Shemot | «And the People Believed and They Heard»

Kevin Sorbo Exposes the Lie of ‘My Body, My Choice,’ Calls Abortion “The Definition of Evil” ShareTweetPin Actor Kevin Sorbo recently made a powerful rally cry on behalf of the pro-life community in an op-ed for CNS News co-written with his wife, Sam. While many Hollywood A-listers are known for their liberal pro-abortion agendas, Sorbo takes quite the opposite stance on the sanctity of human life. “We dress it up with ‘my body, my choice,’” says Sorbo, “but it is still a life inside of a woman’s womb, and that life is still extinguished by the brutal procedure of abortion. In an effort to expose… Подробнее »Kevin Sorbo Exposes the Lie of ‘My Body, My Choice,’ Calls Abortion “The Definition of Evil”

Why did the Chicken cross the road? –Messianic Jewish Purim Version Arnold Fruchtenbaum – The crossing of the road by the chicken is a direct fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, as discussed in the rabbinic tractate Darkei Ha’Of (העוף דרכי) and in my book “Chickenology: The Missing Link in Systematic Gastronomy”. The chicken is on the way to gather her chicks under her wings and present them as offerings in the millennial temple. We read in Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killed the prophets, and stoned them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered your children together,… Подробнее »Why did the Chicken cross the road?

7 December 1965 Second Vatican Council ends – New Relationship between the Jewish People and the Roman Catholic Church begins Prophecy is the history of the future, and the future of history Robert A Krieg writes “ The Second Vatican Council endorsed a change in the Catholic Church’s self -understanding and its stance toward the world and other religions. When Pope John XXIII convoked the council on December 25, 1961, he opened the way for both the end of the hegemony of the notion of the Church as a ‘‘perfect society,’’ that is, as a self-sufficient, juridical institution, and also the… Подробнее »7 December 1965 Second Vatican Council

We Have Forgotten How to Blush Michael Brown, Michael Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number of seminaries. He is the author of 25 books and hosts the nationally syndicated, daily talk radio show, the Line of Fire. Do you remember when it was considered shameful to be a porn star? When porn and mainstream entertainment didn’t mix? Do you remember when being a prostitute was considered disgraceful? Do you recall the days before TV shows like Showtime’s Secret Diary of a Call Girl and HBO’s Cathouse?… Подробнее »We Have Forgotten How to Blush

Jesus was not born in a stable December 9, 2016 by Ian Paul I am sorry to spoil your preparations for Christmas before the Christmas lights have even gone up—though perhaps it is better to do this now than the week before Christmas, when everything has been carefully prepared. But Jesus wasn’t born in a stable, and, curiously, the New Testament hardly even hints that this might have been the case. So where has the idea come from? I would track the source to three things: issues of grammar and meaning; ignorance of first-century Palestinian culture; and traditional elaboration. The elaboration has come about… Подробнее »Jesus was not born in a stable