Israel and the Jewish People

"The Land of Israel is the centre of the world; Jerusalem is the centre of the Land; the Holy Temple is the centre of Jerusalem; the Holy of Holies is the centre of the Holy Temple; the Holy Ark is the centre of the Holy of Holies and the Foundation Stone from which the world was established is before the Holy Ark." Midrash Tanhuma, Kedoshim 10

"Today, some Bar Mitzvahs have become so ostentatious and so expensive that all sight is lost of the original intent of Bar Mitzvah and the religious and spiritual values previously associated with it have been avoided." In fact, it can be worse as: "Often, the Bar Mitzvah boy and his family congratulate each other on the fact that at party time the actual Bar Mitzvah ceremony is over and the recently admitted "adult" can now forget the minimum of Hebrew and Jewish civilization he was forced to learn." - Shraga Simmons, The Bar / Bat Mitzvah Guide

On Bar and Bat Mitzvah: Coming-of-age rites are poorly developed today among the technologically advanced societies of the world and even within Christianity. We have baptism and confirmation, but problems exist around these. Biblical evidence implicitly suggests that it is important to mark the time when an individual personally takes responsibility for their relationship with God. Whether we follow Jewish practice is not the main issue, but what is of paramount importance is that: "the initiation rite establishes in the boy's psyche and the collective consciousness of his clan that he is no longer a child." - Sheppard, Creating Rites of Passage, p14.

P. Johnson, in A History of the Jews says: 'the earliest Jews... always knew that Jewish society was appointed to be a pilot-project for the entire human race... dramas and catastrophes should be exemplary... hatred would be regrettable but only to be expected...{but} Jews should still survive... Providence decreed it and the Jews obeyed.' Amen!

The "issue" of Israel is going to get more and more intense in the world and in public perception. It will get harder and harder for anyone - especially Kingdom people - to sit on the fence. It will cause Churches, friendships, and family relationships to come under growing pressure and strain. We must remain G-d focused and Biblical in all we do.

We must ensure our position is "Pro-G-d" with Israel issues, not simply "Pro-Israel". The results and output of taking this position will often mean we are "Pro-Israel", but in our own hearts we must remember He is the source of all our wisdom, strength and motivation.

"Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence (Heb. Hamas!). I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." – Yes, G-d knows, Psalms (Tehillim) 140:11-12.

'No NT passage confutes the continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant, an unconditional and everlasting covenant. As Paul says, "the gifts and call of God are irrevocable." Israel remains beloved for the Father's sake... God's choice of Abraham and Israel was not for a narrow or limited purpose... but for service to bring blessing to all.' Dan Juster - Jewish Roots

Did you know? Golda Meir was the first female Prime Minister of Israel and the second female Prime Minister in the world. She was also called the "Iron Lady" years before the phrase was used for Margaret Thatcher in the UK. David Ben-Gurion once even described her as "the only man in the Cabinet.

Ramban (Rabbi Moishe Ben Nachman) can be described as one of history's first Zionists, declaring it a mitzvah to live in Israel (Num 33:53). He fulfilled this commandment, moving to Israel during the Crusades after he was expelled from Spain. He found devastation in the Land, "but even in this destruction," he said, "it is a blessed land." He died there in 1270 CE.

‎'Israel's calendar is from G-d; her preservation through her heritage is also from G-d. She is therefore a unique witness to G-d's faithfulness and his lordship over all of history.' As we partake in the Days of Awe, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, remember that as Messianic believers we can be creative, as we are led by the Sp...irit; it must come from within, not from obligation to follow the ways of others.