Israeli Rabbis Warn Jews Not to Mix With Christian Tourists

[nChrist]

My Note:  Please read this article in the perspective of end of this Age of Grace events. Regardless of their final decisions, our thoughts and prayers for Israel WILL NOT be changed by some Israeli Rabbis. We get our instructions from the Holy Bible, and the thoughts of Christians about Israel should NOT change, even if we aren't allowed to visit Israel. By the way, Christians ARE NOT just fair weather friends of Israel.
_______________________

Israeli Rabbis Warn Jews Not to Mix With Christian Tourists
Julie Stahl

Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Distrustful of missionary activity, rabbis are warning Israeli Jews not to mix with Christian pilgrims during an upcoming event that brings thousands of Christians from around the world to Jerusalem each fall.

But many Orthodox Jews are coming to the defense of the Christians, whom they see as true friends and allies of Israel and the Jewish people.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), a pro-Israel evangelical organization, for the past 27 years has hosted the annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration during the Jewish holiday of Succoth. The weeklong program has become the largest annual tourism event in Israel, pumping millions of dollars into the local economy.

More than 6,000 Christians from some 90 nations are expected here for this year's Feast, which begins on Thursday.

The ICEJ says it represents the views of millions of Christians around the world who support the Jewish people's biblical right to Israel. Christian supporters of Israel have continued to visit the country, even during periods of war and terrorism, and when calls for boycotts have kept other tourists away.

Last month, however, a subcommittee of the Chief Rabbinate tasked to prevent missionary activity in Israel issued a ruling banning Jews from participating in the ICEJ conference and an associated parade through the streets of Jerusalem.

The parade, organized by the Jerusalem municipality, is independent of the Christian event, but each year thousands of Feast pilgrims take part, often wearing national dress and waving their countries' flags. Jerusalemites, who turn out in huge numbers to watch the parade, frequently describe the international element as a highlight.

While welcoming non-Jewish visitors, the Chief Rabbinate subcommittee warned that Jews "who fear for their souls should distance themselves" from the event.

A spokeswoman for the Chief Rabbinate would not confirm or deny the original statement but said the rabbis were meeting this week to discuss the issue.

ICEJ Executive Director Malcolm Hedding called the move disappointing, saying in a statement, "the ICEJ has never conducted any missionary programs in Israel, and we clearly instruct our Feast pilgrims against such activity during their stay here."

Hedding said those going to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles do so in line with a biblical invitation.

But Jerusalem Councilwoman Mina Fenton, an Orthodox Jew, said Christians and Jews read the Bible differently.

Fenton told Cybercast News Service that unsuspecting Jews might see Christians using Jewish or biblical symbols and be deceived into believing that Christianity is similar to Judaism.

She said most Christians have an "ulterior motive" when they say they are supporters of Israel.

Others felt the ruling was out of place, however.

In an editorial, the Jerusalem Post said it was "beyond the irrational and foolish" to rebuff "such unadulterated amity and goodwill" as the ICEJ brings to the country.

Conservative lawmaker Benny Elon, a religious Zionist who heads the Christian Allies Caucus in the Knesset, said there is a "real kinship" between the Jewish people, the ICEJ and the Christians they represent.

The caucus works to establish good working relations between Israeli parliamentarians and Christians from around the world.

While he understood that the rabbis feel a responsibility to protect the "spiritual survival" of the Jewish people, Elon said in an interview, he also mentioned elements that are trying to spoil Jewish-Christian relations, which he and other have worked so hard to build.

Christians not only contribute to Israel's tourism sector, said Elon -- a former Tourism Minister -- but are political allies, too.

Elon noted that it is the Jewish Bible that says that all nations will come up to Jerusalem for Succoth, a reference to Zechariah 14 in the Tanach, or Old Testament.

The Jerusalem municipality said it is "unaware of any prohibition" from the rabbis regarding the parade, which it organizes. "No missionary activity exists at the parade," a spokesman said.

Israeli law does not forbid conversions or sharing one's faith, although it does outlaw the offering of financial inducements to persuade a person to switch his religion.

Any citizen who is a member of one religion -- Jewish, Christian or Muslim -- and who wants to marry a member of another, must do so outside the country.

[BHarper]

I agree with the sentiment expressed in the personal note added by the poster of the above news article.  My support and love for the state of Israel will never change regardless of how hostile unbelieving Jews may grow toward Christianity in these last days.  My affinity for that nation is not based on their attitude and behavior toward me as a Christian but rather by my love for the God of Israel and for the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which includes me as well in a spiritual sense though I myself am not a Jew but a Gentile.  Many might call me a " Christian Zionist ", a label that I am not ashamed of.  Bible-believing Christians are the best friends that the state of Israel have in this world.  We see prophetic significance in the return of the Jews back to land from all nations where God had scattered them. 

Some day this division will be finally healed and Israel and the Church will be ONE in Yeshua Ha Mashiach ( Jesus the Messiah ). Nevertheless it is sad that today many Jews feel this way today toward Christians. One of the reasons that Jesus died on the cross was to remove this barrier between Jews and Gentiles.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past GENTILES in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of ISRAEL, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now IN CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace, WHO HATH MADE BOTH ONE, AND HATH BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION BETWEEN US; HAVING ABOLISHED IN HIS FLESH THE ENMITY, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And THAT HE MIGHT RECONCILE BOTH UNTO GOD IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, HAVING SLAIN THE ENMITY THEREBY.

- Ephesians 2:11-16 ( kjv )

[Soldier4Christ]

Hi BHarper,

Welcome to Christains Unite. I look forward to seeing more of your posts and in having some wonderful fellowship in Christ with you.

Some day this division will be finally healed and Israel and the Church will be ONE in Yeshua Ha Mashiach ( Jesus the Messiah ).

That will be a most wonderful day.

[BHarper]

Thank you, Pastor Roger, for the warm welcome.  It is my joy and a blessing to be here.  God bless you.
 

[nChrist]

Amen to your post BHarper!

And WELCOME!

I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite. I look forward to reading your posts and having fellowship with you.

Love In Christ,
Tom