Post by David Ben Yosef on Aug 13, 2010 0:16:05 GMT -8
After a discussion in another thread, it dawned on me that maybe everyone isn't aware of the persecution of Messianics in Israel. Perpetrated by...of all people...their own countrymen (Orthodox Jews)! And mainly by a group called "anti-missionaries."
So, I started this thread to share with you exactly what's going on with Messianics in Eretz Israel.
Here's an e-mail I received from www.messianicbible.com
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Shalom David,
Persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel is Getting Worse!
A court case has been going on for the past 5 year, after there was a riot against a Messianic congregation while it was holding services. This congregation which is in Beer Sheva, Israel, was attacked by approximately 200 extremist orthodox Jews who destroyed the congregation as congregants were inside! Once inside the building, the mob of ultra-orthodox Jews threw chairs and other items, damaged audiovisual equipment and threw equipment and other items into the Mikvah (baptismal pool) and pushed the Messianic Leader of the congregation, Howard Bass into the pool as well. Police were called to the scene but could not control the crowd. This group of orthodox Jewish men, were totally out of control and were on a mission to terrorize the congregation.
Two years later in 2007, Messianic leader Howard Bass filed suit for inciting this riot against Yehuda Deri, who is the chief Sephardic rabbi in the city of Beer Sheva, and Yad L'Achim, an anti-missionary organization that fights against Messianic Jews in Israel. This year, the court ruled…. Can you believe it, AGAINST the Messianic Jewish congregation! That’s right!
After the Believers in Yeshua were faced with a riot in their congregation which was videotaped, the court ruled in favor of the extremist ultra-orthodox Jews. The nation of Israel is against Yeshua (Jesus) and anyone who believes in Him. The verdict was "totally distorted,” and there are strong legal grounds for an appeal, but I do not believe it is God's will to appeal the court, Howard Bass said.
David, I want to show you how extreme persecution against the Believers in Yeshua can be. Just days before the riot, Yad L'Achim sent out a strong rallying call that there was going to be a “Christian” water immersion (mikvah) service (baptism) taking place. This drew the ultra-orthodox out to storm the Messianic congregation. After the riot, on a talk radio program Yehuda Deri, the chief Sephardic rabbi proudly spoke about the incident of the riot with great pride of how many people showed up to protest the Messianic Jews.
A couple of years earlier, about 1,000 protestors went to the same congregation during a service and threw rocks and spit on congregants, Howard Bass and his wife. Howard Bass said that the court’s verdict is a "message from God" that injustice toward Jews who accept Jesus as the Messiah is now the "state of things" in Israel.
And here’s the crux! The judge ordered Bass to pay a fine to the defendants and cover their legal expenses for a total of approximately 155,000 shekels (US$40,123). This is outrageous. Howard Bass said the verdict may embolden those who want to attack Messianic Jews in Israel. At minimum, he said, the verdict leaves open the potential for future violence.
Bass continued saying that Jesus' trial was the perfect example of a public defeat and a travesty of justice that God used in a great way.
There's plenty more with this came from. I'll be adding more almost daily.
Shalom
So, I started this thread to share with you exactly what's going on with Messianics in Eretz Israel.
Here's an e-mail I received from www.messianicbible.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shalom David,
Persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel is Getting Worse!
A court case has been going on for the past 5 year, after there was a riot against a Messianic congregation while it was holding services. This congregation which is in Beer Sheva, Israel, was attacked by approximately 200 extremist orthodox Jews who destroyed the congregation as congregants were inside! Once inside the building, the mob of ultra-orthodox Jews threw chairs and other items, damaged audiovisual equipment and threw equipment and other items into the Mikvah (baptismal pool) and pushed the Messianic Leader of the congregation, Howard Bass into the pool as well. Police were called to the scene but could not control the crowd. This group of orthodox Jewish men, were totally out of control and were on a mission to terrorize the congregation.
Two years later in 2007, Messianic leader Howard Bass filed suit for inciting this riot against Yehuda Deri, who is the chief Sephardic rabbi in the city of Beer Sheva, and Yad L'Achim, an anti-missionary organization that fights against Messianic Jews in Israel. This year, the court ruled…. Can you believe it, AGAINST the Messianic Jewish congregation! That’s right!
After the Believers in Yeshua were faced with a riot in their congregation which was videotaped, the court ruled in favor of the extremist ultra-orthodox Jews. The nation of Israel is against Yeshua (Jesus) and anyone who believes in Him. The verdict was "totally distorted,” and there are strong legal grounds for an appeal, but I do not believe it is God's will to appeal the court, Howard Bass said.
David, I want to show you how extreme persecution against the Believers in Yeshua can be. Just days before the riot, Yad L'Achim sent out a strong rallying call that there was going to be a “Christian” water immersion (mikvah) service (baptism) taking place. This drew the ultra-orthodox out to storm the Messianic congregation. After the riot, on a talk radio program Yehuda Deri, the chief Sephardic rabbi proudly spoke about the incident of the riot with great pride of how many people showed up to protest the Messianic Jews.
A couple of years earlier, about 1,000 protestors went to the same congregation during a service and threw rocks and spit on congregants, Howard Bass and his wife. Howard Bass said that the court’s verdict is a "message from God" that injustice toward Jews who accept Jesus as the Messiah is now the "state of things" in Israel.
And here’s the crux! The judge ordered Bass to pay a fine to the defendants and cover their legal expenses for a total of approximately 155,000 shekels (US$40,123). This is outrageous. Howard Bass said the verdict may embolden those who want to attack Messianic Jews in Israel. At minimum, he said, the verdict leaves open the potential for future violence.
Bass continued saying that Jesus' trial was the perfect example of a public defeat and a travesty of justice that God used in a great way.
There's plenty more with this came from. I'll be adding more almost daily.
Shalom
