Can we do תפילות prayers for:
Ephraim & Rimona Frank?
That through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?
I had emails from different people about this 'rumor' and I believe, our friends, Ephraim and Rimona gave an very good answer on the questions from these emails.
Shalom Fellow Israelite,
There has been a rumor flying around in the cyber space that thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews, especially from the Habad movement, accepted Yeshua as their Messiah. This is not the first time that such rumors are spread, but the latest is even more sensational than the former. If you have received a forward with this information and have not read the original “testimony,” you can read it on the following link.http://beastwatchnews.com/11-22-11.php
Having read this from the perspective of living in Israel, here are some of the impressions that struck us about this account, which by the way, if true, would have been all over the news media in Israel. But so far none of this has reached the media.
Here are some of the excerpts (in red) that we chose to look at:
He said Yeshua impressed upon him the importance of keeping the Sabbath
Why would the Jewish Messiah speak to a religious Jew about keeping the Sabbath? Isn’t it obvious, or did he suspect that the Messiah didn’t know it? Did he think that it was the “Christian Jesus” that was appearing to him?
…the people were stunned and heard and accepted the words Abraham said without question.
There are many sects in Judaism and they each have its own rabbi, which they follow. However, while they follow their rabbis very carefully, they would not do so when a rabbi from another group is concerned, especially so when someone, like this Asher, isn’t even a rabbi and what’s more he is proclaiming Yeshua. When it comes to accepting Yeshua (or anyone else for that matter), if there is not one hundred percent agreement on everyone’s part, it will cause a huge uproar, or even riots by the hundreds of thousands who do not gone along with Abraham’s dream.
Rabbi Kaduri, the greatest Kabbalist of the 20th Century, who died some years ago and who had a following of hundreds of thousands left a note that was opened after his death, with Messiah’s name being Yehoshua, as well as a written document that verified the identity of Messiah (entirely authentic). And even that did not cause much of a spiritual stir (that we know of, perhaps there are hundreds of his followers who are now secret believers).
It therefore doesn’t seem reasonable that this “guy” would sweep so many, and openly too.
Now this one is what really “takes the cake”: And he read from the Aramaic EnglishNew Testament the book of Matthew,.. There was continuous discussion in their language, the ancient Hebrew
Nothing more need be said after that… whoever wrote this just revealed his true colors, of making up sensations (and perhaps also trying to promote that translation or their own web or blog spot with its advertisements). In order for them to: 1) understand the English (N.T) and 2) speak in ancient Hebrew, they would have had to have the gift of speaking in tongues...
Nevertheless, let's examine some more:
Cafes at the wailing wall. Asher relates that the Palestinians and Arabs were laughing at them saying the Jews have dyed the tops of their heads! Asher noticed when they sat down [that] all their heads were glowing.
We are not aware of cafes by the Wailing Wall, unless some secular Jews set up a Starbucks in one of the archaeological digs… And what’s more, going to cafes isn’t anything the religious would do. If you knew anything about their traditions you would be on the floor “wailing” in laugher. He might as well have written that they set up a barbeque at the Wailing Wall and had a picnic there. Secondly, according to the above there are “Palestinians” and “Arabs” - what is the distinguishing difference between them?
Also, what was glowing? Their bare heads (because they didn’t cover them any more)? Or was it their black hats, or kippas (yarmulkes)?
Asher is sharing about Yeshua and of what will happen before Yeshua returns to resurrect and redeem his people taking them to heaven.
Is there a hint here of the rapture?
They had begun knocking on the doors of the churches in Jerusalem to share the message!
Is it feasible that the orthodox would go around to the (mostly pagan) churches (in and around the Old City)?! Most would not even enter a church, as it is considered unclean. Did Yeshua tell them that He is now found in these church buildings? Apparently they have changed over night so as to perform that which has always been abominable in their sight! I can just see them in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, kissing the stone and buying crosses from the Arab vendors on the Via Delarosa...
Who is this Asher that thousands of converted ultra orthodox are following around? By the way, what is the difference between an ultra orthodox and Chasidim? Are the “chasidim” not ultra-orthodox? Actually, all chasidim are ultra-orthodox, but not all ultra-orthodox are chasidim.
We can go on and on, and point out more contradictions (such as the remark that after spending the entire Shabbat in the synagogue, these people didn’t go to work the next day. Most ultra-orthodox men do not work. They are recognized by the government as full time Torah students), but we will stop here.
In conclusion:
This appears to be more like someone's idea and wishful thinking regarding what would happen to religious Jews when accepting Yeshua... and you know what, is this what Yeshua meant when He said that they would say: "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect”(Matthew 24:23-24)? This story is certainly a great wonder!
By the way, good fiction writers always do a thorough research before publishing their works. We suggest that in the future if any story teller wants to make his writing credible, that he do likewise.
You may pass on this letter.
Ephraim and Rimona
From: Avi ben Mordechai,
Spiritual Revival has hit Israel!! Thousands of Jews - Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodox - Embrace Yeshua! ... (Really?) |
|
|
Hi everyone.
Well, by now you've heard the global news about Israel's newest "spiritual revival" as announced on Israel Y-NET News, the Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7/ Israel National News and huge numbers of other news outlets all over the world!!; that Israel has experienced its most intense; its largest; its most unbelievable revival to date; that hundreds of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews embraced Yeshua as the "King of the Galaxies!!!!!!" YES! A vision starts it all from one of Jerusalem's "well loved rebbes" Abraham Mohar, Age 76."
Well, as the old saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
The actual writer of this piece of news (that has been forwarded on to me by several individuals, a story that looks to be going viral all over the internet) appears to be totally unfamiliar with Israeli geography and daily life and the religious culture in Jerusalem, amongst its various religious sects.
Let's take a look at some of the reported facts:
1) A Chabad Synagogue in East Jerusalem that normally seats 300 but on that Shabbat, is overflowing with a 1,000 or more Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox Jews, prostrating on the floor, falling out the front doors and into the street, etc...?
2) "Asher ben Golan" is reading IN ENGLISH to these hundreds of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews from the AENT (Aramaic English New Testament). Why read in English to people whose native language is Yiddish? And why read especially from THAT specific English version of the New Testament? Hmmm....
3) About a thousand Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews get "baptized" in the Sea of Galilee on the following Sabbath...?
4) The "well-known" and "most beloved" of Rebbes, 76-year-old Rabbi Abraham Mohar of Jerusalem leads the way with a vision of "Yeshua." ...?
5) This spiritual revival moves down to the Western "Wailing Wall" (Kotel) of Jerusalem, where they all gather near a large number of cafés there...?
6) "Asher ben Golan" calls to someone using his mobile phone on Shabbat, all the while leading hundreds of Chabadniks into the Shul (Beit Kenesset/ Synagogue) in Arab East Jerusalem.
7) Up to a thousand or more Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews are dancing in the street with each other and with their wives and children pledging their lives to Yeshua, the "King of the Galaxies." ...?
8) The Jews gathered at the synagogue on the Sabbath, when "Asher ben Golan" is reading the English New Testament to them from the AENT (again, why read in English, and what is the reason to mention THAT specific English version?), and they all are discussing the Book of Matthew amongst themselves in the "ancient Hebrew language"...?
Ladies and Gentlemen, if this story was not so chaval (so pitifully sad), it would actually be gut-wrenchingly funny; but it's not funny. This story comes from a very sick mind or perhaps, minds. And anyone who knows anything about daily life, religious culture, Orthodox Jewish halacha, and Israeli geography should know from the start that this story is a fraud and the fact that it's going viral on the internet is proof enough that if one wants to spread a bunch of mindless drivel to the masses, it can be done with tremendous ease and most people will not be able to discern the difference between truth and error. This is really sad.
From my perspective, this story appears on the surface to be a thinly veiled promotional marketing piece for the AENT (the Aramaic English New Testament by one Andrew Gabriel Roth and his sidekick Bruce Gorovenko). I can't prove it conclusively, but it looks that way, given that the story specifically mentioned the AENT as the "Bible" of choice, being used for this "great revival."
I contacted a very close and well-connected Chabad friend of mine here in Jerusalem and told him about this story and asked if he knew of anything like this happening; the players involved; the locations, etc... His response to me was: "What are you talking about?" I then contacted another friend of mine connected to the Orthodox Jewish world here in Jerusalem and told him the story and his response was basically the same, "What are you drinking, Avi? ...in so many words.
Once again, Ladies and Gentlemen, briefly, let me address the following:
1) There is no Chabad Shul in East Jerusalem that I am aware of, nor that my Orthodox friends are aware of, large enough to normally seat 300 but that could on occasion accommodate up to 1,000 people. While it is true that there are small enclaves of Jewish settlers in Arab East Jerusalem, the presence of even a small Jewish community is a huge point of contention between Arabs and Israelis, so a massive Jewish synagogue of ANY description in Arab East Jerusalem is HIGHLY unlikely. And why would all of these Ultra-Orthodox Jews go to Arab East Jerusalem to celebrate the arrival of the Messiah, when their Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Meah She'arim is just on the other side of Highway 1?
2) Who is this "Asher ben Golan" who was reading IN ENGLISH the Aramaic English New Testament (AENT) to these hundreds of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews? None of the people that I contacted know anything about this.
3) About a thousand Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews get "baptized"in the Sea of Galilee on the following Sabbath? Oh, please! This would have been HUGE NEWS in the Jerusalem Post, Y-Net News, Arutz Sheva (Seven) Israel National News! It is true that Orthodox Jews regularly immerse themselves in the mikveh for religious purposes, usually on Friday afternoon BEFORE Shabbat; for this reason, EVERY Orthodox Jewish community has a local mikveh... so why the need to go all the way to the Sea of Galilee/Kineret to immerse oneself in a mikveh? Is the writer of this article even aware that the Kineret is at least a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Jerusalem? And of all things, the writer claims that they do this ON SHABBAT! So let me get this straight... Yeshua comes to "Rabbi Mohar" in a dream and tells the much-beloved "Rebbe" that he wants his people to keep Shabbat so that Yeshua can come back, so they decide to celebrate by making the two-and-a-half hour drive to the Kineret so that they can be "baptised" on Shabbat, thus violating EVERY Orthodox Jewish notion of what it means to keep Shabbat?!?! Even if they drove up the day before, Orthodox Jews don't mikveh on Shabbat, period.
4) I asked my Orthodox friends about this "well-known" and most beloved of "Chabad Rebbes" of Jerusalem - a 76-year old "Rabbi Abraham Mohar" and here's the scoop: there is an old Christian urban legend about a man of this name, from quite some time ago--at the turn of the Twentieth Century, to be exact; a story that he had a vision of Jesus and because of this, he converted to Christianity. Furthermore, in Hassidic Judaism, there is a difference between a "Rabbi" (ordinary local leader) and the "Rebbe" (head Rabbi of that sect), so this so-called "Chabad Rebbe" is a joke: to the Chabadniks, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson was their last Rebbe, and can NEVER be replaced by a new Rebbe. Many of them actually believe that Schneerson is the Messiah himself. So who is this "Rebbe Mohar"...? Oh, please!
5) This spiritual revival of a thousand Orthodox Jews then moves from Arab East Jerusalem "down" to the Western "Wailing Wall" (the Kotel) of Jerusalem, where they all gather near a large number of cafés there. Sorry folks, but having been a resident of Jerusalem for a number of years, and also being a licensed Israeli tour guide, I can assure you that there are NO cafés in the Kotel ("Wailing Wall") area, Judaism's holiest site.
6) This Asher ben Golan in the story calls out to someone using his mobile phone on Shabbat, all the while leading hundreds of Chabadniks into the Shul (Beit Knesset/ Synagogue) in Arab East Jerusalem? Once again, violating everything that Orthodox Jews believe about what it means to keep Sabbath! Please understand, among religious Jews, mobile phones are not used on the Sabbath day, and if you used a mobile phone in their presence, you would definitely be hearing their protests.
7) Up to a thousand or more Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews are involved with mixed dancing in the street with their wives and children, all of them pledging their lives to Yeshua, the King of the Galaxies? Oh, please! Consider this: the Ultra-Orthodox are currently involved in a campaign to remove ALL images of women on billboards across Jerusalem because of "immodesty!" (see women in advertising). And we're supposed to believe that hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jews have now totally changed the way they keep Shabbat, have accepted Yeshua and have been baptised in his name, and are now dancing in the streets with actual live flesh-and-blood women? Hummm.
8) The Jews gathered at the synagogue on the Sabbath (where "Asher ben Golan" is reading the New Testament to them from the AENT) are discussing the Book of Matthew amongst themselves in the "ancient Hebrew language." Folks, the Ultra-Orthodox consider the ancient Hebrew language "Lashon Kodesh" and do not use it for regular conversation! When they speak, they normally speak in Yiddish. If they speak in Hebrew at all, it is Modern Hebrew and not ancient Hebrew that graces their tongue! 9) In Mevasseret Tzion, a "backwater suburb" of Jerusalem, there was a HUGE issue that recently came up regarding ONE secular Israeli girl who had converted to believing in Yeshua. That's in Mevasseret! Now, in the capital of the entire country and religious center of all Judaism - Jerusalem, we are supposed to believe that a thousand or so Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews "convert" to become believers in Yeshua, and THAT DOES NOT make National News in Israel, even in the secular Jerusalem Post? No one can find anything about this story here in the Land! And yet, there are large numbers of people outside of Israel promoting this story as though it were true and verified!
10) There are a number of other idiotic things purported to be true in the story, making the whole thing a fraud (a re-worked urban legend). A number of people, for example, have pointed out the apparent time-warp in this story, in that the "handwritten letter" sent by "Asher ben Golan" to one Ms. Jannene Howse of Australia, was supposedly received by her on the 10th of October, 2011, while this story concerns events that transpired in Jerusalem more than two weeks later! Given the time it takes to mail a "handwritten letter" from Israel to a person in Australia, should we conclude that Mr. Golan was writing about these events which he viewed in his handy crystal ball more than a month before they actually transpired? Or is there another purpose to this crazy story? So many of the people who have pointed out this discrepancy have indicated that it must be just a typo, so much do they want the story to be true, that in their minds, IT IS!!! But, my friends, I am here to report to you that this story is a fraud and I encourage you to be more diligent about what you hear and accept to be true, whether it's something written about anyone - me or someone else, or even another group or ministry.
One thing is clear: whoever decided to put this out there on the internet (one or more people); it was done for a purpose. I suppose it was done to rake in a lot of cash for "Jewish evangelism" but I can't prove this statement. Another, more likely, reason may be that the publisher of the AENT was looking for a way to increase sales and market share for his "new Bible." I don't know and frankly, I don't care.
What I do care about is this: each of you needs to be very careful about what is going on in these days in which we live. There is no shortage of charlatans, liars, thieves, "wolves in sheep's clothing," and others out there who will do anything, and use anything, even out-and-out lies, to advance their own agenda, and relieve you of some of your hard-earned cash as they seek to build up their own kingdoms.
You have been forewarned.
Avinoam Jerusalem
|
|
|
Avinoam's Coming Home Study Tours
Avi and Dina ben Mordechai
Jerusalem |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment