Messianic Judaism

Article in Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2009

What does a Jew do who suddenly finds himself believing in Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew)?  In 1969 I found myself unwittingly caught between two seemingly unbridgeable worlds – Judaism and Christianity. Growing up as a Jew, I felt loyalty and affinity to my roots, and yet my spiritual journey led me to Yeshua.  The following year at college I met another “freak” like me, who alleviated my internal conflict by introducing me to the term “Messianic Jew.” As we studied the Scriptures together, I saw that Yeshua was the Jewish Messiah.  I had little idea of the Pandora’s box I opened. My newly found faith caused a huge conflict with my family and my Jewish community, sadly continuing to this day.

            This year I celebrate my 18th year (the Hebrew number for life) as Rabbi of Tikvat Israel, a Messianic Jewish congregation in Richmond, and I recently completed my sixth year as president of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations.  In 1989 Tikvat Israel started in a small meeting room of a motel on Rt. 95.  Before moving to Richmond in 1990 my young family and I commuted every week from Washington, D.C.  Today, the congregation is housed in a historic synagogue building on the corner of Boulevard and Grove, crowded with worshipers on Saturday mornings and Jewish holidays, bustling with life and joy.

            Since my discovery of Yeshua in 1969, Messianic Judaism has grown rapidly.  The ‘60s hippie movement produced large numbers of Jewish young men and women embracing this Yeshua.  Seeking to maintain Jewish identity with this newly found faith, these young people began forming Messianic synagogues. Today, there are close to 1000 such synagogues around the world, including 150 in Israel. As a teacher I have traveled to many of these houses of worship in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Israel.  I am still amazed at how what seemed strange almost 40 years ago - a Jew believing in Yeshua and remaining Jewish - has become increasingly normalized.

            Tikvat Israel’s beliefs, practices and traditions are similar to those of traditional synagogues, with the obvious exception of belief in Yeshua as Messiah.  Not unlike the first few hundred years of Yeshua’s Jewish followers, our Saturday order of service follows the synagogue structure, highlighted by the procession and the reading/chanting of the Torah (the five books of Moses).  Traditional and contemporary music is interwoven throughout the service, coupled with tasteful Israeli-style dancing. We celebrate the Jewish holidays, circumcise male infants, and our young teens celebrate their Bar and Bat Mitzvot in the traditional way. We have Hebrew instruction, a Shabbat School and vibrant youth, young-adult and adult programs.

            Members include Jews from all backgrounds, interfaith families and those from a variety of Christian backgrounds who seek to understand the Jewish roots of their faith. Many are active in larger Jewish causes. For 15 years our congregation has assisted hundreds of Russian families to successfully immigrate to our city; in fact, we house the largest Russian library in the region.  We are currently involved in large humanitarian projects to Israel, recognized and welcomed by the Israeli government.

            Despite all this, some people, almost all of whom have not attended our services, still think the name Messianic Jew is a contradiction in terms, largely as a result of the historical divide between Judaism and Christianity. However, many viewed Theodore Herzl (the father of Zionism) as a fool when he proposed a Jewish state be established in the Holy Land.  How could ancient Israel be resurrected into a modern nation after almost 2,000 years?  Yet, there she stands, and so do we - the spiritual descendants of the original followers of Yeshua, resurrected after almost two millennia. 

Purim and Anti-Semitism

The Feast of Purim, described in the Book of Esther, celebrates God’s deliverance of the Jews in an early instance of the age old problem of Anti-Semitism.  The issue of Anti-Semitism, the whys and wherefores, has been debated by scholars for over 50 years.  The Purim story highlights one of the major reasons for this problem - the refusal by the Jews to violate God given commandments, despite living in foreign countries.  One of the first of the 10 commandments is to not bow down to any other god.  In the ancient world many of the kings were considered by their societies to be divine.  In the Purim story, the king requires his people to bow down to his chief assistant, Haman.  But Mordecai, the Jew, refuses.  His action begins a process that ultimately leads to a ruling by the king to destroy all the Jews in his empire, which at that time, probably meant the vast majority of the world’s Jews.  This same conflict between a Nation’s laws and Jewish law repeats itself for millennia during the Greek empire, the Roman empire, the Islamic empire, Christian Europe, etc.  But it fails to explain the more modern forms of Anti-Semitism, best expressed in Nazi Germany, and now once again tragically expressed in Western Europe and in many Muslim nations. 

What is the driving force behind Anti-Semitism?  It must be spiritual.  Since the time of Abraham, God called the Jewish people to be a witness people to the world.  In Exodus at Mt. Sinai God declares the whole earth is His, but the Jews will be His treasured possession, representing Him as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  And while Israel and the Jews often failed to live up to His expectations, He makes it clear in both Testaments of the Bible that His calling on the Jewish people remains irrevocable.  God even links the promises of the New Covenant to the continuation of the Jewish race (Jer. 31).  So, why such persecution?  If the Jews are destroyed, then God’s promises are made void.  If He can’t fulfill His promises to them, can He fulfill His promise to anyone?  Hence, throughout history demonic forces find any reason whatsoever to fuel hatred of the Jewish people.  The hatred and the history of persecution are not rational.  But the apostle Paul says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world-forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  In our post-modern world, this kind of thinking seems silly.  But ironically it’s the only rationale for persistent Anti-Semitism that makes any sense. 

As we stomp our feet, boo and twirl our noisemakers at the mention of Haman’s name during the Purim celebration, let’s make the connection between him, Anti-Semitism and hatred in general.  Together, let’s fight for God’s justice in this world.  Remember Yeshua’s words, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have an abundant life.” 

Jamie Cowen 2006

Purim - Decisions Have Future Implications

            Purim is probably the most boisterous of the Jewish holidays,  celebrating Jewish deliverance from the hands of the evil Haman.  Typically, synagogues read the Book of Esther (called the Megillah) on the evening of Purim - this year, Thursday, March 20.  The reading is highly interactive with the congregation; for when Haman is mentioned, noisemakers (groggers) are twirled and people boo, whereas when Mordecai and Esther are read, there is cheering and whistling.  Often, synagogues or Jewish Community Centers offer Purim parties which includes kids dressing up in costumes or performing crazy plays.  Special foods are concocted also representing the day, such as hamantaschen (triangular shaped pastries), representing Haman’s hat, or smaller pastries, representing his ears.  Drinking alcoholic beverages is also common. 

            But there are some very serious issues raised by the Book of Esther, one being that our decisions often have implications far into the future.  Two of the book’s principal characters are introduced by mentioning their lineage, not uncommon in Biblical literature.  The story line begins in the Persian Empire, sometime in the early 5th century BCE, where most, if not all, the Jews of the world lived.  The Persian king becomes displeased with his wife and begins to look for a successor.  Mordecai is then introduced as the uncle of Hadassah (Esther) who later becomes queen.  But the book’s author directs attention to Mordecai’s lineage, who is a descendant of Kish.  Kish was the father of King Saul, Israel’s first king, just preceding King David. 

            Later, Haman (prime minister) is introduced as an Agagite.  From this point to the end of the book there is a fascinating and developing conflict between Mordecai and Haman.  But it’s these men’s ancestries which give the book one of its deepest implications.  600 years before the story, God commanded King Saul to destroy the Amalekites.  However, Saul permitted the king of the Amalekites to live; his name was Agag.  As a result, the Prophet Samuel rebuked Saul and informed him that God had removed his authority to continue as king.  Rather, another man was God’s choice for kingship - David.  From then on, Saul becomes a tragic figure, finally dying in a losing battle against enemy forces.  It appears from the text that Saul’s series of poor choices, culminating in allowing King Agag to live, conclude with Saul’s death.  But the Book of Esther shows it doesn’t. 

            Haman is now described as a descendant of Agag, whose purposes are to destroy the Jewish people.  Mordecai, the descendant of Saul, spars with Haman over his future as well as that of his people.  In a delightful and ironic ending, the very gallows intended for Mordecai is used to execute Haman, and the Jews who were about to be slaughtered now become a favored and protected people.  Few of us consider the impact of our decisions beyond our children or grandchildren, but this story reveals how vital they are, even affecting generations hundreds of years later.  Consider what the Apostle Paul said, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked.  For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:7-8)

Jamie Cowen 2008

Messianic Jewish Immigration to Israel

            You may or may not know that the nation of Israel blocks Messianic Jews from immigrating.  Israel was established as a safe haven for all Jews.  The only group prohibited by law are Messianics.  Now, that has changed.  In a huge case, the Israeli Supreme Court instructed the government to grant Israeli citizenship to a group of twelve Messianic Jews, whose Jewish heritage originated on their father’s side.  Included in that group was my oldest daughter, Amy. 

            Jewish immigration to Israel is controlled by the Law of Return.  The law, as passed in 1970, stated that anyone with one Jewish grandparent could automatically become a citizen of Israel.  This law was based upon the notorious Nuremberg laws from the Nazi era.  Hitler’s regime prohibited the intermarriage of Germans and anyone with one Jewish grandparent.  The ultimate goal of the Nuremberg laws was to define, isolate and destroy anyone with Jewish heritage.  A few years after passage of the Law of Return a Catholic priest, whose was born Jewish, attempted to immigrate to Israel.  The Supreme Court conceded that under Jewish religious law the priest remained a Jew, but for all intents and purposes relinquished his connections to the Jewish people by converting to Christianity.  The Court urged the Israeli parliament to amend the law.

            Later the law was amended to capture similar scenarios so that anyone with a Jewish grandparent could still become a citizen unless he or she converted to another religion.  In a huge case before the Court 15-20 years ago, Gary and Shirley Beresford, South African Messianic Jews, sought to immigrate under the Law of Return and were blocked by the government under the conversion exception.  Despite the fact that the Beresfords lived as Jews, the Court ruled against them, claiming they had converted to another religion.  This case set the precedent, enabling the government to proscribe Messianic Jewish immigration.  As a consequence, many Messianic Jews, who desired to immigrate, had to keep their faith quiet when immigrating.   If and when discovered, these Messianic Jews could not immigrate. 

            Approximately, three years ago my daughter, Amy, decided to immigrate to the land.  My middle daughter had successfully immigrated three years earlier.  In Amy’s case an anti-missionary organization discovered her application and put pressure on the government to block the case.  We hired an Israeli law firm who was already representing numerous families in similar situations.  A year ago she was added to an existing Supreme Court case.  The case was postponed numerous times, causing both financial and emotional stress on all of us.  She was in Israel since the summer of 2006, but could not work nor receive any government benefits. 

            Finally, the case was heard on April 16.  People were praying all over the world.  A group of us gathered at Tikvat Israel at 4 AM to pray while the case was being heard (seven hour time difference with Israel).  Just as we finished prayer my phone rang, and there was Amy announcing over a speaker phone that the Messianic Jewish families had won the case.  The roar from the group praying was so loud my ears were still ringing hours later.   Finally, the words of Israel’s national anthem are applicable to the Messianic Jewish community:

As long as in the heart, within,
A soul of a Jew is yearning,
And to the edges of the East, forward,
An eye gazes towards Zion,

Our hope is not yet lost,The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free nation in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

            I believe part of the reason behind this monumental decision is the incredible favor and generosity the Christian and Messianic Jewish world has shown to the nation of Israel over the past number of years. 

Jamie Cowen 2008

Did the Jews Kill Christ?

Here we go again, the phrase presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan, made famous in a response to President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential debates.  But this time the phrase applies to the historic Anti-Semitic statement about Jewish culpability in killing Christ, resurrected by none other than Virginia House of Delegate member, Frank Hargrove. In opposing legislation that formally apologizes for the state’s involvement in slavery, Delegate Hargrove made the comparison to asking modern day Jews to apologize for killing Christ.  Of course, Delegate Hargrove was not suggesting that Jews actually killed the savior or that today’s Jews are somehow responsible for Christ’s death.  Rather, his point was that how can future generations apologize for actions of their ancestors.   Leaving aside the merit of his major point, which is debatable, raising the issue of Jewish culpability in the death of Christ, even in terms of an analogy, is deeply troubling. 

            If the Christ killing accusation was buried in history following the Middle Ages, no one would care much.  But it’s not.  Anti-Semitism is once again on the rise throughout the world.  Believe it or not, the Muslim world often quotes Christian medieval statements about the Jews culpability in the killing of Christ to show just how evil Jews are.  Even among certain Christian circles within the United States, this is still believed.  Honestly, Mel Gibson’s movie, “the Passion,” didn’t help.  But aside from the twisted idea that somehow modern day Jews are responsible for actions taken against someone almost 2,000 years ago, the very assertion of collective Jewish guilt at the time of Jesus is absolutely absurd.

            Who killed Christ?  The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that no one killed him.  Rather, he voluntarily laid down his own life.  Does the New Testament show Jesus in conflict with Jewish leaders?  Absolutely.  But anyone who knows anything about 2nd Temple Judaism recognizes that various Jewish groups were in constant conflict with one another, often declaring the other side to be “a child of the devil.”  Yes, according to the New Testament the Jewish High priest and his cohorts handed Jesus over to the Romans for punishment and wanted him executed.  But the high priest and much of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling body) were political lackeys of Rome, descendants of King Herod’s appointments.   In the end the Romans put him to death.  Hence, if anyone is responsible it’s the Romans and their allies within Jewish ruling circles.  But these groups did not represent the Jewish world.  In fact, following the destruction of the 2nd Temple, 40 years later, the Sanhedrin was completely overhauled, and the new governing body excluded most of those associated with the earlier one.

            If the Jews killed Christ, then what about his Jewish followers?  What about the writers of the New Testament, who were all Jews, save possibly one?  What about the scores of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of Jews who believed in Christ by the end of the 1st century and beginning of the 2nd?  These numbers are compared to the handful of Jews who were actually involved in the recommendation to the Romans to put him to death.  The Christ killing allegation against Jews developed much later and was a transfer of earlier Roman/Greek Anti-Semitism to an increasingly Gentile church.  Once embedded it was a convenient conspiracy myth that grew into a monster, which still lurks among the ignorant and perpetrators of evil around the world.  The only accurate statement about the subject is this: the Jews did not kill Christ. 

Jamie Cowen 2007

Supporting Messianic Jews in the Land of Israel

What a change!  For 1800 years the Christian church relentlessly persecuted Jews, considering them demonic, unredeemable, sub-human.  Suddenly, rabbis and pastors share in each others’ pulpits.  Christians desperately desire to learn of their Jewish roots, and the greatest friend of the nation of Israel is Evangelical Christians.  Possibly, this is what the Apostle Paul meant when he declared, “salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” (Romans 11:11)

            Jewish/Christian dialogue and relationships clearly enhanced the rise of modern Messianic Judaism, i.e., Jews who believe in Jesus while maintaining Jewish identity.  In Israel alone there exist 150 Messianic congregations, attended by approximately 12,000 Messianic Jews.  In fact, for the first time the Israeli government is cooperating with Messianic Jews, particularly in the forms of humanitarian relief.  This past year, representing 90 Messianic Jewish congregations, I have worked with members of Israel’s parliament (Knesset) on various projects.

            But all is not well.  Messianic Jews still find obstacles to immigration and at times are persecuted and discriminated against for their faith.  What you may not know is most, if not all, the money donated by Christians to causes in Israel, particularly through television pleas, never reaches the hands of Messianic Jews.  In fact, some of the money goes to organizations that persecute these believers.  Contrast this with what the Apostle Paul says, “As we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10)

            To combat this discrimination we have formed an organization, The Hope for Israel, that channels monies into the hands of Messianic Jewish congregations and organizations in the land of Israel who are doing humanitarian work.  These groups provide relief to any needy Israeli - secular Jews, religious Jews, Messianic Jews and Arabs.  When your donations go through the Messianic groups, it raises the awareness and acceptance of Messianic Judaism in Israel.  When money circumvents the Israeli Messianic groups, it actually undermines their place in Israeli society. 

 Here are some of the groups The Hope for Israel supports:

             1.  Medical, social and dental assistance to Ethiopian Jews, the poorest members of Israeli society through the Tents of Mercy, a group of Messianic Jewish congregations in Israel.

            2.  Food distributions to thousands of impoverished holocaust survivors through a Messianic group that actually exposed their plight to the Israeli public.

            3.  Support for Joseph’s Storehouse, a large warehouse operation and distribution of food, school supplies, backpacks, etc., for the poor in the land, run by Messianic Jews.

            4.  An organization that represents Messianic Jews and others when they are discriminated against in immigration, jobs and residential matters.

            5.  A soup kitchen in Jerusalem, funded by Netiviyah, a Messianic Jewish congregation.

            6.  Love for Israel Relief Fund, an organization that works with Knesset (Parliament) members in partnering to provide relief to needy hospitals and schools. 

            The reality is that most Messianic congregations in Israel want to assist their countrymen, but a lack of funding prevents it.  Instead millions of dollars go through Jewish and Christian organizations to worthy causes but circumvent the Messianic congregations and unwittingly displace the Jewish followers of Jesus within the land of Israel.

            I have met with a number of the Messianic leaders in the land, who are enthusiastic about this project.  We have no intention of duplicating efforts of the existing, indigenous Messianic Jewish groups in the land of Israel.  Rather our goal is to empower them to more effectively minister to their countrymen.

            For more information, please go to our website at www.hfirelieffund.org.

Jamie Cowen, 2007

Why Messianic Jews Keep the High Holidays

            The High Holidays are the holiest time in the Jewish year.  They begin on Rosh HaShana (head of or 1st of the year) and end on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).  The full ten day period from Rosh HaShana through Yom Kippur is known as the Days of Awe.  The Bible says little about Rosh HaShana.  In fact, the day of Rosh HaShana is actually the beginning of the seventh month, not the 1st.  The only real reference to this day is in Leviticus 23 which proclaims it the day of trumpets or Yom Teruah.  Yom Kippur is covered more extensively, and originally was for the purpose of cleansing the Temple and the nation for the prior year’s sin. 

            Today the holidays are celebrated differently and for different reasons.  It is believed that the Book of Life is opened on Rosh HaShana, and all are either included or excluded from the Book based on their behavior over the past year.  For most God gives a respite for ten days to the Day of Atonement to enable as many to repent and perform good deeds for the purpose of inclusion in the Book of Life.  Consequently, this period is known as the Days of Awe as Jews repent, ritually immerse themselves (primarily Orthodox), give to charity and perform good deeds (mitzvot).  Unlike most of the year synagogues are packed during these days.  A very familiar saying is “L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem” or “may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

            Messianic Jews, of course, believe Yeshua the Messiah paid the price for their sins, once and for all, and thus the question arises as to whether Messianic Jews observe these holidays, and, if so, why.  First, the Bible mandates Jews keep these holidays, and there is no place in the Scriptures, including the New Testament, that suggests they are outdated.  Since Messianic Jews are Jews and are bound to the Laws of Moses, these days should be observed.  Second, while Messianic Jews can and should fully participate in the practices and observances of these holidays, our reasons for doing so differ.  This is not unlike other modern Jews, such as the Reform and Progressive movements, who often alter certain practices and the reasons therefore.  In our case, rather than seeking to be inscribed in the Book of Life, a fact accomplished through the work of Yeshua, we, like other Jews, review our actions over the past year, repent for failure and ask God for mercy.  Then, we rejoice in what our high priest, Yeshua, has done for us.  In addition, we use the opportunity to pray for the larger Jewish community to experience the life-changing work of Yeshua the Messiah. 

Jamie Cowen 2008

Chanukah Miracle

Channukah Miracle

By Rabbi Jamie Cowen, 1990

Before I even relocated to Richmond, (my family and I were traveling here weekly from Washington, DC to lead the fledgling congregation), I was told about the old synagogue on the corner of Boulevard and Grove Avenue. For many years various groups had been praying that a Messianic Jewish congregation would move in. It had been Richmond's sole Orthodox Jewish synagogue for many years, but now lay dormant after the former residents moved five miles west.

How it started

My family and I finally moved to Richmond in August, 1990. Tikvat Israel was then meeting in a small church on the Southside but was quickly outgrowing it. Someone mentioned the old synagogue across from the Virginia Art Museum was apparently available for rent. A few of us went and visited the relic, and "oh, what a mess." It hadn't been used in 15+ years and looked it. We were escorted into the furnace room where an oil power steam boiler sat with four huge empty oil tanks. I wondered whether the old boiler would even work and then how much it would cost to operate. Before the oil crisis of the 70s, oil was cheap. Possibly, escalating oil prices caused the earlier tenants to flee. Someone noticed an attachment to the burner that indicated the system used approximately 10 gallons of oil per hour. Wow!

The Vision

Following the inspection, we held a congregational meeting. We had to move, but to this white elephant? Pros and cons were floated. Finally, Mo Slate, one of the pillars of the congregation to this day (Dec. 2003), shared a vision he had years before. In this vision he saw this synagogue - vacant and lifeless. Suddenly, the large stain-glassed stars of David facing the streets began to glow. People, who had been walking past, stopped and began to pour into the old building, and just as suddenly the building began to pulsate with life. The story silenced all of us, and we knew God was calling us to move into the old synagogue. Our first service was scheduled for Chanukkah week, 1990. This was the beginning of the first Persian Gulf War, and oil prices had spiked. The first order of business was to attempt to start the oil heating system. One of our leaders ordered in 150 gallons of oil. The four tanks in the furnace room had a capacity in excess of 1000 gallons. But why order in so much oil if there's no assurance of starting the system? Regardless, the system wouldn't start, so our 1st service was heated by two propane burners that sounded like jet engines. Obviously, they couldn't be run during the service, so by the end it had gotten quite cold. Later in the week the same leader was examining the heating system and was able to start it. He then examined the oil tanks and to his utter surprise the gauges on the tanks indicated they were full. This made no sense. He opened the tank, dunked in a long stick and sure enough, they were full to the brim. He quickly called me on the phone and said something very unusual had happened. I asked if he was sure he had checked the tanks' status the prior week, and he remarked he thought so. I then said maybe the oil company supplied the extra. He replied we only ordered 150 gallons. That's all we paid for, and now there's over 1000 gallons of oil in the tank. I responded, "Could this be another Chanukkah miracle?" It was still Chanukkah week.

The Miracle

The following Shabbat I shared this story as everyone was enjoying the warm sanctuary. I explained it in a way that left some room for error but acknowledged that the Lord quite likely reproduced the same miracle as the one 2200 years ago. After the service one of the members, who was a chemist and a skeptic, came forward and looked as white as a ghost. I asked, "What's wrong?" He replied, "I checked those tanks myself last week and they were bone dry. It's a miracle." So, that was it. The oil was sufficient for the whole winter. "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think."

What's Fair in the Middle East

War is not fair. Innocents die. But there is right and wrong in this world. And war, as horrible as it is, can be just. Modern Israel has been at war almost continuously since her inception. Once again, she is at war. As usual, this is not a war she started. This war began when two separate terrorist organizations invaded Israel's undisputed lands and killed and captured some of her soldiers. The terrorist organizations claim these captives are similar to the thousands of Palestinians languishing in Israeli prisons, and they want to use the captives as tools to negotiate the release of the Palestinian prisoners.

But there's a difference. The Palestinian prisoners have been tried and convicted of crimes in Israeli courts. Israeli law only allows for very short term detentions for untried prisoners. When prisoners are tried in either Israeli criminal courts or military courts in the territories, they are given full due process rights, far exceeding what the U.S. government has granted to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. How do I know? I've witnessed these trials. There is no comparison between convicted criminals and Israeli soldiers protecting the borders of Israel.

Sadly, this is a religious war. The perpetrators claim Allah is with them and is motivating them to take these acts. Much of the Muslim world has been arguing since 9/11 that Islam is a religion of peace. Now's the opportunity to prove it. If the Muslims of the world condemned the terrorist organizations for their actions and withdrew financial and political support, the terrorist organizations would dry up. In the meantime, what is Israel supposed to do? Negotiate with terrorists? Yes, the destruction of Lebanon is tragic. But so was the destruction of Afghanistan. Lebanon refused to clamp down on its resident terrorists. Afghanistan did the same. Innocent Lebanese are dying. The same was true for innocent Afghans. War is not fair.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a time like this: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Many schools in Muslim nations teach that Jews use the blood of Muslim children to make Jewish ceremonial foods. But Israeli Arabs (most of whom are Muslim and who comprise one-fifth of the population of Israel) serve in the Israeli military, vote in Israeli elections and are represented by Arabs in the Israeli parliament. What's fair in the Middle East? Israelis warn Lebanese residents to flee from targeted areas before bombing begins because many of the terrorist organization's weapons are embedded in civilian areas. In turn, the terrorist organization bombs Israeli hospitals. The civilized world needs to take a stand for truth by supporting a nation that has some semblance of morality and respect for human life while repudiating organizations and nations which have neither.

Jamie Cowen 2006

Wrestling with the Gaza Withdrawal

            In Jewish tradition the Torah (5 Books of Moses) is read throughout the year.  For synagogue purposes, the Torah is divided into 54 portions, each portion read on the weekly Shabbat, so that the entire text is read by the end of the year.  The portion entitled Ekev (Deut. 7:12 - 11:25) begins with Moses encouraging the people that the Lord will deliver the land of Israel into their hands and concludes with the boundaries of the land, essentially from the Judean Desert to Lebanon and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River.  The Jews were exiled from this land to the nations from the end of the 1st century to the end of the 19th century.  It was at this point that Jews suddenly began to return to the land, culminating in the establishment of modern Israel in 1948. 

            The boundaries of modern Israel have never been set.  There are numerous international decrees including League of Nations and United Nations rulings concerning these matters, all of which are different.  For instance, the 1947 United Nations charter authorizing the establishment of the nation set boundaries that were quickly changed in 1949 after five Arab nations attacked Israel following her proclamation of independence.  The boundaries changed again following wars in 1956, 1967, 1973 and the Camp David Accord in 1977.   Modern Israel was established by Jewish immigration and settlement.  Following the wars of 1967 and 1973, Israel’s government realized that peace with her Arab neighbors was unlikely, and her current boundaries made her vulnerable to attack.  Thus began the settlement movement.  This was a government subsidized program to settle some of the newly conquered territories in the West Bank, the Golan Heights and Gaza.  Significant and large settlements sprang up in portions of the West Bank, smaller ones in the Golan and Gaza.  Of course, the territories in the West Bank and Gaza were later claimed by Arab representatives as belonging to a non-existent state, known as Palestine, and largely inhabited by Arabs, now called Palestinians.  Gaza was ruled earlier by Egypt and the West Bank by Jordan. 

            In the early 1990's the Palestine Liberation Organization began negotiating with Israel for land and peace.  They claimed all territory outside of the borders of Israel, originally established by the United Nations Charter of 1947.  Israel has always agreed to relinquish most of the territories conquered in the 1967 and 1973 wars, which included most of the West Bank and Gaza.  Finally, in August of this year, Israel closed down settlements in both of these areas and  unilaterally withdrew its forces.  Some of these settlements existed for over 30 years and were very prosperous.  They were built on originally uninhabited land.  For both the settlers and for much of the Israeli population, this withdrawal was very painful.  See the accompanying story.

            For many Orthodox Jews, Messianic Jews and Christians, the withdrawal seems like disobedience to God because God set boundaries in the Torah that actually extend beyond these territories.  However, quoting from Deut. 7:22, “The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly . . .”  This, of course, was God’s promise to the original Israelite settlement in the land following the Exodus.  But the principle may remain the same today.  Until Israelis are numerous enough to fully populate these lands, it may be pointless to hold onto them.  What will Israel do with 3-4 million Palestinians who want the land but do not want to be part of Israel?  Either Israel is forced to include them within their democratic state, threatening the very existence of a Jewish homeland or they can force them out through ethnic cleansing.  Neither proposition is appealing.

            I believe the government has done the right thing.  It’s a just decision for the Palestinians, and it takes tremendous pressure off of the Israeli military and security services.  The day will come when this land and more will belong to a restored Israel.  God’s promise is that He will bring the Jews back to their land, change their hearts to fully serve Him and make them the envy of the nations.  It may not fully happen, though, until Yeshua returns. 

Jamie Cowen, Rabbi, 2005

Can Israel Survive

This may seem like a no brainer.  Of course, Israel will survive.  God promised to return the Jewish people to their homeland.  The prophet Amos specifically says, “I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the Lord your God.”  Yet, many Israelis ask the question above, “Can Israel survive?”  Israel faces three looming threats, one external and two internal.  The external is the most obvious. 

Not since the founding of the modern state in 1948 has Israel been surrounded by such sworn enemies.  Lebanon to her immediate north is now controlled by the terrorist organization, Hezbollah. The last confrontation between these two failed to produce a clear winner, resulting in a huge morale boost for Hezbollah.  To Israel’s southwest is Gaza, controlled by another terrorist organization, Hamas.  Both Hezbollah and Hamas have been supplied serious rocket technology from Iran, and as such, are essentially proxy states for this budding regional power.   One of the nations that kept Iran at bay was Egypt, the first and most important Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel.  However, the fall of the Mubarak regime has caused Israel great consternation.  While Mubarak was no friend of democracy for his own nation, he was a credible peace partner with Israel and assisted in preventing the transfer of weapons to Hamas through the Sinai Peninsula.  While it’s unclear what Egypt’s government will look like in the future, most Israelis fear the turn to the worse.  Clearly, the current Egyptian government has loosened restrictions into Gaza.  Finally, no one knows what will happen when the United Nations takes up the Palestinian state cause in late September.  The United States openly has said it will veto a declaration of Palestinian statehood within the Security Council.  Yet, how will a favorable vote from the UN General Assembly impact the state of affairs?  No one really knows, but again Israel fears the worst. 

The second threat to Israel relates to demographics.  When Israel was established, it was formed as a safe haven for Jews.  The Holocaust convinced much of the world that Jews needed their own homeland.  Israel is a democracy, and as such anyone born in Israel is a citizen.  Approximately, 20% of Israeli citizens are Arab. The Arab birthrate far exceeds that of Jews.  In addition, Israel currently controls lands, such as the West Bank, consisting of millions of Arabs.  Israel seeks to maintain a significant majority of Jews in her own homeland.  If she were to lose that majority, Israel, as a nation whose primary purpose is to safeguard the Jewish people, will cease to exist.  Thus, most Israelis are willing to trade substantial portions of the West Bank for peace with the Palestinians and the surrounding Arab nations.  But one issue remains a game changer, the so-called “right of return.”  The Palestinians claim that Arabs who fled or were forced out of Israel during the 1948-49 war should have the right to return to their own lands.  The lands the Palestinians speak of are not lands that would be incorporated into a new Palestinian state but rather into Israel proper.  Furthermore, the Palestinians insist that this “right” be applied to the descendants of those who owned these lands, now numbering in the millions.  If this concept were realized, suddenly Israel would become a Jewish minority state. 

The final threat to Israel is the religious/secular divide. Between 20-25% of Israelis belong to ultra-Orthodox sects. While their commitment to keep God’s laws (Torah) is commendable, the reality is these groups are anti-democratic, intolerant of anyone outside of their communities and many do not even support the existence of the modern state of Israel.  Most refuse to serve in the military, yet happily receive significant government stipends to their schools.  The vast majority of Israelis find these groups’ behavior appalling, but the ultra-orthodox gain strength through high rates of birth, unlike the rest of the population.  The ultra-orthodox already hold a disproportionate share of power in the government. Because Israel’s parliament (Knesset) consists of so many parties, rarely does any one party have sufficient members to control the government. Consequently, Israel’s government is formed by a coalition of parties. Typically, the ultra-Orthodox are included in the coalition. Because their interests tend to be narrow, they vie for control over immigration, education and religious affairs and are usually rewarded by being given responsibility over these areas.  Thus, millions of dollars of limited government funds are channeled into religious schools where most students focus on ancient religious texts rather than subjects needed to benefit society as a whole.  Sadly, in much of Israel today, when the ultra-orthodox move into a new community, others leave.  Additionally, these groups are the most vociferous opponents of Messianic Jews, often leading to personal violence, destruction of property, loss of jobs and homes and targeting Messianic Jews through posters claiming that Messianic Jews will finish what Hitler began.  Many Israelis are disillusioned about the country’s future with a growing ultra-Orthodox population.

Countering this grim state of affairs is the remarkable friendships Israel has found in the Christian world, helping to undo the long history of Christian anti-Semitism. Israel’s economy has been energized by extraordinarily high rates of Christian tourism in the past few years. Christian political support of Israel has caught the attention of Israeli governments, who, in response, have formed special government outreach groups to Christian leaders, particularly in the United States. Yet, there’s one critical group often ignored, to which the Bible suggests Israel’s very survival hinges upon, i.e., Messianic Jews.  The Apostle Paul refers to this group as the saved remnant of Israel (Rom. 11:5). The idea of a remnant of faithful people causing God’s blessing upon the larger community is embedded in the Scriptures and finds expression in the dialogue between God and Abraham regarding the future of Sodom and Gomorrah.  God promises to save the cities if even 10 righteous people are found.  Joseph tells his brothers who banished him years before, “But God has sent me a head of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth…” (Gen. 45:7)  During a crisis the prophet Isaiah declares to King Hezekiah, “Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.” (II Kings 19:30)  Isaiah also prophesies, “A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the mighty God.” (Isaiah 10:21) God’s righteous remnant in the land of Israel today are those Jews who call on the name of Yeshua (Jesus), numbering approximately 15,000 and who worship in about 150 congregations.

Yet, most Christians are completely unaware of these groups. Well meaning Christians, who have a God given burden for Israel, donate millions of dollars to popular Christian and Jewish organizations that channel money into secular and/or Orthodox Jewish groups in Israel, completely circumventing the Messianic Jewish groups in the land. Many Messianic Jewish organizations in Israel provide for the poor and needy, Holocaust survivors, drug and alcohol addicts, women with unwanted pregnancies and even sponsor reconciliation dialogues with the Arab community.  If these groups could receive the very same donations that Christians already give to Israel, Israeli society would be revolutionized, the Messianic Jewish community in the land recognized and Israel’s survival preserved. 

A few years ago, a few of us in the Messianic Jewish community formed an organization that would accomplish the above – the Hope for Israel Relief Fund. We have built strong relationships with and have funded numerous Israeli Messianic Jewish organizations.  Check us out on the web – www.hfirelieffund.org.   Israel needs you in these perilous days.  We need you to consider channeling money through us to benefit the righteous remnant in the land.  Israel’s survival may depend upon it.

Jamie Cowen 2012

Chanukah and the Modern State of Israel

            Despite the fact that Chanukah (the Festival of Lights) is considered a minor holiday in Jewish tradition, it’s possibly the most significant Biblical holiday to the modern state of Israel.  The Maccabean victory over the Greeks in 164 BCE, celebrated by Chanukah holiday, ushered in a 100 year period of independence for the nation of Israel.  This period ended with the Roman conquest in 63 BCE.  Independence was not realized again until the recent 1948.  Regardless, large Jewish populations remained in Israel through the 3rd century CE and occasionally rebelled against the Roman occupation, most notably in 66-70 and 131-135, but each time ending in significant defeat.  Following these periods Jews migrated to the four corners of the earth, unified only by religion and traditions, maintained by the Rabbis.  Because Jews lived at the mercy of national rulers, through the Rabbis, Jews utilized the principle of appeasement to protect their communities.  This often meant paying huge sums to rulers, moving from territories, accepting severe restrictions upon lifestyles and occupations to simply survive.  Ironically, modern Israel, the nation of Jews, presents a very different face of Judaism, better expressed through the Chanukah rebellion. 

            Jews remained as cloistered communities until the 18th century with the rise of the Enlightenment in Europe.  For the first time Jews were allowed to become citizens of the nations in which they resided.  As they did the principles of the Enlightenment began to influence Jewish religious thought, permitting Jews to assimilate into larger society while they maintained certain limited religious observances unique to their faith.  This allowed Jews of Western and Central Europe to flourish in the rapidly changing societies.  Eastern Europe, however, was still locked in by the medieval Russian Empire where most Jews lived.  But the Enlightenment ideas infiltrated some of the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe.  This occurred simultaneous to the rise of Socialist ideas in Russia in the mid to late 19th century.  While Jews were experiencing increasing freedom and prosperity in Western Europe, the Jews of Eastern Europe were heavily discriminated against.  Some of these Jews began to write about the need to find a permanent national home, and the most likely place was Palestine (Israel). 

            In the late 19th century as persecution increased in the Russian Empire, some “enlightened” Jews from Russia immigrated to Palestine.  The community grew from 25,000 in 1881 to 100,000 by 1920, later leading to the establishment of the modern nation.  Most of these Jews were unique.  They tended to be secular.  Why?  The ultra-religious Jews of Eastern Europe believed only the coming of the Messiah would usher in the return of the Jews to the promised land, and thus most refused to come.  In Western Europe, where Judaism was more moderate, most Jews were finding success in assimilating into Western culture and had no desire to relocate to a more primitive land.  The only group taking advantage of the settlement of Palestine were the “enlightened” Jews of Eastern Europe, influenced by secularism and socialism.  They rejected many of the values of the rabbis, and saw themselves as direct descendants of the Maccabees of the Chanukah era.  These groups valued nationalism, military training, land development and practical skills, most of which were absent from Jewish history following Jewish dispersion to the nations in the early centuries.  Consequently, today in Israel, most Israelis are secular and have little use for the rabbinic traditions developed during the time of Jewish dispersion around the world.

            However, that doesn’t mean the Jews of Israel are not spiritual.  Many, especially the young, search for deeper meaning beyond a national identity.  But for many rabbinic values seem irrelevant and defeatist.  Interestingly, Messianic Judaism (Jews who believe in Jesus while maintaining Jewish identity), which is growing quickly in Israel, is a faith that essentially disappeared when Jews were forcibly relocated in the first two centuries of the common era.  Hence, while Messianic Judaism is still intertwined in the minds of most Israelis with the history of Christian Anti-Semitism, it is a unique form of Judaism, not directly connected to the traditions of the Rabbis, but more in line with the Judaism of the Maccabees - a form of Judaism reflecting both a national and messianic hope.  As Christians continue to show support for Israel and the Jewish people, the barrier of prejudice against Jesus diminishes among Israelis, opening them to a more Chanukah version of Judaism - the Judaism of Jesus or Messianic Judaism.  

Jamie Cowen