Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Something Big Is Happening

 


 This article is by Yehudah Glick - from Facebook
 
"Something very big is happening.
 
President Trump called on the Americans to dedicate a national Shabbat in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
 
Charlie Kirk has written a book calling people back to the Sabbath — not as a cultural accessory, not as nostalgia, but as a response to the spiritual exhaustion of our time.
And I don’t think this is small.
I think this is one of the most important religious developments happening in the West right now.
Because Shabbat is not just a “Jewish day off.”
Shabbat begins at the very beginning of the Hebrew Bible.
Before Sinai.
Before the Exodus.
Before the Jewish people are even formed as a nation.
At the end of creation itself, the Torah tells us:
God created the heavens and the earth — and then He rested.
That means Shabbat is built into the architecture of the universe.
It is the weekly testimony that the world has a Creator.
That man is not God.
That productivity is not the purpose of life.
That technology must have limits.
That family is sacred.
That time can be holy.
That the universe is not an accident.
That history is moving somewhere.
For thousands of years, the Jewish people carried Shabbat through exile, persecution, wandering, and darkness.
Every Friday night, in every land, Jews lit candles and declared quietly — sometimes against the entire world — that Hashem is the Creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, the King of the universe.
And now something remarkable is happening.
The nations are beginning to hear the music of Shabbat.
Not perfectly.
Not fully.
Not always with the same language or the same obligations.
But they are hearing it.
They are beginning to understand that a world without Sabbath becomes a world without soul.
A world without Sabbath becomes a world of noise, screens, markets, anxiety, loneliness, and endless motion.
A world without Sabbath forgets its Creator.
And this is exactly what the prophet Isaiah saw.
Isaiah spoke of a future in which the “foreigners who join themselves to Hashem” would honor His covenant and keep Shabbat.
He saw a time when the House of God would be called:
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
This is not the erasure of Israel’s unique covenant.
It is the opposite.
It is the light of Israel beginning to shine outward.
It is the nations recognizing that the God of Israel is not a tribal deity, not a private inheritance, not a symbol of the past — but the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe.
That is why this moment matters.
When political leaders speak about Shabbat, when Christian voices call people back to Sabbath, when non-Jews begin to recognize the holiness of sacred time — I see more than a cultural trend.
I see an echo of redemption.
I see the world, tired and broken, slowly remembering the first truth:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
And if the world can remember the Creator, perhaps it can also remember the purpose of creation.
Shabbat is not an escape from the world.
Shabbat is the world as it was meant to be.
Peace.
Faith.
Family.
Holiness.
Creation returning to its Source.
May this awakening grow.
May the nations come closer to Hashem.
May Israel embrace its calling with courage and love.
May Jerusalem and Zion become a light to all peoples.
And may the whole world come to know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the Creator of the world, the God of Israel, the King of the universe.
This is huge.
And I believe we are only seeing the beginning."
 
And I pray it is so, Gail-Friends.  My prayer is for all in Israel, America, and the world to return to Adonai's Word, His Will, and His Ways - and to accept Yeshua as the Messiah and Savior.  

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A Prayer for America

 


 Heavenly Father – we praise You and thank You for protecting, providing, and guiding us through another week. And we thank You for Your Holy Shabbat. May You be pleased with our rest and our obedience to Your command.

We praise You that You hold the universe in Your mighty hands. We praise You for Your mighty works and for Your mercy on us. We are tiny compared to Your universe . . . and yet, You think on us and care for us. How blessed we are to have Your Spirit to comfort us and Your Word to guide us. Thank You for preserving it over thousands of years. Thank You for those in Israel who guarded, protected, and preserved it. Thank You for life in America. Thank You for shedding Your grace on our country.

Thank You for our Messiah, Yeshua – our Passover Lamb. Thank You for the blood that atones for our sins. This week, as I read the Torah portion about how much blood was required for atonement, I am once again humbled. I’m reminded how important the blood was. Sin is costly. Thank You that we don’t have to bring an animal and shed its blood. It’s easy to gloss over it – take it for granted or lightly, but Yeshua’s sacrifice was difficult and costly – just like the Temple sacrifices. It cost a lot for a man to bring his best, precious animal to sacrifice. But that’s what You required. Thank You that Yeshua, Your only precious son who was willing to give His blood for us. Our Passover seder brings it to our remembrance each year. We need that reminder. We praise You that He is risen from the grave. Our Passover Lamb – our Risen Lord and Savior. Haleluyah to Your Name, Adonai. Forever we will give You praise.

This week, we pray for our president, his cabinet, our lawmakers, and our military. We pray for our senators to have opened eyes and ears to see and do the right thing as they vote on funding for the DHS. Open the eyes and ears of Democrat voters to see how demonic it is to punish TSA workers and ICE agents by denying them payment for their work to protect our citizens. Bring them to their senses, Father.

We pray for the war with Iran to stop. We pray for all affected by this war. For all of the countries involved. For the military. For those who’ve lost loved ones. For those who’ve lost homes through the bombings. War is horrible. Help and comfort them all, Father.

And we pray especially for the peace of Jerusalem. I pray for the Israeli leadership to return to Your Torah. I once heard Netanyahu say that he depends on the Torah observance of the Hassidics to protect Israel. Open his eyes, as well as President Trumps eyes, to the fact that Adonai holds countries and leaders accountable for their sins against You. I read that just this morning in Leviticus 4.

Father, I ask forgiveness for my country and its leaders who have thrown Your Torah behind their backs. I did so when I was ignorant of Your laws. Church leaders taught that it was no longer applicable. They were wrong. Many people are ignorant of Your Word and wonder why their lives are such a mess. I was one of them. My reading of the New Testament letter of I John taught me the truth. A close study of the words of Yeshua in the gospels opened my eyes. When I began to obey Your laws, my life turned around. I am blessed beyond measure. I will thank You and praise You forever.

On this day, Father, grant us Your peace and rest as we turn away from the world and draw near to You. You are our God. You are our Lord. You are our King. You are our Deliverer. Haleluyah forever.

May Your face shine upon us. Blessed be You, our loving Father. Thank You for drawing near to us on this, Your holy day. We pray, and believe, in the mighty name of Yeshua our Messiah and Savior. Amain. 

 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

A Message in an Amazing Find

 


 

Found this on Facebook at this link:  Hillel Fuld

 
"Ya know what would be really nice? If we could get a nice sign from the Big Boss that everything will be ok. 
 
If only He could reassure us that in Iron Swords (the name of the war), we are going to come out victorious.
 
I mean, we know it and some of us do see signs but they’re subtle.
 
A strong sign would be nice, wouldn’t it? Maybe just a head nod and a message “I got you!”
 
You asked and you shall receive.
 
National Geographic has just announced the discovery of iron swords in a cave in the Judean Desert as the dramatic archaeological find of 2023.
 
The iron swords were hidden by Jewish rebels during the revolt against Roman empire 2,000 years ago.
“Four ancient but well-preserved swords -- found serendipitously by an Ariel University archaeologist who slipped his hand into a hole in a hidden chamber of a Judean Desert Cave -- have been named the “Number-One Find for 2023” of National Geographic Magazine.”
 
You cannot make this stuff up.
 
Thank you, Hashem. 
 
Your message has been received loud and clear!"

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

March for Israel

 

Today, in Washington D.C., over 250,000 are gathered to show support for Israel and to say, "NEVER AGAIN!"  You can view this event and hear the speakers at this link: March for Israel on CBN

Watch and Pray:

  • for the safe return of the Israeli hostages
  • for the war wounded
  • for the families and loved ones of those killed
  • for the Israeli Defense Force
  • for the leaders to have discernment and understanding in decision making
  • for Jews all over the world who are experiencing anti-antisemitism (including us)
  • for the shalom of Jerusalem
  • for Yeshua Ha Mashiach to return -- soon!  

 I hope this event will be available for later viewing.  I especially was blessed to hear a Pakistani American Muslim, Anila Ali, speak of her support of Israel.  Don't miss it.

Last month, Rabbi Jem and I were blessed to attend a local rally for Israel.  As we waved flags, many honked in support.  It did our hearts good to see the many people who came out.




 This is an interesting read from Chabad.org: 

The Promised Land

We find many times in the Chumash that G‑d promised Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants.

“The L‑rd appeared to Abraham and said, I will give this land to your descendants.” [Bereishit 12:7]

What is so special about Eretz Yisrael

Many of the 613 mitzvot are connected with Eretz Yisrael, e.g. Tithes, the Shmittah [Sabbatical year when the land lies fallow], worshiping and sacrifices in the Temple etc. Eretz Yisrael has a special kedushah — holiness —  read more at this LINK

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I've been blessed to make aliyah two times and I can tell you it is a special place.  We don't know why this has happened, but I can assure you -- Adonai is in control.  This did not take Him by surprise.  

My prayer is that this horrible event will bring every Jew, including the grafted in ones, to their knees and make a commitment to follow Adonai's commandments.   Why? Because the Scripture says:  "Those who keep Torah fight against evil."  This is a spiritual battle, Gail-Friends.  The evil one has come to steal, kill, and destroy.  Let's join the fight in support of Israel - with prayer, praise, and righteousness.  

This verse is still true for Jews as well as those grafted in:  2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

Read 2 Chronicles in context and you will see clearly that "turn from their wicked ways" means obey His commandments.   We were born for such a time as this -- to proclaim obedience to Torah -- and the saving blood of Yeshua Ha Mashiach as the payment for our sins (disobedience to Torah).


Monday, October 30, 2023

Time to Shine

 

So much is happening in our world right now - the war in Israel and Gaza, threats from other countries to join the fight, and the division and violence toward Jews in America. Many of us are struggling with our own issues and problems. I read this encouragement today:


“ We may not have any control over what is happening in the world today, or even our own circumstances. But what we DO have control over is our WORDS, our THOUGHTS and our ACTIONS.


God created us in His image— We can choose to speak LIFE and KINDNESS and LOVE— even in the face of death and wickedness and hatred.


We can choose to take our discouraging thoughts captive and meditate on GOD’s GOODNESS instead of all the negativity going around.


We can choose to allow our minds and lips to be filled with doubt, fear and bitterness, or we can choose to be a LIGHT in this ever present darkness.” **


And, we can PRAY, Gail-Friends! I challenge you to follow this link on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=prayed&version=TLV

You will find fifty-five instances of what happened when people prayed.

History tells us  of miracles that happened when people prayed. You can read about the amazing and wonderful World War II Miracle at Dunkirk here:

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/dunkirk

Gail-Friends, I could write a book on the prayers He has answered for me. Never give up in despair, Pray for Israel and Gaza, the Middle Eastern countries, and especially for America.

**This quote was from Lazman Hazeh Music on Facebook and I hope it encourages you. I highly recommend following their page (and daily updates from Israel) and, of course, I love and recommend their music, especially this song: Rise Up, Rise Up

May you be ENCOURAGED!  And may you BE THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Israel - history

 

 
I'm sure you all have friends who are asking questions, you can send them this : 
 
1) Before the modern state of Israel there was the British mandate, Not a Palestinian state 
.
2) Before the British mandate there was the ottoman empire, Not a Palestinian state .
 
3) Before the ottoman empire there was the Islamic mamluk sultanate of Egypt, Not a Palestinian state .
 
4) Before the Islamic mamluk sultanate of Egypt there was the ayyubid dynasty, Not a Palestinian state .Godfrey of bouillon conquered it in 1099.
 
5) Before the ayyubid dynasty there was the christian kingdom of Jerusalem, Not a Palestinian state .
 
6) Before the christian kingdom of Jerusalem there was the Fatimid caliphate, Not a Palestinian state .
 
7) Before the Fatimid caliphate there was the byzantine empire, Not a Palestinian state .
 
8) Before the byzantine empire there was the Roman empire, Not a Palestinian state .
 
9) Before the Roman empire there was the hasmonean dynasty, Not a Palestinian state .
 
10) Before the hasmonean dynasty there was the Seleucid empire,Not a Palestinian state .
 
11) Before the Seleucid empire there was the empire of Alexander the 3rd of Macedon, Not a Palestinian 
state .
12) Before the empire of Alexander the 3rd of Macedon there was the Persian empire, Not a Palestinian state .
 
13) Before the Persian empire there was the Babylonian empire, Not a Palestinian state .
 
14) Before the Babylonian empire there was the kingdoms of Israel and Judea, Not a Palestinian state .
 
15) Before the kingdoms of Israel and Judea there was the kingdom of Israel, Not a Palestinian state .
 
16) Before the kingdom of Israel there was the theocracy of the 12 tribes of Israel, Not a Palestinian state .
 
 
17) Before the theocracy of the 12 tribes of Israel there was the individual state of Canaan, Not a Palestinian state .
 
In fact in this corner of the earth there was everything but a Palestinian state! 
 
Copied from a Facebook post stating -- origins from Voice of Israel

 

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Why Israel Matters

 



 
 
Why does Israel matter?
Copied from a Facebook post.  A great share.
 
Did you know that the time clock of the return of Jesus Christ isn’t based on America’s timeline? It’s based on what is happening in Israel.
 
Did you know Jesus wasn’t a “Christian” ? He was a Jew. He celebrated and kept the Jewish holy days and customs, as well as the feasts of the LORD. He didn’t come to eradicate the Torah and writing of the Prophets / Old Testament. He came to fulfill the prophecies that were written in them.
 
When Jesus returns, He isn’t returning to the United States. The Bible says He is going to plant His foot down on the Mount of Olives and go through the Eastern Gate, which is currently sealed off with 16 feet of concrete. The Word of GOD says He will return there and from there He will rule and reign for 1,000 years.
 
The final battle isn’t going to be on U.S. soil. It’s going to be in the Valley of Megiddo, in Israel. The Bible says as the nations wage war against Israel Jesus will come and destroy His enemies with the breath of His mouth. 2 Thess 2:8
 
GOD did not replace the Jews with Christians as some believe. We are actually grafted in with them as you would graft a wild branch into an existing tree.
 
The Word of GOD says, 
“When you touch Israel, you touch the Apple of GOD’s eye.” Zechariah 2:8
 
“He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The LORD is thy keeper.” Psalm 121:4
 
“I will bless those that bless you and I will curse those that curse you.” Genesis 12:3
 
We are also commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122.
 
ISRAEL matters. 
 
PRAY FOR ISRAEL.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Pray for Israel

 

Join with us in praying for peace in this new war.  So many killed (on both sides), injured, and displaced from their homes.

Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu and leaders of the country.

Pray for the military and their families.

Pray for our country that decisions will be made to stand with Israel.

Pray for Americans who have family and friends in Israel.

Especially, please pray for our young friend, Ricky, who is on the aircraft carrier Geral Ford operating in the region.

Remember Hashem said, "I will bless those who bless you (Israel) and curse those who curse you." 

Friday, May 14, 2021

Pray for Israel

 


 
 
 
 (copied from Jewish Jewels on Facebook)
As many of you may know, tensions are rising rapidly and there are many talks of full-scale war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The recent conflict comes after Israel retaliates for the more than 1,500 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel at civilian targets, and now 2 rockets fired from Lebanon. Our only hope for peace in any situation is the Prince of Peace, our Messiah Yeshua. The Lord loves the Jews, and He loves the Arabs. His desire is for all to come to repentance. May courage reign in the hearts of those who seek the truth of the Lord. May eyes be opened, ears be unstopped, and hearts be softened to receive the Word of the Lord. For Yeshua is the only way to salvation, and we must follow Him! Please continue to pray for Jerusalem and Israel, and her enemies. "Arise O Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee" (Num. 10:35).
 
Psalm 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Friday, March 29, 2019

Pray for Israel



Dear Gail-Friends, please read this article and pray for Israel:


Israel Prepared for Violent Clashes With Gaza Saturday During 'March of Return' Anniversary

by Emily Jones on CBN.com


Israel is bracing itself for the one-year anniversary of the Great March of Return on the Gaza border.

Hamas is urging tens of thousands of Gazans to gather at Israel's southern border to face-off with

Israeli soldiers and demand the return of Palestinian refugees to the land they were driven out of or left behind during Israel's war for independence.

While some have branded the mass demonstrations as non-violent, many Gazans throw explosives at

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops and send burning kites across the border to torch Israeli territory.


Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said in an address to Gazans last year that the goal is to infiltrate Israel and forcefully remove Jews from the land.

"The March of Return will continue… until we remove this transient border," he said, adding that the ** protests "mark the beginning of a new phase in the Palestinian national struggle on the road to liberation and 'return'… Our people can't give up one inch of the land of Palestine."

On April 27, 2018, Al-Aqsa TV reported on the "Fence Cutters Unit" in Gaza chanting: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad has begun to return."

One of the masked members declared: "Today is the day of the march toward our occupied and robbed Palestinian lands. Today, we cut the Zionist enemy's main barbed-wire fence on the Gaza border," adding that Israel is "destined for perdition."

The Great March of Return, which began March 30, 2018, was originally planned to be a six-week protest, but quickly turned into weekly, often-times deadly, confrontations with the IDF.

Last week, a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) report accused Israel of committing "serious violations of human rights and international human law" during the mass demonstrations.
According to the report, Israel killed 189 peaceful protesters last year.

Ambassador Alan Baker, Director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs told CBN News the report ignored violence from Palestinians.

"The report completely and utterly ignores the fact that these are very violent demonstrations, including the use of firearms and throwing grenades, breaking through the fence, people who've been given maps of Israeli towns and villages in close proximity to the border fence so that they can get there and kill as many Israelis as they can," said Baker.

Saturday's demonstrations come after Gazan terrorists launched dozens of rockets at Israeli citizens over the past few weeks.

The Israeli military said it had increased the number of troops along the border with the Gaza Strip to prepare for another wave of violence during the protests.
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops on the border Thursday and said he is prepared to take further military action in Gaza, but only as a last resort.

"If we need a broader operation, we will enter it strong and confident, and after we have exhausted all other options," Netanyahu said.


Read more at this website:  www.cbn.com

Monday, January 16, 2017

Pray for Israel - Part 2




This is a follow up to the call to prayer for Israel.  Those of us who stand with Israel are praising Hashem for answering our prayers about the Paris Middle East Peace Conference, which was held yesterday, January 15. Nothing substantive came from this conference.  It was a flop.

“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much… (James 5:16)

The result of the conference turned out to be a blessing to Israel, and did nothing to help the Palestinians.   The closing declaration at the conference warned against taking one-sided actions that could hurt talks, in an apparent reference to Israeli settlement building and urged both sides to “officially restate their commitment to the two-state solution”.  (Can you imagine some group telling the U.S. to stop building in our country? Ridiculous, right? )


Great Britain's Foreign Office statement said: "We have particular reservations about an international conference intended to advance peace between the parties that does not involve them – indeed which is taking place against the wishes of the Israelis – and which is taking place just days before the transition to a new American President when the US will be the ultimate guarantor of any agreement." (Can't you see what a dirty trick this is on the part of the US?  It's like a back stab from Obama, just to show how much he hates Israel.)

Obama had already pushed forward the  UN Security Council Resolution 2334, so this Paris conference was only evil hoopla to show support of it.  After the UN Security Council, Great Britain had second thoughts, and their prime minister blasted Secretary of State John Kerry for focusing only on the Israeli settlement.  Kerry gave a long and grandiose speech at the State Department days after the UN vote.  Shame on him for not even using his right to veto the resolution.  He chose, instead to abstain.
But, it is no surprise as he is a mouthpiece of Obama, and hates Israel.

Please continue to pray for Israel.  I'm thankful for our president-elect, who stands on the side of G-d's chosen people.  I'm also praying for him, and each of his cabinet members, to be led in the paths of righteousness and justice as he takes office.

There are also reports of people and groups who want to steal, kill and destroy during the inauguration on Friday.  Please join me in praying for those demons to be bound and stopped in their evil assignments.

Let's remember, "Greater is He that is in (us) than he that is in the world."


Monday, January 9, 2017

Pray for Israel



This was sent to me today, and I ask you to please share it with others who stand with Israel.  

"On January 15th, representatives from 70 different countries will gather in Paris, France for an unprecedented global conference. The stated goal of this conference is to promote a "two-state solution" as the way that lasting peace will be brought to the Middle East.

In Israel, there is a tremendous amount of concern that whatever is agreed upon at this conference will immediately be used as the basis for a UN Security Council resolution that would permanently divide the land of Israel and create a Palestinian state.

The UN Security Council resolution that was passed on Friday was one of the most significant events that we have witnessed in decades. Resolution 2334 made all Israeli settlements in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem illegal, it set the 1967 ceasefire lines as the border between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and it granted every single inch of East Jerusalem to the Palestinians.

This move that is being pushed by John Kerry and the Obama administration needs to be hindered until after Trump's inauguration. Donald Trump and his administration would have the authority to oppose this move. If they push it through before then, he would not be able to reverse their move.

Prophecy is unfolding in front of us, we are closer to our Lord's return than you can imagine."

The Scripture states that G-d will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her.  

Please pray, Gail-Friends.   Join me and others in asking G-d to intervene in this situation.  We have seen great answers to prayer for our country over the last year.  I've been excited to see how G-d has worked to defeat the devilish plans laid by the deluded leaders of our government.    He has done that many times through history, both for our country and for Israel. 

Stand firm, pray, and see what our L-rd will do.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Sabbath Music - Jerusalem of Gold


My thoughts are on Israel and Jerusalem as I've learned about the death of former Prime Minister Shimon Perez this week.  He was a great leader and he loved his country.  He longed for peace and pursued it.

As I prepare for sundown and Shabbat, I'm thinking of Jerusalem, the golden city.  I remember the first time I heard this expression.  A friend had recently visited there and described how golden the setting sun had colored the beautiful city on the hill.  I was blessed to see that sight on my two visits to Israel.  You can read about my visit HERE.

Enjoy this beautiful song as you enjoy Hashem's beautiful Sabbath. . . and pray for the peace of Yerushalyim. 

Jerusalem of Gold (ירושלים של זהב, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav) - Ofra Haza - with English translation

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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Israel Trip - My New Igbo Friends



This post is part of my series 31 Days of the Holy Land 
 
I met a delightful couple on my second trip to Israel.  Lazarus and Rosanna Abanonu are from Nigeria, and both members of the Igbo tribe, also known as the Igbo Jews.  Both Lazarus and Rosanna are believers in Yeshua the Messiah.




The Igbo tribe is unique in that they have maintained their Jewish culture over hundreds of years.  These are the traditions they have maintained:
  • Belief in the One True G-d of Israel
  • Circumcision eight days after the birth of a male child
  • Observance of  kosher dietary laws
  • Separation of men and women during menstruation
  • The celebration of holidays such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot and Passover.
  • Wearing the tallit and the kippah
I found this fascinating, and enjoyed talking with them about their tribe and about how they came to accept Yeshua. Both were reared as believers by their families.  Both attended Christian schools and accepted Yeshua early in their lives.

Lazarus said the first time he saw Rosanna they were both in elementary school, and he immediately knew she would be his wife.  He pursued her and they were eventually married after they'd both graduated school.  Both went on to college and became educators.  They have five children, all college-educated and holding professional positions.

They came to the United States through a special initiative that allowed a certain number of Nigerians to immigrate to America.  When they moved to this country, they both worked as teachers in the public schools.  Lazarus became a principal and has retired, but Rosanna continues to teach middle school classes.  They both love teaching and I'm sure their personalities have been a big part of their success in working children and teens.

When we left the boat after our trip across the Sea of Galilee, we met some Nigerians.  Rosanna was so excited and kept saying, "Nigeria, Nigeria," and giving them high-fives.  The Nigerians were so excited to be going on the boat and were all singing and praising the L-rd.







The Aboninos are dedicated members of their church, and love to sing.  The first night of our trip, I heard people singing in the hotel, and found out later it was them.  They told me that every night they read the Bible together and sing hymns of praise to Hashem.  They also led us in singing on the bus a couple of times.  When others didn't want to sing, they would sing very quietly to themselves.  It was so uplifting to see their beautiful hearts of praise and worship. Meeting them was one of the highlights of my trip, and I feel blessed to know them.

As we were leaving the Temple Mount, we ran into some more Nigerians.  Don't you love their colorful outfits?  



You can read more about the Igbo tribe at this LINK.


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Monday, January 26, 2015

Israel Trip - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly


A visit to the Holy Land is not all warm fuzzies.  In these posts, I've talked about how blessed I was to visit the land and the awe I felt to actually stand in the places I'd studied about all of my life.  But, I will be honest with you, there were some things I did not like.  I'm going to talk about those a little bit here, in case you ever visit.  Stay with me, because this post also includes some positives.


First, let me explain the photo above.  Our last night in Israel was on the Sabbath.  We were in Jerusalem, staying in a fine hotel in the Jewish quarter.  When we came into our room, we found this little package in the bathroom.  It is toilet tissue.  I learned that some Jews consider it "work" to have to roll off and tear a piece of toilet paper on Shabbat.

I believe this is the type of thing that angered Yeshua.  He railed against the Pharisees and Sadducees because they put such a heavy yoke on the necks of the people of that time.  They were so concerned with the letter of the law that they missed the whole point.  The Shabbat was made for rest, yes; but I don't believe one has to go out and buy special toilet paper to please G-d. When I saw this, I imagined Yeshua lashing out at the producers of these products, just as he did the merchants in the Temple.  My husband, Rabbi Jem, teaches us that we are not to use the Torah as a shovel (to make money), and I think this paper falls in that category. 

At that same hotel, a beautiful buffet was served on Shabbat. The dining room was filled with whole families who come for dinner.  They even had their siddurs and recited and sang the Shabbat liturgy.  These were Chassidic Jews who are rigidly observant. They even take it so far that they will not even pick up a piece of food if it falls on the floor.  I was dismayed to see families with several children who made tremendous messes on the floor around their tables.  When they finished, they left the room without cleaning the mess their little ones had made. I don't think G-d is pleased because this type of behavior disobeys His commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself".  
 
photo from Microsoft Office
Another thing that made me scratch my head were the hotel's Shabbat elevators.  On Shabbat these stop at every floor.  Why?  Because it would be "work" to push a button.  I am serious. They do have regular elevators, but you have to walk up several stairs to get to them.  This is a nightmare if you have a lot of luggage. (No, that's not our luggage, but it's pretty cool looking, isn't it?)



Speaking of luggage, we stayed in three different hotels in Israel.  None had a person to help us with moving our things. G-d bless some of the men in our group who helped sometimes when we were leaving the bus. Moving luggage was a nightmare because of the Shabbat elevators.  I had to drag luggage up and down the stairs several times by myself because there was no one to help.  One hotel did call a maintenance man, but he took so long to come, I finally just did it myself.  Shelby, my traveling companion, couldn't help much because of  her physical limitations due to Parkinsons.

On both of my trips to Israel, it was obvious that the tour guides  get kick-backs ( some type of compensation) for bringing tourists to certain shops.  We wasted a great deal of time waiting that could have been spent site seeing.  We sat around for about an hour at the diamond store, waiting on someone to have a diamond set.  To me, it was time we could have been seeing other things besides a jewelry showroom. I'm not finding fault with the couple who bought the diamond.  They didn't know that the group would be held up due to their purchase.  I had a similar experience on my first trip.

On our last Friday in Israel, we visited Bethlehem (in the Arab area) and we waited in a very long line of cars  to leave the area because of the security checkpoint.  This made us late, and because everything shuts down early for the Sabbath, we didn't get to see the Israel Museum.  I was very disappointed because it houses the oldest Torah scrolls, and was a real high point for me on my first trip. 

On a positive note, the Arabic merchants in Bethlehem bend over backwards to get the tourists to visit their areas and spend money.  As a matter of fact, they offered us hot tea while we were waiting on the bus to get through security. They are very nice and accommodating, but to me it's just not worth it if you are under time constraints.

Honestly, these are the only negatives I found on my trips.  My advice, if you ever visit, is to book your own trip, pick the sites you most want to see, and choose a local travel agent to help you manage the logistics of travel around Israel.  There is a train that goes from Tel Aviv airport to Jerusalem that is not expensive.  Renting a car is also an option for day trips.  A couple from our congregation stayed in Israel for a month, rented an apartment, and  enjoyed a relaxed schedule, renting a car when they wanted to take long trips.  If the L-rd wills, I would love to go that route on my next visit.  



Other positives about my second trip are that I was able to use American money everywhere we went.  I never did convert to Jewish currency.  I also was able to converse in English with everyone.  I had been studying Hebrew, but wasn't fluent, so this was a big relief. 

My first trip was for two weeks, and with a group of Messianic believers that focused on the Jewish roots of our faith and involved more Bible study and teaching.  The second was seven days,  focused more on the Christian aspect with visits to Catholic churches, and involved more teaching about the history and archeology of Israel.  I enjoyed both tour guides, and learned a great deal on both trips.

My first trip was large, around fifty people.  The second was only about a dozen.  Believe me, the small group was the best, by far.  There is so much more wait time involved with large groups because people get lost, take too long to shop, to eat....etc. I have been guilty of lagging behind myself, so I understand.  It happens any time you put a group together.

I whole-heartedly recommend visiting Israel.  The few complaints I mention here are so minor compared to the blessing and benefits of making this trip.  I hope all of you Gail-Friends will get to visit, and I pray that Hashem will bless me with another aliyah very soon. My heart is there.

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