FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Greetings from the Holy Land. October is one of my favorite months of the year in Israel — the time of the “Fall Festivals.” As the weather begins changing in late September, we celebrate the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), followed in October by the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and then the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

This season brings hope for the start of the early rains and an end to the hot, dry summer. Beautiful wildflowers suddenly begin blooming, and the skies are filled with birds that migrate to our area only during this season. According to Jewish tradition, this is also the time of “turning over” and beginning the annual reading of the Torah (the “Law” — the first five books of the Bible) in the synagogues.

The entire Torah is read portion-by-portion (the parashah) each week for a year. At the end of the eight days of Sukkot, the final Torah portion is read, then the cycle begins again with a new year of Scripture readings.

The Jewish Scriptures

The Scriptures familiar to most Jews comprise three sections: the Torah, the writings (historical books), and the prophets (books written by or about the Jewish prophets). When you buy a Bible in Israel, it will contain only the books that Christians call the Old Testament. Most Israelis, when they encounter the New Testament, will say something like, “That’s your book, Christians; it has nothing to do with us — it’s not our book.”

Jewish people are told to avoid the New Testament and Christianity. Religious Jews are taught that the Christian faith is heresy. Both secular and religious Jews hear that Christianity is anti-Semitic and that Christians have been responsible for the death and destruction of Jews for centuries — including through the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, and because of ties between the Roman Catholic Church and Hitler. Many Jewish people still remember how so-called Christian nations in Europe refused to help save the Jews during the Holocaust.

You may read this and think, “Well, I’m not Catholic, and the actions of previous generations of Christians don’t reflect my views about the Jews or Israel.” It is important to understand that Israelis don’t understand the difference between various Christian denominations and sects. They lump them all together as Christians.

Most of the born-again Christians I have encountered have a wide spectrum of beliefs regarding Israel. On one side are those who don’t understand or are not even interested in knowing the significance of the nation of Israel in God’s plan. These Christians may even believe in Replacement Theology — the idea that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s eternal plan. On the other side of the spectrum are Christians who are staunch supporters and lovers of Israel.

As an Israeli Believer (believer in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah), I often watch Evangelical Christians who have a deep, strong love for Israel interact with Israeli organizations, government officials, and sometimes with the Israeli public. They do this without understanding how Israelis actually view them, and, more importantly, how the Israeli media that influences public opinion often portrays them.

Mixed Feelings of Most Israelis

In a documentary that was broadcast on Israel’s only government-funded TV channel, the media presented a negative view of Evangelicals. Rather than people who actually love Israel because God loves Israel, they were portrayed as only being interested in their own personal future as it relates to the End Times, the Rapture, and Yeshua (Jesus) returning to the Land of Israel.

Most Israelis have mixed feelings about Christian involvement in the Holy Land. First, they are very concerned that Christians will come to Israel and seek to convert them to Christianity. Second, they are troubled that Christians will use Israel to gain support or political power in their own country’s government or elections. For example, in the U.S., many lobbying groups on Capitol Hill have a strong connection to Israel related to decisions about political support in the United Nations, financial aid packages, and so forth.

Christians are among the largest donors of humanitarian aid projects in Israel today. (The largest group is the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which is not a Christian organization.) Some rabbis feel that Christian involvement in or support for humanitarian aid is a major negative influence because it interferes with Israel building an independent nation. These rabbis believe that depending on such aid actively keeps Jews in “a state of neediness” sustained by the “grace of the Christians.”

Rachel Elior, a university professor, made this statement: “We, in Israel, should not buy into this nice language of the Israel support rhetoric. Instead, we should ask why [Christians] are supporting us and are we not paying for this support with our own blood?” Elior was voicing the thoughts of many Israelis who believe that much support of Israel is driven by interests of foreign self-preservation — a desire that Israel should “fight Muslims so that we don’t have to do it.”

The Israeli public is well aware that U.S. and other Western nations’ interests align with keeping the only democracy in the Middle East strong and alive. Most Israelis do not, however, agree with the prophetic teaching of Christianity regarding Israel and the End Times.

The television documentary mentioned above featured an Evangelical preacher enthusiastically explaining that in the End Times, there will be wars and much destruction, and then “quoting” Yeshua’s/Jesus’ words in Luke 21:28, “And when you see the signs of war, lift up your heads and rejoice, for your redemption draws nigh.” Among other problems, it is especially important to note that this verse DOES NOT INCLUDE the word “rejoice.”

A Jewish commentator who was explaining the preacher’s message stated that Christians believe that during Armageddon, two-thirds of the people of Israel will die and the other third will be “forced to convert to Christianity.” It grieves me that this view is presented to the public in Israel.

The idea of Christians “rejoicing” at the destruction of Israel and trying to convert them is abhorrent to Israelis. It evokes negative sentiments about previous generations of Christians who were involved in Jewish destruction and forced conversion over the centuries. Another major trigger for many Jewish people is how Christians connect Yeshua to prophecies or teachings from the Jewish Scriptures.

Continuing Christian Support

Given these negative issues, how can Christian organizations continue to operate in Israel?

Israeli government officials and many religious leaders understand the economic gain that accompanies Christians’ desire to give aid to Israel. And since many Christian organizations want access to government officials in Israel, a mutually beneficial relationship has developed.

Organizations that work with the government, however, generally don’t involve local Messianic organizations or ministries — at least not openly — because they don’t want to lose their official sponsorship within the land. In recent years, a few organizations have allowed representation from the local believing Jewish community in their work, but they do so discretely.

Some Jews have embraced Christian support for and involvement in Israel. Surprisingly, these people live beyond the “Green Line” in what some call the “disputed territories.”** These Jews are religious and welcome Christian support for their cause. Many Jewish and Christian progressive/ Democratic Party-aligned organizations in the U.S. push for “land for peace” deals, which would remove these “settlers” from their homelands. Thus, the “settlers” have turned to conservative/ Republican Party-aligned Christian organizations that hold the view that God gave the land to the Jewish people and it should not be given away to any other people.

** The “Green Line” refers to the line that separated Israeli, Jordanian, Syrian, and Egyptian forces at the conclusion of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. It was established in the 1949 armistice agreements that formally ended the war and served until 1967 as Israel’s de facto international border. Diplomats drawing up the agreement reportedly used green ink to mark a line on the map. The east side of Jerusalem, along with parts of Judea and Samaria, were not in Israel’s territory. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel gained control of these areas. The Palestinian Authority now oversees the Palestinian population in these regions, and the Jews who live there are sometimes called “settlers.”

This complicated relationship between Christians and Israel will continue to unfold. But as a Jewish Believer living in Israel, I know that the most impactful thing a Christian can do for an Israeli is to meet face to face, with the Believer expressing his or her love and support for Israel and for the Jewish people. This direct, sincere communication touches the hearts of secular Israelis. It amazes them that people from another country, whose lives seem to have nothing to do with Israel or the Middle East, would express this kind of love to them.

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —
“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT),

   
Sarah Liberman

P.S. Your love, prayers, and support make a significant difference, regardless of how Christians are viewed in Israel. Even if many Israelis don’t understand your devotion to the Holy Land, our Lord does. Those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3). This is God’s promise, and He is watching over His plans concerning Israel. God blesses those who align with His plan. ✡

: You Could Be in Israel This Month

We love the tradition of being in Israel in October. On the 24th of this month, Kirsten and I will join with Holy Land pilgrims from across the world to experience the miraculous land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants. Our time together produces tremendous spiritual growth and friendships that last a lifetime. Words simply can’t describe the impact that this trip will have on your life.

If you’re involved with a Bible study small group, please consider booking your reservation as a group for our spring study trip. A church in California did this a few years ago and plans to bring another group in 2024. Contact Sandra at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or levitt.com/tours for information for your group, family, or just yourself. Then brace yourself for a life-changing adventure!

A Note from David and Kirsten Hart

YOU’VE GOT US THINKING

Sarah, your writings never cease to amaze us. As we were reading your article, we kept stopping and thinking. Through ZLM’s Institute of Jewish-Christian Studies, we have learned about how the Church has treated (and mistreated) the Jewish people throughout history. We haven’t heard, however, about how the people of Israel today feel about Believers and the Christian Church.

The idea that Israelis should “fight Muslims so that we don’t have to do it” felt like a spiritual punch to the gut. The relationship of Believers to Jewish people in Israel must be one of deep, genuine love. We cannot justify the mindset that we will “let the Jews take the brunt so that our Savior can return.” Thank you for your incredibly powerful and attitude-changing message. Hopefully, it will prompt all of us not only to meditate on what we’ve read but also to pray for and act in love toward the Jewish people, especially those in Israel. Our spiritual walk really is all about love.

THE FALL FEASTS

October finds Israelis and Jewish people around the world celebrating the last two Fall Feasts. This month’s Day of Atonement (Oct. 5) and Feast of Tabernacles (Oct. 9–16) will complete another cycle of God-ordained feasts in the Jewish calendar.

Whether or not you and your family observe these Jewish feasts, we hope you will become familiar with their continuing significance. Learning about these God-ordained days will give you profound insights into the Jewish roots of your faith, which will enhance your spiritual growth.

We pray that these holy, set apart days will deepen your love for our Creator and Savior. For those wanting to learn more about how Christianity correlates with the seven Jewish feasts, our founder, Zola Levitt, published a classic “telling” of the beautiful meanings of these moedim (appointed times). We highly recommend that you order this easy-to-understand booklet, The Seven Feasts of Israel. It’s available on our website: store.levitt.com/SFI

As you contemplate the feasts, may God draw you closer to His heart.

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! —
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6),

David & Kirsten

P.S. While it seems impossible that the end of 2022 is already approaching, you can help us finish financially strong. Year-end giving helps us budget for the coming year, especially related to television production. If you are enjoying Much Like Peter, the new series on Our Jewish Roots, you can ensure that more on-location programs will be produced in 2023 by “voting” with your year-end giving. And for that, we thank you! ✡

Our Jewish Roots TV programs in October

I (Kirsten) remember being unable to sleep the night before church camp, the first day of school, or a birthday party. I feel the same way about the debut of our brand-new series, Much Like Peter. Are you ready to experience new insights into the Apostle Peter’s life and ministry? We pulled out all the stops in this series. You’ll want to see every episode.

Much Like Peter

On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Yeshua/Jesus began His ministry by calling disciples to follow Him. One of these was Peter — who often acted before thinking. Even so, the Messiah saw that this simple fisherman would become the leader of the Apostles and a powerful voice for the Gospel. This series features teaching by Dr. Jeffrey Seif, reenactments by Israeli actors, David and Kirsten Hart singing songs by Zola on location in Israel, interviews with Israeli Believers, and modern life applications with the Harts. These programs will reveal that many of us who follow the Lord are “much like Peter.”

Foundation of Faith

From Bethsaida, by the beautiful Sea of Galilee, Dr. Jeffrey Seif recalls Yeshua/Jesus calling the disciples to follow Him. Peter, one of the Twelve, received a new mission and a new name.

Faith Requires Boldness

During a storm, Peter was the only disciple to step out of the boat and walk on the water to Jesus. Faith prompts Believers to do daring things. And even when we fail, Jesus is there to help us continue following Him.

Who are You, Yeshua?

Caesarea Philippi, a center of pagan worship, was a remarkable place for Jesus to reveal His Messiahship. Though darkness and brokenness may surround us, the Gospel message continues to advance, and even the forces of hell will not prevail against it.

Divine Apparently

Standing with Jesus at the Transfiguration were Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets. Peter, wanting to contribute, responded impulsively. Like us, Peter needed to pay attention and listen to the Lord’s words.

Please keep near your TV our enclosed broadcasting schedule, which includes national cable networks, independent channels, and satellite/international broadcasts.