November 1994 Personal Letter

Dear Friends,

Once in a while we receive a letter at this ministry that is truly one of a kind. I want to share one of these with you.

Dear Mr. Levitt:

One of your subscribers gave me a copy of your “Letter.” I enjoyed reading it very much and found your pure and positive Zionism extremely refreshing. Yours is the.first publication in which I read a trenchant response to all the attacks on Dr. Baruch Goldstein, instead of the usual, “dutiful” excoriation of him. Equally incisive is your description of the development and dissemination of the “Palestinian” myth. I will retain the April 1994 issue and quote from it, with due credit.

I am a strong and believing Jew and, therefore, hope that you confine your missionizing to Christians. Judging from your name, I wonder if you are the son of Jews. Certainly, you are performing a worthy work by bringing Israel’s (Jewish Zionist) message to Gentiles and Gentiles to Israel (in your numerous tours).

Your subscriber contacted me upon reading about my recently published book in the Hartford newspaper. The title of the book tells what it is about, Antisemitism in the New Testament. The gentleman wanted to know where he could buy the book and I told him that he could purchase it at the University of Connecticut Co-Op, from the publisher, at a local bookstore, or from me if he wanted it autographed. He opted for the latter and when he came to my house, we had a pleasant conversation and that is when he left a copy of your Letter.

I think you might find my book interesting and enlightening… With best wishes for your success in spreading an understanding and love of Israel, I am

Sincerely yours, L.F.

Some of you may not understand the issue being presented here. Unsaved Jewish people of course approve of my support of Israel and my exposure of Palestinian propaganda. But when the writer says, “I am a strong and believing Jew,” she certainly means that she does not believe in Jesus Christ, not even a little bit. She hopes that I confine my missionizing to “Christians,” which should really be read as “Gentiles.” Nobody needs to missionize Christians if they are really Christians. The tactful sentence, “Judging from your name, I wonder if you are the son of Jews,” can be read as “I know you can’t be Jewish because you believe in Jesus, but since you have a Jewish name perhaps your parents were real Jews.” The writer is unable to fathom the idea of a person being Jewish to the core, Zionistic in philosophy, totally supportive of Israel and still a Christian. This situation is simply unknown to Jewish thinking (and some Christian thinking, too).

Our subscriber, a soldier of Christ whom God appointed to this very interesting assignment, showed patience and love in his gentle witness to this staunch defender of Judaism. The “pleasant conversation” and the delivery of our newsletter was a Lordly mission and perhaps sowed a very promising seed.

A more serious issue is the amazing conception of anti-Semitism in the New Testament, the title of the writer’s book. The idea is meaningless; the New Testament is an Israeli book, written and published by Jews. Its export to the world (undoubtedly the most powerful of any country in any time) does not preclude the fact that it is purely Jewish writing and can hardly be regarded as “anti-Semitic.” If it is thought of as merely the works of men, then it is self-critical, honest, profoundly introspective, etc. If it is seen as the Word of God, then it is unassailable. It is Truth.

When I hear people say that the New Testament is anti-Semitic, I ask them, “Have you read the Old Testament?” The fact is, God is mercilessly candid and down to earth, especially with His chosen people, and all of their blemishes show. We might all be thankful that God didn’t write this book about America or about the Church or about us ourselves, lest the awful truth be known and we have nothing left to us but to say, “The writer is prejudiced against me!” As the Word of God, the Bible is not a book to be reviewed by human beings, but rather the Manufacturer’s handbook for right living in this world and the next. So far as the Jews go, with their overwhelming virtues and their horrific sins, there is a purpose to their biblical celebration and excoriation;

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of this age are come. (I Cor. 10:11).

We are to learn from the adventures and misadventures of the chosen people. Yes, my parents were Jewish and their parents’ parents, all the way back to Levi, at least, from whom my name is taken. I’m not only the son of Jews, I am a Jew. I simply have found my Messiah.

Our new House of David television series, currently airing, provides most insightful and penetrating looks at David, our Messiah’s kingly ancestor, and a broad sweep of Jewish history. It includes 16 programs and a music video of the finest quality work we have produced to date. These are a treasure to own, and we are offering the videotapes on the programs.

Speaking of treasures, our December tour will escort you through a land of treasures untold! The Sea of Galilee awaits your crossing, the Valley of Armageddon your understanding, and Jericho your inspection. Archaeological digs at the southern and western walls of the Temple site anticipate your arrival. High upon the summit of the Mount of Olives, a panoramic view of Jerusalem presents itself for you. The Upper Room and the Garden Tomb are expecting you. Historic Masada, the Dead Sea and Qumran await you. The extended tour this year will include Eilat and the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea at a true bargain price. Come spend Christmas Eve with us in Bethlehem. This is a tour you can’t miss!

Thank you again and God bless you.

You messenger,