JewishIsrael's Waller War

JewishIsrael is going to war against Tommy Waller and his HaYovel volunteer effort.

In a blog post, depending on a secondary source - and in the past, this has proven a major weakness of JewishIsrael in that other Christian groups purposefully misinterpret what others do - it is claimed that

In a demonstration of continued collaboration with grape harvesting volunteers Tommy and Sherri Waller and their Hayovel Ministries, "Rabbi Eliezer Melamed has taken an initiative to establish a Christian Zionist Visitor Center on the Mount of Blessing in Samaria". Rabbi Melamed is actively trying to gather rabbinic backing for the initiative and has reportedly declared “If we say no to these people, we will say no to the Messiah!”

I checked that claim by the secondary source - something JI obviously did not do (are they afraid of even communicating with non-Jews?) and, as I guessed, it was in error.

There simply is no such initiative.  There is no active attempt to establish that Center.  And certainly not they way it is portrayed.

By the way, a center for Jewish-Christian understanding is not a bad idea.

In addition, quoting Rabbi Melamed as saying "we will say no to the Messiah", as if implicating him to be expressing the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, is a horrendous sin against the Rabbi.

The same sloppiness, perhaps purposefully so, is evident here:

They continue and assert that "Hayovel’s volunteers are diligently working in Samaria in order to lay the groundwork for a Christian "Restoration" in the land of Israel."

Theology is difficult to discuss but it goes without saying that we Jews who cooperate with the volunteer effort make it quite clear that such "restorative" thinking and purpose is firmly rejected.  "Building bridges" will not lead to conversions of soul-snatching.

Further, they note that "Certain rabbis, community leaders and entrepreneurs in Yehuda and Shomron readily disregard recent rabbinic guidelines and advice on how to avoid potential pitfalls when dealing with the spiritual mission and faith-based agenda of Christian groups."  Of course, they do not inform their readers that there are many "Rabbis, Community Leaders and entrepeneurs" who disagree with the outlook of those JI supports.

I disagree that "continued evangelical political, humanitarian and financial support for the state of Israel dwarfs or erases the theological, spiritual or physical costs..." for Jews.  We are in our Land and we are strong in our beliefs and Judaism is being proven more correct than ever.  It is our prophetic word that is being justified.  The "coming" of non-Jews to assist us in our labors is the proof that the Bible is true, as in I Kings 8 -

41 Moreover concerning the stranger that is not of Thy people Israel, when he shall come out of a far country for Thy name's sake-- 42 for they shall hear of Thy great name, and of Thy mighty hand, and of Thine outstretched arm--when he shall come and pray toward this house; 43 hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee, as doth Thy people Israel, and that they may know that Thy name is called upon this house which I have built.

That is the vision we should be striving to achieve.  We should make it clear that there is no need for a belief in Jesus for Biblical prophecy to be realized.  This cooperation with Christians is a two-way street.  We need not be suffering an inferiority complex as if we cannot make demands or such.

The "fervor" of Christian volunteers does not always translate into concrete support of missionary activity which pose a direct challenge to Israel's Jewish character.    In fact, there are examples of the other direction occuring.

I do not at all wish to minimize any threats from Christain "aliyah" or messianic Jewish groups or missionary attempts.  But those have always been present, in the Diaspora as well as in the Land of Israel.  That should not be confused with the quite necessary need to deal with "the coming of the non-Jew" phenomenon that we, as Jews, must come to terms with, define and establish guidelines.  That is our challenge.

I and friends duly consider the content of JI but, as for myself, there is no need to preach to me to suggest I

may want to sober up and use a little wisdom..... lest [I] pour [my] heritage down the drain.

Moreover, I suggest it is time that JI and supporters review their approach and consider the potential consequences of their actions.

And here is an example:

This poster appeared at several traffic junctions out here in Yesha.

The language is unrestrained and bordering on the criminal in that anyone who understands the subtext of the Hebrew terminology knows that the message is threatening.  If there are Rabbis behind this, they should be careful.  A charge of incitement could be made.

"Christians laying in ambush to murder souls in the vineyards".

"Hundreds of missionaries, organized and dangerous, have infiltrated already".

"May they be obliterated".

"You shall burn the evil from amidst you".

"Blessed by he who distances the danger from us."

"Impure hands".

Signed: "The Committee to Save the Children for Missionary Work".

This is dangerous and those who are directly - and indirectly - responsible need be called to order.

^