“To The Jew First” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

                 

         “To The Jew First” 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (NASU)

Dear family of friends,

Since 2003 I have visited one of the Charlotte, NC largest synagogues (2000+ members) at least 12 times - as of this writing. I had earlier met a member of the shul there at a Charlotte Chamber of Commerce luncheon that first year, and subsequently befriended him. Buying printed logo pens, hats, shirts and mugs from him through his business certainly helped grow the relationship!

Over time I got to know a few other members at the synagogue, with them fully knowing that I was a Christian who loved and supported Israel and the Jews. They were really actually amazed at how much I stood for their people, primarily showing the reality of it by our humanitarian aid and because of my many trips to their rightful homeland of Eretz Yisrael. Many of these have never been to Israel.

When I worked for one Jerusalem based Jewish organization in Charlotte for five years from 2005-2010, I asked their rabbi to come to a Hanukkah Festival we put on. He was kind in his response, but insisted he did not drive on Shabbat. Nor would he accept a ride when I offered to pick him up. Another member did come though to that festival, and said our Gentile speaker taught the history of Hanukkah and the Maccabees better than the rabbi did early that same day. (I never told the rabbi that!)

Over time the Shabbat morning service helped improve my Hebrew, and the onegs (free luncheons afterward) improved my stomach size! It was a joy being among those whom I write so often about, and want to support even more.

This last time I attended, which was Shabbat Hanukkah (the Saturday during the week of this Festival of Lights), my business friend wasn’t there, but another friend was, a man in his late 70’s. So I sat with him in the usual very back row. I had already donned a kippa (men’s head covering, like a beanie) and tallit (prayer shawl) from the visitor’s bin as required, before entering the large meeting room, so I fit right in as I usually did.

About an hour into the service, one of the “ushers” came and asked if I was a visitor. I said, “Yes”, and then he asked if I would help be a “lifter.” I didn’t know what that meant, but said I would. I was sure I would find out soon enough.

I had never been on the platform where the “beamer” (podium) stood, nor where the “ark” was, the very large decorative wooden case where the Torah scrolls (Scriptures) are kept. But I thought I’d give it a try when prayer for sick ones needing healing was announced that morning. I felt at home pretty much, as I stood up there where others had gathered for prayer. (I have been to the Kotel, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, at least 24 times over my 11 trips to Israel. Praying in a holy place was the right thing to do.)

Soon followed the removal of two Torah scrolls from the ark. Then the Hebrew reading of them by several from among the 300 seated was done. This went on for about a half hour. The Scriptures were from Genesis, about Joseph. I recognized a few words, but basically just turned the pages as the others did. From right to left of course.

Once the readings were done, the “usher” who had asked me to be a “lifter” earlier, came and said to go up and stand by the beamer. So I did, still not quite sure what I was going to do. My friend had already been up there helping turn the scroll for each reader, not knowing I had been asked to lift. When the last reader was done, my friend turned, saw me (with a surprised expression on his face), and motioned for me to come forward. 

The cantor, next to him, said to me to take hold of the wooden handles, pull the large scroll towards me, “lift” up the Torah (so this is what I was asked to do!), unroll it a bit so all could see, turn around in a circle, and sit down on a chair so the beautiful velvet cloth cover could be placed on it. I did it all. After the decorated red cover was put over the large scroll, a silver breast plate, with the twelve tribes engraved on it and having a chain to hold it to the scroll, was added, then the pointer, after which the entire package was taken from me and put on a holder. I then retook my “pew” seat in the last row.

Lifting a Torah scroll in synagogue (shul)

- notice the ark (which holds several scrolls when not being used) 

against the wall. More images of arks below.

My friend stayed on the platform, for I saw he was to help put the large scroll back into the ark. When he did, he picked it up off the holder, but tripped over the large wooden hanukiyah (eight candle stick menorah) that was next to it. He fell, cut his nose on the chair I had just vacated, but did not drop it! If he had, tradition says all who saw him drop it (basically, everyone present in the synagogue), had to fast a certain length of time. So it is a big deal not to drop the sacred scroll!

The two hour service was almost over, and so I pulled out my Ahava Love Letter books (2) that I had earlier left the room to go and get out of my car. I hadn’t planned on giving any out here, but sensed the Holy Spirit direct me to. When I gave one to my friend, after he had returned from the bathroom to stop the bleeding of his nose, he thanked me. Then he asked me to step out of the room with him. This is when things really got interesting!

Once outside the “sanctuary” doors he began to tell me that his son had married a Christian, who was a Baptist, several years ago, and they went to a 1300 member church in Cary, NC. (I know a pastor in Cary who annually tours Israel with Christian Friends of Israel. Small world!) He said his son was still a Jew, but believed now in Jesus. (He didn’t use Yeshua’s Jewish name, which I found interesting. In my later responses to him, I did use Yeshua’s name.)

My friend said his son believed that the Messiah had already come, and supposed I did too. I said, “Yes I do. His name is Yeshua.” My friend then wanted to know where in the “Old Testament” it said the Messiah would come to suffer, and said I too must believe, as his son now did, that He was coming a second time. Right? I said, “Yes.” He confirmed that he wasn’t convinced in what his son had told him, and what he assumed I believed.

He had a few more comments and some questions for me. I shared as I knew how.

Then he surprised me again. He told me that earlier in the month he had made a trip to Hope of Israel, the Messianic Jewish synagogue which is just a few miles from my home here in Charlotte. He made one comment about his time there that really surprised me. “There wasn’t a crucifix in the building. In fact, the main room looked very similar to any Jewish synagogue.” (I didn’t say this to him, but I know it does. I have been there several times. Many of the attendants are still Jews, of course, while believing in Yeshua.) He also said he spent an hour just talking to the three ladies there, one whom was putting together Hanukkah cards to give to their members. He said the rabbi (Sam Nadler) wasn’t there while he was.

To finish this short “divine appointment” time for my friend and I, he said, “I am a good Jew. I have attended synagogue all my life. I am not perfect, but I am a good Jew. And I will die a Jew.”

I thought to myself, “Yes, you will certainly die a Jew. And I hope you will believe before then in your Messiah Yeshua (Yeshua HaMashiach) as I do.”

Please join me in continuing prayer for the Jews here in the USA, and in Israel. We will always share His love with them, and the good news as opportunity arises.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve & Laurie Martin

Founders

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I hope he reads my Ahava Love Letters book I gave him! I am sure I will find out down the road.

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Ahava Love Letter #91   “To The Jew First”  ©2013 Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (11/30/13 Saturday at 4:30 pm in Charlotte, NC).

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters

Torah arks inside the Western Wall prayer and library room

(Photos by Steve Martin)

Carrying a Torah scroll

Unrolling a Torah scroll

Torah scroll being lifted

(Painting by Alex Levin)