Friday, April 18, 2014

Christians Rediscovering Passover - DAVID PARSONS/FOR JNS.ORG

Christians and Jews
More and more, Christians are embracing their Jewish heritage. (Facebook)


Christians Rediscovering Passover



For Jews and Christians, the Passover season is a special time for reflection on the rich spiritual truths contained within this remarkable holiday. Indeed, we can all observe the command to remember the incredible Israelite deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

For Christians, the events of a momentous Passover some 15 centuries later have given added meaning to this holiday, so that the truths of the first are reinforced in the latter. Deliverance from Pharaoh’s taskmasters became freedom from slavery to sin. The blood of a lamb on the doorposts became a typology of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Yet the parallels between Pesach and Easter were lost for centuries to most Christians when the early church fathers deliberately severed our faith from its Jewish roots. In time, this hostility to Judaism produced vicious blood libels against Jews at Passover.

Today, however, multitudes of Christians are rediscovering our Hebraic roots. Indeed,Time magazine recently identified growing Christian interest in our faith’s Jewish heritage as one of the 10 top trends of our day.

Even respected Jewish scholars have started joining Christian theologians in rediscovering the “Jewishness” of Jesus and the Hebraic origins of Christianity. One notable expert in this regard is the late Prof. David Flusser of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, considered the leading Orthodox Jewish expert on the Second Temple era and Early Christianity.

Flusser placed Jesus within the Pharasaic tradition and viewed Him as among the great sages of his time, such as Hillel and Ben-Shammai. But Flusser concluded that the Galilean preacher went boldly beyond the classic Judaism of that day, for instance by proclaiming the advent of the kingdom of God and espousing a radical ethic of loving one’s enemy.

As a result of such groundbreaking scholarship, the Feast of Passover is one occasion when the lineage and cultural identity of Jesus as a “son of the covenant” now holds so much more meaning for Christians. In fact, nothing reattaches Christians to their Jewish roots faster than realizing the Last Supper was actually a Passover seder meal being led by a Jewish rabbi.

Thus, we can now see in the Gospel narratives just how closely Jesus held to Jewish traditions in presiding over the Passover meal with His disciples—or rather, His talmidim.

For instance, He followed the custom then developing in first-century Judaism of serving four cups of wine at the Passover meal to mirror the four great “I wills” of Exodus 6:6-7. When Jesus took the third cup—considered the “cup of redemption”—He used it to seal a new covenant with His followers.
Interestingly, He also used customary Jewish words of betrothal at that same moment, promising to go build them all mansions in His Father’s house and to come back for them one day as a bridegroom for His bride (John 14:2-3).

In serving them wine and unleavened bread, Jesus further played off the command to remember the Passover by instructing His disciples to always partake of it “in remembrance of [Him].”

Then one of the most extraordinary moments of the Last Supper came when He washed the feet of His disciples.

Like other great rabbis of His day, Jesus had developed a unique preaching style by telling parables, many of which are universally known to this day, such as the parables of the good Samaritan and the prodigal son. But He was different in the way He also practiced what He preached. In washing the feet of His disciples, the rabbi Jesus taught by deed and not just words what it means to be a servant in His kingdom (John 13:14-15).

And finally, Jesus demonstrated tremendous grace that evening when He gave the place of the guest of honor to His immediate left to Judas, even though He knew this was the one about to betray Him. What a difference it would have made down through history if Christians had understood that Jesus was never bitter toward Judas.

Sadly, it is too late to change that history. But we are witnessing a sea change in Christian attitudes towards the Jewish people today as we understand better the Jewish matrix of our faith. This historic shift is helping to build Christian support for an embattled Israel at a critical hour. And just as importantly, it is shielding multitudes of Christians against modern-day blood libels and other anti-Semitic lies now being hurled at the Jewish state.
David Parsons is an ordained minister who serves as media director for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (www.icej.org).
Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive CHARISMA MAGAZINE by email.

"The blood shall be a sign for you...Exodus 12:13 - ISRAEL365

The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you.

EXODUS (12:13)

וְהָיָה הַדָּם לָכֶם לְאֹת עַל הַבָּתִּים אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם שָׁם וְרָאִיתִי אֶת הַדָּם וּפָסַחְתִּי עֲלֵכֶם; וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בָכֶם נֶגֶף לְמַשְׁחִית

שְׁמוֹת יב:יג


v'ha-YA ha-DAM la-KHEM l'OT al ha-ba-TEEM a-SHER a-TEM sham v'ra-ee-TEE etha-DAM u-pa-SAKH-tee a-lay-KHEM v'LO yi-hi-YE ba-KHEM ne-GEF l'mash-KHEET

Haggadah Highlights

The blood that was placed on the doorposts of the Jewish homes signified that those inside the house had unequivocably placed their trust in the Almighty. It was this devotion that brought down God's protection. May we all merit God's protection this holiday season by standing with the People of Israel. Your support of Israel's national blood bank will save lives.

Children of the Same God

A young Christian woman shares her passion for supporting Israel's national blood bank, which gives the gift of life to everyone equally, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

Blood Moon Rising

A rare astrological event commenced this Passover with the appearance of the first of a series of full lunar eclipses in a row called blood moons (due to the red color of the moons glow).

Gold Heart with Shema Prayer

This beautiful heart-shaped pendant is made from 14 karat yellow gold and is engraved on its left side with the words: "Shema Yisrael" ("Hear O Israel").

Today's Israel Photo

Today's photo by Sharon Gabay shows the ancient stone homes built into the hills of northern Israel.

Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Dennis Martin of Camden, Indiana.

“Uplifting Material - Speaks to My Soul”

It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!
The photos, scriptures, inspiration and videos you share each day are appreciated very much. Todah rabah. Blessings from New Zealand. Jill [Gila]

Thank you for the uplifting material. It really speaks to my soul. Shavuah Tov! Thankful for Israel365 and Loving Israel from Alexandria, Virginia USA, Krystal Melton
With warm wishes for a happy and meaningful Passover,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
Copyright © 2014 Israel365, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up for daily Israel Scenes and Inspiration on our website,www.israel365.com.

Our mailing address is:
Israel365
36 Ein Gedi Street
Ramat Beit Shemesh 99000
Israel

Cracking the Convergence Code - Dave Yarnes video - Having the spirit, character and skill for your calling and work.

Dave Yarnes - VP of MorningStar Ministries

Teaching & developing skills sets 

Cracking the Convergence Code

Dave Yarnes
Friday, April 18, 2014

Dave Yarnes talks about seeing the skill sets God has been developing in you and continuing to develop them. 


Character development is vital.

Spirit development

Having the spirit, character and skill for your calling.

Jesus (Yeshua) Died For Our Sins So We Could Live With Him In Eternity. Thus it is a GOOD FRIDAY!










He came the first time 
as the Lamb of God, 
the Suffering Servant.

When He returns 
He will come as the 
Lion of Judah!




 

Why Was a Ton of Matza Delivered to the US Army's 77th Division in France during World War I? Special Passover Feature - ISRAEL'S HISTORY

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

Why Was a Ton of Matza Delivered to the US Army's 77th Division
in France during World War I? Special Passover Feature


Posted: 17 Apr 2014
A version of this article appears in today's Jerusalem Post Magazine

Original caption: "Packing shipment of Matzoths [i.e. matzos] for the 77th Division for
men of Jewish faith in the A.E.F. [American Expeditionary Force] for the Passover Holiday,
at Warehouse #40, Q.M.C. Depot, St. Denis [France] / Signal Corps. U.S.A."
(April 9, 1919, Library of Congress)

The Jewish tradition of eating matza (unleavened bread) on Passover is so profound that the armed services of several countries provide Passover supplies to their soldiers even at the front. That's the practice in Israel, for sure, but the archives of several libraries provide pictures of Jewish soldiers observing Passover in the British and American armies during World War I, almost 100 years ago.

The Jewish Legion soldiers of the British army celebrating Passover in Jerusalem in 1918. 
(Harvard Library/Central Zionist Archives)


But when we saw the picture above of perhaps a ton of matza sent to American forces in France we wondered why so much was required.

Thanks to the archivists at the Library of Congress' Prints and Photographs Division for acceding to our request and digitizing and publishing online the photograph above.


The 77th Division and the "Lost Battalion"

The 77th Division was made up of draftees from the New York City area, one of the first draftee units deployed in combat in World War I. They assumed the name of the "Metropolitan Division" or the "Statue of Liberty Division." Many of the men had lived a tough hardscrabble life on the streets of New York, perhaps a factor in their surviving a hard-fought battle in the Argonne Forest in October 1918 where the Division's "Lost Battalion" was surrounded by German troops and held out for a week without food and water. In a 2001 film about the "Lost Battalion," the men were described as Irish, Italian, Jewish, and Polish "gangsters."

Of the battalion's 550 men, almost 200 were killed and 150 were captured or missing.

A Jewish chaplain, Rabbi Lee J. Levinger, served in France during World War I and wrote that the 77th Division had "thousands" of Jewish soldiers -- for whom the matza in the picture was intended.

Patch of the 77th Division

Levinger described several incredible moments in his memoir:

The great event of my service in Le Mans was our Passover celebration on April 14th, 15th and[77] 16th, 1919. The general order for Passover furloughs read:

"Where it will not interfere with the public service, members of the Jewish faith serving with the American Expeditionary Forces will be excused from all duty from noon, April 14th, to midnight, April 16th, 1919, and, where deemed practicable, granted passes to enable them to observe the Passover in their customary manner."

The full program included a Seder, four services, a literary program, a vaudeville show, a boxing exhibition, two dances and a movie.... But certainly the most popular of all was the Seder. The soup with matzah balls, the fish, in fact the entire menu made them think of home.

We held the dinner in an army mess hall, standing at the breast-high tables. The altar with two candles and the symbols of the feast was at the center of the low-roofed unwalled structure. Toward evening the rain, so typical of winter in western France, ceased; the sun came out, and its last level rays shone directly upon Rabbi Kaufman and his little altar.

It was a scene never to be forgotten, a feast of deepest joy mingled with solemnity. Afterward we adjourned to the Theatre Municipale for a full religious service with a sermon.

Pvt Krotoshinsky: "You know a Jew finds strength to suffer...."During the Argonne Forest battle, the 77th Division's "Lost Battalion" was finally relieved after taking heavy casualties for five days. Their rescue is often credited to a carrier pigeon that delivered a message to headquarters with their position. Levinger told a different story:


New York Times, November 5, 1953

Private Abraham Krotoshinsky ... was awarded the D. S. C. [Distinguished Service Cross] for bearing the message which informed the division of the exact location of the unit, and was instrumental in releasing[118] them. Krotoshinsky was an immigrant boy, not yet a citizen, a barber by trade. His own words give the story simply enough:

"We began to be afraid the division had forgotten us or that they had given us up for dead. We had to get a messenger through. It meant almost certain death, wewere all sure, because over a hundred and fifty men had gone away and never come back. But it had to be done. The morning of the fifth day they called for
volunteers for courier. I volunteered and was accepted. I went because I thought I ought to. 

First of all I was lucky enough not to be wounded. Second, after five days of starving, I was stronger than many of my friends who were twice my size. You know a Jew finds strength to suffer. Third, because I would just as soon die trying to help the others as in the 'pocket' of hunger and thirst.

"I got my orders and started. I had to run about thirty feet in plain view of the Germans before I got into the forest. They saw me when I got up and fired everything they had at me. Then I had to crawl right through their lines. They were looking for me everywhere. I just moved along on my stomach, in the direction I was told, keeping my eyes open for them.... 

It was almost six o'clock that night when I saw the American lines. All that day I had been crawling or running doubled up after five days and nights without food and practically nothing to drink.

Then my real trouble began. I was coming from the direction of the German lines and my English is none too good. I was afraid they would shoot me for a German before I could explain who I was.... Then the Captain asked me who I was. I told him I was from the Lost Battalion. Then he asked me whether I could lead him back to the battalion. I said, 'Yes.' 

They gave me a bite to eat and something to drink and after a little rest I started back again with the command. I will never forget the scene when the relief came. The men were like crazy with joy."[Note: Later Krotoshinsky moved to Palestine to try his hand at agriculture. Unable to make a living there, he moved back to New York with his family, but he was still unemployed. He received a presidential appointment to work in a New York post office.]

Watch "The Lost Battalion" Movie here.

Rabbi Levinger described another incredible event during the fighting: A soldier in a famous fighting division ... sought a private interview with me. It seems that in the advance on the St. Mihiel sector he had rescued a Torah, a scroll of the Law, from a burning synagogue. Throwing away the contents of his pack, he had wrapped the scroll up in the pack carrier instead, and carried it "over the top" three times since. 

Now he wanted permission to take it home to give to an orphan asylum in which his father was active. A soldier was not ordinarily allowed to take anything with him besides the regulation equipment and such small souvenirs as might occupy little room, but in this case a kindly colonel became interested and the Torah went to America with the company records.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Responsible archivists and librarians digitize the historic photographic treasures in their institutions.

Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610





The Lost Battalion ( full movie )

Friday's Top 5 Passover Videos - 12TribeFilms TV

12tribefilmstv logo
Passover-matzoh-oven
What a great twist on a captivating video. The turning point is at second 40! It’s fascinating seeing things from a whole new angle!
Passover fountainheads
The Fountainheads from Ein Prat have done it again. A beautiful abstract passover video that tells the story with a lot of imagery and a new twist. Don’t miss this one!
20thingstodowithmatzah
All original ideas - each one crazier than the next!
Meshuganas-on-Passover-on-the-Daily-Show
John Stewart hosts actor and director of Bad Words, Jason Bateman on the Daily Show, and you won’t stop laughing… What happens when a Jew and a Goy speak Yiddish together?
613 Passover
I just love their rhythm - makes you want to dance at the Seder Table!
***
images (2)
The funniest Israel Videos sent straight to you!
Click here to sign up:Hilarious Israel Videos
tree-planting-stuffer
Receive a beautiful certificate for yourself or someone else on your behalf.
Trees can be dedicated in honor or memory of anyone.

Special Feature Videos

Episode 3
Click here to watch: Joy of Israel Episode 3 – Holy Hebron and Sweet Hebron Hills
Jamie Geller's food and travel show takes you to Hebron. Visit Mearat HaMachpela, The Tomb of the Patriarchs, and the ancient Avraham Avinu, the Abraham Synagogue. Then take a tour of a modern bean to chocolate bar factory, Holy Cacao.
Facebook Icon
Follow us on Facebook for top Jerusalem videoshttp://www.facebook.com/Jerusaleminmysoul
donate now narrow
Friday's Top 5 Videos is a project of IsraelVideoNetwork.comand 12Tribe Films.
Join our mission - Click here to help us grow our network and keep reaching hundreds of thousands of people to make a difference for Israel.
facebook google_plus pinterest