'What Every Christian Needs to Know About Passover'

Wednesday, April 01, 2015 |  David Lazarus  ISRAEL TODAY

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Bible

That is the title of a new book (available on Amazon) by Reform Rabbi Evan Moffic, who demonstrates a deep appreciation for the central place of Jesus in the Jewish Passover. In his book, which came out in February just in time for the holiday, Moffic hopes to help Christians understand the intimate connection between Judaism and Christianity in the Passover, the principal festival for both Jews and Christians. 

“Exploring the Passover helps us learn more about the context of Jesus’ own religious and spiritual life, and it sheds light on Easter, the resurrection of Jesus and the meaning of redemption,” he explains.

Written in a popular style for a wide audience, the rabbi’s book should appeal to Christians wanting an inside, intimate look at a traditional Jewish Passover. “Jesus experienced a traditional Passover Seder guided by the blessings and rituals Jews have practiced for three thousand years,” writes Moffic. “The stories and interpretations he heard are ones still taught at Jewish Passover Seders today. In this book you are invited to experience the real thing.” 

In a chapter titled, “Celebrating the Passover Seder Yourself: A Haggadah for Home Use by Christians and Jews,” Moffic offers a Passover celebration with annotations for those wanting to commemorate Jesus as the Passover Lamb of God. By including ancient Hebrew prayers and even recommendations for traditional holiday recipes, he provides Christians interested in the Hebrew roots of their faith with an authentic Passover experience. 

For example, the rabbi notes that “the shank bone symbolizes the lamb offered as a sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. The lamb symbolizes God’s mercy in redeeming the Israelites from slavery to Egypt. In Christian tradition, the lamb symbolizes Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice frees believers from the sins of the world.”

Moffic makes it clear throughout the book that the Passover celebration should never be a boring religious tradition, but rather a life-giving experience setting us free from our painful past and giving us hope for a better future. “What meaning do we make out of tragedy and loss? God commanded them to observe a holiday in which they were to make some sort of sense, some sort of meaning, from their loss. The Passover celebration is the medium through which Jews, over the centuries, have remembered and made meaning from the trauma of slavery. They do not define themselves as victim. They do not seek revenge. Rather they hold the first sacred Passover meal telling their story of God’s redemption.” 

Moffic offers some unconventional interpretations of the Passover ceremony, many of which are already used in Messianic Seders that seek to join faith in Jesus with the Jewish festival. “In Christian tradition, the three pieces of matzos [unleavened bread] represent God’s presence as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” he writes. “Some Christians interpret the perforations of the matzo as symbolic of the piercings of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is the Bread of Life afflicted in sacrifice yet nourishing the world.”

In a moment of unrestrained candor, Moffic confesses that he has “found great inspiration in the description of love from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. My own prayer life has been transformed by what I learned from pastors and Christian writers. Quite often I learn more about my own faith.” Conversely, the rabbi reminds us of the ways in which “Jewish wisdom can bring Christians closer to their faith.” 

This is not the first time Rabbi Moffic of the Solel Congregation in Chicago writes openly about Jesus. It was with great fascination that I reviewed his previous essay, 5 Rabbis Explain Jesus, which demonstrated that for the better part of the past century, and especially in more recent years, Judaism has been looking to reclaim Jesus (see Israel Today, April 2014).

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Steadfast Like Zion ✡ "Will Not Falter"

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which will not falter but will abide forever. PSALMS (125:1)   הַבֹּטְחִים בַּי-הֹוָה כְּהַר צִיּוֹן לֹא יִמּוֹט לְעוֹלָם יֵשֵׁב תהילים קכה:א ha-bot-kheem ba-a-do-nai k'-har tzee-yon lo yi-mot l'-o-lam yay-shayv

Jerusalem Inspiration In today's verse, King David likens those with unwavering faith to the mountain of Zion. Just as the mountain ranges of Jerusalem stand eternal, unchanging and steadfast, so must we strive to maintain our trust in God and His ways in this world.  There is no better example of unfaltering faith than the Nation's yearnings to return to their homeland for 2,000 long years. Those that merit to live in the holy land maintain strong faith, amidst adversity,  that God will provide. This Passover, Israel365 has chosen to help strengthen the faith of those in need in Israel. Help us gladden the hearts of those families stricken with poverty, so that they too can enjoy the Passover holiday with good faith and plentiful tables.   Help provide a seder for a poor family in Israel »  Bibi Thanks God at Western Wall Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prayed at the Western Wall after his historic re-election, and then spoke to the nation of Israel from here, the heart of the nation.   Watch here » Passing of "The Prime Ministers" Author We mourn the passing of Yehuda Avner, the 86 year old former ambassador and senior advisor to five Israeli prime ministers, who authored “The Prime Ministers,” an epic recounting of his insider experience working among the founding fathers of Israel.   Read more » "The Prime Ministers" Honor the memory of author Yehuda Avner by purchasing his epic book.  "The Prime Ministers" is the first and only insider account of Israeli  politics from the founding of the Jewish State to the near-present day. It reveals stunning details of life-and-death decision-making, top-secret military operations and high level peace negotiations. You won't be able to put it down! Get this Great Deal on Sale » Jerusalem Daily Photo Western Wall employees remove thousands of handwritten notes placed between the ancient stones of the Western Wall. The operation is carried out twice each year: before the Passover festival and at the Jewish New Year in the fall. View more Jerusalem photos » Yesterday's Photo Trivia Yesterday's photo featured Israeli soldiers hiking up Masada, Israel's #1 tourist spot outside of Jerusalem. Soldiers affirm the oath of allegiance on its summit with a defiant cry, “Masada will never fall again!” Thank You Today's Jerusalem Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Robin Sussman in memory of her parents Sigmund and Barbara Beer. Toda Raba!   Sponsor a day » “Wonderful Letters” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch »   Dear Rabbi Weisz. Thank you for these wonderful letters. I love Jerusalem and the Jewish People. (the Apple of God's Eye). -Bill Horgan, Sout Africa Blessing from Jerusalem, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Passover: God Will Not Abandon His People

By Tzippe Barrow

CBN News Internet Producer - Jerusalem

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

JERUSALEM, Israel -- In just a few days, Jews in Israel and around the world will gather with family and friends to retell the story of their deliverance from slavery. As they observe Pesach (Passover) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, many will turn their hearts toward God.

While everyone celebrates, Israelis soldiers will guard the northern and southern borders. In the north, Lebanon and Syria transfer weaponry across their borders, as Hezbollah fights alongside Bashar Assad's troops. In the south, the Hamas terror group openly speaks of Israel's destruction.

Meanwhile in Switzerland, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the P5+1, are about to give Iran the green light toward nuclear weapons and regional dominance, though they're not explicitly saying it. Iran reportedly has not backed down from any of its "red lines," including all the components of uranium enrichment.

And in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian Authority-controlled cities in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), leaders of the P.A.'s "unity" government praise acts of "resistance" against the Israeli "occupiers."

Instead of sitting down with Israel to come up with a workable solution, P.A. leaders travel around the world convincing others Israelis are the problem. And they've been pretty effective in Europe and other parts of the world.

The P.A. wants the international community to force Israel back to the 1948 armistice lines, once called "Auschwitz borders." It also involves uprooting more than 350,000 Israelis from their homes and communities.

In 2005, under then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the government bulldozed 21 thriving communities in the Gush Katif Settlement Bloc and four in northern Samaria, uprooting some 10,000 people. Instead of moving the peace process forward, Israelis were bombarded with thousands of rockets.

The story of how God brought the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land is one of miracles, obedience, and blessing. At the center of everything is God's desire that people know who He is.

Not long after the multitude walked out of Egypt, they heard the rumble of Egyptian chariots. They felt the ground shaking. After a long trek on very little sleep, they came to a seemingly insurmountable barrier: the sea. They despaired, some crying out they would have been better off serving the Egyptians alive.

But God had a different plan and Moses knew He hadn't brought them this far to abandon them.

That message is as relevant today as ever. As the world spins rapidly out of control, God hasn't changed one whit.

That's why Moses instructs the people to teach their children what took place then and to observe Pesach from generation to generation.

"And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.' It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year." (Ex. 13:8-10)

With today's challenges no less daunting, the recounting of the exodus can help people remember that God has not and will not abandon them either.

WWI: Were Jewish Soldiers in the British Army Permitted to Celebrate Passover in Jerusalem in 1918?

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


WWI: Were Jewish Soldiers in the British Army Permitted to Celebrate Passover in Jerusalem in 1918?
Posted: 01 Apr 2015

Individual Jewish soldiers served in the ranks of the armies of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand and were involved in the 1917 battles in locations such as Be'er Sheva and Rishon LeZion. Another large group of Jews served in the British army's Jewish Legion, commanded by Col. John Henry Patterson and involved in combat after arriving in Palestine in 1918. According to Patterson's memoirs, 2,000 soldiers were under his command.

Patterson bitterly complained that his soldiers were forbidden from celebrating Passover in Jerusalem in 1918 and 1919, yet the pictures below show Jewish soldiers in Jerusalem on the holiday. How can the contradiction be explained?



Jewish soldiers from various British units celebrating Passover in Jerusalem, 1918. The various headgear suggests the soldiers were from many army units, including ANZAC and Scottish, and not necessarily from the Jewish Legion.. (Harvard Library/Central Zionist Archives)

In Patterson's own words, the new sovereign of Palestine -- the British army -- continued the Ottomans' anti-Semitic practices against the Jews. Patterson's fury could barely be contained when his Jewish soldiers suffered from vicious anti-Semitism within the army and from British commanders.


Col. John Henry Patterson

Palestine has become the theatre of an undisguised anti-Semitic policy. Elementary equality of rights is denied the Jewish inhabitants; the Holy City, where the Jews are by far the largest community, has been handed over to a militantly anti-Semitic municipality; violence against Jews is tolerated, and whole districts are closed to them by threats of such violence under the very eyes of the authorities; high officials, guilty of acts which any Court would qualify as instigation to anti-Jewish pogroms, not only go unpunished, but retain their official positions. 

The Hebrew language is officially disregarded and humiliated; anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is the fashionable attitude among officials who take their cue from superior authority; and honest attempts to come to an agreement with Arabs are being frustrated by such means as penalising those Arab notables who betray pro-Jewish feeling. 

The Jewish soldier is treated as an outcast. The hard and honest work of our battalions is recompensed by scorn and slander, which, starting from centres of high authority, have now reached the rank and file, and envenomed the relations between Jewish and English soldiers. When there is a danger of anti-Jewish excesses, Jewish soldiers are removed from the threatened areas and employed on fatigues, and not even granted the right to defend their own flesh and blood.

Discrimination against Jews was, however, still shown in other quarters. Early in April 1918 the men were considerably upset on the receipt of orders from G.H.Q. that no Jewish soldier would be allowed to enter Jerusalem during the Passover; the order ran thus: "The walled city (of Jerusalem) is placed out of bounds to all Jewish soldiers from the 14th to the 22nd April, inclusive."



The caption reads: "Jewish Legion soldier (sic) during Passover in Jerusalem." Clearly, this is not Jerusalem. The library description of the photo also includes "Judean Hills region," a more likely setting. (Harvard Library/Central Zionist Archives)

I cannot conceive a greater act of provocation to Jewish soldiers than this, or a greater insult. The days during which they were prohibited from entering Jerusalem were the days of the Passover. Think of it! Jewish soldiers for the first time in their lives in Palestine and barred from the Temple Wall of Jerusalem during Passover! Only a Jew can really understand what it meant to these men, and the great strain it put on their discipline and loyalty.

How provocative and insulting this order was will be better understood when it is realized that the majority of the population of Jerusalem is Jewish, and, therefore, there could have been no possible reason for excluding Jewish troops belonging to a British unit, while other British troops were freely admitted, more especially as the conduct of the Jewish soldiers was, at all times, exemplary.


Jewish soldiers at Passover Seder, Jerusalem, 1919 The photo is signed by Ya'akov Ben-Dov who moved to Palestine in 1907 from Kiev. He was drafted into the Ottoman army during World War I and served as a photographer in Jerusalem. Ben-Dov filmed Allenby's entry into Jerusalem in 1917. (Harvard Library/Central Zionist Archives)

Not since the days of the Emperor Hadrian had such a humiliating decree been issued. However, to make up somewhat for the action of the authorities, I made arrangements for the Passover to be observed at Rafa with all the joy and ceremony usually attending that great Feast of the Jewish People. At considerable cost we provided unleavened bread, as well as meat and wine—all strictly "Kosher." 

As we were nearly 2,000 strong at this time, the catering for the feast had to be most carefully gone into, and Lieut. Jabotinsky, Lieut. Lazarus, and the Rev. L. A. Falk did yeoman service in providing for all needs. It was a wonderful sight when we all sat down together and sang the Hagadah on the edge of the Sinai desert. 

Passover was selected to insult their deepest religious feelings, by barring them access to the Wailing Wall during that week. No Jewish detachment is allowed to be stationed in Jerusalem or any of the other Holy Cities of Jewry.

.


Jewish soldiers -- their headgear and uniforms suggests they are from from various units -- celebrating Passover at the British Jewish Soldiers Home in Jerusalem, 1919 (Harvard Library/Central Zionist Archives)

The Feast of the Passover was celebrated during our stay at Helmieh. Thus history was repeating itself in the Land of Bondage in a Jewish Military Camp, after a lapse of over 3,000 years from the date of the original feast.

I had considerable trouble with the authorities in the matter of providing unleavened bread. However, we surmounted all difficulties, and had an exceedingly jovial first night, helped thereto by the excellent Palestinian wine which we received from Mr. Gluskin, the head of the celebrated wine press of Richon-le-Zion, near Jaffa. The unleavened bread for the battalion, during the eight days of the Feast, cost somewhat more than the ordinary ration would have done, so I requested that the excess should be paid for out of Army Funds. This was refused by the local command in Egypt, so I went to the H.Q. Office, where I saw a Jewish Staff Officer, and told him I had come to get this matter adjusted.

He said that, as a matter of fact, he had decided against us himself. I told him that I considered his judgment unfair, because the battalion was a Jewish Battalion, and the Army Council had already promised Kosher food whenever it was possible to obtain it, and it would have been a deadly insult to have forced ordinary bread upon the men during Passover. 

I therefore said that I would appeal against his decision to a higher authority. He replied, "This will do you no good, for you will get the same reply from G.H.Q." He was mistaken, for I found the Gentile, on this particular occasion, more sympathetic than the Jew, and the extra amount was paid by order of the Q.M.G., Sir Walter Campbell.

It is apparent that while Jewish soldiers from other units in the British army were permitted to attend seder in Jerusalem, the formal Jewish Legion was not, perhaps because of the army's desire to restrict a distinctly Jewish, nationalistic corps in its midst. 


Pictures from the German Army March in 1917 Are Matched by a Reader to Today's Jaffa Road

Posted: 01 Apr 2015

Bravo to Simon, a reader of Israel Daily Picture, who provided these contemporary pictures showing the exact locations where German soldiers marched in Jerusalem during World War I.

Simon even recreated the exact photo angles.

Stay tuned. More mystery pictures from World War I will be appearing here.



German soldiers marching in Jerusalem on Good Friday, Passover Eve, 1917 on Jaffa Road


The exact spot on Jaffa Road 98 years later, the same doorways, balconies.



German soldiers marching in Jerusalem on Good Friday, Passover Eve, 1917 in front of the Fast Hostel, where the Dan Pearl Hotel is located today.


The 1917 buildings have been replaced, but this is the spot where the German army marched.


Simon wrote, "It's fascinating how in one picture the scene is little changed, apart from the modern shop signs and the light rail tracks down the street, but in the other picture nothing from 1917 is still there in 2015 -- even most of the street itself has been replaced by an underpass."

A.D. The Bible Continues - Meet Peter (Video Sneak Peek)

Published on Mar 18, 2015

This fisherman must learn how to fight. Adam Levy plays Peter in A.D. The Bible Continues, premiering Easter Sunday, April 5 at 9/8c on NBC.
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As part of NBC's new shows in 2014 and 2015, NBC's A.D. The Bible Continues, premiering Easter Sunday 2015, follows the events that occur after the crucifixion of Christ.

Find A.D. The Bible Continues trailers, full episode highlights, previews, promos, clips, and digital exclusives here.

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ABOUT A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES
As most of the world knows, the Crucifixion was only the beginning of the story. The immediate aftermath of Christ's death had a massive impact on his disciples, his mother Mary, and key political and religious leaders of the era, completely altering the entire world in an instant. Watch as the disciples struggle to survive and share their beliefs, guiding us from the sorrow of Christ's ultimate sacrifice to the awe-inspiring wonder of the Resurrection and beyond.

A.D. The Bible Continues - Meet Peter (Sneak Peek)
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TV Miniseries Review: A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES

Take a moment and check out our Faith-Friendly Film Review of A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES —a 12-week television event premiering this Easter Sunday, April 5th on NBC at 9 ET / 8 CT. Arriving just in time for Easter and airing in prime time through Pentecost and beyond, A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES tells the amazing story of the first followers of Jesus as recounted in the Book of Acts and the Gospels. Click here to read the full review and find out how we rated A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES. As you know, we’ve developed a set of five specific criteria to measure the compatibility of entertainment products for Faith Driven Consumers like you and me. By supporting faith-compatible entertainment, we collectively encourage Hollywood to continue producing more products that resonate with the 41 million Americans who are Faith Driven Consumers and spend $2 trillion annually. Share this review with your family and friends. We hope you will use it to make an informed stewardship decision about taking the time to tune in to A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES this Sunday evening and in the weeks that follow. Sincerely, Kermit Rainman Director Faith Driven Consumer http://www.faithdrivenconsumer.com/

‘Killing Jesus’ Breaks NatGeo Ratings Record With 3.7 Million Viewers. Next on Fox News Channel

‘Killing Jesus’ Breaks NatGeo Ratings Record With 3.7 Million Viewers

Deadline
Lisa de Moraes1 day ago



© Provided by Deadline


Killing Jesus nabbed 3.7 million viewers across Sunday night — the biggest audience in National Geographic Channel history. The channel also noted the 8 PM premiere’s 1.0 rating in the adults 25-54 demo is the highest rating for that demo since the net’s November 2013 premiere of Killing Kennedy, which clocked a 1.1, and 300% higher than NatGeo’s Sunday 8-11 PM average this calendar year.

The film also premiered last night on Nat Geo MUNDO in the U.S., and will air globally in 171 countries. And, Fox News Channel will repeat Killing Jesus this Friday at 8 PM ET/PT and on Easter Sunday at 8 PM ET/PT.

Fox News Channel star Bill O’Reilly wrote, with Martin Dugard, the best-selling book on which the movie is based. Their two earlier books, Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln, also were adapted for NatGeo, and had been the two most watched programs in the network’s history until last night’s Killing Jesus unveiling. Killing Kennedy nabbed 3.4 million viewers in its November 2013 launch, and Killing Lincoln had clocked 3.35 mil in February 2013. Before the Killing franchise came NatGeo’s way, NatGeo’s largest crowd came way back in August 2005 with Inside 9/11 which had logged an initial 3 mil.

Last night’s numbers were good news for NatGeo’s new series The Big Picture With Kal Penn, debuting tonight, and Neil deGrasse’s new late-night talk show StarTalk, debuting April 20; both shows were promoted heavily during the Killing Jesus premiere.

Cast of Killing Jesus included Kelsey Grammer as King Herod the Great; Stephen Moyer as Pontius Pilate; Haaz Sleiman in the title role as Jesus; Rufus Sewell as Caiaphas; Emmanuelle Chriqui as Herodia; Eoin Macken as Antipas; and John Rhys Davies as Annas.

Source: MSN "Killing Jesus" Movie

KING SOLOMON'S WALL EXCAVATED

Published on May 31, 2013

Gordon Robertson explores the ruins of the palace of King David and the wall of King Solomon in Jerusalem.

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Ukrainian Jews Exodus 'Deeply Significant'

Ukrainian Jews Exodus 'Deeply Significant'

CBNNews.com

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

JERUSALEM, Israel -- It's a modern day Exodus story. Just before Passover when Jews around the world celebrate their exodus from Egypt, the Jewish Agency reported Tuesday that Ukrainian Jews celebrated an early Passover at the agency's refugee center as they prepare to immigrate to Israel.


"The Jews who are living at The Jewish Agency's refugee center in Dnepropetrovsk left their entire lives behind in order to give their children a better future in Israel," said Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky. "Their decision to immigrate to Israel on the eve of Passover is deeply significant."


In 2014, some 5,480 Jews immigrated to Israel from Ukraine, nearly three times as many as the previous year. The increase follows the outbreak of hostilities in eastern Ukraine with Russian-backed separatists.


The aliyah [immigration to Israel under the Law of Return] continues in 2015, with some 1,400 new Ukrainian immigrants, compared to 400 during the first three months of 2014.


The agency estimates there are about 200,000 eligible immigrants in Ukraine. It has representatives throughout the country to help those who would like to immigrate to Israel.


"Jewish Agency representatives, who are spread throughout the country, focus their efforts on handling the aliyah process while strengthening Ukrainian Jews' ties to Israel and to Jewish life by both engaging in Jewish education in Ukraine and bringing hundreds of young people to experience Israel on Jewish Agency programs each year," agency spokesman Avi Mayer said in an email.


"The Jewish Agency's activities in Ukraine take place in cooperation with the government of Israel and with the support of Jewish communities, organizations, and donors in Israel and around the world," Mayer explained.


Aliyah from France and Belgium also increased substantially in 2014 because of increasing anti-Semitism and resultant terror attacks. The movement has continued in the New Year.