Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Freely Choosing Jewish Identity - Tsvi Sadan ISRAEL TODAY

Freely Choosing Jewish Identity

Monday, October 02, 2017 |  Tsvi Sadan  ISRAEL TODAY
Jewish existence is an enigma for more than one reason. Anyone with even a shallow familiarity with Jewish history knows that, in times of great trouble, Jews traditionally preferred suffering and even death over the convenience of conversion, be it to the enlightened culture of the time, Christianity or Islam.
It seemed as if the more Jews were persecuted, the more they held on to their heritage; "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew."
The opposite can be said about Jews living in tolerant societies. The more a given society is tolerant, the more Jews are willing to let go of their heritage. When the Greeks, the enlightened of the time, ruled Israel, Jews were Hellenizing themselves en masse. After years of such sinful behavior, Mattathias in 167 BC ignited the Maccabean revolt by killing a Jew who obeyed Antiochus Epiphanes' decree to offer sacrifice to the Greek gods. Mattathias and his followers were a small minority who refused the good life that assimilated Jews had enjoyed for many decades.
This anomaly can be seen today, perhaps like never before. In America, the land of the free, more Jews are assimilating than those who aren't. It is in a land where Jews can live out a full Jewish life without the slightest disturbance that they choose to identify with the "enlightened" culture around them rather than with Judaism.
In the one-and-only Jewish state in the world, most Jews are secular, and many complain bitterly over the religious restrictions in our country, such as the lack of entertainment on Yom Kippur (the Day of Attornment). It is almost an axiom that the freer a Jew is, the more likely he or she will be willing to abandon Jewish identity.
As strange as it may sound, it seems to be more difficult to choose Jewish identity in a free society than it is in an oppressive one. This difficulty was actually recognized long ago by the Jewish sages who praised the Jews of Persia in the time of Ahasuerus (often identified with Xerxes) because they, for the first time in Jewish history, chose freely to submit themselves to the Law of Moses.
Choosing to be a Jew is nothing short of a wonder. Well remembered is Tevye's funny, yet profound monologue with God: "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?" This is why there is nothing obvious about Mark Zuckerberg's post this week, which, in essence, is a statement of commitment to his Jewish heritage. Zuckerberg, who owes nothing to anyone in this regard, chose, and not for the first time, to highlight his Jewish identity. "Tonight concludes Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews when we reflect on the past year and ask forgiveness for our mistakes … For the ways my work was used to divide people rather than bring us together, I ask forgiveness," he wrote on his personal Facebook profile.
At the same time, Israeli tennis champion Dudi Sela was taking a very similar stand. Sela is not religious by any means. But, when the Day of Atonement crept up on him in the middle of China's Shenzhen Tournament, Sela had to make a decision about what was more important to him, tennis or his Jewish values. Sela chose the latter, which cost him tens of thousands of dollars. For his choice, Sela was highly praised by Israel Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev, who wrote: "I was moved by your decision to cut your game short because of the Day of Atonement … May God bless you and stand by your side as you continue to peruse your career."
Sela, it should be emphasized, wasn't competing in a private capacity. He was representing Israel, and all it stands for.
Today's spiritual valor, wrote journalist Sivan Rahav-Meir, comes from one's inner being, rather than from external pressures. The valor of Zuckerberg and Sela is just as praiseworthy as the valor expressed under duress.
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Raising Global Awareness Through Prayer ✡ "Pray For The Well-Being Of Yerushalayim" - Israel365

Pray for the well-being of Yerushalayim;
“May those who love you be at peace.

שַׁאֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם יִשְׁלָיוּ אֹהֲבָיִךְ

תהילים קכב:ו
sha-a-LU sh’-LOM y’-ru-sha-LA-im yish-LA-yu o-ha-VA-yikh

Today's Israel Inspiration

Yesterday was the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, during which hundreds of millions of people from around the world joined together in prayer for the holy city. This annual day of prayer has becomes the largest Israel-focused prayer event in history. Jerusalem has always played a central role not just in Jewish history, but in world history. Over the centuries, countless wars have been fought over this sacred city and armies from all over the world have attempted to conquer Jerusalem. Residents repeatedly experience conflict and terrorism. There is however, a solution. Hashem has provided us with the remedy for the ongoing turbulence surrounding Jerusalem: prayer! In Psalms 122:6, Hashem commands us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Thanks to the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, on at least one day this year, Hashem's children from all over the world pray in different languages, and in different ways but for the same thing: our holy city, Jerusalem!

Unite in Prayer with Millions for the Peace of Jerusalem

On the first Sunday of every October, hundreds of millions of people around the world join together to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. In just a few years, this event has quickly become the largest Israel-focused prayer event in history. But why set aside this day each year to pray for Jerusalem?

Millions of Christians and Jews Join Day of Prayer for Peace of Jerusalem

On Sunday, an estimated 500 million participants from over 175 nations joined together in a unified day-long prayer for the peace of Jerusalem.

What is Sukkot All About?

The holiday of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) is celebrated by spending a week living in a booth erected outside our homes. Living in this temporary dwelling, exposed to the natural elements reminds us of Hashem sheltering the children of Israel as they traveled from Egypt to the promised land. While it is customary to build and decorate festive booths, enjoy holiday meals, and don new clothing during Sukkot, many underprivileged israelis do not have the necessary means to participate in the holiday rituals. Just as Hashem sheltered and protected His children in the desert, now is your opportunity to help the needy of Israel.
This Feast of Tabernacles, Help Israel's Needy »


Planting a tree in Israel is the perfect physical act to compliment your prayers for the Peace of Jerusalem.

PLANT NOW »

Today's Israel Photo

The Old City of Jerusalem. Photo by Shutterstock.
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Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Gerd Rodewald from Germany. Todah rabah!

“Moved, Blessed, and Touched”

It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).


Just wanted to share how absolutely moved, blessed, and touched, I am by the level of commitment, passion, and heart, all of you at Israel365 have. Over and over my heart is moved by the thoughtfulness and effort put into your ministry, outreach, and general education, into just what makes Israel and HIS word soo beautiful! Form the perspective of an adopted child,who grew up in a basic Christian home, only to later discover that I was in fact Jewish, and from there sprung a powerful desire to rediscover this God of Avraham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov. In short order, I would learn to read, write,and speak hebrew, soully for the purpose of knowing this great great Father. It has totally moved my world and life! Over and over I'm touched to the point of tears by the level of heart outreach etc, that all of you at ISRAEL365 are doing! Bless you Bless you Bless you! שלום y'all
--Michael מיכאל Gothard
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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Monday, October 2, 2017

LoveMusic! - Marty Goetz - "He Is My Defense" (Hebrew and English)

"He Is My Defense"
(Hebrew and English)
Marty Goetz


October 2, 2017

Greetings LoveMusic! fans!

If you know Paul Wilbur, Barry and Batya Segal, Paul Wilbur, and Joel Chernoff, I am sure you also know Marty Goetz!

Marty is another one of my favorite Messianic Jewish singers and songwriters. He is a great pianist which beautifully accomplishes his mellow voice. This song, He Is My Defense, was a popular song at Messianic and Christian conferences over the past decade. It is still sung often today with much celebration and dance.

Listen as he beautifully sings of Yeshua's love and goodness, and gets the participants dancing!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin
Love For His People
Charlotte, North Carolina
USA



About Marty Goetz

Marty Goetz has been called a modern day psalmist. His songs are scriptures beautifully set to music, leaving listeners spiritually moved, inspired and educated. With melodic and fresh acoustical/classic arrangements, Marty Goetz has the ability to lead you into a place of true intimacy with God.

In 1965, when thirteen year-old MARTY GOETZ stood at the bimah of Cleveland's Temple on the Heights for his Bar-mitzvah and solemnly sang the ancient words of the Torah, no one -- least of all Marty -- could have envisioned that some twenty years later he would be singing to God, this time as a featured performer at Billy Graham's Rally in Central Park.

As half of 'Bert & Marty', he sang at clubs and dinner theaters around Pittsburgh while studying English at Carnegie Mellon University. There was even a non-singing guest appearance on 'Mister Rogers' as Smokey Bear.

After graduation, he and Bert set out for New York City, determined, as Marty remembers, 'to give it two weeks to become a star or I'd go back to Cleveland and the family furniture business.' Just one week later, Marty and Bert found themselves performing at hotels in the Catskill Mountains. At the end of the summer they were named 'Best New Act of 1974'.

Then Bert found Jesus. Horrified at his partner's born again experience, Marty broke up the act and returned to New York City. He worked steadily as a songwriter and cabaret entertainer until 1978, when he shifted his ambitions from Broadway to Pop and moved to Los Angeles.

Provoked by the increasing numbers of born-agains in his life, he began reading the Bible, 'looking for loopholes'. A few short weeks later, sitting alone one night on a friend's balcony, looking down on the lights of Sunset Boulevard, he realized with certainty that 'the Jesus of the New Testament was the Messiah my people have been longing for'.

Within a year, Marty began performing with Debby Boone and soon began to establish himself as a strong and passionate voice for Messianic believers within the church.

He has ministered before congregations as diverse as Jack Hayford's Church on the Way, Greg Laurie's Harvest Christian Fellowship and Harvest Crusades, Coral Gables Presbyterian, Chicago's Moody Church, David Wilkerson's Times Square Church. Ministries such as Focus on the Family, Insight For Living, TBN, Promise Keepers, Billy Graham Training Center/The Cove and CBN have invited Marty to come and share his musical gifts and talents.

Marty has been recording music steadily since 1985, and today lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Jennifer. They recently celebrated the marriage of their one and only daughter, Misha Goetz to Joshua Hoyt. A wonderful young man!

For more information contact:
Marty Goetz Ministries, Inc.
martygoetz@earthlink.net
615-661-4564

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He Is My Defense Lyrics

He Is My Defense lyrics:

My soul wait thou only, only upon God For from him is my expectation

My soul wait thou only, only upon God For from Him is my expectation

Chorus: He is my defense I shall not be moved He is my defense I shall not be moved (repeat)

My Messiah only, He only is my rock, And the horn of my salvation

Yes, my Yeshua only, He only is my rock, And the horn of my salvation

(chorus)

Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai, Adonai Echad

Hear, o Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One

Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuto L'olam, L'olam Vaed

Blessed be His name whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever


Video Source: YouTube Published on Aug 3, 2008

Playing the song He Is My Defense on live National Television at the restoration of Israel conference.


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