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Most of what you will see here are digital articles that were originally published in our quarterly magazine, Israel’s Messenger. There are also additional posts relating to theology, current events, and sharing your faith with a Jewish person.
THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS
By Jeffrey Berg One of the first signs of autumn in the Jewish community is the sound of the shofar, or ram's horn, bellowing through the leaves. When one hears the blast of "Tekiah" and the staccato sound of "Shevarim" from the Shofar, the...
The Church and Anti-Semitism
by Mark Robinson The arrival of the first day of Passover in the year 1096 was eagerly anticipated. The Jews of Trier had celebrated the night before in their homes with a Seder. Trier was a city on the Moselle River in Germany. What had been a joyous event in...
Is the Church the New Israel?
Moshe Gold When we have guests visiting Israel, we take them to a store in Jerusalem owned by two Orthodox Jewish men who have become authoritative spokesmen in Jewish apologetics and welcome conversation regarding the Jewish perception of Christianity. Most of...
CHANUKAH, THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
By Ken Symes The Old Testament era closed with the writing of the prophet Malachi in about 430 B.C. From Malachi to the advent of Jesus in 4 B.C., there were about four hundred "silent" years where there is little record of God's activities among...
Chanukah and Redemption Light
by Mark Robinson The glow of the light from the Temple Menorah, piercing through the windows of the Temple, illuminated the court-yard of the Temple area. The crowds mingling in the courtyard this winter day were reminded by the menorah light of the ever present...
Chanukah’s Relation to Christmas
Jeffrey Berg "Twas the night before Chanukah, Boichecks and Maidels, Not a sound could be heard, not even the Draidels. The Menorah was set by the chimney alight, In the kitchen, the Bubbie was choppin' a bite. Salami, pastrami, a glassele tay, and zoyerey pickles...
Chanukah/Christmas
By Ken Symes December is a time when both Christians and Jews celebrate an important holiday. For the Christians it is Christmas. For the Jews it is Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights or Dedication. The only mention of this Jewish holiday...
Will The Temple Be Rebuilt?
Rev. Mark Robinson The spring day was typical in many ways for Jerusalem. The sun was shining and the air was crisp, but there was one notable difference. Hundreds were anxiously awaiting the sacrifice. It was April, and the celebration of Passover was at hand....