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Aliyah

WHY YOU SHOULD BELIEVE IN JEWISH DESTINY

Posted by yipbop · 1 Comment 

jewish destinyThe proof is in the pudding or so the old proverb says. There is a large majority of Jews (let alone non Jews or Gentiles) who are skeptical about the Jewish religion meaning the existence of a supernatural “God” who “gave the Torah to the Jewish people” and of the strange status of Jews as the “chosen people.” Like in science, a theory has to be proven that it works; otherwise, it has no chance of passing through. We are physical beings and thus naturally believe what we can see or touch. On the other hand, how can you prove a thought or a feeling?

In Jewish history, which encompasses nearly four thousand years, we claim to be descendants of the ancient Israelites who settled in the land of Israel through our common lineage to the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Our most holy and sacred writings in Judaism is the Tanach (24 books), comprising of the Torah (also known as the five books of Moses), Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (writings).  Most of the writings in the Torah on the supernatural miracles, such as the exodus from Egypt, the 10 plagues, parting of the sea, the manna, etc., are read with disbelief and mostly considered by seculars and atheists as legend. However, one of the most important tenets of Judaism is knowledge. Only through the acquisition of knowledge and analysis of history that most, if not all of this skepticism, will be entirely dissipated.

Over three thousand years ago, the Jewish prophets delineated precisely the course of Jewish history, and so far, all of their predictions have taken place. For example:

Exile - worldwide dispersion of the Jewish people among the nations of the earth (Deutoronomy 4:26-27); in spite of our small number, the Jewish people has never assimilated and has maintained its identity

Antisemism – Hatred of the Jew has been a unique and historical phenomenon which does not fit the normal laws of history (Leviticus 26:36-38; Deuteronomy 28:65-67)

Forced conversion – There was forced conversion of the Jews such as during the Inquisition in Spain and Islam (Jeremiah 16:13; Deuteronomy 4:27-28)

Few in number – While the Jewish nation is ancient, its numbers are few (Deuteronomy 4:27; 28:62)

Jewish contributions to civilization – Extravagantly out of proportion to the rest of the world, contributions in science, literature, art, music, finance, medicine (Isaiah 42:6; Genesis 12:2-3; Isaiah 60:2-3)

Desolation of the land – During the 2,000 years of exile, no conqueror succeeded in annexing the Land of Israel because it had become a desolate waste (see writings of Mark Twain when he visited Israel in 1867, pp 216-359). (Ezekiel 33:28-29; Jeremiah 9:10; Deuteronomy 29:21-22)

Return – The greatest miracle is the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 against all odds after 2,000 years of exile and the return of the Jews to Israel (Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Isaiah 49:18-22; Jeremiah 31:6-7)

To summarize, what more proof do you need to see the hand of God in Jewish history? All of these prophecies were written over 3,000 years ago, and albeit nonsensical, they have been fulfilled to the letter. How could these prophets have predicted the unpredictable?

February 22, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Aliyah

WORLDWIDE ANTISEMITISM

Posted by yipbop · Leave a Comment 

Indeed, world antisemitism is on the rise and one wonders whether we are witnessing a repeat of the history prior and during World War II.  It signals that this scourge is very much like a dormant virus that awakens when conditions are propitious.  And this time is the downturn of the world economy, the conflict in Gaza with a terrorist entity and the rise of Islamism.

You would think that the civilized world, and by this I mean, the Western world, would side with a small country like Israel that has been enduring continuous rocket attacks against its citizens for the past eight years from an implacable terrorist entity bent on its destruction. But no, Israel is a Jewish country, and thus all Jews worldwide are complicit with the Jewish State’s defensive conflict against Hamas.

For those of you who have no knowledge of the offensives that took place throughout Europe in the 1930′s, you may wonder what types of Jew-baiting are considered antisemitic? Take for example the recent demonstrations (with a certain degree of encouragement by UN agencies),  that took place in college campuses in the UK, in Italy, in Sweden, Norway, Spain, Canada, and even in American campuses; diatribes such as “gas the Jews,” “boycott the Jews,” “Jews are guilty of the global economic meltdown,” and the onslaught against the Venezuelan Jewish community by President Hugo Chavez. Old synagogues are being defaced; Jewish cemeteries desecrated, “respectable” media rush to demonize Israel through unsupported claims. And let not forget the internet and media publications. This Jew bashing will indeed become more aggravated with the upcoming Durbin II conference in March.

So, what is a Jew to do in the face of this global pandemic? There is indeed a rational solution: Take the giant step of making aliyah. Yes, it is not easy to leave a comfortable life behind, but do not wait much longer when the situation may deteriorate to the point where it would be even more difficult. You should be worried today, but do not expect that tomorrow things may improve. Israel is a vibrant multicultural country, filled with life, determination and where you will identify with pride of being a Jew. We do not have natural resources, but we have the vision and the intellect to have made this small strip of land into a beautiful garden. And besides, whether you are religious or secular, it was written by the prophets over three thousand years ago, that Israel is eternal and that it is our home.

February 18, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,