After October 7, evangelical Christians’ strong, unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people is more crucial than ever — and Christian and Jewish leaders must work closely to keep that support alive and growing, a leader evangelical and one” argued the rabbi.
Joel C. Rosenberg, founder and editor-in-chief of All the news from Israel and Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365defended these considerations during a speech at the Jerusalem Post event “The Second Front – The Battle for Israel and the Jewish People.”
“When I was a synagogue rabbi in Columbus, there was not a single individual in the Federation of Jewish Communities system who had a meaningful relationship with the more than 1,000 pro-Israel churches in central Chicago. Ohio,” Weisz said.
Weisz has since moved to Israel and started Israel365an organization dedicated to providing Christians in America and around the world with opportunities to connect with Israel through different channels.
“The war really demonstrates that we are in a crisis and highlights how important it is to reach out to Christians,” he said. “If we don’t do this, we’ll be in big trouble – and America will be in big trouble. »
To understand the dangers to America and the world, Weisz warned that Christians should pay attention to the message sent by anti-Semites and understand that Israel is fighting for the good of civilization.
“For the first time ever, anti-Semites are not only attacking Jews, they are also attacking Christians,” he said. “They call for jihad against Jews and Christians. They say: “First the Shabbat people, then the Sunday people. »
While tens of millions of Christians in the United States and around the world do support Israel, recent polls have shown that sentiment is declining, particularly among younger evangelicals. According to Rosenberg, whose outlet covers Israeli news from a Christian perspective and targets evangelical readers, this phenomenon also needs to be addressed.
“We need to educate young Christians about biblical history, as well as Jewish history, even outside of the Bible,” he said.
Pastors who only teach the New Testament and do not teach the Hebrew Scriptures – what Christians call the Old Testament – fail to teach Christians, older and younger, about the history of the deep love and important plan of God for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the nation of Israel. , and the entire Jewish people, Rosenberg noted.
But it is essential for every 21st century Christian to know and embrace this biblical story, he explained.
Additionally, Christians must be proactive in showing love for – and solidarity with – Israel and the Jewish community, Rosenberg urged.
“Evangelical pastors in the United States, Canada and around the world must reach out to rabbis and Jewish leaders and invite them to sit down together,” he said. “Yes, there will be fundamental disagreement over whether Jesus is the Messiah. and it is not unimportant, but we can understand that we disagree on this point and we can remain united.”
Many persecutors of Jews in the early 20th century were “Christians in name only.”
Rosenberg said that many of those who persecuted Jews during the first half of the 20th century were “Christians in name only.”
“Hitler hated Christians,” he said. “At the same time, it would be difficult to argue to the Jewish people that Christians were not involved in their persecutions. However, people who read and believe the New Testament cannot be anti-Semitic. Jesus was Jewish, his disciples were Jewish; they were devout Israelis who followed the Torah. This is why it is crucial that people read the Bible themselves and not rely solely on a priest.
As Israel continues to struggle with war, Rosenberg stressed the importance of praying for the country, also expressing surprise that Jewish leaders have not made a similar appeal.
“The fact that the chief rabbis have not called for a national day of prayer and fasting for most evangelicals is curious, but we do not consider it a criticism: just a concern,” he said. declared.
“We are passionate about prayer,” Rosenberg said. “We must ask God for help. Not because we don’t trust the IDF, but because the IDF alone, according to the Bible, is not enough.”
“I disagree with the implication that Israel is not looking to God,” Weisz responded. “We are currently witnessing an unprecedented religious revival in Israel. »
“On the other hand, I agree that it would be good if the government played a more active role in religious revival,” he said. “But we have to remember that we have a secular government and people are more religious and more spiritual. And I think when the dust settles, there will be a government that looks more religious, embraces the God of Israel, and is more faithful to the words of the Bible.
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