Read JewishIsrael‘s post on apocalyptic evangelicals, in which Ellen Horowitz claims:
“We generally avoid dabbling in Christian eschatology and the whole Rapture/Armageddon scene, because this is a serious website.”
Now look at the blog links on JewishIsrael:
The same blogs linked to by JewishIsrael promote the idea that the Moshiach is coming soon, and through ’separation’, redemption (geula) will be achieved. The Key to Redemption links to the site of Aish HaTorah rabbi Rabbi Pinchas Winston, who thinks 4/5ths of Jews will die in an apocalyptic holocaust – an even higher estimate than the 2/3rds proposed by Christian fundamentalists whom JewishIsrael oppose so much.
Tomer Devorah links to Jewish End of Days and Dreaming of Moshiach. The latter blog has previously claimed that the Jewish year 5769 ( a year which ended in September 2009) was the guaranteed year of geula. Tomer Devorah also links to the Jewish Fist, a website which describes itself thus:
The Jewish Fist is also a warning to the enemies of the Almighty, whether it be the Arab Amalakites, or the mixed multitude within the Jewish community. The Jewish Fist has risen, and when it descends, G-d help you!
TheJewishFist advocates the death penalty in certain circumstances for missionaries, proposing:
Missionaries & cults will be forbidden to enter the country. Prosletyzing will result in long term imprisonment and/or state sanctioned death in extenuating circumstances.
Lovely!
>>> Missionaries & cults will be forbidden to enter the country. <<<
Figures… They ban Messiah and His messengers from their synagogues, temples, homes, schools, and lives, so it comes as no surprise they'd try to ban Him from "the country" as well. At least they're honest.
Ken, when the Moshiach really comes no one will be able to serve any other gods, and of course, since we will not have to teach each other about G-d (Isaiah 11) there will not only not be any missionaries, there will be no need for them.
I would like to add that Judaism has it’s own ‘eschatology’ which they are not denying, they are just saying that they don’t take seriously what the Christians believe. I must be a little controversial here and say that I agree. I took the time to read the whole ‘Left Behind’ series, which while a great read, was absolutely ridiculous. It’s caricatures of Jews was very funny.
What do you make of the haredi depiction of the “erev rav”?
Moishe, controversy is welcome here. Glad to talk with you.
Re the Left Behind books I also read the whole series, which brings to mind a cool question. Do you or some of your fellow Hebrews of sincere faith believe in an anti-Messiah similar to our concept of the anti-Christ? If so, what is the source of said belief, the Old Testament itself or commentaries?
TX, Moishe.
Yeze, I am not sure what you mean. Could you explain.
I’m just saying that the casual way that Christians can be guilty of talking about Jews can also be seen in the casual way that haredim talk about the secular, as some kind of Hellenised mixed-multitude whom Israel could do without.
My point was that characturising others happens in every religion – it shouldn’t, but it does.
OK I understand what you are saying. I have not heard the secular/non-religious called the erev-rav.
I think it’s just the Far Right national haredim who do so, but these are ironically the same people behind JewishIsrael!
Again I have not seen it or heard it, and I know a few people from that camp. I think when making such a claim you need to provide some proof. Maybe a URL.
http://esseragaroth.blogspot.com/2009/11/real-story-behind-yaakov-teitel.html
“No matter how much apologizing the mamachtim do, the Erev Rav-controled, Israeli government still sees this as the primary, impending threat to its control over Israel.
This, I say, is the real story. Ya’akov Teitel is only a distraction, allowing the Erev Rav to continue its anti-Torah, anti-Eretz Yisrael operations, or an excuse for incitement (wag the dog), desperately trying to maintain its un-Jewish control. Look at it either way you choose.”
He is calling the news media the erev rav. If they are anything like the media in the States, then he could be right.
We have no anti-Messiah/anti-Christ like you as our eschatological view is different. You would seem to consider the real messiah as the anti-Christ because he built the temple, etc. There is a tradition based on Ezekiel and Zecheria that there will be a collection of nations that will rise against a renewed Jewish nation led by Armilus (which is really an alternate name for Rome.)
Quite a few national haredim identify Obama as the Prince of Gog:
http://www.jewishindy.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8672
Well I think that is foolish. He is a reincarnation of Jimmy Carter.
quite possibly!!!
yeze I can’t believe it. You acctually agree with me on something.
Stranger things have happened!