144,000 JEWISH MINISTERS PREACH.
To start this off we must go to Matthew 24 to see what must occur before the Kingdom of God (Christ) can be establisheshed on the Earth.
MATTHEW 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (THATS THE END OF THE AGE OF GRACE, NOT THE END OF THE WORLD AS SOME FALSE PREACHERS AND TEACHERS PREACH).
We see this happening now but it will be fully fulfilled in the 7 year tribulation period when Moses, Elijah and the 144,000 Jewish Messianic Evangelists will be preaching to the world repent for Christ is coming back shortly to rule and reign from Davids throne in Jerusalem.
Notice in Matt 24:14 it says and this Gospel (good news) of the Kingdom (Jesus returning to
Earth bodily and ruling from Jerusalem is Kingdom preaching which is prophesy). So we see that Elijah, Moses and the 144,000 Jewish ministers are warning people about prophesy being fulfilled. And preaching get saved or you are separated from Christ eternally.
Yes you will be hearing the words lake of fire many times during the 7 year tribulation period from these ministers.
Elijah was Raptured to heaven in a Chariot and in Malachi it says he will return to Israel.
2 KINGS 2:1,11-12
1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
Matthew 17:10-11
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Malachi 4:5-6
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
For Moses and Elijahs complete happenning go to my story.http://israndjer.blogspot.com/2005/12/elijah-and-moses-in-israel.html
Moses body was hidden by God. And he was still strong and perfect sight.
Deuteronomy 34:5-7
5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
I believe Moses and Elijah will lead these 144,00 Jewish Evangelists in preaching the coming Kingdom of Christ to Earth Bodily. Since in Revelation we see 2 witnesses preaching for 3 1/2 years.
Revelation 11:3-4
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore (1,260) days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Now we go to the 144,000 Messianic Jews preaching to the World.
ACTS 2:1-5
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
REVELATION 7:1-4
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
NOTICE HERE IT SAYS THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL (12) THAT WILL BE PREACHING. Of course Christian Ministers to but the Jewish evangelists and Moses and Elijah will be the main preachers during this 7 year period of hell on Earth.
Dont even try to say like some Churches do that these 144,000 are just figurative of the Church, this is literally 144,000 Jewish ministers preaching to the World. As we see in the next verses God gives us the 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes.
REVELATION 7:5-8
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Out of this Preaching we see multitudes saved and dieing for their faith in Christ.
REVELATION 12:10-11
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
REVELATION 7:9-17
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
REVELATION 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
And why were all the Converted people murdered because they would not accept the World leader as God and accepted the true God (JESUS CHRIST) as Savior instead.
REVELATION 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
So we see this 7 year period of horendous trouble will be the most harvested time in history. Multitudes will be murdered for their faith as well as Moses and Elijah the bible says. And of course many of these 144,000 Jewish Evangelists as well.
But if you accept the EU POLITICIAN as god instead of JESUS you will be eternally damned.
As REVELATION 22:20-21 STATES COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS AMEN AND AMEN.
REVELATION 22:16-22
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book (REVELATION), If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:(REVELATION)
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book:(REVELATION) of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
I PRAY THAT EVERYONE ON EARTH WILL BE SAVED AND RULE AND REIGN ON EARTH WITH CHRIST FOR THE 1000 YEARS AND THEN FOREVER. REMEMBER THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AN ISRAEL WITH JERUSALEM AS THE WORLD CAPITAL, SO FOR YOU LUKE WARM CHRISTIANS WHO WONT SUPPORT AND TALK AGAINST ISRAEL, I GOT NEWS FOR YOU, ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM WILL NEVER EVER AGAIN BE SEPARATED AFTER THE END OF THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION OR PEACE TREATY SIGNING OF DANIEL 9:27.
THE BIBLE DOES NOT LIE, EVERYTHING THE PROPHETS SAID CAME TO PASS IN THE PAST LITERALLY AND WILL COME TO PASS IN THESE LAST DAYS LITERALLY AS WELL! SINCE THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED BY GOD THROUGH PEOPLE HE WANTED TO REAVEAL EVENTS TO THE GENERATIONS. BOTH OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ARE INSPIRED BY GOD.
2 PETER 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
ISAIAH 46:9-10
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
2 TIMOTHY 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
GLORIOUS TIMES WILL BE HERE ON EARTH FOR ISRAEL AND EVERYONE ELSE WHEN CHRIST RULES FROM DAVIDS THRONE FOREVER.
ISAIAH 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given ( JESUS' 1ST COMING TO EARTH AS A BABY): and the government shall be upon his shoulder:( JESUS' 2ND CMING TO EARTH BODILY AS RULING KING) and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
MICAH 4:1-7
1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
ISAIAH 2:1-4
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.(ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM)
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
IRANIAN LEADER THINKS HES MESSIAH
IRANIAN LEADER THINKS HES MESSIAH
FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETIN
Iran leader's messianic end-times mission Ahmadinejad raises concerns with mystical visions
Posted: January 6, 2006 1:00 a.m.
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Iranian President Mahmoud's Ahmadinejad's mystical pre-occupation with the coming of a Shiite Islamic messiah figure – the Mahdi – is raising concerns that a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic could trigger the kind of global conflagration he envisions will set the stage for the end of the world.
While Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been making headlines lately by questioning whether the Holocaust actually happened, by suggesting Israel should be moved to Europe and by demanding the Jewish state be wiped off the face of the earth, his apocalyptic religious zealotry has received less attention.
In a videotaped meeting with Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli in Tehran, Ahmadinejad discussed candidly a strange, paranormal experience he had while addressing the United Nations in New York last September.
He recounts how he found himself bathed in light throughout the speech. But this wasn't the light directed at the podium by the U.N. and television cameras. It was, he said, a light from heaven.
Ahmadinejad at the U.N.
According to a transcript of his comments, obtained and translated by Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, Ahmadinejad wasn't the only one who noticed the unearthly light. One of his aides brought it to his attention. The Iranian president recalled being told about it by one of his delegation: "When you began with the words ‘in the name of Allah,' I saw a light coming, surrounding you and protecting you to the end."Ahmadinejad agreed that he sensed the same thing.
"On the last day when I was speaking, one of our group told me that when I started to say 'Bismillah Muhammad,' he saw a green light come from around me, and I was placed inside this aura," he says. "I felt it myself. I felt that the atmosphere suddenly changed, and for those 27 or 28 minutes, all the leaders of the world did not blink. When I say they didn't move an eyelid, I'm not exaggerating. They were looking as if a hand was holding them there, and had just opened their eyes – Alhamdulillah!"
Ahmadinejad's "vision" at the U.N. is strangely reminiscent and alarmingly similar to statements he has made about his personal role in ushering in the return of the Shiite Muslim messiah. He sees his main mission, as he recounted in a Nov. 16 speech in Tehran, as to "pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance."
According to Shiites, the 12th imam disappeared as a child in the year 941. When he returns, they believe, he will reign on earth for seven years, before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world.
Ahmadinejad is urging Iranians to prepare for the coming of the Mahdi by turning the country into a mighty and advanced Islamic society and by avoiding the corruption and excesses of the West. All Iran is buzzing about the Mahdi, the 12th imam and the role Iran and Ahmadinejad are playing in his anticipated return. There's a new messiah hotline. There are news agencies especially devoted to the latest developments.
"People are anxious to know when and how will He rise; what they must do to receive this worldwide salvation," says Ali Lari, a cleric at the Bright Future Institute in Iran's religious center of Qom. "The timing is not clear, but the conditions are more specific," he adds. "There is a saying: 'When the students are ready, the teacher will come.'
For his part, Ahmadinejad is living up to at least part of his call to the faithful. According to reports, he lives so modestly that declared assets include only a 30-year-old car, an even older house and an empty bank account. Ahmadinejad and others in Iran are deadly serious about the imminent return of the 12th imam, who will prompt a global battle between good and evil (with striking parallels to biblical accounts of "Armageddon").
An institute set up in 2004 for the study and dissemination of information about the Mahdi now has a staff of 160 and influence in the schools and children's magazines. In Iran, theologians say endtimes beliefs appeal to one-fifth of the population. And the Jamkaran mosque east of Qom, 60 miles south of Tehran, is where the link between devotees and the Mahdi is closest.
Ahmadinejad's cabinet has given $17 million to Jamkaran.
Shiite writings describe events surrounding the return of the Mahdi in apocalyptic terms. In one scenario, the forces of evil would come from Syria and Iraq and clash with forces of good from Iran. The battle would commence at Kufa – the Iraqi town near the holy city of Najaf.
Even more controversial is Ahmadinejad's repeated invocation of Imam Mahdi, known as "the Savior of Times." According to Shiite tradition, Imam Mahdi will appear on Judgment Day to herald a truly just government.
Missed by some observers in Ahmadinejad's speech at the U.N. was his call to the "mighty Lord" to hasten the emergence of "the promised one," the one who "will fill this world with justice and peace."
Who stands in the Mahdi's way?
A top priority of Ahmadinejad is "to challenge America, which is trying to impose itself as the final salvation of the human being, and insert its unjust state [in the region]," says Hamidreza Taraghi, head of the conservative Islamic Coalition Society.
Taraghi says the U.S. is "trying to place itself as the new Mahdi." This may mean no peace with Iran, he adds, "unless America changes its hegemonic ... thinking, doesn't use nuclear weapons, [or] impose its will on other nations."
FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETIN
Iran leader's messianic end-times mission Ahmadinejad raises concerns with mystical visions
Posted: January 6, 2006 1:00 a.m.
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Iranian President Mahmoud's Ahmadinejad's mystical pre-occupation with the coming of a Shiite Islamic messiah figure – the Mahdi – is raising concerns that a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic could trigger the kind of global conflagration he envisions will set the stage for the end of the world.
While Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been making headlines lately by questioning whether the Holocaust actually happened, by suggesting Israel should be moved to Europe and by demanding the Jewish state be wiped off the face of the earth, his apocalyptic religious zealotry has received less attention.
In a videotaped meeting with Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli in Tehran, Ahmadinejad discussed candidly a strange, paranormal experience he had while addressing the United Nations in New York last September.
He recounts how he found himself bathed in light throughout the speech. But this wasn't the light directed at the podium by the U.N. and television cameras. It was, he said, a light from heaven.
Ahmadinejad at the U.N.
According to a transcript of his comments, obtained and translated by Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, Ahmadinejad wasn't the only one who noticed the unearthly light. One of his aides brought it to his attention. The Iranian president recalled being told about it by one of his delegation: "When you began with the words ‘in the name of Allah,' I saw a light coming, surrounding you and protecting you to the end."Ahmadinejad agreed that he sensed the same thing.
"On the last day when I was speaking, one of our group told me that when I started to say 'Bismillah Muhammad,' he saw a green light come from around me, and I was placed inside this aura," he says. "I felt it myself. I felt that the atmosphere suddenly changed, and for those 27 or 28 minutes, all the leaders of the world did not blink. When I say they didn't move an eyelid, I'm not exaggerating. They were looking as if a hand was holding them there, and had just opened their eyes – Alhamdulillah!"
Ahmadinejad's "vision" at the U.N. is strangely reminiscent and alarmingly similar to statements he has made about his personal role in ushering in the return of the Shiite Muslim messiah. He sees his main mission, as he recounted in a Nov. 16 speech in Tehran, as to "pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance."
According to Shiites, the 12th imam disappeared as a child in the year 941. When he returns, they believe, he will reign on earth for seven years, before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world.
Ahmadinejad is urging Iranians to prepare for the coming of the Mahdi by turning the country into a mighty and advanced Islamic society and by avoiding the corruption and excesses of the West. All Iran is buzzing about the Mahdi, the 12th imam and the role Iran and Ahmadinejad are playing in his anticipated return. There's a new messiah hotline. There are news agencies especially devoted to the latest developments.
"People are anxious to know when and how will He rise; what they must do to receive this worldwide salvation," says Ali Lari, a cleric at the Bright Future Institute in Iran's religious center of Qom. "The timing is not clear, but the conditions are more specific," he adds. "There is a saying: 'When the students are ready, the teacher will come.'
For his part, Ahmadinejad is living up to at least part of his call to the faithful. According to reports, he lives so modestly that declared assets include only a 30-year-old car, an even older house and an empty bank account. Ahmadinejad and others in Iran are deadly serious about the imminent return of the 12th imam, who will prompt a global battle between good and evil (with striking parallels to biblical accounts of "Armageddon").
An institute set up in 2004 for the study and dissemination of information about the Mahdi now has a staff of 160 and influence in the schools and children's magazines. In Iran, theologians say endtimes beliefs appeal to one-fifth of the population. And the Jamkaran mosque east of Qom, 60 miles south of Tehran, is where the link between devotees and the Mahdi is closest.
Ahmadinejad's cabinet has given $17 million to Jamkaran.
Shiite writings describe events surrounding the return of the Mahdi in apocalyptic terms. In one scenario, the forces of evil would come from Syria and Iraq and clash with forces of good from Iran. The battle would commence at Kufa – the Iraqi town near the holy city of Najaf.
Even more controversial is Ahmadinejad's repeated invocation of Imam Mahdi, known as "the Savior of Times." According to Shiite tradition, Imam Mahdi will appear on Judgment Day to herald a truly just government.
Missed by some observers in Ahmadinejad's speech at the U.N. was his call to the "mighty Lord" to hasten the emergence of "the promised one," the one who "will fill this world with justice and peace."
Who stands in the Mahdi's way?
A top priority of Ahmadinejad is "to challenge America, which is trying to impose itself as the final salvation of the human being, and insert its unjust state [in the region]," says Hamidreza Taraghi, head of the conservative Islamic Coalition Society.
Taraghi says the U.S. is "trying to place itself as the new Mahdi." This may mean no peace with Iran, he adds, "unless America changes its hegemonic ... thinking, doesn't use nuclear weapons, [or] impose its will on other nations."
ISRAELI ELECTION CANDIDATES
LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS IN THE LAST DAYS NATIONS WOULD BE IN CHAOS, WITH PERPLEXITY. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT ISRAEL IS IN RIGHT NOW DUE TO ARIEL SHARONS STROKE.
LUKE 21:25-2625 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Loyalist´ Moshe Kahlon Wins Likud Vote, Shinui Party Implodes
By Ezra HaLevi and Hillel Fendel ARUTZ 7 NEWS
Anti-Disengagement Likud "loyalist" MK Moshe Kahlon won his party's primaries Thursday, giving him the #3 slot after Netanyahu and Shalom. Shinui Party is in ruins, NRP had a 93% voter turnout. The so-called Likud "rebels" did well in the primaries, with four of five of the top slots going to those who opposed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Disengagement Plan.
Three leading anti-expulsion MKs, however, were left off the list: Michael Ratzon, Ehud Yatom and Ayoub Kara."We were elected with the message that we are going to change things," Kahlon told Israel Radio. "The Likud will no longer make decisions in the dead of night."
Jewish Leadership faction head Moshe Feiglin expressed satisfaction with the results, even though Michael Fuah, the faction's candidate for the Knesset list, did poorly in the vote.
The Likud Knesset list is as follows:
1) Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu - Unhappily supported Disengagement until the week before implementation, when he left the government in protest of it.
2) Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom - Supported Disengagement from beginning to end, though came out against the abandonment of the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt.
3) MK Moshe Kahlon - One of the less outspoken Likud 'loyalist,' though he voted consistently against the expulsion and is a close associate of MK Dr. Uzi Landau.
4) MK Gilad Erdan - Opposed the Disengagement.
5) MK Gideon Sa'ar - Likud's coalition whip, who maintained good relations with both camps in the Likud, was outspoken in favor of a referendum on the expulsion, and mainly voted against the expulsion.
6) MK Michael Eitan - Supported the Disengagement, but also fought on behalf of residents' and activists' legal rights in Knesset Legal Committee.
7) Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin - Opposed the Disengagement.
8) Health Minister Dan Naveh - Supported the Disengagement.
9) MK Yuval Shteinitz - Supported the Disengagement, but opposed the abandonment of Philadelphi Corridor
10) Minister Limor Livnat (received enough votes for the 11th slot, but was bumped up because the 10th slot is reserved for a woman) - Supported the Disengagement.
11) Natan Sharansky - Resigned from government prior to implementation of Disengagement, but declined to join the pitched struggle against its implementation.
12) Minister Yisrael Katz - Opposed the Disengagement.
13) MK Chaim Katz - Opposed the Disengagement.
14) MK Uzi Landau - Considered the head of the Likud "loyalists", resigned the government long ago in protest of the Disengagement. He backed out of the primaries for head of the party and backed Netanyahu.
15) MK Yuli Edelstein - Opposed the Disengagement.
16) MK Daniel Benlulu - Opposed the Disengagement.
17) MK Leah Ness - Opposed the Disengagement.
18) MK Naomi Blumental - Opposed the Disengagement.
Next in line were MKs Yatom, Ratzon, David Levy, David Mena and Gila Gamliel, who will apparently not be in the next Knesset. Ahead of them on the Knesset list, according to the Likud charter, will be some 20 new candidates, representing various sectors. Yatom has already announced his resignation from politics.
"Tonight we saw that Likud is the only party in which there is actually democracy," chairman Binyamin Netanyahu announced Thursday night, after the results were announced. "In Kadima there is no democracy, in Shinui there is no democracy - only in Likud." 91 percent of Likud Central Committee members turned out to elect their candidates. The election of both Natan Sharansky and Yuli Edelstein is expected to help the Likud win the always-sought-after Russian swing vote. Both men were refuseniks in the former Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the anti-religious Shinui Party, unhappy with the results of their primaries, has decided to reject the results by splitting apart from Shinui. They plan to take with them a majority of the MKs and thereby retain the party name. A legal battle is expected, and neither of the two splinter factions can expect to do very well in the coming elections.
Shinui Party chairman Yosef "Tommy" Lapid was re-elected party chairman by a very small margin over challenger Itzik Gilad - a result of recent polls showing Lapid to be a liability to the party rather than an asset.
MK Avraham Poraz failed to win the number two slot and immediately announced his resignation from the Party, starting the domino process of resignations that brought with it Shinui MKs Ilan Shalgi, Meli Polishuk-Bloch, Ettie Livni and Ronnie Brizon. They claim they will form a new list on their own without the burden of a central committee, in order to "represent the real Shinui," according to Army Radio.
Shinui had been expected to drop from 15 Knesset seats to less than 5. Fears had been expressed that the party might not even pass the Knesset threshold, as voters migrated to the Kadima and other parties. A poll early in the week said the party could garner as many as seven seats without Lapid at the top. "The only gimmick I can pull out of the hat at the moment is to
have Lapid hospitalized and if I go into a coma," Poraz told reporters.
Moledet and NRP Primaries The Moledet party voted to keep MK Rabbi Binyamin Elon at its top spot, followed by MK Aryeh Eldad, American oleh (immigrant) Uri Bank and Alex Epstein. The four are entitled to occupy the first, sixth, ninth and tenth spots on the National
Union list, but Dr. Eldad said before the vote that if he remains in the sixth slot, he will either retire or form or join another party.
MK Nissan Slomiansky won the National Religious Party internal elections, but will remain number two as the top slot is reserved for party chairman Zevulun Orlev. After Slomiansky came former Knesset Member Eli Gabbai, followed by MK Gila Finkelstein, MK Sha'ul Yahalom and Moti Yogev. Following the vote, MK Yahalom issued a call for "all the young people to
return home to the NRP."
LUKE 21:25-2625 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Loyalist´ Moshe Kahlon Wins Likud Vote, Shinui Party Implodes
By Ezra HaLevi and Hillel Fendel ARUTZ 7 NEWS
Anti-Disengagement Likud "loyalist" MK Moshe Kahlon won his party's primaries Thursday, giving him the #3 slot after Netanyahu and Shalom. Shinui Party is in ruins, NRP had a 93% voter turnout. The so-called Likud "rebels" did well in the primaries, with four of five of the top slots going to those who opposed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Disengagement Plan.
Three leading anti-expulsion MKs, however, were left off the list: Michael Ratzon, Ehud Yatom and Ayoub Kara."We were elected with the message that we are going to change things," Kahlon told Israel Radio. "The Likud will no longer make decisions in the dead of night."
Jewish Leadership faction head Moshe Feiglin expressed satisfaction with the results, even though Michael Fuah, the faction's candidate for the Knesset list, did poorly in the vote.
The Likud Knesset list is as follows:
1) Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu - Unhappily supported Disengagement until the week before implementation, when he left the government in protest of it.
2) Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom - Supported Disengagement from beginning to end, though came out against the abandonment of the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt.
3) MK Moshe Kahlon - One of the less outspoken Likud 'loyalist,' though he voted consistently against the expulsion and is a close associate of MK Dr. Uzi Landau.
4) MK Gilad Erdan - Opposed the Disengagement.
5) MK Gideon Sa'ar - Likud's coalition whip, who maintained good relations with both camps in the Likud, was outspoken in favor of a referendum on the expulsion, and mainly voted against the expulsion.
6) MK Michael Eitan - Supported the Disengagement, but also fought on behalf of residents' and activists' legal rights in Knesset Legal Committee.
7) Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin - Opposed the Disengagement.
8) Health Minister Dan Naveh - Supported the Disengagement.
9) MK Yuval Shteinitz - Supported the Disengagement, but opposed the abandonment of Philadelphi Corridor
10) Minister Limor Livnat (received enough votes for the 11th slot, but was bumped up because the 10th slot is reserved for a woman) - Supported the Disengagement.
11) Natan Sharansky - Resigned from government prior to implementation of Disengagement, but declined to join the pitched struggle against its implementation.
12) Minister Yisrael Katz - Opposed the Disengagement.
13) MK Chaim Katz - Opposed the Disengagement.
14) MK Uzi Landau - Considered the head of the Likud "loyalists", resigned the government long ago in protest of the Disengagement. He backed out of the primaries for head of the party and backed Netanyahu.
15) MK Yuli Edelstein - Opposed the Disengagement.
16) MK Daniel Benlulu - Opposed the Disengagement.
17) MK Leah Ness - Opposed the Disengagement.
18) MK Naomi Blumental - Opposed the Disengagement.
Next in line were MKs Yatom, Ratzon, David Levy, David Mena and Gila Gamliel, who will apparently not be in the next Knesset. Ahead of them on the Knesset list, according to the Likud charter, will be some 20 new candidates, representing various sectors. Yatom has already announced his resignation from politics.
"Tonight we saw that Likud is the only party in which there is actually democracy," chairman Binyamin Netanyahu announced Thursday night, after the results were announced. "In Kadima there is no democracy, in Shinui there is no democracy - only in Likud." 91 percent of Likud Central Committee members turned out to elect their candidates. The election of both Natan Sharansky and Yuli Edelstein is expected to help the Likud win the always-sought-after Russian swing vote. Both men were refuseniks in the former Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the anti-religious Shinui Party, unhappy with the results of their primaries, has decided to reject the results by splitting apart from Shinui. They plan to take with them a majority of the MKs and thereby retain the party name. A legal battle is expected, and neither of the two splinter factions can expect to do very well in the coming elections.
Shinui Party chairman Yosef "Tommy" Lapid was re-elected party chairman by a very small margin over challenger Itzik Gilad - a result of recent polls showing Lapid to be a liability to the party rather than an asset.
MK Avraham Poraz failed to win the number two slot and immediately announced his resignation from the Party, starting the domino process of resignations that brought with it Shinui MKs Ilan Shalgi, Meli Polishuk-Bloch, Ettie Livni and Ronnie Brizon. They claim they will form a new list on their own without the burden of a central committee, in order to "represent the real Shinui," according to Army Radio.
Shinui had been expected to drop from 15 Knesset seats to less than 5. Fears had been expressed that the party might not even pass the Knesset threshold, as voters migrated to the Kadima and other parties. A poll early in the week said the party could garner as many as seven seats without Lapid at the top. "The only gimmick I can pull out of the hat at the moment is to
have Lapid hospitalized and if I go into a coma," Poraz told reporters.
Moledet and NRP Primaries The Moledet party voted to keep MK Rabbi Binyamin Elon at its top spot, followed by MK Aryeh Eldad, American oleh (immigrant) Uri Bank and Alex Epstein. The four are entitled to occupy the first, sixth, ninth and tenth spots on the National
Union list, but Dr. Eldad said before the vote that if he remains in the sixth slot, he will either retire or form or join another party.
MK Nissan Slomiansky won the National Religious Party internal elections, but will remain number two as the top slot is reserved for party chairman Zevulun Orlev. After Slomiansky came former Knesset Member Eli Gabbai, followed by MK Gila Finkelstein, MK Sha'ul Yahalom and Moti Yogev. Following the vote, MK Yahalom issued a call for "all the young people to
return home to the NRP."
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
SANHEDRIN RECOGNIZES COUNCIL
Sanhedrin Recognizes Council to Teach Humanity ´Laws of Noah´
By Ezra HaLevi Arutz 7 news
A group of non-Jewish delegates have come to Jerusalem to pledge their loyalty to the Laws of Noah. They appeared before the nascent Sanhedrin, which established a High Council for B'nai Noach. The ten delegates appeared before a special session of the Jewish High Court of 71 Rabbis led by its Nassi (President) Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz. B'nai Noach, literally "Children of Noah," also known as Noahides, are non-Jews who take upon themselves the Torah's obligations for all members of the human race.
The seven such laws were passed on via Noah following the Flood, as documented in Genesis (see below). The gathering took place under a banner quoting the Biblical passage in Tzefania 3:9 (Zephaniah) which refers to "all the nations... speak[ing] a pure language... proclaim[ing] the name of G-d.
"The Noahide delegates stood before the nascent Sanhedrin, which was reestablished over a year ago in Tiberias, following the renewal of Biblical ordination, and has met regularly since then. "Each one [of the B'nai Noach] comes with a name he has made in the world, as a teacher and example in his community of observance of the seven laws of Noah," said Rabbi Michael Bar-Ron, the Sanhedrin's emissary who facilitated the council's organization, introducing the delegates.
"At great physical and financial expense, they have flown across the world to Jerusalem, the holy city, to pledge before the court and all mankind, their allegiance to the Seven Laws of Noah, the laws of the Creator."Each of the Noahide representatives stood before the Sanhedrin and pledged:"I pledge my allegiance to HaShem, G-d of Israel, Creator and King of the Universe, to His Torah and its representatives, the developing Sanhedrin.
I hereby pledge to uphold the Seven Laws of Noah in all their details, according to Oral Law of Moses under the guidance of the developing Sanhedrin. May HaShem bless and aid me, my fellow council members and all B'nai Noach in all our endeavors for the sake of His name. Blessed are You G-d, King of the universe, who has caused me to live, sustained me, and brought me to this day.
"Roger Grattan, a council aide who lives in Maine, told Arutz-7 prior to the ceremony, "I am sure that this will be a paragraph in the history of civilization, although one could also write books on it. It is also the fulfillment of prophecy." The core members of the council are Indian Foreign Relations Coordinator Bud Gill, Billy Jack Dial, Andrew Overall, Adam Penrod, Jacob Scharff, Chairman Larry Borntrager, Honorary Noahide Council Elder Vendyl Jones, Tennessee Noahide Community Head Jack Saunders and Council Speaker Jim Long.Long addressed the rabbis of the court, requesting formal recognition of the Noahide Council:
"Your honor, esteemed rabbis of the developing Sanhedrin. We are here because of your Torah. Rabbis before you elevated the Torah and it drew us in; before that, we stumbled in darkness. Everyone here today can tell you that in the past we have experienced the need to consolidate our efforts to make the world aware of the truth."Rabbi Even-Israel Steinsaltz, on behalf of the Sanhedrin, replied: "We hereby recognize these men as the first high council of B'nai Noach in accordance with the conditions they have accepted upon themselves.
" Rabbi Steinsaltz spoke about the role of the Jewish people in bringing the Laws of Noah to the world: "I am part of this Jewish family and I have nothing bad to say about that family, but you don't go up to a man on the street and ask him to join your family. Instead you talk to him about joining the true belief in the Creator and about implementing divine justice toward his fellow man. We are setting up a global mission here – not to recruit people, but to bring them to the realization that there is one G-d.
" The Nassi explained that this aspect of Judaism lay dormant for years, as the Jewish people dealt with remaining alive and keeping the Torah in the exile. Rabbi Steinsaltz called for an extensive project to be undertaken to help B'nai Noah in the nitty-gritty details of the observance of the religion.
"A Shulhan Arukh [Jewish Law Code] for B'nai Noah must be written so that the individual can have guidance as to what to do," Steinzaltz said, referring to the compendium of practical Jewish law written by Rabbi Yosef Karo of Tzfat in the 1560's that is still used today.He then addressed the ten B'nai Noah representatives, who had endured hours of Hebrew speeches throughout the day, in English: "There are those people, so far only a small number, who say, 'We are bound by the covenant of Adam and the covenant of Noah and we know we have to perform and fulfill our obligations.' We, as Jews, have the same religion as you.
"Within the nation of Israel there is one tribe that deals with the Temple – the priests. We Jews are a specific tribe in the world that was chosen to be a tribe of priests – hereditary priests. Because of this we have special duties. Being a priest does not mean we are cut off from the other people. While the people of the world are all different units in the armies of the Lord, we are a special commando unit that maybe doesn't get paid more, but has special assignments that may be more dangerous.
" Rabbi Even-Israel spoke about the difficulties that would confront the B'nai Noah movement as it grows:"When we are speaking in general, almost every human being can more or less accept the laws of Noah, but when we get to particulars we will come to serious points, at which we disagree with Christianity and Islam."It is one thing when a religion is small, but as it gets bigger there will be huge pressures. We will be there beside you.
We are members of the same religion that was given by the Almighty to humanity. Part of it was given to the Jews and part of it was given to humanity as a whole."The Nassi added that while there are those who doubt the ability of the Sanhedrin to be more than an idea leading up to the true reestablished court, the Noahide Council cannot be doubted or criticized due to its pure motives and unprecedented mission.
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel of the Temple Institute said that although Tuesday is the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet, which commemorates the beginning of the destruction, "Our sitting in Jerusalem now, alongside B'nai Noach, demonstrates the revival and the fulfillment of the words of the prophets." Rabbi Ariel told those gathered that he had seen a rainbow that morning, "the closest thing to seeing Noah himself - the symbol of the covenant between G-d and humanity as witnessed by Noah.
"Famed archaeologist and Noahide leader Vendyl Jones addressed a festive banquet held for the Council members, speaking about the Seven Laws of Noah. He explained, in detail, the verses in the first eleven chapters of Genesis from which the seven laws are elucidated, saying that he always understood the first six, but never understood the law proscribing the eating of a limb of a living animal - until he remembered his cattle-branding days in Texas: "We would brand and castrate the cattle when I was young, and at night we would all sit around the campfire and eat what they called 'mountain oysters'" – the testicles of the still-living animals.
Rabbi Nachman Kahane, Av Beit HaDin, spoke in English. "G-d created a primitive world," he said. "We don't grow loaves of bread, but grain that must be harvested, ground up and baked. We were meant to be partners with G-d. Unfortunately, throughout history, perversions of this idea grew. How can you be G-d's partner if you are damned and born with original sin? How can you be a partner of G-d if your religion tells you to send your children to shopping malls to blow people up? What we are creating today is a reconnection between the people and G-d.
G-d is saying to humanity – everyone has a job. I happen to be a priest - I have a particular task for when the Temple is built - but all of us have a specific task just the same; I am no better."Jones told Kahane that his brother, slain Knesset Member Rabbi Meir Kahane, together with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, had organized one of the first conferences for B'nai Noah nearly 20 years ago.Conference on Noahide CouncilEarlier in the day, several speakers addressed issues surrounding the B'nai Noah movement as part of a conference on the establishment of the B'nai Noah Council.Sheikh Abdul Hadi Palazzi, a leader of the Italian Muslim Assembly, addressed the assembly, speaking about B'nai Noah in Islam:
"Islamic law holds within it the seven laws of Noah and can be taught correctly to the Muslims of the world... I remember reading that a new Sanhedrin was created in Jerusalem [and] my impression was very positive - I thought maybe something new had been created to allow the Jewish people to project moral and legal clarity to counterbalance the lack of it in our world." Palazzi added that the project of creating a council of Noahide teachers would hopefully counter the negative educational effect of the Gaza withdrawal, "which taught the opposite to my people - it convinced many that only terrorism works.
"Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Zini, who heads Yeshiva Or V'Yishuah and is the rabbi of Haifa's Technion, spoke about the intuitive natural truths of the laws of Noah. "We must create a formal connection between the nation of Israel and the B'nai Noah to show the world that we are a nation of holy priests, as is dictated in our Torah," he said, speaking partly in French as well, as the conference will be available on the Sanhedrin's web site for viewing by prospective B'nai Noah worldwide. Rabbi Yoel Schwartz, who received the blessing of leading hareidi-religious Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv to engage in the project of creating a court and infrastructure for B'nai Noah, addressed the conference as well.
Rabbi Schwartz is the Deputy Av Beit HaDin [literally, Court Elder] of the Sanhedrin and the Av Beit HaDin for the B'nai Noah court. He spoke on the topic of "B'nai Noah and World Peace.""The Islamic Jihad against the world has restored religion to the center of the world's consciousness," Schwartz said. "Over 30 years ago, someone by the name of Eisenberg sent a proposal to the United Nations saying that there will never be world peace unless the citizens of the globe agree on certain principles of faith. It was adopted by the UN as one of its official documents but was not followed up upon and has since been forgotten. We are here today to follow up on that document and remind the UN why it exists.
There will be world peace when the whole world agrees that there is one G-d. There are people who do not think what I am about to say is worthwhile, but I suggested years ago that we begin to translate our books, which are meant for the nations of the world, into Arabic as well [Schwartz has authored many books on practical observance for Noahides –ed.]. It is not by coincidence that we have this nation alongside us, surrounding and living inside the land upon our return to it, who also preserves the heritage of Abraham our father.
"Schwartz has indeed translated his books to Arabic, with the help of an Arab man he met at a bus stop who asked him a Mishanaic question, telling him he had already translated the Mishna, a codification of Jewish oral law. He said the entire printing has been sold out. "Muslim parents have thanked me for teaching their child that there is a different way to heaven than becoming a shahid, a martyr," he said. Rabbi Schwartz explained that although one of the purposes of the Jewish people's exile was to disseminate belief in the Torah's truths around the world, their return to Israel has brought with it the technology to redouble our efforts from here:
"The moment we came to Israel, communication technology flourished. The telephone and radio spread rapidly, and computers and internet came soon after, changing the entire concept of communication and education. When we were in the exile, we were there to teach the world, and now that we have returned to the Land of Israel, G-d has given us the tools to do the work from here." Rabbi David Zilbershlag, Director of Meir Panim and Koach Latet, both innovative charity associations, spoke about rectifying the misdeeds of Noah's generation, the generation of the Flood. Zilbershlag said that the new Council of Noahides must focus on kindness and charity, as that was the basis of G-d's covenant with Noah (the lack of which resulted in the destruction of Noah's entire generation) and His later covenant with Abraham.
"It is hard to distribute and spread an idea that is negative, as the laws of Noah are phrased," Zilbershlag said. "We must make a great effort to find and distribute the relevant positive commandments in our tradition throughout the world as well, and the most basic of these is that of following in the footsteps of Abraham our father."Rabbi Eliyahu Essas, a former refusenik and founder of the Teshuva (return to Judaism) movement in the USSR, spoke about establishing outreach within Israel to help gentiles who moved from the former Soviet Union to Israel become aware of the Noahide laws:
"There are at least 400,000 out of the million people who came to Israel who are not Jewish according to Jewish law. There are many who think they are Jews, but do not have a Jewish mother and are therefore not Jewish according to Jewish law. 150,000 have no blood connection to the nation of Israel – spouses of Jews and relatives who came under the Law of Return. Then there are 30,000 who have nothing to do with the Jewish people, coming with forged documents.
Over there, Jews wanted to be Russians; here, Russians want to be Jews."Should we harass such a person to convert, should we leave him alone, or should we try to get him to become a Ben Noah?" Essas asked, refraining from offering answers and saying that such complicated matters must be dealt with by both the Noahide Council and the Sanhedrin's B'nai Noah Beit Din. He added that the problem of intermarriage was not discussed by previous generations because it did not exist in such numbers.
"We are dealing with 50% of families in the former Soviet Union and even more in North America. So if one spouse is a Jew and one is a Ben Noah, what will be their status? I want to raise these issues and offer a prayer to the Almighty to help us find wise solutions."Council Looking ForwardSpokesman Jim Long outlined the Council's goals:"Education is a vital part of our effort and we need you to help us with this. We need to make sure that developing Noahide groups do not split into denominations.
As we move into the public eye, we will be viewed as heretics by many. We each come from other religions and must develop ways to approach them in a manner in which they listen without closing their ears. The Noahide movement is a Torah-based template for an ethical way of life. The Creator requires humanity to uphold these laws as per His covenant with Noah. "Anyone who reads the Bible can see that your Torah is your constitution, your Bill of Rights and your deed to the Land of Israel.
We have plans to publish Noahide prayer books, children's books and documentaries on science and the world through the lens of the Torah.""We have heard that G-d is with you," Long concluded.
Seven Laws of Noah are: Shefichat damim -
Do not murder or commit suicide. Avodah zarah – Pray and offer sacrifices only to G-d.
Do not worship false gods/idols. Gilui arayot -
Do not be sexually immoral (no incest, sodomy, bestiality, castration and adultery), crossbreed animals or perform castration. Ever Min HaChai -
Do not eat a part of a live animal or consume blood. Birkat Hashem -
Do not utter G-d's name in vain, curse G-d or pursue the occult. Honor your parents.Gezel -
Do not steal or kidnap. Dinim - Set up righteous and honest courts and apply fair justice in judging offenders and uphold the principles of the last five. (Photos: Ezra HaLevi)
By Ezra HaLevi Arutz 7 news
A group of non-Jewish delegates have come to Jerusalem to pledge their loyalty to the Laws of Noah. They appeared before the nascent Sanhedrin, which established a High Council for B'nai Noach. The ten delegates appeared before a special session of the Jewish High Court of 71 Rabbis led by its Nassi (President) Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz. B'nai Noach, literally "Children of Noah," also known as Noahides, are non-Jews who take upon themselves the Torah's obligations for all members of the human race.
The seven such laws were passed on via Noah following the Flood, as documented in Genesis (see below). The gathering took place under a banner quoting the Biblical passage in Tzefania 3:9 (Zephaniah) which refers to "all the nations... speak[ing] a pure language... proclaim[ing] the name of G-d.
"The Noahide delegates stood before the nascent Sanhedrin, which was reestablished over a year ago in Tiberias, following the renewal of Biblical ordination, and has met regularly since then. "Each one [of the B'nai Noach] comes with a name he has made in the world, as a teacher and example in his community of observance of the seven laws of Noah," said Rabbi Michael Bar-Ron, the Sanhedrin's emissary who facilitated the council's organization, introducing the delegates.
"At great physical and financial expense, they have flown across the world to Jerusalem, the holy city, to pledge before the court and all mankind, their allegiance to the Seven Laws of Noah, the laws of the Creator."Each of the Noahide representatives stood before the Sanhedrin and pledged:"I pledge my allegiance to HaShem, G-d of Israel, Creator and King of the Universe, to His Torah and its representatives, the developing Sanhedrin.
I hereby pledge to uphold the Seven Laws of Noah in all their details, according to Oral Law of Moses under the guidance of the developing Sanhedrin. May HaShem bless and aid me, my fellow council members and all B'nai Noach in all our endeavors for the sake of His name. Blessed are You G-d, King of the universe, who has caused me to live, sustained me, and brought me to this day.
"Roger Grattan, a council aide who lives in Maine, told Arutz-7 prior to the ceremony, "I am sure that this will be a paragraph in the history of civilization, although one could also write books on it. It is also the fulfillment of prophecy." The core members of the council are Indian Foreign Relations Coordinator Bud Gill, Billy Jack Dial, Andrew Overall, Adam Penrod, Jacob Scharff, Chairman Larry Borntrager, Honorary Noahide Council Elder Vendyl Jones, Tennessee Noahide Community Head Jack Saunders and Council Speaker Jim Long.Long addressed the rabbis of the court, requesting formal recognition of the Noahide Council:
"Your honor, esteemed rabbis of the developing Sanhedrin. We are here because of your Torah. Rabbis before you elevated the Torah and it drew us in; before that, we stumbled in darkness. Everyone here today can tell you that in the past we have experienced the need to consolidate our efforts to make the world aware of the truth."Rabbi Even-Israel Steinsaltz, on behalf of the Sanhedrin, replied: "We hereby recognize these men as the first high council of B'nai Noach in accordance with the conditions they have accepted upon themselves.
" Rabbi Steinsaltz spoke about the role of the Jewish people in bringing the Laws of Noah to the world: "I am part of this Jewish family and I have nothing bad to say about that family, but you don't go up to a man on the street and ask him to join your family. Instead you talk to him about joining the true belief in the Creator and about implementing divine justice toward his fellow man. We are setting up a global mission here – not to recruit people, but to bring them to the realization that there is one G-d.
" The Nassi explained that this aspect of Judaism lay dormant for years, as the Jewish people dealt with remaining alive and keeping the Torah in the exile. Rabbi Steinsaltz called for an extensive project to be undertaken to help B'nai Noah in the nitty-gritty details of the observance of the religion.
"A Shulhan Arukh [Jewish Law Code] for B'nai Noah must be written so that the individual can have guidance as to what to do," Steinzaltz said, referring to the compendium of practical Jewish law written by Rabbi Yosef Karo of Tzfat in the 1560's that is still used today.He then addressed the ten B'nai Noah representatives, who had endured hours of Hebrew speeches throughout the day, in English: "There are those people, so far only a small number, who say, 'We are bound by the covenant of Adam and the covenant of Noah and we know we have to perform and fulfill our obligations.' We, as Jews, have the same religion as you.
"Within the nation of Israel there is one tribe that deals with the Temple – the priests. We Jews are a specific tribe in the world that was chosen to be a tribe of priests – hereditary priests. Because of this we have special duties. Being a priest does not mean we are cut off from the other people. While the people of the world are all different units in the armies of the Lord, we are a special commando unit that maybe doesn't get paid more, but has special assignments that may be more dangerous.
" Rabbi Even-Israel spoke about the difficulties that would confront the B'nai Noah movement as it grows:"When we are speaking in general, almost every human being can more or less accept the laws of Noah, but when we get to particulars we will come to serious points, at which we disagree with Christianity and Islam."It is one thing when a religion is small, but as it gets bigger there will be huge pressures. We will be there beside you.
We are members of the same religion that was given by the Almighty to humanity. Part of it was given to the Jews and part of it was given to humanity as a whole."The Nassi added that while there are those who doubt the ability of the Sanhedrin to be more than an idea leading up to the true reestablished court, the Noahide Council cannot be doubted or criticized due to its pure motives and unprecedented mission.
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel of the Temple Institute said that although Tuesday is the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet, which commemorates the beginning of the destruction, "Our sitting in Jerusalem now, alongside B'nai Noach, demonstrates the revival and the fulfillment of the words of the prophets." Rabbi Ariel told those gathered that he had seen a rainbow that morning, "the closest thing to seeing Noah himself - the symbol of the covenant between G-d and humanity as witnessed by Noah.
"Famed archaeologist and Noahide leader Vendyl Jones addressed a festive banquet held for the Council members, speaking about the Seven Laws of Noah. He explained, in detail, the verses in the first eleven chapters of Genesis from which the seven laws are elucidated, saying that he always understood the first six, but never understood the law proscribing the eating of a limb of a living animal - until he remembered his cattle-branding days in Texas: "We would brand and castrate the cattle when I was young, and at night we would all sit around the campfire and eat what they called 'mountain oysters'" – the testicles of the still-living animals.
Rabbi Nachman Kahane, Av Beit HaDin, spoke in English. "G-d created a primitive world," he said. "We don't grow loaves of bread, but grain that must be harvested, ground up and baked. We were meant to be partners with G-d. Unfortunately, throughout history, perversions of this idea grew. How can you be G-d's partner if you are damned and born with original sin? How can you be a partner of G-d if your religion tells you to send your children to shopping malls to blow people up? What we are creating today is a reconnection between the people and G-d.
G-d is saying to humanity – everyone has a job. I happen to be a priest - I have a particular task for when the Temple is built - but all of us have a specific task just the same; I am no better."Jones told Kahane that his brother, slain Knesset Member Rabbi Meir Kahane, together with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, had organized one of the first conferences for B'nai Noah nearly 20 years ago.Conference on Noahide CouncilEarlier in the day, several speakers addressed issues surrounding the B'nai Noah movement as part of a conference on the establishment of the B'nai Noah Council.Sheikh Abdul Hadi Palazzi, a leader of the Italian Muslim Assembly, addressed the assembly, speaking about B'nai Noah in Islam:
"Islamic law holds within it the seven laws of Noah and can be taught correctly to the Muslims of the world... I remember reading that a new Sanhedrin was created in Jerusalem [and] my impression was very positive - I thought maybe something new had been created to allow the Jewish people to project moral and legal clarity to counterbalance the lack of it in our world." Palazzi added that the project of creating a council of Noahide teachers would hopefully counter the negative educational effect of the Gaza withdrawal, "which taught the opposite to my people - it convinced many that only terrorism works.
"Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Zini, who heads Yeshiva Or V'Yishuah and is the rabbi of Haifa's Technion, spoke about the intuitive natural truths of the laws of Noah. "We must create a formal connection between the nation of Israel and the B'nai Noah to show the world that we are a nation of holy priests, as is dictated in our Torah," he said, speaking partly in French as well, as the conference will be available on the Sanhedrin's web site for viewing by prospective B'nai Noah worldwide. Rabbi Yoel Schwartz, who received the blessing of leading hareidi-religious Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv to engage in the project of creating a court and infrastructure for B'nai Noah, addressed the conference as well.
Rabbi Schwartz is the Deputy Av Beit HaDin [literally, Court Elder] of the Sanhedrin and the Av Beit HaDin for the B'nai Noah court. He spoke on the topic of "B'nai Noah and World Peace.""The Islamic Jihad against the world has restored religion to the center of the world's consciousness," Schwartz said. "Over 30 years ago, someone by the name of Eisenberg sent a proposal to the United Nations saying that there will never be world peace unless the citizens of the globe agree on certain principles of faith. It was adopted by the UN as one of its official documents but was not followed up upon and has since been forgotten. We are here today to follow up on that document and remind the UN why it exists.
There will be world peace when the whole world agrees that there is one G-d. There are people who do not think what I am about to say is worthwhile, but I suggested years ago that we begin to translate our books, which are meant for the nations of the world, into Arabic as well [Schwartz has authored many books on practical observance for Noahides –ed.]. It is not by coincidence that we have this nation alongside us, surrounding and living inside the land upon our return to it, who also preserves the heritage of Abraham our father.
"Schwartz has indeed translated his books to Arabic, with the help of an Arab man he met at a bus stop who asked him a Mishanaic question, telling him he had already translated the Mishna, a codification of Jewish oral law. He said the entire printing has been sold out. "Muslim parents have thanked me for teaching their child that there is a different way to heaven than becoming a shahid, a martyr," he said. Rabbi Schwartz explained that although one of the purposes of the Jewish people's exile was to disseminate belief in the Torah's truths around the world, their return to Israel has brought with it the technology to redouble our efforts from here:
"The moment we came to Israel, communication technology flourished. The telephone and radio spread rapidly, and computers and internet came soon after, changing the entire concept of communication and education. When we were in the exile, we were there to teach the world, and now that we have returned to the Land of Israel, G-d has given us the tools to do the work from here." Rabbi David Zilbershlag, Director of Meir Panim and Koach Latet, both innovative charity associations, spoke about rectifying the misdeeds of Noah's generation, the generation of the Flood. Zilbershlag said that the new Council of Noahides must focus on kindness and charity, as that was the basis of G-d's covenant with Noah (the lack of which resulted in the destruction of Noah's entire generation) and His later covenant with Abraham.
"It is hard to distribute and spread an idea that is negative, as the laws of Noah are phrased," Zilbershlag said. "We must make a great effort to find and distribute the relevant positive commandments in our tradition throughout the world as well, and the most basic of these is that of following in the footsteps of Abraham our father."Rabbi Eliyahu Essas, a former refusenik and founder of the Teshuva (return to Judaism) movement in the USSR, spoke about establishing outreach within Israel to help gentiles who moved from the former Soviet Union to Israel become aware of the Noahide laws:
"There are at least 400,000 out of the million people who came to Israel who are not Jewish according to Jewish law. There are many who think they are Jews, but do not have a Jewish mother and are therefore not Jewish according to Jewish law. 150,000 have no blood connection to the nation of Israel – spouses of Jews and relatives who came under the Law of Return. Then there are 30,000 who have nothing to do with the Jewish people, coming with forged documents.
Over there, Jews wanted to be Russians; here, Russians want to be Jews."Should we harass such a person to convert, should we leave him alone, or should we try to get him to become a Ben Noah?" Essas asked, refraining from offering answers and saying that such complicated matters must be dealt with by both the Noahide Council and the Sanhedrin's B'nai Noah Beit Din. He added that the problem of intermarriage was not discussed by previous generations because it did not exist in such numbers.
"We are dealing with 50% of families in the former Soviet Union and even more in North America. So if one spouse is a Jew and one is a Ben Noah, what will be their status? I want to raise these issues and offer a prayer to the Almighty to help us find wise solutions."Council Looking ForwardSpokesman Jim Long outlined the Council's goals:"Education is a vital part of our effort and we need you to help us with this. We need to make sure that developing Noahide groups do not split into denominations.
As we move into the public eye, we will be viewed as heretics by many. We each come from other religions and must develop ways to approach them in a manner in which they listen without closing their ears. The Noahide movement is a Torah-based template for an ethical way of life. The Creator requires humanity to uphold these laws as per His covenant with Noah. "Anyone who reads the Bible can see that your Torah is your constitution, your Bill of Rights and your deed to the Land of Israel.
We have plans to publish Noahide prayer books, children's books and documentaries on science and the world through the lens of the Torah.""We have heard that G-d is with you," Long concluded.
Seven Laws of Noah are: Shefichat damim -
Do not murder or commit suicide. Avodah zarah – Pray and offer sacrifices only to G-d.
Do not worship false gods/idols. Gilui arayot -
Do not be sexually immoral (no incest, sodomy, bestiality, castration and adultery), crossbreed animals or perform castration. Ever Min HaChai -
Do not eat a part of a live animal or consume blood. Birkat Hashem -
Do not utter G-d's name in vain, curse G-d or pursue the occult. Honor your parents.Gezel -
Do not steal or kidnap. Dinim - Set up righteous and honest courts and apply fair justice in judging offenders and uphold the principles of the last five. (Photos: Ezra HaLevi)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)