Who are the Jews - Japanese

April 3, 2025

今日教会の中でユダヤ人の本当のアイデンティティーについての議論があります。誰がイ スラエルの十二部族の血を引いた子孫なのか、また教会はどこに位置するのか、神は異邦 人教会のためにイスラエルを永遠に諦めたのか、また現代イスラエルの世俗の市民たちは 神の選民なのかなど。これらはクリスチャンの間でイスラエルについて話す時に頻繁に登 場する質問です。

まずはじめに、異邦人の時について語っているふたつの聖書箇所を見ることから始めてみ ましょう。ひとつはローマ 11 章 25 節で、そこでパウロは救いという観点から語っていま

す。「異邦人の完成のなる時」。イエスはルカ 21 章 24 節で異邦人の時を、国家の預言的側 面から語っています。「異邦人の時の終わるまで、エルサレムは異邦人に踏み荒らされま す」

ユダヤ人への神の目的は部分的また一時的に保留されました。しかし個人的にイエスを信 じるユダヤ人はいつの時代でも存在しました。それはただ一日にして終わったのではあり ません。神は「もう終わりだ――私は異邦人に行く」とは言いませんでした。異邦人の時は 使徒 10 章でコルネリオの家で最初に異邦人が信じたときに始まります。その後、使徒 13 章でパウロやバルナバの働きがあります。

異邦人への移行は漸進的な(少しずつ進む)ものでした。一日の間にユダヤ人から異邦人 へ恵みが移ったのではなく、そこには移行期があったのです。そしてそれと同じように異 邦人の時は終わりに至ります。これは神がご自身の恵みを異邦人からユダヤ人に戻される 移行期のことです。

イザヤはメシアが千年王国に到来することを預言しました。初代教会はすべて前千年王国 説を信じていました。そして新約聖書は神が恵みをイスラエルに対して回復される時にキ リストは再臨すると書いています。神がユダヤ人を頑なにしたことは部分的であり、一時 的です。なので神はあたかもこう言っているようです。「私はあなたがたを呼んだが、あ なたがたは私の契約を破った。私はエレミヤを遣わしたがあなたがたは牢獄に入れた。イ ザヤを遣わしたがあなたがたは半分に切り裂いた。私はリバイバルをもたらす義の説教者

たちを遣わした。ヨシヤ王を遣わし、ヒゼキヤ王を遣わした。またエズラやネヘミヤを遣

わしたが、あなたがたはそのようなリバイバルを忘れてしまった。あなたがたは私の契約 を破り、今度は私の息子、メシアを退けた。私は異邦人のほうに行く」

しかしパウロはその状況が入れ替わる時が来ると私たちに語っています。したがってそこ には異邦人とユダヤ人という区別があるのです。それではユダヤ人とは一体誰のことなの でしょう?

創世記 12 章にはアブラハムへの 5 つの約束があります。またパウロはローマ 2 章 29 節で 本当のユダヤ人がどのようなものかを説明しています。パウロはそこで言葉遊びを用いて 書きました。

『かえって人目に隠れたユダヤ人がユダヤ人であり、文字ではなく、御霊による、 心の割礼こそ割礼です。その誉れは、人からではなく、神から来るものです』

誉れという言葉が鍵となる言葉です。“ユダヤ人”という言葉はユダ部族――イェフダから来 ています。その本来の意味は“神の礼拝者(誉れを与える者)”というものです。パウロはこ こで言葉遊びをしています。パウロは誉れが人から来るものではないと言っているのです

。それは“ユダヤ人”の意味――ユダ部族からの神の礼拝者とかけた言葉遊びです。

“ユダヤ人”と再定義される異邦人

私たちが今日“ユダヤ人”と呼ぶものの一般的な定義は主にバビロン捕囚から生じたもので す。本来、彼らはイスラエル人と呼ばれていました。“ユダヤ人”という言葉がユダヤ人自 身からではなく、異邦人によりアブラハム、イサク、ヤコブのすべての子孫へ付けられた ことは興味深いことです。これは福音書でも顕著な事柄です。マルコ 15 章 32 節ではイエ

スはユダヤ人から“イスラエルの王”と呼ばれています。しかし同じ章の 2 節では彼はロー マ人たちから“ユダヤ人の王”と呼ばれています。イエスはユダヤ人にとっては“イスラエル 人”だったのです。“ユダヤ人”という一般的な言葉は主にバビロン捕囚の期間またその後に 主に発達したものです。第二列王記 16 章を見ると、南王国ユダに住んでいた住民の地理的 な位置を知ることができます。当時の“ユダヤ人”はただ、バビロン捕囚から戻ってきたユ ダの住民を指す言葉でした。本来彼らは“イスラエル人”と呼ばれていて、それはへブル人 から来ていました。“イスラエル人”はヤコブ、神と闘う者の子孫であり、それがユダヤ人 の特徴を形作っています。ユダヤ人は神と闘う者です。ヤコブは主の御使いと格闘しまし た。ラビたちはその御使いを“メタトロン”と呼んでいます。私たちはそれがキリストの顕 現――旧約聖書でのキリストの顕れであることを知っています。

ここで思い出してほしいのが、ヤコブは主の御使いと顔が見えるまで夜を通して格闘した

ということです。夜とは大患難に関して最も一般的に用いられる聖書象徴の比喩のひとつ です。「夜回りよ。今は夜の何時か。夜回りよ。今は夜の何時か」彼が戻って来るのは第 二の夜回りか、第三の夜回りか。「夜中の盗人のように来る」「わざを、昼の間に行なわ なければなりません。だれも働くことのできない夜が来ます」ヤコブは夜の終わりまで格 闘しました。未信のイスラエルは大患難全体を経験し、その後、大患難の終わりにイエス を認めます。聖書中でヤコブという言い方がなされているとき、それはユダヤ民族に特化 した表現です。ユダヤ民族は神と格闘しています。一方彼らが国になる前、出エジプトか ら彼らは“ヘブル人”と呼ばれていました。

新約聖書はこれをさらに展開しています。新約聖書ではユダヤ人とは南部イスラエル人の 子孫、つまり、バビロン捕囚から帰還したユダヤの民、またマカベア家の後のハスモン王 朝を通ってきた者たちのことです。ですがヨハネはそれに特別な見解を加えています。彼 は他の福音書と違った独特な意味で“ユダヤ人”という用語を使っています。そのために誤 ってヨハネの福音書がクリスチャンの反ユダヤ主義を伝えているといわれていますが、私 たちは当時の背景を理解する必要があります。ギリシア語の“ユーダイオス(Ioudaios)” の翻訳に問題があるのです。ヨハネは、ヨハネ 4 章を除いて、“ユダヤ人”という単語を、 エルサレム内外に住みサンヘドリンが支配していた宗教組織のメンバーという意味で使っ ていました。したがって「ユダヤ人のために」や「信じたユダヤ人は」という表現を見る 時、彼らはみなユダヤ人であったことは確かなのです。それが意味していることは、その 宗教組織の一員であった者のこと、たいていがパリサイ人、時に他の分派のこともありま した。しかしそのすべての者がサンヘドリンの支配下にあったのです。使徒の働きはより 一般的な用語を使うか、“ユダヤ人”という単語をより一般的な意味で使っています。それ は異邦人ではない者、ガアル(在留異国人)ではないもの、サマリヤ人ではない者という 意味です。

ユダヤ教には主要な三種類があります。モーセ的ユダヤ教、タルムード的ユダヤ教、イス ラエルの法的ユダヤ教です。このうちふたつは有効で、ひとつはそうではありません。最 初のモーセ的ユダヤ教はタナク、旧約聖書の最初の五書、モーセ五書に見られるものです

。このユダヤ教は紀元 70 年から存在しえないユダヤ教です。預言者ダニエルはメシアは大 事神殿が崩壊する前に来て、死ななければならないと言いました。ミシュナのサンヘドリ ン 96b にもそうあります。実際、人々はイザヤ 53 章を禁断の章と呼んでいます。タルムー ドは事実ダニエル 9 章を読む者には呪いが下ると書いています。なぜでしょうか。それは

その箇所にメシアの到来の時期が予告されていたからです。メシアはやって来て、死なな

ければなりませんでした。ユダヤ人の多くは尋ねます。「もしイエスがメシアなら、なぜ 今も戦争があるのか」彼らはきちんと理解していません。ダニエルにはメシアが来て死に

、終わりまで戦いが続いて、荒廃が定められていると書いてあります。メシアはその第二 の到来において世界的な平和をもたらすのです。

ユダヤ教ではふたつのメシア像があります。マシアハ・ベン・ヨセフ、それとマシアハ・ ベン・ダヴィード、つまりヨセフの子とダビデの子です。最初の到来においてイエスはヨ セフの特徴をもってやって来ました。それはユダヤ人兄弟たちに裏切られ、異邦人の手に 引き渡されるという特徴です。彼の兄弟はヨセフを最初の出会いで認識しませんでしたが

、2度目に会った時に彼だと分かりました。そして彼らはヨセフと共に激しく泣き、それ と同じことをヨセフの子にも行うのです。第二の到来においてダビデの子はメシアの王国 を建て上げます。そうです、イエスは平和をもたらします。ですが最初の到来は救いをも たらすために来られました。モーセ的ユダヤ教に関しては、それは紀元 70 年以降は存在し ていません。

誰も自分で聖書を読むだけでは、人々が信じさせようとしているものと同じ結論に至る人 はいません。本当に多くの人がただ新約聖書を読むだけで新生に至っています。誰もただ 新約聖書を読んだだけでエホバの証人になることはありません。誰もただ新約聖書を読ん だだけでモルモン教徒にならないし、(私の母親にこう言ったと言わないでほしいですが

)誰もただ新約聖書を読んだだけでローマ・カトリック教徒にはなりはしません。そして ユダヤ人の誰もトーラーを呼んで、タルムード的ユダヤ教がモーセや預言者のユダヤ教だ と思う人はいないのです。“ラビ”という単語はタナク(旧約聖書)に一度も登場しません。

二つ目のユダヤ教がタルムード的ユダヤ教です。それは紀元 90 年のヤブネの会議にてラビ

・モーシェ・ヨハナン・ベン・ザッカイが創設したものです。彼はガマリエルの学派出身 の聖パウロと同級生でした。彼はラビ・ヒレルの孫ガマリエルの元に、ヒレルのパリサイ 派神学校で他のラビたちと学んでいました。これはふたりのラビの物語です。ふたりの同 級生がいました。タルソのラビ・サウルとラビ・ベン・ザッカイです。紀元 70 年に神殿が 崩壊した時、ラビ・ヨハナン・ベン・ザッカイはエルサレムから箱、棺桶に入れられなん とか脱出しました。そしてヘブライ語の正典――旧約聖書が定められた会議に集ったので す。彼は神殿の代わりにシナゴーグにしようと言いました。大祭司の代わりにラビたちを 置き換えました。そしていけにえの代わりにより多くのミツヴォート――善行を行おうと 決めたのです。

すべてのユダヤ人はこのふたりの同級生どちらかに従います。救いの確信が無かったヨハ

ナン・ベン・ザッカイか、イェシュアを自分のメシアと信じていたために救いの確信があ

ったタルソのラビ・サウロのどちらかです。

タルムード的ユダヤ教はモーセや預言者のユダヤ教ではありません。それは混ざり合った のものです――まさに名ばかりのキリスト教と同じです。タルムード的ユダヤ教にはさま ざまな形があり――ハシド派、正統派、保守派とあります。またリベラルな改革派は基本 的に人間主義者です。その宗教は本当の信仰に関するよりも文化や倫理的なことにかりあ っています。これがタルムード的ユダヤ教です。ですが三種類目のユダヤ教があります。 これは有効なものです。これがパウロや使徒たちが守ったものです。それはイエスがトー ラーを成就したメシアだと信じるユダヤ教、「メシアニック的ユダヤ教」です。しかしな がら今日のメシアニック運動の中にはさまざまなものがあります。

ユダヤ人が何でないかという地位の定義について考えてみましょう。パウロはローマ人へ の手紙 2 章 28 節-29 節でこう書いています。「外見上のユダヤ人がユダヤ人なのではな く、外見上のからだの割礼が割礼なのではありません。かえって人目に隠れたユダヤ人が ユダヤ人であり、文字ではなく、御霊による、心の割礼こそ割礼です。その誉れは、人か らではなく、神から来るものです」文字ではなく霊によります。

さて人目に隠れたユダヤ人についてですが、このふたつの節の誤解によって置換神学の考 えに推進力が与えられています。「我々が人目に隠れたユダヤ人なのだ。私たちの心は割 礼を受けている」というものです。しかしながら、もし誰かが手紙を受け取ったなら、手 紙全体の文脈を無視して、ある部分だけを引用することはできません。ローマ人への手紙 は手紙であり、そのような解釈は手紙のその先に書いてあるものと正反対のものです。11 章全体では、この手紙の著者であるパウロが聖霊(ルアハ・ハ・コデシュ)の導きのもと

、本来のオリーブの枝(ユダヤ人)と接木された枝(異邦人)の区別を付けています。

エレミヤ 31 章 31 節ではこのようにあります。「わたしは、イスラエルの家とユダの家と に、新しい契約を結ぶ。その契約は…(父祖たちと結んだもの)のようではない」神は新 契約を誰と結んだのでしょうか?教会でしょうか?イエスは教会とひとつも契約を結びま せんでした。彼はイスラエルとユダヤ人に結ばれたのです。もし神がユダヤ人との関係を 終わらせたのなら、神は教会とも関係を終わらせたことでしょう。もし神がユダヤ人との 関係を終わらせたのなら、私たちとの関係も終わっていました。幸運なことに、契約の有 効性は人の忠実さによるものではなく、神の忠実さによるものです。神は初めからご自分 の民が不忠実であることを知っておられました。イスラエルの背信に関することでも、そ れと同等またはイスラエル以上の背信が実際に教会の中にあります。

信じた非ユダヤ人、すなわち異邦人が信じないユダヤ人に取って代わったのは事実です。

自分の木から切り折られた不信のユダヤ人が信じた異邦人に取って代えられました。しか しそれは新しい木ではなく、同じ木 なのです。根は見ることができません。しかしもし 根が死んでいたなら、木そのものも死んでいるのです。もし神がイスラエルとの関係を終 わらせているなら、自動的に教会との関係も終わらせていることになります。

北王国の失われた十部族についてはどうでしょうか。聖書は彼らに何が起こったかを記し ています。北王国からの忠実な者たちはアサ王の治世に南に下り、自分たちの部族として のアイデンティティーを守りました。そのためにヤコブの手紙は“十二部族”に向けて書か れているのです。ルカの福音書の誕生物語に登場するアンナは、アシェル部族の出身でし た。ミシュナはずっと 3 世紀、4 世紀までそれぞれの部族の記録をたくさん残しています。 十部族は聖書によれば決して失われていないのです。他の者たちはアッシリア人侵略者た ちと雑婚し、サマリヤ人となりました。そしてその他はアッシリア帝国に散らばり、中央 アジアのユダヤ人共同体を形作ったり、ただ吸収されてしまいました。

ローマ人への手紙 2 章 28 節から 29 節を見てみましょう。「かえって人目に隠れたユダヤ

人がユダヤ人であり、文字ではなく、御霊による、心の割礼こそ割礼です」エレミヤ 9 章 25 節から 26 節は“割礼を受けているが割礼を受けていない者”という言葉を使っています。 そのような者たちに対して「エジプト、ユダ、エドム、アモン人、モアブ、および荒野の 住人でこめかみを刈り上げているすべての者を罰する」と書かれてあります。ユダが異邦 人の国々のただ中に書かれていることに注目してください。これはなぜなのでしょうか。 それは異教徒のようにふるまうなら、ユダヤ人は彼らに勝ったところが無くなるからです

。そのような人はユダヤの遺産を捨て去ってしまっています。自分たちのメシアを退けた ユダヤ人は自分たちのユダヤの遺産を放棄してしまっています。パウロが言うように彼ら はもう一度自分たちの木に戻されることができます。神はユダヤ人をとても簡単に信じさ せることができます。なぜなら神はそれより困難なことをもうすでにされたからです。そ れはエスキモーにユダヤの神を信じさせ、ベネズエラ人にユダヤの神を信じさせ、中国の 民に信じさせ、ヨーロッパ人にユダヤの神を信じさせたからです。イザヤ 11 章 1 節にある

、異邦人がエッサイの根のもとに来るという言葉が諸国の上に成就するなら、また軽蔑さ れたこの小さな国の神を非ユダヤ人に信じさせられるのなら、自分たちのメシアをユダヤ 人に信じさせることはいかに容易なことでしょうか。

割礼は改宗のひとつの象徴です。それでは非ユダヤ人で新生した者はどうなるのでしょう

?私たちはその答えをイザヤ 56 章 3 節とエペソ 2 章 12 節で見ることができます。「主に 連なる外国人は言ってはならない。『主はきっと、私をその民から切り離される』と」(イ ザヤ 56 章 3 節)神はあなたがユダヤ人のメシアに信仰を持つなら、ユダヤ人から切り離し

はしません。アブラハムがすべて信じる者の父と書かれていることを思い出してください

。それはアブラハムが異邦人からユダヤ人へ改宗した者であるからです。アブラハムは民 族的にユダヤ人であり、同時に異邦人でした。このためにアブラハムはすべて信じる者の 父なのです。このためにイエスの系図の中に異邦人が登場します。彼がすべての救い主と なるためです。パウロはエペソ 2 章 12 節においてギリシア語で政治的な市民権に関する言 葉を使っています。

『そのころのあなたがたは、キリストから離れ、イスラエルの国から除外され、約 束の契約については他国人であり、この世にあって望みもなく、神もない人たちで した。しかし、以前は遠く離れていたあなたがたも、今ではキリスト・イエスの中 にあることにより、キリストの血によって近い者とされたのです』(エペソ 2 章 12 節-13 節)

異邦人はイエスへの信仰を通して接ぎ木されました。それは養子にされることと、父祖へ なされた約束のためです。養子をする時、父親は法律的に子どもの父親になります。母親 は法律的に母親となるのです。そしてこれと共に聖書では、父祖の約束にあずかることも 書かれてあります。大半が異邦人で占められていたコリントの教会に対して第一コリント でパウロは「私たちの父祖たちはみな、雲の下におり、みな海を通って行きました」と書 いています。アブラハムの子孫(種)を信じる信仰によって、アブラハムは人種に関わら ずすべて者の父となりました。

第二に、改宗――信仰の転換によってです。改宗(回心)にもふたつ種類があります。仏教 徒が救われるとき、仏教徒であることをやめます。ヒンドゥー教徒が救われれば、ヒンド ゥー教徒であることをやめます。ユダヤ人が救われれば、その改宗には違った言葉――テ シュバー(立ち返ること)が使われます。その人は罪から神に立ち返り、ユダヤ人として のアイデンティティーが完全となるのです。異邦人のみが改宗できます。ユダヤ人は完成 されるのです。ユダヤ人の完成はテシュバーです。これは異教徒の背景を持つ黒人アフリ カ人の子どもがクリスチャンのポーランド人家庭に養子されることで説明できます。その 子は法律的な養子制度によりポーランド人となり、キリスト教に改宗しました。しかしそ の子が今度は大きくなり、ポーランド人の女性と結婚するとします。そうすると彼は結婚 によりポーランド人となり、ポーランド語を話し始めます。したがって彼は文化によりポ ーランド人になったのですが、彼の肌は黒いままです。これが非ユダヤ人がイエスの信者 となる場合に起こることです。父祖の約束を受けることによりユダヤ人ではありませんが 子となります。それは養子――改宗、宗教的な改宗によるものです。または婚姻関係によ り子となります。それはキリストが主に異邦人でなる教会の花婿であるからです。第一コ リント 9 章では、異邦人が主の聖餐にあずかる場合の文化変容について書いてあります。

彼らは本来の相続者とペサハ、過越の祭りの意義を祝います。これが異邦人クリスチャン

の地位です。

貧しさのためにヨーロッパの家族に養子されたこのアフリカ人の子どもを考えてみてくだ さい。いかなる法律的、婚姻的または文化的理由においても彼はポーランド人となりまし た。しかし彼はまだ黒人アフリカ人であるのです。彼はまだ自分のアイデンティティーを 保っています。それでも彼は本当のポーランド人なのです。彼は他のどの子どもとも同じ ように親から愛されています。子どもをひとり生むことと、子どもを養子することは同じ くらいの大きな愛を必要とします。その子どもは同じ法律的権利を持ち、法律的地位を保 っているのです。

次にユダヤ人に関しては法的な立場があります。最初のものはイスラエルの帰還法です。 シオニズム運動の父祖たちはこれを議論しました――数年間ではなく、数十年間にわたっ てです。最終的にベン・グリオンが言いました。「誰がユダヤ人なのか、我々の敵に決め させよう」彼らはその通りにしました。ユダヤ人の祖父をひとりでも持っていれば強制収 容所に行けとナチスが言ったために、イスラエル政府もユダヤ人の祖父がひとりいればア リヤー(帰還)を行い、イスラエルに移住する権利があると定めました。これが本来の帰 還法です。

第二にハラハー的な(ユダヤ法的)法律があります。これはユダヤ人の宗教法で立てられ たものです。ハラハーによるとそれは母系の血筋によるものです。ある人の母親がユダヤ 人で、その人がユダヤ教へのハラハー的な改宗を経ているなら――言い換えるなら割礼で すが――父祖の約束に入ることができるというのです。第三のものは、イスラエルのラビ が定めるユダヤ人の定義で、それは本来ハラハーの定めるものと同じであるべきものです

。ですが現実はイスラエル政権の窮状によって物事は複雑化しています。世界には約 55 の 民主主義の国がありますが、その中で唯一ユダヤ人が宗教の自由を持てない国があります

。それがイスラエルです。これはイスラエルのラビが定めるユダヤ人の地位です。彼らは 数世紀前にラビ・ヨセフ・カロ(Yosef Karo)が定めたミツヴォートの法典『シュルハン

・アルーフ(Shulchan Aruch)』を受け入れなければならないと言います。そしてもし『 シュルハン・アルーフ』を受入れないならば正式にユダヤ人となれないのです。このため にアフリカ系ユダヤ人(ファラシェ)の中で葛藤が起こり、インド系ユダヤ人( イェフデ ィン )また正統派でないユダヤ人の間でも葛藤が起こります。反シオニズム主義のラビは 何の問題もなくラビでいられますが、改革派やリベラルのラビたちは資格を持てないので す。私たちはこれまで人々がどのようにユダヤ人の宗教の自由を奪ってきたかを話してき ました。ユダヤ人の歴史的な惨劇や侮辱を私は認めます。しかしイスラエルもユダヤ人の 宗教の自由を否定し、特にメシアニックジューに対して同じことを行っているのです。

これによりイスラエルの法律的立場が考えられます。数年前に彼らは、他の信仰にかつて

改宗したことのある人はユダヤ人ではないと定めました。特にミクベー・ブリット( mikve-brit)、洗礼を受けた場合です。その当時にあってもそれは政治的圧力の強い決定で した。法律的な立場におけるユダヤ人の定義をこれまで 4 つ見てきましたが、それを見る とそこに共通認識が無いことが分かります。そこには法律的共通認識も、宗教的共通認識 も無いのです。彼らは政治の便宜に合わせてユダヤ人のアイデンティティーの定義を気ま ぐれに定めているのです。

聖書的な分類

聖書はどう語っているでしょうか。旧約聖書、タナクにあるのは主に父方の系図ですが、 歴代誌には母方の系図もあり、ルツ記の記述もあります。これは非常に重要です。正統派 のラビたちは系図に基づいてイエスのメシア性の信用を落とし、新約聖書の正当性を攻撃 します。しかし彼らが言いたがらないことは、ラビ的な文書自体(サンヘドリン 25C)が ルカの系図はマリヤのものだと言っていることです。「いや、ユダヤ人のアイデンティテ ィーは父からでなくてはならないのだ」との反論が返ってくることがありますが、ラビた ち自身がユダヤ人は母方の系図によると言っているではありませんか。ラビたちは自分た ちの中で矛盾を起こしています。一方で、歴代誌とルツ記には母方の系図の前例となるも のがあるのです。

新約聖書はより寛大です。系図は母方であ



By David Passmore July 14, 2026
Circling the wagons Ruben Rothler LLB, LLM Israel is a society riddled with tension and division. It is sociologically, if not politically miraculous that a country drawing Jews from all over the world is able to exist at all. The army affords a degree of integration as a melting pot. But this is only a marginal source of national unity in the overall scheme of things. More so are the myriads of external threats that face this small country. In the former generation the Ashkenazi (Jews of European descent) - Sephardic (Jews of Oriental descent) divide was far more pronounced. The dominant Ashkenazi establishment held the reins of political and economic power which was resented by the Sephardim. However, due to a combination of inter-marriage and political accommodation much of the chasm that separated these distinct groups was forged. Menachem Begin (an Ashkenazi politician) in 1970 successfully ran on the Likud Party ticket with a campaign that brought Sephardic Jews under his conservative political umbrella. Later the immigration of Russian Jews following the end of Communism would add a whole new dimension to the Israeli demographic milieu. The younger generation of these immigrants tended to adapt well to Israeli society and contributed much to the economy. The wider division in Israeli society that crosses ethnic lines concerns that between religious and secular Jews. This can be further bifurcated to the clash between the secular and specifically ultra-orthodox Jews (Haredim) as distinguished from the national religious Jews (Dati Leumi). The Secular and the Religious generally part on what they envisage a Jewish State to entail. Religious Jews desire the State to strictly adhere to the stipulations of Jewish Law (Halacha), while at present Halakhic influence is largely limited to certain areas of Family Law concerning Jewish citizens. Wider considerations of promoting a socially conservative political agenda would also be forefront amongst the religious mindset broadly. Secular Jews view the imposition of such proposed measures as a serious infringement of their civil rights. With regard to the Haredim, the bone of contention looms larger, in that this group is fundamentally opposed to participating in society at large. This is acutely manifested in diminished contribution to the work force and a refusal to be conscripted into the army. The 2023 judicial reform protests posed a significant threat to social civil order. The nation appeared to be bitterly divided into two opposing camps. This split reflected broader divisions concerning visions of how the country should be governed. The judicial reforms would have weakened the Supreme Court's ability to render the Executive branch accountable. However, the Supreme Court was also accused of using its considerable powers to promote a socially liberal agenda. Left wing secular Israelis tended to oppose the proposed reforms while those on the right (which included the majority of Religious Jews) supported the reforms. Every weekend droves of protesters were brought onto the streets causing major disturbances to traffic. The polarising nature of this impasse threatened the future of Israeli democracy. It was the October 7th attack that brought a swift end to this public debate and civil strife. The nation instinctually united in response to this common existential threat. The judicial reforms were shelved for a future point when the urgent security threats subsided. However, as the war dragged on the enduring issue of Haredi refusal to conscript into the army became more pronounced. Mounting casualties combined with ever increasing manpower demands to field troops on the multiple theatres of action on which the IDF is engaged has depleted the ranks, and the army is now in much need of fresh conscripts. Haredi belligerent refusal to participate in the pressing national defence has escalated from being a political debate to a matter of very practical vital importance. Overall we can observe that the challenges to national unity in successive generations since the establishment of Israel has recurrently been ameliorated by the common necessity of defence towards outside threats. Most recently we can see this happening with regard to the global anti Semitism and anti-Zionism that has been raging since the October 7th atrocities. These hostile attitudes have paradoxically acted as a force which promotes nationalism and a sense of national cohesion in Israel that otherwise might not functionally exist.  (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).
By David Passmore July 8, 2026
A Divided Nation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM The Haredi community has had a complicated, paradoxical relationship with the State since its founding. Rooted in a Talmudic precept that the Jews are forbidden to resettle the land of Israel en masse by force before the coming of the Messiah, the secular democratic State of Israel presents itself as blasphemous by its mere existence. Yet due to practical considerations such as the need to obtain funding for its religious academies the Haredi leadership reached a settlement with the State's founders that exempted Haredi men from being conscripted for military service. This was at a time when the Haredi population in Israel was relatively small. Over the past decades this demographic ballooned until the point that soon the majority of Jewish children in Israel will be born into Haredi families. Such a situation is clearly unsustainable. Recently the Knesset's (Parliament's) Haredi parties have pressured their coalition partners in government to codify Torah Study as part of the Country's Basic Laws. This was purposefully done to elevate the status of their institutions to be on parity with service in the IDF. Israel is yet to promulgate a written Constitution, so legislation classed as a Basic Law holds Constitutional status for all intents and purposes. These moves by the religious parties represent a back door power grab to enshrine in law very significant hurdles to prevent the enlistment of Haredi men. The burden of Israel's defence is comparatively massive for a country its size and it is vastly disproportionately shouldered by the secular population. Until now there have been political initiatives to conscript the Haredim. But given the huge manpower shortages emerging in the wake of near continual conflict on multiple fronts since the events of October 7th this matter has become urgent and not merely a theoretical discussion of what is fair and equitable. It is important to draw a distinction between the Haredim and national religious Jews (Dati Leumi). The Haredim adhere to a lifestyle entirely committed to observance of Jewish Law and Talmudic study. This is embraced to the exclusion of gainful employment and participation in wider society. They are either outrightly opposed to Zionism or consider themselves non-Zionist. Conversely, followers of the national religious movement in Israel although being observant of Jewish law and learning would alongside this pursue secular professions. Furthermore, they are ardently Zionist and disproportionately serve in IDF combat units. This is often done within the framework of a program called Hesder Yeshiva that combines religious learning with military service. Efforts to cater a similar model for accommodating Haredi participation in the IDF have so far failed to make substantial gains. Such measures designed to override Haredi objections to service based upon modesty concerns by strict segregation of the sexes in these specially formed units have failed to appease the Haredi leadership. For them, any form of military service is considered a dereliction of their duty to fully devote themselves to a Torah lifestyle. They argue that their Talmudic learning and prayers are in itself a form of national service and act to protect the Jewish people spiritually from enemy attack. It is as if two parallel societies exist within Israel. And the trajectory of separation between the two is only growing. The Haredim are cloistered away in their Yeshivas, immersed in lives devoted to adhering to the stipulations of Jewish law. While the particulars of actually running the State is left to the Secular. The Haredim desire all the benefits of subsidizing their lifestyle without contributing to society. What we really have going on here at source is two profoundly different and opposing ideological visions of what is important in life and what is the purpose of a Jewish State. At the State's founding these divergent perspectives were more manageable. Ben Gurion only had to contend with one religious party –the National Religious Party. Later in 1970 Begin aligned with the NRP to form a coalition government that also brought Sephardic Jews under the Likud umbrella which had the effect of bringing unity to the country by bridging the Ashkenazi-Sephardi divide. However, over time Israeli politics has seen a proliferation of religious parties, gaining further leverage as king brokers in forming governments due to the proportionate representation voting system which secular Israelis not uncommonly view as political blackmail. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).
P
By Mea Fredrickson June 23, 2026
New Paragraph
By David Passmore June 22, 2026
THE CAPTION AT THE HEAD OF THE POSTER IMAGE FOR THE MOVIE ‘DISCLOSURE DAY’ BOLDLY DECLARES ‘WE DESERVE TO KNOW’ Indeed, we do need to know the truth. But will we find it in Stephen Spielberg’s new movie ‘Disclosure Day’? Could it just as well be entitled ‘DECEPTION DAY’? In an interview with USA Today Spielberg says that evidence of non-human contact has become “overwhelming” to him. He has suggested that his film could raise significant theological questions for Christians. But will it? For us Christians - No, not on our watch! The movie raises no questions for those who accept the proven accuracy of God’s Word, the Bible. The film, which is capturing the imagination of the public, only confirms exactly what scripture tells us about what are in fact extra-dimensional beings. ALIENS OR FALLEN ANGELS? God inhabits the heavenly realm along with a vast array of angels. Because Lucifer, a created angel, wanted to usurp God as ruler of the universe, he was expelled to another realm outside of our time and space, along with one third of the angels who rebelled with him. These fallen angels manifest themselves as demons who can appear on earth and disappear at will. Spiritual hosts of wickedness exist in heavenly places, wherever this realm is, it is not the place where God dwells. ARE ALIENS BENEVOLENT? In the movie, the ‘aliens’ are portrayed as friendly beings who want to help mankind in a time of crisis. If the aliens are really demons, not visitors from outer space, this is a dangerous delusion. Whitley Striber in his book ‘Communion’ writes on encountering ‘aliens’; ‘I felt an indescribable sense of menace. Whatever was there seemed so monstrously ugly, so filthy, so dark and sinister. Of course they were demons. They have to be.’ Many others have reported similar malevolent experiences. During the movie, Daniel claims to have had an encounter with extra-terrestrials during which he received a special gift of empathy, which is regarded by him as the ultimate superpower. However, there is only One who completely understands our human frailty. We read this concerning Jesus: ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.’ (Hebrews 4 v 15). Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11 v 28) END TIMES DECEPTION Before he was crucified, Jesus warned his disciples about these last days in which we are living. The first words he used in this context were: “Watch no one deceives you. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Deception was top of the list! Later, the Apostle Paul wrote about these days: ‘The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.’ (2 Thessalonians 2 v 9) Have you received the love of the truth? Have you received Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life? If not, you are in great danger. Perilous times are here and they are only going to get worse as man turns more and more away from his maker. Things will only change when Jesus returns soon to establish his own Kingdom on earth, where justice and peace will rule. JESUS, OUR ONLY HOPE! The Bible says all human beings are sinners. The message of Jesus is simple; repent and believe the good news, that God wants humanity, his highest creation, to be reestablished in relationship with him. His plan was simple: to give his life in unconditional love for every human being that has and ever will live, by shedding his blood on a Roman cross. In doing this, we can receive forgiveness of sins. Our old life will then be buried with him, giving us new life with the hope of an eternal future of true peace, love and joy, with freedom from pain and tears. Why ignore such a great gift of salvation? If you do, your fate will be sealed for eternity in hell, which is a real place without God, and thus without love, to face only eternal consequences of punishment. We condemn ourselves to such a fate. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! Jesus loves you and asks that you repent and believe in him. It would be the best and safest decision of your life! If you commit your life to him, he will give you a new heart, you will be a new person inside. You will also gain a new desire for all that is right and true. And his Holy Spirit will give you an ability to discern the lies of the age we are living in. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish, but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) FINALLY, A RECOMMENDATION  All that is described in this leaflet has been open, in the light for millennia. On the other hand, the theory of extra-terrestrial life has been hidden in darkness, awaiting ‘Disclosure Day’. Which would you prefer to believe, the Word of God, or the word of Stephen Spielberg? I made my choice years ago, and have never regretted it! If this message has spoken to you, just call upon Jesus in a short prayer. Confess to him that you are a sinner in need of salvation. Ask him in sincerity to forgive you and to fill you with his Holy Spirit. You will then become what the Bible describes as being ‘born again’. (John 3 v 7) Then you need to seek a Bible believing church where you can be baptised and become part of a group of believers who can help you get to know Jesus more and more fully. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8 v 32)
By David Passmore June 20, 2026
Prayer request for Teerth Sond Petitioned Prayer-Supplication/Personal Prayer/ Collective Prayer/Thanks Giving Prayer Our Dear brethren in Yeshua, my family & myself Teerth request your prayers in The Spirit that the latest drugs Ramicirumab & Pacilitaxel will destroy the cancer cell in the Authority Of The Lord Yeshua in The Power of The Holy Spirit. Targeted Petition: Please stand with us in prayer & fasting; The Lord will target the 2cm legion & that it will be cast out of my Liver in the love (agape), compassion, kindness, grace, mercy of God. I do not deserve it because of me- but By His Stripes we are healed for His Glory. This will allow the main operation to go ahead (which should have been done 18 months ago). Step by Step in the leading of The Holy Spirit and the in the Lord Step by Step, as our beautiful sister Beryl said, has worked on my Spiritual man- thank you Lord for waking me up. Lord raise me up for your glory forever because of your love to me, the family & fellowship- an unworthy sinner saved by your grace & love. Email sent to my Oncologist & my Local MP: Greetings Natasha & Dr Mano Joseph Hope All Is Well Thank you for our meeting today. At our meeting we discussed my MRI & CT scans which were done in May 2026. We discussed the operation on my oesophagus which I believe is the best option. (This should have been done 18 months ago). My Kidney operation will be done- non evasive- Lord willing within the next month. Will you be talking to Mr Chacravaty about this? The liver must be targeted first- this is wisdom and the latest radiotherapy treatments available- proton therapy-radiotherapy atezolizumab and bevacizumab sorafenib lenvatinib regorafenib cabozantinib durvalumab and tremelimumab At the meeting we discussed the next CT & MRI scans to be held end off July. Wouldn't it be to better to have them in August so by then I've had 4 full treatments on the latest medication. Also we have Zolbetuximab on compassionate usage- all glory to The Lord. After all the past wrongs I have no doubt now Dr Joseph you will pursue the best for me and family. Dear brethren- King Manasseh, David, Hannah, The Church For Peter, James, The Lord Jesus Christ for example made petitions onto the Lord. We pray as one body to cast off the illness in the Power of The Holy & The Authority Of Yeshua. The Great Physician who came for the ill. To lay out raised hands 🙌🏽 upon the head of our Lord. ABBA/Daddy/Lord in your mercy have mercy on us. Love you all in Yeshua our Lord & God. Teerth, Family & Fellowship
By David Passmore June 19, 2026
The End of an Extended Honeymoon – Are Trump and Netanyahu Parting Ways? Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM  The Israeli public had high hopes for Trump. Unlike his predecessors, he consistently endorsed Israeli measures of self-defence in the different theatres of conflict in which it had to contend. Further to these ends Trump shared in Netanyahu’s determined agenda of preventing the Iranians from pursuing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. During Trump's first term he tore up Obama's negotiated settlement with the Iranians concerning enriched Uranium, echoing Netanyahu’s position that it didn't go far enough. Now in his second term Trump partnered with Israel in a war with Iran that turned out to lack clearly defined goals. The campaign required resolve on the part of America that it wasn't willing to commit. After an initial lightning blitzkrieg that decapitated the Iranian leadership, the Persians dug in and the conflict became a protracted war of attrition hinging on Iran's stranglehold on the straits of Hormuz that could only be realistically lifted by placing boots on the ground or an intensified air war directed against Iranian coastal positions and the destruction of Kharg island, or at least the viable threat to obliterate Kharg island if Iran did not acquiesce. It transpired that Trump and Netanyahu underestimated the resilience of the Iranian regime, thinking that it had already received a near mortal blow during the prior popular demonstrations. So now we are left with a situation where Trump is exasperated with this protracted endeavour and appears to be aiming his frustration towards Netenyahu. A sticking point is Israel's continued occupation of Southern Lebanon. Iran is insistent that Israel withdraw its forces from there as a precursor to fully committing itself to a final status agreement with the U.S. to put an end to its nuclear aspirations. With the midterm elections looming Trump seems to be desperate for an exit strategy from this war. From Israel's perspective the fight against Hizbollah is an inextricable part of the Iranian equation. The IDF has invested massive resources and personnel in the hopes of quashing the Iranian proxy once and for all. Netanyahu is determined to build on the momentum achieved after the spectacular pager attack in 2024. After the catastrophic Hamas massacres of October 7th, the majority of the Israeli public is unwilling to tolerate a capable hostile force on its borders. Trump's proposed solution to this dilemma unrealistically suggests that Syria should take on the role of disarming and removing Hizbollah from Lebanon. In the ultimate reckoning of international relations, America doesn't have iron clad allies, but rather interests like any other nation. If, (as appears to be occurring now) U.S. and Israeli interests fail to align the two countries will cease to act in unison and there may be a rupture in relations on the not-too-distant horizon. Trump has indicated that Israel owes him big time. He has asserted that were it not for his decisive actions they would have been obliterated by Iran's missiles. This is nothing to say of the robust diplomatic support Trump has lent Israel in such forums as the United Nations Security Council and sanctioning officials of the International Criminal Court. Netanyahu is acutely aware of what may be next after Trump. The way public opinion is turning against Israel it is unlikely that the next administration is going to be any way near as friendly as Trump has been thus far to Israel. Trump too of course is mindful of this turning tide opposing Israel. The Iran war has been unpopular to his domestic audience, and the President has been caricatured as Netanyahu’s stooge doing Israel's bidding. Another major consideration for Trump is the colossal impact that the war has had on his other major regional allies: the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. They have received the brunt of the Iranian backlash that has effectively targeted their energy infrastructure and trading routes. They, along with the Europeans have been exerting pressure on Trump to end the conflict and reopen the Straits of Hormuz regardless of whether the most favourable terms of Iranian capitulation are achieved. Israel, however important a strategic asset and technological powerhouse will not override these broader concerns that are endangering global energy markets. An unspoken factor is Trump's propensity for a belligerent severing of his relationship with allies in the political sphere. His public displays of hostility with former political allies such Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Ron Santos and Elon Musk demonstrate a temperament that the same kind of falling out could invoke with strategic allies as well as those political. Both Trump and Netanyahu are approaching the sunset of their political careers and are naturally inclined to deeply consider the legacies they will leave behind. In the international sphere Trump projected himself as a peacemaker from a position of strength. But as many commentators have pointed out, the war with Iran demonstrated the limits of U.S. power. Trump appraised Iran as low hanging fruit that could be swiftly toppled like Venezuela. However, when push came to shove and the only prospect of landing a decisive blow demanded a massive ground offensive on the scale of the Iraq war, he bottled out and sued for a premature peace that will leave Netanyahu in the cold. Netanyahu is anxious to rehabilitate the injury inflicted on his reputation of the greatest disaster to have occurred in Israel's history having happened on his watch. Eliminating Iran as the great regional adversary pulling the strings of its proxies would have done much in this regard. Neither leader is able to craft their legacies as they would have wanted. Trump is choosing the perceived option of mitigating the damage done to his legacy in foreign affairs. He is trying hard to sell his Iran deal as being more than what Obama bargained in terms of guaranteeing a nuclear free Iran. But as further details of his proposal are leaked this is becoming a tall order. Netanyahu is faced with October elections and he may decide to stay the course in Lebanon as otherwise he will seem weak to most voters. Should this happen, we will be in uncharted waters as it will thwart Trump's designs for an immediate end to this affair.
By David Passmore June 17, 2026
The Battlefield for Israel's Reputation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM Israel has enjoyed strong U.S. support since its founding. Within eleven minutes of Israel's Declaration of Independence Truman recognized the Jewish State. Under the Kennedy administration the Pentagon sold advanced missile systems to Israel. However, it was the 1970 attempted PLO takeover of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that demonstrated to the U.S. Israel's regional prowess and indispensability for implementing Washington's agenda. During Arafat's attempted Coup Syria mobilized its forces on the Jordanian border in support of the PLO's bid to dislodge the ruling Hashemite dynasty. Upon Washington's direction the IDF also mobilized its army upon its border with Jordan, thereby deterring the Syrians from taking further action. From then, the Pentagon and U.S. military planners invested heavily in promoting Israel's defence. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War disaster Nixon's massive air lift came to Israel's aid. For decades U.S. diplomatic and military support for Israel was a non-partisan issue. Both Democrat and Republican members of Congress voted nearly unanimously in support of measures concerning Israel. However, in the mid 2010's this began to change. To the extent that now 80% of Democrats hold views in opposition to Israel and this is reflected in how their representatives are acting. It is difficult to praise an exact moment when this turning point occurred. For years Democrat grassroots activist groups across the nation were lobbying their local representatives about their attitudes to Palestine and the mass student protest movements following the Gaza war built upon this momentum. The dual standards by the academic establishment were riddled with hypocrisy as if by the same criteria Israel is condemned for its responsive self-defence counter attacks in Lebanon and Gaza, Britain and America would be similarly indicted for what they did to Dresden, Hamburg and Berlin in response to Hitler. This is facilitated by the funding of Western Universities by Qatar and other Islamic interests associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. There is alienation between Israelis and the traditional left-centre Jewish Diaspora in the U.S. with a third of New York Jews voting for Mandani a vehement anti-Zionist in the New York Mayoral election. This is counterbalanced by a growing Jewish Right in America led by Ben Shapiro, David Ruben, Dennis Prager, Mark Levin and Trump advisor Steven Miller who are in political harmony with the Evangelical Right. The Republicans are also approaching a crossroads. Just as the Democrats have been hijacked by the Woke Left there has emerged a virulently anti-Zionist Woke Right led by Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes and Candace Owen who are also attempting to hijack the Republicans. What is alarming here, is the fact that the majority of young Republicans under forty now hold an unfavourable view of Israel. So, it is very much a matter of fighting for the future of the Republican Party. The growing populist movements in Britain and Europe may counter the anti-Zionist and anti- Semitic political activities of the Muslim vote and their left-wing allies. In any eventuality, even if the least favourable trajectory of U.S. public opinion were to further materialize it is unlikely to dismantle the massive military and intelligence sharing cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. The Pentagon views Israel as far too big of a strategic asset in a volatile region to cut ties with. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).
By David Passmore June 10, 2026
MAJOR PRAYER REQUEST - STEVE MITCHELL MORIEL ORPHANAGE (Andar Pradesh, INDIA) Please read the enclosed missions report from Moriel Missions Branch India: Our children need us and we put a lot of money into buying and then expanding the Moriel orphanage to take in more children. These precious orphan children are coming to Christ and the devil is angry. Until now we had opposition from radical Sheikhs at the Moriel Horeb church we built in Punjab, but the Hindu Authorities in Andar Pradesh have largely until now left us alone. The BJP government is however as wicked as Hamas or Hezbollah - only Hindu (I was in India when radical Hindus burned the Australian missionary family alive in their car; these are the ones who wanted to murder Steve Mitchell when Moriel helped to quickly get him out of the country some years ago). Some pastors have been murdered again in West Bengal. (Samuel, who oversees the Moriel orphanage went to Bible College with one of them). Because our orphan children are Dalet (treated as subhuman 'out casts' by the Hindu caste system), or from Muslim backgrounds, we have largely been been left alone and some of the local officials liked us. This is obviously not a good situation. Prayer is urgently requested. Please pray for Mark Masih particularly that they will not cancel his visa. They are now forbidding us from bringing any more bibles into the country. What would happen if Britain, Australia, or America outlawed Hindus from bringing the Bhagavad Gita into England, Oz, or the USA? MARANATHA Come Quickly Lord Jesus  "You Will Be Hated By Men For My Name's Sake" Matthew 10:22
By David Passmore May 30, 2026
Staying The Course Amidst Isolation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM Living in Israel one gets the feeling that the metaphorical walls are closing in. Israel's reputation is being tarnished all over social media and the mainstream media, and this is reflected in massive public disdain towards this country. We are constantly told that there is near consensus amongst academics and commentators that a genocide was committed in Gaza. The very legitimacy of the state is brought into question. The majority of Americans are now hostile towards Israel. There is real fear that the next U.S. administration will turn against Israel. Even if this were to happen passively, by the U.S. refraining from exercising its veto power towards Security Council Resolutions condemning Israeli actions this could be catastrophic. Internally it is a fractured society leaning increasingly right wing which further alienates Israel from world opinion. An example in point is how Ben Gvir mocked the most recent participants of a global aid flotilla to Gaza. Such conduct further agitates outrage at Israel. The left-wing media presents the ruins of Gaza as a mortal wound in Israel's side. When the world observes this level of carnage no degree of public relations can ameliorate the sense of indignation towards Israel. We can liken the situation of Israel to that of a depressed person. All he sees is hopelessness and gloom. But this isn't the first time that the Jewish nation has been faced with such darkness. Things change and we don't know how the geo-political map will reconfigure in the future. We need to ride out this storm and keep going. On a historical note, the situation is reminiscent of what our ancestors faced when we returned from the Babylonian exile to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was faced with constant lies and conspiracies designed to entrap him by hostile actors: Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab. They employed deception, slander and ridicule in order to maintain their political eminence. There was also a certain sense of abandonment amongst the Jews in Israel then as in our own day. We read in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah about the anguish of the leadership in Israel concerning the lack of assistance from the Babylonian diaspora towards the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple. Only 20% of the exiles returned to the land. It was largely the poor who returned. Most of the affluent, established Jews remained in Exile. This is a continuing theme in Jewish history. It is also important to observe that from its very beginnings there were bible believing Christians who spearheaded the return of the Jews to their land. The idea of organizing a return of the Jews to Israel began as a Protestant Restorationist objective that can be traced to 17th century Puritan England. The protagonists of the Cromwellian Republic viewed themselves as the new Israel fighting the Papist forces of Satan. Alongside this, interest grew in the notion that biblical prophecies pertaining to the return of the Jews to Israel were a necessary precursor for the return of Christ. The growth of the British Empire in the 19th century lent political clout to Christian Restorationism with specific missions to the Jews established. Although there had been a longing to return to Israel as written in the thrice daily Amidah prayer, Jewish Zionism arose in the midst of mid nineteenth century nationalism and was further fermented by European antisemitism. It was an altogether secular enterprise. Although Israel's situation appears rather stark, we can draw strength from the Providence afforded to our ancestors in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah when they too were faced with defamation. This is also an opportunity to grow closer to our natural allies in the evangelical world who from the beginning of Zionism were steadfast supporters of the project to establish a Jewish homeland in Israel.  (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).