Author: אות ומופת - אורנה גרינמן

Is it possible? Can anyone atone for sins and receive forgiveness without the shedding of pure blood?

Leviticus 17:11 is only one verse out of many that explains how it works: a pure and sinless soul (blood) has to be poured for a sinful soul to be covered.

With the destruction of the Second Temple (70 AD), the sacrificial system was destroyed as well. So how can a practicing Jew stand before God without shedding of blood? Many ideas developed through the ages, to provide for this lack. One of them is the sacrifice of roosters – a practice that can be seen in many places around Israel as the Holiest Day of the year is about to launch, the Day of Atonement.

They buy a rooster, wave it around their heads in circular motion and say the following prayer:

This is my exchange, this is my substitute, this is my atonement. This rooster will go to its death, while I will enter and proceed to a good long life and to peace.

Than they slaughter the rooster and give it to the poor.

Many Jews despise this practice and replace the chicken with money. They circle coins over their heads and say a similar prayer.

The point remains: a whole nation is faced with a severe fact. We are sinful, we need to draw near to God, but we can’t do it without a price.

As this Holy Day approaches (in just a few hours), I  invite you to pray for a People that sit in darkness, that understand intuitively some spiritual important principles, but come up with men-made solutions that only add to our sinfulness.

Many in our nation will spend the next 25 hours in synagogues, looking for some relief for their enormous guilt, hoping to turn a new page with God, not knowing He had already provided – a Lamb! Not a rooster. Not knowing the price has already been paid. Fully, completely!

Our local congregation, as many other Messianic congregations across the country, will fast with the nation and gather to pray. I will be praying for eyes to be opened, for God to reveal the Jewish Face of His Son to His people, even as they read ancient prayers. I will pray that words will pop out of the prayer book and be filled with true meaning. And that the fast and long prayers will not satisfy their need to be rid of their guilt, that they will look for the Real Thing!

For the Salvation of Israel!

Dana immigrated to Israel from Latvia eight years ago, and married a good friend of mine. In her homeland she was working as a lawyer for the central bank. In Israel she wanted to seek a different path for fulfillment.

Dana

A few years ago she attended a couple of our seminars and Tabernacle workshops, and diligently applied the teaching. Her life was impacted in many ways, to the point she even started coaching others via Skype, and with much success.

Last month she joined me on a ministry trip to Finland. I will let her share the story:

Ever since I heard Orna’s teaching about building a Tabernacle in our hearts, I became a “fan” of it. I love to apply it in my own life and share it with others. And I especially love the work that we all need to do at the Brazen Altar – meaning, repentance and forgiveness. Once I applied it and realized the quick and deep transformation it brings into my life, I made it a part of my routine. It became my main way of dealing with any struggle or hardship.

My husband and I run a small family tourism business. Two weeks before Orna and I left for Finland, a new customer contacted us. We communicated mostly through emails, but almost from the get go I realized that she evokes many painful feelings within me. I felt that she was extremely demanding and manipulative, and it made me anxious and distressed. I would turn my computer on, and my abdominal muscles would tighten up. There were days that this client was all I could think of. It deteriorated to the point I could not sleep or eat properly.

I started questioning if I will be able to minister in Finland and assist Orna. “Why did it need to happen now?” I wondered with much frustration.

We left a humid, crazily hot and dusty weather (Israeli summer), and could not get enough of the green view and refreshing air. While the locals were heating up their homes, Orna and I opened all the windows we could. I was constantly reminded of my childhood in Latvia, so every berry bush and booth in the market made me jump with joy. I devoured the colorful variety of wild berries, while Orna looked at me, tasted one once in a while and in most cases sealed the case with a specific expression and two plain words – “too sour”.

We were invited to teach in various places about the role of Gentiles alongside Israel in this time in history. In two places we also held long seminars, and taught about healing of wounds through the Tabernacle.

The Finish people are calm, quiet and sweet. Their facial expressions don’t always show many emotions, so at times we could not figure out what they think about our teaching and if they are practicing it. Gradually we saw God working in many hearts as they were applying the teaching and choosing to repent, forgive and agree with what the Word says.

We saw quiet tears, touched hearts and hope restored. Some of them dealt with deep childhood memories that were never touched by the Light of God. Others worked on current hurts, inflicted sometimes even by loved ones. We saw immediate results in their facial expression and in some cases, even in circumstances, once they chose to open some locked doors and let Yeshua into the pain.

One morning we discussed what we should do when we hold anything against God. One elderly lady gently commented that He is all good and loving, therefore we have no right to hold anything against Him. Right. However, we still do. A minute later she suddenly broke up, while Orna was teaching, put her pen aside, fanned her suite’s flaps and cried out, “Oh… no… I just realized how angry I am at God. Sooo angry!” Then she sat down calmly and smiled. She realized how much she was holding against God, and that she had to do something about it in order to walk in freedom. The Tabernacle provided her the means and Biblical basis to do exactly that.

Back to my struggle with the new client

Our internet connection throughout our time away was somewhat problematic, which made me quite happy. That meant: no real ability to check emails, and time off from the stressful communication with the client. But God kept knocking on various doors inside me. I was still stressed, and my stomach was still in knots.

Finally I said, “o.k., Lord. I hear your knocks”. While Orna was teaching about forgiveness, I decided to finally apply. I invited Yeshua into the facts that troubled me, the feelings and thoughts it brought up and also into my physical and emotional reactions.

Almost immediately the Holy Spirit reminded me of a traumatic childhood incident. A teacher in kindergarten had shamed me terribly and abusively, in front of all the other kids. The feelings I had back than were similar to the ones invoked by the communications with this customer.

Once I chose to forgive the client, God immediately went deeper and touched a deepest wound. I moved on in the healing process and faced the Menorah (which represents God’s Light, searching our innermost being). I realized that deep inside I don’t feel that I have control over my life, that even God is not in full control. I had a sobering moment when I understood that my fear is the one in control.

Forgiveness flooded me again, this time towards myself and that teacher. I also had to deal with what I was holding against God. I then approached the Table of Showbread (symbolizing the Word) and found a specific truth which my innermost being was starving for:

“Commit your way unto the Lord. Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday” (Psalm 37:5).

I started “eating” this portion, speaking it to myself and taking it into my innermost being, especially when the painful feelings popped up.

Later on I checked my emails. There she was again, my client. This time, to my surprise, I could look at her name with no fear. As I started reading the email, my eyes almost popped out! I ran to Orna and cried, “you must see this!” 

Her email contained no demands, no confusing suggestions, no manipulation. There was only one sentence – “You are our hero!”

Dana teaches about forgiveness and shares her testimony

Teaching the Tabernacle in Finland

As the tour continued I had several opportunities to share this story with the audience. I had a fresh testimony, still in the making. My heart was still tender and sometimes even in pain, but it was obvious that forgiveness works. So my battle turned into an invitation for our audience to walk through the Tabernacle themselves.

I was in awe when I saw how God had prepared this trip from the beginning to the end. He used my new customer to heal a deep wound I totally forgot about. I finally realized He chose the best timing for me. What seemed to be a redundant stress turned into an encouragement for others – to run for forgiveness and build a Tabernacle in their lives from the very crooked and broken areas.

You are welcome to attend

Would you like to do it yourself? Would you like to see God’s glory taking over the very broken areas in your life, changing a painful and broken area for good? It is possible and simpler than you may think. But it involves a process. The pattern of the Tabernacle explains how God wants us to do that (our book Woven With Gold describes this process in detail. It is available for purchase in Hebrew, and hopefully will also be available in English early next year. For a detailed look into the topic of forgiveness, we offer a booklet called Who is knocking on your door? (A Study Guide to accompany this booklet will be available for purchase after October 2017).

I am working on a new program, designed for English speakers. Each participant will choose a broken area in his or her life, and walk with it all the way to the Holy of Hollies, where provision, peace and victory await us.

You are invited to visit Israel and join us for an intense “walk through the Tabernacle” workshop. It will last 8-10 days and will take place in April 2018 (dates are not final yet).

If you are interested, email me, and I will send you prices and further details.

 

As the month of July starts, I automatically get into defense mode. I defend my brain from melting in the hot and humid weather, and I set aside my tendency to run any training program. This is the time to turn on the air conditioner, reflect on the passing year and chat with God about His plans for the coming one.

I should probably include you in some of our conversations. But let’s start with a bunch of pictures I took along the way. They will do a better job than my many words, and they will give you an idea of some of my whereabouts in the passing months.

Teaching and Ministry Tours

I travel overseas mostly to teach about the role
of Gentiles on behalf of Israel. My US tour started in Chickamauga, GA

I believe the Gentiles who love Israel are the modern day “Ruth”,
and that they have a crucial position as a mediator between
the modern day Naomi and the Redeemer. In the picture above:
teaching about it at Second Baptist Church in LaFayette, GA

Wounded people cannot serve as healthy intercessors between God
and a wounded nation, unless their wounds are healed. Teaching
about forgiveness in Scottsboro, AL

Recruiting Gentiles to stand alongside Israel in Birmingham, AL

and in Dalton, GA

As weird as it may sound, even cowboys can become a “Ruth”…
Trying to convince them, in a Cowboy Church, LaFayette, GA

Updating friends who already serve as “Ruths”, in Chattanooga, TN

Teaching in Charlotte, NC on hearing God’s voice
through difficulties and hardships 

  

Tabernacle seminar in Florida

Why do we see very few miracles in Israel?
Talking about it with university students in Cleavland, TN

England is turning Islamic in a rapid pace. The lovers of Israel in England are not many, and they are always so hungry to learn more on their role on behalf
of modern Israel. Teaching in Luton on April 

In Finland, May 2017

Inkeri (on the right) came from Finland to minister in Israel for a while and attended one of the long term workshops we lead.
On May I traveled to Finland, and enjoyed her aid as my interpreter in Turku

Teaching about the Messiah who is hidden from our nation, in Helsinki

Conducting a Tabernacle Seminar in Bergen, Norway

The first session of the seminar was bout the gate, which represents salvation.
Jakob Arnt is the leader who invited me to hold this seminar. Here he enters
His gates with thanksgiving in his heart And His courts with praise!

Home Front – Ministering to Holocaust Survivors 

Rivka W’ has been home bound for the past five years. We visited and provided companionship and some aid. Rivka is singing here with Bracha – a Dutch “Ruth” – who comes to Israel twice a year in order to make the survivors’
hearts rejoice! (more about that in You turned my mourning into dancing)

Rivka Shechman was a dear friend we recently had to say our good-byes to
(read about it at A sad goodbye). Here are snapshots from some
precious moments we had with her. This one was taken during
a special evening we held in her honor (see Yizkor the forgotten)

She fell in love with Kirby, a “Ruth” who came from
the US to paint her house and soften Rivka’s heart towards God

Kirby realized that Rivka appreciates the language of arts, and placed in her hands an English Bible. Rivka could not resist that. She set on her sofa and was impressed with the art accompanying the text

Enjoying a meal with the team that came to paint Rivk’s home
and give of their time to help the Body in Israel.
I am still repenting of the crazy deserts we had later on

Humanitarian aid given to an elderly couple in Be’er Sheva.
The husband is a Holocaust Survivor

All Kinds of Training Programs

 

Brainstorming with the team of “Matzliach” – a new program, designed to equip Messianic students with much needed tools as their faith comes under attack in the world of academia and the job market 

One of the weekly “Matzliach” meetings

At Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) with “Taglit HaMaayan” (Meaning: Discovery through HaMaayan). This is a new program, launched by my local congregation 

At Gideon Spring with one of the groups of  “Taglit HaMaayan”.
This unique format enables tourists to study the Bible
on site with great teachers and apply some of it as they travel

We teach, for example, about prayer and the borders of Israel,
and than travel to strategic spots in order to apply that teaching

Pastor Hope Burt from New Life Church in Venice, FL, attended one of our tours. Here is what she shares:

The “Taglit HaMaayan” was a wonderful experience and I would definitely recommend it to others. I would like to bring another team.

What I most appreciated (it is rare) about the trip is the spiritual safety. The heart of repentance, redemption and restoration that the team exhibits creates an atmosphere of health, healing and heaven on earth.

Training and equipping a team in the southern region. This was one of my main projects this past year, and will continue next year as well

Teaching in youth camps – one designed for teens from the south

the other one with the youth group from my home congregation
(see picture at the top of this post)

Publications

In between teaching overseas and in Israel,
I took a few weeks to write… and write…

Yap, still writing. I hope to have some of this material available
in both Hebrew and English by Fall 2017

Recording my testimony at the “One for Israel” studio

You can watch it at My testimony on One for Israel

Work Only?

Work can be so exhausting… “collapsing” on a sunny moment
in cold Finland, with my close friend Liat, who joined me during that tour

A moment of rest at the Tennessee aquarium 

Touring the land  

Feasting on a great meal at a goat dairy farm down south

I heard about the statue “Fountain of Tears” years ago, and only this year made it there. This is a powerful piece of art, made by a Messianic believer – Rick Wiencke (http://fot-foundation.org/portfolio/).
It shows where was Yeshua during the Holocaust

A moment of pure joy with my great-niece Emmanuel

and my playful great-nephew Itamar, who calls me “DOODA”

Catching virtual kisses from my American niece and nephew 

 Bottom Line

I overloaded, overburdened myself, and over committed. Travelling is not easy for me, and my itinerary this year made it clearer than ever how long it takes for me to recover when I get back home.

So one conclusion is: I must work harder on making sure God wants me to travel so often and so much. I love teaching, and I love being among Gentiles who love us, but my main calling is to the restoration of the widow Israel, and I kind of lost balance a bit, I’m afraid. I thought I can rest a couple of days after each trip, and continue with the things I usually do here. Didn’t work. I had to say so many no’s this year to people who asked for help. Not good!

Another point I discuss with God these days: I want to make more close disciples, to train a few people on a long term commitment, walk with them through their life and equip them with the powerful tools God has loved on me.

And the last one: I need a personal assistant. One of my sisters lives in America and helps me a few hours each week with correspondence and planning. But I also need someone who lives in Israel, can travel with me and help me carry some of the load. You are welcome to pray for me along these lines.

Those of you who mention my name before the Throne when I am either too busy to do that or too negligent to remember how powerful that is – bless your hearts and spirits and mouths. I even bless your knees. I consider it a huge privilege to have you watch my back.

Some of you are co-partnering with me financially, enabling me to dedicate time and energy for all these projects. I bring you before our Father and ask Him to bless you in return.

Others are – I hope – get inspired as you read this blog, and understand Israel and her need a bit better with each post. You are all important and precious, and I cherish the fact that you even care to read, comment and support. Especially when the post is so crazily long.

This week we had to say our goodbyes to a dear friend you’ve heard me mention quite often.

Rivka Shechman was one of the Holocaust survivors we had the privilege of working with in the past few years. On June 25 we took her to a restaurant, to celebrate her 88th birthday. The following morning, on the very date of her birthday, she went out for some errands.

Apparently (we don’t have all the details), she was hit by a passing car. Shop owners, who saw that, told she seemed to be ok at the beginning, but they still called an ambulance. Her condition deteriorated quickly, and the following night she passed away.

As customary in Judaism, her funeral was held the following day. It was a beautiful tribute to the woman she was and the lives she touched.

Years ago she asked her social worker to read one of her poems titled “A Woman’s Prayer” at her gravesite, and so she did. After the grave was covered with sand, the young woman pulled out of her bag a copy of the book of poems and artwork we published for Rivka just a few short months ago. What a blessing it was for me – to know we were able to make her heart rejoice and be used to fulfill one of her wishes.

A WOMAN’S PRAYER by Rivka

She says:

“Thank you, God, thank you for giving me long life.
Indeed, life has been rough, living constantly on the edge.
No left, no right, only moving straight ahead.
But I kept moving on.

Left with no childhood, in the dark, with fear, in the cold and loneliness.
Always moving straight ahead, for there was no left and no right.
I experienced wars, wandered in foreign lands,
fought against wolves, who were hungry, just like me.
And against people, who were far worse than the wolves.
With snakes of all kinds.
And actually, God, snakes can show mercy.

I am still living on the edge, and I thank you, God,
for helping me raise a family, children, grandchildren.
For touching happiness though always left lonely.
I had no shoulder to cry on, no one to stand by my side.

When the soul hurts, you can’t see it.
The heart bleeds, the eyes so sad and downcast.
But people want happiness and joy.

So yes, God, I was not born to be happy myself,
I was born to bring joy to others, that they may be happy,
and with them I too will be.

God, you, who are so much greater than all of us,
please protect the children, the grandchildren, my relatives,
neighbors and friends.
Please forget not the woman, that is still living on the edge,
always with you, always Yours”.

Amen. Amen

Rivka’s sons at her burial

Some of you have sown from your time, came to Israel to paint her home, and donated into the Holocaust Fund I started a few years ago. This has enabled us to make Rivka’s heart rejoice. We fixed some stuff in her home, took her out, listened to her stories, and slowly slowly she came out of a depressive cloud that was over her. Thank you for co-partnering with us in this pure and undefiled act of worship (James 1:27).

Please join us in prayer for her family and loved ones. Her sons are overwhelmed with the care God lavished on their mom through people who didn’t even know her, who are not even Jewish. This might be one more way He wants to reveal His Face to this family.

 

 

 

What can I say in your honor, Jerusalem, that hasn’t already been said? Everyone wants to crown you and say “she’s mine”, or “I was here first.” Is there a place left on your head for me to set some crowns of my own?

A Head Stand or a Nod?

The following story never ceases to amaze me.

As 1949 was coming to an end, the UN assembly voted on turning Jerusalem into an international city. At that point Jerusalem was divided between 1-year old Israel, and Jordan. On December 5th 1949, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs called from New York to notify Prime Minister Ben Gurion that the vote may pass in favor of the resolution. Apparently, the UN vote had many supporters. Israel suggested international governing only upon the sacred places, not all over the city.

An Israeli delegation was sent urgently to the UN, in an attempt to garner support from foreign ambassadors. To no avail. The delegation sent a telegram to Ben Gurion, notifying him that “our suggestion in regards to Jerusalem has a chance of receiving one vote only – Israel’s”.

At that moment, the Old Man (that’s what everyone called Ben Gurion) was sitting in his office, reading the OT. His personal assistant read the telegram to him, stressing that “Israel’s vote is the only one guaranteed to support our resolution”.

David Ben Gurion loved to stand on his head. Every day.
I wonder what historical decisions were made while
his blood was flowing from his feet in the other direction

Ben Gurion took another look at the open Bible on his desk. “Yes”, he said firmly, and pointed to the text, “but that is the deciding vote!”

He than asked his secretary to send a response, stating, “In my opinion, that one vote is enough”.

Four days later, on December 9th, the voting was held at the UN: 38 voted for internationalization of Jerusalem, 14 against, 7 abstained. This placed Israel between a rock and a hard place. If we did not respond, it will be interpreted as acceptance of the UN resolution.

The following morning Ben Gurion arrived at the cabinet meeting, which was seated back than in Tel Aviv, and proposed to move all the government offices to Jerusalem. Immediately! The assembly turned into a tumultuous argument. Many ministers supported Ben Gurion, but there were those who hesitated. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was still in NY, sent another telegram. This one was to notify of his resignation, as he disagreed with the proposal to move the government offices to Jerusalem. Ben Gurion replied that he does not accept the resignation. The Old man obviously enjoyed being obstinate and standing on his head.

This amusing pose has become part of our national memory,
so much so that outside the little house to which Ben Gurion
retired from political activity stands a statue
depicting this perpetual state he chose to live his life in.

Four more days passed. On December 13, at 5 pm, Ben Gurion addressed the Knesset, the Israeli cabinet. He reminded everyone that the Tel Aviv location was temporary, and suited them only because Jerusalem has been under siege during the War of Independence.

The first cabinet of Israel was housed in
Sharona neighborhood in Tel Aviv,
until all the offices were moved to Jerusalem

“The state of Israel has always had and always will have only one capital”, he declared. “Jerusalem is eternal… we are now continuing actively to move the government to Jerusalem… there is no reason to prevent the Knesset from returning to Jerusalem…”

The world responded in anger. France condemned Israel. The Vatican was enraged. Catholic countries protested bitterly. But that was it. That’s all that happened. Nothing besides some negative statements and feelings.

Several days later trucks laden with office furniture, official documents and supplies begun moving the Israeli government into Jerusalem. The UN’s plan of internationalizing Jerusalem did not come to fruition. The western part of the city became the capital of Israel. During the Six-Day War the Israeli Defense Forces captured East Jerusalem, and in 1980 the Knesset signed a law asserting that the complete and unified Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

Ask How She is Doing…

In Psalm 122 the psalmist invites those who love Jerusalem to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”.

The word translated as “pray” – Sha’alu – is actually a mistranslation. The psalmist is not calling his readers to pray that there will be peace in Jerusalem, as if it were some mantra to be pronounced daily as part of a list of things to pray for. The word “Sha’alu” requires the reader to take interest in Jerusalem’s well-being, inquire as to it, or lack thereof, and examine why there is no peace there, so that we can pray accordingly. That same saying appears in Jeremiah 15:5, where it is translated more accurately.

So How is Jerusalem Doing?

Thank you for asking.

Right now it’s pretty backed up, congested. Trump came for a historical visit, the implications of which will only be clear in the days to come, and turned moving around in this cramped and narrow city to almost impossible. Festivals and special events take place all over the city for the 50 years’ celebration. It is packed with tourists, with those who love her, as well as those who seek to harm her.

The status of Jerusalem will be challenged again soon, along with the other borders of Israel. Will our present leaders be able to stand on their heads, put their fingers on the right Bible page, and against all odds, against all public opinion, follow that One Voice that truly matters?

Your prayers, your support, your stand in the gap, can make a difference here.

“The nation of Israel lives” –
this is what the script says. But the image says it all

We are now in the midst of a week of commemoration days, telling well the history of modern Zionism. The first of these was Holocaust Memorial Day, and tomorrow we will remember the fallen among our soldiers and terror victims. Once this commemoration day is over (Monday at sun down), Israel’s 69^th Independence Day events will commence. During the day, various ceremonies will be held throughout the land, especially in military cemeteries, in memory of those young lives that were cut down in their prime. Monday morning a siren will be heard throughout the country, and we will all stand at attention in their honor, and as darkness dawns, Independence Day celebrations will begin.

In human perspective this seems like something inconceivable. How can you switch, from one moment to another, from an entire array of difficult feelings, painful ones, so powerful, to joy, dancing and fireworks?

There is something spiritual in it, as only God can breathe this upon a human being. He is the one that can turn our “mourning into dancing” (Ps. 30:11). Striped robes are never the end of the story. They testify to the deep pit we are in right now, but it is only a temporary suffering, that will eventually turn us into valiant heroes who fulfil ancient prophecies.

Rivka and Bracha singing together

Rivka W. is another holocaust survivor God brought to my life. Bracha, a friend from Holland, joined me during my last visit to see her. Bracha has a special tender spot for Holocaust survivors. She dedicates much of her time and resources to comfort them.

At a certain point during our conversation, Bracha held Rivka’s hand and began to sing a peaceful song to her. The change that took place in Rivka’s face touched me deeply, and it reminded me how God can turn any mourning into dancing.

Rivka and Bracha singing “Oseh Shalom Bi’Mromav”

[“He who establishes peace in the heavenlies, He will establish peace upon us, and upon all of Israel, and let us all say Amen. Let Him establish peace, let Him establish peace, peace upon us and upon all of Israel”]

What caused this immediate change in Rivka’s facial expression? A house visit, a listening ear, a hand holding on to her weary and wrinkled hand, and a chat with a “Ruth” whose heart is full of love to holocaust survivors, a Ruth that came to tell her: “I am with you. We are with you. We are so sorry for what our people inflicted upon you, and we remember”. We cannot undo the horrors these wounded souls have been through, but sometimes seeing their bitterness turn into joy is just as simple as that!

The fate of children who survived the holocaust as a result of being hidden in the homes of Christian families or in monasteries is a gloomy issue in Jewish history. The Catholic church did not provide much help after the holocaust to provide a solution to this problem, neither did the person at its helm, pope Pius XII.

Thousands of Jewish children were hidden during the holocaust in monasteries, with Catholic families, schools and so forth. Many were baptized, leading the church to prevent their return to their families and former religion. Others were adopted during the war by Polish families, and thus were lost to Israel forever. It is estimated that over 3,000 Jewish children were hid in monasteries in Poland after the holocaust.

Jewish girls of the Soeurs de Sainte Marie
convent school in a Belgian village (Wesembeek-Oppem)

Among the requests of Jewish leaders to save the “monastery children” after the holocaust, one of the most well known is that of the Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog in 1946, while he was Israel’s chief Rabbi. Immediately after the Holocaust, Herzog traveled for six month among the destructed and desolate Jewish communities of Europe. His visit began at the Vatican, in an attempt to assist Jews and locate the many Jewish children that were hidden in Catholic convents.

Rabbi Herzog pled with the pope stating that “The Jewish people can not accept that these youngsters will remain completely and utterly detached from their heritage. As of today, each Jewish child is to us like a thousand children.” He beseeched the pope’s assistance in their return, and demanded that priests in every county be told that they are to reveal the monasteries where these children were hidden so that they can be returned to their own people. The pope refused with various excuses, but did grant Herzogpermission to visit the monasteries himself, and look for the kids. If he could prove that any of them was of Jewish descent, he was allowed to take them with him.

Rabbi Yitzhak HeLevi Herzog, 1959

As there was no way to locate the children, Rabbi Herzog would enter a Monastery boarding school at night, stand in the middle of the room and yell. “Sh’ma Israel, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad” (Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one). All of a sudden, some children would rise from their bed, and half asleep would cry out: “Mamme, Mamme!” Others had their little right hand rise to cover their eyes, which obviously testified to their Jewishness. The Catholic priests who witnessed it did not protest, and allowed Herzog to take these kids with him to Israel. In such an uncommon way he was able to bring back approximately 1,000 children to our people.

I am so touched by the memory that was burned in these children’s minds. They were mere infants when their parents, who were murdered in the Nazi camps, handed them to the monks. These kids were raised as Catholics and knew nothing of their Jewish heritage. But when they heard that cry in the middle of the night, something deep inside them was stirred to life, something that led them back home.

This amazing story illustrates what is happening to the people of Israel in these last days. God is walking in our midst, often times through Gentiles who love us, and contrary to all we have perceived for two thousand years, contrary to the mindset which says that belief in Yeshua means belief in foreign gods, they teach us that He is our Messiah. The cry “Sh’ma Israel, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad” is heard, and is stirring something within us, waking us up from centuries of slumber.

“Tatte, Tatte!” we start to cry out. “Father, Father.” And He reveals His faces to us, and leads us to the climax of the story, to the day in which all His children will return from various monasteries and from far away places, back to their homeland, where He will hide His faces from us no more (Ezk. 39:22-29).

 

158,000 Holocaust Survivors live in Israel today. About 1,000 die each month. Their average age is 85.

A report published this week, as Holocaust Memorial Day is fast approaching, calls the Israeli authorities to act immediately in order to correct the injustice inflicted upon them: “Time is running out. The state should continue to make improvements and strive to solve the existential distress of all the needy elderly in the country, including Holocaust survivors. The survivors who experienced the events of the Holocaust are entitled to live the rest of their lives with dignity and to receive the recognition they deserve.” This is what Israel’s state comptroller writes in his special report.

It is shameful. We are called to remember these people, and this is the meaning of the word “Yizkor”. I am constantly amazed at the way these survivors chose life, although at times, death could have been a much easier solution. I try to put myself in their place. If I was being shut behind fences, starved and abused, I think I would have chosen to put an end to it as soon as possible. I may not have taken my life by my own hands, but I probably would have tried to escape, knowing that most likely someone will shoot me and end my life. Anything to make that suffering end. But something burned in the hearts of these survivors, and they chose life. Sanctity of life, knowing that life is a gift only given to us once, was stronger than all the unfathomable suffering they had experienced.

We need to remember them, and we even hold an annual commemoration day in their honor, but throughout the year, not enough is done to improve their state. 40 million Israeli Shekels were allocated for the benefit of holocaust survivors in 2016, but only 4.3 million were used. Red tape. Part of their needs are not met in any government office, while others are handled by several authorities simultaneously. This inefficiency, apathy and irritating waste should summon us all to pray and intercede for them.

So please, as Holocaust Memorial Day will be commemorated this coming Sunday and Monday, and regardless of the timing, let us lift the widowhood of Israel in this area before the Throne of Grace. Let this embarrassing realm be adorned with the glory of God. Pray for the various authorities that are supposed to make life easier and better for these precious souls. Pray that the hearts of the officials serving them will soften, and that treatment of their needs will rise to the top of the list of priorities, so that they can live the few years they still have with dignity.

We, at Ot OoMofet, are doing our little part to improve the state of those we can through personally assisting one widow at a time, one family here and there, as God leads us to them. Here are a few pictures that I hope will warm your heart and birth hope in all of us.

Rivka is telling about one of the horrific journeys in a Nazzi train

Rivka Shechman is an 87 year old Holocaust survivor, and a talented and artistic woman. Her book of poems and artwork was finally published by us in both Hebrew and English. We invited a few friends, and held a special night celebrating this publishing. Rivka read from her works, and was touched to tears as people she never met before, people who did not know her, took the time to listen to her and even purchase a copy of her book. (For your very own copy, please go to He is Always With Me).

Makombo, a loyal partner of Ot Oo’Mofet from Kenya, fell in love with Rivka’s story. She ordered several copies of her book, and taught the children under her care to recite her poems. She is using Rivka’s book of poems as a textbook to teach the kids about the Holocaust, in a culture that has no idea about the existence of that atrocity in the history of the world.

Makombo’s class citing one of Rivka’s poems.

I wish you could all see the look on Rivka’s face when she realized her life story has become a testimony to others. It gave so much meaning to her suffering, and brought a huge smile to her face.

A group of friends from Georgia and Florida boarded a plane and arrived in Israel for a week of hands-on ministry, among else painting Rivka’s home, that desperately needed some fixings and cleaning. She was beside herself in excitement and joy!

These are just a few of the ways God is using to soften Jewish broken hearts who have hardened towards Him. They find it hard to address Him directly, just as Naomi found it difficult to address Boaz directly. She needed a mediator, and God is supplying nowadays this mediator, this go between, through Ruths such as you, who give of their time or resources, or come to Israel in person to say: “Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be your God; Your pain is my pain, and as much as I possible can – I will take some of that pain away from you and show you the love of our Heavenly Father.”

Rivka’s sons, who are used to a life of sparseness, are amazed to see the change in their mother’s spirit and attitude. She is happy, excited, full of joy. Her home is being changed right in front of their eyes, and needs they were unable to help her meet in years are being met. They seek to understand what is going on, and why, and so they too get to hear about the God of Israel who bestows His love for his people through the Gentiles.

Kirby, one of the women in the group, showed Rivka her Bible,
which is accompanied by illustration done by Michael Washer.
She got comfy on her couch while the team worked on her walls,
and for the first time since I met her a few years ago,
looked through a Bible and was vastly impressed.

 

Many traditions developed around Passover. One of them is the reading of Song of Songs throughout the week of the Feast.

One can read this short book in many ways: as a love letter that God sent you personally, or His bride, or the nation of Israel. This week I started reading a little each day, proclaiming it over Israel. Try it. It will enrich your prayer language with beautiful phrases.

Here are some examples:

Kiss Israel with the kisses of your mouth. As they read this portion of your Word, sow seeds of truth in their hearts and inspire them to seek your Word directly, not through teachings and disputes of the Sages (1:1).

Draw them away from dead works and dead insights and bring them into your inner chambers (1:4).

Develop in us a desire to sit in your shade and eat the fruit of your Word; to take it in so that it will be a delight to our taste buds (2:3).

Leap upon the mountains that stand between us and your Voice, Lord. Skip over those hills. Teach us to seek your Voice and dare to hear it directly, not through traditions and the lens of interpreters (2:8-14).

And here is my favorite for today:

Come to your garden, Lord. Weave your myrrh, your shedded blood, with the spices of our prayers (5:1). The prayers of many in our nation ignore the necessity of myrrh (that symbolizes death in this book). Please hear our prayers, reveal to us that blood was shed so that our prayers can be answered and intimacy with you can become a reality. Awaken us from our way tooooooo long beauty sleep.

Our hearts are awaken towards you (5:2). We have read and thought this week about the mighty story of Exodus (even though it was blurred by many rabbinical stories), and our hearts are somewhat awake a little more than usual. But our entire being is still asleep when it comes to your existence and love. Please wake us up, Lord. Help us hear your knocks on various doors in our lives and routine, so we can hear how much you love us, how long you have waited (5:3).

The lion of Judah is certainly
up and roaring, but not His cub. Not yet…

You can carry on and on with these images. Let God lead you, so while many in our nation read this book, your voice can echo with theirs as you bring the sleeping beauty – His beloved widow Israel – before her Lover, whom she is still too numb to recognize.

Who led the children of Israel out of Egypt, all the way to the promised land?

Moses? Sure. But he had no idea if they’re to turn left or right when they hit a junction. Whom did he follow?

God? Right, that would be the common answer.

But can you please be a bit more specific?

A mysterious being led the children of Israel out of Egypt, stood between them and the Egyptians at the shore of the Red Sea, manifested Himself in a pillar of smoke and fire, and brought them into the promised land.

At times the Bible calls this being an “Angel” (e.g. Ex. 14:19; 23:20-23; 33:2-3), sometimes the “Angel of YHWA” (Jud. 2:1-4), and elsewhere He is called “His Faces” (Ex. 33:14; Deut. 4:37 and others) or the “Angel of His Faces”“ (Isa. 63:9). His Faces, not His presence or His countenance, as the English translations wrongly say at times. These two terms do not even exist in the original Hebrew text. It is always about Faces.

This Angel is the Messiah, who revealed Himself to the nation through an abundance of symbols and clues. Many of them are found in the various Feasts that God appointed in the OT. Each Feast (in Hebrew, Mo-Ed, meaning an appointed time) reveals a bit more about this fascinating being, that never stepped forward and testified clearly to His identity. He was always covered with either smoke, fire, night, symbols, parables, etc.

Jews all over the world set at the Passover table earlier this week, telling the story of the Exodus. History and Rabbinical purposeful plan have distorted God’s original design. Passover was meant to point towards the Lamb that was slain, the unleavened Bread, the necessity of Blood on our doorposts so that death passes over. But these clues are hidden from our nation, as now this Feast is mostly about food, family, and disputes of Rabbis from centuries ago, who compiled a booklet that most families read that evening, but sadly is so remote from God’s original commandment.

Why are we focusing on the wrong things, year in and year out? Why do we work so hard, sometimes with fear and trembling, to prepare for a celebration that is so deviated from the original design? The answer can be summed up in the term “Hidden Faces.” The true identity of the Messiah is hidden from us on purpose, as a part of God’s brilliant plan to save the whole world. As long as He is hidden from us Jews, Gentiles can see Him for who He is.

The globe keeps turning. Half sees His Faces
for who He is, but He is still hidden from the other half

However, this era is coming to a closure. Soon our nation will go through a sobering experience. We will realize that He is not our enemy, but the Lover of our soul. And we will mourn deeply that day, as one mourns for the loss of a first born son (for more on this subject, click here Ruth and Naomi).

Dear friends, here is another opportunity for you to step alongside our nation, who is, for the most part, blind to the meaning of this Feast. Most Jews hardly even think about God or His miraculous deliverance during this sacred time. Here is another opportunity for you to stand between us and God and pray…

♦  that God will open blind eyes.

♦  that while we look at some of the signs and symbols that are woven into this Feast, we will reach beyond the fun and tradition and ask deep questions.

♦  that God will use this opportunity to reveal to us more aspects of the Angel of His Faces.

Traditions are beautiful, but they can be killers of truth, because our tendency is not to seek beyond them. We are so used to do the same thing, that we don’t even try to understand it.

♦  Let’s pray that our nation will seek to understand the meaning of blood, of unleavened bread and of true deliverance.