During the week covered by this review, we received 2 articles on the following subjects:
Jerusalem
Anti-Missionary Activity
Jerusalem
Makor Rishon, October 26, 2018
As Knesset member Rachel Azaria’s church lands law proposal goes ahead to a vote, church leaders have threatened to shut the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre once again. Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, who has been charged with resolving the crisis, met with church leaders last week. The law will make it illegal for the real estate developers who bought Jerusalem lands from the churches to demand high rents or to threaten residents with removal. Instead, the Jewish National Fund will compensate the new owners with a 15% return on the original sale price. While the lands do not belong to the churches anymore, church leaders fear that such a law would affect future church dealings. Hanegbi has therefore clarified that the law is meant to protect Jerusalem residents rather than hurt church assets. Church leaders were assured they would be represented at committee meetings regarding the final formulation of the law. Hanegbi, however, said he did not yet know if church leaders would withdraw their opposition.
Anti-Missionary Activity
HaMevasser, October 30, 2018
Seventeen Jews “saved” from Christian missionary cults in the last year participated in a trip planned by Yad L’Achim. This has become a tradition. Every month, those saved from missionary cults gather to hear lectures, as well as eat, sing, and dance together. Twice a year, “survivors” go on a day trip. This year survivors were taken to the Old City in order to experience their Judaism in a more tangible way. Survivors were shown archaeological findings proving the truth of the Bible and its continuity, in opposition to what is preached in missionary churches. One of the survivors, who had exited a Messianic Jewish cult, said: “these trips strengthen us.” Another, who is still in contact with Messianic Jews, said it was, “a special moment when we saw the results of the destruction of the temple. We understood we had to continue to carry to the Jewish torch. The findings also showed us that the prophecies over Israel’s redemption and the building of the third temple have still to come true, and that Israel is indeed the chosen nation.” The trip ended at the Western Wall with prayer for friends who are still caught up in Messianic Jewish cults, as well as joyful dancing.