During the week covered by this review, we received 8 articles on the following subjects:
Israeli / Jewish Attitudes Concerning Christians / Christianity
Archaeology
Jewish / Christian Relations
Political Issues
Anti-Missionary Activity
Israeli / Jewish Attitudes Concerning Christians / Christianity
Makor Rishon – Shabbat, August 27, 2021
This article dealt with a meeting in Times Square in the 1970s between the author, then a young man, and a Messianic Jew. The author recalled their discussion regarding the Ramban’s commentary on Deut. 27:26, which states that the curse does not apply to a Jew who tries but fails to follow the Law, but to those who deny the eternal authority of the Law, like Paul, with his message of salvation by grace alone.
The Marker, September 2, 2021
This article praised American billionaire Cathie Wood, a devout Christian, for what it referred to as her sharp business analysis skills, combined with “prophetic” convictions of the future. According to Ms. Wood, her entire success is due to a calling from the Holy Spirit. The article also reported on those who oppose her methods and predict her fall, to which she replies, “Keep believing!”.
Archaeology
Yated Ne’eman, August 27, 2021
This piece was about the altar that was discovered 40 years ago on Mount Ebal. According to the article, it is the very same altar built by Joshua, and is the “most dramatic archaeological discovery in the history of the Jewish nation”, because it proves the authenticity of the Bible. The article claimed that some researchers were trying to conceal this exciting discovery using false claims, as it proves the veracity of the Bible, and they themselves are anti-Bible.
Jewish / Christian Relations
Mabit, August 27, 2021; Hamekomon – Kiryat Gat, August 27, 2021
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, together with Amidar, has begun the distribution of 9000 gift cards to elderly people and single-parent families residing in public housing, in order to assist them with the purchase of food, clothes and school supplies for the new school year.
Yediot Ahronot, September 2, 2021
Two ancient olive trees of great significance to the Catholic community in Rameh, in the Galilee, were carefully moved to another location in order to make way for construction to improve highway 85. The Israeli authorities, together with the local community and the Vatican, ensured the success of the delicate operation.
Political Issues
Makor Rishon, September 3, 2021
This was the account of Brigitte Gabriel, a Christian Lebanese refugee, whose childhood was stolen by the Islamic jihad against the Lebanese Christians in 1975, when she was ten years old. She has since become one of the most prominent spokespersons for a Jewish-Christian alliance against the danger of radical Islam. In this article, she reflected with anger and sadness on the collapse of Afghanistan.
Anti-Missionary Activity
Matsav Haruach, August 27, 2021
This article reported on the “missionary center” in Tsfat (covered in last week’s Media Review), that was operating out of a building owned by the municipality. The center was shut down after decisive action was taken by Or L’Achim.