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Unhappy
Hanukkah
On 24th December last year [2005], just before the start of Hanukkah,
Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) Messianic
Congregation in Beer Sheva was invaded by a group of Haredim
(ultra-Orthodox Jews).
The angry crowd of men, women and children
attempted to disrupt the baptism of two adults. Chairs and tables were
overturned, an expensive overhead projector was damaged and worshippers
were assaulted. The demonstrators began throwing objects – and then the pastor – into the baptismal pool. The
police were also attacked and had to call in reinforcements before the
situation calmed down.
The two baptismal candidates, who have since been
baptised, were from the nearby town of Arad, where the tiny community
of believers faces increasing hostility from the Haredim. A
clubhouse used by a couple from the Messianic Fellowship as a chess
club and a place of outreach, has been burned down and several lawsuits
have been brought against believers, falsely accusing one of assault
and others of giving religious literature to minors. The pastor of the
congregation in Arad, who has faced weekly demonstrations in front of
his home, says:
We are not praying for vengeance upon our attackers,
but rather that they may came to the point where they realise that they
are actually acting against God. May God bring His plans to come about
in Arad, and may He save many, including some from the ultra-Orthodox
population.
Indeed, in the midst of this wave of persecution
people have been saved. Some secular Jews have been appalled by the
activities of the Orthodox and have written to the government on behalf
of the believers. Members of the Messianic Action Committee believe
that, after the election of a new Knesset in late March, existing
private members’ bills aimed at curbing religious freedom will be
re-tabled. If that happens ,your support will be needed in the form of
letter-writing campaigns. Until then, we need to be vigilant in prayer.
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