Messianic on Israeli TV: English Transcript

In the last weekly bracha, I noted an Israeli Messianic Jewish leader was interviewed on prime time Israeli television. Jewish anti-missionaries lobbied the Israeli government and media to prevent the broadcast, but the broadcast went on as planned.

The above broadcast is in Hebrew, but I’ve made available the full English transcript below.

The transcript was originally published by a Jewish anti-missionary group, but they promptly took it down. As you’ll see, the interview shows Messianics as we really are, not as the demons we’re portrayed to be via anti-missionary FUD.

Thanks to the power of the caching web, I’ve resurrected the transcript here for your viewing pleasure:

Are you Jewish?
Yes, definitely.

Do you know how to daven?
For sure. I put on tefillin, everything.

Do you fulfill all the commandments in the Torah?
Yes.

Only the Torah commandments?
Yes. We have a different style from the religious and the chareidim. With us, there is no coercion. There is more freedom.

Before we speak about freedom, to what are you obligated as a Messianic Jew?
I'll tell you the truth, I'm not obligated. We love. We want our learning, and love our traditions. We are a part of the [Jewish] people, and live among the people.

When you make kiddush on wine on Shabbat, what do you say?
We say borei pri hagefen, but we don't say "who commanded us." We distinguished between commandments from the Torah and those that were added. It's simply in the heart. We don't just believe in the prayers in the siddur, but in free prayer.

When you make a bracha on wine, do you see a continuation of the wine of Jesus?
Wine and bread is a symbol. It comes from the Paschal Lamb and in place of sacrifices and blood. This is true in Christianity and in Judaism.

You didn't answer my question.
I'll get to it. The bread and wine is a symbol of the messiah, who is our sacrifice.

I'm not sure that I agree with you as far as your understanding of sacrifices, but let's continue. The service you see with wine, which you drink, is a continuation of the blood of Jesus? Do you say prayers in this regard?
Yes. Borei pri hagefen on the wine, and hamotzi on the bread. We're giving thanks and this gives forgiveness for our sins.

You've got a problem with the way you relate to wine as a continuation of the blood of Jesus. This reminds me of idol worship. There's a little avoda zara [that is, idolatry] here.
It depends on how you look at the Torah and the prophets. We see someone who died on Kiddush Hashem. There is holiness in this; there is no power in the wine and bread.

So you believe in Jesus as the messiah. How does this find expression?
Our faith firstly finds expression in values of love and faith and integrity and generosity. Our emphasis is on values, not on Halachah.

So you're wiping out 2,500 years of history?
I would say that the students of Jesus are our model.

You are in essence like the Karaites?
We keep tradition.

Only the chareidim attack you, not the knitted-kippa-wearers?
Not really. I daven at a minyan of national religious, but they don't know I'm messianic. If they would know they'd throw me out.

If you come to the most simple shul where people are davening mincha and tell them that you are a messianic Jew, what will they tell you?
There are many people who are interested in engaging in dialogue with us. We aren't Christians. We're Jews.

You are a group of 15,000 and you head one of the congregations. How many congregations are there?
Around 100, in Israel.

I understand that you're supported by Christians?
We receive money from non-profit associations. A lot comes from abroad, from messianic Jews and also from Christians who love Jews.

Is your status in the country like that of all citizens or do you have problems?
There are problems in the Interior Ministry because of the influence of the chareidim. I want to say that Israeli society is not what it was 20 years ago. Today, they recognize us more. For instance, if we want to rent an apartment, they'll give it to us gladly. They recognize our values, that we pay taxes, serve in the army. We say judge us according to our deeds.

14 comments:

  1. While I do not share some of the views expressed, I think that overall, Asher Intrater gave a good interview.

    As far as obedience being "optional", I think that if one views Yeshua as L-rd instead of only a Savior, obedience is not optional. If we are servants and slaves to our Master (which, over and over, we are told that we are), then our obedience is part of our very essence. Sure, it's also the way we express our love as well, because we love our Master.

    Acts 5:29: "We MUST OBEY G-D rather than men!"

    Of course, G-d gives us a choice to obey him or not - so, in this regard, there's no coercion. However, if we choose not to obey, there will be consequences. So, we have freedom to sin and freedom to obey.

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  2. Thanks for this post, I enjoyed the discussion, the more people become aware, the more people will see the truth...

    It is sad to think and know as I used to live in Israel, that the Haredim have so much control in the government concerning religious affairs, there seems to be more hate in that sect than anything else.

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  3. "there seems to be more hate in that sect than anything else."

    Zion, no - it's NOT OK to make such blanket stereotypical statements about the various Jewish Ultra-Orthodox groups in Israel or elsewhere.

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  4. "Zion, no - it's NOT OK to make such blanket stereotypical statements about the various Jewish Ultra-Orthodox groups in Israel or elsewhere."

    Sorry Gene, this has been my experience and the experience of many others...

    Gene have you ever lived in Israel?

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  5. "'Gene have you ever lived in Israel?"

    Yes, and I have lots of family and friends there.

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  6. "Yes, and I have lots of family and friends there."

    Then you should know this... and if you say I am still painting with a wide brush, why have the appropriate leaders not taken more action to stop this hatred?

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  7. By the way, I just actually watched the interview, he is more detailed in his responses than the English transcript... the transcript generalizes him... good none the less.

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  8. "why have the appropriate leaders not taken more action to stop this hatred?"

    What "this hatred" are you referring to, specifically, Zion? Frankly, I've witnessed more xenophobia and hatred TOWARD the ultra-Orthodox from the seculars, than the other way around. The reason that the seculars tolerate the Orthodox in general while cursing them under their collective breaths, is because deep inside they know that the devout Jews is what keeping the Jewishness of the Jewish state (which is becoming more and more secular, more and more assimilated every year.)

    Of course, every group has its fruits and nuts - but it's not OK to stereotype everyone because of the action of few (otherwise MJs would be in deep trouble as well).

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  9. "he is more detailed in his responses than the English transcript... the transcript generalizes him... good none the less."

    I didn't watch. Anything extra that you caught that would be interesting to share?

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  10. "What "this hatred" are you referring to, specifically, Zion? Frankly, I've witnessed more xenophobia and hatred TOWARD the ultra-Orthodox from the seculars, than the other way around. The reason that the seculars tolerate the Orthodox in general while cursing them under their collective breaths, is because deep inside they know that the devout Jews is what keeping the Jewishness of the Jewish state (which is becoming more and more secular, more and more assimilated every year.)

    Of course, every group has its fruits and nuts - but it's not OK to stereotype everyone because of the action of few (otherwise MJs would be in deep trouble as well)."

    Ignoring it wont help either, something needs to be fixed and blaming someones wrongs on another is not justifiable...

    The hatred I am referring to is the treatment of non-religious Jews, religious Jews that are not UO, instead RJ and CJ, and Messianic Jews... I know you know what I am talking about, you just choose to ignore it, or are showing other wrongs to hopefully justify theirs...

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  11. >> he is more detailed in his responses than the English transcript

    Zion, if you can provide a full transcript, I'd gladly update the post. (I don't know nearly enough Hebrew to translate myself.)

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  12. "Zion, if you can provide a full transcript, I'd gladly update the post. (I don't know nearly enough Hebrew to translate myself.)"

    Me neither bro, I am about a 2nd to 3rd grader... and i have been learning Hebrew since I was a kid, how sad is that... :P

    Lets get Dan Benzvi to come and write up 8 pages of translation.. lol!!!

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  13. I like the voice of Zion. I think he let us know something about the difficulties Messianics in Israel have to deal with.

    I think the more Messianics draw closely to the scriptures and remain in Jewish tradition and even highlight the basic themes, the more frightened became the UO believing Jews. They still see some very truth in this Messianic confessions. It probably could caused converts.

    Thanks for posting this!
    Jos

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  14. "the more frightened became the UO believing Jews"

    Yes, that's the goal - to frighten the unbelieving Orthodox. Right...

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