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He Gives, He Takes Away, Then He Gives

by Rabbi Eric Tokajer
written by Rabbi Eric Tokajer

Each week in synagogues, a parsha, or portion, of the Torah is read in a cycle so that each year, in every synagogue, the whole Torah is read. Most of the parashot (plural) are named based upon an important word or event that takes place at the start of the parsha. These names and events help the reader to identify not only the location within the scroll, but also its place in the timeline of the greater narrative of Israel.

For instance, the very first parsha is Bereshit (In the Beginning). Another parsha is named Chayei Sara (The Life of Sarah). This should help you understand that the naming of a parsha involves more than simply providing a means to identify chapter and verse. The naming of the parashot provided Israel with a means to recognize not just where they were in the scroll, but where Israel was in their journey.

While this mapping out of the journey through the naming of the parashot didn’t only provide a means for textual location, it also didn’t just provide a means to follow the physical journey of Israel through the wilderness. It helps us to understand the deeper and more important spiritual journey of Israel as they traveled to the Promised Land.

While you and I today are not walking physically along with the Children of Israel from Egypt to The Promised Land, we are traveling along with them as we make our spiritual journey from Egypt (sin) to The Promised Land (The World to Come).

In our walk as believers in Yeshua, every one of these parashot provides lessons and instructions that we can and should apply to our lives. Please understand that when I use the word instructions, I am not speaking solely of the commandments within Torah, although they are very important. I am talking about the examples of successes and failures of those we read about in the Torah, and the blessings and discipline that follow their actions.

As you read a parsha, let me encourage you to remember three things. First, the main character of every parsha is G-D. Second, the narrative may not be focused on the people, but rather the event. Third, no biblical event is disconnected from the greater narrative of the redemptive plan of G-D.

Let me provide an example to help you understand this concept. One of the parashot in the book of Leviticus is Acharei Mot (After the Death). It begins with Leviticus 1:1:

Leviticus 16:1 Then Adonai spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they approached the presence of Adonai and died. 2 Adonai said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holiest Place behind the curtain —before the atonement cover which is on the Ark—so that he would not die. For I will be appearing in the cloud over the atonement cover.

As we read these two verses, we see the names Moses and Aaron and the mention of Aaron’s two sons. However, neither of these people is the focus of or the reason for the naming of this parsha. The focus of the parsha isn’t even the fact that Aaron’s sons had died.

No, the main character of the parsha, as with all parashot, is G-D and the event or thing we need to focus on to understand the greater narrative of redemption. As of this moment in time, Aaron is forbidden to enter the Holiest Place in the Tabernacle “at just anytime” now. Aaron and all priests that were to follow could only enter the Holiest Place when summoned by G-D and they would know they were welcome to enter when they saw the cloud appear over the Atonement Cover.

The result of the sinful actions of Aaron’s two sons was this new separation between the priests and G-D. Just think for a moment how significant this punishment was. Up until this place in the story of Israel, Aaron could simply enter into the Holiest Place when he desired to be there. But now, not only has Aaron lost his two sons, he has also lost the blessing of entering into the Holiest Place when his heart desires to be in the special place of presence.

So, now that we’ve established the main character is G-D, the main event is the removal of the ability of the priest to enter into the Holiest Place. But, how does this parsha affect the greater narrative of redemption? In order to understand, we must look forward to Hebrews 10:19:

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have boldness to enter into the Holies by the blood of Yeshua. 20 He inaugurated a new and living way for us through the curtain—that is, His flesh. 21 We also have a Kohen Gadol over God’s household.

In Acharei Mot, we see in the redemptive narrative that due to the sin of Aaron’s sons, the priest and his children could no longer freely enter the Holiest Place at any time. In Hebrews 10, we find that because of the death of our High Priest, Yeshua, the priests can once again freely, or boldly, enter into the Holiest Place. This redemptive restoration of relationship applies to us today, according to 1 Peter 2:9:

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

And Exodus 19:6:

6 So as for you, you will be to Me a kingdom of kohanim and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you are to speak to Bnei-Yisrael.”

We, as believers, are a royal priesthood, and although the death of Aaron’s sons caused the loss of the privilege to freely enter the Holiest Place, the end of the narrative of Acharei Mot isn’t seen until we read the book of Hebrews. So, while Acharei Mot starts out with the heartbreaking death of Aaron’s sons, it ends with the wonderful restoration through G-D’s Son.

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IsraelIsrael Insider

Why We Stopped Reading the Psalms in Our Synagogue

by Rabbi Eric Tokajer
written by Rabbi Eric Tokajer

After much prayer, study, and consideration, as a rabbi who is responsible for what the souls in my synagogue are influenced by, I recently decided that we must ban the reading or reciting of the Psalms in our Messianic synagogue as a part of our service. The reason for this decision is that Psalms, while beautiful and inspirational, were written largely by a sex trafficking rapist and murderer and the sons of a rebellion’s fallen religous leader. That’s right – the majority of the Psalms were written by King David, while others were written by the Sons of Korach.

Just so you know, we will not be banning the books from the Bible that share the stories of David’s life or the chapters that tell us about Korach and his rebellion because those are history books. But, we have made the choice to stop reading and reciting the Psalms publicly. After all, we do not want our congregation to believe we support the actions of those who wrote the Psalms.

I know that some of you who are reading this are questioning the sanity of my position, while others have already reached the conclusion that the truth is that I didn’t really make the decision to ban the Psalms from our synagogue services. Some of you may jump to the conclusion that I am writing this today in response to the news that leaders of several large churches with well known singing ministries have fallen into sin.

The truth is that I have almost no knowledge of any of the pastors or leaders of these mega churches, because I rarely watch Christian television or follow Christian ministries. It was only after I was asked by another Messianic rabbi about whether our synagogue should use music written by a Jewish cantor about whom it was revealed to have lived an unbiblical lifestyle that I began to pray about this topic.

After prayer, here is a list of my considerations in choosing songs that we will use in our synagogue worship services. Of course, you are totally welcome to disagree if you choose.

1) Does the song lead us to worship the Creator or the creation?

2) Is the song consistent with what the Bible teaches?

You will notice that I didn’t list who wrote the song or what ministry they are associated with, that is because, in general, neither the songwriter nor the ministry they belong to will be singing at my synagogue. It is also because I know that G-D can take something written by a broken and sinful person and anoint it to be sung to touch the hearts of other broken and sinful people.

When I was a brand new believer in Yeshua as my Messiah, I was given a record album (yes, it was that long ago) by a well known Christian singer. I played that album so many times that I wore it out. I learned every word and as I would sing each song with joy in my heart, I felt the power and love of G-D surrounding me. Just a few months afterwards, the news broke that that singer had been busted for cocaine and had been fighting addiction for many years. It turns out that those songs that blessed me so much were written by a singer/songwriter that was addicted to cocaine when he wrote and recorded those songs. I was brokenhearted and hurt until I realized that G-D’s Spirit isn’t limited to anointing the writer or singer of a song. G-D’s Spirit can and does anoint and fill the heart of the hearers.

Just think about it this way. What if your congregation’s worship team was singing a song that was written by a righteous person that glorified G-D and was consistent with the teachings of the Bible? But, a member, or your whole worship team for that matter, had sinned that morning. Would G-D still be able to bless your congregation during that worship service?

Please don’t read this as if I am excusing or making light of anybody’s sins. I am not; it is my prayer that every sinner comes to immediate and complete repentance before G-D. However, I also know that the Bible is filled with fallen people that G-D used to bless other people. I also know that if you and I are honest with ourselves and if G-D could only use the parts of our lives where we walked perfectly righteous before Him to bless others…well, I don’t think I need to finish that sentence.

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Bahrain Jews worshipping
ArticlesIsraelIsrael InsiderNews

Bahrain Jews Worship In Public For The First Time In More Than 70 Years

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

This month, Shabbat, Yom Kippur, and all the Holy Days are particularly meaningful for the faithful remnant of Jews in Bahrain. Thanks to the new openness from the Abraham Accords, the Jewish community of the Gulf state of Bahrain is worshipping out in the open for the first time since 1947.

“We’re very happy to be out in the open,” 61-year-old Ebrahim Nonoo said. The small community of 50 Jews doesn’t have a rabbi yet, but Nonoo is leading the services in the newly renovated Manama synagogue.

Bahrain’s only synagogue was destroyed in 1947 at the beginning of the Arab-Israeli conflict when Israel gained statehood. Many Jews fled the country, but a handful remained and took their faith out of the spotlight and behind closed doors. The world focuses on the Palestinian refugee issue but ignores the 600,000 Jews who fled Arab countries for Israel in the wake of her birth. In Iraq alone, Jews had to leave behind $30 billion in assets. Israel successfully absorbed these new immigrants, while the Arab world has done little for the Palestinians who fled the newly birthed Israel, as the Arab leaders urged them. They promised them that after the war, they could return and have even more lands. No one expected Israel to win!

Through the years, Jews have still had a place in Bahraini business and public life, however. Nancy Khedouri is a Bahraini Jewish member of parliament, and she is hopeful that last year’s Abraham Accords and the normalization of ties between Israel and Bahrain will be a boon for the nation and her faith community.

“Many more people from the Jewish faith are interested to travel to the region, dreaming up new opportunities, enthusiastic to learn from those already living in the Gulf region. Those visiting will definitely contribute to tourism and economic growth.”

Nonoo hopes to establish a yeshiva (religious school) next door to the Manama synagogue and help revitalize their tiny community by attracting young families.

“Our target is to have a rabbi, a young rabbi here in Bahrain, to develop Jewish life and to get to know the community and to be able to offer services to them on a weekly basis. This will help develop the community in Bahrain.”

On Tuesday, Bahrain’s 1st ambassador to Israel, Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma, presented his credentials to Israel President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem.

“Brave states take brave steps,” Herzog told Jalahma. “The Abraham Accords were the fruit of both vision and power.” And Herzog praised Bahrain as “a model for the whole Middle East.”

Jalahma called it “a great honor” to be the first ambassador in the post. He wished Israel’s citizens “health, well-being, stability, and prosperity.”

Both nations are concerned about the mutual threat of a nuclear Iran. Reports indicate that the Islamic Republic is only a month away from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

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Jewish man with a target on his back
ArticlesIsraelIsrael InsiderNews

Antisemitism and Violent Attacks Against Jews in America Escalate

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

A ceasefire was reached in Israel last week, but Palestinian supporters continue to wage war against Jews through social media and in the streets across America.

The Anti-Defamation League reports that over the last couple of weeks, there have been at least 17,000 tweets with some form of “Hitler was right.” The Facebook page, Jerusalem Prayer Team, with more than 75 million followers who prayed for Israel daily, was targeted by radical Islamists and bombarded with anti-Semitic comments during the war. Rather than censure the commenters, Facebook instead took down the site.

The attacks were not isolated to virtual ones online. Here are a few of the reported physical attacks on Jews in the United States recently:

  1. A pro-Palestinian parade of cars in Florida featured the words “Hitler was right” and shouted obscenities and made violent threats while driving through Jewish neighborhoods
  2. In south Florida, a man yelled anti-Semitic remarks at a rabbi and threw a bag of human feces at the front of the synagogue, screaming, “Jews should die!”
  3. In Beverly Hills, ten cars of Palestinian supporters drove up and started attacking Jewish diners
  4. Mobs brutally attacked one Jewish man in Times Square and another in the Diamond District in New York City
  5. In Los Angeles, someone recorded an Orthodox Jewish man being chased by two vehicles as passengers waved Palestinian flags

Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center said, “There’s a sense that it’s open season and fair game against Jews.” Cooper called on Christians to not keep silent about the attacks.

On Wednesday, a group of Republican Senators and House members introduced the Preventing Antisemitic Hate Crimes Act.

“Antisemitism has no place in the United States,” said Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arizona), one of the bill’s sponsors. “Our bill will ensure the racist criminals committing these crimes are prosecuted and held accountable.”

“The uptick in hateful antisemitic attacks is disgusting and totally unacceptable. From anti-Israel efforts like the BDS movement to violent crimes on American streets, we must confront antisemitism every single place it rears its ugly head,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R- Kentucky), who is also leading the legislation.

It is ironic that while Jews vote democrat roughly 70 percent of the time, it is GOP Representatives McCarthy, Kustoff, and Stefanik who sponsored the bill.

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Kippa and scroll
ArticlesIsraelIsrael InsiderNews

The “Last Jew in Afghanistan” Is Leaving

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

The Last Jew in Afghanistan is Leaving

Fearing what will happen after the US military’s promised pull-out from Afghanistan, Zabulon Simantov is packing his bags for Israel. Simantov has faithfully looked after the nation’s only operational synagogue for decades, but now he will close the doors for good.

“I managed to protect the synagogue in Kabul like a lion of Jews here,” he told Arab News on Sunday.

Simantov, like many Afghanistan minority populations, is concerned about what will happen after the US troops leave. It is likely that the Taliban or another similar group will move in to fill the vacancy left behind.

“If the Taliban return, they are going to push us out with a slap in the face,” he told Radio Free Europe last week.

Simantov was born in Herat, Afghanistan, and is a carpet and jewelry salesman by trade. The Jewish history in this region of western Afghanistan stretches back possibly as far as the Assyrian exile and at least to Cyrus the Great and the Persian empire. At one time, Herat was the heart of the Jewish community in Afghanistan, with an estimated population of 40,000 Jews in the early 1800s.

Simantov’s wife, a Jew from neighboring Tajikistan, and their two daughters have lived in Israel since 1998. Simantov remained in his native land to tend to the last functioning synagogue there. Soon, Simantov said, “I will watch TV in Israel to find out what is happening in Afghanistan.”

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Discover more about the Messianic Synagogue near me here on GOD TV.
ArticlesFaithLifestyle

How the Messianic Synagogue Near Me Differs from a Contemporary Church

by GOD TV
written by GOD TV

Wearing a ball cap while praying in a Baptist church, eating meat during Lent around a Catholic, or sitting in the wrong section of a synagogue, all are faux pas against religious ceremony and tradition. Many religions frown upon the little slip-ups caused by ignorance; however, for some religions, it can be insulting up to being full-on offensive. It becomes imperative to study up before you visit a church or Messianic synagogue near me. When you know what you will be facing, you can feel more comfortable and rest assure that you will not be offending to the congregation you are visiting.

 

Messianic Synagogue Near Me: Worship

Most churches have pews; some have chairs, some synagogues like in an Orthodox setting have prayer mats. They are set up in a specific fashion, which we will get into in our next section. But before you get that far, there are some things to know when visiting a Messianic synagogue near me.

First, it is important to note that not all Messianic synagogues adhere to strict rules. The devout will most likely be found within the Orthodox Jewish setting. However, out of respect for those who are still between the Orthodox traditions and Messianic Judaism, there are two worth mentioning:

    • Yarmulke – You have seen these on television, movies, and maybe even walking down the street. It is a traditional head covering that Jewish men wear. Some wear it all the time; some wear it only while praying in a synagogue. There is debate as to whether it is a command or a tradition, either way, both ends of the spectrum generally suggest a head dressing to be worn while praying, I have seen it worn by mostly every Jewish man at the Messianic synagogue near me. Most synagogues do have extra should a visitor be without one.
    • Women in Worship – This applies greatly to Orthodox Judaism. Hebrew traditions separate men and women. They have different sections of the synagogue where they worship. More modern sects, like the Messianic synagogue near me, allow women to worship alongside men, however much like the yarmulke, it can vary by the synagogue.

 

The Setup of the Messianic Synagogue

You may not be aware, but most Messianic synagogues are set up in a specific manner. This outline is specified in the Torah, and the ancient Jews were required, each time the tabernacle was assembled, to arrange it in a worthy manner.

    • Structure – One of the main requirements was for the main wall of the synagogue to face toward Jerusalem. This would be the direction that parishioners would face while in the act of prayer.
    • Aron Kodesh – This item represents an Old Testament item; The Ark of the Covenant. It was the casing that carried the Ten Commandments, the loaf of manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded. Within the Judaism religion, it is a prayer cabinet that houses the synagogue’s Torah scroll. The cabinet traditionally faces the wall that is toward Jerusalem, in front of the congregation. The Torah is kept inside within the cabinet doors, behind a curtain. It symbolizes the temple and the curtain to the Holy of Holies.
    • Other Items – Other items of significance in a Messianic synagogue near me are the Eternal Lamp, and a pedestal called the bimah. This is where the Torah lays when it is being read. Finally, with Traditional Judaism, women worship separately from the men, usually separated by a curtain called a mechitzah.

 Most Orthodox Jews are steadfast in commitment to the traditions laid out in the Torah. These items are sacred and honored with the respect due to the L-rd. Messianic Jews still honor many of these items and symbols to enable them to relate to their Judaism roots; just as their acceptance of the Gospel message enables them to relate to Christianity.

A Jewish Voice for the Messianic Synagogue Near Me

Jewish, Messianic Jewish, or Non-Jewish, we are all waiting for the appearance of the Messiah. Some are waiting for his initial appearance; many are waiting for his return. The Jewish Voice is a ministry that reaches out to Messianic Jews as well as available for Traditional Jews with questions about the authenticity of Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah.

 

 

 

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Messianic Judaism (part 4): The Messianic Synagogue and Its Impacts on the Jewish People

by Jeff S. Bray
written by Jeff S. Bray

When G-d established His presence among humanity, He gave Moses instructions on creating a temple to house His presence. It was a place to establish the people as His and for the priests to enter to offer sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. Through a series of events, a foreign army destroyed the Messianic Temple. In the wake of tragedy, the Jewish people adopted a new form of worship; The Messianic Synagogue.

The Original Temple

Before diving into the Messianic Synagogue, here is some history. The temple, during the exodus, was housed in what was basically a large tent. The Torah outlines the structure in great detail. It had to be erected and torn down every time the Israelites relocated. Of course, the law gave specific instructions on how this process would take place.

After Israel entered the Promised Land, plans went into a place that would eventually give the temple a permanent home. David was the man in charge of planning the House of G-d. David’s son, Solomon, built it. However, Babylonians destroyed it after the overrunning the Jewish people. After a period of exile, the Jews rebuilt it and it stood until 70 AD. After a Jewish revolt, the Roman emperor had the temple destroyed.

Jewish leaders met after the loss of the temple, and with the inability to conduct sacrifices outlined in the law, they came to a consensus to abandon the sacrificial system. They replaced sacrifices with devotion to other laws and commitment to prayer. Meeting places, called synagogues, replaced the temple itself.

The Traditional Church

Christianity is much more relaxed on the observance of laws and traditions outlined in the Torah. Most denominations of Christianity hold to the belief that Christ’s sacrifice did away with the Old Testament covenants regarding the observance of the stricter laws. They believe that only the Ten Commandments stand as the rules to live by.

Each denomination has its own idea of how a church should look. Most are similar, but some have their differences. There are major differences between a Christian church, a Catholic church, and a Messianic Synagogue.

The Traditional Synagogue

As mentioned, the Temple was destroyed in the mid-first century. Traditional Jews continued to meet but were troubled by not being able to conduct the required sacrifices. Leaders met and agreed upon abandoning the sacrificial system and replaced it by prayer.

Today, Orthodox Jews still observe many traditions when it comes to the synagogue.

    • The function – The function of a synagogue is twofold. It is the first most a house of prayer. The second function is to teach Jews how to observe the laws of the Torah.
    • Faces Jerusalem – The building of a synagogue must comply with the strict laws outlined in the Torah. One major regulation is that the building must give the parishioners the ability to face Jerusalem when they pray.
    • Aron Kodesh – A cabinet that is also known as the Ark. It houses the Torah scrolls. There is a purpose for every step. The doors on the cabinet, the curtain inside, and the Eternal Light all have significance, and Jews must follow specific rules when dealing with them.
    • Separation of men and women – This applies mainly to the Orthodox Jewish faith. Men and women cannot worship together. Each has their own area and rules regulating those areas. In some other sects, like Reformed Judaism, women have more freedom.
    • Non-Jew attendance – While it is not forbidden, a visitor should maintain a certain level of respect for the synagogue they are visiting. Visitors should adhere to the rules; men should wear a yarmulke and women a head covering. Synagogues provide these items to those who do not have them.
    • Language – Also, terminology can be offensive. To refer to a synagogue as a temple can insult some Traditional Jews. The term “temple” will always associate itself with the Temple destroyed in 70 AD. Temple also infers a place to offer sacrifices. To call a synagogue a temple, could demean the given purpose of an actual temple.

The Messianic Synagogue

While a Messianic Synagogue will follow many of the traditions that an Orthodox Synagogue will follow, there are some stark differences. One of them is the involvement of women. The Messianic Synagogue allows women to worship with men, teach, and become rabbis.

    • Differences between Christianity – If you specifically ask a Messianic Jew if they consider themselves a Christian, the answer you may receive may be surprising. The term Christian has become synonymous with non-Jew, or Gentile. So, while still following Yeshua, they still want to maintain a Jewish label. It seems that they want to be able to associate with both Christians as well as Orthodox Jews.
        • They hold tight to many of the laws set out by the Torah, even to the point where their services center around the Torah as opposed to the entire Bible like Christian churches do.
        • They still worship on the Sabbat, holding two services; one on Friday evenings and one on Saturday. They do not adopt the Christian behavior of worshipping on Sundays.
        • Messianic Jews observe many of the traditional feasts and festivals that Orthodox Jews observe. Among these are Passover, Chanukah, Purim, and Yom Kippur.
        • Like Traditional Judaism, many still hold to the kosher dietary restrictions.
    • Non-Jew participation – Messianic Synagogue attendance accepts the Jew and non-Jew. However, one should still show the same respect regarding a Traditional Judaism setting. G-d’s Word teaches that there is no difference between Jew or Greek; that there is only one faith. We are all accepted in His sight. The main difference between Messianic Judaism and Christianity is that Messianic Jews are of the same faith, but only express it within a Jewish heritage.

Messianic Synagogue Reaction

While the Messianic Jew observes Jewish traditions and they follow the laws the Torah outlines, the Orthodox Jewish community frowns upon their practices. One example is the story of Louis Kaplan, the founder of Jewish Voice Ministries. He was there when the first Messianic Synagogue made its way to America.

Louis, 19 at the time, tells about having to tell his parents about him accepting Yeshua as the Messiah. “After seeing that I was not to be shaken, neither would I deviate, or recant in any way from my testimony that Jesus was the Messiah. One night at 12 o’clock midnight, my father, who was enraged at my refusal to relinquish this so-called Gentile religion, ordered me out of the house and told me never to return.”

He never gave up on Yeshua as his Messiah. And as we will discover in our final entry in this series, many more have not given up either. First, there is the Messianic Synagogue. But a synagogue cannot exist without its congregation.

This article on the Messianic Synagogue is part 4 of a 5 part series on Messianic Judaism. Read more here: part 1, part 2, part 3.

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Synagogue Desecrated
IsraelNews

Synagogue Desecrated in Center of Jerusalem

by GOD TV
written by GOD TV

Jerusalem’s police on Tuesday morning launched an investigation into the severe desecration of a synagogue in the heart of the city.

Vandals broke into the Siach Yisrael synagogue at the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood on Monday night and desecrated the Torah scrolls while pouring chemicals on them, broke the synagogue’s furniture and ransacked the sanctuary. Books were damaged or destroyed.

Jerusalem’s Mayor Moshe Leon, who arrived at the crime scene on Tuesday morning, stated that the incident was “reminiscent of dark periods in Jewish history, we cannot allow such crimes to occur in our times.”

Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef stated that “the Jewish heart is horrified at the sight of Torah scrolls in a terrible disgrace caused by the scoundrels inside the synagogue.”

He called on the authorities “to turn every stone, track down the criminals and take full advantage of the law.”

He further ruled that “those who were exposed to the atrocity” should accept a fast or redeem it with charity, and every Jew whose honor of Torah is dear to him, will take upon himself a day of Torah study and silence to increase and strengthen the Torah’s glory.”

The Otzmah Yehudith party called on the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) to investigate the incident.

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“This morning we were confronted with a shocking anti-Semitic crime in a synagogue in Jerusalem, where vile rioters desecrated the sanctity of the synagogue, looted and destroyed the Torah scrolls and spilled acid on them. This is the most serious type of crime, the task of which is to be imposed on the Shin Bet. ”

Kiryat Yovel has been the focal point of tensions between the non-religious and Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who have moved into the area in recent years. Non-religious residents have claimed that the Ultra-Orthodox are attempting to take over and change the neighborhood. There have been previous incidents of anti-religious action in the past, including another synagogue desecration and the damaging of the Eruv.

The Tzohar Rabbinical Organization stated that a synagogue “deserves to be a place of sanctity between us and God. It is deeply distressing when we see a holy site vandalized in such a disturbing reflection of humanity’s potential for hatred. Beyond capturing those responsible, we must ensure that this serves as an opportunity to educate about the dangers of intolerance, the importance of our synagogues and the need combat all such future types of violence.”

Written by Aryeh Savir/TPS  |  Photo by Police Spokesman

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