IDENTIFICATION

WOW! It's been quite a while since we've written a blog...with the spring feasts and holidays among us, there is much going on.  Not to mention Hebrew class that keeps us really busy.

Just a few short weeks ago we celebrated Pesach (Passover).  The first night began on a Friday evening.  Earlier that Friday morning we began to smell smoke, and this is what we saw when we looked out our window - the neighbors, along with a Rabbi burning the chametz (leaven) to symbolize removing sin from their dwellings as commanded in the Bible.  Most things surrounding the customs of Pesach are very symbolic of the teachings of the Bible many of us are familiar with.  If you ever have an opportunity to attend a Pesach Seder, we highly recommend it.

Last year we had the privilege of joining a Jewish family in a nearby city for the Pesach Seder.  It was our first introduction to a seder in Israel, and was amazing.  This year, we had a seder with the staff of our organization in Jerusalem.  It was also very special, because it was our first time to actually be "in Jerusalem" for the feast.  There are three feasts in which God told the Israelites to go to Jerusalem and celebrate - Pesach, Shavuot (coming up next month), and Succot in the fall.

Matzah ball soup, Yumm!!!

For a few of the volunteers it was their first seder, and it was special to spend it together.  

Pesach seder plate and matzah in cover

After Pesach, the next remembrance day is Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day.  At 10:00 am there is a 2 minute siren all over Israel when the nation remembers what occurred just 65 - 70 years ago.  Cars and pedestrians come to a complete stop in solidarity as a people.  "Never again" is a slogan many of us are familiar with, but to the Jewish people, it's a way of life.  Not only will they not allow this to happen to their people again, but also will they not rely on others to save them, they know they can depend on no one - that was proven the first time.

Jim and I were not together on this morning.  I had to go out to run errands, and was on Ben Yehuda Street (a walking street) when the siren began.  As everyone else, I stood still, taking in all that was around me.  It was my first time being in public with a siren (last year I was in our office building).  As I looked at the people standing around me, I really felt at one with them.  I travel this street daily, and see many of the same people day in and day out.  There are not many people in Israel who didn't lose a loved one in the Holocaust.  My first thought was, "Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this people."  As the siren went on, there were two Arab women walking up the street, weaving their way through the people, totally disregarding the siren or the people standing still.  It spoke a lot.  There are those who do not align themselves with this people.  There are people who do want another holocaust of the Jewish people, and make their voice loud and clear - they don't even try to hide it.

Jim was also out that morning - at a prayer breakfast with the director, and driving on their way back to the office when the siren began.  They pulled over to the side of the road, and got out of the car, as did the rest of the traffic.  Below is a video that is similar to what he experienced.

One week later was Yom Hazikaron - Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.  There are two sirens for this day.  One at 8:00 pm the night before, and again the day of at 11:00 am.  Again, everything comes to a stop - people, and traffic - even buses and trains.  This time I was at the office building, and went outside for the siren.  From the other tall buildings around us, I could see others come out and stand on their balconies in reverence for those who have given their lives.  Again, I was disturbed as the construction site next to us kept working through the siren, as the workers are arabs.  Another reminder that these are the people Israel fought to keep the Land that was given them.  The surrounding arab nations, and those in the land, immediately fought against this new found state in 1948.  Below is a video I found of the siren the night before at the Mechane Yehuda Shuk - open market.  

At sundown on Yom Hazikaron, the new day begins (there was evening and then morning - the first day...).  This begins the official celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence Day.  Mourning literally turns to dancing - not so easy for many.  The festivities were not set to begin until late, so we went home to take a nap to prepare for a late night out on the town.  

We arrived back to Zion Square at the bottom of Ben Yehuda at 10:00 pm to walk around for a while.  The Israeli folk dancing at Safra Square (the municipality) was not due to begin until 11:30 pm - and would go on until 3:30 am!  Below is a video as we began at Zion Square for the evening.

If you've been to Israel, but not during a large celebration, then you've not experienced Ben Yehuda like this picture - it was packed!!  

The amount of security was obvious every where you went.  With so many people out celebrating, the police & IDF were not taking any chances.  Below is one of the many police on motorcycles.  

Below is a picture of Jaffa Road.  It used to be a main driving road until they made it for the  light rail train only last year.  This was the first year there has been the issue of the train trying to run on Independence Day.  Each train had a police escort on motorcycles going before it to keep things safe and to move the people off the tracks for the train to make its way through.

Here's a video of the train making its way through the crowd...

At the top of Ben Yehuda there was a stage set up with entertainment all night.  At one point when we went by this young boys choir was singing.  The crowd loved them!

On another one of our rounds, we made it by the stage at the top of Ben Yehuda again, and this band was singing in English, "One Day..."  They were singing that one day there would be no more war - which is Biblical: 

Isaiah 2:4 "He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore."  

I also thought of Isaiah 66:8 "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children."

We eventually made our way to Safra Square for the folk dancing about midnight.  

Here's a few videos of the fun.

The next day is a huge barbecue day.  64 years old - let's celebrate!!  We went with some friends to Sacher Park to take part in the congregation picnic.  With salads in hand, we walked through the amazing smelling, large park and enjoyed the afternoon with all the other Israelis having fun and eating lots of grilled meat :)

Before Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence Day - we decided to hang a flag outside our apartment.  Many cars were waving their flags, and our neighbors were all decked out with flag decorations - so we wanted to be a part, too.  Jim found a great place to put our new flag - it even matches the sky!

This year with the remembrance days and the celebration of Independence Day has made us meditate on things a little deeper.  Yes, we're extremely honored to be in Israel, especially Jerusalem - the Holy city of our Great King Yeshua, but it's really a deeper commitment for us.  As I stood on Ben Yehuda listening to the siren in remembrance of the holocaust, I had a story come back to me that a friend had told.  She had first come to Israel during the intifadas, and was really ready to just go back to America and leave the terrorism and the people far behind.  But God spoke to her heart, and He asked her, "Will you choose to identify yourself with my people?"  

Wow, what a statement.  Identification means when others are against them, I will stick up for them.  It means I will lay down my life for them.  It means sticking around not only in times of peace, but when it is hard, and when others flee.  It means having a voice to tell the truth about them when others are telling lies.  It means saying, "if you're going to mess with them, then you're going to have to mess with me, too."  It means not being afraid to to say you identify with them.  It means taking a stand even before you're required to take a stand - then not changing your mind when others disagree with you.  It means being willing to say "never again" and mean it.

We don't live in a bubble.  We do consider the reality of the world we live in.  As I was putting on my star of David necklace on Independence Day,  I was reminded of Christian believer who was murdered in Jerusalem right after we arrived.  She was out for a hike with a friend, and she was wearing a star of David necklace - she chose to identify herself with this people.  The murderers were caught, and said they were just out to kill Jews.  I also think of one of our trips to the Temple Mount when the arab men tried to make another friend take off her star of David necklace.  

The God we serve - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) - has a specific role for the Jewish people, and this nation - especially this city.  The things written in the Bible are coming to pass right before our eyes, there is no denying it.  If you believe in the Bible and read it, then you understand that the days are arriving when sides are being chosen, the line drawn in the sand.  Some may not even consider Israel - it's so far away....it's only from the Bible stories....But what will we each choose about this tiny nation? It is scary to start seeing so many of the churches in the world choosing the wrong side, even large denominations.

History tends to repeat itself. For the Jews (Hebrews) as it has over and over again -  ever since their first bondage in Egypt and their deliverance as well, which we just celebrated a few weeks ago at Pesach (Passover).  God has continually delivered His people from their oppressors and those wanting their destruction.  Nothing has changed over time - just the players.  70 years ago it was Hitler, and many (including the Church) stood by and did nothing - they made a choice not to identify with this people.  Today it's Iran and the surrounding arab nations.  

So we ask you - will you choose to identify with God's chosen people - the Jews?  It's not an easy or simple question, and therefore, should not have a flippant answer. We believe that we will each be held accountable for what we decide.  We realize this is much more real for us because we are here.  America is so far away, and has many problems of her own, so why even bother to care about another nation or people when there's so much going on at home?  Well, let us be reminded what the God of Abraham said, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you."  And Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:6 "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." God never changes, and would only be helpful for the individual and the nation that would heed His Word.

So as I put on my star of David necklace, and Jim hangs the Israeli flag, we make a bold statement to say:

WE CHOOSE TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH THE GOD OF ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE.