Excerpts from:
IDF
Soldiers Warned Against Contact with Messianic Jews
~ December 16, 2013
Topics:
Messianic Jews
The citizens of Israel woke up this week to a special early morning
announcement by the Israeli Army on news broadcasts all across the
country: The Ministry of Defense has ordered that all soldiers staying
in Jerusalem over the Sabbath are not allowed to have any contact with
members of the sect of Jews who preach faith in Yeshua (Jesus).
Is faith in Yeshua such a threat to our national security that one of
the most effective military organizations in the world feels the need to
protect its soldiers from this sect of Jews?
It all started when a small group of Messianic Jews visited a hostel
for lone soldiers in Jerusalem over the Sabbath. The army provides the
hostel for soldiers who have no family in Israel. On the weekends, when
they are off base, they can stay at Beit Hachayal, or Soldiers House.
A group of Messianic Israelis were visiting soldiers at this particular
Beit Hachayal on the Sabbath and talking about their New Testament
faith.
Many soldiers enjoyed these visits, and some began reading the New
Testament and other Messianic literature regularly. Soldiers were
invited to visit with Messianics in their homes, where they were
introduced to Messianic faith during Sabbath meals and Bible teachings.
The Jewish believers had built up many friendships with management
and staff of the hostel, who appreciated the positive impact the visits
had on the lone soldiers. One of the soldiers even came to faith in the
Yeshua. No one at the hostel, or in the IDF, were bothered one bit by
this, not until an anti-missionary organization stirred up trouble.
The so-called anti-missionaries became aware that a soldier had
come to faith in Yeshua most likely from reading one of the many
Messianic or Christian newsletters and websites they follow. So they
reported to the Ministry of Defense and IDF authorities that the cult
of Jews who preach Christianity are running missionary activities at
Beit Hachayal.
The ultra-Orthodox authorities to which the anti-missionaries are
attached carry a lot of political weight and can cause a lot of
problems. So, without investigating the facts on the ground, the
Ministry of Defense and IDF immediately put out the public warning
against association with Messianic.
Messianic Jews also received a letter from the Ministry of Defense
forbidding them from entering Beit Hachayal without explicit permission
including a description of intended activities.
Years ago, Messianic Jews were considered something of a security
risk by the IDF. Many were not allowed to serve in elite or sensitive
units. Today, however, Messianics are highly regarded by military
authorities, and are even sought out to serve as commanders and officers
in every branch of the Israeli military, including Military
Intelligence, which requires the highest security clearance.
One Messianic Jewish Sabra (native-Israeli born), a sergeant in the
Israel Air Force, recently asked his commander if he could include the
New Testament together with the Hebrew Bible in his pledge of allegiance
to the State of Israel. Yes you may, returned the officer without
blinking an eye. And so this young man joined the growing numbers of
hundreds of openly Messianic Jewish soldiers proudly serving in the IDF.
So why is the Ministry of Defense now publicly opposing Messianic
activity in Jerusalem? According to one combat soldier, who is not
Messianic, it all has to do with politics. The government passed a law
recently to recruit religious (ultra-Orthodox) Jews, but most refuse to
serve, he explained. The army is trying to appease the Orthodox
community in Jerusalem by making this absurd announcement against
Messianic faith. We are all here to serve our country and the army
should not be involved in telling people which path of faith to follow