~ A Double Standard ~

      In a recent editorial (U.S. News & World Report, December 30, 1996), Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Editor-in-chief, took on the double standard by which the world in general, and the politicians and news media in particular treat the situation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Zuckerman writes:
      “On December 11, Palestinian terrorists ruthlessly ambushed an automobile on a winding road, killing an Israeli mother and her son and wounding the father and four daughters. The terrorists escaped into the safe bosom of the Palestinian Authority (PA), joining 19 other terrorists who had committed assaults against Israelis and whom the PA has refused to extradite. Yasser Arafat did not personally condemn the attack. Worse, his Information Ministry blamed the at-tack on the Israelis, sending a message that these actions are tacitly backed by the Palestinian leadership. Most of the world remained silent.”
      Those of us who have studied the history of the modern Israeli state are not surprised at this turn of events. For decades, and especially in the last several years, it has been the common wisdom’ among the leaders of the free world that Israel is the bad guy and the ‘poor’ Palestinians are the good guys.
      It would be bad enough if the world just remained silent about the many terrorist attacks that go on in Israel on a fairly regular basis. But Zuckerman goes on to relate another part of the story which points up the real double standard:
      “But when, in partial response to the domestic political outrage resulting from the attack, the Netanyahu government made what is, in fact, a minor change in its settlement policy, there was a worldwide outcry, including from the United States, criticizing the Israeli government.”
      It is a plain fact that the Palestinians have not come anywhere near living up to the Oslo accords, which are the series of documents that spell out the current peace plan. Yet the PA is constantly issuing statements about how the Israeli government is breaking the Oslo accords and the world press picks up those statements and gives credence to the lie by publishing them as ‘truth’ all over the world.
      Consider the following statements that Yasser Arafat has made when he speaks to his own people in their native Arabic language. In September he told his police force in Gaza that the believers “shall inherit Paradise, they shall fight for the cause of Allah and they shall kill and shall be killed.” In October he said; “We know only one word: jihad, jihad, jihad....We are now entering the phase of the great jihad.” (Jihad is the Islamic term for holy war. It is believed that anyone who dies while fighting in a war of jihad will go directly to Paradise.)
      In December, 1996, the PA’s chief Oslo negotiator, Abu Alaa, said; “The reaction to the continuation of the occupation will be more dangerous than the intifada; the weapons are there and the organization is better than what it has been ever before.” Before the peace accords Israel had to face teenagers with rocks. Now they have to face the most highly armed ‘police force’ in the entirety of the world. Abu Alaa’s statement is an outright threat of war, if Israel does not do what the PA wants.
      When will the double standard stop? Do not look for that to happen in the near future. It is our opinion that the smear campaign against Israel will just get worse. Since the leadership of Israel is highly divided on how to proceed, it is easy to find dissenting Israeli Jews who will talk against the current government. (Sounds like the U.S.) Only the Messiah can solve this knotty problem. His solution? Take over the entire area and make it a land for all of the people of Israel.

~ A Book Review ~

Yeshua, The Hebrew Factor
by Yacov A. Rambsel
pub. by Companion Press
P.O. Box 310
Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310
ISBN 1-56043-582-8

      Over the past several years we have read many books that relate to the Bible, to Christianity and to early Judaism. Invariably, each book contributes something of value to our understanding. Often times, along with the good stuff, there comes some incorrect stuff. It can sometimes be a problem to sort it all out in a proper manner. This leads one to the opinion that there is only one book in the entirety of the world that can be taken as completely true, and that is the Holy Scriptures. Everything else is commentary.
      With that in mind let us examine a book by a man who is a Jewish Believer in Yeshua HaMashiach. His name is Yacov Rambsel and he lives in San Antonio, Texas, where he pastors a Messianic congregation. His book; Yeshua, The Hebrew Factor, is absolutely fascinating. His book is made up mostly of the ‘good stuff.’ (We will leave it to you to sort out those beliefs with which you may not agree.)
      Many of you may have heard about the research being done on equidistant letters in the Hebrew scriptures. This technique begins by starting with a selected Hebrew letter. (For example, the Hebrew letter yod might be chosen since it is the first letter in Yeshua’s name.) Then a search is done by counting an equal number of letters (for example every seven letters) to see if there are intelligible words or phrases that can be found hidden within the scriptures. Usually this is done on computers and the research, up until now, has largely been done by orthodox Jews. Their findings are quite astounding and by themselves prove that the Hebrew Scriptures can only be written by someone of far greater intelligence that mere man. Tests have been done on other Hebrew writings, as well as writings in other languages, and no trace has been found of a similar kind of phenomena.
      Along comes Yacov Rambsel. He does not use a computer, he does it all by hand. He is not looking for hidden prophecies, he is looking for only one thing, proof within the Hebrew Scriptures that Yeshua is the promised Messiah. And guess what? He has found it over and over. For example consider the following quote which pertains to the “suffering servant” passage in Isaiah 52. Believers hold this passage to be a picture of the beaten and crucified Messiah. Jews say it pertains to the nation of Israel.
      “Starting with the third yod in Isaiah 52:14, where it says, He was marred more than any man, counting every 120th letter from left to right, spells, Yeshua. The adjacent letters to Yeshua are, s’ait, which means, exaltation in rank or character, excellency, dignity. This is a very strong combination, for it speaks of Yeshua’s Character and Rank.”
      This is a fascinating book and one that every Believer should read. The time is coming when our Faith will be tested. Having knowledge like this can only increase that Faith which will be needed when that time arrives.

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee,
The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up His Countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
(Num. 6:24-26)

~ Shalom ~

Back

Next