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Following the Christian money trail
Yaakov Lappin
Published: 19.02.07, 22:14
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. Christians and Jews
M. Hartley ,   Atlanta, US   (02.19.07)
Maybe Mr. Eckstein should change the name of his organization to International Fellowship of Jews and Non-Jews. After all, "Jew" does not necessarily mean Judaism, but there's no doubt about that "Christian." If you can't "convert" somebody from one thing to something else by the example of how you live your life in accordance with what you believe, all the unsolicitated talking and preaching comes down to nothing more than harassment. Ynet, you may edit this out, if you think it inappropriate, but it's too good to pass up: A priest and a Rabbi were chatting one day, when the conversation turned to a discussion of job descriptions and promotions. "What do you have to look forward to in way of a promotion in your job?" asked the Rabbi. "Well, next I can become Bishop." said the Priest. "Yes, and then?" asked the Rabbi. "If I work real hard and do a good job as Bishop, it's possible for me to become a Archbishop." said the Priest. "O.K., then what?" asked the Rabbi. The Priest, beginning to get a bit irritated, replied, "With some luck and real hard work, maybe I can become a Cardinal." "And then?" asked the Rabbi. The Priest is really starting to get mad now and replies, "With lots and lots of luck and some real hard work, and if I'm in the right place at the right time, and if I play my political cards right, maybe, just maybe, I can get elected Pope." "Yes, and then what?" asked the Rabbi. "Good grief!" shouted the Priest. "What do you expect me to be next, GOD?" "Well," said the Rabbi, "you keep telling the world that one of our boys made it!"
2. Shame on Eckstein!
Messianic   (02.19.07)
He is playing on Christian beliefs about Israel to get money that I guess the liberal American Jewish community is not willing to give. To make it worse many of the recipients of this Christian aid are ashamed to be getting charity from Christians! Eckstein needs to tell that to his brainwashed supporters. Eckstein loves to exploit the Christian beleifs about Israel but rejects their belief about the Messiah. It's all or nothing Rabbi Eckstein!
3. Following the Olmert, Kadima money trail
Marcel ,   Florida   (02.19.07)
Last month Puppet minister Olmert gave the Paestinian terrorist Fatah leaders millions of dollars to help them in their quest to destroy Israel. The media is too delusional to follow this money trail because thye know where it leads and it ain't peace..
4. #2 Messianic, you are wrong.
Steve ,   USA   (02.20.07)
"If" we have Christian friends that are willing to support us (Israel and Israel's G-d) unconditionally, then they are friends. If not --- if there are strings attached --- we question your motives and your freindship. It's as simple as that Messianic. Are you and enemy of the G-d of Israel; an enemy of His people?
5. #1 funny joke.
AR ,   USA   (02.20.07)
I recomend the Book American Fascist bye Chris Hedges. It will shine some light on the evangelicals and their "love" for jews and israel.
6. I will have to make donation to IFCJ
AK   (02.20.07)
The money donated ends up will needy people.
7. #2 Charity mustn't have any strings attached....
AK   (02.20.07)
or it'is no charity.
8. #2, messianic
Connie ,   VA, USA   (02.20.07)
After reading this article and about Rabbi Eckstien, I was shocked. I guess the best way to think about the IFCJ is that if you support them and donate money, that you are giving it to bless them not to get anything in return. It does make me sad to read that some are ashamed of accepting the donations because of who they come from.
9. #4 Steve
Messianic   (02.20.07)
I'm sorry if my post sounded like I was against Israel because that is totally not the case. I love Israel and Israel's G-d. I dream of the day that I can go to Israel. It is just I am concerned for my Christian friends who I feel Rabbi Eckstein is trying to manipulate. I have no problem with supporting Israel in fact I encourage it. My support for Israel is unconditional.
10. Jews have done plenty of Charity in America
Allan   (02.20.07)
Jews have certainly engaged in no shortage of charitable endeavors in America. There are no shortage of Jewish hospitals and American Jews give billions of dollars to non-Jewish charities and even Jewish charities provide large amounts of aid to Christians. None of this comes with a price tag or with any accompanying mandate to convert Christians to Judaism. Nor do we go around bragging about it or claiming that Christians exploit us. Saying "it's all or nothing" as Messianic does, "accept our beliefs or we won't help you." is not charity. It's the cynical attitude of people who rather than showing faith by example, bribe others into accepting it. Charity is a good deed in and of itself. Christians and Jews who perform charitable acts, to their own or to others, are noteworthy. Furthermore Bible believing Christians know that "Those Who Bless the Jews are Blessed." Messianic is free to donate his money anywhere he likes, but those Christians involved in the IFCJ clearly feel otherwise. Charity however should never be contingent on destroying someone else's religion. Nor of alienating their children from their parent's faith. Enough Jews have been murdered and forcibly baptized over the ages, that the Catholic Church and much of the Christian world has called a halt to conversion programs targeting Jews.
11. BELIEVE
BOM   (02.20.07)
BELIEVE IN ISLAM. BECAUSE IS THE RELIGION OF GOD DONT LOOK WHAT YOU WACTHE IN THE SCREAM EACH MONDAY THEY WANNA MESLEAD YOU TO THE WRONG AFTER JESEUS THERE IS THE LAST PROPHET SEARCH OF THAT I BEG YOU
12. Take their money but never trust them!
Michael Steiner   (02.20.07)
Notwithstanding all their so-called "love" for Israel and Jews, they ultimately want to convert us... - or at least they'd prefer if we converted to their religion. They may as well send us to gas chambers: as far as I'm concerned, causing us to fall prey to them and turn our back to the religion of our forefathers is as destructive to the Jewish nation as any WW2 concentration camp. Bottom line: take their money but don't get into bed with them.
13. Jewish mistrust of christian motives
Roy Galut ,   Selah Washington USA   (02.20.07)
Altough in the past there were abuses that was foisted upon the jewish communities by christians that blamed them for the crucifiction of Christ ....those christians failed to take St.Paul admonition to not reject the Jews least they suffer the same fate as the Jews... Paul reminded the Gentile church in Romans Chapter 9 thru 12 ,that they were a wild olive branch grafted in to the hewn down stump of the olive tree . ...and that G-d still intends for the Jews to have a leading role at the end of the age... Paul Says Quote " Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: " ============= There is no room for abuse and antisemitism on the part of christians....period !
14. #9 It is ok that your support for Israel is unconditional.
AR ,   USA   (02.20.07)
Too bad Americas support for israel is also unconditional. Has anyone here ever heard a news story critical of Israel? Or a government official condemning israeli expansions. Governments need to be more responsible than the average person.
15. Not all Christians or Jews are the same
Allan   (02.20.07)
There's a great deal of variation in theology and personal character Some Christian Churches respect Jews, others will under the guise of friendship aim for conversion It's not always easy to tell true friends from false We believe different things and ideally we should agree to just respect that Only time will tell, which are true friends and which false
16. #14, Why does Jewish expansion bother you?
WebGuy ,   US   (02.20.07)
I never hear anyone complaining about french expansion, Lebanese expansion, Syrian, Greek, Turkish or Mexican expansion. Yet we have vicious antisemites like you moaning and groaning over Israel's expansion. Israel keeps shrinking. Gaza is gone; Sinai, Hebron, Judea, Samaria - all are completely or partially chopped up and you moan and groan about 'Jewish expansion'? You seem to forget Arabs have 22 countries and Jews have just one. What's the problem? There's not enough criticism of Israel? Iran openly calls for Israel's destruction, the United Nations condemns Israel every Monday and Thursday, thousands of British academics persist in boycotting Israel, endless cries of jihad against Jews etc. Just admit the obvious, you hate Jews. Admitting the truth will make you feel much better.
17. The Only Motive
Watchman ,   Finland   (02.20.07)
The 69 weeks of Daniel 9:24-27 have already passed and the last week - seven horrendous years under the reign of the Antichrist of Europe - is near. The Maschiach has already come - and He will soon come again. Every true Christian only wants to tell to Jacob: identify your true Maschiach - to flee from the wrath soon to come, see: - in English: http://www.JeesusOnHerra.com/Prophecy.pdf - in Hebrew: http://www.JeesusOnHerra.com/Prophecy_Heb.pdf
18. Change a word.....
M. Hartley ,   Atlanta, US   (02.20.07)
I wonder what would happen, if the word "Jesus" in the new testament were replaced with "a Jew." For some inexplicable reason, a lot of Christians seem to forget that the cornerstone of their faith and what they believe to be the reason for their salvation was, first and foremost, a very devout Jew. He wasn't a Roman, a Greek, an Egyptian, a Chinaman, a Celt or an Aztec. HE WAS A JEW. In light of that and if a Christian has to be anti something, wouldn't it make a lot more sense to be anti-somebody -anybody - else???
19. Assumptions
John ,   East Machias   (02.20.07)
There is often an assumption amongst todays Jews and Pauline Christians, that the Gospel is "don't believe in my version of Yeshua" you don't go to heaven. The true followers of Yeshua understood that this was not the peupose of Messiah or the law. They were fore fellowship with G-d while on earth. In other words you don't have to physcially die to be spiritually close to G-d, and the law did not have anything to do with this. It was for guilt removal by killing off of our animal soul (relation with it). No magic blood or flesh. I have e-mailed the Rabbi on this before. But netiher side really cares to listen.
20. Following
John ,   USA   (02.20.07)
I hope some of you are understanding me? Shortly after Yeshua died, the Gospel changed into something Yeshua never taught. They were Law abiding, but understood it had nothing to do with placement or standing in the Kingdom. Christians call me Jewish and Rabbinical Jews try to shove me into Pauline Christian. Both groups have misunderstood.
21. So christians can take credit
Abdullah ,   EuMe   (02.20.07)
or atl least a significant amount of credit in future for helping the state of israel. Anyway giving to charity is good and to be commended, regardless of who is giving. But if it isn't unconditional then the merit is greatly diminished.
22. Following the "Peace Not," Meretz money trail
Kyle ,   Southpark, CO, USA   (02.20.07)
...straight back to the EU and the Gang of Saud.
23. #16
AR ,   USA   (02.20.07)
I dont hate jews my uncle is a jew his parents fled poland during WW2. I empathise with jews but im not gonna traid my love of jews for my humanity. Gaza Hebron etc etc. Are not a part of Israel they are a part of palestine. Of course people complain about the expansion of other countries but this is Ynet which means we are mainly dicussing topics relating to Israel and the ME. America is expanding look at Iraq and Afghanistan. It is more sophisticated than the israeli expansion. When we talk about Syria you should note that Lebonan was a part of Syria as is the Golan. It looks to me like Syria is shrinking. Its funny how you see things the total opposite of reality.
24. Genesis (B'resheet ) 12 : 3
Roy Galut ,   Selah Washington USA   (02.20.07)
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ======== When we as christians bless the Jewish people It must be from the heart or its value to the christian is diminished . Jesus was always pointing to taking care of those that had special needs..He concidered that as important as sharing ones faith with those around you. In fact he put the comandment of loving your nieghbor on the same level as Loving G-d....All must be done from a sincere heart.
25. #23, Oh OK, you don't hate Jews because your uncle's Jewish
Mike ,   Israel   (02.20.07)
*LOL* As if having a Jewish relative, friend or attorney has stopped anyone from being an anti semite, which you so clearly are.
26. Mike shut it.
AR ,   USA   (02.21.07)
Im not anti semetic... i love arabs and jews so you can shut it. You think im racist im not the Israeli oooohhhh!!! come on that is too funny an Israeli calling me racist your country is racist at its core. Jewish state hello. I got no prob with jews i like them i like their food i like there history i just dont like the zionist and all jews arent zionist.
27. #2
jason ,   usa   (02.21.07)
" He is playing on Christian beliefs about Israel to get money " " Eckstein loves to exploit the Christian beleifs about Israel but rejects their belief about the Messiah. It's all or nothing Rabbi Eckstein! " there is NO love in that this is what Rabbi Eckstein is most likely saying when you respect Judaism and say that when the world comes to the end you have to convert or die or that they want to just convert them .. what just happen? they said they love jews but.. they say that they have to convert no matter what even when they respected judaism as a religon thats anti-Semitism blood is thicker then water. you can pick your nose but you can't pick on your friends nose. (i so know i'm going to get bashed for this comment)
28. No ONE!
John ,   East Machias USA   (02.21.07)
Is justified (free from sin) by not doing good works, or disobeying G-d. Because a person has a different view on purpose of law, or what that law actually is, doesn't mean everyone else who doesn't think just like them, doesn't get to heaven (time or perfection). Majority of people who call themselves Christians, just swapped the now Rabbinical version of the law with Yeshua, and think this is what a person has to do to get to heaven. Its a different GOSPEL. Its based upon magic blood and flesh. Yeshua taught SALVATION as a way of live in the AGE we live in. People can CHOOSE to enter into GEHENNA NOW in this present evil age , by wilful defiant sin (transgression of Torah), or they can ENTER INTO LIVE. Not after you physically DIE.
29. Giving
John ,   East Machias, Maine   (02.21.07)
If I give money so a hungry Halactic Jew can eat....who cares what they eat? What business is it of anyones? It is my money given to be from G-d. When I see G-d face to face, he is not going to ask me what my religious belief system is, or what faction of Israel I am associated with. He is going to ask me, what did I do with what He gave me (special purpose and gifting). We should have been so much further ahead than we are. We are disobedient ones.
30. No Magic blood
John ,   East Machias USA   (02.21.07)
Folks it never was about magic blood or flesh that actually takes away sin. That was a "type cast" as if we died to our animal soul, and were left with our SPIRIT in fellowship with G-d. Thats what the Kapporet, sacrificial system was all about. It takes this DEATH OF OUR ANIMAL SOUL to get along with other people, and give from the heart (treasures recorded in the age to come). Original followers of Yeshua, did not make an idoltry situation out of Yeshuas blood and flesh. They focused on his self sacrifice (instead of animals over and over again), not magic powers in his blood and flesh. Some Jews and Christians alike have make blood and flesh an idolatry situation in fellowship with the Creator. Israel is just not just flesh / country, there is a spiritual component which is supposed to die to their animal soul while living in their flesh bodies.......we are ALL in a state of disobedience, a type of stupor , where we don't really see things clearly. As we progress through this time, some of these things will become more clear to both sides.
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