Burn the Bridges!

15 Kislev 5774

Those who engage in interfaith relations like to boast that they are "building bridges" between the communities; as if this is a good thing. The trouble with bridges is that they allow for two-way traffic. Xians can cross over to Jews, but Jews can also cross over to the xians, G-d forbid! And make no mistake about it, that is the purpose behind them.

This bridge-building is rooted in xian "love." They come to us, claiming to be our "brother" and professing undying love for us. Lately, they've been trying to convince many Jews that they are "brothers" from the ten "lost" tribes. Oh, they are our "brother" alright - no question about it - but, they are not "lost" Israelites. They are Eisav!

Excerpts from When Christian 'Love' Can Hurt Us
by Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen

… Rabbi Bornstein discusses a deeper meaning of the following words from Yaakov's prayer to be saved from the harmful plans of his brother, Eisav: "Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Eisav." (Genesis 32:12)

…Why does Yaakov first refer to Eisav as "my brother" and then refer to him by name? Some commentators explain that Yaakov was more frightened of Eisav as a brother and friend than as Eisav - the one known for his violence. This is because Yaakov was concerned that Eisav might attempt to become close to him in order to draw him to Eisav's harmful philosophy and distorted ways. This was potentially very dangerous to Yaacov and his family, for it could lead to the end of the spiritual mission to which Yaakov had dedicated his life. We are therefore told that Yaacov primarily feared his "brother," and only then "Eisav."

... Rabbi Soloveitchik explains that Yaakov was concerned about two facets of Eisav's strategy - the hand of brotherhood and the hand of violence. He first mentions the hand of brotherhood, for he recognized the serious danger posed by the "love" of Eisav when its goal is to wean Yaakov away from the right path.

...Rabbi Soloveitchik then cites various midrashim that describe how, in a later stage of our history, these descendants of Eisav will ask us to modify our tradition so as to lessen the distance between their religion and Judaism. Rabbi Soloveitchik explains that they will even adopt certain tenets of Judaism in order to tempt us to give up some of our heritage.

...One trait of Esau that few will fail to recognize in the civilization and culture of the West is the emphasis on the image over substance, leavened with a good measure of hypocrisy.

He (Esau) was a hypocrite (Shocher Tov 14,3).

Esau would hunt him (Yitshak) and deceive him with words (Genesis Rabbah 63,10).

...The following midrash typifies the personalization of Rome and the West as Esau while not sparing his hypocrisy.

In the future Esau will wrap himself in a tallis, sit down next to Yakov and say to him, "You are my brother"....

"That was Esau's intention when he told Yakov, "Let us travel together and I will go before you (Genesis 33,12). He wanted them to join together in both this world and the world to come, to meet each other halfway,* with each modifying his conduct until they were alike (Yalkut Shimoni, Genesis 133). Indeed, Esau will even adopt certain tenets of Judaism...but only if Israel will give up some of its heritage. Similarly, according to Tanna D'Bei Eliahu Zuta(19), Esau proposed. "Give up some of the mitzvos that divide us. You will thereby enjoy this world and still have half the world to come. Isn't that enough? (Bais Halevy, Vayishlach).

Sounds like the so-called Messianic 'Jews' who wear tallit and tzitzit (but not kippa or tefillin) and the Hebrew-roots xians who claim to be "Torah-observant."

[*This is the stated goal of the "Restoration of Israel" theology - that so-called "Torah-observant" xians who identify as "lost tribes" will unite with apostate Jews who believe in the so-called "New Testament" and its image of a Messiah-god and come together as "one new man." ]

Speaking of Eisav's hypocrisy, those who build the bridges and those who cross over them are more than hypocrites, they are often outright liars - swearing that they do not proselytize anyone. Check out the website of this "Torah-observant" xian family who crossed over the bridge that Tommy Waller built. They were hand-picked by the Wallers to replace them for a period of time and what did they do while in Israel?  Exactly what they promised not to do and swore that they never do - proselytize!

See their Israel Photo Gallery and Testimony featuring the Jews and Muslims that they either tried to convert or actually did convert during they stay in G-d's Holy Land and see if you don't agree with me that these "bridges" really need to be burned.