2012. 4. 19. 20:19
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Shalom Israel,
“…whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)
Today is Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance
Day), also called Yom HaShoah.
Day), also called Yom HaShoah.
We want to share with you the story of our family members, and also the amazing stories
of Christians who loved the Jewish people so much, that they risked their very own
lives to save thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.
of Christians who loved the Jewish people so much, that they risked their very own
lives to save thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.
The crematorium ovens at Auschwitz with trolleys for inserting bodies into the
fire. It is believed that Jewish people walking to the gas chambers would have
felt the heat from these ovens, which were beside the gas chambers.
Many of our ministry staff here at Bibles For Israel had parents, grandparents,
great grandparents, uncles and aunts who perished in the Holocaust. Many of
them were burned in the ovens of the Auschwitz extermination camp!
great grandparents, uncles and aunts who perished in the Holocaust. Many of
them were burned in the ovens of the Auschwitz extermination camp!
Here in Israel, Yom HaShoah began at sundown last night with a state ceremony
held at the Warsaw Ghetto Plaza at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs and
Heroes’ Authority in Jerusalem.
held at the Warsaw Ghetto Plaza at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs and
Heroes’ Authority in Jerusalem.
At 10 this morning, a siren will sound for two minutes all across Israel.
Israelis will stop whatever they are doing, wherever they are, to remember the
approximately six million Jewish people who perished in the Holocaust at the
hands of the Nazis.
approximately six million Jewish people who perished in the Holocaust at the
hands of the Nazis.
On Yom HaShoah in Israel, people stop to stand at attention for two minutes
when the siren sounds in honor of the six million Jews who perished in the
Holocaust. In the above photograph, people are standing outside their cars
on the highway to pay respect to the victims of the Holocaust.
We will also remember the heroic Jewish resistance during that period and
the ways in which mutual help, self-sacrifice and Jewish unity saved the
lives of many.
the ways in which mutual help, self-sacrifice and Jewish unity saved the
lives of many.
The theme of this year's commemoration is "My Brother's Keeper__Jewish
Solidarity During the Holocaust."
Solidarity During the Holocaust."
Today Israeli Jews and Arabs alike will stand still for a moment of silence.
It’s a silence which, without even a word, speaks of the unspeakable.
It’s a silence which, without even a word, speaks of the unspeakable.
Under the direction of Adolph Hitler, German Nazis tortured and murdered Jewish
men, women and children __ called the apple of God’s eye, God’s own ‘segulah’
(special treasure).
men, women and children __ called the apple of God’s eye, God’s own ‘segulah’
(special treasure).
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen
you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His
treasured possession [segulah].” (Deuteronomy 7:6)
you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His
treasured possession [segulah].” (Deuteronomy 7:6)
The Nazis also murdered many other people who they considered inferior to the
‘Aryan race.’
‘Aryan race.’
Israel's leaders stand silently during the nationwide sounding of the siren on
Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem.
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
This day was chosen to commemorate the Holocaust because it is the anniversary
of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
On April 19, 1943, the Germans entered the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland to deport
the surviving Jews to the death camp called Treblinka.
the surviving Jews to the death camp called Treblinka.
A year earlier, in 1942, 300,000 Jewish men, women and children had been
rounded up by the Nazis and deported to the death camp.
rounded up by the Nazis and deported to the death camp.
In January 1943, however, Warsaw ghetto fighters resisted another attempt to
round up more Jews for slaughter. After that they prepared for future resistance.
round up more Jews for slaughter. After that they prepared for future resistance.
On the morning of April 19, when 2,000 well trained, heavily armed German
troops entered the Ghetto with tanks and flamethrowers to carry out the
final deportation.
troops entered the Ghetto with tanks and flamethrowers to carry out the
final deportation.
However, 750 resistance fighters armed with nothing more than Molotov
cocktails, 17 rifles, and a handful of pistols fought for the lives of everyone
in the Ghetto.
cocktails, 17 rifles, and a handful of pistols fought for the lives of everyone
in the Ghetto.
Warsaw Ghetto burning: Captured Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto are led by
German soldiers to deportation. The woman on the left at the head of the
column is holding onto the right arm of her mother-in-law, and her child is in
tow. The child's father can be seen to the girl's left. Of the four, only he
survived the war.
The Germans were forced to withdraw and returned with ever increasing
firepower. They were, nevertheless, unsuccessful.
firepower. They were, nevertheless, unsuccessful.
Several days later, the German commander, General J__gen Stroop, gave the order
to burn the ghetto to the ground building by building.
to burn the ghetto to the ground building by building.
Warsaw’s brave resistance fighters held out for 27 days against this
overwhelming force.
overwhelming force.
On May 16, Stroop announced that the “the Jewish quarter of Warsaw no longer
exists. (Jewish Virtual Library)”
exists. (Jewish Virtual Library)”
We want to believe that such events are past and can never happen again.
Shockingly, today Israel and the Jewish People still face Muslim Arab enemies
that would like to deport and annihilate them. Sadly, there are Christians
who support this ungodly agenda.
that would like to deport and annihilate them. Sadly, there are Christians
who support this ungodly agenda.
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising: The German's forcibly remove Jewish men, women
and children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Of those rounded up, who were not
murdered on the spot, many were sent to the Treblinka death camp.
Are the Jewish People Lost and Cursed by God?
Today, there are Christians who believe in Replacement Theology, a errant idea
that the Church has replaced Israel, and that the Jews are now cursed by God.
that the Church has replaced Israel, and that the Jews are now cursed by God.
Some people think that the Jewish People deserved what happened to them during
the Holocaust, and that the Holocaust is evidence of God’s judgment of their
stiff-necked, sinful ways.
the Holocaust, and that the Holocaust is evidence of God’s judgment of their
stiff-necked, sinful ways.
The Word of God is very clear that God has a plan for Israel, and that He isn't
finished with the Jews:
finished with the Jews:
"I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite
myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not
reject his people, whom he foreknew.... Again I ask: Did they stumble so
as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!" (Romans 11:1-2, 11)
myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not
reject his people, whom he foreknew.... Again I ask: Did they stumble so
as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!" (Romans 11:1-2, 11)
"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so
that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all
Israel will be saved." (Romans 11: 25-26)
that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all
Israel will be saved." (Romans 11: 25-26)
The best revenge is living well: Young Orthodox boys overlooking a crowded
holiday event at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
How Could the Holocaust Happen?
How could the Holocaust happen in a modern, democratic country? A partial
answer, perhaps, could be the prevalence of a spirit of Laodicea in the Church
and in people in general.
answer, perhaps, could be the prevalence of a spirit of Laodicea in the Church
and in people in general.
In Exodus 23, the Bible warns the reader to not “follow the crowd to do
evil.” (Exodus 23:2)
evil.” (Exodus 23:2)
If we look at the European Church, the majority were silent on the
persecution, deportation and murder of the Jewish People. Many were
actively complicit.
persecution, deportation and murder of the Jewish People. Many were
actively complicit.
Can you imagine how grieved and infuriated Yeshua, who was a Jew Himself (who
is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven), must have felt to
see Christians who called themselves His disciples embracing His
brethren’s executioners?
is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven), must have felt to
see Christians who called themselves His disciples embracing His
brethren’s executioners?
Nevertheless, this is the unbelievably sad truth. It has been extensively
verified, photographed and documented, and is on display at Yad Vashem (The
Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem).
verified, photographed and documented, and is on display at Yad Vashem (The
Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem).
That said, many Christians did risk their lives to hide and rescue Jews during
the Holocaust, and many Christians perished because of this. This, however,
was the exception and not the rule.
the Holocaust, and many Christians perished because of this. This, however,
was the exception and not the rule.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1)
Father and son at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
Peer Pressure
We mustn’t underestimate the power of peer pressure.
The tendency to be ‘governed by the group,’ to follow the crowd, and to give in
to the fear of man is in us all to one degree or another.
to the fear of man is in us all to one degree or another.
Christopher Browning’s book Ordinary Men highlighted interviews of European men
who systematically slaughtered whole villages of Jewish men, women, and
children during the Holocaust.
who systematically slaughtered whole villages of Jewish men, women, and
children during the Holocaust.
These murderers were neither deranged nor on a vendetta. They were not paid
killers. They weren’t even military men.
killers. They weren’t even military men.
They were just ordinary men you'd find on any street __ regular family men from
whom you'd buy your groceries at the local store, or who you'd call to fix
your plumbing.
whom you'd buy your groceries at the local store, or who you'd call to fix
your plumbing.
But these men were enlisted to kill Jews. They were explicitly told no one
would be penalized for not participating.
would be penalized for not participating.
From the beginning, they were given the option to decline. Few did.
When the interviewer asked the men why they killed innocent Jewish people, they
explained that is was due to “peer pressure.”
explained that is was due to “peer pressure.”
Most of the men simply lacked the courage and strength to step apart from the
crowd and take a stand for righteousness.
crowd and take a stand for righteousness.
Everyone else was doing it, and they didn’t want to be regarded as different.
They rationalized their actions with “if everyone else is doing it, it must be
okay.” After all, these were only Jews!
They rationalized their actions with “if everyone else is doing it, it must be
okay.” After all, these were only Jews!
This combination of peer pressure and the bigotry towards the Jewish People
proved lethal.
proved lethal.
Cesare Vincenzo Orsenigo, who was Apostolic Nuncio to Germany from
1930 to 1945, during the rise of Nazi Germany and World War II, was the
direct diplomatic link between Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII. Orsenigo
routinely refused to intervene on behalf of the Jews.
Holiness means Set Apart
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
During the Holocaust, most of the Church fell into line with the Nazis and kept
silent, all the while continuing to hold their church services in a pretense of holiness.
silent, all the while continuing to hold their church services in a pretense of holiness.
Imagine weekly Bible studies, prayer services, Sunday morning and evening
church services, weddings and other celebrations taking place in these German
churches.
church services, weddings and other celebrations taking place in these German
churches.
They were joyful as they celebrated Christmas and Easter, and they did it 13
years (1933__1945), while their country was operating concentration and labor camps!
years (1933__1945), while their country was operating concentration and labor camps!
They carried on with their programs, lifting their hands in worship while
denying and/or ignoring the plight of Messiah’s brethren, the Jewish People.
denying and/or ignoring the plight of Messiah’s brethren, the Jewish People.
And many of the Nazis who ran the death camps attended Sunday services!
The Hiding Place is the story of a Dutch Christian
family who helped Jews escape the Holocaust.
Corrie ten Boom and her family were arrested in
1944 due to an informant. Corrie's father died 10
days later at Scheveningen prison. A sister,
brother and nephew were released, but Corrie
and her sister Betsie were sent to Ravensbruck
concentration camp, where only Corrie survived.
There were, however, a few brave souls with the courage to risk their lives in
order to help Yeshua’s (Jesus’) brethren in their time of desperate trouble.
order to help Yeshua’s (Jesus’) brethren in their time of desperate trouble.
They believed Yeshua meant it when He said, “He who tries to save his life will
lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
The Ten Boom family, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and others like them, gave their
lives to be ‘set apart’ from the group.
lives to be ‘set apart’ from the group.
Set apart is actually the meaning of the Hebrew word for holy (kadosh).
Irena Sendler, a Catholic social worker who was also
a member of the Polish resistance, smuggled 2,500
Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto with the
help of the resistance. She provided them with false
identity documents and with housing outside the Ghetto.
For this, the Nazis tortured her and sentenced her to
death. Nevertheless, she did survive the war.
These righteous Gentiles, and others like them, dared to stand with the
Jewish people in the Holocaust and to resist the evil forces that were trying
to destroy them.
Jewish people in the Holocaust and to resist the evil forces that were trying
to destroy them.
Their names are honored at Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial Museum
in Jerusalem).
in Jerusalem).
Yeshua honors them as well.
“Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty
and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to
Me.” (Matthew 25: 34-36)
foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty
and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to
Me.” (Matthew 25: 34-36)
Will we have the courage, in the coming time of Jacob’s trouble, to be holy
(kadosh)__set apart as followers of God rather than followers of the crowd?
(kadosh)__set apart as followers of God rather than followers of the crowd?
Could Another Holocaust Happen?
“How awful that day will be! No other will be like it. It will be a time of
trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.” (Jeremiah 30:7)
trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.” (Jeremiah 30:7)
The principalities and powers of wickedness that possessed the Nazis live on
today in many people and organizations, as well as in elements of Islam.
today in many people and organizations, as well as in elements of Islam.
The desire to extinguish the Jewish People and destroy the plans of God
still exists.
still exists.
In the Book of Esther, Haman plotted to destroy the Jews in the Persian Empire.
In the last century Hitler almost succeeded in wiping out the Jewish people.
Today, there is a real, modern-day ‘Haman’ on the scene today in the modern-day
state of Persia (Iran) calling for the complete destruction of the Jewish people and Israel.
state of Persia (Iran) calling for the complete destruction of the Jewish people and Israel.
Christians around the world must not deceive themselves as we stand on the
brink of the time of Jacob’s trouble. Christians need to understand God’s
heart and plan for Israel and the Jewish people in these end times.
brink of the time of Jacob’s trouble. Christians need to understand God’s
heart and plan for Israel and the Jewish people in these end times.
Israeli flags fly at half-mast on Yom HaShoah.
On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, as the Jewish People mourn for those who
perished in the Holocaust, let’s stand together and pray for the salvation of
the Jewish people, and for a revelation in the Church about the necessity of
taking a stand for Israel and being a holy people who are set apart.
perished in the Holocaust, let’s stand together and pray for the salvation of
the Jewish people, and for a revelation in the Church about the necessity of
taking a stand for Israel and being a holy people who are set apart.