Howard Kaye is the husband of the late Lori Kaye who was killed during the Chabab of Poway shooting which took place on April 27th of this year. While the incident was a tragedy and deserves condemnation, Howard Kaye would use his grief to use the incident as an excuse to promote the Noahide Laws. Kaye believes that teaching the world about the Noahide Laws would set an "inherent moral compass". But Noahide Law also calls for murder, the decapitation of anyone who does not follow the Noahide Laws, this means the execution of pagans (here), Christians (here), homosexuals (here) and blasphemers. It is also hypocritical since under Noahide Law it is legal for Jews to kill none Jews without penalty (here). Not only this, Kaye mentions the inspiration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, how can Kaye call upon the name of this Rabbis to condemn anti-Semitism when Rabbii Schneerson stated that non-Jews have inferior satanic souls and are the property of Jews whom they have been created to serve (here)? The anti-Gentile hatred of the Noahide Law is no less toxic or dangerous than any form of anti-Semitism.
JTA — The husband of Lori Kaye, who was killed by a gunman during services at the Chabad of Poway, said he wants to prevent future synagogue shootings like the one that killed his wife by educating the world about its “inherent moral compass.”
In an op-ed in Newsweek, Dr. Howard Kaye recalled how he passed out after beginning CPR on a woman after the shooting on April 27 and then realized that it was his wife. “In trying to understand the root cause of the atrocity that took Lori’s life and, even more urgently, in seeking to prevent the next Poway from occurring, it became clear to me that Lori’s killer was motivated by anti-Semitic hatred,” he writes.
Howard Kaye said he has chosen to speak out now, three months since the shooting, because of the 25th anniversary of the death of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
He wrote that his wife had been in synagogue the day of the shooting for her the anniversary of her mother’s death and that she had recently purchased a book by Schneerson about loss and tragedy, which she had not yet read. He has been reading it to deal with his wife’s killing. “Even in death, my loving, caring Lori anticipated my needs and prepared these comforting teachings,” he writes. “It’s almost as if she’s reading them by my side.”
Schneerson, Howard Kaye wrote, worked to promote awareness of a basic universal moral code for humankind called the Seven Noahide Laws.
“Sharing it with the world is more relevant now than ever,” he wrote in the op-ed. “Each time a murderous, twisted individual commits a crime of hate, the urgency to educate society about the basic laws of human civilization grows. It holds the potential to stop the next atrocity.”
Recently the Jewish Press published an article by Rabbi Shmuel Butman about the Jewish Messiah and the Noahide Laws. Rabbi Butman agrees with many Jewish scholars and the Talmud (here), not as many Noahide apologists attempt to convince us, that there is no need for any sort of supernatural miracles to usher in the Jewish Messiah who he says will be accepted by the nations to rule the whole world under the Seven Noahide Laws. It is not hard to believe this reality is not all that far off as the US government (here), the U.N. (here), the Vatican (here) and the Freemasonry (here) have all acknowledged and affirmed that the Noahide Laws are universal morality, including their provisions for the execution of pagans, Christians, homosexuals, blasphemers and more. Rabbi Butman states his claims are based upon the teachings of the "Lubavitcher Rebbe", Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a Rabbi who stated non-Jews have inferior satanic souls and who only exist to serve Jews (here)
Throughout the millennia of our bitter exile, our ancestors pined for Moshiach to come and redeem us. For many years, Jews were cruelly oppressed by the masses among whom they lived and by autocratic monarchs who imposed exorbitant taxes on them.
Usually living in abject poverty and viciously persecuted for their faith, they had every reason to yearn for redemption. Scriptural passages and sayings of our Sages in the Talmud and Midrashimpromised a bright, supernatural future, giving them perennial hope.
Today, however, virtually all Jews live in democratic lands, free of persecution. Most are better off in many ways than even kings in past eras. Dramatic medical advances have improved our health and life expectancy far beyond the imagination of previous generations. We travel easily around the globe in just hours, and communicate instantaneously with loved ones across the world. What, then, are we lacking, that we should yearn for Moshiach?
The Rambam writes that the uniqueness of the Messianic era will be full halachic observance of the entire Torah. The Beis Hamikdashwill be rebuilt and all its offerings will be brought according to the Torah’s specifications. Mitzvos such as yovel, which can only be observed when all Jews are present in the Holy Land, will finally be fulfilled properly. Torah observance will thus reach its ultimate perfection.
This first stage of the Messianic era will not require supernatural miracles, though its events will be so remarkable as to be considered miraculous. The ingathering of all Jews and their acceptance of Moshiach will require a total about-face for many, who presently owe little conscious allegiance to halacha. Also at this stage, the nations of the world will accept the Jewish people’s dominion of the Holy Land and Moshiach as the world’s ruler. They will also accept the one G-d and observe His seven universal commandments as a Divine spirit permeates the minds of humanity and everyone realizes the truth of G-d and His Torah.
All the material blessings promised in the Torah and the Prophets will also be fulfilled. No more sickness, poverty, or hunger; no more persecution, fear, or worry; no more war or quarreling. The absence of all these will free our minds to delve into the great Torah revelations of the Messianic era and advance in Divine wisdom.
These revelations will actually be what truly distinguishes the Messianic era from our own. Moshiach will be the Torah teacher of the Jewish nation as well as a wise, Divinely-inspired world ruler. Today, Torah study dwells on the Torah’s externalities, seeking to define our practical obligations and the logic within halachic principles. Even more “spiritual” levels of Torah study – drush, remez, sod – have merely scratched the surface of these Torah reservoirs, without reaching anywhere near their true profundity.
Moshiach, when he comes, will reveal the deeper reasons for every detail of Torah observance – why it is necessary to perform particular mitzvos in specific ways and what each detail accomplishes in the spiritual realm. Even those familiar with these topics from Kaballah and Chassidus understand only their superficial aspects, realizing them intellectually to be fact but without grasping their inner essence. In the future era, these Torah insights will be revealed on a deeper level and provide greater conviction, as if we are finally seeing rather than merely hearing about something or studying it from a book.
Likewise, in the world in general: We will grasp the world’s true Divine nature and how our mitzvos elevate all material things. We will perceive the great pleasure given to Hashem by every mitzvah ever performed and realize regretfully how transgressions concealed His presence.
The era before Moshiach is described as the period of Divine “betrothal” to our people, while the future era will represent Hashem’s “marriage” to us. We will progress in this union from one spiritual height to another, from the first stage of Moshiach’s era to the next, including resurrection of the dead and much more.
If we don’t yet appreciate the value of all this, it is because our perception is still like a child’s. As we mature, we come to realize what is truly important. May these days help us arrive at that perception, enabling us to reach true hope and yearning for Moshiach.
The United Stated Congress has been opened at least 8 times under the auspices of a Noahide Prayer. Besided honoring Rabbi Schneerson, a man who said non-Jews have satanic souls (here) and whom is honored in all of the laws passed in the USA recognizing the Noahide Laws (here) the prayers collectively make the following statements: The Noahide Laws are the basis of any decent and civilized society; the Noahide Laws govern the USA; creating “just” legislation is one of the Seven Noahide Laws (establish courts of “justice”); the Congress is assembled to fulfill one of the Seven Noahide Laws (the law to set up courts of “justice”); it is prayed the Congress have the wisdom and courage to embody the values of the Noahide Laws; and it is prayed that the United States have the ability to lead the world as a role model in spreading the Noahide Laws and have the power to bring “peace” to the world. In case it was thought perhaps the Congress did not know what the Rabbis were praying about, they list out all of the seven Noahide Laws. It is stated that the Noahide Laws will end war.
Rabbi Moshe Feller HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-Wednesday, May 4, 1994
The House met at 2 p.m. Rabbi Moshe Feller, director, Upper Midwest Merkos-Lubavitch, Twin Cities, MN, offered the following prayer:
Almighty God, the Members of this august body, the U.S. House of Representatives, convene here to fulfill one of the seven Biblical commandments which You issued to all man- kind: that all societies must govern by just laws.
At the dawn of civilization, as related in Genesis and its sacred commentaries, You issued seven commandments which came to be known as the Seven Noahide Laws:
To worship You alone and not to serve idols, Never to blaspheme Your Holy Name, Not to murder, Not to commit adultery, Not to steal, Not to be cruel to any living creature, and That every society govern by just laws which are based in the recognition of You, 0 God, as the Sovereign Ruler of all men and nations.
Grant us, Almighty God, that those assembled here to enact the laws which govern this blessed country be cognizant of Your presence, and conduct their deliberations accordingly. Bless them with good health, wisdom, compassion, good cheer, and good fellowship. May they constantly realize that in laboring for the enactment of just laws they are doing Your will. Amen.
Rabbi Shmuel Butman US SENATE-THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2006
The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. STEVENS).
PRAYER The PRESIDENT pro tempore. This morning, we have the privilege of being led in prayer by our guest Chaplain Rabbi Shmuel Butman from the Lubavitch Youth Organization of New York City.
The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
Ovinu Shebashomayim, our Heavenly Father.
We pray to You today, 3 days before the 104th birthday of the Lubacitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Manachem M Schneerson. The Rebbe reached out to all people and inspired all people throughout the world, regardless of race, religion, color, and creed, to reach a greater level of observance and service. The Rebbe said that this is the last generation of exile and the first generation of redemption and that each one of us can bring the redemption even closer by doing more deeds of goodness and kindness. The Rebbe also encouraged the observance of the Seven Noahide Laws, or the Seven Universal Laws, which are the basis of any decent and civilized society.
In the merit of the Rebbe, we ask You, Almighty God, to bestow Your blessings on the Members of the Senate and their families and through them on all the people in the United States of America for peace, contentment, and fulfillment in all their endeavors, in joy, in happiness, and in gladness of heart.
In honor of the Rebbe, I want to do an act of goodness and kindness. I want to put a dollar in a pishky, in the charity box. May God bless you, all of you.
Thank you.
Rabbi Shea Harlig HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—Thursday, March 15, 2007
PRAYER Rabbi Shea Harlig, Chabad of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, offered the following prayer:
Almighty God, the Members of this prestigious body, the U.S. Congress, convene here to fulfill one of the seven Noahide commandments: the commandment to govern by just laws which are based in the recognition of You, God, as the sovereign ruler of all people and nations.
We the citizens of this blessed country proudly proclaim this recognition and our commitment to justice in our Pledge of Allegiance—‘‘one Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.’’
Grant us, Almighty God, that those assembled here be aware of Your presence and conduct their deliberations accordingly. Bless them with good health, wisdom, compassion, and good fellowship.
On the eve of Passover, the Festival of Freedom, I beseech You, Almighty God, to bless and protect our troops and our entire Nation whom our esteemed spiritual leader, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, labeled ‘‘a nation of kindness’’ with freedom from terrorism.
Indeed ‘‘God Bless America.’’
Rabbi Shea Harlig US Senate-THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today’s prayer will be offered by our guest Chaplain, Rabbi Shea Harlig, spiritual leader of Chabad of Southern Nevada. The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
Almighty G-d, the Members of this prestigious body, the U.S. Senate, convene here in the spirit of one of the seven Noahide Laws which were set forth by You as an eternal universal code of ethics for all mankind; that every society be governed by just laws which shall be based in the recognition of You, O G-d, as the Sovereign Ruler of all peoples and all nations. We, the citizens of this blessed country, proudly proclaim this recognition and our commitment to justice in our Pledge of Allegiane—‘‘One Nation, under G-d, with liberty and justice for all.’’
Grant us, Almighty G-d, that those assembled here today be aware of Your presence and conduct their deliberations accordingly. Bless them with good health, wisdom, compassion, and good fellowship.
On this 25th day of June, 2009, which corresponds to the third day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, we are 15 years—to the day—from the passing of our esteemed spiritual leader, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory, who consistently extolled the virtues of this great land as a ‘‘Nation of Kindness.’’
I beseech You, Almighty G-d, to grant renewed strength and fortitude to all who protect, preserve, and help further these ideals so essential to the dignity of the human spirit. Please grant that our beloved Rebbe’s vision of a world of peace and tranquility— free of war, hatred, and strife—be realized speedily in our days.
G-d bless this hallowed body. G-d bless our troops who stand in defense of this great land. G-d bless the United States of America.
Rabbi Yosef Greenberg US SENATE-WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016
PRAYER The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Today’s opening prayer will be offered by Rabbi Yosef Greenberg, founder and spiritual leader of the Lubavitch Jewish Center of Alaska in Anchorage, AK.
The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
Almighty God, I invoke Your blessing today on this honorable body, the United States Senate. In these troubling times, when misguided people use religion to commit the greatest crimes against humanity by stabbing and murdering innocent men, women, and children in the Middle East, Europe, Israel, the U.S.A., and all over the world, may You grant, Almighty God, that the Members of this honorable body have the wisdom and courage to embody the universal values of the Seven Commandments which You, Almighty God, issued to Noah and his family after the Great Flood, the foremost of which is not to commit murder. Grant, Almighty God, that the Members of the Senate, who assembled here today, to fulfill one of Your Seven Commandments, the Commandment to govern by just laws, understand that the United States has the ability to lead the entire world and be a role model in spreading and incorporating Your Seven Laws, and in doing so, have the power to bring healing and peace to a struggling and broken world that is facing ongoing terror and violence.
Almighty God, I beseech You today to bless the Senate, in the merit of one of the spiritual giants of our time and our Nation, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of saintly blessed memory, who launched the universal campaign to bring the awareness of Your Seven Sacred Laws to all mankind, that we may all see the fulfillment of humanity’s great future, as proclaimed by Isaiah, ‘‘nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’’
Amen.
Rabbi Gershon Avtzon HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019
Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, offered the following prayer:
Almighty God, master of the universe, I invoke Your blessing today on the Members of this honorable institution, the House of Representatives of the United States of America. May they humbly serve their constituencies, aware that creating just legislation is one of the seven laws that You, almighty God, gave all humanity through Noah, as detailed in Genesis.
Almighty God, as a descendant of Chassidic Jews who fled the Stalinist regime that persecuted religious observance, I am especially grateful and blessed to be in America, the nation called the ‘‘country of kindness’’ by the great spiritual leader of our generation, the Lubavitcher Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. We thank you for the freedom we have here to practice our faith, and we pray for those who still suffer persecution around the world.
While legislating, by definition, includes differences of opinion and rigorous debate, I pray that we, nevertheless, anticipate our shared bright future in the time of redemption and, thus, remain ‘‘one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’’
Amen.
Rabbi Moshe Feller UNITED STATES SENATE - JAN 2022
Rabbi Moshe Feller opens a session in the Capitol for the tenth time
...
On Tuesday morning, the veteran Minnesota Chabad emissary who has served in that capacity since 1961, addressed the Creator from the Senate floor, with his son and several grandchildren, Chabad emissaries as well, looking on. “Almighty G‑d, Master of the Universe,” prayed the 84-year-old rabbi, “the Members of this august body, the United States Senate, convene here today to fulfill one of the Seven Commandments which You issued to Noah and his family after the Great Flood: the commandment that all societies be governed by just laws.” Feller went on to specify each of the Seven Noahide Laws of universal morality, concluding, “Grant, Almighty G‑d, that the members of the Senate constantly realize that by enacting just laws, they are doing Your will.”
...
When Feller reported back to the Rebbe after that first appearance, sponsored by Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn.), he brought with him a copy of the Congressional Record, which reproduced the text of his prayer. “The Rebbe wrote to me ‘Tach! Tach! Tach! [a Hebrew acronym for ‘many thanks’] for giving me the news of opening the Senate and especially the beginning of your remarks.’ ” The Rebbe was referring to Feller’s observation before the Senate that their very gathering fulfills one of the Seven Noahide Laws, the imperative to establish just laws for society. “The Rebbe then gave me a directive,” Feller recalls, “ ‘Send your prayer to whoever opens a legislative body—not necessarily the U.S. Senate,’ and that’s what I did for many rabbis. G‑d gave me the idea to open it like that, and the Rebbe was so happy.”
Rabbi Mendy Greeberg UNITED STATES SENATE - MAR 31 2022
Ahead of the upcoming 120th anniversary of the birth of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—the U.S. Senate paid homage to the Rebbe and his influence on humanity at large, when Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, who directs the Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad Lubavitch in Palmer, Alaska, with his wife, Chaya, opened the Senate in prayer on March 31.
...
Greenberg opened his remarks with a prayer for Ukraine. “Almighty God, Master of the Universe,” the rabbi began, “we stand before You in prayer in these troubling times when innocent men, women and children have lost their lives and millions fled their homeland due to the catastrophic war in Ukraine. In the words of King David, Psalms, Chapter 121: ‘I lift my eyes to the mountains—from where will my help come? My help will come from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.’ ”
Invoking the Torah’s timeless wisdom, Greenberg prayed for the understanding that the “ultimate way to eliminate the cause of war and bring true peace to the world is by embodying the universal values of the seven commandments issued to Noah after the great flood, foremost of which is not to commit murder.”
Greenberg beseeched G‑d to bless the Senate, whose very gathering, he noted, is a fulfillment of one the the seven Noahide laws—the obligation to enact just laws.
The primary force driving the fulfillment of the Noahide laws for the first time in generations is the Rebbe, whose 120th anniversary of birth on the 11th day of the Jewish month of Nissan is being marked on April 12, noted Greenberg.
“In 1978, this honorable body established the Rebbe’s birthday as Education and Sharing Day USA and [it] is proclaimed annually by the President of the United States in recognition of the Rebbe’s global campaign to bring awareness and educate our youth about these ethical values of the Seven Noahide Laws as the basis for a just and compassionate society.
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[Page S255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRAYER
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Our guest Chaplain, Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, the
Director of Chabad of the East Valley from Chandler, AZ, will open the
Senate in prayer.
The guest chaplain offered the following prayer:
God of Heaven, Master of the world, please grace this distinguished,
exalted United States Senate. Give blessings upon these distinguished
individuals, chosen by so many who have entrusted them with the
responsibility of legislating for the well-being of their constituents
and families.
While each of us may come from different backgrounds, we stand here
united with a shared vision and purpose, with conviction and
determination, with love and strength, to ensure that each day is
better than the day before.
As my revered teacher, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, said: Though humanity's
origin began in a perfect world, human shortcomings led to its
failings. Yet it is through human goodness and kindness that we can
reveal G-d in this beautiful world, his dwelling place on Earth with
the redemptive time of the coming of Moshiach.
Almighty God, may those gathered here remain mindful of Your presence
as they work to enact just laws, the process of which itself is one of
the seven Noahide Laws given to You and all mankind, and align it with
Your will to foster a peaceful and harmonious world.
Please let us see more peaceful days soon, with the safe return of
those being held hostage as well as the dedicated men and women of our
Armed Forces battling evil at this time. Bestow upon them wisdom,
justice, grace, and empathy.
Bless our leaders with good health, compassion and joy, enabling them
to bring honor to the United States and to Your Name the blessings to
mankind as they fulfill Your divine will. Amen.
According to their "About" page, www.LifeSiteNews.com "is a non-profit Internet service dedicated to issues of culture, life, and family" which "emphasizes the social worth of traditional Judeo-Christian principles." In their opinion, the "conflict is between radically opposed views of the worth and dignity of every human life and of family life and community. It has been caused by secularists attempting to eliminate Christian morality and natural law principles which are seen as the primary obstacles to implementing their new world order." The term "natural law" is very important in this sentence as "natural law" in this context does not refer to physical laws but laws which a religious body (ie. the Catholic Church) have deemed to be so fundamental that to break them would be a crime against nature, though this is an opinion. The Natural Law Association (http://www.naturallawassociation.org) is a non-profit organization which promotes the Noahide Laws under the banner of "natural law". In this vein, LifeSiteNews has published two articles promoting the Noahide Laws, regardless of the fact that the website professes to care for Christian values, but under Noahide Law, Christianity is considered idolatry and Jesus a blasphemer and sorcerer, verdicts which bring death under Noahide Law (here).
LifeSiteNews seems to agree with the statements in Public Law 102-14 (here) that the American nation was founded upon the principles of the Seven Noahide Laws (not the Constitution?) The author of one article calls for a coalition of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) under an umbrella of Noahide Law; the Catholic Church (here) and elements of Sunni Islam (here) have already sworn themselves to the mandatory Noahide Laws. The author also attempts to deceive the reader by stating the Seven Noahide Laws are "biblical", meanwhile, the Noahide Laws in their entirety are not found within the Bible (here) but inside the Babylonian Talmud (here); calling them "Talmudic" values would likely not be very popular among Christians or Muslims. It is a little hypocritical for LifeSiteNews to cite the Noahide Laws in reference to the pro-life movement in that according to Noahide leader Rabbi Schneerson, non-Jews are not permitted to have abortions not because it is immoral but because the fetus belongs to Jews who non-Jews are here to serve (here); under Noahide Law, Jews may kill non-Jews without penalty (here), so it would only be logical that if a Jew wished a non-Jew to abort their child for any reason, it would be possible. This follows the logic of pro-Noahide Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg who states that under Jews law it is legal for a Jew to take the organs from an unwilling non-Jew in order to save a Jewish life (here). While the article focuses on sexual immorality the writers forget to mention that while non-Jews may not commit adultery under Noahide Law, Jews may commit adultery with the wives of non-Jews without penalty (here). A second article describes a Jewish sexual counseling service which was accused of emotionally abusing homosexuals, homosexuals are also to be killed under Noahide Law (here). The counseling service is now committed to creating an organization which again is a "coalition" of the Abrahamic faiths under Noahide Law and restoring "biblical" values to America. LifeSiteNews has obviously become part of the Noahide deception.
Noahide Laws Are "Biblical" values and foundation of America
"As I have written in a previous Public Discourse essay, the founding fathers of America recognized that the dual foundations of faith and family were the key to establishing this great country. We have abandoned that ideal, founded on principles found in the Seven Noahide Laws, in favor of a culture that has become largely secular and hedonistic.
Because each of the Seven Noahide Commandments has a negative aspect ("Thou Shalt Not …") while simultaneously incorporating a positive aspect, it is instructive to understand the specific commandment relevant to parental rights that is being abandoned. The positive aspect of forbidding sexual immorality and certain sexual relations is protecting the family unit, the initial building block of communal social life. Family life initiates one into societal life. The stability of the community depends on the stability of the families composing it. As head of the family unit, parents represent on earth the ultimate Father in Heaven.
The sanctity of marriage and family reflects the oneness of G-d and His creations. When we override this structure, we ignore G-d's eternal truths and our own common sense. We are witnessing foundational elements of American society as envisioned by our founders being destroyed. There are consequences for disobeying covenants between G-d and society, illustrated by the many social and emotional consequences attendant on the destruction of traditional family units.
We must return to the universal moral Biblical values found in the seven Noahide laws and reestablish a G-d-centered family-based culture. This can only be accomplished if we who embrace the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) form a coalition that abhors social and moral chaos, overthrows our sexually degenerate values, and recalls America to its biblical origins. "
JONAH lost its defense against the SPLC last summer, when a jury ruled that its reparative therapy program for people with unwanted same-sex attractions was fraudulent. JONAH was found guilty of 17 of 20 claims leveled by SPLC on behalf of former JONAH clients, who claim they were emotionally abused by JONAH and had to seek therapy after leaving its services...
...Berk and Goldberg say they are looking to the future and are "working on our vision to form a new institute that will be rooted in biblical values and express a biblical worldview."
"On December 29, 2015, we filed the articles of incorporation for our new organization, the Jewish Institute for Global Awareness (JIFGA)," say Berk and Goldberg, who described the new institute as an effort "to put together a coalition of those who follow the Abrahamic religions (Jews, Christians, and Muslims, which constitute more than 50% of the world's population). This coalition will advocate Divinely ordained moral imperatives and universal ethics known as the Seven Noahide Laws. We will continue to fight for core American values, including the freedom of traditional believers to live as free and equal citizens in this great country."
The Center for Jewish-Christain Understanding & Cooperation (CJCUC) is a Jewish organization that promotes interfaith dialogue between Jews and Christians on matters of theology. In 2011 CJCUC put out a statement entitled "CJCUC's Statement on Jewish Understanding of Christians and Christianity". Even though the statement is supposed to be about how many Jews view Christian, within the statement, CJCUC presumes to speak for Christians as to how they see themselves, and according to CJCUC, Christians view themselves as being members of the "Noahide covenant" and that they were responsible for removing idolatry from nations under the direction of the Noahide Laws. Most Christians at this time would not even know what the Noahide covenant is, let alone claim it is the impetus for their actions and beliefs. This is because the "Noahide Laws" are not found within the Old Testament of the Bible but inside the Talmud (here) a purely Jewish text. More than this, according to the Talmud where the Noahide Laws are found, Jesus is described as a blasphemer and sorcerer, distinctions which would warrant his death under Jewish Noahide Law, additionally it is stated that converting to Christianity is one of the worst sins one can commit and Christians (minuth) are said to be tortured in hell (here). Why are Jewish groups like CJCUC speaking for Christians and stating that Noahide Law is part of Christian doctrine, especially that this logic is particularly deceptive?
After collaborating and working with various Christian organizations, leaders, and scholars over the past three years, the leaders of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC) in Efrat and Jerusalem have released a statement of A Jewish Understanding of Christians and Christianity. CJCUC is the first Orthodox Jewish entity dedicated to engaging in dialogue with the Christian world
In partnership with The Witherspoon Institute in Princeton New Jersey, CJCUC recently publicized their scholarly work at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem and at Yale University on the topics of “Covenant & Mission” and “Hope & Responsibility in the 21st Century.” In addition, CJCUC has collaborated with scholars connected with the Hebraic Heritage Christian Center in Atlanta, GA, in discussing the issues of “Evangelization” and “Jewish Understanding of Christianity.”
CJCUC’s Founder Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin said, “This statement only represents the view of our center but should also be used as a catalyst for other orthodox Jews and Jewry worldwide to consider fostering relationships with Christian communities. Leaders within the Catholic and mainline Protestant churches as well as the non-denominational movements of Evangelical Christianity have become sincere friends of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. It is vital that we strengthen our relationship with them. We are certain that through these relational dialogues we will find far more which unites us than divides us.”
For more information, please contact CJCUC’s Media Division at 516-882-3220 or info@cjcuc.com
A Jewish Understanding of Christians and Christianity
Many leaders of Christianity today no longer seek to displace Judaism. They recognize the Jewish people’s continuing role in God’s plan for history, and through their own understanding of the Christian Testament, they understand themselves as grafted into the living Abrahamic covenant.
Christians see themselves not merely as members of the Noahide covenant, but as spiritual partners within the Jewish covenant. At the same time, they believe that God does not repent of his covenantal gifts and that the Jewish people continues to enjoy a unique covenantal relationship with God in accordance with its historical 2000 year traditions.
Jewish and Christian theologies are no longer engaged in a theological duel to the death and therefore Jews should not fear a sympathetic understanding of Christianity that is true to the Torah, Jewish thought and values. In today’s unprecedented reality of Christian support for the Jewish people, Jews should strive to work together with Christians toward the same spiritual goals of sacred history—universal morality, peace, and redemption under God—but under different and separate systems of commandments for each faith community and distinct theological beliefs.
Nearly all medieval and modern Jewish biblical commentators understood Abraham’s primary mission as teaching the world about God and bearing witness to His moral law. Maimonides insisted in his halakhic and philosophical writings that spreading the knowledge of the One God of Heaven and Earth throughout the world was the main vocation of Abraham. Significantly, this understanding of Abraham’s religious mission is exactly the role and historical impact of Christianity as understood by great rabbis such as Rabbis Moses Rivkis, Yaakov Emden and Samson Raphael Hirsch.
R. Moses Rivkis (17th century Lithuania):
The gentiles in whose shadow Jews live and among whom Jews are disbursed are not idolators. Rather they believe in creatio ex nihilo and the Exodus from Egypt and the main principles of faith. Their intention is to the Creator of Heaven and Earth and we are obligated to pray for their welfare (Gloss on Shulhan Arukh, Hoshen Mishpat, Section 425:5).
And Rabbi Jacob Emden (18th century Germany):
The Nazarene brought a double goodness to the world… The Christian eradicated avodah zarah, removed idols (from the nations) and obligated them in the seven mitsvot of Noah…a congregation that works for the sake of heaven—(people) who are destined to endure, whose intent is for the sake of heaven and whose reward will not denied. (Seder Olam Rabbah 35-37; Sefer ha-Shimush 15-17.
And Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (19th century Germany):
Although disparaged because of its alleged particularism, the Jewish religion actually teaches that the upright of all peoples are headed toward the highest goal. In particular, rabbis have been at pains to stress that, while in other respects Christian views and ways of life may differ from those of Judaism, the peoples in whose midst the Jews are now living [i.e. Christians] have accepted the Jewish Bible of the Old Testament as a book of Divine revelation. They profess their belief in the God of heaven and earth as proclaimed in the Bible and they acknowledge the sovereignty of Divine Providence in both this life and the next. Their acceptance of the practical duties incumbent upon all men by the will of God distinguishes these nations from the heathen and idolatrous nations of the talmudic era (Principles of Education, “Talmudic Judaism and Society,” 225-227).
Israel…produced an offshoot [Christianity] that had to become estranged from it in great measure, in order to bring to the world—sunk in idol worship, violence, immorality and the degradation of man—at least the tidings of the One Alone, of the brotherhood of all men, and of man’s superiority over the beast. (Nineteen Letters on Judaism (Jerusalem, 1995).
When we combine this rabbinic appreciation of Christianity with today’s non-replacement Christian theologies toward Judaism, we find fresh possibilities for rethinking a Jewish relationship with Christianity and for fashioning new Jewish-Christian cooperation in pursuit of common values. If so, Jews can view Christians as partners in spreading monotheism, peace, and morality throughout the world.
This new understanding must encompass a mutual respect of each other’s theological beliefs and eschatological convictions. Some Christians maintain that Christianity is the most perfect revelation of God and that all will join the church when truth is revealed at the end of time. Jews, too, are free to continue to believe, as Maimonides believed, that “all will return to the true religion” (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings, 12:1) and, as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik declared, “In the ultimate truthfulness of our views, [we] pray fervently for and expect confidently the fulfillment of our eschatological vision when our faith will rise from particularity to universality and will convince our peers of the other faith community”(“Confrontation” from Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Thought, 1964, 6:2).
The new relationship requires that Christians respect the right of all Jewish peoples to exist as Jews with complete self-determination—free from any attempts of conversion to Christianity. At the same time, Judaism must respect Christian faithfulness to their revelation, value their role in divine history, and acknowledge that Christians have entered a relationship with the God of Israel. In our pre-eschaton days, God has more than enough blessings to bestow upon all of His children.
The prophet Micah offers a stunning description of the messianic culmination of human history:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and the God of Jacob, that He teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.…Let the peoples beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore. Let every man sit under his vine and under his fig tree; and no one shall make him afraid….Let all the people walk, each in the name of his God; and we shall walk in the name of our Lord our God forever and ever.” (4:2-5)
Jews and Christians must bear witness together to the presence of God and to His moral laws. If Jews and Christians can become partners after nearly 2,000 years of theological delegitimization and physical conflict, then peace is possible between any two peoples anywhere. That peace would be our most powerful witness to God’s presence in human history and to our covenantal responsibility to carry God’s blessing to the world. It is the very essence of what makes up the messianic dream.
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, Founder & Chancellor of CJCUC and Ohr Torah Stone
Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn, CJCUC’s North American Director
In March of 2015 STOP NOAHIDE LAW took our message to the streets of New York with demonstrations outside the New York Public Library at Bryant Park on 42nd Street and on 125th street in Harlem. We passed out hundreds if not thousands of fliers and were able to speak to many passersby about the Jewish Noahide Laws and repealing US Public Law 102-14. A group of religious Jews tried to have us removed by reporting to the police we were engaging in "anti-Semitism", but the officers said we were practicing our freedom of speech and our signs did not qualify as hate speech.
