Why are Christian Tourists to Israel Harassed?

[Radrook]

Is this attitude necessary?

 

[brinny]

Aren't they Hasidic Jews?

 

[timewerx]

Is this attitude necessary?

Those Americans seem like they're trying to provoke the Jews. They shouldn't have done that.

 

[brinny]

Those Americans seem like they're trying to provoke the Jews. They shouldn't have done that.

Actually, that's what i was wondering.

I hope they weren't.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Aren't they Hasidic Jews?

What are Hasidic Jews and what difference does it make?

 

[brinny]

What are Hasidic Jews and what difference does it make?

They would probably never join an organization such as "International Fellowship of Christians and Jews".

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

They would probably never join an organization such as "International Fellowship of Christians and Jews".

It sounded like that gives license for harrassment?

 

[Dave-W]

Aren't they Hasidic Jews?

No. They are the Haredi Jews. IT is an ultra orthodox sect that is NOT chassidic.

 

[Dave-W]

What are Hasidic Jews and what difference does it make?

Chasidic Jews are an offshoot of Orthodoxy started in the early 1700s by Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov. He lived in the Ukraine. They are a mystical (at times bordering on black magic) sect. Prior to WW2 there were over 200 Chassidic groups, now there are only about a dozen or so with the largest being the Chabad Lubavich.

The great American Jewish thinker Abraham Joshua Heschel (died 1972) was in line to be the Rebbe (rabbi leader) of the Apter sect after his father. He was attending college in Berlin in the mid 1930s and saw what was brewing and warned his family to leave, but they did not. He went to England just before the massive crackdowns. His entire community was wiped out. Heschel's wife was the daughter of the Rebbe of another Chassidic group, (possibly the Kotzker sect) meaning he could have been Rebbe of that group as well.

 

[Dave-W]

They would probably never join an organization such as "International Fellowship of Christians and Jews".

True. They see Christians as more of a threat to their existence than radical jihadi Islam. They even see the more secular Israeli society as a threat. As a result they are very insular. They have even gotten exemption from Israel's universal service law. (everyone spends 2 years in the Israeli Defense Force)

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Chasidic Jews are an offshoot of Orthodoxy started in the early 1700s by Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov. He lived in the Ukraine. They are a mystical (at times bordering on black magic) sect. Prior to WW2 there were over 200 Chassidic groups, now there are only about a dozen or so with the largest being the Chabad Lubavich.

Thanks for the clarification. It must be quite a mad atmosphere to be in Israel with all the different sects vying to be heard.

 

[brinny]

It sounded like that gives license for harrassment?

i wasn't clear on what was going on....

 

[brinny]

No. They are the Haredi Jews. IT is an ultra orthodox sect that is NOT chassidic.

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[brinny]

True. They see Christians as more of a threat to their existence than radical jihadi Islam. They even see the more secular Israeli society as a threat. As a result they are very insular. They have even gotten exemption from Israel's universal service law. (everyone spends 2 years in the Israeli Defense Force)

This is very helpful.

Thank you.

 

[Dave-W]

Thanks for the clarification. It must be quite a mad atmosphere to be in Israel with all the different sects vying to be heard.

Indeed. The Haredi stay away from most of the country and keep to their own communities. But other groups like Shas party (orthodox Sephardi Jews) and Yad Vashem (hand of God) seemingly interested in specifically on finding and expelling US - Messianics.

Yad Vashem burned down the Messianic synagogue in Haifa, after several months of slashing tires and other harassment. Shas (who had the Interior Ministry at the time) detained, arrested and deported a Messianic rabbi from Richmond VA (I met him a few times and knew one of his daughters), and he is a kohen - from the Priestly line.

 

[Dave-W]

I suspect that the guy in the videos must have specifically went into a Haredi area; KNOWING that he would have a very poor reception.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I suspect that the guy in the videos must have specifically went into a Haredi area; KNOWING that he would have a very poor reception.

Tactics for media attention ... I can't help but compare that with a part of the statue that Nebacanezer saw, called media (off-topic I know )

 

[crossnote]

Thanks for the clarification. It must be quite a mad atmosphere to be in Israel with all the different sects vying to be heard.

lol, just think, in N. Korea there wouldn't be all that vying but the Christian would fair even worse.
I don't know why the word 'Christian' is used in the thread. I did not hear any gospel witnessing going on. What I did see going on was provocation by the tourist (?). As far as I can tell, he didn't come with the Gospel. I can't imagine the fireworks if he had.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

lol, just think, in N. Korea there wouldn't be all that vying but the Christian would fair even worse.
I don't know why the word 'Christian' is used in the thread. I did not hear any gospel witnessing going on. What I did see going on was provocation by the tourist (?). As far as I can tell, he didn't come with the Gospel. I can't imagine the fireworks if he had.

Yes it seemed more a territorial thing with the Jews claiming rights to God yet not wanting to defend their position.

 

[faroukfarouk]

What are Hasidic Jews and what difference does it make?

They are the Ultra Orthodox Jews; some of whom don't recognize Israel as Jewish enough for them.