Startling News from the Vatican: Jews' Messiah Now Kosher

"When the true Messianic king will arise and prove successful, his [position becoming] exalted and uplifted, they will all return and realize that their ancestors endowed them with a false heritage; their prophets and ancestors caused them to err." Maimonides, Laws of Kings, Chapter 11, paragraph 4, footnote 12.

In 2002, the Catholic Church quietly released a 210 page document revealing a new respect for the "Old Testament" and the Jewish people. But the document went further, saying that the Jewish people were entitled to their belief that the Messiah had not yet come. This shocked many Christians and took the Jews by surprise. Many also wondered why there was so little fanfare and publicity about this important theological shift. Three years later, the man mainly responsible for this report, Cardinal Jospeh Ratzinger, was elected pope, and continues today as Pope Benedict XVI. Below are excerpts from the text of the article published in the Jewish Week on January 25, 2002. A notable quote from Eugene Fisher, ecumenical director for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops: "The Catholic Church will never again sanction an organization devoted to the conversion of the Jews. That is over, on doctrinal, biblical and pastoral grounds. Finito.” In light of hundreds of years of persecution, including torture and forced conversions, this is a remarkable statement.

The Wait Is Over: Jews' Messiah Now Kosher

Vatican affirms Jewish position; scholars scramble to decipher new doctrine.

The Jewish Week/Jan 25, 2002 (excerpts)
By Eric J. Greenberg

…last week…the Vatican’s top biblical scholars recently issued a report that for the first time in nearly 2,000 years apparently validates as legitimate the Jewish wait for the Messiah.

A 210-page document titled “The Jewish People and the Holy Scriptures in the Christian Bible,” by the Pontifical Biblical Commission and authorized by the Vatican’s top theologian, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, reportedly states that “the Jewish messianic wait is not in vain.”

…

The new document also reportedly contains an apology to the Jewish people for anti-Semitic passages contained in the New Testament, and also stresses the continuing importance of the Torah for Christians.

…

But despite the potential significance of the new Vatican document, it was seemingly buried upon publication, quietly placed in bookstores in Rome last November. There was no press conference or public announcement, unlike many other important Vatican documents such as the 1999 “We Remember” Holocaust report.

In fact, the world was unaware of the new “Messiah doctrine” until last Friday, when The New York Times published a story about it based on a short report two days earlier by the Italian news agency ANSA.

“Everything in the report is now considered part of official Church doctrine,” Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls acknowledged after it became public.

Despite its potential significance, the document still was unavailable in English this week, being translated only in Italian, French and Polish. Further, the Vatican did not post it on its Web site in any language.

“For the time being the document ... will not be available [on] the Internet,” the Pontifical Biblical Commission told one American rabbi Monday, adding, “an English translation will be available [in] days.”

That left American Jewish and Catholic interfaith leaders scrambling this week for any information.

Initial speculation generally was positive, even as the interfaith leaders stressed that they were speaking without having seen the text. They also all questioned the “strange” behavior of the Vatican in failing to publicize such a significant document.

“The way it was released is extremely strange,” said Father John Pawlikowski, director of the Catholic Jewish Studies Program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. “Normally they launch these things with fanfare and press conferences. Also the lack of an authorized English translation is particularly disturbing.”

…

In Rome, Vatican officials denied they tried to hide the document fearing criticism from right-wing Catholics who oppose theological change.

“There was no intention to hide it,” said a Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini.

In the United States, Eugene Fisher, ecumenical director for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, blamed a Vatican leadership that is understaffed and “clueless” about what is important to world interest.

But Fisher, who said he saw an English draft of the text last year, expounded on its importance. He noted that the theologically conservative Cardinal Ratzinger — the second most powerful person in the Vatican after the Pope — signed off on it.

(he continued)…The Catholic Church will never again sanction an organization devoted to the conversion of the Jews. That is over, on doctrinal, biblical and pastoral grounds. Finito.”

Mark McCulloch, Oklahoma legislator Behind the Proclamation In Support of Israel

State Representive, Mark McCulloch, Oklahoma

"I feel very strongly that Israel is a lonely beacon of hope and freedom in the Middle East." - Mark McCulloch, from a press release from the Oklahoma State Legislature

State of Oklahoma Supports Israel

6/21/2011 8:35:00 AM Contact: State Rep. Mark McCullough Capitol: (405) 557-7414 OKLAHOMA CITY (June 21, 2011) – Gov. Mary Fallin has officially proclaimed May 9, 2011 as “Peace in Israel” day in Oklahoma. “While Oklahoma may be geographically distant from Israel, we are spiritually and culturally linked thanks to our citizens’ strong Judeo-Christian values,” said state Rep. Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, who requested the proclamation. “I appreciate Governor Fallin’s willingness to clearly identify the people of Oklahoma as an ally of Israel.” The proclamation declares that Israel “is the greatest ally of the United States in the Middle East” and notes that Oklahoma “has a long relationship with Israel which includes trade, educational exchanges and sister cities.” The document notes that previous administrations have shown support for Israel since its modern-day creation in 1948 and its subsequent growth, “its battle against terrorism, and its efforts in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.” The proclamation also notes that “the Holy Bible states that those who bless Israel will themselves be blessed (Genesis 12:3), and Oklahomans desire a blessed state.” “I feel very strongly that Israel is a lonely beacon of hope and freedom in the Middle East, and we must do all we can to support our most important ally in that region,” McCullough said. “This proclamation is one simple but important way to do that.” May 9 was chosen as “Peace in Israel” day in Oklahoma because that is Israel’s Independence Day according to the Jewish calendar.

State of Oklahoma Declares Solidarity with Israel in Historic Proclamation

From the June 16, 2011, proclamation from the State of Oklahoma: 

"Whereas the sovereign state of Israel is the greatest ally of the United States in the Middle East, and...

"Whereas the Holy Bible states that those who bless Israel will themselves be blessed (Genesis 12:3), and Oklahomans desire a blessed state,..."

(Suggested by Neshama.)

Stand Up For Israel, or Lie Down with the Wicked

by Israel National News

Sivan 20, 5771, 6/22/2011

Stand Up For Israel, or Lie Down with the Wicked

Just recently, the State of Oklahoma came out with a proclamation that they are allies of Israel, are spiritually and culturally linked to Israel because of their citizens’ strong Judeo-Christian values, and to top it off,  Oklahoma's Governor Mary Fallin has officially proclaimed May 9, 2011 as “Peace in Israel” day in Oklahoma.
To read the official document close up click HERE.

City Mayor Agrees to Fasting, Prayer To End Debt Crisis

Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson will participate in fasting and prayer for more cooperative spirit in the city

Published: Monday, June 20, 2011, 6:12 PM     Updated: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 1:59 PM

 By MARY KLAUS, The Patriot-News 

HARRISBURG — To help Harrisburg out of its financial crisis, area Christian, Jewish and Muslimleaders have called for three days of fasting and praying for a more cooperative spirit among Harrisburg government leaders, the business community and residents. 

View full sizeJOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News, 2010Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson

The voluntary event will start at midnight on Tuesday and run through 5 p.m. Friday. During that time, various churches and temples will be open to the public. 
    
Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompsonsaid she will participate in the event. 
    
The Rev. Herb Stoner, pastor of adult training at Community Church of Camp Hill, said the answers to problems in Harrisburg and the region won’t be found in the wisdom or ability of humans. 
    
“Therefore, united, we turn our hearts to God, knowing that he is good, and that his plans for the capitol region will give us a bright future and a glorious hope,” Stoner said. 
    
An ecumenical service ending the fast will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church, 2447 Green St. 

Spanish Writer Says Auschwitz Was the Death Knell of Europe

It is said that this article was published in a newspaper in Spain. There seems to be no information on the author. Nonetheless, the central thesis seems worth pondering: whatever value European civilization had, it was destroyed by the Holocaust. And what replaced it was a Muslim scourge.

Date: Tue. 15 January 2008 14:30

 EUROPE DIED IN AUSCHWITZ By Sebastian Vilar Rodrigez

I walked down the street in Barcelona , and suddenly discovered a terrible truth – Europe died in Auschwitz … We killed six million Jews and replaced them with 20 million Muslims. In Auschwitz we burned a culture, thought, creativity, talent. We destroyed the chosen people, truly chosen, because they produced great and wonderful people who changed the world.

The contribution of this people is felt in all areas of life: science, art, international trade, and above all, as the conscience of the world. These are the people we burned.

And under the pretense of tolerance, and because we wanted to prove to ourselves that we were cured of the disease of racism, we opened our gates to 20 million Muslims, who brought us stupidity and ignorance, religious extremism and lack of tolerance, crime and poverty, due to an unwillingness to work and support their families with pride.

They have blown up our trains and turned our beautiful Spanish cities into the third world, drowning in filth and crime.

Shut up in the apartments they receive free from the government, they plan the murder and destruction of their naive hosts.

And thus, in our misery, we have exchanged culture for fanatical hatred, creative skill for destructive skill, intelligence for backwardness and superstition.

We have exchanged the pursuit of peace of the Jews of Europe and their talent for a better future for their children, their determined clinging to life because life is holy, for those who pursue death, for people consumed by the desire for death for themselves and others, for our children and theirs.

What a terrible mistake was made by miserable Europe …

Media Reports Significant Increase in Natural Disasters, as the Rebbe Foretold Many Years Ago.

Flood in China, 2010

Flood in Pakistan, 2010

As noted previously, a 1944 prophecy, based on Psalm 93 and published in a journal of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, foretold of natural disasters in the era of the Redemption. While the experts in the Associated Press story below attribute these disasters to climate change, the Lubavitcher Rebbe said that it will be clear to many that G-d has garbed himself in a "garment of grandeur," showing that it is He who runs the world. The Rebbe explains:

Generally speaking, everyone regards nature as the ruler of the world. They totally forget that there is a G-d Who rules over nature. Only when something unnatural occurs, like a flood, earthquake, or other terrible catastrophe, do they remember Him. Only under such circumstances do they recall that there is a G-d to Whom nature belongs. [And when they remember], they say, “G-d has reigned” – He has overridden nature, and demonstrated that He is the mightier. In other words, only when G-d dons a garment of grandeur, and demonstrates his authority over nature, do people begin to recognize Him – instead of nature and its “powers” – as the sole King and Ruler of the world.

The Psalmist is speaking of the time when G-d, blessed be He, will appear clothed in grandeur, and the world will recognize and admit that G-d is King. This will take place in the days of Moshiach, prior to the Redemption.

Jun. 6, 2011 9:36 AM ET
Millions displaced by natural disasters last year
BJOERN H. AMLAND, Associated Press 

OSLO, Norway (AP) — About 42 million people were forced to flee their homes because of natural disasters around the world in 2010, more than double the number during the previous year, experts said Monday.

One reason for the increase in the figure could be climate change, and the international community should be doing more to contain it, the experts said.

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre said the increase from 17 million displaced people in 2009 was mainly due to the impact of "mega-disasters" such as the massive floods in China and Pakistan and the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti.

It said more than 90 percent of the disaster displacements were caused by weather-related hazards such as floods and storms that were probably impacted by global warming, but it couldn't say to what extent.

To read more, please click here:

Woman Gives Away Her Inheritance, $100 A Day

One woman's desire to make a difference,--and to change herself,--led to a courageous and novel idea: to distribute her inheritance  from her mother in $100 bills to a different person every day. Her website is hundredsofhundreds.com.

Portland woman wonders if giving away $100 a day can change lives, and changes her own

Published: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 4:31 PM     Updated: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 10:36 PM

 By Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Oregonian 

Bruce Ely, The Oregonian

Jill Ginsberg offers a $100 bill to Angelah Shakier on a MAX train last week. Ginsberg is giving $100 to a stranger every day in October as a means of honoring her mother. "Every person has a story, every family has its struggles," Ginsberg says. "I realized that thing about who's worthy, who's neediest, I've kind of let that go."

The crisp $100 bill weighs heavily in her pocket. She scans the MAX train, her eyes resting briefly on a long-haired brunette who offers a fleeting smile. A young man in baggy jeans squeezes in next to her, sighs and says, “Rough day.” They share a few words. The moment passes, and he jumps off.

As her hands flex on her suitcases, she makes her way toward a woman with Marilyn Monroe-red lipstick.
To read complete story, please click here: