Shalom,
We were recently link by a friend to this site which we strongly recommend others should read:
THE RAINBOW SWASTIKA A REPORT TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE-ABOUT NEW AGE ANTISEMITISM by Hannah Newman
We suspect the above site may mean the "deep things of satan" which is a "teaching" we are called not to "put on". Yes, we are familiar with this through the pages of Scripture and some personal experiences, yet we did not have the modern research to help draw more together. Still, it is quite disconcerting to see what the Word elucidated to become so clearly in reference to our modern world and nation. This isn't the first time we've experienced this form of deja-vu as you may already know (as a Hebrew Catholic) if you have read our writing on Lev.26. This group seems heavily active here in America so is it any wonder that fish cried out the watch and call to read Torah?
At the end portion of her piece the author gave her response to this movement's threat upon Judah as Israel, however what is the Catholic response? Many of her guidelines are wise; to return to your true roots being the first, which is faith in G-d of Av'raham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov. The second is equally wise; to dig and uncover Catholicism's Jewish roots still visible in His Church today. And educating those around us, which is why we fight anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism with Scriptural arguments (instead of the Catechism) because Scripture is the common tool for all children of the same G-d. Yet, how do we reconcile and unite with so much mistrust after the Holocaust? We believe Is.44 may have a clue:
"This one will say, 'I am HaShem's' another will call himself by the name of Yaakov, and another will write on his hand 'l'HaShem's' and surname himself by the name of Israel." Is.44.5
We believe the first group is all Christians who say they are saved by faith in the One True G-d, which Judah shares. The second group is Judah because only Judah ever held the title Yaakov; and Is.48.1 states that this title, older than that of Israel, is upon those who came forth from the waters of Judah were we understand "waters of Judah" as Torah, the prophets and the Oral Law (Talmud).
In Is.43.25-26 someone is being condemned for a sin and for being up front with their sin. In very next verse (27) we read "your first father sinned" and for Catholics our "first father" was Saint Peter (our first pope) who did indeed sin by denying Yeshua three times! Yet this was not out of malice, but rather human weakness called FEAR and indeed this is issue that flanks both sides of the declaration for HaShem's children we quoted above:
"But now hear, O Yaakov My Servant (still), Israel whom I have chosen (explained further on) Thus says HaShem who made you who formed you from the womb and will help you; FEAR NOT, O Yaakov My servant, Yeshu'run whom I have chosen" Is.44.1-2
and
"Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declare it? And you are MY Witnesses! Is there a G-d besides Me? There is NO ROCK; I know not any."
Our first father sinned when HaShem allowed hasatan to sift him. Our Church also sinned (as we suspect) when HaShem allowed hasatan to sift her during the twentieth century (from a vision of Pope Leo XIII). This maybe why she faced those recent sex scandals and the unmerciful press that is "your mediators transgressed against Me". Therefore He profaned the sacred ones, which might flag the Vatican and our pope as well as bishops who suffered deeply for the sins of so few? Further, He delivered Yaakov to destruction by perhaps putting Yaakov into our Church's protection knowing full well fear might handicap her. And lastly, because she may not have outwardly and loudly spoken out about this fear (yes, her actions but did she speak of her fear?) maybe why she has faced mockery over celibacy and the male priesthood, as if this has anything to do with the original scandal and even her attempt to handle this issue in a just way.
And this brings us to that last group:
"…and another will write on his hand 'l'HaShem's' and surname himself by the name of Israel."
We don't believe this is Hashem calling for a replacement of Israel, but rather a commitment to Him and to His children. Thus, we believe the writing on "his hand" may be a ring, like a wedding ring with the exact same words inscribed upon it. By placing this upon our fingers, we believe it unites us to the nation and people of Israel, hence taking upon our own hands that so-called "materialism" Judah is claimed to be "guilty of". And lastly, if we take that last leap of faith and place this ring upon the "ring finger" of the right hand (the left is often taken) this would also allow that link to be made as the "mark of the beast", which is inscribed and upon the right hand. Of course this also maybe construed as if it bears the image of the "beast" (which HaShem, praise be He, is NOT) and allows man to "buy and sell". Yet this ring is to be a sign of unity, not commerce; nonetheless reading that article we can see how that can be twisted to mean that actual mark just as Judah by this group is accused of no faith in the World to Come (what we call the Eternal Kingdom) or Judgment day when they have these doctrines! So are we wrong in what we thought, or might Yeshua want us to do this as believers in HaMoshiach as a direct challenge to those right now targeting Judah?
