Chanukah - A Time of Rededication
Summary
Find out the direct correlation between the observance of Chanukah and our relationship with the Messiah of Israel, Jesus.
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The first waves of the coronavirus in the spring of 2020 seem like forever ago, don’t they? It’s sometimes hard to believe we’re still dealing with this disturbing, disruptive pandemic.
Little did we at Jewish Voice know, when we began a blog series to offer hope and encouragement in the midst of the lockdown efforts to curb the virus, that things would last long enough to extend the series to nine weeks.
Then, when we realized the devotions are relevant to any tough season of life and decided to compile them into a book, we thought that surely by its release, COVID-19 would be a memory.
Yet here we are, still in the midst of it all and still needing to hear words of hope.
NOW AVAILABLE
Hope in the Midst is a collection of nine separate devotional series, each seven days long and authored by various Jewish Voice staff members during the first several months of the coronavirus pandemic.
This devotional is the perfect gift to encourage your friends and family this holiday season!
Each devotional set is focused on a different book of the Bible, and together, they create a resource to find hope in the midst of any trial you face. At the same time, Hope in the Midst is a snapshot of a period in history when most of the world stayed home in a season of isolation that vastly altered our lifestyles as we tried to stop the spread of the coronavirus global pandemic of 2020.
Hope in the Midst is a book that can be revisited during any season of difficulty, suffering or uncertain waiting – to lift your spirits and refocus your heart on God’s hope that is always in our midst.
Get your copy today to bolster your faith and keep as a treasured resource to help you through any of life’s challenges.
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”(Exodus 15:13 NIV)
As you will see below, there is a great deal in the news regarding Israel. In the U.S., there is also no shortage of significant news stories. While we stay informed about all that is going on in our world, let’s hold tight to God’s unfailing love for us and the confidence we can have knowing He guides us in His strength – not ours.
Below you will find multiple stories about Iran – from an undisclosed nuclear site to cyberattacks on Israeli businesses. You will also read about new additions to Israel’s military – Sa’ar military ships from Germany and a one-of-a-kind F-35i stealth jet from the U.S. This jet is America’s solution to providing a qualitative military advantage to Israel over United Arab Emirates and any other Arab countries who purchase F-35s.
As coronavirus numbers surge across the U.S., many states are implementing new restrictions. In Israel, the pandemic news is focused on vaccines and the continued easing of restriction.
Please read more below and continue to be in prayer for Israel as well as the ministry of Jewish Voice. We appreciate your commitment.
UN nuclear watchdog says Iran’s response regarding undeclared site “not credible”
Last week, the nuclear watchdog for the United Nations said Iran’s explanations concerning the presence of nuclear material at an undeclared site in the country were “not credible.”
Iranian authorities provided some information about the site, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report that “the agency informed Iran that it continues to consider Iran’s response to be not technically credible.”
“A full and prompt explanation from Iran regarding the presence of uranium particles of anthropogenic origin … at a location in Iran not declared to the agency is needed,” the report said, according to Saudi Arabia-based Arab News.
The report did confirm that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is more than 12 times the limit allowed in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers: China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The 2015 agreement has been falling apart since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and then re-introduced crippling economic sanctions on Iran.
To retaliate, since May 2019, Iran has been breaking the limits on its nuclear activity detailed in the agreement.
Recent cyberattacks targeting Israel linked to Iran
Two ransomware attacks that have targeted companies in Israel are being traced back to Iranian threat actors, multiple sources told ZDNet, a U.S.-based business technology news website.
The attacks began in mid-October and have increased this month, repeatedly aimed at Israeli companies of all sizes using the Pay2Key and WannaScream ransomware strains.
Hackers broke through corporate networks, stole company data, encrypted files and requested huge payouts to deliver a decryption key.
Islamic scholar says Iran carried out cyberattacks against Israeli desalination and power plants
In a November 6 sermon in Iran that aired on Iranian Khorasan Shomali TV, Iranian cleric Rahim Mahdavipour said the Islamic Republic carried out at least two cyberattacks against Israel’s desalination plants and power plants. He claimed the latest one successfully targeted Israel’s power plants.
On October 30, the Israel Electric Corporation confirmed there was a power outage in many areas across the country. They stressed it was not caused by a cyberattack. The Israeli cyber authority did not comment, according to Fox News.
Israel Navy gears up to receive next generation of missile ships
The Israel Navy is looking forward to receiving its Sa’ar 6-class corvette missile ships from Germany. These ships will help defend Israel’s strategic maritime assets from enemies, including Hezbollah. The first of six should arrive in early December and become operational in the next year or two.
They “are armed with the best defensive and offensive combat systems that are at the forefront of world military technology,” said Eli Sharvit, commander of the Israeli Navy, according to The Jerusalem Post.
The navy protects Israel’s largest strategic depth, both above and below the surface of the sea, which is almost double Israel’s land mass. It also guards strategic infrastructures, including natural gas rigs and commercial shipping lanes, which bring in 98% of Israel’s imports.
Providing protection again Hezbollah is a priority. The terrorist organization has stockpiled an estimated arsenal of 130,000-150,000 missiles and rockets north of Israel. They are intended to strike at the civilian home front and strategic infrastructures such as gas production rigs and naval and commercial vessels in Israeli shipping lanes.
The Sa’ar 6 ships are part of Israel Defense Force’s new multidimensional warfare strategy designed to quickly and efficiently defeat the enemy.
Israel takes delivery of one-of-a-kind stealth jet from U.S.
Last Wednesday, the unique, experimental F-35i fighter jet landed at Israel’s Tel Nof air base after flying in from the U.S.
The F-35i “is the only one in the world and unique for the IAF (Israel Air Force),” a source in the Air Force recently told The Jerusalem Post. The source also said Israel wanted this plane so it could integrate and certify unique Israeli technology into it.
Israel will be among first to get Moderna coronavirus vaccine
On Monday, Moderna’s Israeli chief medical officer, Dr. Tal Zaks, said Israel would be among the first countries in line to receive its coronavirus vaccine. The U.S. biotechnology company had just announced initial results showing the effectiveness of the vaccine to be 94.5%.
Zaks predicts the first doses would reach Israel early in 2021. “It’s around the corner,” he said, according to The Times of Israel.
Netanyahu defends Pfizer deal as “very good investment”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s agreement with U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer to receive eight million doses of its coronavirus vaccine. The agreement had been called into question by Israeli media, The Jerusalem Post reported.
“This is a very good investment in the health and life of you, the citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu said. He continued, saying he is confident that “if Pfizer provides vaccines to the world’s leading countries, it will provide exactly the same to us.”
Last week, Pfizer revealed interim analysis of its Phase III study showing the vaccine is 90% effective. Last Friday, Israel signed a contract with Pfizer.
Coronavirus cabinet approves opening of strip malls and more grades returning to school
Israel’s coronavirus cabinet approved the reopening of strip malls throughout the country in low-infection zones, effective Tuesday, November 17.
In addition, grades 5-6 have been approved to return to school next week and grades 11-12 the week after, according to The Times of Israel.
Let us pray together
Please pray with me for:
The truth to be revealed concerning Iran and the presence of nuclear material at any undeclared sites
Protection for Israel from cyberattacks by Iran
Wisdom and protection for the people of Israel as coronavirus restrictions continue to be lifted
Continued success of clinical trials to produce effective vaccines and for Israel to get access to the necessary vaccines when they are available
Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah
Have you ever witnessed someone receive a gift that was so needed and so perfect for them that you knew it would change their lives? Have you known the joy and sense of fulfillment from being the person to give such a gift? It’s as if all the happiness of the recipient is given right back to you.
You can give that kind of life-changing gift to a Jewish child, woman or man right now.
This holiday season, when you shop the Jewish Voice gift catalog, you provide Jewish people and their neighbors with gifts that make a radical difference in their lives.
Take a look at our most popular gift items below or browse through the full gift catalog to find the gift that inspires you most.
Where Most Needed
Can’t decide what to give? A multi-faceted ministry such as JVMI encounters needs at every turn. Give with the assurance that we’ll use your gift where the need is greatest.
Individual LifeStraw®
Clean water is vital to health. Lifestraw® personal water filters provide a Jewish person with safe drinking water for up to a year.
Two Bibles in Native Language
Transform the spiritual lives of two people with the powerful, life-giving Word of God in their own language.
General Medical for Africa Outreach
Give the gift of healing to people who live without access to medical care. You’ll relieve pain, restore eyesight or even save a life.
Resources for Children’s Ministry
Oh, the smiles you’ll generate when you provide resources for projects that share the Gospel and show precious children how much they are loved.
Want to see more options? Look through the full Jewish Voice gift catalog, and see just how much of a difference you can make in the life of a Jewish person in need.
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of His heart through all generations.”(Psalm 33:11 NIV)
I am thankful that no matter what is happening in the world, we know “the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,” as stated in Psalm 33. Our God is at work to accomplish His plan for His glory.
As you already know, it was announced that Joe Biden is the president-elect for the United States. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his congratulations and pointed to his “long and warm personal relationship” with Mr. Biden. He also tweeted his thanks to President Trump in a separate message.
In other news, last week the United Nations passed an update to its annual resolution regarding Israel's status as an “occupying force” in “Palestinian territory” including East Jerusalem. Although this is not a new resolution, this new version goes as far as only referencing the Temple Mount by its Muslim name.
Among the countries which voted in favor of the resolution were United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Sudan. Apparently, the changing political climate provided by the Abraham Accords did not extend as far as their votes in the UN.
In coronavirus news, Israel continues to lift restrictions to try and help the economy even while the Health Ministry objects due to concerns about the infection rate rising. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to get access to the Pfizer vaccine that’s showing early clinical trial success.
You’ll find more details in the news stories below.
Last week, a committee at the United Nations General Assembly passed a series of resolutions critical of Israel by overwhelming majorities.
The motions are passed each year by the UN’s Special Political and Decolonization Committee, with minimum adjustments. In December, they are ratified by member states.
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s new ambassador to the UN, took part in the debate before the vote. According to The Times of Israel, he passionately pleaded for the countries to reject the motions but was unsuccessful.
“What is the point of these resolutions? Just to pave the way for future resolutions?” he asked. “By supporting these resolutions, you are not only wasting UN resources, you are also sabotaging any chances of future peace.”
The UAE, Bahrain and Sudan – the three Arab countries that recently signed normalization agreements with Israel – did not alter their traditional voting pattern and supported all resolutions critical of Israel.
During last week’s meeting of the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, 138 UN countries approved a draft resolution that referred to the Temple Mount only by its Muslim name of al-Haram al-Sharif.
The resolution, titled “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,” was one of seven pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel resolutions the committee passed.
Nine countries voted against the resolution: Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Hungary, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and the United States. Sixteen countries abstained from the vote this year, compared to 13 last year.
The resolution did mention the connection between Jerusalem and three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. But the reference to the Temple Mount, the location of the ancient Jewish Temple and the most holy site in Judaism, by only its Muslim name is viewed as an attempt by UN member states to delegitimize and erase that well known history, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Passage of the UN resolutions took place as the Trump administration has led efforts to call attention to Israel’s link to Jerusalem, the capital of the modern State of Israel. This has included encouraging UN states to relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
To date, the U.S. and Guatemala have moved their embassies to Jerusalem. According to The Jerusalem Post, a number of other countries have promised to, including Brazil, the Czech Republic, Honduras, Malawi, Kosovo and Serbia.
On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the promising results of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine trial and vowed to bring it to Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
Pfizer said early data on the vaccine suggests the shots may be a surprisingly robust 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. That puts the U.S. pharmaceutical company on track to apply for emergency-use approval from the Food and Drug Administration later this month.
Chezy Levy, the director-general of Israel’s Health Ministry, later confirmed that Israel is in talks to acquire the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
Late last week, Ronni Gamzu, Israel’s coronavirus coordinator, warned the public about a renewed rise in COVID-19’s basic reproduction number. He said this could make it difficult to continue easing restrictions at the planned pace.
Nonetheless, the government gave final approval to reopening street stores – which began last Sunday. There is a limit of four customers at a time per store. Vacation cottage businesses were also allowed to begin operating again, with some restrictions.
Health officials objected to the decision, urging a more gradual reopening of the economy, schools and more, The Times of Israel reported.
“Even with the Health Ministry persisting with its objection to any easing, we had to enable some level of commerce in Israel,” Gamzu explained. “We need to strike a balance and prevent the collapse of many commercial sectors.”
Gamzu said mass testing and quickly isolating cases is the only way other than a lockdown to stop infections. He repeated his request for Israelis to get tested even if they aren’t experiencing symptoms since most infections are caused while carriers are asymptomatic.
Please pray with me for:
Now is an opportune time to pray for the Lord’s ministry in Africa among the Jewish people. While we are getting ready to embark on a ministry trip in Zimbabwe, we are simultaneously completing a Medical Outreach in Ethiopia. Please join us in these pressing requests for effective, Spirit-led ministry.
As we conclude our Medical Outreach to the Dawro people in Ethiopia, please pray for:
As we make regional visits to the Lemba people in Zimbabwe November 16–20, please pray for:
Lord, each time we minister in the nations, we see You at work among the Jewish people, bringing salvation and making Your name known. May Your hand be upon us during these two ministry times, both of which are open doors for the Good News. As we pray right now and continue in prayer for this ministry, please give us accurate and timely discernment regarding Your strategies for current and future effective ministry in the nations. May people be saved, leaders encouraged, and ultimately, nations discipled, for Your glory! In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.
On the morning of November 9, 1938, Jewish Germans greeted the day, unaware that the coming evening would bring a nightmare.
For five years, Hitler had stalked them. He began by infringing on their freedoms but soon moved on to blatantly take those freedoms away. The Jewish people lost more of their rights every year.
A strategic propaganda campaign had chipped away at the general population’s sense of decency, and much of the country had begun to despise the Jewish people. First came a nationwide boycott of Jewish businesses. Next was the sweeping termination of Jewish employees from civil, state and university jobs. Then, burning books by Jewish authors, barring Jewish doctors from German hospitals, stripping voting rights from Jewish people, and the forced registration of all Jewish property.
As the sun rose on Germany and Austria that cold November morning, the Jewish citizens had no idea that, by nightfall, their oppressed lives would see yet another, and more traumatic, turn for the worse. One that would change the trajectory of their lives and history forever.
That day, piles of bricks would mysteriously appear along city streets in the business district. Telegrams to local police and fire departments had been clear: stand down and don’t interfere.
As night fell, it began – a pre-planned riot that became known as Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass. Wild mobs of ordinary citizens hurled bricks to smash the windows of Jewish businesses and then ravaged the stores with looting and vandalism.
Rabid with hatred and pack-mentality adrenaline, crowds joined Nazi soldiers in ramming through the doors of Jewish homes to ransack the interiors and arrest Jewish men.
Bands of aggressors murdered 91 Jewish people that night, assaulting countless others. They destroyed hundreds of synagogues and thousands of Jewish businesses, homes, schools and hospitals. Tens of thousands of Jewish men were dragged off to concentration camps.
Ruth Barnett’s father escaped the violence by hovering on the fringes of the riot. Ruth shared her father’s story in a video published by the Encyclopedia Britannica. She describes how he took her 7- year-old brother by the hand and walked on the edge of the crowd, blending in unnoticed. She knows that if her brother had been home, the mob might have been so angry at not finding her father that they may have beaten or even killed her brother. Ruth is certain that her father’s clever and daring action saved both of their lives that night.
Kristallnacht was a turning point in Hitler’s regime. It showed him that the ordinary people of Germany and Austria would allow him to do these injustices. Whether they joined him outright in his hatred of the Jews or simply stood by out of fear or complacency, their behavior that night spoke loudly. And Hitler knew he could proceed with his plans to exterminate the Jewish people entirely. He deported millions of European Jews to death camps and ultimately murdered 6 million of them.
Kristallnacht and the years of anti-Semitism and propaganda that preceded it are a warning to us today. We must never forget what hatred and complacency can lead to, and we must speak up against anti-Semitism whenever we encounter it.
