Jerusalem Day marks the anniversary of a united Jerusalem coming back into Israeli hands at the end of the Six Day War in June 1967. It is a fitting day to follow Scripture’s instruction and pray for the peace of Jerusalem and lift up prayers for Israel. But first, you may want to know a little background about Jerusalem Day. 

How Jerusalem Day came to be 

Before the Six Day War, Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan.  In 1966, Egypt and Syria formed a defense pact against Israel, and as a result, Israel’s enemies were emboldened to conduct 63 attacks in the first four months of 1967. From the elevated position of the Golan Heights, Syria often attacked Israeli farmers and kibbutzim (Israeli settlements) in the valley below. 

Russia then riled Egypt with lies that Israel was preparing to attack and wipe out Damascus, the Syrian capital. So, Egypt, being Syria’s ally and hating Israel themselves, amassed troops at Israel’s borders. Other Arab nations joined the intimidation by staging hundreds of thousands of soldiers at Israel’s borders. Jordan, who ruled half of Jerusalem, signed a mutual defense pact with Egypt.  

Though Israel sent messages of peace, the surrounding Arab nations would not stand down. Inflammatory rhetoric flew over Arab radio waves as tensions and skirmishes escalated. Israel’s Arab neighbors vastly outnumbered her in terms of troops and weaponry. It wouldn’t be an evenly matched fight if the still-young nation-state let them get the upper hand. Fearing the loss of thousands of Israeli lives, Israel pre-emptively struck and disabled much of the Egyptian Air Force. War was official. 

Reuniting Jerusalem 

Israel pled with Jordan to stay out of it, but Jordan attacked Israeli Jerusalem instead, hoping to gain complete control of the ancient city. After six days of fierce fighting, the opposite proved true. Israel gained control over all of Jerusalem as well as the critical Golan Heights. After more than 2,000 years, Israel’s capital was once again intact and in her hands. 

When you hear news reports referencing the demand for “pre-1967 borders” for Israel, this is what it means. Israel would be expected to relinquish half of her capital and holiest city, Jerusalem. She would also have to turn over the Golan Heights, leaving Israeli lives in the valley below in danger of the same kind of Arab attacks that were so frequent before the Six Day War. 

Prayer for Israel on Jerusalem Day 

Jerusalem Day is a day of celebration and a beautiful time for focused prayer for Israel. Yom Yerushalayim, as it’s called in Hebrew, begins this year at sunset on May 9 and ends the evening of May 10. Join us in this biblical prayer for Israel, based on the Scriptures: 

Lord, You have engraved Jerusalem on the palms of Your hands. You love her, and her city walls are ever before you. (Isaiah 49:16). Jesus wept over her reluctance to recognize Him as the Messiah they had waited for (Luke 13:34). Israel is precious in Your sight (Isaiah 43:4a). 

I pray for Jerusalem, for all Israel and her citizens, to be at peace – with one another and their Arab neighbors (Psalm 122:6). May peace be within and at all her borders (Psalm 122:7). May there be shalom in the houses of government (Psalm 122:7). 

For Your sake, O Lord, I will seek the good of Jerusalem, of Israel (Psalm 122:9). For the sake of my brothers and friends there, I ask, Lord, that You fill her streets and businesses and neighborhoods with Your shalom (Psalm 122:8). 

Lord, I know that Your perfect peace only comes through believing in Your Sent One, Yeshua the Messiah (John 14:27). Blessing Israel in earthly ways doesn’t compare to eternal peace with You, for which we need to trust in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). So, I pray that You would open the eyes and hearts of Jewish people (Romans 11:25) – whether in Israel or abroad – to see that Yeshua is the One whom the prophets foretold (Isaiah 53, Luke 23:26-27). Lord, save all Israel (Romans 11:26), and may You be glorified through your people, Israel (Isaiah 49:3). 

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and 
saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. After the national tragedy that occurred in Israel last week, I am especially thankful to be able to write to you and ask for your prayers on behalf of the Jewish people, especially the Haredi Jews who are suffering this great loss the most. I know this grieves your heart, too.

Last Thursday, 45 ultra-Orthodox Jews were killed in a stampede at Mount Meron and more than 150 were injured. During what was supposed to be a celebration marking the end of a traditional mourning period, mourning began again.

Please pray for all of the families of those who died – some even from the U.S. and other countries beyond Israel.

As you do, please also pray over the other issues in the news stories I’m sharing here – including ongoing negotiations of the nuclear deal with Iran and the U.S. and Israel working together more closely.

ISRAEL HOLDS DAY OF MOURNING FOR VICTIMS OF MOUNT MERON TRAGEDY

After thousands of Haredi Jews died when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the ultra-Orthodox community especially hard, now nearly 50 more were killed in the stampede at Mount Meron late last week and more than 150 were injured, many in critical condition, according to The Times of Israel.

On Sunday, Israel held a national day of mourning in honor of those killed at Mount Meron in the country’s deadliest-ever civil disaster. The dead included more than a dozen children and teenagers.

The headline on the front page of Yated Ne’eman, a Haredi newspaper, the morning after the tragedy read, “The joy of our heart has ceased, our dancing has turned into mourning.”  It is a verse from Lamentations, the biblical book read on Tisha b’Av (a day of mourning for the many tragic events that happened on the Jewish calendar’s 9th of Av), the saddest day on the Jewish religious calendar.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the day of mourning after visiting Mount Meron last Friday, the day after the tragedy. The site is the second-most visited religious site in Israel after the Western Wall.

“There were heartbreaking scenes here. People who were crushed to death, including children,” Netanyahu said, The Times of Israel reported.

More than 100,000 people were taking part in the night of music, dancing and bonfires for the annual Lag B’Omer gathering (Lag B’Omer is a Jewish celebration that takes place on the 33rd day of the Omer (the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot)).

The celebration quickly became a tragedy when a large crowd began to leave. As people entered into the narrow, sloping walkway to exit, some slipped on the metal floor and others fell on them. As the congestion increased, more people were crushed.

What should have been a festive night marking the end of a religious period of mourning turned into yet another tragedy, especially for Haredi Jews.

ISRAEL’S NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY DIRECTOR TALKS WITH BIDEN IN UNPLANNED MEETING

Last week, while a delegation of senior Israeli officials was in Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. officials about the Iran nuclear issue, an important unplanned meeting took place.

Yossi Cohen, the director of Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, met with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday.

It is reported that Biden dropped by a meeting taking place between Cohen and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan where the pair were discussing regional security issues.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the meeting between Biden and Cohen lasted a full hour and that CIA Director William Burns also joined the meeting in which the three discussed Iran in depth.

NEW REPORT: BIDEN SAID U.S. NOT CLOSE TO RETURN TO DEAL WITH IRAN

A news report on Sunday said that Cohen told Biden it would be a mistake for the U.S. to return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran. It’s reported that Biden said the U.S. had a long way to go before it agrees to a return to full compliance with the JCPOA. The Times of Israel said the news report cited an unnamed senior Israeli official who had been briefed on the Friday meeting.

The White House would not comment on the report.

Israel wants to convince the Biden administration to negotiate for an improved deal that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons rather than rejoin the JCPOA.

U.S. CONSIDERS ROLLBACK OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAN

The U.S. State Department said the Biden administration is committed to coordination and transparency with Israel in its dealings with Iran regarding nuclear issues.

Yet it’s being reported that the administration is considering a rollback of some of the sanctions imposed on Iran during the Trump administration, with the goal of getting Iran to return to compliance with the JCPOA deal. This is according to both current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter, The Times of Israel reported.

Indirect talks continue in Vienna because Iran has refused to have face-to-face meetings with the U.S. American officials are not saying which sanctions are being considered but have talked about being open to lifting non-nuclear sanctions.

Meanwhile, Iran is demanding that all sanctions be removed. Iran’s leadership says it won’t agree to stop its nuclear activities that are in violation of the JCPOA unless the U.S. lifts at least some of the sanctions.

It’s expected that a rollback of sanctions will be strongly opposed by Israel and Gulf states such as United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

AMERICAN CONGRESS PREPARES TO ACT WITH RESOLUTION

If the Biden administration makes concessions beyond nuclear-specific sanctions, there will be a response from members of the U.S. Congress. There is wide bipartisan support for resolutions encouraging the president’s administration to take a tougher stance on Iran.

One resolution, with more than 220 Democratic and Republican co-sponsors, was introduced last Wednesday. This resolution calls for the administration to recognize “the rights of the Iranian people and their struggle to establish a democratic, secular and non-nuclear Republic of Iran while holding the ruling regime accountable for its destructive behavior.”

U.S. AND ISRAEL FORM WORKING GROUP FOCUSED ON THREAT FROM IRAN’S DRONES AND MISSILES

Last Tuesday, the White House said the U.S. and Israel are establishing an inter-agency working group “to focus particular attention on the growing threat of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Precision-Guided Missiles produced by Iran and provided to its proxies in the Middle East region.”

The announcement came after meetings at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. between delegations from the U.S. and Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post.

“The U.S. and Israeli officials discussed their serious concerns about advancements in Iran’s nuclear program in recent years,” the White House statement read.

During these meetings, the U.S. also updated Israel on the JCPOA talks in Vienna and assured Israel of “President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” according to the statement.

“The United States remains unyielding in its commitment to Israel’s security, and will work to strengthen all aspects of the U.S.-Israel partnership,” it also read.

U.S SHIP FIRES WARNING SHOTS WHEN IRANIAN VESSELS GET TOO CLOSE

On April 26, U.S. Navy officials said two American ships were swarmed by three small vessels commonly used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in international waters in the Persian Gulf. A similar incident occurred on April 2.

U.S. officials said the three Iranian boats were armed and came within 70 yards of the American ships, a U.S. Navy patrol ship and a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Both U.S. ships issued multiple warnings via radio and loudspeaker. When the Iranian boats continued to come closer, the Navy ship fired warning shots and the Iranian boats moved away.

LET US PRAY TOGETHER

Please pray with me for:

• Comfort for the grieving and brokenhearted in the wake of the Mount Meron tragedy
• God’s provision and direction concerning the JCPOA nuclear deal negotiations
• Strong relationships to be built between U.S. and Israeli leaders
• A peaceful God-inspired solution for Israel’s government following the country’s fourth inconclusive election in the past two years
• Protection for the people of Israel from variants of COVID-19 – two of which have now been documented in Israel
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

The National Day of Prayer in the United States was established to mobilize unified public prayer for America. Its focus is generally, and rightly, for government and leaders, the Body of Believers, current key issues, and other significant spheres of influence in our country. We at Jewish Voice will pray for all these things on the 2021 National Day of Prayer on May 6. But we’ll also add a fresh direction based on the lens of ministry purpose that we look through. 

On this National Day of Prayer, we will also be praying for another vital element for our nation – one that is dear to God’s heart – our fellow Jewish citizens and neighbors.

As you pray for our country, would you join us in praying for the Jewish people in the United States of America drawing on the three elements of the Jewish Voice mission statement as inspiration for your intercession? Let’s pray!

Proclaiming the Gospel to the Jew First

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” — Romans 1:16 NIV

Lord, may proclaiming the Gospel to the Jewish people of America, according to Romans 1:16, be a priority among Believers.

• Lord, please break off any reluctance, fear, or even shame of the Gospel that would prevent us from sharing the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) with Jewish people
• Help Believers throughout the nation develop relationships and friendships with Jewish people that will lead to discussions about Jesus, life and death, knowing God, and salvation.
• Bless and expand the effective influence of ministries and congregations who earnestly seek to clearly and humbly share the Good News with Jewish people
• Prepare Jewish hearts to receive the Word as it is shared and proclaimed

Growing the Messianic Jewish Community

“So those who received his message were immersed, and that day about three thousand souls were added. They were devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries and to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayers.” — Acts 2:41–42

Lord, please cause the Messianic Jewish community throughout the United States to grow as in Acts 2:41-42.

• Please bring fresh vision, resources and anointed leadership to Messianic Believers, congregations and ministries throughout our nation
• Strengthen these individuals and groups with solid teaching, engaging fellowship, and abundant life in the Messiah
• Give them a heart as well as strategies to reach others – far and near, Jew and Gentile – with the Gospel
• Lord, bind together this movement in unity and love as never before – with one another and also with others in the Body

Engaging the Church Regarding Israel and the Jewish People

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem — 'May those who love you be at peace!’” — Psalm 122:6

Father, please engage the Church in America concerning Israel and the Jewish people, as Psalm 122:6 exhorts.

• Lord, please give key leaders, churches and movements in the United States revelation of Your heart, plans and purposes for Israel and the Jewish people, and help them influence others with this understanding
• Dismantle the stronghold of Replacement Theology, and even anti-Semitism, still present in some parts of the Body – and in their place, sow truth and love regarding the Jewish people
• Cause Gentile Believers to grasp a greater understanding of their purpose and role in Your kingdom even as they grow in revelation of Your plans for Israel and the Jewish people
• Give each Believer in America a way to activate these revelations and engage in blessing the Jewish people and Israel

Praying right now for our nation

Lord, You say that You will bless those who bless Israel, the descendants of Abraham. May the United States of America be a strong ally for Israel with a tenacity, conviction and fervor that comes from You. And may the Church in America come to greater fullness in her understanding and commitment to see the Jewish people in our neighborhoods, cities and states saved through faith in Messiah Jesus. Help each of us to do our part to bring glory to You through blessing Israel and the Jewish people – because they are chosen by You and beloved. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

We hope you’ll join us in praying through these prayer items on May 6, the 2021 National Day of Prayer and beyond.
 

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:44-45 (TLV)

Shalom. There is so much happening that requires our prayer and attention and so I’m grateful for a few minutes of your time today.

Thank you for standing on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people through your support and your prayers.

I’ve included the verses above because you will see that much of the news this week concerns two countries that are enemies of Israel and her people. But we are called to pray for them – for their leaders and their people. And God is working His plan – a plan we can trust completely.

Regarding the nuclear talks with Iran – both the Iranian and U.S. governments report “progress” in the process of coming to an agreement. The Biden administration has offered to “ease sanctions” – without citing which ones exactly. And the Iranian government has responded positively to the prospect – again, without citing which specific steps they would take to de-escalate. These talks are at an extremely fragile point and present an excellent opportunity for prayer.

Syria is again making headlines after a Syrian missile exploded deep in Israeli territory last week, not far from a nuclear reactor. The Israeli military and a top U.S. military official both said they do not believe the reactor was the intended target.

In addition, you will find a current news story regarding COVID-19 and Israel.

As you read these stories, please lift these events, situations and the people involved in prayer.

SOME PROGRESS MADE, BUT DISAGREEMENTS PERSIST IN IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL TALKS

U.S. President Biden’s administration has indicated openness to easing sanctions against Iran vital to their economy, including oil and finance, with the goal of narrowing differences in the nuclear agreement conversations. This is according to a report in The Wall Street Journal last week.

Even with this progress, senior diplomats involved in the process say weeks of difficult negotiations over the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) remain. The talks, taking place in Vienna, are complicated by Iran refusing to meet directly with the U.S. as well as domestic politics in both Washington, D.C. and Tehran.

Senior officials resumed talks this week after five days of meetings last week. Those involved say progress has come as the U.S. provided more information about the sanction relief the country is prepared to provide.

A senior U.S. State Department official said, “There still are disagreements, and in some cases, pretty important ones. We are not near the conclusion of these negotiations. The outcome is still uncertain. We have made some progress.”

U.S. CONTINUES CONVERSATIONS WITH ISRAEL CONCERNING NUCLEAR DEAL

Regarding Israel’s reservations about returning to the deal, the State Department official said: “We have numerous conversations with Israeli officials before and after every round of talks. We will have one again [this week].

“We believe we have been transparent within the process; we intend to be as transparent as we can. We know there’s a disagreement with Israel’s perspective and we respect that. We’ll try to be as transparent as we can about how we do things, [and] that we want to go and listen to their perspective as well.”

SYRIAN MISSILE LANDS DEEP IN ISRAELI TERRITORY

Last Thursday, a Syrian missile reached deep into Israeli territory and set off air raid sirens near the country’s top-secret nuclear reactor. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials said it was a misfire and not a deliberate attack. In response, Israel fired airstrikes on the missile launcher and other targets in Syria.

“There was no intention of hitting the nuclear reactor in Dimona,” said Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman, the IDF’s chief spokesman.

An Israeli missile-defense system tried to intercept the incoming missile but failed. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the incident was under investigation.

Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, gave a similar assessment to the Senate Armed Services Committee last Thursday, The Washington Post reported.

“I think it reflects, actually, incompetence in Syrian air defense, where they were responding to Israeli strikes on targets in Syria. They fired their missiles, the missiles went ballistic, literally, and followed a parabolic trajectory to Israel,” McKenzie said. “I do not believe it was an intentional attack, but just rather a lack of capability on the part of the Syrian air defenders.”

Israel has launched airstrikes at Syria multiple times in recent years at military targets connected to Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, both allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad. These strikes routinely draw a response from Syria. Thursday’s exchange was unusual because the Syrian missile landed deep inside Israel.

SANA, Syria’s state news agency, said the exchange began with an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of the capital, Damascus. This area is believed to house Syrian army installations and equipment as well as bases and weapons depots belonging to Iran-backed militias. SANA said four soldiers were wounded.

This missile exchange comes at a time of growing tensions between Israel and Iran. It also threatens to complicate attempts to revive the JCPOA nuclear deal.

ISRAEL’S HEALTH MINISTRY REQUESTS CITIZENS AVOID TRAVELING ABROAD

All Israelis are being advised to avoid unnecessary trips abroad to prevent new variants of the COVID-19 virus from entering the country. This recommendation was issued by Israel’s Health Ministry last Thursday, according to The Jerusalem Post.

“The situation in the world is such that we highly recommend not to travel abroad if you do not have to,” the Ministry’s Director-General Chezy Levy said last Thursday. “At the same time, the Health Ministry identified seven countries where there is very high COVID morbidity and a good chance of getting infected or catching variants. We recommend as much as possible not to travel to these countries. Just don’t go.”

Even those who are vaccinated against COVID might be at risk of getting infected with new variants, the Ministry’s warning said.

LET US PRAY TOGETHER

Please pray with me for:

• God’s provision and direction concerning the JCPOA nuclear deal negotiations
• Protection for Israel from Syria, Iran and others who oppose Israel and the Jewish people. And, pray for these countries that they will seek peace with Israel rather than conflict
• A peaceful God-inspired solution for Israel’s government following the country’s fourth inconclusive election in the past two years
• Protection for the people of Israel from variants of COVID-19
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

The Lord is at work wherever His people come together in His name. This has been clear in Africa, where we have seen people saved, set free and healed, as well as gathered into local Messianic fellowships of Believers. 

We are excited to revisit these African congregations affiliated with us. Last year, so much of our scheduled in-person time with them had to be canceled due to COVID-19. We were blessed to finally visit them at the end of 2020, and we are looking forward to seeing them again during the first three weeks of May.

Two leaders from our Congregational and Leadership Development Department will make the trip together from the U.S. They hope to offer great encouragement to leaders and congregants and are dependent on the Lord to minister through them by His Spirit. May this trip allow them to be a blessing and to receive in-the-moment insight from the Lord regarding the needs and concerns of these precious Believers.

The trip will be from May 2nd through May 20th, first throughout Ethiopia and then Zimbabwe. The team is deeply grateful for your prayers. Please pray for:

1. Safety of all kinds for our two team members as they travel to, within and from Africa,  as well as the Lord’s protection over their families at home
2. Protection from COVID-19 and any other illness and for all COVID-testing requirements to be met without delays or difficulty
3. Favor with all government and local officials – as the team will travel to many locations in both Ethiopia and Zimbabwe
4. The Lord’s grace to minister to each group and every congregant with precisely what they need to be edified and encouraged 
5. Protection, strength, and good sleep for our team considering the rigors of traveling long hours on rough roads to minister to as many people as possible
6. All logistics to run smoothly and efficiently in both countries
7. The clear and tangible power of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) in preaching and prayer for congregants and any unbelievers at the many meetings

Let’s Pray 
Lord, may Your Spirit be upon our brothers as they travel and minister to these many young congregations, their leaders and members. May the gifts and ministry of Your Holy Spirit build up Your Body in every meeting and encounter. We pray that Your Kingdom will come in power and might within each nation through this trip. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.

Thank you for blessing so many Jewish people in Fiche, Ethiopia! Earlier in the year, we told you about our upcoming Medical Outreach to Fiche. Our team went to help impoverished Jewish people living on the outskirts of an already rural community.  

Thanks to your support and prayers, this Outreach was a resounding success. You helped us bring the Gospel to these Jewish people and their neighbors – many thousands of them! – along with much needed medical care, clean water.  

Hear directly from from Eric Pires, Director of Global Outreach, in this short video.  

Thank you again for your financial and prayer support. You make all the difference. 

Shavuot 2021 is May 17 and starts at sundown the evening before.

When God called Israel out of Egypt to be a people unto Him, He commanded they observe annual “appointed times” before Him. Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, is one of them. It’s a commemoration of receiving, offering and thanksgiving.

The gift of bread

In ancient Israel, Shavuot was an agricultural feast. Every man physically able was to bring the first of his wheat crop to the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord. It was an act of both thanksgiving for present provision and trust for the full harvest yet to come. At Shavuot, we thank the Lord for His provision of food to nourish our bodies and sustain our lives.

The gift of the Torah

Shavuot also commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. The Israelites left Egypt on Passover and arrived at Mount Sinai just over seven weeks later. There, Adonai gave us His Law, the Torah. It is the collection of His commandments for how we are to live for Him and with Him as His people.

God’s Word, our bread

The word Torah means “instruction.” As such, we celebrate the whole of Scripture on Shavuot. It, too, gives us nourishment and sustains our spiritual lives. The Lord fed the Israelites with manna for 40 years in the wilderness. They complained about the lack of variety, but the Lord had a reason for it. He explained in Deuteronomy 8:3 that it was to show them that life is not merely about eating to stay alive, but that we should take in His every word as life-giving sustenance.

Jesus, hungry after 40 days of fasting, quoted this same verse to the devil when tempted to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:4). Jesus told His disciples that the words He spoke to them are Spirit and life (John 6:33).

A prophecy within Shavuot

At Shavuot, we celebrate the gifts of God’s provision and His Word. Both are meant to sustain and feed us. Yet, this Feast of the Lord holds another gift as well. In it, God placed a prophetic picture of what He would bring to pass in fulfillment of what the prophets Joel and Jeremiah foretold.

The gift of the Spirit

Shavuot is also called the Feast of Weeks as God told Israel to determine its date by counting seven weeks from the Sabbath after Passover and then bring the first fruits wheat offering. Because this marks 50 days, Shavuot is also known as Pentecost, from the Greek word meaning 50. 

The New Testament event known to most Christians as Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit to Believers that is recorded in Acts chapter 2, is Shavuot. Jewish travelers had flooded into Jerusalem on their pilgrimage to present their Shavuot offerings. The miracle of the Holy Spirit descended on the Believers there and caused them to speak in languages they didn’t previously know. Jewish pilgrims from every nation heard the wonders of God in their own language, and thousands came to faith in Jesus the Messiah on that very day.

Holy Spirit, breath of new life

While the Hebrew word for spirit is “ruach,” the Greek word is “pneuma,” which also means wind and breath.

Bread and breath

Shavuot joins two amazing gifts from God. The Lord gave us “bread” when He gave us the Torah, His instruction. It nourishes us with His words and is infused with His life. When He gave us His Spirit to live inside us, He gave us the “breath” of new life and placed His Law in our hearts in fulfillment of what He said He would do.

May your Shavuot be a celebration of God’s provision and these life-giving, life-sustaining gifts.

“With God we will do mighty things,
and He will trample our foes.”
Psalm 60:14 (TLV)

As Israel is commemorating both Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day or Israel Fallen Soldier’s Remembrance Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) this week, I am reminded of both the sacrifices made by so many and the miraculous victories God has brought to pass for Israel and her people.

I am also reminded of you and your great compassion and love for the Jewish people.  Thank you.

In the news this week, you will see Iran mentioned frequently as well as a story about Israel’s response to the International Criminal Court’s war crimes probe. We have also included a story about last week’s Holocaust Remembrance Day observation.

As is often the case, there are many reasons to rejoice and reasons to pray. Again, thank you for your partnership.

During Visit From U.S. Defense Secretary, Netanyahu Speaks Out About Israel’s Need to Defend Itself Against Iran

On Monday, while hosting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at his office in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the U.S. agreed on never allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.

“As you know, the U.S.-Israel defense partnership has continually expanded over successive administrations and our cooperation is crucial in dealing with the many threats confronting both the United States and Israel,” Netanyahu said during a press conference with Austin, The Times of Israel reported.

“In the Middle East, there is no threat more dangerous, serious and pressing than that posed by the fanatical regime in Iran,” said Netanyahu, citing Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, arming of terror groups and calls for Israel’s complete destruction.

“Mr. Secretary, we both know the horrors of war. We both understand the importance of preventing war. And we both agree that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons,” said Netanyahu. “My policy as prime minister of Israel is clear – I will never allow Iran to obtain the nuclear capability to carry out its genocidal goal of eliminating Israel.”

Speaking days after an apparent attack on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, which Tehran has blamed on Israel, Netanyahu said that “Israel will continue to defend itself against Iran’s aggression and terrorism.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Expresses Desire to Work With Israel to “Address Shared Challenges in the Region”

Austin, who spoke after Netanyahu, refrained from explicitly mentioning Iran but said he traveled to Israel to “express our desire for earnest consultations with Israel, as we address shared challenges in the region.”

Austin’s two-day visit is the first official visit to Israel by an American secretary of defense since 2017. He is the first member of U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to pay an official visit to Israel.

While affirming the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s security and qualitative military edge in the region, Austin said he and Netanyahu discussed “ways to deepen our longstanding defense relationship in the face of regional threats and other security challenges, and I affirm the department’s support for our ongoing diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority nations.”

Israel Submits Formal Response to ICC’s War Crimes Probe

Last Friday, Israel sent a formal response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) decision to probe alleged war crimes by Israel. The response stated that the ICC doesn’t have jurisdiction to investigate it.

“In the letter, it will also be noted that Israel completely rejects the claims that it is carrying out war crimes,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said, according to The Times of Israel.

The Prime Minister’s Office said Israel’s stance has been made known to the court by “central countries and world-renowned experts” and emphasized that Israel is “committed to the rule of law” and capable of investigating itself.

The decision on how to respond came after two days of talks held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and other top officials.

“I am sure many countries will understand that there is no room for [such an] investigation, that could harm many other countries in the future,” Gantz said, adding that such an ICC investigation would harm Israel’s relations with the Palestinians and make it difficult to “improve the regional situation.”

Last month, the ICC sent formal notices to Israel and the Palestinian Authority about the impending investigation. The notices stated that they had a few weeks to seek a deferral by proving they are carrying out their own investigations. The deadline to respond was April 9.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced on March 3 that she was opening an investigation into actions committed by Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem since 2014. The announcement of the investigation came less than a month after the court ruled it had the jurisdiction to open a probe.

Israel Comes to a Standstill In Remembrance of Holocaust Victims

Last Thursday at 10 a.m. sirens halted Israeli outdoor life in memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II. Pedestrians stood in place, buses stopped and cars pulled over, their drivers standing on the roads with their heads bowed.

The annual Holocaust Remembrance Day is one of the most solemn days on Israel’s national calendar. The main opening ceremony on Wednesday night was attended by Holocaust survivors, President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other dignitaries, The Times of Israel reported.

In his speech, Rivlin spoke of the 900 Holocaust survivors who died over the past year due to COVID-19.

“They survived the ghettoes and the death camps, the immigrant ships and the internment camps,” he said. “But the final battle of their lives was fought with them bewildered and isolated, behind masks and gloves, yearning for contact but parted from their loved ones.”

The ongoing plight of Holocaust survivors was in the news early last week when a survey conducted by the Holocaust Survivors’ Welfare Fund found that 51 percent of respondents said they relied on food provided by a variety of charities, one third said they were in dire need of the assistance.

According to the poll, many Holocaust survivors say they have no choice but to give up essentials in order to have enough money for food. Forty-three percent of respondents said they didn’t have enough money for eyeglasses, 33% said they couldn’t afford dental care and 27% said they couldn’t pay for hearing aids.

To help meet this critical need, Jewish Voice supports ministries in Israel dedicated to providing Holocaust Survivors with dental and eye care, as well as other important necessities. When you give to Jewish Voice, this is one of the many ways you help Jewish people around the world.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, at the end of 2020, there were 179,600 people defined as Holocaust survivors living in Israel. An additional 3,000 people were recognized as survivors in 2020, while 17,000 died, including the 900 virus victims.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• A peaceful God-inspired solution for Israel’s government following the country’s fourth inconclusive election in the past two years
• The needs to be met for Holocaust survivors who struggle with basic necessities like food and healthcare – and that Jewish Voice can continue to help meet these needs
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah