CAFI Newsletter #165
cafi-list@christianactionforisrael.org
cafi-list@christianactionforisrael.org
Wed, 24 Dec 2003 13:21:24 -0500
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_011E_01C3CA20.D43F7A80
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_001_011F_01C3CA20.D43F7A80"
------=_NextPart_001_011F_01C3CA20.D43F7A80
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
CAFI Newsletter
Newsletter #165 Wednesday, December 24, 2003=20
Merry Christmas & Happy Hannukah
1.. STATE OF THE FAITH: Anno Domini, 2003=20
2.. WHAT IS CHANUKAH?=20
3.. WHY CHRISTMAS?=20
4.. THE LIGHT THAT HEALS=20
5.. QUOTES AND QUICK NOTES=20
6.. HIGHLIGHT ARTICLES=20
Thank you for your support=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
1. STATE OF THE FAITH: Anno Domini, 2003
by Michael Novak - TownHall.com - December 23, 2003=20
Some 2,000 years after the birth of the Lord, what does the Savior =
see when he regards the world from deep within it ("The Kingdom of God =
is within you")?=20
STATE OF THE FAITHFUL
The population of Europe, once the cradle of the faith, is =
shrinking; of those who remain, an ever-growing percentage are now =
Muslim, and in France perhaps more Muslims than Christians actually =
attend services on a weekly basis.=20
Yet Africa is exploding with Christian faith, witness, and =
dynamism, and in Asia too Christian devotion is rapidly spreading.=20
Altogether, the number of Christians in the world now amounts to =
one third or better of the human race, over two billion persons. And =
Christianity is the fastest-growing religion in the world.=20
As always, there is much suffering in the world: cancer, =
tuberculosis, hunger, war, pestilence, mental illness, betrayal, =
loneliness, despair. Some individuals bear this suffering sweetly, =
giving thanks to God and accepting from His hands life's hardships along =
with its gifts.=20
There are many, many such saints, unrecognized by the world around =
them, whose lives nonetheless cast a luminous radiance detectable by the =
radar of the soul. These are the centers of redemptive energies, which =
flow outwards like ripples until they round the earth and return, the =
invisible circlets of charity, as Dostoevsky once called them. These are =
those in whom the Christ dwells =97 the suffering servants. They are =
everywhere.=20
You probably know some in your own family, or among your =
acquaintances: There really is much suffering in the world, and it =
spares no income level, or class, or section. Yet there are still many =
truly holy persons.=20
STATE OF THE NON-BELIEVERS
I am writing all this as an unabashed Christian, but you do not =
have to be Christian to see some truth in it, however different the =
traditions of your own thought and speech.=20
Recently, British scientist Richard Dawkins was described as "an =
atheist, and a strenuous and militant and proud one." (One does not hear =
often of humble atheists, but they do appear.) "He thinks religious =
belief is a dangerous virus, and that it is a crime to infect the mind =
of a child with it." He calls religions "dangerous collective delusions" =
and "sinks of falsehood." He especially regrets the public influence of =
religion: "He is made apoplectic by the pontifications of religious =
'leaders' on such questions as whether human clones would be fully =
human." For Dawkins, in short, "Religion is superstition, like =
astrology, alternative medicine, and the rest."=20
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, about ten percent (or a =
little less) of the world population is atheist or agnostic. So however =
upscale the views of Professor Dawkins, he has his propagating work cut =
out for him. Most nonreligious, secularist people, it appears, actually =
believe in God; they just don't like organized religions.=20
Even Richard Dawkins would be hard-pressed to deny that among his =
friends and family members there is considerable acquaintance with =
suffering, and that some bear this burden more nobly and uncomplainingly =
than others. Further, some are preternaturally kind and others =
irascible; and some are rather a blessing to those around them, and =
others a bit of a cross to bear. Scientists are not immune to the =
ordinary sufferings of human life. They, too, need to dispose their will =
and character, so as to show who and what they are in dealing with =
suffering. Science is a noble profession; it is not by itself a way of =
life. It is predominantly a habit of the mind, much less of the will.=20
STATE OF THE INTELLECT
Moreover, there is this to say about the religions of the Lord =
celebrated on Christmas =97 the feast of lights, the feast of candles, =
the feast of the stars, the feast of blazing Christmas lights even in =
the city streets. Both Judaism and Christianity are religions that give =
honor and praise to a Creator who knew what he was doing and chose to do =
it (a God of reason and love). Afterwards, He saw that His was a good =
piece of work, and spoke of His love for it. In a word, Judaism and =
Christianity hold before us a God of the intellect, one of whose proper =
names is Truth =97 in the sense of "intelligent infuser of the truth =
into all things."=20
Moreover, the Creator made humans in his image =97 endowed them =
with intelligence and will, so that they might in freedom come to know =
and to choose their own destiny, and being provident for it, imitate =
(from afar) His own Providence. He commissioned them to join in =
completing the incomplete creation with Him. He offered them his =
friendship, and therefore, not willing to have the friendship of slaves =
but of free women and men, he made them free. As Thomas Jefferson, a man =
not altogether unlike Dawkins in temper, wrote, "The God who gave us =
life gave us liberty at the same time."=20
It would therefore have ill become these particular world-shaping =
religions, in honoring the Creator who infused His creation with it, to =
have turned against intellect. On the contrary, Judaism famously =
nourished learning, disputation, and reasoning among its highest =
aspirations, and Christianity became from the first the patron of =
schools, academies, studios for artists, libraries, and universities. =
Among these early universities are two rather well known to Dawkins: =
Oxford and Cambridge, whose fame was celebrated even six centuries ago.=20
A nice irony is this: Whereas Christianity (and Judaism) can give =
atheists a dignified place within their own theory of religious liberty, =
it seems quite difficult for atheists such as Dawkins to assign =
religious people any place in their own theory other than the loony bin. =
For Jews and Christians, freedom is so dear to the Creator that He =
allows free human beings to turn away from him, to reject the granting =
even of His existence, and to scorn Him and His works. In their refusal =
of His friendship, He vindicates His love of liberty. Thus, atheists too =
give witness to His glory.=20
By contrast, Dawkins in his apoplexy can find no place for =
believing Jews and Christians except delusion. He thinks of atheism as a =
place of honor and of religion as a disease; teaching of the latter, a =
crime; teaching of the former, a way of light, knowledge, and truth.=20
STATE OF INSPIRATION
There is a further irony. Time and again in history, reason has =
proved to be inadequate to its own defense. Most people most of the time =
live by passion, sentiment, custom, emotion =97 many such guides =
influence them =97 but few live purely by reason. Even famous =
philosophers of very high scientific standards have insisted that they =
did not choose their wives or guide their loves by scientific reason. =
Reason is but a thin sliver to build a civilization upon.=20
And the situation is far worse than that. The scientist qua =
scientist typically writes that the universe was formed by chance. At =
this starting point, then, there is a fundamental irrationality at the =
heart of science. There is a superstructure of towering reasonings, but =
based upon an absurdity =97 in the strict sense, an utter absence of =
discernible reason, a surd at the root of the matter. The thorough =
cultivation of science alone as a philosophy of life, therefore, =
normally ends as Nietzsche sadly announced, that, in our civilization, =
it already had: in nihilism.=20
By contrast, the two great religions of our civilization (the =
civilization whose years are enumerated both before and after one axial =
point, the birth of Christ) give every motive in the world for honoring =
reason, and for nourishing science. The very cathedrals of Europe =97 =
whose vast dark interiors were laid out so as to measure across their =
slate floors the length and movement of the sun's directed, filtered =
beams =97 were simultaneously reaching skywards in the name both of =
God's creative intellect and also of daring human intellect. The =
universities were built in the same design.=20
Faith, as Jews and Christians understand it, honors reason, =
nourishes it, embeds it in a context of nobility and purity, such that =
all are commanded to respect its autonomy within its own realm. When =
practitioners of these religions do not so honor science, as often they =
have not, their rejection can be proven wrong on these two religions' =
very own philosophical grounds. As practitioners of reason have =
committed sins against faith, so have practitioners of faith, against =
reason. If there were no inherent nobility in each, no sin against =
either would count for so much.=20
The God of Christmas instructs us in zeal for the Light; that is, =
the unquenchable drive to know. This drive is the very root of the =
religious impulse, for through it, we question everything. We come to an =
indirect awareness of the infinite, and of the Light that would suffuse =
us with the intelligibility within all things, if only our minds were =
large enough to grasp it. In this way we come to be humbled, to approach =
in fear and wonder and awe, and with fierce desire. The consummation of =
unconditioned inquiry in unrestricted Light =97 we know darkly and =
indirectly, by reflection on our own striving =97 is what we were made =
for.=20
STATE OF FREEDOM
To see the newborn infant in the cr=E8che, born of a woman and =
visibly human, vulnerable, and humble, while contemplating in the unseen =
aspect of His being that He is also the Lord, the Creator of all things, =
is to glimpse an analogy for our own long-sought identity. Too well we =
know our own humanness. What we need reminding of is the side of us made =
for union with a Friend, who has called us by name, if so we choose.=20
It is, truly, a choice =97 not a certainty: "The light shines in =
the darkness, and the darkness grasped it not... He was in the world: =
and the world was made by him: and the world knew him not."=20
In Christmas, then, lies our decision to answer to the Creator, =
and thus our inalienable right to make that decision, all by ourselves. =
Neither mother nor father nor brother nor sister can fulfill this duty =
for us. It is nontransferable.=20
As James Madison writes in his Remonstrance, "This duty is =
precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the =
claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of =
Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governour of =
the Universe... If this freedom be abused, it is an offence against God, =
not against man: To God, therefore, not to man, must an account of it be =
rendered."=20
One more reason why the cr=E8che, the reminder both of that first =
Christmas night and of the origin of a modern sense of human dignity, =
deserves to be exhibited in front of every public building in America. =
The cr=E8che is not only a religious symbol; it is not merely a secular =
symbol: It is a symbol of our uplifted nature, and of the rights that =
accrue to it.=20
Michael Novak is the winner of the 1994 Templeton Prize for =
progress in religion and the George Frederick Jewett Scholar in =
Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy at the American Enterprise =
Institute.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
2. WHAT IS CHANUKAH?
By Paul Greenberg - TownHall.com - December 21, 2003=20
Last Friday we lit the first candle. For it was the first night of =
Chanukah, a minor Jewish holiday that's become a major one over the =
years. There are candles to be kindled and potato latkes to eat. But =
just what does this eight-day celebration celebrate?=20
Answer: A successful Jewish revolt against a Syrian empire ruled =
by the Seleucid dynasty of Greek kings some 2,200 years ago.=20
Well, not exactly. The revolt was not so much against the Syrian =
emperor, Antiochus Epiphanes, as against an attempt to impose =
Hellenistic culture on ancient Judaea.=20
Well, not exactly. It's not noised about, but this now celebrated =
revolt against the Syrians was something of a civil war between those =
Jews who proposed to adopt more of the fashionable Greek culture and =
those who viewed its games and gods as a desecration, and fought for the =
old ways, the hallowed practices and beliefs. This festival really =
commemorates a military victory - of tradition over assimilation, of =
fundamentalists over modernists.=20
Well, not exactly. The military aspects of the struggle are =
scarcely mentioned in today's celebration of Chanukah. The focus has =
shifted over the centuries. The very name Chanukah, or Dedication, =
refers to the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled =
by pagan rites.=20
After all, the holiday isn't named after any particular battle or =
campaign or hero. It isn't the Feast of the Maccabees, who led the =
revolt. Therefore the real theme of Chanukah is the rededication of the =
Temple.=20
Well, not exactly. The essential ritual of the holiday has become =
the blessing over the Chanukah lights, one for each night of the =
eight-day festival. The festivities now center about a Talmudic tale =
relating how the liberators of the Temple found only enough pure oil to =
burn for one day, but it lasted for eight - enough time to prepare a new =
supply. We're really celebrating the miracle of the lights.=20
But what is all this about light and candles? What about the =
heroes who are remembered during Chanukah - Judah Maccabee and his =
father Mattathias? Are not their deeds what Chanukah really celebrates?=20
Well, yes, but not exactly. Their exploits are referred to in =
prayers and rituals only by indirection. Heroic feats are transmuted in =
the glow of the candles; they become acts of divine intervention.=20
The blessing over the candles recited each night of the holiday =
goes: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who =
wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old." Once again, it is He =
who delivered us; freedom is a divine gift.=20
The words inserted into the daily prayers during Chanukah refer =
not to victories but to miracles. Our liberator was God alone: "And =
thereupon thy children came into . . . thy holy courts, and appointed =
these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praises unto thy great =
Name."=20
Chanukah isn't mentioned in the Old Testament. The story of =
battles and victories has been relegated to the Apocrypha. A mere =
military victory rates only a secondary place in the canon. It is not =
celebrated for its own sake but for what it reveals.=20
A violent confrontation is lifted out of history, and enters the =
realm of the sacred. A messy little guerrilla war in the dim past of a =
forgotten empire has become something else, something that partakes of =
the eternal. For only the spiritual victories last.=20
The central metaphor of all religious belief - revealing light - =
now blots out all the imperial intrigues and internecine warfare. And =
that may be the greatest miracle of Chanukah: the transformation of that =
oldest and darkest of human activities, war, into a feast of =
illumination.=20
There is more than a single theme to this minor but not simple =
holiday. One can almost trace the ebbs and flows of Jewish history, its =
yearnings and fulfillments, its wisdom and folly, its holiness and =
vainglory, by noting which themes of Chanukah have been emphasized when =
in Jewish history.=20
So does history say more about the time in which it is written =
than the time it describes. The historical message changes from age to =
age. The past we choose to remember may be the best reflection of any =
present.=20
But if there is one constant message associated with this holiday, =
it can be found in the weekly portion of the Prophets chosen to be read =
on the Jewish Sabbath. And over the centuries, the scripture for the =
Sabbath of Chanukah has remained unchanged: Zechariah 4:1-7, with its =
penultimate verse:=20
Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of =
Hosts.
Exactly.=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
3. WHY CHRISTMAS?
By Rebecca Hagelin - WorldNetDaily.com - December 23, 2003=20
As Americans across the country celebrate Christmas this week, the =
reasons for celebrating are numerous. Time off from work, breaks from =
school, the giving and receiving of presents, lights, laughter, the =
anticipation of Santa and food, food, food are all great reasons to be =
filled with cheer at this time of year. All these things give me great =
joy, too =96 and believe me, my family thrives on them.=20
Most Americans will attend a church service on Christmas Eve, or =
at least pay some sort of tribute to the birth of Christ. For far too =
many, this practice of the season is more routine than real.=20
Despite the fact that Christmas, is celebrated BIG time in every =
store, in every mall, in every town in America, many people are still =
afraid to examine Who it is we celebrate.=20
Folks don't want to get "too religious" when it comes to Christmas =
=96 it's OK to sing "Silent Night," or "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" =96 =
just don't stop and ask people to reflect on what the words mean or they =
start twitching and shifting their weight from foot to foot.=20
One of the joys of having my own column is the ability to address =
issues that some find too uncomfortable to discuss. This week, while =
everyone is celebrating Christmas, I'm going to address just that =96 =
Christmas.=20
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ =96 the =
Messiah.=20
What does that mean for you and me?=20
It means God loves us. It means we can have a personal =
relationship with the God of all Creation. It means we can be forgiven =
of our sins =96 no matter how numerous or how bad they are =96 and start =
life anew.=20
Christianity as a religion often gets a "bad rap." And, quite =
frankly, much of it is deserved. Why? Because far too many folks who =
call themselves Christians resemble nothing of the Christ who was born =
in Bethlehem so long ago. I shudder when I think of the many mistakes =
I've made, of the many times I've failed to reflect the Christ who lives =
in me.=20
But how well someone else does or doesn't represent Christ mustn't =
stop you from deciding for yourself whether or not to accept His love =
and forgiveness. His absolute love, comfort and grace are available =
simply for the asking. To accept or deny Him is up to you, and you =
alone.=20
Why did Christ come to Earth? What is Christmas really about?=20
John 3:16 states it simply and powerfully:=20
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, =
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting =
life."
There you have it. That is the reason for celebrating =96 not just =
on Christmas, but every day.=20
A good start for those who seek Christ on Christmas is to read all =
of the third chapter of John.=20
The late Dr. Bill Bright, one of the greatest evangelists of our =
day, succinctly boiled down in simple terms several verses from =
throughout the Bible which explain exactly why Christ came to Earth, and =
why Christmas matters for each of us. The salvation message can be =
outlined in what he called, "The Four Spiritual Laws":=20
1.. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life =
(John 3:16; 10:10).=20
2.. Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, on your own =
you cannot know and experience God's love and plan for your life =
(Romans. 3:23; 6:23).=20
3.. Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through =
Him, you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life =
(Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6; John 14:6).=20
4.. Each person must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior =
and Lord; then, and only then, can you know and experience God's love =
and plan for your life (John 1:12; 3:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation =
3:20).=20
Do you want to truly celebrate Christ this Christmas? He is yours =
for the asking. To learn more about the true miracle of Christmas, and =
how you can experience this miracle in your life, I encourage you to =
visit the website of Campus Crusade for Christ. If you already know Him, =
help pass the Christmas candle around the world: The basics of =
Christianity are provided in nearly 150 languages on another part of the =
Campus Crusade for Christ website.=20
To each dear reader and friend, I wish you the most meaningful =
Christmas of your life. May your heart be touched with the greatest love =
the world has every known. Merry Christmas to you and yours.=20
Rebecca Hagelin is a vice president of the Heritage Foundation, =
a research and educational think-tank whose mission is to formulate and =
promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free =
enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American =
values and a strong national defense. She is also the former vice =
president of communications for WorldNetDaily and her 60-second radio =
commentaries can be heard on the Salem Communications Network.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
4. THE LIGHT THAT HEALS
by Yishai Fleisher - IsraelNationalNews.com - December 23, 2003=20
This year, Hanukkah in Israel seems a bit dispirited. No wonder. =
After three years of the blood-thirsty intifada, the emergence of a =
massive movement of global anti-Semitism, and the painful, on-going =
rifts amongst the Jewish people coming to a head, the celebratory spirit =
of Hanukkah in Israel is noticeably subdued.=20
Post-Zionism has brought to question all the values that Israel =
once held dear. Some Israelis see the whole Zionist enterprise as =
unjust, war-like, and imperialistic. We are no longer the heroic Davidic =
underdog, but rather we are a Goliath-like, conquering war-lord who =
crushes the weak. Our self-image has been damaged by this movement and =
our values have become distorted.=20
Ariel Sharon's speeches leave one with the impression that the =
Palestinians indeed have a just claim on the land, and that the State of =
Israel has somehow dispossessed the rightful owners. The Supreme Court =
routinely blocks Tzahal (the IDF) from doing what's best for Jewish =
security. The government releases terrorist prisoners and uproots Jews =
from their land. Innocent, G-d fearing Jews are put on trail, detained, =
and harassed by their own country. The system in Israel has become, in =
many ways, anti-Jewish. How can we celebrate the Holiday of Lights in =
this time of darkness?=20
It is exactly at these moments that Hanukkah comes to strengthen =
and encourage us. Unlike most of our holidays, Hanukkah is not about a =
great beginning, a foundation miracle, or a time of atonement. Hanukkah =
is about Tikkun - about fixing a situation that has gone horribly awry. =
The Maccabees faced a time when Judaism itself was being totally =
undermined. Greek Hellenism managed to sway the hearts and minds of Jews =
away from the study of Torah and the precept-centered life to a life =
preoccupied with beauty, secularism, and hedonism. The Temple itself, =
once a center of worship and holiness, became the center of lewdness, =
depravity and lasciviousness. The country-side, which once saw Jews =
traveling to Jerusalem for the three holy pilgrimages, was now made to =
witness the desecration of holy sites, holy objects, and holy days. Many =
Jews threw off the yoke of Heaven and went willingly with the tide of =
sexual immorality. Others, who refused, were forced to bow to idols on =
pain of death. A great darkness descended on the Land of Israel and it =
seemed that the whole history of the Jewish people was for naught.=20
It was in such a time that the Maccabees revolted. They managed to =
push back the foreign influence in the land; they cleansed the Temple, =
and burned holy oil again on the Menorah. Their victory was as much =
against the Syrian Greeks as it was against the Jews who supported them =
and their culture. And it was indeed miraculous. They were few and weak, =
but they conquered their powerful enemies, and captured the hearts and =
minds of the Jewish people. They put Jewish history back on track.=20
Therefore, we celebrate Hanukkah not only to mark our great =
military victory or to remember the miracle of the long-lasting oil. On =
Hanukkah, we Jews celebrate the strength that G-d gives us to pull =
ourselves out of darkness, to redeem ourselves from epochs when =
everything seems to be going downhill, when all we want to do is to give =
up, when we have no hope because it seems that all is lost and that it =
is all our fault. Hanukkah is about rededication, rebirth, and renewed =
strength, and it is dafka (precisely) now, a time when darkness has set =
on the Jewish people and on the Land of Israel, that Hanukkah has its =
greatest significance.=20
Today, the message of Hanukkah is that we can overcome the =
powerful external forces that are crashing against us, and we can take =
back the spirit of the Jewish people. With the power of faith in G-d and =
with firm resoluteness for action, we can defeat the sense of defeatism =
that is so prevalent in Israel today, and we can turn this time of =
dreary despondency into a time when Israel shines forth as the greatest =
light the world has ever seen. Israel is the world's sole Spiritual =
Superpower, and no Jew-hating Osama, no blood-loving Arafat, and no =
anti-Semitic Frenchman can ever sully or extinguish the pure light of =
the Holy Menorah, which will one day illuminate the entire world from =
Jerusalem.=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
5. QUOTES AND QUICK NOTES
UN VICTORY
- The EU has foiled a PLO initiative to challenge Israel's =
credentials at the UN, specifically Israel's right to represent the =
territories, telling Palestinian representatives that exploiting the =
routine votes on country credentials crossed "a red line," at the world =
body. The resolution was due to be voted on by the General Assembly on =
Wednesday, but was withdrawn after vehement objections from the EU who =
regarded it as an attempt to undermine Israel's legitimacy. "The =
Palestinian failure to challenge Israel's credentials is a victory for =
Israeli foreign policy," Israeli Ambassador Danny Gillerman said.=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
6. HIGHLIGHT ARTICLES
a.. Terror, trauma and transcendence=20
b.. Bethlehem & Beyond=20
c.. The birth of a child changed the world=20
d.. Why Christianity is good for America -- Part I=20
e.. Modern Christmas: a celebration of the external=20
f.. Christmas from the outside=20
g.. Christians: Reclaim your holiday!=20
h.. Christmas alone...=20
i.. Tolerating Christians=20
j.. When will Jesus return?=20
k.. Hanukkah's message not just for Jews=20
l.. The Battle for the World's Future=20
m.. When Arafat Met Jesus For the third Christmas under the =
violence he has orchestrated, Israel has not lifted its siege of his =
battered Ramallah headquarters, effectively barring him from playing the =
role of benevolent ruler in a Palestinian Authority Christmas pageant in =
Bethlehem, a town he has done everything to rid of its Christian =
population.=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
NOTICE: We make EVERY effort to insure our newsletter is not =
received unsolicited. If you don't wish to receive this newsletter, =
please send an email to newsletter@christianactionforisrael.org with =
"REMOVE" in either the subject or body of your message. Please ensure =
the email is sent from the address receiving the newsletter! Thank you.
We depend ENTIRELY on viewer/reader donations. PLEASE HELP US get =
the truth out about Israel and God's chosen people. All needed info at: =
http://christianactionforisrael.org/donations.html=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS NEWSLETTER !=20
Send Comments/Suggestions to =
newsletter@christianactionforisrael.org=20
TO SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE visit =
http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/cafi-list=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
=20
------=_NextPart_001_011F_01C3CA20.D43F7A80
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>CAFI Newsletter</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dwindows-1252">
<STYLE>.nu {
FONT-FAMILY: arial; TEXT-DECORATION: none
}
A:hover {
COLOR: black; TEXT-DECORATION: underline
}
</STYLE>
<STYLE type=3Dtext/css>
<!--=20
A{text-decoration:none}=20
-->
</STYLE>
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2800.1226" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY text=3D#000000 vLink=3D#354479 aLink=3D#800000 link=3D#3424c4 =
bgColor=3D#ffffff=20
background=3Dcid:011d01c3ca4a$bd0c5ac0$2ad02b18@hnsn.phub.net.cable.roger=
s.com>
<TABLE cellSpacing=3D4 cellPadding=3D4 width=3D600 align=3Dleft =
border=3D0 valign=3D"Top">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dtop><A =
href=3D"http://christianactionforisrael.org/"><IMG=20
height=3D78 alt=3DCAFI=20
=
src=3D"cid:011c01c3ca4a$bd0c5ac0$2ad02b18@hnsn.phub.net.cable.rogers.com"=
=20
width=3D400 border=3D0></A><BR>
<TABLE border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dtop><B><FONT color=3D#800000>Newsletter #165=20
Wednesday, December 24, =
2003</FONT></B>=20
<P>
<CENTER><B><FONT face=3D"Monotype Corsiva" size=3D+3><FONT=20
color=3D#c80f21>Merry Christmas</FONT> <SMALL>&</SMALL> =
<FONT=20
color=3D#008000>Happy =
Hannukah</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER><STRONG>
<OL>
<LI><A href=3D"#1">STATE OF THE FAITH: Anno Domini, =
2003</A>=20
<LI><A href=3D"#2">WHAT IS CHANUKAH?</A>=20
<LI><A href=3D"#3">WHY CHRISTMAS?</A>=20
<LI><A href=3D"#4">THE LIGHT THAT HEALS</A>=20
<LI><A href=3D"#5">QUOTES AND QUICK NOTES</A>=20
<LI><A href=3D"#6">HIGHLIGHT ARTICLES</A> =
</LI></OL></STRONG>
<P>
<CENTER><B><FONT face=3D"Monotype Corsiva" color=3D#000080 =
size=3D+2>Thank=20
you for your =
support</FONT></B></CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<HR>
<H3>1. <A name=3D1>STATE OF THE FAITH: Anno Domini,=20
2003</A></H3>by Michael Novak - TownHall.com - December 23, 2003=20
<P><FONT color=3D#800000 size=3D+2>S</FONT>ome 2,000 years after =
the birth of=20
the Lord, what does the Savior see when he regards the world from =
deep=20
within it ("The Kingdom of God is within you")?=20
<H4>STATE OF THE FAITHFUL</H4>The population of Europe, once the =
cradle of=20
the faith, is shrinking; of those who remain, an ever-growing =
percentage=20
are now Muslim, and in France perhaps more Muslims than Christians =
actually attend services on a weekly basis.=20
<P>Yet Africa is exploding with Christian faith, witness, and =
dynamism,=20
and in Asia too Christian devotion is rapidly spreading.=20
<P>Altogether, the number of Christians in the world now amounts =
to one=20
third or better of the human race, over two billion persons. And=20
Christianity is the fastest-growing religion in the world.=20
<P>As always, there is much suffering in the world: cancer, =
tuberculosis,=20
hunger, war, pestilence, mental illness, betrayal, loneliness, =
despair.=20
Some individuals bear this suffering sweetly, giving thanks to God =
and=20
accepting from His hands life's hardships along with its gifts.=20
<P>There are many, many such saints, unrecognized by the world =
around=20
them, whose lives nonetheless cast a luminous radiance detectable =
by the=20
radar of the soul. These are the centers of redemptive energies, =
which=20
flow outwards like ripples until they round the earth and return, =
the=20
invisible circlets of charity, as Dostoevsky once called them. =
These are=20
those in whom the Christ dwells =97 the suffering servants. They =
are=20
everywhere.=20
<P>You probably know some in your own family, or among your =
acquaintances:=20
There really is much suffering in the world, and it spares no =
income=20
level, or class, or section. Yet there are still many truly holy =
persons.=20
<H4>STATE OF THE NON-BELIEVERS</H4>I am writing all this as an =
unabashed=20
Christian, but you do not have to be Christian to see some truth =
in it,=20
however different the traditions of your own thought and speech.=20
<P>Recently, British scientist Richard Dawkins was described as =
"an=20
atheist, and a strenuous and militant and proud one." (One does =
not hear=20
often of humble atheists, but they do appear.) "He thinks =
religious belief=20
is a dangerous virus, and that it is a crime to infect the mind of =
a child=20
with it." He calls religions "dangerous collective delusions" and =
"sinks=20
of falsehood." He especially regrets the public influence of =
religion: "He=20
is made apoplectic by the pontifications of religious 'leaders' on =
such=20
questions as whether human clones would be fully human." For =
Dawkins, in=20
short, "Religion is superstition, like astrology, alternative =
medicine,=20
and the rest."=20
<P>According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, about ten percent (or =
a=20
little less) of the world population is atheist or agnostic. So =
however=20
upscale the views of Professor Dawkins, he has his propagating =
work cut=20
out for him. Most nonreligious, secularist people, it appears, =
actually=20
believe in God; they just don't like organized religions.=20
<P>Even Richard Dawkins would be hard-pressed to deny that among =
his=20
friends and family members there is considerable acquaintance with =
suffering, and that some bear this burden more nobly and =
uncomplainingly=20
than others. Further, some are preternaturally kind and others =
irascible;=20
and some are rather a blessing to those around them, and others a =
bit of a=20
cross to bear. Scientists are not immune to the ordinary =
sufferings of=20
human life. They, too, need to dispose their will and character, =
so as to=20
show who and what they are in dealing with suffering. Science is a =
noble=20
profession; it is not by itself a way of life. It is predominantly =
a habit=20
of the mind, much less of the will.=20
<H4>STATE OF THE INTELLECT</H4>Moreover, there is this to say =
about the=20
religions of the Lord celebrated on Christmas =97 the feast of =
lights, the=20
feast of candles, the feast of the stars, the feast of blazing =
Christmas=20
lights even in the city streets. Both Judaism and Christianity are =
religions that give honor and praise to a Creator who knew what he =
was=20
doing and chose to do it (a God of reason and love). Afterwards, =
He saw=20
that His was a good piece of work, and spoke of His love for it. =
In a=20
word, Judaism and Christianity hold before us a God of the =
intellect, one=20
of whose proper names is Truth =97 in the sense of "intelligent =
infuser of=20
the truth into all things."=20
<P>Moreover, the Creator made humans in his image =97 endowed them =
with=20
intelligence and will, so that they might in freedom come to know =
and to=20
choose their own destiny, and being provident for it, imitate =
(from afar)=20
His own Providence. He commissioned them to join in completing the =
incomplete creation with Him. He offered them his friendship, and=20
therefore, not willing to have the friendship of slaves but of =
free women=20
and men, he made them free. As Thomas Jefferson, a man not =
altogether=20
unlike Dawkins in temper, wrote, "The God who gave us life gave us =
liberty=20
at the same time."=20
<P>It would therefore have ill become these particular =
world-shaping=20
religions, in honoring the Creator who infused His creation with =
it, to=20
have turned against intellect. On the contrary, Judaism famously =
nourished=20
learning, disputation, and reasoning among its highest =
aspirations, and=20
Christianity became from the first the patron of schools, =
academies,=20
studios for artists, libraries, and universities. Among these =
early=20
universities are two rather well known to Dawkins: Oxford and =
Cambridge,=20
whose fame was celebrated even six centuries ago.=20
<P>A nice irony is this: Whereas Christianity (and Judaism) can =
give=20
atheists a dignified place within their own theory of religious =
liberty,=20
it seems quite difficult for atheists such as Dawkins to assign =
religious=20
people any place in their own theory other than the loony bin. For =
Jews=20
and Christians, freedom is so dear to the Creator that He allows =
free=20
human beings to turn away from him, to reject the granting even of =
His=20
existence, and to scorn Him and His works. In their refusal of His =
friendship, He vindicates His love of liberty. Thus, atheists too =
give=20
witness to His glory.=20
<P>By contrast, Dawkins in his apoplexy can find no place for =
believing=20
Jews and Christians except delusion. He thinks of atheism as a =
place of=20
honor and of religion as a disease; teaching of the latter, a =
crime;=20
teaching of the former, a way of light, knowledge, and truth.=20
<H4>STATE OF INSPIRATION</H4>There is a further irony. Time and =
again in=20
history, reason has proved to be inadequate to its own defense. =
Most=20
people most of the time live by passion, sentiment, custom, =
emotion =97 many=20
such guides influence them =97 but few live purely by reason. Even =
famous=20
philosophers of very high scientific standards have insisted that =
they did=20
not choose their wives or guide their loves by scientific reason. =
Reason=20
is but a thin sliver to build a civilization upon.=20
<P>And the situation is far worse than that. The scientist qua =
scientist=20
typically writes that the universe was formed by chance. At this =
starting=20
point, then, there is a fundamental irrationality at the heart of =
science.=20
There is a superstructure of towering reasonings, but based upon =
an=20
absurdity =97 in the strict sense, an utter absence of discernible =
reason, a=20
surd at the root of the matter. The thorough cultivation of =
science alone=20
as a philosophy of life, therefore, normally ends as Nietzsche =
sadly=20
announced, that, in our civilization, it already had: in nihilism. =
<P>By contrast, the two great religions of our civilization (the=20
civilization whose years are enumerated both before and after one =
axial=20
point, the birth of Christ) give every motive in the world for =
honoring=20
reason, and for nourishing science. The very cathedrals of Europe =
=97 whose=20
vast dark interiors were laid out so as to measure across their =
slate=20
floors the length and movement of the sun's directed, filtered =
beams =97=20
were simultaneously reaching skywards in the name both of God's =
creative=20
intellect and also of daring human intellect. The universities =
were built=20
in the same design.=20
<P>Faith, as Jews and Christians understand it, honors reason, =
nourishes=20
it, embeds it in a context of nobility and purity, such that all =
are=20
commanded to respect its autonomy within its own realm. When =
practitioners=20
of these religions do not so honor science, as often they have =
not, their=20
rejection can be proven wrong on these two religions' very own=20
philosophical grounds. As practitioners of reason have committed =
sins=20
against faith, so have practitioners of faith, against reason. If =
there=20
were no inherent nobility in each, no sin against either would =
count for=20
so much.=20
<P>The God of Christmas instructs us in zeal for the Light; that =
is, the=20
unquenchable drive to know. This drive is the very root of the =
religious=20
impulse, for through it, we question everything. We come to an =
indirect=20
awareness of the infinite, and of the Light that would suffuse us =
with the=20
intelligibility within all things, if only our minds were large =
enough to=20
grasp it. In this way we come to be humbled, to approach in fear =
and=20
wonder and awe, and with fierce desire. The consummation of =
unconditioned=20
inquiry in unrestricted Light =97 we know darkly and indirectly, =
by=20
reflection on our own striving =97 is what we were made for.=20
<H4>STATE OF FREEDOM</H4>To see the newborn infant in the =
cr=E8che, born of=20
a woman and visibly human, vulnerable, and humble, while =
contemplating in=20
the unseen aspect of His being that He is also the Lord, the =
Creator of=20
all things, is to glimpse an analogy for our own long-sought =
identity. Too=20
well we know our own humanness. What we need reminding of is the =
side of=20
us made for union with a Friend, who has called us by name, if so =
we=20
choose.=20
<P>It is, truly, a choice =97 not a certainty: "The light shines =
in the=20
darkness, and the darkness grasped it not... He was in the world: =
and the=20
world was made by him: and the world knew him not."=20
<P>In Christmas, then, lies our decision to answer to the Creator, =
and=20
thus our inalienable right to make that decision, all by =
ourselves.=20
Neither mother nor father nor brother nor sister can fulfill this =
duty for=20
us. It is nontransferable.=20
<P>As James Madison writes in his Remonstrance, "This duty is =
precedent,=20
both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims =
of Civil=20
Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil =
Society, he=20
must be considered as a subject of the Governour of the =
Universe... If=20
this freedom be abused, it is an offence against God, not against =
man: To=20
God, therefore, not to man, must an account of it be rendered."=20
<P>One more reason why the cr=E8che, the reminder both of that =
first=20
Christmas night and of the origin of a modern sense of human =
dignity,=20
deserves to be exhibited in front of every public building in =
America. The=20
cr=E8che is not only a religious symbol; it is not merely a =
secular symbol:=20
It is a symbol of our uplifted nature, and of the rights that =
accrue to=20
it.=20
<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT size=3D-2><STRONG>Michael Novak is the winner of =
the=20
1994 Templeton Prize for progress in religion and the George =
Frederick=20
Jewett Scholar in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy at the =
American Enterprise Institute.</STRONG></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
<HR>
<H3>2. <A name=3D2>WHAT IS CHANUKAH?</A></H3>By Paul =
Greenberg -=20
TownHall.com - December 21, 2003=20
<P><FONT color=3D#800000 size=3D+2>L</FONT>ast Friday we lit the =
first candle.=20
For it was the first night of Chanukah, a minor Jewish holiday =
that's=20
become a major one over the years. There are candles to be kindled =
and=20
potato latkes to eat. But just what does this eight-day =
celebration=20
celebrate?=20
<P>Answer: A successful Jewish revolt against a Syrian empire =
ruled by the=20
Seleucid dynasty of Greek kings some 2,200 years ago.=20
<P>Well, not exactly. The revolt was not so much against the =
Syrian=20
emperor, Antiochus Epiphanes, as against an attempt to impose =
Hellenistic=20
culture on ancient Judaea.=20
<P>Well, not exactly. It's not noised about, but this now =
celebrated=20
revolt against the Syrians was something of a civil war between =
those Jews=20
who proposed to adopt more of the fashionable Greek culture and =
those who=20
viewed its games and gods as a desecration, and fought for the old =
ways,=20
the hallowed practices and beliefs. This festival really =
commemorates a=20
military victory - of tradition over assimilation, of =
fundamentalists over=20
modernists.=20
<P>Well, not exactly. The military aspects of the struggle are =
scarcely=20
mentioned in today's celebration of Chanukah. The focus has =
shifted over=20
the centuries. The very name Chanukah, or Dedication, refers to =
the=20
cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by pagan =
rites.=20
<P>After all, the holiday isn't named after any particular battle =
or=20
campaign or hero. It isn't the Feast of the Maccabees, who led the =
revolt.=20
Therefore the real theme of Chanukah is the rededication of the =
Temple.=20
<P>Well, not exactly. The essential ritual of the holiday has =
become the=20
blessing over the Chanukah lights, one for each night of the =
eight-day=20
festival. The festivities now center about a Talmudic tale =
relating how=20
the liberators of the Temple found only enough pure oil to burn =
for one=20
day, but it lasted for eight - enough time to prepare a new =
supply. We're=20
really celebrating the miracle of the lights.=20
<P>But what is all this about light and candles? What about the =
heroes who=20
are remembered during Chanukah - Judah Maccabee and his father =
Mattathias?=20
Are not their deeds what Chanukah really celebrates?=20
<P>Well, yes, but not exactly. Their exploits are referred to in =
prayers=20
and rituals only by indirection. Heroic feats are transmuted in =
the glow=20
of the candles; they become acts of divine intervention.=20
<P>The blessing over the candles recited each night of the holiday =
goes:=20
"Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who =
wrought=20
miracles for our fathers in days of old." Once again, it is He who =
delivered us; freedom is a divine gift.=20
<P>The words inserted into the daily prayers during Chanukah refer =
not to=20
victories but to miracles. Our liberator was God alone: "And =
thereupon thy=20
children came into . . . thy holy courts, and appointed these =
eight days=20
of Chanukah to give thanks and praises unto thy great Name."=20
<P>Chanukah isn't mentioned in the Old Testament. The story of =
battles and=20
victories has been relegated to the Apocrypha. A mere military =
victory=20
rates only a secondary place in the canon. It is not celebrated =
for its=20
own sake but for what it reveals.=20
<P>A violent confrontation is lifted out of history, and enters =
the realm=20
of the sacred. A messy little guerrilla war in the dim past of a =
forgotten=20
empire has become something else, something that partakes of the =
eternal.=20
For only the spiritual victories last.=20
<P>The central metaphor of all religious belief - revealing light =
- now=20
blots out all the imperial intrigues and internecine warfare. And =
that may=20
be the greatest miracle of Chanukah: the transformation of that =
oldest and=20
darkest of human activities, war, into a feast of illumination.=20
<P>There is more than a single theme to this minor but not simple =
holiday.=20
One can almost trace the ebbs and flows of Jewish history, its =
yearnings=20
and fulfillments, its wisdom and folly, its holiness and =
vainglory, by=20
noting which themes of Chanukah have been emphasized when in =
Jewish=20
history.=20
<P>So does history say more about the time in which it is written =
than the=20
time it describes. The historical message changes from age to age. =
The=20
past we choose to remember may be the best reflection of any =
present.=20
<P>But if there is one constant message associated with this =
holiday, it=20
can be found in the weekly portion of the Prophets chosen to be =
read on=20
the Jewish Sabbath. And over the centuries, the scripture for the =
Sabbath=20
of Chanukah has remained unchanged: Zechariah 4:1-7, with its =
penultimate=20
verse:=20
<BLOCKQUOTE><STRONG><I>Not by might, nor by power, but by My =
spirit,=20
saith the Lord of Hosts.</I></STRONG></BLOCKQUOTE>Exactly.=20
<HR>
<H3>3. <A name=3D3>WHY CHRISTMAS?</A></H3>By Rebecca =
Hagelin -=20
WorldNetDaily.com - December 23, 2003=20
<P><FONT color=3D#800000 size=3D+2>A</FONT>s Americans across the =
country=20
celebrate Christmas this week, the reasons for celebrating are =
numerous.=20
Time off from work, breaks from school, the giving and receiving =
of=20
presents, lights, laughter, the anticipation of Santa and food, =
food, food=20
are all great reasons to be filled with cheer at this time of =
year. All=20
these things give me great joy, too =96 and believe me, my family =
thrives on=20
them.=20
<P>Most Americans will attend a church service on Christmas Eve, =
or at=20
least pay some sort of tribute to the birth of Christ. For far too =
many,=20
this practice of the season is more routine than real.=20
<P>Despite the fact that Christmas, is celebrated BIG time in =
every store,=20
in every mall, in every town in America, many people are still =
afraid to=20
examine Who it is we celebrate.=20
<P>Folks don't want to get "too religious" when it comes to =
Christmas =96=20
it's OK to sing "Silent Night," or "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" =96 =
just don't=20
stop and ask people to reflect on what the words mean or they =
start=20
twitching and shifting their weight from foot to foot.=20
<P>One of the joys of having my own column is the ability to =
address=20
issues that some find too uncomfortable to discuss. This week, =
while=20
everyone is celebrating Christmas, I'm going to address just that =
=96=20
Christmas.=20
<P>Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ =96 =
the=20
Messiah.=20
<P>What does that mean for you and me?=20
<P>It means God loves us. It means we can have a personal =
relationship=20
with the God of all Creation. It means we can be forgiven of our =
sins =96 no=20
matter how numerous or how bad they are =96 and start life anew.=20
<P>Christianity as a religion often gets a "bad rap." And, quite =
frankly,=20
much of it is deserved. Why? Because far too many folks who call=20
themselves Christians resemble nothing of the Christ who was born =
in=20
Bethlehem so long ago. I shudder when I think of the many mistakes =
I've=20
made, of the many times I've failed to reflect the Christ who =
lives in me.=20
<P>But how well someone else does or doesn't represent Christ =
mustn't stop=20
you from deciding for yourself whether or not to accept His love =
and=20
forgiveness. His absolute love, comfort and grace are available =
simply for=20
the asking. To accept or deny Him is up to you, and you alone.=20
<P>Why did Christ come to Earth? What is Christmas really about?=20
<P>John 3:16 states it simply and powerfully:=20
<BLOCKQUOTE><STRONG><I>"For God so loved the world, that He gave =
His=20
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not =
perish,=20
but have everlasting life."</I></STRONG></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>There you have it. That is the reason for celebrating =96 not =
just on=20
Christmas, but every day.=20
<P>A good start for those who seek Christ on Christmas is to read =
all of=20
<A href=3D"http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn003.html">the =
third=20
chapter of John</A>.=20
<P>The late Dr. Bill Bright, one of the greatest evangelists of =
our day,=20
succinctly boiled down in simple terms several verses from =
throughout the=20
Bible which explain exactly why Christ came to Earth, and why =
Christmas=20
matters for each of us. The salvation message can be outlined in =
what he=20
called, "<A href=3D"http://www.crusade.org/fourlaws/">The Four =
Spiritual=20
Laws</A>": <B><I>
<P>
<OL>
<P>
<LI>God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life =
(John 3:16;=20
10:10).=20
<P></P>
<LI>Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, on your own =
you=20
cannot know and experience God's love and plan for your life =
(Romans.=20
3:23; 6:23).=20
<P></P>
<LI>Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through =
Him, you=20
can know and experience God's love and plan for your life =
(Romans 5:8; 1=20
Corinthians 15:3-6; John 14:6).=20
<P></P>
<LI>Each person must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior =
and=20
Lord; then, and only then, can you know and experience God's =
love and=20
plan for your life (John 1:12; 3:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-9; =
Revelation 3:20).=20
<P></P></LI></OL></I></B>
<P>Do you want to truly celebrate Christ this Christmas? He is =
yours for=20
the asking. To learn more about the true miracle of Christmas, and =
how you=20
can experience this miracle in your life, I encourage you to <A=20
href=3D"http://www.crusade.org/fourlaws/">visit the website of =
Campus=20
Crusade for Christ</A>. If you already know Him, help pass the =
Christmas=20
candle around the world: The basics of Christianity are <A=20
href=3D"http://www.campuscrusade.com/four_laws_online.htm =
">provided in=20
nearly 150 languages</A> on another part of the Campus Crusade for =
Christ=20
website.=20
<P>To each dear reader and friend, I wish you the most meaningful=20
Christmas of your life. May your heart be touched with the =
greatest love=20
the world has every known. Merry Christmas to you and yours.=20
<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT size=3D-2><STRONG>Rebecca Hagelin is a vice =
president of=20
the <A href=3D"http://www.heritage.org/about/">Heritage =
Foundation</A>, a=20
research and educational think-tank whose mission is to =
formulate and=20
promote conservative public policies based on the principles of =
free=20
enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional =
American=20
values and a strong national defense. She is also the former =
vice=20
president of communications for WorldNetDaily and her 60-second =
radio=20
commentaries can be heard on the Salem Communications=20
Network.</STRONG></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
<HR>
<H3>4. <A name=3D4>THE LIGHT THAT HEALS</A></H3>by =
Yishai=20
Fleisher - IsraelNationalNews.com - December 23, 2003=20
<P><FONT color=3D#800000 size=3D+2>T</FONT>his year, Hanukkah in =
Israel seems=20
a bit dispirited. No wonder. After three years of the =
blood-thirsty=20
intifada, the emergence of a massive movement of global =
anti-Semitism, and=20
the painful, on-going rifts amongst the Jewish people coming to a =
head,=20
the celebratory spirit of Hanukkah in Israel is noticeably =
subdued.=20
<P>Post-Zionism has brought to question all the values that Israel =
once=20
held dear. Some Israelis see the whole Zionist enterprise as =
unjust,=20
war-like, and imperialistic. We are no longer the heroic Davidic =
underdog,=20
but rather we are a Goliath-like, conquering war-lord who crushes =
the=20
weak. Our self-image has been damaged by this movement and our =
values have=20
become distorted.=20
<P>Ariel Sharon's speeches leave one with the impression that the=20
Palestinians indeed have a just claim on the land, and that the =
State of=20
Israel has somehow dispossessed the rightful owners. The Supreme =
Court=20
routinely blocks Tzahal (the IDF) from doing what's best for =
Jewish=20
security. The government releases terrorist prisoners and uproots =
Jews=20
from their land. Innocent, G-d fearing Jews are put on trail, =
detained,=20
and harassed by their own country. The system in Israel has =
become, in=20
many ways, anti-Jewish. How can we celebrate the Holiday of Lights =
in this=20
time of darkness?=20
<P>It is exactly at these moments that Hanukkah comes to =
strengthen and=20
encourage us. Unlike most of our holidays, Hanukkah is not about a =
great=20
beginning, a foundation miracle, or a time of atonement. Hanukkah =
is about=20
Tikkun - about fixing a situation that has gone horribly awry. The =
Maccabees faced a time when Judaism itself was being totally =
undermined.=20
Greek Hellenism managed to sway the hearts and minds of Jews away =
from the=20
study of Torah and the precept-centered life to a life preoccupied =
with=20
beauty, secularism, and hedonism. The Temple itself, once a center =
of=20
worship and holiness, became the center of lewdness, depravity and =
lasciviousness. The country-side, which once saw Jews traveling to =
Jerusalem for the three holy pilgrimages, was now made to witness =
the=20
desecration of holy sites, holy objects, and holy days. Many Jews =
threw=20
off the yoke of Heaven and went willingly with the tide of sexual=20
immorality. Others, who refused, were forced to bow to idols on =
pain of=20
death. A great darkness descended on the Land of Israel and it =
seemed that=20
the whole history of the Jewish people was for naught.=20
<P>It was in such a time that the Maccabees revolted. They managed =
to push=20
back the foreign influence in the land; they cleansed the Temple, =
and=20
burned holy oil again on the Menorah. Their victory was as much =
against=20
the Syrian Greeks as it was against the Jews who supported them =
and their=20
culture. And it was indeed miraculous. They were few and weak, but =
they=20
conquered their powerful enemies, and captured the hearts and =
minds of the=20
Jewish people. They put Jewish history back on track.=20
<P>Therefore, we celebrate Hanukkah not only to mark our great =
military=20
victory or to remember the miracle of the long-lasting oil. On =
Hanukkah,=20
we Jews celebrate the strength that G-d gives us to pull ourselves =
out of=20
darkness, to redeem ourselves from epochs when everything seems to =
be=20
going downhill, when all we want to do is to give up, when we have =
no hope=20
because it seems that all is lost and that it is all our fault. =
Hanukkah=20
is about rededication, rebirth, and renewed strength, and it is =
dafka=20
(precisely) now, a time when darkness has set on the Jewish people =
and on=20
the Land of Israel, that Hanukkah has its greatest significance.=20
<P>Today, the message of Hanukkah is that we can overcome the =
powerful=20
external forces that are crashing against us, and we can take back =
the=20
spirit of the Jewish people. With the power of faith in G-d and =
with firm=20
resoluteness for action, we can defeat the sense of defeatism that =
is so=20
prevalent in Israel today, and we can turn this time of dreary =
despondency=20
into a time when Israel shines forth as the greatest light the =
world has=20
ever seen. Israel is the world's sole Spiritual Superpower, and no =
Jew-hating Osama, no blood-loving Arafat, and no anti-Semitic =
Frenchman=20
can ever sully or extinguish the pure light of the Holy Menorah, =
which=20
will one day illuminate the entire world from Jerusalem.=20
<HR>
<H3>5. <A name=3D5>QUOTES AND QUICK NOTES</A></H3>
<H3>UN VICTORY</H3>- The EU has foiled a PLO initiative to =
challenge=20
Israel's credentials at the UN, specifically Israel's right to =
represent=20
the territories, telling Palestinian representatives that =
exploiting the=20
routine votes on country credentials crossed "a red line," at the =
world=20
body. The resolution was due to be voted on by the General =
Assembly on=20
Wednesday, but was withdrawn after vehement objections from the EU =
who=20
regarded it as an attempt to undermine Israel's legitimacy. =
<I>"The=20
Palestinian failure to challenge Israel's credentials is a victory =
for=20
Israeli foreign policy,"</I> Israeli Ambassador Danny Gillerman =
said.=20
<HR>
<H3>6. <A name=3D6>HIGHLIGHT ARTICLES</A></H3>
<UL><FONT size=3D-1><STRONG>
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=3DJPost/JPArticle=
/Printer&cid=3D1072239532625">Terror,=20
trauma and transcendence</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.nationalreview.com/script/printpage.asp?ref=3D/comment=
/marshall200312220001.asp">Bethlehem=20
& Beyond</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.townhall.com/columnists/lindachavez/printlc20031224.sh=
tml">The=20
birth of a child changed the world</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.townhall.com/columnists/benshapiro/printbs20031224.sht=
ml">Why=20
Christianity is good for America -- Part I</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/printaw20031=
223.shtml">Modern=20
Christmas: a celebration of the external</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.townhall.com/columnists/paulgreenberg/printpg20031224.=
shtml">Christmas=20
from the outside</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.canada.com/components/printstory/printstory4.aspx?id=3D=
8d5753ea-07fd-49de-b7ae-9c660a14bce1">Christians:=20
Reclaim your holiday!</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.townhall.com/columnists/markalexander/printma20031223.=
shtml">Christmas=20
alone...</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.nationalreview.com/script/printpage.asp?ref=3D/murdock=
/murdock200312230101.asp">Tolerating=20
Christians</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=
=3D36274">When=20
will Jesus return?</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=
=3D36235">Hanukkah's=20
message not just for Jews</A>=20
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=3D11403">Th=
e=20
Battle for the World's Future </A>
<LI><A=20
=
href=3D"http://christianactionforisrael.org/isreport/novdec03/arafat.html=
">When=20
Arafat Met Jesus</A> <FONT color=3D#4b4549 size=3D-2>For =
the third=20
Christmas under the violence he has orchestrated, Israel has not =
lifted=20
its siege of his battered Ramallah headquarters, effectively =
barring him=20
from playing the role of benevolent ruler in a Palestinian =
Authority=20
Christmas pageant in Bethlehem, a town he has done everything to =
rid of=20
its Christian population.</FONT> </STRONG></FONT></LI></UL>
<HR>
<BLOCKQUOTE><STRONG><FONT size=3D-1>NOTICE: We make EVERY effort =
to insure=20
our newsletter is not received unsolicited. If you don't wish to =
receive=20
this newsletter, please send an email to <A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:newsletter@christianactionforisrael.org">newsletter@christ=
ianactionforisrael.org</A>=20
with "REMOVE" in either the subject or body of your message. =
<I><FONT=20
color=3D#800000>Please ensure the email is sent from the address =
receiving=20
the newsletter!</FONT></I> Thank =
you.</FONT></STRONG></BLOCKQUOTE>We=20
depend ENTIRELY on viewer/reader donations. PLEASE HELP US get the =
truth=20
out about Israel and God's chosen people. All needed info at: <A=20
=
href=3D"http://christianactionforisrael.org/donations.html">http://christ=
ianactionforisrael.org/donations.html</A>=20
<HR>
<B>PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS NEWSLETTER !</B>=20
<P>Send Comments/Suggestions to <A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:newsletter@christianactionforisrael.org">newsletter@christ=
ianactionforisrael.org</A>=20
<P>TO SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE visit <A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/cafi-list">http://www.pa=
irlist.net/mailman/listinfo/cafi-list</A>=20
<HR>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_001_011F_01C3CA20.D43F7A80--
------=_NextPart_000_011E_01C3CA20.D43F7A80
Content-Type: image/jpeg;
name="newsl.jpg"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <011c01c3ca4a$bd0c5ac0$2ad02b18@hnsn.phub.net.cable.rogers.com>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------=_NextPart_000_011E_01C3CA20.D43F7A80
Content-Type: image/jpeg;
name="snow-background.jpg"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <011d01c3ca4a$bd0c5ac0$2ad02b18@hnsn.phub.net.cable.rogers.com>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=
------=_NextPart_000_011E_01C3CA20.D43F7A80--