Ultra-Orthodox Jews Experiencing 'Spiritual Meltdown of Historic Proportions' and Turning to Jesus, Report Claims
Analysis from a news portal on the Messianic Jewish community in Israel has claimed that some in the Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, who are often opposed to Jewish people turning to Jesus Christ, are experiencing a "spiritual meltdown of historic proportions" and are reexamining their beliefs.
"It would appear that the haredi community is quietly experiencing a spiritual meltdown of historic proportions. These people, who literally spend all their waking hours in Torah learning, are so starved for the real Word of the LORD that hundreds are willing to read 'forbidden' material in order to find Him," Kehila News reported, reflecting on a Hebrew-language article published earlier in June on MyNet, the city of Petach Tikva's news site.
Kehila News said that the article serves as a warning to citizens in the city to "beware of the propaganda" being distributed by Messianic groups, which is a common complaint by the haredi against Jesus-believing Jewish people.
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The news portal argued that in part, the article is nothing special, as it makes the same accusations against the Messianic community as it does every year, namely that Jesus followers are practicing deceit by embracing Jewish customs, that their leaders are motivated by lucrative salaries, that they recruit new believers through entrapment, and indoctrinate minors to leave the Jewish faith.
Christians and Jewish followers of Christ are often accused of such actions by the haredi, which has also led to legislation seeking to supress religious freedom. In June 2015 it was announced that the Jerusalem Municipality has been obliged to consult with the city's Rabbis before allowing Christians to host events in the city, fearful of gatherings that would see to convince Jews to follow Jesus.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews have protested Christian gatherings on many other occasions as well, including an instance in May 2014 where they grouped at the site of the Last Supper near Jerusalem ahead of Pope Francis' visit at the time, arguing that the presence of Christians violates their beliefs.
Later, the MyNet article takes a turn, however, as it suggests that Messianic Jews might be good for the nation, and positioned that followers of Christ may have more to fear from the haredim than vice versa.
The article seemingly admits, Kehila News stated, that material about Jesus is drawing in hundreds of new adherents from the haredi community, which is supposed to be strongly opposed to missionary efforts.
The report argued that the admission is remarkable, as anti-missionary publications always dismiss Jews who turn to Jesus as people who have been alienated by their Jewish heritage, or who are ignorant of the Jewish Bible.
Kehila News added: "A few Israeli believers were asked by MyNet if they understood why the ultra-orthodox are so hostile toward us. Their answers focused on what the haredim think of us, ranging from the perception that they 'sometimes come to accept us after they get to know us' … to the conviction that 'they are against us no matter what we do.'"
The news portal reflected that the "real reason" behind anti-missionary panic in Petach Tikva is that the "Messiah is so powerfully reaching those of our people who have lived all their lives 'behind the Torah Curtain,'" that even the haredi are recognizing the truth now.
