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March 15, 2007
Pastor John Hagee's Torah Way
By Fern Sidman
As the three day 2007 AIPAC policy conference held in Washington, DC came to a close yesterday, the nation's most powerful Israeli lobby sent a clear message to Washington, Iran and the world. "Tighten the screws on Iran" was the call of the day, as the Iranian nuclear buildup dominated the agenda of the 5500 member conference.
AIPAC activists from around the country engaged in some five-hundred meetings with members of Congress and their staffs, and pushed for the passage of new legislation tightening US sanctions on Iran in an effort to thwart its nuclear program. The bill, sponsored by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos (D.) of California, would expand the types of investment subject to sanctions, eliminate the president's ability to waive sanctions for foreign oil companies and end all imports from Iran, among other measures.
AIPAC members also sought support for two letters—one circulating among senators to be sent to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the other drafted by representatives for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana—holding a firm line against the new Palestinian unity government. Both letters call for the continued suspension of aid to the Palestinian Authority so long as the planned Hamas-Fatah government fails to adhere to the three international demands of recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and accepting previous agreements.
Vice-President Dick Cheney addressed the AIPAC conference in the cavernous halls of the Washington Convention Center and called on American Jewish support for a continued American military presence in Iraq. He intimated that calls on Washington to take an aggressive lead in challenging the bellicose rhetoric directed at Israel by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the buildup of his nuclear arsenal could only be implemented if the pro-Israel lobby threw their complete support behind the Bush administration's policy of remaining militarily engaged in Iraq.
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the conference and called on American companies to divest from Iranian interests. He also warned that Ahmadinejad was preparing the ground for a second genocide of the Jewish people. According to a report by Arutz Sheva news service of 3/13/07, Netanyahu said, "The key is genocide. Do we want to mobilize the world against Iran? The answer is yes, just as we should have mobilized the world against Hitler in the previous century."
Other Israeli and American officials addressed the conference as well and spoke of the Iranian threat, yet the real shining star of AIPAC 2007, was Baptist Evangelical Pastor John Hagee who brought the house down in his fire and brimstone appeal for support for Israel.
During the course of his speech, Pastor Hagee received a number of standing ovations as he issued a clear and personal warning to President Ahmadinejad not to threaten America or Israel. He told the audience that 50 million Christian Zionists are stalwart supporters of Israel and would stand behind her.
Pastor Hagee was one of the few speakers that actually mentioned G-d and the Bible in his speech and drew Biblical parallels to those who sought to annihilate the Jewish people, but who in the end were destroyed by the hand of G-d.
Speaking of Pharaoh in Egypt he said that he "became fish food in the Red Sea" when he attempted to pursue the Jews who had just been liberated from Egypt after hundreds of years of bondage.
Pastor Hagee also made reference to Haman in Persia which he said was modern day Iran and how his nefarious plot to have Mordechai hanged on the gallows turned right back around at him and it was Haman who in the end would be hanged. He warned all those enemies of the Jewish people to think twice before attempting to obliterate G-d's chosen people.
Despite the fact that Pastor Hagee's speech was met with an enthusiastic reception by the AIPAC membership, when the Pastor said that there is "the Torah way and then the wrong way", that remark only drew a mild and at best lukewarm response from the audience.
It appears that Pastor Hagee was one of the few people at the conference that actually embraced the teachings of the Torah. He then led the audience in a rousing chant of "Israel Lives" and promised the AIPAC members that Israel and the Jewish people would never be alone.
It is clear that Pastor Hagee was the shining star at the AIPAC convention. This is a man who is not afraid to intone the name of G-d, to boldly and courageously call the enemies of the Jewish people, evil.
This is a man who embraces G-d's word and reveres the Torah.
The AIPAC membership and the Jewish people can learn a most valuable and important lesson from Pastor Hagee.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at March 15, 2007 12:21 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Wow, I can't tell you how weird it was to see my name on Robert's blog. A fellow Fern!!! And she works for AIPAC no less!
Posted by: Fern R at March 15, 2007 07:04 PM
Fern: For fans of E.B. White, your name is already a byword. (but not a hissing)
Posted by: kishke at March 15, 2007 07:13 PM
Fern:
What can we say, we have a thing for Ferns :)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 15, 2007 07:25 PM
Kishke--Perhaps there will be a resurgence in the popularity of my name now that Charlotte's Web was made into a movie.
Robert--Sorry for hijacking this post. :-) Have you noticed that almost all Ferns are Jewish, even though Fern is not a traditionally Jewish name?
Posted by: Fern R at March 15, 2007 08:48 PM
Fern:
You can hijack our posts anytime you want, you are after all, a Fern.
I have never met a woman named Fern who is not Jewish and who is not awesome.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 15, 2007 09:17 PM
I am glad you are writing about Pastor Hagee, Robert. I find the mistrust and opprobrium meted out by some Jews and Jewish groups towards Christian Zionists to be...well...dumb.
We shouldn't question their motives. I find it ironic that some of the Jews who worry most about the Christian Zionists and their motives are the ones that least worry about intermarriage, which is infinitely more a problem than conversion attempts by the Christian community.
We also worry that some Christians want us to move back to Israel so we can be killed in some Armaggedon scenario to bring about the end-of-days. Yep, that's what I am going to worry about right now, an eschatology that has to have all Jews move to Eretz Yisrael. Ain't gonna happen, but I just don't get the vibes from my Christian Zionist friends that I should pack my bags and be on the next plane (not that it would be a bad thing!).
These kinds of worries are ludicrous. In the meantime, there are these millions of committed, Israel-loving people and we should be applauding and making alliance with these folks.
It galls me that we are SO suspicious. I don't mean we should be naive or stupid, but the Christian Zionists are often more committed and more passionate about their love of Israel, and are willing to put forth money and effort and political punch into efforts on Israel's behalf, than many Jews are.
Thirty years ago, I graduated from medical school, and they had the ceremony in the auditorium of a Christian denomination near Kansas City, where I had gone to school. I was quite happy to skip the ceremony, but my parents...well...but it was on Shabbos, and the location was not in walking distance of any motels.
A local rabbi we were friends with put us in touch with the 'president' of this church, who gave up his house for the weekend to "go fishing", so my family could stay there, and we could walk the block or so to the ceremony.
We walked in the house on Friday afternoon...and there were posters of Chassidim on motorcycles, tsitsis flying behind, taken in Yerushalayim, beautiful pictures of the Kotel, and many other locations in Israel. It had more Jewish feel than some Jewish homes I have been in.
This man was a true lover of Israel. I have no idea why, what his motives were...but I do know he did NOT leave any literature out about conversion nor did he ask to talk to us about any religious matters. He did tell us where to find things in the house like pillow cases and the suchlike, and about the kind of fish he was seeking.
We have a common bond with Christian Zionists. We are ZIONISTS. Yes, we have differences, SO WHAT? We can be aware of those, but still work together, and I am glad you are bringing this up.
Posted by: Maurice at March 15, 2007 11:03 PM
Hello, I peek in at times.
Pastor Hagee is a hoot ;-) I've listened to him and he surely stirs an audience. I don't agree with all his interpretations. But I do about supporting Israel.
The point about end-times regarding him and many others. You're right. I don't think they try conversion. They leave it in G_d's hands.
Their love for Israel enters through the words of Yeshua and his disciples. This happened to me. In fact, this happens to most(I think) who fully study His words, because Yeshua points back to Torah, the Prophets, Psalms and Israel. You end up reading the Torah. And Paul(or Shaul) mentions how we are to be mindful of Jews as elder brothers despite disagreements. In fact, there's a very strong warning to gentiles 'born again' or grafted into the tree, not to be arrogant or spiteful. That God loves his people. Many do not know this.
Well, I'm rambling on. But desired to concur, you have friends who love you, love our Creator, love Israel. I hope to go one day. And to know more in the future of Jewish core beliefs. We as Christians can learn so much from you.
So, I pray for peace of Yerushalyim.
ps. I stopped by for another reason, but this sidetracked me. I want to run an idea past Mr. Avrech. A way to get positive and heroic stories of our soldiers onto the movie screen. Its quite daring and challenging I think with a natural PR mechanism built in. Going against the status quo we currently see, but appealing to a mass audience. But now I'm nervous and want to think how to present it best :) so, I'll write it up later.
Posted by: Michael at March 16, 2007 04:10 AM
Maurice:
Thanks so much for writing and for your fascinating backstory.
I too find that the Jews who warn and worry about Christian Zionism are often the ones who are the most assimilated, and usually have little day to day connection with Torah Judaism.
I have never felt threatened by Christians or Christian eschatology, and welcome Christian support in the warmest terms. We are natural allies, especially in these perilous times when so much of the Islamic world is bent on our annihilation.
We should all thank Seraphic Correspondent Fern Sidman for her fine article. And of course, Pastor Hagee for his magnificent support and work. He should be an inspiration to all.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 16, 2007 05:50 AM
Michael:
Thanks for the lovely ramble. As for a positive and heroic movie about our soldiers, I'm on it.
Stay in touch.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 16, 2007 05:52 AM
Hi Fern R and others posting their comments. Thank you for your kind words concerning my article on Pastor Hagee. If anyone is interested in following his pro-Israel activities you can go to his web site, Christians United For Israel at:
He is planning a Washington Israel Summit on July 16 -19, 2006. A Christian version on AIPAC.
Also, to Fern R, it's always nice to know that there are other Ferns out there.
Posted by: FERN SIDMAN at March 16, 2007 09:06 AM
Fern S--Do you by chance know a Henry Butler from the Brookings Institute (he's also a professor at Chapman University in California). He told me recently that he met a Fern in Washington D.C. I wonder if it was you?
Posted by: Fern R at March 16, 2007 10:35 AM
Hi Fern R:
Wishing you a Good Shabbos. No, I'm sorry I did not meet a Henry Butler in Washington, DC. The good news is that there are more Ferns out there than you or I even imagined.
Posted by: FERN SIDMAN at March 16, 2007 11:21 AM
I find something more tragic than the assimilation of the Jews who are so frightened by Evangelical Christians! Consider how they are aligned with the leftist movements from which most of today's anti-semitism and anti-Zionism is coming! Whose policies are better for Israel and Jews, the Evangelicals, or the Presbyterian Church, the ACLU, (Neturai)Carter or today's feminist movement?
Posted by: Jac at March 16, 2007 11:50 AM
Jac:
Nothing to add, nothing to subtract. Perfect, just perfect.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 16, 2007 12:10 PM
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Posted by: DEbra L DellaPenna at July 25, 2007 04:29 AM