My maternal grandfather was born in Italy in 1879. I don’t know where in Italy, I was told he would always say “in the mountains”. Italy is full of mountains, but I suspected Tuscany and when I had my DNA checked a few years ago, yes, I did have Tuscan Italian DNA. He was orphaned at a very young age. He was taken in by a Jewish family, who treated him like a son and taught him their family trade of tailoring. He was Roman Catholic. When he was about 12, they brought him with them when they emigrated to America. If it were not for these people obeying God’s rule for them to “take care of the orphan” I would not be writing this. He died at 27 from pneumonia, so I never met him.
When we moved into our house (I was about 8 then), we lived in the Elmora section of Elizabeth NJ. That neighborhood then was about 90% Jewish. I had Jewish friends, swam at the YMHA, and dated Jewish boys when I got older. Wonderful times.
I pray that the current upsurge in ant-Semitism will go away.
I despise it more than words can say.
God bless everybody
Patty
That’s quite a story.
I have never, personally, understood antisemitism. I think that the roots are deep and, in a sense, a matter of spiritual conflict, but it is conflict that should never have existed.
In my Minneapolis years, I was around a fair number of Jewish people, and always got along with them. They didn’t want to hear about Jesus, which was their prerogative, and I respected that. Most of them had a good sense of humor and could laugh at themselves. Many were honest, kind people, and it pays to remember that many of these people had distant relatives who were lost during WW II, so they hve seen life in a serious way.
Modern Israel is not ancient Israel and is, in great part a secular society, although there are many devout practitioners of Judaism among their numbers. While I believe that the Law of Moses was superseded by the New Covenant, I respect their choice and take comfort from the words of Romans 11, where it is made clear that God has not forgotten these people. That entire chapter is worth reading, because it speaks to the rest of us, too.
In my career, I’ve worked with people from many backgrounds, and had to find balance in dealing with Christians, Jewish persons, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and persons who rejected even the idea of a Creator. While I want to spread the Good News wherever I can, I also realize that I cannot, and should not, push this upon persons whom choose to believe otherwise. Even if we don’t agree with the beliefs of others, it’s important to respect their right to make choices about their beliefs, and leave the door open if they want to learn more about Christ, and the God of the Bible.
My husband and I stand with you, Patty! God does not go back on His covenants and promises. Praise God!!!
Amen.