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December 6, 2002/Tevet 1 5763, Vol. 55, No. 15
Letters to the EditorDecember 6, 2002
Reader outraged by Messianic rabbiEditor:I read Beth Olson's article about the Messianic rabbi ("Messianic rabbi serves Trinity Hospice," Jewish News, Nov. 22) and am shocked and upset that this is going on. I feel the local rabbinical council should correct the situation at once. I'm sure that there are Jews who are getting funeral service from this rabbi and do not even know he is a believer in Jesus. An arrangement should be made with Trinity Hospice for the families of those about to die to be able to talk with a rabbi. A real Jewish funeral should be made available, as opposed to a service by a Messianic rabbi who does not follow the laws of Judaism. G. Bressler Chandler Messianic rabbi defends his effortsEditor:In last week's Jewish News, a local rabbi made comments in regard to your article, "Messianic Rabbi serves Trinity Hospice," intimating that I am trying to "convert" Jews to Christianity. ("Counteract missionary efforts," Jewish News, Nov. 29) As your article quoted me saying, "this chaplain honors the spiritual wishes of every family, whatever faith they practice." Had I been trying to convert anyone, your article would not have ended by saying, "Goldbleck said he is not aware of any complaints to Trinity Hospice about Zimmerman." More disturbing is that this rabbi and others seem to think I am no longer Jewish because of my belief in Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised messiah of Israel. And while I can back up the legitimacy of my belief from Tanach, they continually refrain from providing any scriptural basis for their claims. Further, one's messianic belief is not a barometer for Judaism. This is why the rabbis continue to esteem Rabbi Akiva, even though the messiah he believed in, Bar Kochba, was false. The rabbi who wrote the letter emphasized the need for Jewish education on all levels. I agree. I invite him to take the first step and educate all of us from God's word in Tanach, to back up his claims. Messianic Rabbi Jack Zimmerman Scottsdale
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