Enlightening the Minister Who Said Jews Are Blind

Enlightening the Minister Who Said Jews Are Blind

Enlightening the Minister Who Said Jews Are Blind Shortly after moving to California, I was contacted by Herb, an older Jewish man whom a Baptist minister had befriended. Herb invited the minister to his home to speak with his friends and family, and he asked me to present the Jewish point of view. The discussion lasted several hours, and I was able to refute the minister’s prooftexts to the satisfaction of everyone in attendance. However, the minister became frustrated and blurted out, “Rabbi
Torah portion Vayakhel-Pekudei Blind
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Demystifying the Paradox of Animal Sacrifices

Demystifying the Paradox of Animal Sacrifices

Demystifying the Paradox of Animal Sacrifices I often recall the stories my father and grandfather told me about fighting in the World Wars. Their experiences taught me that “sacrifice” means the willingness to put your life on the line to help others. To this day, I adhere to this belief and salute their bravery. However, when I discuss the Bible, the word “sacrifice” has a different connotation, one I never thought about when I was young. I knew Judaism rejected human sacrifices. That was s
Torah portion Vayikra sacrifices
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
The Jewish Soldier Who Refused to Kneel to The Pope

The Jewish Soldier Who Refused to Kneel to The Pope

The Jewish Soldier Who Refused to Kneel to The Pope This week marks the anniversary of the passing of my father Morris Kravitz (Moshe ben Avraham), of blessed memory.  He was born in 1921 and passed away in 1988 on the 24thof Nisan 5748.  My father cherished family and Judaism. During World War II, Master Sergeant Morris (Moe) Kravitz fought bravely in the North African campaign in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy. Before making his way to Rome for a much-needed leave, his fellow
Torah portion Shemini kosher
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Israeli Missionaries Distort a Rabbi’s Words

Israeli Missionaries Distort a Rabbi’s Words

Israeli Missionaries Distort a Rabbi’s Words When we were expecting our first child, my wife and I were ecstatic. Our joy turned to concern when my wife went into labor ten weeks before her due date. After checking with our doctor, we rushed to the emergency room. For 24 hours, the doctors tried to stop the premature labor. When this was unsuccessful, they gave us the bad news. An ultrasound confirmed that the baby was in breech [feet first] position, the umbilical cord was wrapped around the
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
She Cried When He Said Her Parents Are in Hell

She Cried When He Said Her Parents Are in Hell

She Cried When He Said Her Parents Are in Hell Sarah grew up in Brooklyn, surrounded by Jewish friends and family. Her parents were highly educated, and, although the family was not religious, they were proud Jews. When Sarah encountered a Jew who believed in Jesus, she was skeptical at first, but she was drawn to the love and acceptance her new friend provided. For years, she read the Bible, attended church, and considered herself more Jewish than the religious Jews from her old neighborhood
Torah portion Acharei Mos blood
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
If Rabbis Can Marry Why Can’t Priests?

If Rabbis Can Marry Why Can’t Priests?

If Rabbis Can Marry Why Can’t Priests? When I was in high school, “Coffee Houses” were popular, but they were not a cafe, and they weren’t even about coffee.  They were social gatherings where young people would talk, enjoy music, and stay out of trouble. The first coffee house I attended met in the basement of a church. Although these were not religious events, I somehow ended up in a dialogue with a priest.  While he talked to me about Jesus, I wanted to know why the church did not allow pr
Torah portion Emor priests
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
He Screamed, “You’re Not a Jew Anymore!”

He Screamed, “You’re Not a Jew Anymore!”

He Screamed, “You’re Not a Jew Anymore!” A number of years ago, I went to the Hollywood Bowl to hear violinist Itzhak Perlman. Walking from the parking lot to my seat, I heard someone nearby scream, “You’re not a Jew anymore!” I looked around and discovered the recipient of the verbal attack. It was a young woman in a “Jews for Jesus” t-shirt distributing missionary literature. Harsh comments and aggressive confrontations can be painful and counterproductive. I prefer to speak kindly and encou
Torah portion Behar-Bechukosai not a jew anymore
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
An Israeli “Messianic Jew” Discovers Real Truth

An Israeli “Messianic Jew” Discovers Real Truth

An Israeli “Messianic Jew” Discovers  Real Truth On a hot summer day in Jerusalem, I noticed a young man wearing a t-shirt with the Hebrew words [יהודי משיחי] in bright letters. These words are pronounced “Yehudi Meshichi” and mean “Messianic Jew”; that is, a Jewish believer in Christianity. I approached this man, and he told me his name was Avi. When I asked about the shirt, he explained that he was raised a secular Israeli and considered religious Jews to be hypocrites. While working through
Torah portion Bamidbar Genesis 48
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz