| << Previous | || | Home | || | Next >> |
01/09/08: Do Not Equate Karaism with Zionism
Abraham Collier is in no way associated with peshat.com.
Do Not Equate Karaism with Zionism
by Abraham Collier
Introduction
The anti-Zionist organisations such as True Torah Jews, Jews Against Zionism, and Neturei Karta are 100% correct in their assessment of Zionist history, motives, and politics. They are 100% correct in their feelings toward the State of Israel and the inherent dangers that plague all Jews, Zionist or not, because of Israel's policies and "peace" negotiations. They are 100% correct in stating that the State of Israel is a secular apostasy and pseudo democracy that is ungodly in every way.
I am writing today because I read a True Torah Jews brochure entitled, 'On This Day of Independence from Zionism' and am concerned with how the organisation quoted a Rabbanite scholar who equated the Karaites with Zionism. I disagree with this rabbi and True Torah Jew's use of this material. I am worried about the implications the quote may have in regards to the views of Jews, ****ians, Muslims, and secularists, who, regardless of their favour or dislike for Zionism, toward Karaites. There is already a significant amount of ignorance and misinformation about Karaites from orthodox Rabbanite sources and to equate us to Zionism is quite distasteful and misleading.
The Quote
"The Jewish people have suffered many plagues: the Sadducees, Karaites, Hellenisers, Shabbasai Zvi, Haskalah, Reform and many others. But the strongest of them all is Zionism." (Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik, Mishkenos Haro'im, p. 269)
Any novice student of Jewish history recognises each of these movements as heretical in the eyes of Orthodox Rabbanite Judaism. Please note that I am not implying in favour of any of these groups, with the exception of Karaism seeing that I lean towards Karaite beliefs myself.
It is of necessity to remind you that the Pharisees, who are the ancestors of the Rabbanites, were the enemies of all Judaism during the Second Temple Era. Once this is understood, you will see how Rabbanite Judaism is the true plague that maladies the Jews.
The Pharisee and Sadducee Controversy
When one studies the Second Temple Era, they are usually overwhelmed by the contradictions, obscurities, and blatant bias that many historians, philosophers, clergymen and rabbis had towards the Jews at that time. Josephus, he is probably the best source for knowledge of this period, states:
"...while some men who were not concerned in the affairs themselves have gotten together vain and contradictory stories by hearsay, and have written them down after a sophistical manner; and while those that were there present have given false accounts of things, and this either out of a humor of flattery to the Romans, or of hatred towards the Jews..." (Josephus War. Preface 1 Ch Line 2)
People should take established legend and tradition with a grain of salt. For whosoever is the victor writes the history of the victim!
Contrary to popular opinion, the Pharisee sect was the main enemy of Judaism in the Second Temple era. The Sadducees comprised of the majority of all Jews. Additionally, there was a tiny Hellenistic Sadducee sect that controlled the priesthood and conspired with the Pharisees. The Pharisees and Hellenistic Sadducees also collaborated with the Roman Empire in order to obtain religious and political power over the Jews in Palestine at the time.
Regarding the Pharisees, the historian Josephus, himself a Pharisee, stated, 'What I would now explain is this, that the Pharisees have delivered to the people a great many observances by succession from their fathers (not by Yahweh, but by men), which are not written in the laws of Moses; and for that reason it is that the Sadducees reject them, and say that we are to esteem those observances to be obligatory which are in the written word, but are not to observe what are derived from the tradition of our forefathers.' (Josephus Ant. 13 Ch. 10 Par. 6)
We see here that the Pharisees followed numerous observances based upon traditions from their ancestors whereas the Sadducees were characterized their rejection the oral law/Talmud.
The Pharisee sympathizer Queen Alexandra (76-67 b.c.e) was recorded to have done the following:
"So she (Alexandra) made Hyrcanus high priest, because he was the elder, but much more because he cared not to meddle with politics, and permitted the Pharisees to do every thing; to whom also she ordered the multitude to be obedient. She also restored again those practices which the Pharisees had introduced, according to the traditions of their forefathers, and which her father-in-law, Hyrkanos, had abrogated. So she had indeed the name of the regent, but the Pharisees had the authority; for it was they who restored such as had been banished, and set such as were prisoners at liberty, and, to say all at once, they differed in nothing from lords." (Josephus Ant. 13 Ch. 16 Par. 2)
I underscored an important phrase. The queen had to force the multitude to be obedient to Pharisee rule that included the innovation of an oral law (not yet called Talmud but simply 'the traditions of the fathers') and Roman sympathy. All of this was done after the death of John Hyrkanos (134-104 b.c.e.) the second Hasmonean king and father of Alexander Yannai. Hyrkanos and his father were Sadducees, even though Hyrkanos turned a blind eye to Pharisee control. The passage quoted implies that that the multitudes (i.e. majority) of the Jewish population were Sadducees and detested an additional Torah and Roman collaboration. Another inference made here is that the Pharisees were established not by popular opinion, but by dictatorial decree! Hardly the 'party of the people' or 'populist party!' The Pharisees became the Establishment and to go against the Establishment meant certain death.
At the time of the Idumean/Arab/Hellenistic puppet king Herod, Josephus writes how the king favoured the Pharisees because they supported his Roman sanctioned ruler ship:
"And since Herod had now the government of all Judea put into his hands, he promoted such of the private men in the city as had been of his party, but never left off avenging and punishing every day those that had chosen to be of the party of his enemies. But Pollio the Pharisee, and Sameas, a disciple of his, were honored by him above all the rest; for when Jerusalem was besieged, they advised the citizens to receive Herod, for which advice they were well requited." (Josephus Ant. 15 Ch. 1 Par. 1)
Plainly stated, the Pharisees were pro-Roman, anti-Nationalist. They enjoyed the privileged life of religious and political domination of Judea bestowed upon them by Herod in return for their loyalty. This was against the will of the people which is why in this unstable period, we read of Revolutionaries and Zealots who made war against the Pharisee establishment and Roman occupation.
More proof that the multitude leaned to the Sadducee side: "Now Hyrcanus (a Sadducean Pharisaic sympathizer) was heir to the kingdom, and to him did his mother (Queen Alexandra) commit it before she died; but Aristobulus (a Sadducee) was superior to him in power and magnanimity; and when there was a battle between them, to decide the dispute about the kingdom, near Jericho, the greatest part deserted Hyrcanus, and went over to Aristobulus; but Hyrcanus, with those of his party who remained with him, fled to Antonia, and got into his power the hostages that might he for his preservation; but they came to an agreement before things should come to extremities, that Aristobulus should be king, and Hyrcanus should resign that up, but retain all the rest of his dignities, as being the king's brother. Hereupon they were reconciled to each other in the temple, and embraced one another in a very kind manner, while the people stood round about them; they also changed their houses (residencies), while Aristobulus went to the royal palace, and Hyrcanus retired to the house of Aristobulus." (Josephus War. 1 Ch. 6 Par. 1)
Wouldn't it seem strange that if the multitude followed the Pharisees, that they would support a Sadducean dynasty en masse? Unfortunately, Aristobulus made a mistake by letting Hyrcanus live. Read on.
Josephus gives us further proof that the people supported the Sadducees and that the Pharisees were pro-Roman. What you are about to read is a horrific description about Pompey's war against Jerusalem in the initial stages of Roman occupation of Palestine and well as a bloody coup d'etat of the Pharisees against the priests and Jews in Jerusalem.
"At this treatment Pompey was very angry, and took Aristobulus (Sadducee) into custody. And when he was come to the city, he looked about where he might make his attack; for he saw the walls were so firm, that it would be hard to overcome them; and that the valley before the walls was terrible; and that the temple, which was within that valley, was itself encompassed with a very strong wall, insomuch that if the city were taken, that temple would be a second place of refuge for the enemy to retire to."
"Now as he was long in deliberating about this matter, a sedition arose among the people within the city; Aristobulus's (Sadducee) party being willing to fight, and to set their king (Aristobulus) at liberty, while the party of Hyrcanus (Sadducean Pharisee sympathizer) were for opening the gates to Pompey."
We see here a clear distinction between the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducee majority pledged to battle Rome and free Aristobulus, while the Pharisee collaborators literally opened the gates of Jerusalem to Rome. Continuing:
"So Aristobulus's party (Sadducees) was worsted, and retired into the temple, and cut off the communication between the temple and the city, by breaking down the bridge that joined them together, and prepared to make an opposition to the utmost (to the death!); but as the others (the Pharisees) had received the Romans into the city, and had delivered up the palace to him (Pompey)- he then disposed all things that were round about them so as might favor their attacks, as having Hyrcanus's (Sadducean Pharisee sympathizers) party very ready to afford them both counsel and assistance."
"Now here it was that, upon the many hardships which the Romans underwent (here Josephus, being a biased pro-Roman Pharisee, marvels at how difficult it was for the sensitive Roman legions to slaughter Jews in the Temple) Pompey could not but admire not only at the other instances of the Jews' fortitude, but especially that they did not at all intermit their religious services, even when they were encompassed with darts on all sides; for, as if the city were in full peace, their daily sacrifices and purifications, and every branch of their religious worship, was still performed to God with the utmost exactness. Nor indeed when the temple was actually taken, and they were every day slain about the altar, did they leave off the instances of their Divine worship that were appointed by their law (note ONE law = ONE Torah); for it was in the third month of the siege before the Romans could even with great difficulty overthrow one of the towers, and get into the temple."
Here the Pharisees allowed the Romans to enter, besiege the temple with a multitude of Sadducee warriors and priests therein- who represented ONE Torah and the majority of Jews at that time. Continuing:
"And now did many of the priests (Sadducees), even when they saw their enemies (Roman and Pharisee) assailing them with swords in their hands, without any disturbance, go on with their Divine worship, and were slain while they were offering their drink-offerings, and burning their incense, as preferring the duties about their worship to God before their own preservation. The greatest part of them were slain by their own countrymen (Pharisees), of the adverse faction, and an innumerable multitude threw themselves down precipices; nay, some there were who were so distracted among the insuperable difficulties they were under, that they set fire to the buildings that were near to the wall, and were burnt together with them. Now of the Jews were slain twelve thousand; but of the Romans very few were slain, but a greater number was wounded."
Thus blatant Pharisee involvement in the murder of priests, spilling their blood and desecrating the temple grounds. Continuing:
"But there was nothing that affected the nation so much, in the calamities they were then under, as that their holy place, which had been hitherto seen by none, should be laid open to strangers (pagan Geniles and non-priests); for Pompey, and those that were about him, went into the temple itself whither it was not lawful for any to enter but the high priest, Moreover, he made Hyrcanus (Sadducean Pharisee sympathizer) high priest, as one that not only in other respects had showed great alacrity, on his side, during the siege, but as he had been the means of hindering the multitude (Sadducees) that was in the country from fighting for Aristobulus (Sadducee), which they were otherwise very ready to have done (presumably because Hyrcanus, as a born Sadducee, was able to manipulate Aristobulus' supporters through some type of deceit)." (Josephus War. 1 Ch. 7 Par. 1-2,4-6)
Mull over the tragic significance of this event! Though Hyrcanus was a born Sadducee, he was a Pharisee sympathizer. The making of him high priest started the creation of a Sadducean aristocracy that was loyal and accommodating to Rome. At this point, we have two Sadducee groups- one that controlled the high priesthood and were Hellenistic, aristocratic Roman collaborators, and the other that was the anti-Roman, Nationalistic party of the majority. From this latter majority, what I call the 'Purist Sadducees' came forth the famous Revolutionary sects such as the Zealots and also, according to some authors, the Essenes, Nazarenes and others.
Later during the Great Revolt against Rome (66-73 c.e.) we see that the Pharisees remained the Establishment and supported Rome, seeking to kill the Sadducee uprising in its many forms in order to secure their power:
"Hereupon the men of power got together, and conferred with the high priests (Hellenistic Sadducees), as did also the principal of the Pharisees (who now ruled the religious courts); and thinking all was at stake, and that their calamities were becoming incurable (because of the Purist Sadducee majority), took counsel what was to be done. Accordingly, they determined to try what they could do with the seditious by words (it was at this time that the many different messianic Sadducee movements were preaching against the Establishment and calling for the Final Redemption), and assembled the people before the brazen gate, which was that gate of the inner temple which looked toward the sun-rising. And, in the first place, they showed the great indignation they had at this attempt for a revolt, and for their bringing so great a war upon their country; after which they confuted their pretence as unjustifiable."
"So the men of power (Pharisees) perceiving that the sedition was too hard for them to subdue (because it was the majority belief), and that the danger which would arise from the Romans would come upon them first of all (upon the Pharisees that is, for failing to end the Sadducee sedition and rebellion) endeavored to save themselves, and sent ambassadors, some to Florus, the chief of which was Simon the son of Ananias (Hellenistic Sadducee); and others to Agrippa, among whom the most eminent were Saul, and Antipas, and Costobarus, who were of the king's kindred; and they desired of them both that they would come with an army to the city, and cut off the seditious before it should be too hard to be subdued."
"Upon this the men of power (Pharisees), with the high priests, as also all the part of the multitude that were desirous of peace, took courage, and seized upon the upper city (Mount Zion) for the seditious part had the lower city and the temple in their power (the Sadducee multitude composed of the most of the city and lay priests in the temple); so they made use of stones and slings perpetually against one another, and threw darts continually on both sides; and sometimes it happened that they made incursions by troops, and fought it out hand to hand, while the seditious were superior in boldness, but the king's soldiers in skill. These last (Pharisees) strove chiefly to gain the temple, and to drive those out of it who profaned it (Pharisees and Hellenistic Sadducees); as did the seditious, with Eleazar, besides what they had already, labor to gain the upper city. Thus were there perpetual slaughters on both sides for seven days' time; but neither side would yield up the parts they had seized on." (Josephus War. 2 Ch. 17 Par. 3-5)
We see here that the Pharisees could not silence the people's rebellion, and, for fear of their own lives and power, they petitioned Agrippa (a Roman collaborating Jewish king) to send Roman troops to silence the Uprising.
When the Temple and Jerusalem fell, the Romans handed all political and religious power to the Pharisees at which point the Pharisees had a great deal of autonomy over the Jewish population in Palestine and abroad. From then on, the Pharisees were enforcing their additional Torah, known as the Talmud or Oral Law over the Jewish populace. To go against the will of the Pharisees was to go against Rome. And similarly, once we get to the emergence of the Karaite sect in the Middle East in the 8th century, to go against the Pharisaical **** Rabbanite authorities was to go against Islam.
The Roman transfer of Jewish control to the Pharisees now Rabbanites was finalized after the final Jewish revolt by Bar Kokhba in 135 b.c.e. In doing so, the Rabbanites had full control of the writing (or re-writing if you will) of the crucial political and religious history of Palestine during Roman occupation. The Pharisees were free to reinterpret the history and facts about the Sadducees, Romans, Zealots, and Revolutionaries according to their own theology and political biases in retrospect and place them in the Talmud and commentaries. Having established seminaries and academies, training of a new generation of Pharisee rabbis, the canonization and writing down of the traditions of the fathers (Talmud), and the dictatorial imposing of their once tiny sect upon the rest of Judaism, the Pharisees now Rabbanites secured their longtime lust to control every aspect of Jewish life.
The results of a Pharisaic control of Judaism effectively produced "establishment Judaism" which we now call Orthodox Judaism. And to 99% of the world, this expression of Judaism, with its traditions and Talmud is what most consider to be Judaism. Thus "mainstream" or "true" Judaism for nearly 2000 years was, in the eyes of the majority, Orthodox Rabbanite Judaism.
The Implications of Pharisaic/Rabbanite Control on Messianism, Redemption and Modern Day Zionism
Throughout history the Rabbanites knew that disclosure of their part in Jewish betrayal and Hellenic/Roman collaboration would leave their reputation and authority waning. Also, any attempt at a Messianic uprising would prove dangerous not just to the Jewish population, but to the rule of the Rabbanites themselves. And therefore one of the most powerful and long lasting implications of Pharisaic/Rabbanite control of Judaism was its ability to downplay and reject most forms of messianic/nationalistic hopes on part of the Jewish population. I have included some important points for you to ponder:
1. Omission of the significance of the Maccabean revolt: The Maccabean revolt against the Hellenization of Judaism and the pro-Hellenistic Jews was the catalyst for the future war against Rome and the Pharisee/Hellenistic Sadducee establishment. The Rabbanites understand that they were one of the enemies of the revolutionaries during the late Second Temple period. Understanding that, and fearing to have to answer for it, the Pharisees omitted the Maccabean revolt from the Talmud. Consequently, later Rabbanite tradition only made use of a legend of Temple oil that miraculously burned for eight days. This tradition is nowhere to be found in the first and second Book of Maccabees. Neither is it to be found in any text referring to the events of that period. To prevent any type of Messianism amongst the Jewish population and to downplay their responsibility and their role in betrayal, the Rabbanites opted for a man-made tradition of lighting candles instead of the holy and elevating story of the Maccabean revolt. Such enactments by the rabbis have prevented a true sense of religious nationalism and identity that is so important to Jews today and which can replace the misleading ideals of Zionism.
2. Mystification of earthly messianic hopes: True messianic hopes that sought a physical messiah who rids the land of Israel's enemies and establishes the Davidic monarchy once again were shared by both Pharisees and Sadducees. After the last Jewish Revolt, all messianic hopes were dashed. To prevent any type of nationalism that could threaten Pharisee control, most messianic concepts were turned into a strange type of mysticism. Pharisee/Rabbanite methods of interpretation, called PaRDeS, advocated that mystical interpretations of Scripture were the text's most definite interpretation. To make things worse, many Rabbanites with mystical leaning claimed that their mystical texts even predated the Torah and were written by Adam or Abraham!
To prevent any hope of reestablishing an independent Jewish state, most energies for Messianic hope were transferred to the pursuit of mystical practices. Once these mystical pursuits became more the norm, a new aspect of Rabbanite Judaism emerged- that of the Qabbalah- or Rabbanite Jewish mystical tradition. The inclusion of certain Zoroastrian doctrines and concepts into the Talmud (such as astrology and angelic hierarchies) also allowed the influx of non-Jewish magical systems into the Qabbalah. The publication of allegedly "ancient" mystical texts such as Sefer Yetsirah and the Zohar occurred in the Medieval period as well as the erection of Qabbalistic schools in Europe and Palestine. Since the Medieval times, many non-Jewish occult schools emerged whose foundations were in the Qabbalah. It is also important to mention that Qabbalah played a huge role in the theories and beliefs of the anti-messiah named Shabbatai Tsvi in the 17th century. At the rise of Hasidic Judaism, a mystical and ultra-orthodox branch of Rabbanism, the Qabbalah was looked down upon by the Mitnagdim (Opposers). Today the Qabbalah is a widespread phenomenon, and ironically practiced mostly by non-Jews. Because of the suppression of a real, earthly, messianic hope to be back in the Holy Land under the Torah, many Jews have grasped Zionism as a means to redemption- an idea that may seem real, but in the end is quite deadly.
3. Maintenance of ignorance toward the Torah: To keep the Jewish mind busy and allied to Rabbanite thought, the Rabbanite establishment placed an enormous emphasis on studying Torah. In almost all cases when the Rabbanites say "Torah", they mean the Talmud and other commentaries. Constant study of Rabbanite thought and belief amongst the Jewish population assures the rabbis that all Jews will conform to Talmudic practice. When the Karaite sect emerged in the 8th century and maintained that the Jews should only practice and follow the Tanakh alone, the Rabbanites lashed out in violent protest. Luckily, the Islamic authorities allowed the Karaites to maintain a autonomy of their own without Rabbanite oppression. However in spite of this, Rabbanite polemics against the Karaites continued. Karaites prostrate and bow in prayer, prohibit fire on the Shabbath, and follow the Holy Days according to the barley calendar amongst other practices. In their ignorance, the rabbis stated that the Karaites either took these practices from the Muslims or invented them. A look into the Tanakh will show that the Karaites, like the Torah-only sects before them, derived their practices from the Tanakh alone, based on the plain meaning. Any honest look into the Torah will uncover the fact that Jews are prohibited from adding to or taking away from the Law of Moses.
The fact that there was no additional oral law given to Moses is quite clear. These are all before the Rabbanites but they choose not to see it. They still insist that the "written" Torah is incomplete without its oral accompaniment. Rabbanite dominance over all of Judaism allowed them to place the existence of the Talmud in the mouth of Moses in retrospect. The insistence of this lie combined with the influence to punish those who do not believe it creates a forced conformity that Rabbanite Jews are very proud of. "This conformity", they say, "is proof that we have the true Judaism." They like to point out that the Karaites are unorganized and that is why they remain in such small numbers today. Since when was conformity a criteria for righteousness? Or unyielding obedience to the words of Man equivalent to holiness? It is for this adherence to silly traditions which add to the Torah that the Conservative and Reform movements were established. But even these liberal Rabbanite groups have failed in that the result of their actions have caused their followers to reject the real Torah while retaining the customs of the Talmud. While they can't see it, its clear to us that the liberal movements take equally away from the Torah as the Orthodox have added to it. Strong allegiance to the Talmud of the rabbis have caused many Jews just to give up and become secular, self-hating Jews. These secularists have become the Jews' worst enemies. They have established the twisted ideas of Marxism and Zionism. They have participated in the murder of Jews around the world.
4. Refusal to use the Name of YHWH: The foolish precepts of the Rabbanites have prevented Jews from using the Name of God- YHWH. No matter what the Rabbanites say, Jews are to use God's name- it is a commandment. Though most Jews claim the name is forgotten, to the contrary, information on pronouncing the name is readily available. I pronounce the name Yahweh. The calling on the name YHWH is an important part of prophecy for those who call on the Name of YHWH will be saved. Through Rabbanite custom, the Jews have forgotten the name of their God. How many Jewish lives could have been saved through the use of Yahweh's name? What vile and wicked custom would prevent Jews from using the name of their God when the heathen of the world proudly proclaim theirs? Rabbanite custom does. Jews call out the name "Hashem!" for salvation. Their hopes are that the god named "The Name" will come and save them from the wicked and redeem them from sin. The refusal to use the name of God is equivalent to desecrating His character. In Hebrew, the word for "name" and "reputation" is the same- "shem." It is a pity most Jews desecrate God's name by refusing to use it.
The Conclusion
My opinion is that Rabbanite Judaism is the true plague. You may think this is harsh but you need to consider the bigger picture. I feel that Rabbanite Judaism is the cause of the Jews' hardships. Shabbatai Tsvi, the liberal Rabbanite movements, Zionism and Marxism are all the result of the sins of Rabbanite Judaism. Additionally, Karaism was provoked by Rabbanite Judaism- thank God.
Rabbanite Judaism has in effect prevented any attempt of the Jews to redeem themselves simply because the nature of their religion is to control Judaism according to its own traditions. It is true that God must go forth before the Jews in order to restore their nation. But that must be preceded by a willingness for the Jews en masse to reject the Pharisee/Rabbanite traditions and return to a basic observance of the only Torah as characterized by the Karaite sect today. But if the Jews can't even see past the lies and get honest responses by their rabbis on the history of modern Judaism, how can there even be hope?
The Talmud states that the messiah will follow the Oral Law of the rabbis. The Talmud also states that Rabbanite authority is so powerful that even God must acquiesce to it. Additionally, the Talmud states that if any prophet were to arise (and the Talmud gives Elijah as an example) and contradict Rabbanite law, that prophet will die. I say that the Rabbanites do not want the Messiah to come. They do not want the Redemption to happen. Why? How could I say such a thing? Because of history. History shows that the Pharisees rejected Jewish independence and nationalism. History shows that the Pharisees wanted to establish their traditions at the cost of Jewish blood. History shows that the Pharisees wanted to maintain control at the cost of Jewish blood. History shows that the Rabbanites twisted Scripture and Jewish minds with their traditions.
If the Messiah were to come today and say "There is no oral law. There is only the Torah of Moses." The rabbis would agree that they have to kill the messiah. If Elijah returned today and stated, "Return to the Torah of Moses alone." The rabbis would have to kill Elijah. The rabbis have created a self-defeating cycle of hopelessness. They have enacted laws to prevent any type of true reformation in their religion. They have put so many fences around the Torah that they don't know what the Torah looks like any more or how to acquire it. Rabbanite Judaism is a self-perpetuating monster that cannot heal itself or deal with its own history. It is incapable of true reform. It is impervious to the Messiah. It is impervious to YHWH. It is impervious to the Prophets. For there to arise Elijah, the Prophets, and a Messiah would mean that the Rabbanite authority would have to relinquish all of their power and traditions. I know for a fact that they are not ready to do that. And because they maintain the power hungry lust of their ancestors the Pharisees, they will do all they can to maintain that power.
Ironically, the Zionist, secular, pro-Globalist establishment in the Israeli government is a damn near replica of the Pharisees during the Second Temple times. Both parties supported foreign occupation, both parties sought to dilute the religion of the people, and both parties sought collaboration with enemies of the people. What better "warning light" could God give the Rabbanites than a taste of their own medicine in a very harsh and very ironic manner!?
The anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews can rally all they want against Zionist treachery and violence, but unless they acknowledge their own party's history and sins, and take responsibility for them, they will never understand that they will suffer the same hardships under the Zionists that the Sadducees did under the Pharisees. In the mean time, the Karaites ask the Rabbanites to repent of their sins of blindly following the Talmud and rabbis and to embrace the Torah of Moshe. We ask that you cease insisting you are the "popular Judaism" and you "saved Judaism" following the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. We ask that you embrace YHWH the God of your fathers and use His Name. The only way in which we can stop Zionism from destroying Judaism is to remove its sense of legitimacy. For you Rabbanites, you can use quotes from your masters all you want. But you know that this is a religious issue that stems from your rejection of the path of YHWH. If you are truly the representatives of all Jews before God, you need to take responsibility for the apostasies that have grown around you, from you, and against you.
End.
Copyright 2007 Abraham Collier
by Abraham Collier
Introduction
The anti-Zionist organisations such as True Torah Jews, Jews Against Zionism, and Neturei Karta are 100% correct in their assessment of Zionist history, motives, and politics. They are 100% correct in their feelings toward the State of Israel and the inherent dangers that plague all Jews, Zionist or not, because of Israel's policies and "peace" negotiations. They are 100% correct in stating that the State of Israel is a secular apostasy and pseudo democracy that is ungodly in every way.
I am writing today because I read a True Torah Jews brochure entitled, 'On This Day of Independence from Zionism' and am concerned with how the organisation quoted a Rabbanite scholar who equated the Karaites with Zionism. I disagree with this rabbi and True Torah Jew's use of this material. I am worried about the implications the quote may have in regards to the views of Jews, ****ians, Muslims, and secularists, who, regardless of their favour or dislike for Zionism, toward Karaites. There is already a significant amount of ignorance and misinformation about Karaites from orthodox Rabbanite sources and to equate us to Zionism is quite distasteful and misleading.
"The Jewish people have suffered many plagues: the Sadducees, Karaites, Hellenisers, Shabbasai Zvi, Haskalah, Reform and many others. But the strongest of them all is Zionism." (Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik, Mishkenos Haro'im, p. 269)
Any novice student of Jewish history recognises each of these movements as heretical in the eyes of Orthodox Rabbanite Judaism. Please note that I am not implying in favour of any of these groups, with the exception of Karaism seeing that I lean towards Karaite beliefs myself.
| Deuteronomy Chapter 4 1 And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which YHWH, the God of your fathers, giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of YHWH your God which I command you. The well-known statement of the Talmud ein mikra yotze midei peshuto (Shabbat 63a; Yev. 11b, 24a) is rendered in the Soncino translation, "A verse cannot depart from its plain meaning." Louis Rabinowitz The Talmudic Meaning of Peshat Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Thought, 6:1, 1963. | ||
It is of necessity to remind you that the Pharisees, who are the ancestors of the Rabbanites, were the enemies of all Judaism during the Second Temple Era. Once this is understood, you will see how Rabbanite Judaism is the true plague that maladies the Jews.
The Pharisee and Sadducee Controversy
When one studies the Second Temple Era, they are usually overwhelmed by the contradictions, obscurities, and blatant bias that many historians, philosophers, clergymen and rabbis had towards the Jews at that time. Josephus, he is probably the best source for knowledge of this period, states:
"...while some men who were not concerned in the affairs themselves have gotten together vain and contradictory stories by hearsay, and have written them down after a sophistical manner; and while those that were there present have given false accounts of things, and this either out of a humor of flattery to the Romans, or of hatred towards the Jews..." (Josephus War. Preface 1 Ch Line 2)
People should take established legend and tradition with a grain of salt. For whosoever is the victor writes the history of the victim!
Contrary to popular opinion, the Pharisee sect was the main enemy of Judaism in the Second Temple era. The Sadducees comprised of the majority of all Jews. Additionally, there was a tiny Hellenistic Sadducee sect that controlled the priesthood and conspired with the Pharisees. The Pharisees and Hellenistic Sadducees also collaborated with the Roman Empire in order to obtain religious and political power over the Jews in Palestine at the time.
Regarding the Pharisees, the historian Josephus, himself a Pharisee, stated, 'What I would now explain is this, that the Pharisees have delivered to the people a great many observances by succession from their fathers (not by Yahweh, but by men), which are not written in the laws of Moses; and for that reason it is that the Sadducees reject them, and say that we are to esteem those observances to be obligatory which are in the written word, but are not to observe what are derived from the tradition of our forefathers.' (Josephus Ant. 13 Ch. 10 Par. 6)
| Zerubbabel, Joshua, the returned exiles, and 'the people of the land' laid the foundation of the Second Temple. (Haggay 2:1-9) Joshua Chapter 23 5 And YHWH your God, He shall thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as YHWH your God spoke unto you. 6 Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; 7 that ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor worship them; 8 but cleave unto YHWH your God, as ye have done unto this day; | ||
We see here that the Pharisees followed numerous observances based upon traditions from their ancestors whereas the Sadducees were characterized their rejection the oral law/Talmud.
The Pharisee sympathizer Queen Alexandra (76-67 b.c.e) was recorded to have done the following:
"So she (Alexandra) made Hyrcanus high priest, because he was the elder, but much more because he cared not to meddle with politics, and permitted the Pharisees to do every thing; to whom also she ordered the multitude to be obedient. She also restored again those practices which the Pharisees had introduced, according to the traditions of their forefathers, and which her father-in-law, Hyrkanos, had abrogated. So she had indeed the name of the regent, but the Pharisees had the authority; for it was they who restored such as had been banished, and set such as were prisoners at liberty, and, to say all at once, they differed in nothing from lords." (Josephus Ant. 13 Ch. 16 Par. 2)
I underscored an important phrase. The queen had to force the multitude to be obedient to Pharisee rule that included the innovation of an oral law (not yet called Talmud but simply 'the traditions of the fathers') and Roman sympathy. All of this was done after the death of John Hyrkanos (134-104 b.c.e.) the second Hasmonean king and father of Alexander Yannai. Hyrkanos and his father were Sadducees, even though Hyrkanos turned a blind eye to Pharisee control. The passage quoted implies that that the multitudes (i.e. majority) of the Jewish population were Sadducees and detested an additional Torah and Roman collaboration. Another inference made here is that the Pharisees were established not by popular opinion, but by dictatorial decree! Hardly the 'party of the people' or 'populist party!' The Pharisees became the Establishment and to go against the Establishment meant certain death.
At the time of the Idumean/Arab/Hellenistic puppet king Herod, Josephus writes how the king favoured the Pharisees because they supported his Roman sanctioned ruler ship:
"And since Herod had now the government of all Judea put into his hands, he promoted such of the private men in the city as had been of his party, but never left off avenging and punishing every day those that had chosen to be of the party of his enemies. But Pollio the Pharisee, and Sameas, a disciple of his, were honored by him above all the rest; for when Jerusalem was besieged, they advised the citizens to receive Herod, for which advice they were well requited." (Josephus Ant. 15 Ch. 1 Par. 1)
Plainly stated, the Pharisees were pro-Roman, anti-Nationalist. They enjoyed the privileged life of religious and political domination of Judea bestowed upon them by Herod in return for their loyalty. This was against the will of the people which is why in this unstable period, we read of Revolutionaries and Zealots who made war against the Pharisee establishment and Roman occupation.
A discrepancy between "reflectingonjudaism.com" and Mr Collier has been pointed out:Zvi wrote (See comments below): Any help would be appreciated; however, Josephus does seem to be the most reliable historian from the era. Thanks Zvi. | ||
More proof that the multitude leaned to the Sadducee side: "Now Hyrcanus (a Sadducean Pharisaic sympathizer) was heir to the kingdom, and to him did his mother (Queen Alexandra) commit it before she died; but Aristobulus (a Sadducee) was superior to him in power and magnanimity; and when there was a battle between them, to decide the dispute about the kingdom, near Jericho, the greatest part deserted Hyrcanus, and went over to Aristobulus; but Hyrcanus, with those of his party who remained with him, fled to Antonia, and got into his power the hostages that might he for his preservation; but they came to an agreement before things should come to extremities, that Aristobulus should be king, and Hyrcanus should resign that up, but retain all the rest of his dignities, as being the king's brother. Hereupon they were reconciled to each other in the temple, and embraced one another in a very kind manner, while the people stood round about them; they also changed their houses (residencies), while Aristobulus went to the royal palace, and Hyrcanus retired to the house of Aristobulus." (Josephus War. 1 Ch. 6 Par. 1)
Wouldn't it seem strange that if the multitude followed the Pharisees, that they would support a Sadducean dynasty en masse? Unfortunately, Aristobulus made a mistake by letting Hyrcanus live. Read on.
Josephus gives us further proof that the people supported the Sadducees and that the Pharisees were pro-Roman. What you are about to read is a horrific description about Pompey's war against Jerusalem in the initial stages of Roman occupation of Palestine and well as a bloody coup d'etat of the Pharisees against the priests and Jews in Jerusalem.
"At this treatment Pompey was very angry, and took Aristobulus (Sadducee) into custody. And when he was come to the city, he looked about where he might make his attack; for he saw the walls were so firm, that it would be hard to overcome them; and that the valley before the walls was terrible; and that the temple, which was within that valley, was itself encompassed with a very strong wall, insomuch that if the city were taken, that temple would be a second place of refuge for the enemy to retire to."
"Now as he was long in deliberating about this matter, a sedition arose among the people within the city; Aristobulus's (Sadducee) party being willing to fight, and to set their king (Aristobulus) at liberty, while the party of Hyrcanus (Sadducean Pharisee sympathizer) were for opening the gates to Pompey."
We see here a clear distinction between the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducee majority pledged to battle Rome and free Aristobulus, while the Pharisee collaborators literally opened the gates of Jerusalem to Rome. Continuing:
"So Aristobulus's party (Sadducees) was worsted, and retired into the temple, and cut off the communication between the temple and the city, by breaking down the bridge that joined them together, and prepared to make an opposition to the utmost (to the death!); but as the others (the Pharisees) had received the Romans into the city, and had delivered up the palace to him (Pompey)- he then disposed all things that were round about them so as might favor their attacks, as having Hyrcanus's (Sadducean Pharisee sympathizers) party very ready to afford them both counsel and assistance."
"Now here it was that, upon the many hardships which the Romans underwent (here Josephus, being a biased pro-Roman Pharisee, marvels at how difficult it was for the sensitive Roman legions to slaughter Jews in the Temple) Pompey could not but admire not only at the other instances of the Jews' fortitude, but especially that they did not at all intermit their religious services, even when they were encompassed with darts on all sides; for, as if the city were in full peace, their daily sacrifices and purifications, and every branch of their religious worship, was still performed to God with the utmost exactness. Nor indeed when the temple was actually taken, and they were every day slain about the altar, did they leave off the instances of their Divine worship that were appointed by their law (note ONE law = ONE Torah); for it was in the third month of the siege before the Romans could even with great difficulty overthrow one of the towers, and get into the temple."
Here the Pharisees allowed the Romans to enter, besiege the temple with a multitude of Sadducee warriors and priests therein- who represented ONE Torah and the majority of Jews at that time. Continuing:
"And now did many of the priests (Sadducees), even when they saw their enemies (Roman and Pharisee) assailing them with swords in their hands, without any disturbance, go on with their Divine worship, and were slain while they were offering their drink-offerings, and burning their incense, as preferring the duties about their worship to God before their own preservation. The greatest part of them were slain by their own countrymen (Pharisees), of the adverse faction, and an innumerable multitude threw themselves down precipices; nay, some there were who were so distracted among the insuperable difficulties they were under, that they set fire to the buildings that were near to the wall, and were burnt together with them. Now of the Jews were slain twelve thousand; but of the Romans very few were slain, but a greater number was wounded."
Thus blatant Pharisee involvement in the murder of priests, spilling their blood and desecrating the temple grounds. Continuing:
"But there was nothing that affected the nation so much, in the calamities they were then under, as that their holy place, which had been hitherto seen by none, should be laid open to strangers (pagan Geniles and non-priests); for Pompey, and those that were about him, went into the temple itself whither it was not lawful for any to enter but the high priest, Moreover, he made Hyrcanus (Sadducean Pharisee sympathizer) high priest, as one that not only in other respects had showed great alacrity, on his side, during the siege, but as he had been the means of hindering the multitude (Sadducees) that was in the country from fighting for Aristobulus (Sadducee), which they were otherwise very ready to have done (presumably because Hyrcanus, as a born Sadducee, was able to manipulate Aristobulus' supporters through some type of deceit)." (Josephus War. 1 Ch. 7 Par. 1-2,4-6)
Mull over the tragic significance of this event! Though Hyrcanus was a born Sadducee, he was a Pharisee sympathizer. The making of him high priest started the creation of a Sadducean aristocracy that was loyal and accommodating to Rome. At this point, we have two Sadducee groups- one that controlled the high priesthood and were Hellenistic, aristocratic Roman collaborators, and the other that was the anti-Roman, Nationalistic party of the majority. From this latter majority, what I call the 'Purist Sadducees' came forth the famous Revolutionary sects such as the Zealots and also, according to some authors, the Essenes, Nazarenes and others.
Later during the Great Revolt against Rome (66-73 c.e.) we see that the Pharisees remained the Establishment and supported Rome, seeking to kill the Sadducee uprising in its many forms in order to secure their power:
"Hereupon the men of power got together, and conferred with the high priests (Hellenistic Sadducees), as did also the principal of the Pharisees (who now ruled the religious courts); and thinking all was at stake, and that their calamities were becoming incurable (because of the Purist Sadducee majority), took counsel what was to be done. Accordingly, they determined to try what they could do with the seditious by words (it was at this time that the many different messianic Sadducee movements were preaching against the Establishment and calling for the Final Redemption), and assembled the people before the brazen gate, which was that gate of the inner temple which looked toward the sun-rising. And, in the first place, they showed the great indignation they had at this attempt for a revolt, and for their bringing so great a war upon their country; after which they confuted their pretence as unjustifiable."
"So the men of power (Pharisees) perceiving that the sedition was too hard for them to subdue (because it was the majority belief), and that the danger which would arise from the Romans would come upon them first of all (upon the Pharisees that is, for failing to end the Sadducee sedition and rebellion) endeavored to save themselves, and sent ambassadors, some to Florus, the chief of which was Simon the son of Ananias (Hellenistic Sadducee); and others to Agrippa, among whom the most eminent were Saul, and Antipas, and Costobarus, who were of the king's kindred; and they desired of them both that they would come with an army to the city, and cut off the seditious before it should be too hard to be subdued."
"Upon this the men of power (Pharisees), with the high priests, as also all the part of the multitude that were desirous of peace, took courage, and seized upon the upper city (Mount Zion) for the seditious part had the lower city and the temple in their power (the Sadducee multitude composed of the most of the city and lay priests in the temple); so they made use of stones and slings perpetually against one another, and threw darts continually on both sides; and sometimes it happened that they made incursions by troops, and fought it out hand to hand, while the seditious were superior in boldness, but the king's soldiers in skill. These last (Pharisees) strove chiefly to gain the temple, and to drive those out of it who profaned it (Pharisees and Hellenistic Sadducees); as did the seditious, with Eleazar, besides what they had already, labor to gain the upper city. Thus were there perpetual slaughters on both sides for seven days' time; but neither side would yield up the parts they had seized on." (Josephus War. 2 Ch. 17 Par. 3-5)
We see here that the Pharisees could not silence the people's rebellion, and, for fear of their own lives and power, they petitioned Agrippa (a Roman collaborating Jewish king) to send Roman troops to silence the Uprising.
When the Temple and Jerusalem fell, the Romans handed all political and religious power to the Pharisees at which point the Pharisees had a great deal of autonomy over the Jewish population in Palestine and abroad. From then on, the Pharisees were enforcing their additional Torah, known as the Talmud or Oral Law over the Jewish populace. To go against the will of the Pharisees was to go against Rome. And similarly, once we get to the emergence of the Karaite sect in the Middle East in the 8th century, to go against the Pharisaical **** Rabbanite authorities was to go against Islam.
The Roman transfer of Jewish control to the Pharisees now Rabbanites was finalized after the final Jewish revolt by Bar Kokhba in 135 b.c.e. In doing so, the Rabbanites had full control of the writing (or re-writing if you will) of the crucial political and religious history of Palestine during Roman occupation. The Pharisees were free to reinterpret the history and facts about the Sadducees, Romans, Zealots, and Revolutionaries according to their own theology and political biases in retrospect and place them in the Talmud and commentaries. Having established seminaries and academies, training of a new generation of Pharisee rabbis, the canonization and writing down of the traditions of the fathers (Talmud), and the dictatorial imposing of their once tiny sect upon the rest of Judaism, the Pharisees now Rabbanites secured their longtime lust to control every aspect of Jewish life.
The results of a Pharisaic control of Judaism effectively produced "establishment Judaism" which we now call Orthodox Judaism. And to 99% of the world, this expression of Judaism, with its traditions and Talmud is what most consider to be Judaism. Thus "mainstream" or "true" Judaism for nearly 2000 years was, in the eyes of the majority, Orthodox Rabbanite Judaism.
The Implications of Pharisaic/Rabbanite Control on Messianism, Redemption and Modern Day Zionism
Throughout history the Rabbanites knew that disclosure of their part in Jewish betrayal and Hellenic/Roman collaboration would leave their reputation and authority waning. Also, any attempt at a Messianic uprising would prove dangerous not just to the Jewish population, but to the rule of the Rabbanites themselves. And therefore one of the most powerful and long lasting implications of Pharisaic/Rabbanite control of Judaism was its ability to downplay and reject most forms of messianic/nationalistic hopes on part of the Jewish population. I have included some important points for you to ponder:
1. Omission of the significance of the Maccabean revolt: The Maccabean revolt against the Hellenization of Judaism and the pro-Hellenistic Jews was the catalyst for the future war against Rome and the Pharisee/Hellenistic Sadducee establishment. The Rabbanites understand that they were one of the enemies of the revolutionaries during the late Second Temple period. Understanding that, and fearing to have to answer for it, the Pharisees omitted the Maccabean revolt from the Talmud. Consequently, later Rabbanite tradition only made use of a legend of Temple oil that miraculously burned for eight days. This tradition is nowhere to be found in the first and second Book of Maccabees. Neither is it to be found in any text referring to the events of that period. To prevent any type of Messianism amongst the Jewish population and to downplay their responsibility and their role in betrayal, the Rabbanites opted for a man-made tradition of lighting candles instead of the holy and elevating story of the Maccabean revolt. Such enactments by the rabbis have prevented a true sense of religious nationalism and identity that is so important to Jews today and which can replace the misleading ideals of Zionism.
2. Mystification of earthly messianic hopes: True messianic hopes that sought a physical messiah who rids the land of Israel's enemies and establishes the Davidic monarchy once again were shared by both Pharisees and Sadducees. After the last Jewish Revolt, all messianic hopes were dashed. To prevent any type of nationalism that could threaten Pharisee control, most messianic concepts were turned into a strange type of mysticism. Pharisee/Rabbanite methods of interpretation, called PaRDeS, advocated that mystical interpretations of Scripture were the text's most definite interpretation. To make things worse, many Rabbanites with mystical leaning claimed that their mystical texts even predated the Torah and were written by Adam or Abraham!
To prevent any hope of reestablishing an independent Jewish state, most energies for Messianic hope were transferred to the pursuit of mystical practices. Once these mystical pursuits became more the norm, a new aspect of Rabbanite Judaism emerged- that of the Qabbalah- or Rabbanite Jewish mystical tradition. The inclusion of certain Zoroastrian doctrines and concepts into the Talmud (such as astrology and angelic hierarchies) also allowed the influx of non-Jewish magical systems into the Qabbalah. The publication of allegedly "ancient" mystical texts such as Sefer Yetsirah and the Zohar occurred in the Medieval period as well as the erection of Qabbalistic schools in Europe and Palestine. Since the Medieval times, many non-Jewish occult schools emerged whose foundations were in the Qabbalah. It is also important to mention that Qabbalah played a huge role in the theories and beliefs of the anti-messiah named Shabbatai Tsvi in the 17th century. At the rise of Hasidic Judaism, a mystical and ultra-orthodox branch of Rabbanism, the Qabbalah was looked down upon by the Mitnagdim (Opposers). Today the Qabbalah is a widespread phenomenon, and ironically practiced mostly by non-Jews. Because of the suppression of a real, earthly, messianic hope to be back in the Holy Land under the Torah, many Jews have grasped Zionism as a means to redemption- an idea that may seem real, but in the end is quite deadly.
3. Maintenance of ignorance toward the Torah: To keep the Jewish mind busy and allied to Rabbanite thought, the Rabbanite establishment placed an enormous emphasis on studying Torah. In almost all cases when the Rabbanites say "Torah", they mean the Talmud and other commentaries. Constant study of Rabbanite thought and belief amongst the Jewish population assures the rabbis that all Jews will conform to Talmudic practice. When the Karaite sect emerged in the 8th century and maintained that the Jews should only practice and follow the Tanakh alone, the Rabbanites lashed out in violent protest. Luckily, the Islamic authorities allowed the Karaites to maintain a autonomy of their own without Rabbanite oppression. However in spite of this, Rabbanite polemics against the Karaites continued. Karaites prostrate and bow in prayer, prohibit fire on the Shabbath, and follow the Holy Days according to the barley calendar amongst other practices. In their ignorance, the rabbis stated that the Karaites either took these practices from the Muslims or invented them. A look into the Tanakh will show that the Karaites, like the Torah-only sects before them, derived their practices from the Tanakh alone, based on the plain meaning. Any honest look into the Torah will uncover the fact that Jews are prohibited from adding to or taking away from the Law of Moses.
| Deuteronomy Chapter 4 1 And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which YHWH, the God of your fathers, giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of YHWH your God which I command you. Deuteronomy Chapter 13 1 All this word which I command you, that shall ye observe to do; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Proverbs Chapter 30 5 Every word of God is tried; He is a shield unto them that take refuge in Him. 6 Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. | ||
The fact that there was no additional oral law given to Moses is quite clear. These are all before the Rabbanites but they choose not to see it. They still insist that the "written" Torah is incomplete without its oral accompaniment. Rabbanite dominance over all of Judaism allowed them to place the existence of the Talmud in the mouth of Moses in retrospect. The insistence of this lie combined with the influence to punish those who do not believe it creates a forced conformity that Rabbanite Jews are very proud of. "This conformity", they say, "is proof that we have the true Judaism." They like to point out that the Karaites are unorganized and that is why they remain in such small numbers today. Since when was conformity a criteria for righteousness? Or unyielding obedience to the words of Man equivalent to holiness? It is for this adherence to silly traditions which add to the Torah that the Conservative and Reform movements were established. But even these liberal Rabbanite groups have failed in that the result of their actions have caused their followers to reject the real Torah while retaining the customs of the Talmud. While they can't see it, its clear to us that the liberal movements take equally away from the Torah as the Orthodox have added to it. Strong allegiance to the Talmud of the rabbis have caused many Jews just to give up and become secular, self-hating Jews. These secularists have become the Jews' worst enemies. They have established the twisted ideas of Marxism and Zionism. They have participated in the murder of Jews around the world.
| Deuteronomy Chapter 30 9 And YHWH thy God will make thee over-abundant in all the work of thy hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good; for YHWH will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiced over thy fathers; 10 if thou shalt hearken to the voice of YHWH thy God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if thou turn unto YHWH thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. Joshua Chapter 8 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that walked among them. | ||
4. Refusal to use the Name of YHWH: The foolish precepts of the Rabbanites have prevented Jews from using the Name of God- YHWH. No matter what the Rabbanites say, Jews are to use God's name- it is a commandment. Though most Jews claim the name is forgotten, to the contrary, information on pronouncing the name is readily available. I pronounce the name Yahweh. The calling on the name YHWH is an important part of prophecy for those who call on the Name of YHWH will be saved. Through Rabbanite custom, the Jews have forgotten the name of their God. How many Jewish lives could have been saved through the use of Yahweh's name? What vile and wicked custom would prevent Jews from using the name of their God when the heathen of the world proudly proclaim theirs? Rabbanite custom does. Jews call out the name "Hashem!" for salvation. Their hopes are that the god named "The Name" will come and save them from the wicked and redeem them from sin. The refusal to use the name of God is equivalent to desecrating His character. In Hebrew, the word for "name" and "reputation" is the same- "shem." It is a pity most Jews desecrate God's name by refusing to use it.
Stating that you are commanded to use YHWH's name is debatable; however, YHWH is God's name and His name is commonly used throughout the Tanach -- by everyone, not just priests. Actually, when read closely, the Tanach specifies when the name is not to be used.- Do not use God's name in vain.Additionally, good arguments have been made on other pronunciations of His name. 14 And God said unto Moses: 'I AM THAT I AM'; and He said: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: I AM hath sent me unto you.' 15 And God said moreover unto Moses: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: YHWH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them: YHWH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying: I have surely remembered you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. Deuteronomy Chapter 31 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of YHWH, saying: 26 'Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of YHWH your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. 27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against YHWH; and how much more after my death? Second Samuel Chapter 12 13 And David said unto Nathan: 'I have sinned against YHWH.' And Nathan said unto David: 'YHWH also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast greatly blasphemed the enemies of YHWH, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.' Nehemia Chapter 9 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: 'Stand up and bless YHWH your God from everlasting to everlasting; and let them say: Blessed be Thy glorious Name, that is exalted above all blessing and praise. Deuteronomy Chapter 9 13 Furthermore YHWH spoke unto me, saying: 'I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people; 14 let Me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.' Deuteronomy Chapter 29 19 YHWH will not be willing to pardon him, but then the anger of YHWH and His jealousy shall be kindled against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and YHWH shall blot out his name from under heaven; 20 and YHWH shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that is written in this book of the law. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in My name, saying: 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed.' 26 How long shall this be? Is it in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, and the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? 27 That think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. | ||
The Conclusion
My opinion is that Rabbanite Judaism is the true plague. You may think this is harsh but you need to consider the bigger picture. I feel that Rabbanite Judaism is the cause of the Jews' hardships. Shabbatai Tsvi, the liberal Rabbanite movements, Zionism and Marxism are all the result of the sins of Rabbanite Judaism. Additionally, Karaism was provoked by Rabbanite Judaism- thank God.
Rabbanite Judaism has in effect prevented any attempt of the Jews to redeem themselves simply because the nature of their religion is to control Judaism according to its own traditions. It is true that God must go forth before the Jews in order to restore their nation. But that must be preceded by a willingness for the Jews en masse to reject the Pharisee/Rabbanite traditions and return to a basic observance of the only Torah as characterized by the Karaite sect today. But if the Jews can't even see past the lies and get honest responses by their rabbis on the history of modern Judaism, how can there even be hope?
The Talmud states that the messiah will follow the Oral Law of the rabbis. The Talmud also states that Rabbanite authority is so powerful that even God must acquiesce to it. Additionally, the Talmud states that if any prophet were to arise (and the Talmud gives Elijah as an example) and contradict Rabbanite law, that prophet will die. I say that the Rabbanites do not want the Messiah to come. They do not want the Redemption to happen. Why? How could I say such a thing? Because of history. History shows that the Pharisees rejected Jewish independence and nationalism. History shows that the Pharisees wanted to establish their traditions at the cost of Jewish blood. History shows that the Pharisees wanted to maintain control at the cost of Jewish blood. History shows that the Rabbanites twisted Scripture and Jewish minds with their traditions.
If the Messiah were to come today and say "There is no oral law. There is only the Torah of Moses." The rabbis would agree that they have to kill the messiah. If Elijah returned today and stated, "Return to the Torah of Moses alone." The rabbis would have to kill Elijah. The rabbis have created a self-defeating cycle of hopelessness. They have enacted laws to prevent any type of true reformation in their religion. They have put so many fences around the Torah that they don't know what the Torah looks like any more or how to acquire it. Rabbanite Judaism is a self-perpetuating monster that cannot heal itself or deal with its own history. It is incapable of true reform. It is impervious to the Messiah. It is impervious to YHWH. It is impervious to the Prophets. For there to arise Elijah, the Prophets, and a Messiah would mean that the Rabbanite authority would have to relinquish all of their power and traditions. I know for a fact that they are not ready to do that. And because they maintain the power hungry lust of their ancestors the Pharisees, they will do all they can to maintain that power.
Ironically, the Zionist, secular, pro-Globalist establishment in the Israeli government is a damn near replica of the Pharisees during the Second Temple times. Both parties supported foreign occupation, both parties sought to dilute the religion of the people, and both parties sought collaboration with enemies of the people. What better "warning light" could God give the Rabbanites than a taste of their own medicine in a very harsh and very ironic manner!?
The anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews can rally all they want against Zionist treachery and violence, but unless they acknowledge their own party's history and sins, and take responsibility for them, they will never understand that they will suffer the same hardships under the Zionists that the Sadducees did under the Pharisees. In the mean time, the Karaites ask the Rabbanites to repent of their sins of blindly following the Talmud and rabbis and to embrace the Torah of Moshe. We ask that you cease insisting you are the "popular Judaism" and you "saved Judaism" following the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. We ask that you embrace YHWH the God of your fathers and use His Name. The only way in which we can stop Zionism from destroying Judaism is to remove its sense of legitimacy. For you Rabbanites, you can use quotes from your masters all you want. But you know that this is a religious issue that stems from your rejection of the path of YHWH. If you are truly the representatives of all Jews before God, you need to take responsibility for the apostasies that have grown around you, from you, and against you.
End.
Copyright 2007 Abraham Collier
| << Previous | || | Home | || | Next >> |
Other
US
GB
AU
SA
CN
RU
SE
DE
CH
IT
tsadoq wrote: