Well, there certainly has been no shortage of world shattering events in the past few weeks. My last post about Egypt was met with some skepticism. There were some statements made on behalf of the Egyptian people. Although I do believe that the writers of those comments intended well, it does not surprise me that their comments reflect a lack of understanding of the Middle East, and the religion of Islam itself. So, I thought I would try to clarify some things in this post. 

First of all, polls indicate that the majority of those who were involved in this revolt still favor an Islamic style Sharia state; for instance according to a Pew Poll:

" Despite the wide array of political and religious views on display on the streets of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and Suez, the one thing about which the overwhelming majority of Egyptians agree – 95% according to a 2010 PEW Research Poll – is that Islam should play a role in the country’s politics."

Second: A Jeffersonian style democracy will never take precedence over Islam. The population is simply too committed to Islam.

Third: Democracy is not the salvation of the world; Yeshua is. So, even if all the middle eastern countries became democratic, based upon our style of democracy, they still wouldn't create a utopia. 

Fourth: Too many other Islamic factions are waiting to fill the power vacuum. There is no way that any of these groups are going to just acquiesce and let a good revolt go to waste.

Fifth: Israel is still the perceived common enemy of Islam. So, this revolt is another chance for them to stir up the masses in their passions against Israel and America.

Sixth: History repeats itself. How different is this historic revolt than any of the previous ones? The masses revolt, a strong leader arises, he projects his agenda into the revolt, he monopolizes on the momentum and fervor of the revolt, and then leads that society astray with his political bias and power-hungry agenda. This happened with the French Revolution, Communism, Fascism, Cuban revolt, the revolt against the Sha of Iran, etc., etc.

Seventh: Islam is a failed system, There will never be an Islamic state that is run on the principles of 'Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness', or 'Liberty and Justice for all'. The Koran forbids it. 

Koran, Chapter 9:5
"And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait of them at every conceivable place. Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is Much-Forgiving, a Dispenser of Grace ." (9:5)

In short, let's not deceive ourselves that this revolt in Egypt or any other Muslim country is going to usher in a new era of peace and tolerance in the Middle East. That won't happen until the Prince of Peace comes.

Micah 4 NASB

Mic 4:1  And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. 
Mic 4:2  Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 
Mic 4:3  And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. 
Mic 4:4  Each of them will sit under his vine And under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid, For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.

Shalom uvracha b'Yeshua (Peace and blessings in Yeshua)
Rabbi Henry

On the date of May 1st 2011, Sha'ar Hashamayim will be hosting a march for Yom HaShoa (Day of Holocaust Remembrance). During this event we would meet in the center of Sharon, in a place that would be convenient for all. We will announce that place soon. Then we will march to the gazebo on the lake. We will wear t-shirts and carry banners en route. This march is not for the purpose of protesting. We are marching to attest. Once at the gazebo there will be a time where we would honor Holocaust survivors and their families. During the rally there would be speakers from the community, Pastors, Rabbis, Holocaust survivors and maybe a politician or two. We would also have Israeli and Jewish music for all to dance and rejoice to. We would invite all who would like to come from the community. I am guessing there could be as many as 200 people. This march will be open to all. After the event people could linger at the beach area and have picnic lunches getting to know one another in the spirit of community. That night we would host a concert on behalf of the survivors and their families at one of the local Churches or Synagogues. We would also use the evening event to raise money for the Holocaust memorial. At the end of the concert we would have an oneg for all to share. This march is being held all over the world and we are just one link in the chain. Here are the websites to the march. They will tell you more about this world wide movement to put feet on the ground to make "Never Again" more than just a cliche or expression. http://www.marchoflife.org/http://www.marchofremembrance.org/. 
This event is a tremendous opportunity to be a testimony to the Jewish people in our community and declare to our sphere of influence that we support Israel. More detailed info is to come real soon. Look for updates on our web site. We hope you will decide to join us in support of Israel the Jewish people and Holocaust survivors all over the world. It is my prayer you will even decide to get involved in the work of this event. 

Shalom uvracha (Peace and blessings) Rabbi Henry

I am sure most of you are well aware of the events that have transpired in Egypt over the last week. There are however some things you will not be told in the news about this event and I would like to take this time to not only make you aware but to challenge you as well. There are statements from every angle with many different opinions from many different sources. Everyone wants to predict and prognosticate the significance of these events and future outcome. The one thing I have not heard though is how we got to this place. So many other countries in the Mediterranean have fallen or are in total chaos and they are all Muslim. Sudan is on the verge of a split. Tunisia is in the midst of an uprising. There are demonstrations in Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Yemen. Lebanon’s government is in chaos. There just seems to be a real hole in leadership in these Muslim countries. 

Why is this happening? Could it be that Islam is showing its inability to meet the needs of their society? News casters and political analysts worry over the potential of other Moslem extremists leaders rising up to fill the holes in leadership. No one wants to state the fact that Islam is a failed system that oppresses its followers and creates an oppressive environment in countries where Sharia law reigns.

As the scripture states,

Isa 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!

This sums it all up in a nut shell. We refuse to call a spade a spade. Islam is the furthest thing from a peace loving religion. There, I have said it. We take this wishy washy posture politically, socially, morally and spiritually. We seem to believe that the bad Moslem extremists are the ones to blame and that if the good moderate Moslems who are the majority would just rise to the occasion then Islam would show it’s true colors and all would be well. We would live in peace and harmony and all the world would enter the “age of Aquarius”.
So where are these majority moderate Moslems and why is their voice not heard over that of the radicals? Are they hiding for fear? Or are they really out there? If Islam is a religion of peace then why can’t they be guided by their own principles and find peace among themselves?
No matter what happens in Egypt, we can be guaranteed of one thing, Islam is not going to change. They are not going to find peace among themselves and they are certainly not going to find or make peace with Jews and Christians based upon their sacred writings.

The Koran Says:

Surah 5:51: "You who believe, do not take the Jews and Christians as allies: they are allies only to each other.  Anyone who takes them as an ally becomes one of them -God does not guide such wrongdoers-"


Surah 9:5: So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.


Surah 2:191: And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.


Sahih Bukhari Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176: Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.'" 



Sahih Bukhari Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177: Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."

In cotrast Yeshua said.

Mat 5:38-48
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.41“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

This is quite a different rhetoric than the Koran. So be wise in your discernment and watch carefully as things transpire in the world of Islam and judge it by it’s fruit. I do.

Shalom uvracha b'Yeshua (Peace and blessings in Yeshua),
Rabbi Henry