Fire Instead of Faith
On May 15 this year, thousands of Hasidic (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish adherents will celebrate a festival called Lag B’Omer. This is not a biblical feast, but one which grew partly out of the life and legends[1] surrounding a rabbi who many claim was the author of the mystical book known as the Zohar – Shimon bar Yochai (a.k.a. “Rashbi”). The most significant celebration of this man takes place at his burial site at Mt. Meron in Israel. Thousands of zealous Hasidic men will flock to Rabbi Shimon’s grave as rabbis light bonfires, klezmer music[2] is played, and there is dancing and celebration.
Can you imagine if Moses was transported forward in time? He arrives in Israel and hears music and celebration. Suddenly before him are thousands of men with side curls and black clothing, swaying and chanting in Hebrew while men of seeming importance are lighting large bonfires.
Maybe Moses asks the men, “Who are you, and what are you doing?” They reply that they are God’s people and Moses says, “Do you mean Hebrews?”
They reply, “Yes, we are Jewish. Some of us are not from Israel, but our forefathers were.”
Now, Moses asks a second question: “What are you celebrating, and why the music and large fires?”
“This is where a very important religious teacher is buried who wrote an important book.”
After a few more questions, tears start to run down Moses’ cheeks. He puts his hands over his eyes and starts to walk away, saying, “Oh LORD, that your people would listen to the Prophet I wrote about, Your Son, the Holy One of Israel!”[3]
I have long believed there is a real longing in the souls of men and women who practice Judaism – a nearness or a relationship they truly want with God – that going to synagogue, studying Talmud, or becoming involved in Jewish mysticism (often called Kabbalah) ultimately can’t fulfill.
Saul of Tarsus, the former Pharisee who was divinely called by the Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–22), wrote about his love for his people – the Jewish people – and their “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:1–2). Jesus is the end of the Law for righteousness for everyone who believes (10:4). When people seek spirituality outside of the Scriptures (the Tanakh and the New Testament), they find there are many paths that will lead them astray. Kabbalistic mysticism is not a path which leads to the truth.[4]
The celebration of Lag B’Omer should prompt us to pray for religious Jewish communities, who long for true connection with the God of Israel and yet have scales over their eyes that prevent them from seeing the way to truly know God is through His Son (2 Corinthians 3:14–16). He is the One foreshadowed by the near sacrifice of Isaac, and by Joseph, the brother whose rejection and harm God ultimately meant for good.[5] He is the One of whom Isaiah wrote.[6] May we pray for those celebrating around bonfires lit for Lag B’Omer because the true light who came into the world is the light which will fill their heart with the joy of salvation.[7]
As the psalmist cries out in Psalm 130:7–8, “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”[8]
May our Jewish friends come to know Him who brings redemption!
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah staff
Have you witnessed how the pursuit of mystical spirituality or the veneration of an individual can lead people astray from God, whether in your own life or the life of someone you know?
Can you identify with the deep longing to know God that draws some Jewish people toward a religious lifestyle? How can that longing be fulfilled in Messiah?
At Life in Messiah, we rejoice at the ways we have seen God working among the Haredim, both in the U.S. and in Israel! If you have a desire to partner with us in reaching the ultra-Orthodox community, you can find more information here: https://www.lifeinmessiah.org/unreached-unengaged.
Endnotes:
[1] Shimon bar Yochai was a historical person, but certain miraculous events attributed to him are most likely legendary, such as when he and his son went into hiding from the Roman authorities, living in a cave for thirteen years and being sustained by a carob tree and a spring of water God provided for their survival. (See https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112515/jewish/Rabbi-Shimon-Bar-Yochai.htm.)
[2] Jewish folk music originating in Eastern Europe.
[3] Psalm 2; Proverbs 30:4; Psalm 45:6–7; Psalm 110:1–4; Luke 20:41–44.
[4] Matthew 7:13–14; John 14:6; Proverbs 16:25; Acts 4:12.
[5] Genesis 22:5–18; 50:19–21.
[6] Isaiah 52:13–53:12.
[7] John 1:1–18; Isaiah 49:6.
[8] Quoted from the JPS (Jewish Publication Society) version.