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Making Aliyah

Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 10:52 pm
by Muzhik
Shalom! Here is a cross-cultural question:

Are Hebrew Catholics (or Messianic Jews in general) eligible to make Aliyah? It would just seem odd that they allow Russian Jews who don't know anything about Judaism (and some of whom are in fact anti-semitic), yet wouldn't admit Jews because they've converted (or become fulfilled, depending on your definition.)

And if you ARE eligible for aliyah is there anything that we goyim can do to help? I mean, in the past we drove you from your homes; it seems only fair that now we'd drive you to the airport... :roll:

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Alijah and Hebrew Catholics / Messianic Jews

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 3:44 pm
by Ariel
To make alijah for Jewish Christians or Messianic Jews is not a simple matter. The safest way to do it as of now is to keep one's faith in Jesus completely secret. It's the most illogical thing in the world: to be Jewish according to halachah has nothing to do with one's personal faith. The state will never ask questions whether one believes in God or not, much less whether they believe in the revelation at Sinai. All Jews are available for alijah, whether they be atheist Jews, communist Jews, buddhist Jews, New Age Jews, or whatever. But the moment one believes in Jesus (and this is known by the ministry of interior) - it becomes practically impossible to make alijah and to get citizenship. Go figure!

What goyim can do to help? Taking them to the airport sounds fine =o). Actually several (generally evangelical) Christian organizations such as the Christian Embassy have done a lot to help Jews come to Israel.

Re: Alijah and Hebrew Catholics / Messianic Jews

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:14 am
by Sepharad
Ariel wrote:To make alijah for Jewish Christians or Messianic Jews is not a simple matter. The safest way to do it as of now is to keep one's faith in Jesus completely secret. It's the most illogical thing in the world: to be Jewish according to halachah has nothing to do with one's personal faith. The state will never ask questions whether one believes in God or not, much less whether they believe in the revelation at Sinai. All Jews are available for alijah, whether they be atheist Jews, communist Jews, buddhist Jews, New Age Jews, or whatever. But the moment one believes in Jesus (and this is know by the ministry of interior) - it becomes practically impossible to make alijah and to get citizenship. Go figure!

What goyim can do to help? Taking them to the airport sounds fine =o). Actually several (generally evangelical) Christian organizations such as the Christian Embassy have done a lot to help Jews come to Israel.
There have been cases of "messianic Jews" who tried making aliyah by either keeping quiet about their belief in Jesus, or by lying.

The authorities know better now, and prospective immigrants, unless they have impeccable Orthodox Jewish references, are asked directly if they believe in Jesus or not. I know because many ppl I know who made aliyah were asked this.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:08 pm
by Athol
Yes it is strange how Jewish Catholics and other Jewish Christians are considered Jewish by Halakah and Jewish enough to be gassed as Jews in the holocaust but not Jewish enough to live in Israel. However many Russians who are not Jewish by halakah or belief are welcomed with open arms if they have one Jewish grandparent (and some don't even have a Jewish grandparent). Go figure!!!!

according to israeli law - no...

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:21 pm
by michalos
that's the answer according to israeli law.

there is a large population of messianic jews in israel, however, most if not all of them were born in israel, or made aliyah as jews.

the jewish law allows only jews or those who converted into judaism to make aliya.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:10 pm
by Athol
Actually I read recently that if your father was Jewish but not your mother then you can make aliya even if you are a Messianic or christian- it is only those who have a Jewish mother who have become a Messianic or christian that can't come to Israel under the Law of Return.