This is just the tip of the iceberg. And as many anti-missionary activists have repeatedly pointed out, Hayovel is merely ONE organization, perhaps the most public, but only ONE out of MANY missionary groups that are active in Eretz Yisroel, who are successfully integrating themselves in the political, ideological, infrastructural, and educational framework to undermine Torah Judaism from within. Many evangelical groups are coasting under the radar because Hayovel acts as a lightning rod. I’ve been told that there is not one yishuv in the Shomron that doesn’t bear at least one dedication plaque from an evangelical organization.
The conference concluded, I settled into my car after consuming two cups of coffee. On my long journey home to Negev, my mind was riddled with frustration at the sheer insanity of this outrage. I passed many other examples of Israeli lunacy. I drove past a sign declaring the road ahead to be AREA A, where my Jewish life would be forfeit if I entered, thanks to an Israeli armed Fatah and the legacy of the Oslo accords. My untrustworthy WAZE GPS system decided to take me through a hostile Arab village where I nearly smashed into a donkey on the side of the road that was hiding in the shadows. I continued on towards the mercaz and gradually southward, where the familiar Bedouin land-grabbing around me informed me that I was on my way home. I kept my eyes open for camels.
I am a veteran of these roads, and as an avid nature lover, I often see desert fauna crossing the road. Deeper southward, I slowed down as a young ibex crossed the road. Further on, a sand fox scampered across. Always wary (and excited!) to see a striped hyena crossing, I kept my eyes fixed on the road. And then it happened. Out of nowhere, a desert hare jumped into the road in front of my car. I tried to stop, but it was too late. Boom!
My practice is to also turn back and make sure that the animal isn’t wounded. It pains me to say that my return trip confirmed that it wasn’t a clean kill, and to end the animal’s terrible suffering I had to do the unpleasant humane thing. (In my own defense, a fact that anyone who knows me will attest to, I have a good eye for spotting wildlife. I can see atiny lizard basking on the side of the road, or a desert mouse scampering in the dark.) No one’s fault. The hare was hiding in a ditch and naturally had no knowledge of my car. I wasn’t speeding, and I couldn’t see it. I drove the rest of the way home with a heavy heart.
I only recall this terrible incident since it occurred to me that too many Jews are like the clueless hare on the side of the road. Oblivious and blind to the dangers, spiritual or physical and vulnerable to sudden devastation and death. Morose reflections on a somber night.
This phenomenon of Christian evangelicals planting themselves in our midst makes me sick to the core. They are a dagger in our soul. If they bother you as well, then it’s time to raise our collective Jewish voice to undo this tremendous desecration of G-d’s name. Let the reader take notice that prominent rabbonim have already joined the fight, and several new avenues of exposing this outrage are being aggressively explored. I call upon all proud Torah Jews, regardless of affiliation, to join this noble fight for Torah!
The challenge of the hour is to expose these missionaries and their religious cohorts, and thus sanctify The Almighty’s name.