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Hebrew New Testament
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| In 2004, the publishing department of the Israeli Ministry of Education approached the Bible Society in Israel for permission to use the text of its modern Hebrew New Testament in a book and booklet that they wanted to publish in order to teach Christianity to students. These publications, entitled ‘To Live in the Holy Land Knowing and Repecting Each Other’, were distributed in schools in 2005. Israel. Photo: BSI (ISR05DJ-10.JPG) |
ISRAEL — This year, for the first time, schoolchildren in Israel are being taught about Christianity in the context of the culture and traditions of the first century.
Last year the publishing department of the Israeli Ministry of Education approached the Bible Society in Israel for permission to use the text of its modern Hebrew New Testament in a book and a booklet which they wanted to publish in order to teach Christianity to students. These publications, entitled To Live in the Holy Land Knowing and Respecting Each Other, are now being used in the schools.
“We hope this introduction to Christianity in the land of the Bible will contribute to a better understanding between the Jewish and Muslim majority and the small Christian minority,” said Doron Even-Ari, the Executive Secretary of the Society. “We also hope and pray that many hearts will be open to the good news of the Gospel and that students will learn about our Bible Society as the major source of Bibles, study tools and outreach material in the land.”
Unforeseen blessing
Meanwhile, the choice of colours for a reprint of the New Testament turned out to be an unforeseen blessing in the context of the animosity over Israel’s recent withdrawal from long-established settlements in Gaza.
Following a reprint of the Hebrew New Testament, a Christian organisation purchased 10,000 of the 24,000 copies available, 5,000 with a ‘camouflage‘ green cover, the colour of a soldier’s uniform, and 5,000 with a cover in orange.
Colour orange
“When the colour orange was chosen [for the cover],” said Mr Even-Ari, “we had no idea that this would be the colour representing those opposed to the disengagement process – while blue represented those in favour of it.” So during the withdrawal, the camouflage-cover New Testaments were distributed among the soldiers and the orange ones were distributed among those who opposed the disengagement.
Painful process
“During this painful process, people – most of whom are religious Jews – were literally thrown out of their homes,” he said. “The main question on their hearts was, ‘Where is God in all of this?’ This was a good opportunity to provide them with a Hebrew New Testament with the message of hope and salvation.” (WR 397/13 - 11.05) [1 photo]