My response: Naturally, the “THEY” are evangelical missionaries. And yes, THEY are the enemy. The very definition of an evangelical means they want to bring Jews to the cross. The willingness to wear any mask, to change tactics to accommodate the challenge is right out of the gospels (Corinthians). Are there righteous gentiles who wish to help Israel without converting them? Perhaps yes. But the Wallers do not fall in this theoretical category, although Medad would like to delude the reader into believing that they do. All this, despite the plethora of information, written and visual which documents that the Wallers are missionaries. I ask the reader to check out this video link, where Tommy Waller talks about showing Jews this “Jesus that we know.”
For those who lack the patience to check the link, here is what Tommy Waller said. I don’t know how anyone with functional ears and eyes can misunderstand his message.
“As we’re working with these people [the Jews], we’ll be able to share with them this Jesus, that we know… “
One of Waller’s sons continues:
“Our family has begun a ministry called Hayovel. The vision of Hayovel is to develop a network of individuals, families and congregations who are ready to labor side by side with the people of Israel. To bless them, to stand with them, to share with them a passion for the soon coming jubilee in yeshua messiah.”
Thank you Tommy, for your honesty. And this is merely one of many clips that expose the Wallers.
Halachah: Gentiles in the Land
But all this this begs a question which cannot be overlooked. One who subscribes to Halacha must adhere to the full parameters of Jewish law. And so we cannot ignore the real question of the permissibility of any gentile helping out in the land, even those genuinely friendly to the Jewish people without any agendas whatsoever. Here we enter the very complicated discussion regarding which gentiles are allowed to be in the land, either permanently or even temporarily. This is a purely halachic issue, and while I am not a posek (halachic decisor), I will cite some of the most prominent positions.
Rambam: Despite Medad’s spurious assault on my commitment to the Rambam, I would suggest that he point out where I misunderstand the Rambam rather than hurl insults. The insults don’t hurt me, but Medad doesn’t address the points I raise. The Rambam would generally be viewed as one of the stricter (perhaps strictest) Rishonim when it comes to the halachic criteria for gentiles residing in the land. Assuming that the situation is one where Jews are stronger than the gentiles, only those gentiles who follow the 7 laws of Noah, accept “tribute and servitude” and accept the status of ger toshav (resident stranger) in front of a Jewish court during a time of yovel (jubilee), can attain this status.
ט[ו] אֵין כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלּוּ אֲמוּרִים, אֵלָא בִּזְמָן שֶׁגָּלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבֵין הָאֻמּוֹת, אוֹ בִּזְמָן שֶׁיַּד הַגּוֹיִים תַּקִּיפָה. אֲבָל בִּזְמָן שֶׁיַּד יִשְׂרָאֵל תַּקִּיפָה עַל אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, אָסוּר לָנוּ לְהַנִּיחַ גּוֹי עוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בֵּינֵינוּ; אַפִלּוּ יוֹשֵׁב יְשִׁיבַת עֲרַאי, אוֹ עוֹבֵר מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם לִסְחוֹרָה, לֹא יַעֲבֹר בְּאַרְצֵנוּ, עַד שֶׁיְּקַבַּל עָלָיו שֶׁבַע מִצְווֹת שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ בְּנֵי נוֹחַ–שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר “לֹא יֵשְׁבוּ בְּאַרְצְךָ” (שמות כג,לג), אַפִלּוּ לְפִי שָׁעָה. וְאִם קִבַּל עָלָיו שֶׁבַע מִצְווֹת, הֲרֵי זֶה גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב. וְאֵין מְקַבְּלִין גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב, אֵלָא בִּזְמָן שֶׁהַיּוֹבֵל נוֹהֵג; אֲבָל שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמָן הַיּוֹבֵל, אֵין מְקַבְּלִין אֵלָא גֵּר צֶדֶק בִּלְבָד. (Machon Mamre Online Mishne Torah)
“All the above is only applicable when we are in exile or among the nations.pr when the nations are mightier than Israel, but when Israel is mightier than they, we are forbidden to leave non-Jews among us. Even for a non-Jew to live temporarily in eretz Yisroel or just to pass through on business is forbidden unless he undertakes the seven Noachide Laws……Anf if he undertakes them he is a ger toshav (resident stranger). We do not accept a ger toshav except when the Jubilee year is operative. At other times, we accept only real converts.” (Hilchot Avodah Zara V’chukot Hagoyim) “Uncensored Versions” of the Rambam.
