I am an "armchair" Kohen.

At least this is what Reuven Prager calls me. Here's his response to my valid inquiry:


RP: Shalom from Jerusalem!

JHK: Greetings. Judah HaKohain here from http://hamikdash.blogspot.com

RP: Never heard of you. I checked your link above, read its pretensions, and wonder why this is the first time you have contacted me. I have served as a Levite on Duty for 25 years, researching and restoring ancient Israelite customs in preparation for rebuilding the Holy Temple; restoring Beged Ivri, Biblical weddings, broken the taboo against wearing Techelet, identified and made available the 11 original ingredients of the Ketoret and 4 ingredients of the Shemen HaMishchah, and restored the mitzvah of netinat machatzit hashekel, establishing the criteria for the machatzit hashekel for this and future generations. And this filth is what you initiate contact with me for?

JHK: Would you please comment on why you are appearing at a messianic convention in Chicago in August?

RP: I was invited to speak. They agreed to my conditions for speaking; namely that I am to be respected for who I am; I am not to be subjected to any attempts to change my religious beliefs; and I am to be protected by staff from any zealous participant who cannot control the urge to 'witness' to me, so I am not left to defend myself from assault. I do not speak about religion or politics, only about the work taking place in Jerusalem to restore ancient Israelite customs in preparation for rebuilding the Holy Temple.

JHK: Do you endorse "messianic" judaism?

RP: Chas V'chalilah. You are obviously an armchair Kohen otherwise you would know me, my work, and the inanity of asking me such a ridiculous question.

JHK: Are you yourself "messianic" in that you consider the Christian god (aka Jesus) the Jewish Messiah?

RP: Are you insane? No.


Well, there you go. Perhaps I was wrong to question him.

The Levite doth protest too much, methinks.

These were legitimate questions. People are known by the company they keep. "Al tifrosh min hatzibor." Speaking to and thereby legitimizing these people are clearly separating yourself from the Klal. Hashem forbids socializing with idol worshippers. Simple.

As to "this filth" (aka my honest inquiry), I am still perplexed why "messianics" would be his choice of audience. Wouldn't a "Levite on Duty" want to distance himself from idol worshipers and those who prey on Jewish souls? Why give their "movement" credence by speaking to them?

Personally, this "Kohain on Duty" would not have anything to do with these people as they harm Jews. THAT'S where we differ. Sorry if that's filth.

Nowhere does Mr. Prager denounce "messianics" on his site. That would be a great first step. I would also love to see a haskama from Rabbis proclaiming his work with them as kosher. Would they give it if they knew the bulk of his time was speaking to "messianics?" Would Ha-Rav Ha-Gadol Amnon Yitzchak Shlita say this was a positive endeavor for Klal Yisrael?

It is time that we choose sides.

Please chime in, people!

Wait a second!

Take a gander below at the "messianic" Chicago "ResTORAHation" 2008 convention.

You will notice that "Beged Ivri" founder Reuven Prager is slated to appear. Why exactly is Mr. Prager cavorting with so-called messianic Jews and why in G-d's name is Arutz Sheva promoting him on their Tuesday Night Live program?

He is also listed as a link on the Tree of Life messianic Assembly. His fault? No. But where is the repudiation of apostate Judaism and evangelical groups who support them? Perhaps they're the "Biblical lifestyle's" bread and butter? That's no excuse.

What's more "Biblical" than uprooting idol worship and preventing other Jews from falling into it's sticky, fetid trap? Isn't idol worship one of the reasons we were expelled by G-d from Eretz Yisrael (ironically making us give up the biblical lifestyle for 2000 years)? There can be no excuse for targeting these groups for profit if it endangers Jewish Neshamot.

It's not as bad that he's listed on all these messianic sites as it is what's missing from his own: a statement denouncing these soul thieves and their underhanded tactics. Achdut and Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh l'Zeh is what will bring the Redemption, not biblical garb.

Answers please.



















The following email was sent to Mr. Prager:

"Would you please comment on why you are appearing at a messianic convention in Chicago in August? Do you endorse "messianic" judaism? Are you yourself "messianic" in that you consider the Christian god (aka Jesus) the Jewish Messiah?"

I await his reply.