A group of Ethopian Jews in the Israeli town of Ohr Yehuda received Bible from Messianic Jews that include the New Testament. The evangelizing of Ethopian Jews is a sensitivie issues, as they were often forced to convert to Christianity in Ethiopia, and the Jewish people are attempting to protect their Judaism. When the Deputy Mayor of Ohr Yehuda found out the New Testament was passed out, he encourage the collection and burning of these Bible. 

With millions of evangelist Christians supporting Israel around the world, particularly in the United States, some are concerned the Bible burning will strain the friendly relationship between the two groups.  The mayor’s actions were compared to Nazis burning the Jewish scriptures, and has since apoligized for leading the book burning. 

There is high tension between the Messianic and Orthodox Jews in Israel, as the Orthodoxs do not accept them as legitimate Jews, claiming they are Chrisitan missionaries. This was not the first incidient of harrasement and discrimination against the Messianics in Israel for their religious beliefs. Messianic Jews are now demanding that all parties involved with the Bible burning be brought to trial for religious discrimination.

The Response 

The Jewish community reacted against the Bible burning.  Rabbi Eric Yoffie (President of the Union for Reform Judaism), Rabbi Peter Knobel (President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis), and Rabbi David Saperstein (Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism), released a statement condemning the horrendous act that took place:

"We are appalled that Jews would engage in the burning of books that are held sacred by Christians around the world. These actions are hilul Hashem, a desecration of God’s name; they should be condemned by religious people of all faiths, are contrary to Jewish values, and demonstrate an utter disregard for the tolerance and mutual understanding that are essential if people of different faiths are to live together in harmony.

We Jews remember the burning by Christians of the Talmud in 13th-century Paris and 16th-century Italy. We remember as well the book burnings in Nazi Germany. It staggers the imagination that in the year 2008, Jews would engage in actions of this type.

We share the concerns of Jews in Israel about messianic activities of Christian missionaries, but such activities must be dealt with through appropriate legal means, as determined by the laws of the State of Israel.

We are appalled that Deputy Mayor Azi Aharon would apparently make comments encouraging such acts. We call upon him to apologize immediately, and we urge rabbis of all streams in Judaism to condemn these actions and to reaffirm the bonds of friendship and respect that should mark relations between Jews and Christians throughout the world."