ruth template

Beni Rachav (Sons of Rahab)

Another important person who can be seen as an example for a righteous stand against anti-Semitism as well as showing support for Judah and Israel is Rahab. Unlike Ruth who would go where Judah goes, lives as Judah lives to believe in their G-d (the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), and stand among them as one with their people, Rahab stood with Judah without becoming in any way identifiably Jewish when she sought to save their lives.

According to the book of Joshua 2, Rahab was a harlot; however, the word “zonah” in Hebrew can also mean an “idolater.” Yet, we know she acted righteously by showing fear of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was evidenced by her hiding of those spies sent by Joshua to survey the enemy’s camp. When confronted by the authorities Rahab lied to them which allowed the Israelite spies to escape and return safely to their people.

Beneath this story we see the acts of a righteous saintly man named Giovanni Palatucci who is often called the Italian “Schindler”. Unlike Schindler, who was a womanizer and enjoyed his drink, Giovanni Palatucci lived a devoted and holy Catholic life and did not fear hiding Hebrew “spies”, as the Germans called Jews of their day. He secretly, with the help of his uncle who was a bishop, spirited over 5000 Jews to safety right under the nose of the Nazis. Still, his acts of heroism did not go unnoticed by his enemy who in time arrested him and sent him to Dachau to die, but not before he sent the Jewish woman he loved to safety using his own passport to survival. In the end he freely chose death, thus placing before the Jewish people that red thread of faith as Rahab did. Today in Israel there is a street in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, that bears his name and it is lined with trees that number the years he lived. Furthermore, Jews also believe he has a place with them in the World- to-Come.

In comparison we see that Schindler saved upwards of 1100 lives whereas Giovanni Palatucci saved more than 5000; almost five times the number of lives. So what was the difference? It may have been his position in the police force, that he had an uncle who assisted him, or perhaps because he had more connections of people willing, as he was, to risk everything for a righteous cause.

People who enter vocations often come from devout religious homes. Through this religious practice a person would develop more friends who would be willing to take up their cross and follow Christ. Therefore, we do not see a coincidence but rather the fruit of a Holy Catholic walk before spiritual Babylon (Nazism) came down.

Consider that Rahab had her whole family in the SAME HOUSE, and willing to follow her out when the call came; therefore, the spies did not have to search for them all over Jericho. Yet Rahab was not so isolated that she did not know what was going on as she said to the spies whom she hid on her roof:

“I know that HaShem (Sacred Name) has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how HaShem dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any man, because of you; for HaShem your God is He Who is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (Jos.2.8-11)

Obviously Rahab knew what was going on in her own hometown which suggests she had some advance knowledge of those “police” coming. She also knew what was happening with the Israelites as well as G-d’s actions to preserve them. We do not believe this was much different from Giovanni Palatucci who knew the SS was after him. Still, he took the risk to help save lives and was greatly successful because he was connected to the needs of the Jewish people through his Jewish girlfriend, the same woman he saved in his own place.

So to walk in these footsteps of Rahab, we suspect one only needs a walk similar to Giovanni Palatucci, whose example shows maintaining an ACTIVE Christian walk. Such a walk is extremely important to securing those connections during times of peace and prosperity that can come to have immeasurable importance to saving lives when that spiritual Babylon arises once again. Besides, the Catholic form of “the Law” is not only kosher and holy in its own right, but it is also good for building discipline, just as the Eucharist strengthens us and our Catholic holidays train us.

In fact, we believe the same Spirit leads both our faiths, which another point of similarity became evidenced over a discussion we had with our local priest regarding gossip and James 3. In the conversation he mentioned a book he had recently read about the seven deadly sins in which the author said the sin of gossip was more serious than any of the other carnal sins, thus matching the words of Saint James. To illustrate the point, the author wrote a story he received from his mother where a woman asked a local priest if it would be all right to gossip occasionally; believing it would not have any harm. In response, the priest told her to take her feather pillow on a windy day, open it up, and let those feathers into the wind. When the pillow was completely empty she was to go out a gather each and every feather, not leaving even one behind. “But father, she exclaimed, “I could never do that!” He replied, “Neither can you undo the damage you do for even a little gossip once it leaves your mouth.”

This story matches fairly close to a rabbinical story we encountered where a student approaches a Chassidic rabbi and the rabbi illustrates point through torn pieces of paper. The moral of the story was the same- that recovering every little bit of slander you put forth is impossible once it has left your mouth; therefore, we must learn to bridle our tongues (James 3).

Thus, we perceive that the Roman Catholic walk is every bit as refining and purifying as the walk called for in Torah. Furthermore, if indeed the rabbis are correct that the teachings such as the one displayed above is from Moses, whom had a close intimate walk with our L-rd, then so would the Catholic teachings exemplify the same fruit if also received through the same source. In this case it is now through the Holy See to establish the Oral Torah. Furthermore, the Council of Trent also explains we have the Sacraments, all fulfilled by the power and Blood of our L-rd and Savior, whether we walk into the footsteps of Ruth or the footsteps of Rahab.

Consequently, it is imperative to establish relationships that allow us to see into our neighbor’s world and to be alert to the troubles affecting that world before becoming clear. This does not necessarily imply more “mixed marriages”, but rather that the daughters of Ruth are full siblings to the Sons of Rahab, even as Ruth moves to unite more fully to her mother-in-law, Naomi of Judah. Therefore, we see the children of Ruth acting as a bridge between our two faiths, and the children of Rahab acting as a sanctuary. Both are imperative to show love to our neighbor, especially to those who need mercy. Together we may bring greater unity among us all, thus showing we do share the same L-rd and G-d. Yet, even as darkness comes again Ruth will indeed stand with Judah (Naomi) in hopes of holding the darkness back, or even die if we fail. Rahab, however, will prepare before the darkness descends and hide Judah if we fail, so at least some of Judah will be saved.

Home

Home Apologetics FAQ Recipes Guest Book Contact Us

	Beni Rachav (Sons of Rahab) Another important person who can be seen as an example for a righteous stand against anti-Semitism as well as showing support for Judah and Israel is Rahab. Unlike Ruth who would go where Judah goes, lives as Judah lives to believe in their G-d (the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), and stand among them as one with their people, Rahab stood with Judah without becoming in any way identifiably Jewish when she sought to save their lives. According to the book of Joshua 2, Rahab was a harlot; however, the word “zonah” in Hebrew can also mean an “idolater.” Yet, we know she acted righteously by showing fear of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was evidenced by her hiding of those spies sent by Joshua to survey the enemy’s camp. When confronted by the authorities Rahab lied to them which allowed the Israelite spies to escape and return safely to their people. Beneath this story we see the acts of a righteous saintly man named Giovanni Palatucci who is often called the Italian “Schindler”. Unlike Schindler, who was a womanizer and enjoyed his drink, Giovanni Palatucci lived a devoted and holy Catholic life and did not fear hiding Hebrew “spies”, as the Germans called Jews of their day. He secretly, with the help of his uncle who was a bishop, spirited over 5000 Jews to safety right under the nose of the Nazis. Still, his acts of heroism did not go unnoticed by his enemy who in time arrested him and sent him to Dachau to die, but not before he sent the Jewish woman he loved to safety using his own passport to survival. In the end he freely chose death, thus placing before the Jewish people that red thread of faith as Rahab did. Today in Israel there is a street in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, that bears his name and it is lined with trees that number the years he lived. Furthermore, Jews also believe he has a place with them in the World- to-Come. In comparison we see that Schindler saved upwards of 1100 lives whereas Giovanni Palatucci saved more than 5000; almost five times the number of lives. So what was the difference? It may have been his position in the police force, that he had an uncle who assisted him, or perhaps because he had more connections of people willing, as he was, to risk everything for a righteous cause. People who enter vocations often come from devout religious homes. Through this religious practice a person would develop more friends who would be willing to take up their cross and follow Christ. Therefore, we do not see a coincidence but rather the fruit of a Holy Catholic walk before spiritual Babylon (Nazism) came down. Consider that Rahab had her whole family in the SAME HOUSE, and willing to follow her out when the call came; therefore, the spies did not have to search for them all over Jericho. Yet Rahab was not so isolated that she did not know what was going on as she said to the spies whom she hid on her roof: “I know that HaShem (Sacred Name) has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how HaShem dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any man, because of you; for HaShem your God is He Who is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (Jos.2.8-11) Obviously Rahab knew what was going on in her own hometown which suggests she had some advance knowledge of those “police” coming. She also knew what was happening with the Israelites as well as G-d’s actions to preserve them. We do not believe this was much different from Giovanni Palatucci who knew the SS was after him. Still, he took the risk to help save lives and was greatly successful because he was connected to the needs of the Jewish people through his Jewish girlfriend, the same woman he saved in his own place. So to walk in these footsteps of Rahab, we suspect one only needs a walk similar to Giovanni Palatucci, whose example shows maintaining an ACTIVE Christian walk. Such a walk is extremely important to securing those connections during times of peace and prosperity that can come to have immeasurable importance to saving lives when that spiritual Babylon arises once again. Besides, the Catholic form of “the Law” is not only kosher and holy in its own right, but it is also good for building discipline, just as the Eucharist strengthens us and our Catholic holidays train us. In fact, we believe the same Spirit leads both our faiths, which another point of similarity became evidenced over a discussion we had with our local priest regarding gossip and James 3. In the conversation he mentioned a book he had recently read about the seven deadly sins in which the author said the sin of gossip was more serious than any of the other carnal sins, thus matching the words of Saint James. To illustrate the point, the author wrote a story he received from his mother where a woman asked a local priest if it would be all right to gossip occasionally; believing it would not have any harm. In response, the priest told her to take her feather pillow on a windy day, open it up, and let those feathers into the wind. When the pillow was completely empty she was to go out a gather each and every feather, not leaving even one behind. “But father, she exclaimed, “I could never do that!” He replied, “Neither can you undo the damage you do for even a little gossip once it leaves your mouth.” This story matches fairly close to a rabbinical story we encountered where a student approaches a Chassidic rabbi and the rabbi illustrates point through torn pieces of paper. The moral of the story was the same- that recovering every little bit of slander you put forth is impossible once it has left your mouth; therefore, we must learn to bridle our tongues (James 3). Thus, we perceive that the Roman Catholic walk is every bit as refining and purifying as the walk called for in Torah. Furthermore, if indeed the rabbis are correct that the teachings such as the one displayed above is from Moses, whom had a close intimate walk with our L-rd, then so would the Catholic teachings exemplify the same fruit if also received through the same source. In this case it is now through the Holy See to establish the Oral Torah. Furthermore, the Council of Trent also explains we have the Sacraments, all fulfilled by the power and Blood of our L-rd and Savior, whether we walk into the footsteps of Ruth or the footsteps of Rahab. Consequently, it is imperative to establish relationships that allow us to see into our neighbor’s world and to be alert to the troubles affecting that world before becoming clear. This does not necessarily imply more “mixed marriages”, but rather that the daughters of Ruth are full siblings to the Sons of Rahab, even as Ruth moves to unite more fully to her mother-in-law, Naomi of Judah. Therefore, we see the children of Ruth acting as a bridge between our two faiths, and the children of Rahab acting as a sanctuary. Both are imperative to show love to our neighbor, especially to those who need mercy. Together we may bring greater unity among us all, thus showing we do share the same L-rd and G-d. Yet, even as darkness comes again Ruth will indeed stand with Judah (Naomi) in hopes of holding the darkness back, or even die if we fail. Rahab, however, will prepare before the darkness descends and hide Judah if we fail, so at least some of Judah will be saved. Home