Missionaries Enter 770, Trigger Response From Rabbonim

by Yosef Yitzchak Kratz

In the past few hours, a group of missionaries entered the 770 Shul wearing missionary and Christian symbols. They asked to put on Tefillin — while photographing and documenting the entire event.

It is important to understand that this is a well-known missionary tactic. They seek to create photos and publicity portraying themselves as supposedly connected to Judaism and its Mitzvos, thereby attempting to legitimize their belief in oso ha’ish and, Rachmana litzlan, draw unsuspecting Jews into the net of shmad.

When I approached them and asked them to leave, several bochurim wondered: Perhaps they are Jewish, and if so, shouldn’t they be allowed to put on Tefillin?

I therefore wish to make the following clear, in accordance with the instructions of the Rabbonim of the neighborhood:

As long as they are wearing Christian or missionary symbols, they should not be welcomed or assisted in putting on Tefillin as part of this activity. Their intention is to exploit this holy Mitzvah for missionary propaganda and, apparently, to associate the Mitzvah of Tefillin itself with their false beliefs, Rachmana litzlan.

Even after removing those symbols, they must not be given any opportunity to photograph, document, or publicize the event in any way that could serve their missionary activities. The purpose of such publicity is to create the false impression that their beliefs can somehow coexist with Judaism and the observance of Mitzvos, thereby misleading Jews, Rachmana litzlan.

We must distance ourselves completely from them and their missionary activities. If, chas v’shalom, they enter our premises for missionary purposes, they should be instructed to leave.

This is not the first time they have used this tactic. On several occasions, they have attempted to be photographed supposedly participating in Jewish practices in order to create a misleading impression and give legitimacy to their belief in oso ha’ish.

With the Tefillah and Bitachon that we merit, Teikef U’Miyad Mamash, the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu — the true and only Moshiach, when Hashem will remove the spirit of impurity from the earth, “and the idols shall be utterly destroyed,” with the true and complete Geulah, Teikef U’Miyad Mamash.