Dear Family in the Messiah Yeshua! Greetings and blessing from your brothers and sisters at “Holy Land Ministries in Israel”!
We are pleased to be able to send you this latest HLM Newsletter detailing some of our work in Israel and beyond. We value your prayer support for the work and for Israel in general and hope that the following items will prove useful.
We are now approaching Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) which will be celebrated this year starting on the evening of Saturday 2nd August to the evening of Sunday 3rd August 2025.
Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av) is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, commemorating multiple national tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout history. The destruction of the first and second temples occurred on this same day as have many other historical events in the life of the Jewish people including:
First Crusade (1096): Massacres of Jews in France and Germany.
Expulsions from England (1290) and France (1306).
Start of World War I (1914): Which led to massive upheaval and eventually the Holocaust.
The Final Solution approved (1941): Heinrich Himmler received formal approval for the Holocaust.
Deportation from the Warsaw Ghetto (1942): Began on Tisha B’Av.
Tisha B’Av is observed with fasting, mourning practices, and reading of Eicha (Lamentations). It symbolises the deep pain of exile and the hope for ultimate redemption.
Introduction by Steve Chappell – HLM board member U.K.
At the time of writing this newsletter Israel has been at war for 656 days.
During this time the IDF have achieved incredible success on many fronts due not only to the bravery and resilience of the young men and women who make up the various arms of the IDF but more importantly, I believe, due to their “Shomer Yisrael”, the Guardian of Yisrael, the LORD God of Hosts.
The situation in Israel, although much less tense, is still very challenging. Over the last few days 5 soldiers have been killed in Gaza and many soldiers still have life changing injuries
I was speaking recently to the administrator of HLM and she shared with me the shocking news that the suicide rate amongst Israelis, especially soldiers and ex-soldiers, has increased alarmingly.
This was marked by a recent conversation with Robert, a soldier in the IDF that HLM is helping, who we have mentioned before. He was just recently discharged after 3 years service and almost immediately received his “call up papers” as a reservist. Meaning he may well have to stay on active duty. Fortunately Robert took in good grace. But it shows the pressure these young Israeli men and women are under.
As you pray for Israel please pray for the shalom of God to be on His people at this difficult time.
“The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace”.
Psalm 29:11 New King James Version
We are pleased to be able to include the following article on Tisha B’Av by our local rabbi and brother in Messiah Yeshua.
Tisha B5785 av’
תשע באב תשפ״ה
The events which the ninth day of the month of Av commemorate are truly some of the saddest and worst events in the history of the Jewish people. The unfortunate matter is that these terrible events did not have to take place, for G-d raised up a prophet called Jeremiah to lead them to repentance and place them upon the proper way; however, the people refused to heed his voice and it was precisely their hardness of hearts that caused them to suffer in a most harsh manner. For one reads in Jeremiah’s prophecy,
כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה עִמְדוּ עַל-דְּרָכִים וּרְאוּ וְשַׁאֲלוּ לִנְתִבוֹת עוֹלָם, אֵי-זֶה דֶרֶךְ הַטּוֹב וּלְכוּ-בָהּ, וּמִצְאוּ מַרְגּוֹעַ, לְנַפְשְׁכֶם; וַיֹּאמְרוּ, לֹא נֵלֵךְ. ירמיהו ו.ט״ז
“Thus said the L-rd, stand upon highways and see, ask for the eternal paths, which way is good and go on it and find relaxation for your souls, but they said, ‘no we will not walk ”.’ 6:16 Jeremiah
This verse summarises the attitude of the Children of Israel. Jeremiah noted their stubbornness and unwillingness to respond to the instructions of G-d. Within this verse, there is a most interesting expression. G-d commands His people, “ask for the eternal paths.” In Hebrew this expression is לִנְתִבוֹת עוֹלָם . Although the word עוֹלָם is frequently translated eternal or everlasting, there is a direct connection with this word to the Kingdom of G-d. In other words, despite the fact that Israel had engaged in idolatry and behaved rebelliously, HaShem was willing to forgive and extend grace to His people. The Hebrew word חֶסֶד relates to G-d’s grace. The Biblical concept of grace is frequently misunderstood.
Although grace is certainly related to salvation, many fail to connect grace to the will of G-d. It is because G-d was extending grace to the Jewish people, there was now an opportunity for them to enter into the Kingdom of G-d. This is why the expression עוֹלָם לִנְתִבוֹת appears in this verse. It is the grace of G-d which restores His covenant people of G-d to His will. Ultimately, G-d wants those who are in a covenant with Him to experience the fullness of His promises, which can only be known in His Kingdom.
When one rejects the grace of G-d what can this person expect to experience? The answer is found in Jeremiah 6:19,
שִׁמְעִי הָאָרֶץ–הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מֵבִיא רָעָה אֶל-הָעָם הַזֶּה, פְּרִי מַחְשְׁבוֹתָם: כִּי עַל-דְּבָרַי לֹא הִקְשִׁיבוּ, וְתוֹרָתִי וַיִּמְאֲסוּ-בָהּ. ירמיהו ו.יט
“Hear the earth, behold I am bringing evil to this people, the fruit of their thoughts, for concerning My words they did not hear and My Torah they loathed it. 6:19 Jeremiah”.
It is very important that the Bible student learn the significance of two Hebrew words. These two words are טוב ורע , good and evil. For some reason, many translators fail to
render the word רע correctly in many Biblical texts. When examining this verse in
numerous translations, I found the most common way it was rendered was with the word “disaster”. Another way it was frequently translated was with the word ”calamity“. The primary meaning of the Hebrew word רע is something which is categorically against or in opposition to the will of G-d. Hence, it was not that G-d wanted to or intended to bring the events of Tisha B’av on the Children of Israel. He preferred to be gracious and restore Israel to His covenantal promises which the greatest was eternity in the Kingdom of G-d. It was only due to the unrepentant heart of Israel and their rebellious spirit that G-d did what He did not plan to do, that is, something which was against His will. The message which this article wants to emphasise is that all the terrible things which the Jewish people experienced during those three weeks known as בֵּין המְַּצרִָים (between the straits). The key
word in this Hebrew expression is המְַּצרִָים and is derived from the Hebrew word צר which means narrow, relating to pressure or tribulation. This term is used to describe the three weeks between the 17th day of Tammuz and the 9th day of Av. It was during this period that the people of Judah suffered greatly and the First Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and also on this same date the Second Temple was destroyed by Titus of Rome.
Again, this did not have to happen if Israel would have turned away from Idolatry, and repented and began to walk in the ways and the truth of G-d. It was only because the people refused to respond to Jeremiah’s call, that all of these horrible things came upon the people. This fact is clearly seen in Jeremiah 7:3,
ֹּכּהֹ-אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵיטִיבוּ דַרְכֵיכֶם וּמַעַלְלֵיכֶם וַאֲשַׁכְּנָה אֶתְכֶם בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה
“Thus said the L-rd of Hosts, the G-d of Israel, make good your ways and your deeds and I will make you dwell in this place ”. Jeremiah 7:3
When a person examines the conclusion of this verse, there is an emphasis on the phrase ואֲַשַׁכּנְהָ אתְֶכםֶ בּמַָּקוֹם הַזֶּה . The verb שכן is in the intensive form which reveals the strong desire that G-d had to cause the people to continue to dwell in this place, Jerusalem. It was truly sad that the people’s hard hearts and stubbornness caused them to endure one of the most difficult periods of Israel’s history. Instead of hearing and responding to the words of the true prophet of G-d, Jeremiah, the people foolishly believed the words of false prophets who led them astray and into exile. This problem is mentioned in Jeremiah 7:4,
אַל-תִּבטְְחוּ לָכםֶ אֶל-דִּבְרֵי השַּׁקֶֶר לאֵמרֹ הֵיכַל יְהוָה הֵיכַל יְהוָה הֵיכַל יְהוָה המֵָּה.
“Do not trust in words of falsehood saying, ‘The sanctuary of the L-rd, the sanctuary of the L-rd , they are the L-rd’s.” Most Bibles incorrectly translate the Hebrew word הֵיכַל as Temple, when in actuality it relates to the Sanctuary, i.e., the Holy of Holies, where G-d used to dwell. The message of the false prophets was easy to comprehend, as the prophets were trusting in the fact that it was the הֵיכַל where G-d resided; therefore, they could not imagine a world without Jerusalem being the dwelling place of their G-d. But G-d is not mocked; He will not endure the idolatrous behaviour of the tribes of Israel for long and will even destroy the Kingdom of Judah and the Holy City of Jerusalem and even the place in which His spirit once resided. It is easy to see why the people trusted in false words, as it would indeed be difficult to believe that the L-rd G-d of Israel would allow the city in which His presence dwelt to be destroyed. However, the righteousness of G-d demanded that if Israel went after other gods, which G-d had warned them against, there would be a harsh response to
such behavior. For Moses had written,
הַעִידֹתִי בָכֶם הַיּוֹם אֶת-הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת-הָאָרֶץ, כִּי-אָבֹד תֹּאבֵדוּן מַהֵר, מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן שָׁמָּה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ: לֹא-תַאֲרִיכֻן יָמִים עָלֶיהָ, כִּי הִשָּׁמֵד תִּשָּׁמֵדוּן. וְהֵפִיץ יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם, בָּעַמִּים; וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם, מְתֵי מִסְפָּר, בַּגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר יְנַהֵג יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה.
“I testify against you today O heaven and earth, that you will utterly perish quickly from the land which you are passing over the Jordan there to inherit it. You will not lengthen your days upon it, for you will be utterly destroyed. The L-rd will scatter you among the peoples and you will be left few in number, where the L-rd will lead you there ”. 27-4:26 Deuteronomy
In this passage, Moses prophesies about a future exile which will happen to the Children of Israel if, G-d forbid, they fell into idolatry. The events that led up to Tisha B’Av are clearly related to what Moses had written so long before. It should serve us today as a reminder of our righteous G-d, Who Moses called,
כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה הוּא: אֵל, קַנָּא.
“For the L-rd your G-d, He is a devouring fire, a jealous G-d ”. Deuteronomy 4:24
Sobering words which are as relevant today as they were 3,500 years ago and during the days of Jeremiah, who had called the people to repentance unsuccessfully.
Let us learn from the errors of our forefathers. May you have a meaningful fast on this coming Tisha B.av’
Russian Speaking Pastors Project
Following the successful visit of Alexei Eropkin a new volunteer, Viktor Zayev, will be arriving in September this year to continue this vital outreach.
Viktor has successfully applied for his visa and will hopefully arrive sometime late September.
Please pray that the LORD will bless him in his ministry and that the LORD will provide the finances necessary for this very important work.
Ashqelon in Elderly the to Outreach
Julia and the team in Ashqelon continue to faithfully minister to the elderly wards in Ashqelon.
Many of the elderly wards are holocaust survivors and are facing the many difficulties that come with old age. They are greatly encouraged to know that there are people from many nations who care and pray for them.
Below photos of two of our wards in Ashqelon sent by Julia.
“This is our dear friend Liza, she is 94 years old.
Liza survived the Holocaust disaster, and she greatly values living in Israel. When I ask Liza how to pray for her, she only asks for prayers for the soldiers and for our team.”
In the photo on the right are our dear wards from Ashkelon – Galina and David, both 88 years old, Holocaust survivors.
Despite the hardships of their lives, these kind people have remained warm and open. They are always grateful for the opportunity to hear about the Lord and thankful for our prayers.
Please pray for the elderly wards in Ashqelon the the LORD will grant them the strength and peace to overcome the challenges of their advanced years and that he will open their hearts to receive the “Good News” of salvation in Yeshua HaMashiach.
Beersheva in Elderly the to Outreach
Yaroslav, Elena and their son Rodion are greatly assisting the ministry of HLM in Beersheva to the elderly and needy there in spite of the ongoing challenges faced by everyone in Israel.
Please pray that the LORD will strengthen and bless the team in Beersheva so that they may continue to serve the elderly and needy in the ongoing challenging environment.
The picture on the left shows Olga Yakovlevna, one of our wards, she was born in 1945.
She is a woman of faith who came to faith in Messiah Yeshua and was baptised in Israel.
She made aliyah in 2015.
Not long ago, she was involved in an accident in which she sustained multiple injuries and underwent several surgeries.
She is currently undergoing various rehabilitation treatments and physiotherapy aimed at improving her condition. Despite being alone, she remains deeply faithful, spiritually supportive, always grateful, and kind-hearted.
Kirgistan in Partners HLM
Our HLM partner “Amir” (not his real name), his wife and their fellowship local orphanage with material gifts and teaching, in an age appropriate way, about the Messiah, His people Israel and the festivals of the LORD.
They also continue to reach out to the elderly and needy, distributing food and other essentials.
Recently Amir’s mother-in-law passed away and he is currently is suffering with a digestive disorder.
Photo Left: “Amir” ministering in the orphanage
Please continue to pray for our brother “Amir”, that the LORD would comfort him in his loss and that he would know God’s healing power.
HLM Partners in India
Pastor Chandra and his congregations continue to help the poor and needy in the name of Messiah Yeshua.
Please pray for Pastor Chandra and his congregations that the LORD will bless and strengthen them and give them fruit for their labours.
Pastor Chandra and his congregation feeding the needy in India
Holy Land Ministries 