Priest leads mob in smashing menorah in Moldova's capital

Sanhedrin 43a boasts that the rabbis overcame Roman opposition to the execution of "Jesus of Nazareth." There are many expurgated Talmud editions that hide the original admission. Beside the Steinsaltz translation, see "Jesus in the Talmud," by Princeton University Judaic Studies Director Peter Schafer, ISBN 9780691129266

The funny thing is taht Jesus was an observant Jew and he probably would have a Menorah at home too. Would this priest break his too?

We are all on the same team, we must work as one, I would be willing to change if it came to blows with my own brother, please find a way.

meant someone other than the Romans had to be fingered as responsible for the death of Jesus. Does anyone seriously think the Romans allowed their subject populations to run the show? Jesus was just another troublesome Jew to them. The Romans crucified as many as 2000 a day, and were averaging 500 crucifictions a day in the 40 years following Jesus's death. When Rome accepted the Christian faith, it obviously needed a fall guy for the crucifiction of Christ (after all, how could they themselves be responsible?), and unfortunately for the Jews, they were the obvious choice.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family :-).

#52 Sid, I agree with most of your views about Israel and after spending time in Gaza, sympathise with the Palestinians more than I can say, but the fact that some Rabbis are Jewish terrorists in the same way that some Muftis are Islamist terrorists and some Priests are Christian terrorists doesn't make this incident any less despicable.

All you Jews that are crying out the tired old Anti semitic/Jew hating mantra should look at Yourselves first before you condemn the priest. What about those racist rabbis who are giving the green light for violence against Arabs. what about those scum who violated a Mosque and burnt their religous books, who steal peoples houses and land and destroy their Olive trees and livlihood, and dont'd forget about the killings and Slaughter of civilians the list goes on and on. Everytime someone condems or speaks out against what the settlers and Isreal are doing to the poor palistinians You Jews cry out it's Anti Semitic claptrap .

Those menorah smashers are pretty stupid. They do not seem to know that they have a jew for a god. There god even celebrated jew holidays like passover. They must think the last supper was a russian holiday. YVT shmendrik nashashibi

This was the action of a stupid bigoted priest and should be condemned. Now what about the spate of recent vandalisms against Christian sites in Jerusalem?

What part of "Love thy neighbor" did the priest not understand?

Does that make this right?

Does that make this right?

My friend, I'm not saying that there aren't any muslims who terrorize Christians. All one has to do is look at the news to see otherwise. I have not forgotten what happened in the Church of Bethlehem, sigh. But there have been other religions, including other branches of Christianity, that have featured some who have terrorized Christians too. Shall we hate everyone in this weary world just in case they have in the past or might in the future, terrorize Christians? All I was trying to say is that it is wrong, especially for a Christian, to harbor hate towards their fellow man in their heart. Btw, thank you Josh.

The back story: The first recent incident was vandalism to Orthodox cathedral [search "Russian cathedral in Jerusalem vandalized"]. Also, the first graffiti on the Cenacle [search "Death to Christians: Hebrew graffiti next to Upper Room in Jerusalem"] was immediately removed due to the Vatican-Israel negotiations taking place at the time nearby. It was vandalized worse a few days later [search "More Jewish anti-Christian graffiti at the Cenacle"]. No mention of any of this in the U.S. press, only the ADL's usual ravings.

I thank you for your post and I do not question your pro-Israel views. I am actually not anti-Christian. I do not believe that Christianity is inherently anti-semitic, and I have no problem with the Christian belief that Jesus was the Son of God. I know that American Christians tend to be pro-Israel. American Christianity, though composed of many streams, largely views Israel as the legitimate homeland of the Jewish People, and regards the existence of Israel as proof of the validity of the Bible. However, American Christianity is not the same as European Christianity, which was dominated by another interpretation of the Old and the New Testaments, holding that the Jews are murderers of God and must suffer for it, and that the Church invalidates and supersedes Judaism. This directly led to centuries of persecution of the Jews in Europe, and largely explains why Europe tends to be far more hostile toward Israel and the Jews than the United States.

when antisemitism is in their blood there is nothing you can do about it!!

durson N. A Chinese Proverb, "Crowded elevator smell different to Midget"

Christian Arabs are terrorized by Muslims. Do you remember the two Christian Arab girls who were raped and murdered by the terrorists who hid themselves in the Church of Bethlehem? Do you want to talk about all the Christian Arabs who left the Palestinian Authority territories because of constant harrassment from their fellow Muslims? Why do you need to lie? Even Christians are not permitted to go into Al Aqsa mosque. I was there and they did not let me in.

Israel didn't kill 400 babies in Gaza. Sorry to disappoint you. And you're right. Beating a menorah to death wasn't the end of the world - and maybe instead of putting it back up and having it guarded by the police, a Jewish group should have simply taken turns to spit on the cross that was there to replace the menorah. Just a harmless bit of spit from maybe fifty people. It's worth thinking about. Instead of complaining we should start spitting.

Of course leftists are disturbed by the priest's actions just as they are disturbed by Natalie Durson's justification for hatred of Jews or #33's disregard of religious freedom and blood libel about 400 Gaza babies. We know what they're saying, and we don't justify or excuse it. Your statement is characteristic of the mindset that leftists can't be pro-Israel or aren't horrified by some fascist Orthodox priest destroying a Menorah or that leftists forget Kinshinev pogram in Moldova in 1903. Well that mindset may simplify the world for you, but it is dead wrong.

Yes torching a mosque or burning down a synagogue (sometimes with people inside) or destroying Torahs are acts that are despicable. These acts have been happening against Jews for thousands of years with nary an apology...the scorching of the mosque was condemned by the Rabbi's and the Israeli administration and a group of people,headed by a Rabbi,brought a new Koran to the mosque. Where have you ever seen muslims apologize for any acts of hatred or aggression or is it right to excuse them because they act like animals and animals do not know better? The world and thinkers like you seem to think so.

Moldova, cultural and spiritual centre of Eastern Europe. I'm still wondering why they can't find a miracle working Moldovan to worship. If they hate Jews so much, why worship Jesus? Fear of hellfire I guess. Or maybe they think Jesus was an old Etonian and C of E. They certainly don't worship him out of love. Love seems to be in short supply in Moldova. It is a real place, isn't it? I mean it's not some country that Peter Sellers would invent and then run, dressed as a grand duchess? The Mouse that Roared?

Please tell me what happened in your life that you show this hate for Jews and Israel.

I would be really interested to hear some facts about the murder of 400 babies in Gaza. Not just some line in a talkback but some real facts. Do you have any?

and especially not from those who are the ministers of God's word. it's bad enough that such sentiments are even held by a man of God, but to openly act on them brings shame to the church and the God it professes to represent. the man should prosecuted by the state, and banished by the church.

at least they didn't murder 400 babies in gaza

A shitty, backwarded and barbarian country bordering Transdnistria, living in the XIV century still, with a priest leading a pogrom on Jews celebrating Chanukah. Come home to Israel before it's too late.

Moldova is Bessarabya (the eastern part of the historical Romanian princedom Moldova (which Americans call Moldavia) that Russia/USSR "freed" from the Turks from the Romanians, from whoever/whenever. "Stefan cel Mare" (king Stephen) had no kikes to exile. At most he had a Jewish physician. (Never chased that one). Most likely it is a class problems. The Jews in Kishinew arrived from the Pale Settlement under Russian rule. They are mostly of Russian culture (speak Russian, recite Pushkin) and not romanian (do not speak Romanian do not read Alecsandri or Eminescu). Being educated they held/hold way better jobs than the Romanian peasant/villager. "Moldovan Language" is a communist invention. (As one would define an Austrian Language distinct from German). The downtrodden "moldovans" have a natural grudge against the russian speakers, and more so against jews which are not even "real russians". Bessarabian Church antisemitism hails back to Saint John Chrysostom. (Ioan Gura de Aur).

Thanks for your insight you bigoted wretch of a human being...because of people who think like you these things keep happening...Hell is waiting for you Natalie..are you ready?

At least he did not burn it... People need to leave religous symbols and places alone and respect them. Are you listening settlers!!

Can you name any ethnic group that never had anyone who did anything wrong?

I agree with Yaakov Sullivan. The priest should be defrocked and punished by the Orthodox Church. He and the anti-semites who vandalized the menorah should also face appropriate criminal charges and civil penalties.r

The poeple of the land are the Jews. This land belongs to the Jews. The palestinian poeple as you call it is a fantasy created in the 60's. It has never existed. There no reference of it in any history books. The arabs that now leave in Israel are decendents of bedouinn that came from the Arab peninsula (today's Saudi Arabia). Please do your own research before you just take the arab and left propagada as the truth.

iwould like to ask this fantic religious jews if they agree with this savage act by attackingor smashing the menorah in meldova the answer will be for sure is no but when the setler atack the mosque these fanaticthey agreeits ahame toburn or to vandlise spirutuial placecsfor any religion ithink mr nentiahu wait alittle late tomake adeclariotion iappricate the vist of the rabito day

flo, you list the wrongs done to Palestinians, which are to be condemned by all good persons, but they have absolutely no connection to what this reprehensible man and mob did to the menorah. Moldovans could care less about Arabs, especially Muslims. This same bunch would probably do the same to an Islamic symbol. The act was one of pure superstitious hatred, no doubt fueled by frustration at their own economic conditions and miserable existence. There is no excuse for such evil. I wish all the celebrants CHAG URIM SAMEACH. May the blessed light enter every soul and disperse tenebrous ignorance.

Shalom Josh, take it from someone who grew up "lutheran", that not all "christians" are against you. Yes, christian history, (and present), have often done a horrible job in showing the love of this one we call Moshiach. It wasn't until I read the Scriptures for myself that I saw that He was a Torah Observant Israelite ... and He taught me to be one also. It was not the Jews who killed him. Read the book. Physically, it was the Romans. Too many "so-called" christians have lied to you, in word and action, as to who this Yeshua, this Jesus really was ... and is. But so have your rabbis. The challenge is for you to find out the truth about him yourself. You can not argue with the facts that it was this Yeshua/Jesus, who gave me a love for the land of Israel, the people of Israel, and the Mighty One of Israel. He kept the Torah and encouraged others to do so. Do not judge Him by the wrong actions of those who claim to follow Him. Shalom

For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. Odds are the Priest will face charges. Seems many of you just jump to the conclusion nothing will be done. Typical however.

acts of these kind make me uneasy- just when i hope that Religious and ethnic cohesion has improved intolerant and destructive actions ruin any sense of optimism i feel- this is abhorrent, all religious and decent people need to condemn this, especially considering the closeness of Hanukkah. I hope the Jews of Moldova are not facing harsh times ahead- Salaam, Shalom

You seem like a good person who has done nothing wrong. The other bloggers who seem to want to use Israeli anti-terror policies as an excuse to justify every kind of abuse against Jews, including this naked example of pure religion-based hatred, do have some moral accounting to do.

his kin would be the Jewish Peace/human rights activists we see in Israel today. Smashing a menorah by the Moldovan priests is every bit as bad as Jews spitting on Christians and should be condemned. Light a candle for peace.

Priest leads mob in smashing menorah: this is beneath contempt..almost as bad as torching a mosque..it is one thing to verbally debate zionist beliefs or even jewish beliefs (as well as islam and islamist beliefs) but to smash a menora or torch a house of worship is contemptible

Christian leaders around the world should demand of the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate that this priest be punished by church authorities. The Russian Orthodox Church should condemn the crime and apologise to the Jewish community of Moildova. The preist in question is an example of how mad nationalism can overtake the values of Christianity. He should be ensored and given a penance of being assigned to a desert retreat for a few yrs before he can enter the fold. He has disgraced the religion which he claims to represent.

Yeah, then please explain to me the centuries upon centuries of pogroms, ghettos, and yes, even the Holocaust, all incited by official Church doctrines. All this happened way before the existence of Israel, and before any so-called occupation that you people whine about!

Flo, you don't even know me and yet your response was full of anger and frustration towards Christians in the USA (including me it seems) who supposedly don't care about Palestinians. Don't fall into the trap of letting anger override the truth. If the Israeli government (as a whole) is carrying out plans that make a person angry why take it out on Jews in Moldova or anywhere else? Do ALL Israeli Jews agree with PM Netanyahu? No. Are ALL Palestinian folks terrorists? No. For instance, I have a very dear Palestinian Christian friend I pray for each day who lives in Bethlehem. So please, don't judge all USA Christians in one lump and don't judge all Jews, Irishmen, republicans, toddlers, doctors, etc, in one lump either. :-)

We hear them run on and on about the Mosque, when there is not even a smidgen of proof that it was done by a Jew. But now they are as silent as church mice.

Other articles have mentioned that the priest accused Jews of trying to take over the world and kill Christians and frighten their children. So if this ignorant jackass thinks Jews are dominating the world why would he get down on his knees and pray to one? Surely there's a Moldovan he could worship instead. He's also quoted as having said that King Stephen tried to rid the country of 'kikes.' Did King Stephen know that Jesus was a 'kike?'

Ann I wonder how much light you have if i keep coming to your home anytime of the day or night, if i keep stealing from you, or better yet I take your home, your children and put in jail without knowing where they are, or your husband, and trow the key away, not even jesus was that calm or full of light, he got mad in the temple if you read the bible for what the jew was doing:)that tell me human cannot just be light to the world If the perfect one could not stay calm! What the priest did was hanger and hate from all Israel is doing! I hate to admit but I have that anger myself!what Israel is doing is not just to muslim but to christian palestinian also! That is where the christian comunity in USA dont want to face is easier to say is just muslim palestinian!! WHAT ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN??That what i am shame for , the christian in USA abandon the christian brother and sister in palestine!why you not ahame for that?

At least one Moldovan priest urged his flock not to sell their kidneys (through brokers) so that they could be transplanted into Israelis who fly to Istanbul for the express purpose. There is a square in Istanbul where the Moldovans line up to make arrangements. The priest was accused of blood libel but it wasn't about matzo this time. Maybe it was this priest who led the attack on the menorah?

What was that about? This is not a priest but some retarded reincarnation of medieval fanatics. He should be kicked out of the church. Ugly stuff.

What about because of what Israel is doing to the people of Palestine?? Occupation terror not able to live in his own land build his home!!Constantly having IDF trow your door down of your 1 room home!I start to hate this israel goverment myself and I am not a devote christian! so is natural to hate the people that voted for it! Is nothing to do with jesus, but about israel Behaviour towar the people of the land!

This is what happens when the patina of Christianity covers the muck of Slavic nationalism. The Christian communities worldwide should demand action from the Russian Orthodox patriarchate and see that this priest is stripped of his sacerdotal duties. Send him to a monastery to contemplate on his sins. He is an embarrassment to Orthodox religion.

Everybody knows that Jews can do no wrong. How is it possible for anyone to hate them?

Why do Jews continue to be 'optimists' in the goyisher world? They hate us, period. Always have, probably always will. So why do we even try to live in their countries? I get sick when I hear of "Jewish communities growing in Germany, Poland, Russia, etc.. I just don't understand how people can be so stubborn and so ignorant. There are one or maybe two places where Jews are accepted outside of Israel, America definitely being our 'second' homeland. But the US won't take these Moldavians...so, come home to Israel, we won't burn your menorahs but we will make sure you have oil for them.

Allow me to apologize for such a thing taking place in the name of the One Who taught His followers to walk in love and truth. Christians are to be light, not hammers, sigh.

He was a smart guy, that priest. He knew the Moldavian gov would not bother him if he smashed that Menorah. They were probably happy!

Why did the priest attack the menorah? Because he hates Jews. Why does he hate Jews? Because he believes the Jews murdered Jesus, just like it says in the New Testament. I hope Israel survives. It is people like this that make me thankful everyday for the existence of a Jewish State.

It's not very clear what the priest objected to. Does he object to anything Jewish in public ? Does the menorah 'kindle' some specific hatred?

A shameful; or rather, a shameless act. Who can condone such a cowardly deed? Anti-social elements whether in the garb of priests and preachers and self-appointed attorneys of "God" should be brought to justice. Religious symbols of all religions should and must be held in honor.