I would like to share a response to a non-Jewish reader on The Lakewood Scoop, who questioned me about a recent letter I posted regarding President-elect Donald Trump. He asked if, based on the letter, it appeared that I considered him to be Moshiach (Messiah). I explained that Donald Trump is the Moshiach* for Edom, but Not the Moshiach for the Jewish people. However, his role has been to assist the Jewish people in achieving their goals—specifically, bringing them back to Israel, helping them settle and expand communities throughout the land, and supporting efforts to reclaim the land that historically belonged to the Jewish people, as outlined in our Chumash (Bible). For example, his recognition of the Golan Heights was a significant step in this direction. This groundwork ensures that, when the true Moshiach comes, the Jewish people will have a homeland prepared for them.

Chumash (Bible). For example, his recognition of the Golan Heights was a significant step in this direction. This groundwork ensures that, when the true Moshiach comes, the Jewish people will have a homeland prepared for them.

Notably, Donald Trump did not visit any Christian or Arab burial sites. Instead, he chose to honor the burial site of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a gesture of profound respect for Jewish heritage and leadership. His visit to the Rebbe’s grave, particularly to pray for the release of Jewish hostages, reflects his understanding and reverence for Jewish spirituality and tradition.

This brings us to the broader question: What is the role of Moshiach? The Moshiach is tasked with three key missions:

1. Bringing the Jewish people back to Israel.
2. Building the Third Temple.
3. Establishing peace across the world.

Yoshke (Jesus), by contrast, brought destruction, not peace. For 2,000 years, in his name, millions of Jews were persecuted, killed, victimized, and forced to convert. How, then, could it make sense for the Jewish people to wish for his return? Such a notion is both illogical and contrary to Jewish belief.

Additionally, there is a significant issue with the Christian New Testament. Why was it written? Its purpose was to advance the theology that Christians had replaced Jews as G-d’s chosen people. However, this belief faltered with the Jewish people’s return to their homeland in 1948, undermining replacement theology.

Today, Christians have to re-evaluate their traditional beliefs, particularly since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. They now assert that all Jews must return to Israel to pave the way for Yoshke’s second coming, at which point, they claim, Jews will embrace him. (The said reader told me he had heard that too), However, this view fails to consider the historical endurance of the Jewish faith. For over 3,000 years, Jews have withstood the mightiest empires—Babylon, Rome, and countless others. Despite relentless attempts at assimilation or annihilation, the Jewish people have remained steadfast in their beliefs. As Mark Twain observed during his visit to the Holy Land, “the Jews have outlasted civilizations that rose and fell, and their continued existence testifies to the strength and truth of their faith”.

Another non-Jewish reader reached out to me questioning the legitimacy of Judaism.

When I asked her where she got her information from in order to disagree with me, she responded from the New Testament.

I responded, “But how can you call it truthful when it’s a translation of a translation, specifically from the Greek and not the Hebrew? Doesn’t that make it prone to bias and misinterpretation? Take Isaiah 7:14, for instance. The Hebrew word עַלְמָה (almah) means ‘young woman,’ but in the Greek translation, it was changed to παρθένος (parthenos), which means ‘virgin.’ This shift was used to support an entire narrative about Yoshke. Do you think following such a text aligns with the truth?”

The Gospels recount that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, telling her she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, and that this child would be called “the Son of the Most High.” Christians present this as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14. However, this belief collapses when we examine the Hebrew text. The word עַלְמָה does not mean “virgin”; it simply means “a young woman.” The Hebrew word for “virgin” is בְּתוּלָה (betulah). Moreover, in its proper context, Isaiah 7:14 refers to events in the time of the prophet Isaiah, specifically regarding his wife.

This is just one example of how religious beliefs can be shaped and distorted by faulty translations, leading millions to accept concepts that were never intended by the original authors.

I ventured that if she wants a clear perspective, I encouraged her to examine the original Hebrew texts, much like Shannon Nuszen, a former missionary, did. She had initially traveled to Israel believing she fully understood the Bible, with the goal of converting the Jewish people. However, rabbis encouraged her to study the Hebrew texts closely, and through this process, her understanding completely changed.

Shannon realized she had been deceived by centuries of misinterpretation and falsehoods. Overwhelmed by the truth she discovered, she converted to Judaism and founded Beyneynu, an organization dedicated to fighting missionary activity in Israel and exposing deceptive practices. Her story is truly inspiring, and I recommend watching Shannon Nuszen’s Testimony Shannon Nuszen’s Testimony.. It’s an eye-opener that highlights the power of truth.

However, I made clear in our conversation that Judaism does not seek to convert others. We only ask that non-Jews live truthfully and morally according to the Seven Noahide Laws. By doing so, they merit a share in the World to Come. This is the truest way for non-Jews to serve God—without lies, deceit, or distortion of His word.

Added note to my readers

“Honoring the Torah’s Eternal Truth: Upholding Jewish Values and Universal Morality”

In the Torah HaKedosha, particularly in Sefer Bereishis, Hashem promises Avraham Avinu that his son Yitzchak will be the chosen one through whom Am Yisrael will emerge. As it says:
“כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע”
“For through Yitzchak will your offspring be called” (Bereishis 21:12).

However, the Quran distorts this eternal truth, claiming instead that Yishmael, not Yitzchak, is the chosen son. The Quran also alters the story of the Akeidah, misrepresenting it by claiming that Avraham Avinu was commanded to sacrifice Yishmael rather than Yitzchak. In their version, Ibrahim submits to Hashem’s will and prepares to sacrifice Yishmael. This event is commemorated by Muslims during the festival of Eid al-Adha.

Tragically, the founders of Islam altered the divinely revealed Torah to fit their agendas, resulting in a profound misrepresentation of our holy mesorah. Even more dangerous are the warped promises of rewards for acts of violence. The outrageous claims that so-called martyrs will be rewarded with 72 or even 360 virgins in paradise for committing acts of murder and terrorism are a grotesque perversion of emunah. These false teachings have poisoned the minds of many, leading to suicide bombings and jihad, all under the guise of serving Hashem, while chanting “Allah Akbar” (God is Great) as they march to battle. Such distortions are not divine truths—they are tools of manipulation, oppression, and terror.

My heart goes out to all the Christians and Muslim Arabs who, in devotion to their beliefs, have tragically ended their own lives. By doing so, they have cut off future doros who could have continued their legacy. This serves as a painful reminder of how sheker leads to devastating consequences.

The Torah HaKedosha teaches us the inherent kedushah of human life and the tzelem Elokim with which every person is created. As it says:
“וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹקים אֶת-הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ, בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹקים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ”
“And Hashem created man in His image; in the image of Hashem He created him” (Bereishis 1:27).

This pasuk, found in the very first perek of Sefer Bereishis, reminds us that all people, regardless of their origins, are imbued with tzelem Elokim and a unique tafkid in this world. Yet, distortions of the Torah obscure the Ribono Shel Olam’s universal message and sow machlokes among the nations.

The Torah, as the original and eternal revelation from Hashem, stands as a testimony to the will of the Creator. All other religions have tampered with or altered key narratives to fit their theological or ideological agendas. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to honor the authentic teachings of the Torah and cast aside falsehood. By embracing the Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach—the universal principles given by Hashem to all of humanity—we can achieve a life of kedushah, achdus, and shalom.

Whether you are an Arab, a Christian, a secular individual, or from any other background, the path to divine truth lies in rejecting distortions and embracing the timeless chochmah of the Creator. Together, we can work toward a world founded on emes, morality, and unity.

*Please note that the English terminology in this response was geared toward the non-Jewish readers who questioned my recent letter to Trump.

*This concept of President Trump being elected as the Messiah for Edom was shared with me by a great sage. If anyone would like to discuss this privately or continue this conversation, please feel free to reach me at abenson.kriah1@gmail.com.