(ARIZONA / VINnews) — Ben Shapiro got a sharp response on social media, after the popular right-wing talk-show host bestowed strong praise upon a Christian prayer festival.
Shapiro called the Asbury Revival in Kentucky “one of the most inspiring things” he’s ever seen. He even drew a comparison of sorts to his own visit to the Kosel in Jerusalem.
Pesach Lattin, a vocal orthodox Jew, responded on Twitter, saying “I cannot help but be deeply troubled by” Shapiro’s comments. He added: “…it is understandable that many Orthodox Jews remain opposed to anything associated with the New Testament, even if it appears to be a positive event. I do not question Shapiro’s commitment to his faith or his love for his fellow Jews, but I believe that he is mistaken in his endorsement of the Right Wing Christian Asbury Revival.”
https://twitter.com/pesach_lattin/status/1634246968926158849
Shapiro, an orthodox Jew as well, was quoted in “Israel Today” praising the event and questioning why the mainstream media does not report it.
He said, “There’s been this amazing event at Asbury University. it’s drawn tens of thousands of people… to this tiny Kentucky town over the course of 13 days just to pray.
“It’s not political. It’s not like a big Trump event. It’s not like a big right-wing event. It’s just a bunch of people who came to a church and then over the course of two weeks essentially they just prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed.”
Shapiro continued, “The fact that this has not drawn intense media coverage is kind of shocking in the sense that it is a media story when 50,000 people descend on a very small town just to pray and find communion with each other and G-d…
“Religion requires you to commune with others. It is why it happens in churches. It is why in the Talmud it says that … you have to have ten men to form a minyan in order to do certain aspects of Jewish prayer…
“There is something euphoric about worshiping with tens of thousands of other people. I’ve done it myself when I go to the Kotel on a Friday night – the Western Wall in Israel in Jerusalem.
“What I’m hoping is that what’s happening in Asbury is the forerunner to a broader religious revival. Because let’s be frank about this, without religion, society in the West is going to die. It is just that simple.”
In response, Lattin tweeted:
“While I appreciate his recognition of the importance of communal worship and the need for religion to be more than just a personal experience, I cannot overlook the fact that this revival is rooted in Christian theology.
As Jews, we have endured centuries of persecution and discrimination at the hands of Christians who have used their religion as a justification for their hatred of our people. The New Testament, which is the foundation of Christian belief, contains numerous passages that are deeply offensive to Jews and have been used to justify acts of violence against us.
Therefore, it is understandable that many Orthodox Jews remain opposed to anything associated with the New Testament, even if it appears to be a positive event.
I do not question Shapiro’s commitment to his faith or his love for his fellow Jews, but I believe that he is mistaken in his endorsement of the Right Wing Christian Asbury Revival.
Moreover, his comparison of the revival to prayer at the Western Wall is misguided. While it is true that the Western Wall is a site of great spiritual significance for Jews, it is not rooted in Christian theology and is therefore not subject to the same concerns as the Asbury Revival. There is no connection whatsoever.
As the Talmud teaches, “If ten men sit together and occupy themselves with Torah, the Divine Presence rests among them” (Pirkei Avot 3:6). This is the essence of communal worship for Jews. We do not need to look to Christian events for inspiration or to experience the presence of G-d.
While I appreciate Ben Shapiro’s passion for communal worship and his recognition of its importance, I must condemn his endorsement of the Asbury Revival. As Jews, we must remain vigilant in protecting ourselves from the dangers of Christian theology and remain committed to our own traditions and practices.”