Yael Eckstein on Ezekiel 11:17– “Living out the prophecies today”

Yael Eckstein is Mark’s very special guest on the podcast today. As President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), Yael heads the leading non-profit that is building bridges between Christians and Jews, and blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and life-saving aid. A prolific author as well, Yael has been named one of "The World's 50 Most Influential Jews" by The Jerusalem Post in 2020. The passage she has chosen to discuss today, Ezekiel 11:17, is one that is most appropriate considering the important work to which she has dedicated herself. Yael starts things off by summarizing her selected passage and describing how it represents a culmination of all her favorite Bible verses. She and Mark then explore the two different levels of Judaism, the role that this passage and others play in her life, and Ezekiel’s prophecies and what it means to be able to live out these prophecies in today’s world. Yael also offers some moving reflections on those whom her organization helps bring to Israel, her experiences with those discovering their connection to Israel, and the unprecedented level of friendship that currently exists between the Jewish people and Christians. She and Mark conclude by warmly reflecting upon the lessons they have both learned from Yael’s father, Yechiel, who was also a great friend and mentor to Mark. Equal parts instructive, inspiring and heartwarming, today’s conversation truly brings the Torah to life as it examines the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility of living out these prophecies, and how Yael and the IFCJ undertake this ‘sacred work’ each and every day. Episode Highlights:  · Yael’s summary of the passage and how it represents a culmination of all her favorite Bible verses · The two different levels of Judaism · Ezekiel’s prophecies · The role this passage and others plays in Yael’s life · The privilege, opportunity, and responsibility of living out the prophecies today · The people that Yael’s organization and donors bring to Israel · Her experience with people discovering they belong to Israel · The Jewish friendship with Christians · The lessons Yael and Mark have learned from her father Quotes:  “In order to really get much out of these biblical teachings, you have to first have faith.” “We have this amazing ability to transform the mundane into holiness.” “This specific kind of ingathering and promise from God to be returned is really where the mundane and the spiritual kiss.” “This is a new light illuminating Zion.” “We are the culmination of prayers of 2000 years of the Jewish people coming home to Israel and it’s not something to be taken lightly.” “Ezekiel says it and here we are walking it.” “God, use me in whatever way I can to be a vessel to honor You and perform Your will.” “Until you’ve been in Israel, you can’t imagine where you’re going to. They’re really coming out of faith.” “Now, we’re living in these awesome times which are very connected again to the verse of Ezekiel 11:17, and Israel being reunited.” “For the first time in history, the Jewish people have friends…millions of Christians.” “There’s a lot more of us than we think.” “Be professional…never forget that this is a spiritual mission.” “This is a sacrificial gift…this is what generosity is.” “The modern state of Israel has what we might define as spirituality, as study. But it also has the IDF, and one cannot exist without the other.” “He was the smartest guy in the room.”  

Ezekiel 11:17 - https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.11.17?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en  Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husand (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

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