Book Review: Ten from the Nations: Torah Awakening Among Non-Jews by Rivkah Lambert Adler
It takes a lot of courage to share a testimony. It takes even more courage to share a testimony among an audience that largely disagrees with your point of view. It may take the most courage to share a testimony alongside others who share very similar testimonies but have reached entirely different conclusions. This is exactly what one will find in Ten from the Nations: Torah Awakening Among Non-Jews compiled and edited by Rivkah Lambert Adler, Ph.D. I purchased this book because, truth be told, I have personally experienced the "Torah Awakening", and I wanted to know how others had arrived at this same realization of Torah's relevance. I also needed confirmation that I was not crazy for reaching my conclusion that this worldwide awakening is Spirit-led. I was not disappointed.
Ten from the Nations consists of forty-six testimonies divided into two sections: "Voices from the Nations" and "Voices from the Jewish People". The writing style depends on the author, which brings the reader closer to the vastness of the Awakening. While the voices from the nations (non-Jews around the world) mostly share their experiences coming to Torah or the seven Noachide Laws, the voices from the Jewish people (mostly Jews in Israel and America) describe their reactions to so many Gentiles choosing to align with Israel and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Considering all of these testimonies, it is clearly evident that the Torah Awakening is not just a series of great biblical wrongs being righted. It is a fulfillment of the prophecies spoken over two thousand years ago in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, and Malachi. In the passages below, the word "law" is torah in Hebrew.
2 Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3)
"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put my law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33)
1 And it will come about in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:1-2)
Thus says the Lord of hosts, "In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' " (Zechariah 8:23)
4 "Remember the law of Moses my servant, even the statues and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. 5 Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord." (Malachi 4:4-5)
And these are just a few of the major prophecies speaking of people turning to Torah in the "last days".
When I purchased Ten from the Nations, I expected to be inspired by others' testimonies, yet I did not expect to be so challenged on faith. I am thankful for the forewarning in the "Editor's Introduction" because this book was not particularly enjoyable; in fact, at times it was quite brutal. Religious beliefs are a big deal, and it is difficult to agree to disagree. From conversion to apostasy, readers must choose whether they want to skip the uncomfortable chapters or plunge through. I chose the latter, and I found that though my beliefs were confronted, in the end, they were also strengthened and confirmed. I challenge others to read this book, consider the theological flaws that authors find with your personal beliefs, and confirm or disprove their conclusions with concrete biblical truths.
Another unexpected surprise for me was how greatly convicted I was on evangelism. For believers in Yeshua, this can be a tough thing to swallow because the "Great Commission" is a serious charge, yet it is almost an insult if you attempt to convert the Jewish people because millions have died at the hands of people who claimed to be Christians. Jews have remained steadfast at the stake and the sword, refusing to reject their beliefs. It is impossible for Christians to re-build relationships with the Jewish people when conversion is the underlying factor because, for them, history is simply repeating itself. Had I not read this book, I never would have known how Jewish people really feel about conversion, and I likely would have unwittingly advocated anti-Semitism by furthering my attempts in a manner lacking humility. Ezekiel 37:16-19 mentions two sticks: a stick for the House of Judah and those associated with him and a stick for the House of Joseph and those associated with him. God alone brings those two sticks together. This is our great hope.
What should you take from Ten from the Nations? The testimonies will speak differently to each reader, but whether you are a Gentile in the midst of it or a Jew looking on, know this: you are not alone. The Torah Awakening is international, and it is one of the greatest signs of the restoration of Israel. Our job is to spread the word, and Ten from the Nations is an excellent place to start. If you enjoy reading testimonies, consider purchasing this book for yourself and a friend, and leave a review on Amazon. We need to get the message of this phenomenon out so we can all be prepared for the coming of the Messiah.
2 Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3)
"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put my law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33)
1 And it will come about in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:1-2)
Thus says the Lord of hosts, "In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' " (Zechariah 8:23)
4 "Remember the law of Moses my servant, even the statues and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. 5 Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord." (Malachi 4:4-5)
And these are just a few of the major prophecies speaking of people turning to Torah in the "last days".
When I purchased Ten from the Nations, I expected to be inspired by others' testimonies, yet I did not expect to be so challenged on faith. I am thankful for the forewarning in the "Editor's Introduction" because this book was not particularly enjoyable; in fact, at times it was quite brutal. Religious beliefs are a big deal, and it is difficult to agree to disagree. From conversion to apostasy, readers must choose whether they want to skip the uncomfortable chapters or plunge through. I chose the latter, and I found that though my beliefs were confronted, in the end, they were also strengthened and confirmed. I challenge others to read this book, consider the theological flaws that authors find with your personal beliefs, and confirm or disprove their conclusions with concrete biblical truths.
Another unexpected surprise for me was how greatly convicted I was on evangelism. For believers in Yeshua, this can be a tough thing to swallow because the "Great Commission" is a serious charge, yet it is almost an insult if you attempt to convert the Jewish people because millions have died at the hands of people who claimed to be Christians. Jews have remained steadfast at the stake and the sword, refusing to reject their beliefs. It is impossible for Christians to re-build relationships with the Jewish people when conversion is the underlying factor because, for them, history is simply repeating itself. Had I not read this book, I never would have known how Jewish people really feel about conversion, and I likely would have unwittingly advocated anti-Semitism by furthering my attempts in a manner lacking humility. Ezekiel 37:16-19 mentions two sticks: a stick for the House of Judah and those associated with him and a stick for the House of Joseph and those associated with him. God alone brings those two sticks together. This is our great hope.
What should you take from Ten from the Nations? The testimonies will speak differently to each reader, but whether you are a Gentile in the midst of it or a Jew looking on, know this: you are not alone. The Torah Awakening is international, and it is one of the greatest signs of the restoration of Israel. Our job is to spread the word, and Ten from the Nations is an excellent place to start. If you enjoy reading testimonies, consider purchasing this book for yourself and a friend, and leave a review on Amazon. We need to get the message of this phenomenon out so we can all be prepared for the coming of the Messiah.
Also see: the Torah Movement (2019)
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