Jewish people in Thailand first came as visiting merchants in the early 1600s. Jewish merchants came to do business, but few settled there. In 1890 a small number of Jewish families from Eastern Europe settled there, establishing Thailand's first Jewish community. Members of the Rosenberg family established a motel chain that eventually became prominent. After WWI, Jewish families escaping Russia settled in Thailand. Among them was Haim Gerson, who emerged as a prominent businessman. Many more arrived in the 1930s as refugees from countries occupied by the Nazis. Ironically, Japan, Germany's close ally, was more open to allowing Jewish people to settle in parts of Asia under their sphere of influence. Though they are well-treated in Thailand, their numbers continue to dwindle as more move to Israel, their promised land.
The Jewish Association of Thailand (JAT) is in Bangkok. It was established in 1964. In 1993 they established Chabad of Thailand as their community, both for worship and for social events. Thousands of Jewish people pass through Thailand each year, and most contact the Chabad.
Traditional Jews see Abraham as the father of their faith and Moses as the great lawgiver. The Law or Torah, the Prophets and the Writings make up the Jewish holy scriptures. Judaism is a moral, fiercely monotheistic religion. One obtains favor with God by obeying the laws found in the Scriptures. The writings of the Rabbis, the Talmud, are seen as an essential guide to knowing and following the commands of God. The two main holy days of the Jews are the Passover which celebrates the Jews leaving Egypt under the leadership of Moses and the Day of Atonement in which Jews fast, pray and confess their sins. The Jewish Shabbat runs from Friday at sunset until sunset on Saturday. Religious Jews use the time to attend synagogue and to spend time with their families. Jews are known their philanthropic work and helping the less fortunate.
Jewish people are a diverse population and can classified into at least four major groups. The strictest branch of Judaism is the Orthodox. They believe the Law and Prophets, what Christians call the Old Testament, is the literal, inspired Word of God and still completely binding on their lives today. This branch of Judaism includes the ultra-Orthodox Hasidim, or "pious ones." The liberal or progressive branch of Judaism is called Reformed. They do not believe in the miracles of the Torah and that Judaism must be fully integrated into modern scientific world. The Conservative Jews try to find a moderate, middle path between Orthodoxy and Reformed Judaism.
One final sector of the Jewish population are non-religious or secular Jews. These Jews do not attend synagogue and may go to work on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. These secular Jews may be atheists, agnostics or deists.
The Jews have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant. Pray that as the Gospel is shared, it will not be viewed as anti-Semitic, but rather as the fulfillment of what God promised through Abraham centuries ago.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth loving Christians to work among the Jewish community in Thailand.
Pray that the Jewish people will understand that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will move among Jewish families and places of work in the. Coming months.
Pray that God will grant Jewish believers favor as they share their faith in Christ with their own people.
Pray that strong fellowships will be raised up for Jewish people in Thailand.
Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Thai-speaking in Thailand.
https://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/blog/default_cdo/aid/3479803/jewish/Shabbat-Shalom-from-Bangkok.htm
https://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/920640/jewish/About-the-Jewish-Community-of-Thailand.htm
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
