2002 Mayim-Hayim in Israel

I first encountered Tamar Yonah and Rabbi Tovia Singer back in 2005. My wife and I were deep into our second (almost third) year running Mayim Hayim Ministries. We were raising money and support for the Jewish families in Gush Katif as the expulsion loomed.

Tovia and Tamar were reporting live from the ground. We watched in horror as Israeli soldiers on horseback charged their own people, dragging families out of their homes. Friends of ours, Jeremy Gimpel and Ari Abramowitz, were among those forcibly removed. My wife and I sat weeping, hearts broken.

At the time, I was studying intensely, preparing to go to Israel specifically to meet Tovia — convinced I could prove to him that Jesus is the Messiah. I saw myself as training to be a counter-counter-missionary.

Twenty-one years later, everything has flipped.

This week I listened to Tamar and Tovia again — the first time I’ve heard her voice since shortly after Gush Katif. I’m no longer preparing to debate him. I’m standing with him, fighting against replacement theology and the Christian world’s misreading of the Tanach.

In this powerful interview, Tovia didn’t offer opinions. He repeatedly said: “This isn’t my opinion — I’m just telling you what Ezekiel is saying… what the Tanach says.” Here are every major point he made to Tamar and the audience, drawn straight from the transcript:

On Whether We Are in the Messianic Age

“Are we in the Messianic age? The answer is yes. We are now in the Seder.” We are at the final stage — Nirtzah — of the 15-step Passover Seder. The Seder is called “order” because it follows a fixed sequence in which each event triggers the next. Jewish history has been marching through this same divine order for 3,300 years. Once you reach the final stage, the process is unstoppable.

On the Structure of the Book of Ezekiel

“Ezekiel is divided into three sections:

• Section one: Why the First Temple was destroyed.
• Section two: What God is going to do to the enemy nations of Israel (chapters 38–39).
• Section three: Chapters 34–48 — about the Messiah. There is no parallel to it.”** He urged viewers: Open Ezekiel 38 and 39 tonight without commentaries. Rashi would have given anything to live in our time. Only this final generation will fully understand.

On Ezekiel 38–39 and Current Events

• Persia (modern Iran) is explicitly named and will be drawn in with allies “like hooks in the mouth of a beast” (Ezekiel 38:4–5), even though 2,500 years ago, Persia was benevolent to the Jews.
• They will attack a restored Israel living securely, perceiving an “aperture” (unwalled villages).
• The hottest fighting right now is directly north — Lebanon/Hezbollah, Iran’s Shia proxy, shooting at Israel. The text emphasizes “the north.”
• God is hardening the enemies’ hearts (like Pharaoh) so they keep coming back.
• Massive destruction on the mountains of Israel: seven months to bury the dead, seven years burning their weapons for fuel. Scavengers will feast on the bodies.
• The purpose of the entire war: “So the nations will know that I am God.” (Repeated at the end of both chapters 38 and 39.)

On Replacement Theology

Tovia directly addressed Christians, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, etc.: Read Ezekiel 39. The chapters enumerate Israel’s sins and exile, then restoration and atonement — this is the physical Jewish people, not the Church replacing Israel. The text shuts down replacement theology.

On Mashiach ben Yosef vs. Mashiach ben David

Mashiach ben Yosef is not a person — it is an event. October 7th (1,200 murdered, 251 hostages) matches Zechariah 12 and Talmud Sukkah 52: a traumatic attack causing national mourning and unification before Mashiach ben David. It happened on the Sabbath of the festival when we read Ezekiel 38–39 as the Haftarah.

On Recognizing the True Messiah

“It’s not true at all” that there will be arguments about what he looks like or whether he wears a black hat. “Everyone will know… all the nations will serve him” (Daniel 7). There will be no debate. The Messiah is a son of David, a teacher to the world, and the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7).

On the Potential Messiah in Every Generation

Yes, there is one ready in this generation (per Sanhedrin), just as there has been in every generation. He is at the precipice.

On Aliyah and Living in Israel

Living in Israel is a mitzvah. Those who made aliyah before the final redemption (like the 42,360 in Ezra 2) have their names inscribed forever in Tanach. Israel is the safest place for Jews, despite appearances. History proves that those who stayed away during danger paid a terrible price.

On Easier or Harder Redemption

Isaiah 60:22 — “In its time, I will hasten it.” If the generation does teshuva out of love and righteousness, more open miracles. If not, a more painful process. Tovia is optimistic: we are a remarkable generation fusing faith and love of the land.

On the Miracles We Are Seeing

The April 13, 2024, Iranian attack (hundreds of missiles/drones) with almost no casualties was the hidden hand of God, exactly like the Book of Esther. We must recognize Hashem working behind the scenes.

Final Message

Study the Prophets and Writings — especially the books that outline the order of events before the Messiah. When Messiah comes, we will mainly study Torah and Esther, because the preparatory books will have been fulfilled.

Twenty-one years ago, I watched Tovia and Tamar report on Jewish suffering in Gush Katif. Today they are reporting on prophecy unfolding in real time — and I stand with them.

The only thing that changed is me.

May Hashem comfort every family in pain, strengthen Israel, and bring the full redemption speedily in our days.

Hazan Gavriel ben David