Amid various statements and claims about the red heifer sacrifice this past summer, experts in the field are trying to clear the air about what actually happened and what we can expect to see in the future.
In a red heifer retraction and apology video, journalist Adam Eliayhu Berkowitz stated that he tried to present the news regarding the red heifer sacrifice to the best of his knowledge and in corroboration with his sources.
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“I was given specific details about that practice burning. I was informed by the Temple Institute that the heifer that was used in that practice burning had been deemed unsuitable, and the burning did not produce ashes that could be used to purify the Jews,” said Berkowitz. “The burning was carried out in Samaria. And to the best of my knowledge, the actual red heifer, in order to be suited to produce ashes that are suited for purifying Jews, has to be burned on the Mount of Olives in a very specific site.”
Berkowitz noted that other misleading details, such as whether or not the cow was kosher, have also been at the forefront of this discussion. Right now, he will not be producing any more videos on the subject matter, as he does not feel he can trust the information being given to him about the topic.
In an interview on The Endtime Show, Byron Stinson, who brought the red heifers to Israel from Texas, noted that two have since been disqualified, but others that could still be used. He shared his perspective on the confusion surrounding the July 1 red heifer ceremony.
“So, we were going to do the practice… On July the 1st, we had put everything in place, had the wood in place, had the burning pit in place, all those things. It was a lot of work to get ready. And on we got ready to go get the cow on July the 1. And this little cow would not load up in the loading shoot… instead, the most perfect one of our cows decides to walk over and get in the loading shoot,” Stinson said.
Stinson then said that, as he was going to get the cow out of there to get the other one, one of the rabbis with him said they should use the perfect heifer, seeing it as a sign that God had chosen it. Having the pure priest and the other elements needed for the sacrifice, Stinson says, this is how the practice ceremony became a real one. He also notes that people of Jewish heritage were the first to collect ashes from the heifer ceremony. He also stated that his team asked no one to take any videos during the ceremony, except for the Bonet Israel team. However, someone still took the cell phone video that circulated throughout the internet, causing havoc.
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While the red heifer sacrifice continues to generate interest and debate, those directly involved emphasize the complexity of the process and the importance of accurate information, and any future developments will likely be approached with caution and careful verification.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
