Daniel: Part 2 - The Little Horn

1 Marsheshvan 5780
Rosh Chodesh Bet
CHODESH TOV!

(See Part 1.)

As you can see from the comments to Part 1, we're already seeing the various opinions brought from our Sages in the past who were speculating from a place of scholarship that none of us can even dream of attaining and yet they were working at a great disadvantage as well.  Daniel was commanded to "obscure" the words so their meaning would not be discernible by generations far removed from "the time of the end."  However, those living in those days may be able to figure it out, and it might not take a high level of Torah knowledge to do it either.

"As for you, Daniel, obscure the matters and seal the book until the time of the end; let many muse and knowledge increase." (Daniel 12:4)

Why would the words be recorded and passed down for thousands of years if there would not come a time when people could understand it?  If we are truly living at the End of Days, as all of the rabbis are saying, this must have been meant for "us."  So, on to Part 2...




The Artscroll Commentary on Sefer Daniel says the following:

According to R' Saadia Gaon [882-942], the Roman Empire is composed of ten governments of monarchies:

1. the Roman emperor in Constantinople (ruler of the Byzantine Empire);
2. the king of Armenia; 
3. the king of Hungary;
4. the king of Germany  (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire);
5. the king of Bulgaria;
6. the king of Canaan (i.e., the western Slavic countries - Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia);
7. the king of France; 
8. the king of Spain;
9. the king of Russia; and,
10. the king of Yishmael (the Arabic empire) who is included among the rulers of the Roman Empire.

Malbim [1809 - 1879] advances the possibility that [malichin] in v. 24 are kingdoms; thus the Roman Empire would disintegrate and split into smaller units, of which ten countries would be considered the major powers.  He does not elaborate on this.

Since the exact meanings of Daniel's words have been purposely hidden from earlier generations, I think the time during which the commentator lived is important to his outlook.   Clearly R' Saadia Gaon was looking at events current to his time and noted how history was developing the record.  Malbim, living later in the exile, also had the benefit of historical hindsight to make his own observation, but he did not live long enough to recognize the "sprouting of the little horn."

If you Google European Monarchies in the Middle Ages, this is what you find...

The Early Middle Ages begin with a fragmentation of the former Western Roman Empire [as Malbim noted] into "barbarian kingdoms". In Western Europe, the kingdom of the Franks developed into the Carolingian Empire by the 8th century, and the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England were unified into the kingdom of England by the 10th century. With the breakup of the Carolingian Empire in the 9th century, the system of feudalism places kings at the head of a pyramid of relationships between liege lords and vassals, dependent on the regional rule of barons, and the intermediate positions of counts (or earls) and dukes. The core of European feudal manorialism in the High Middle Ages were the territories of the kingdom of France, the Holy Roman Empire (centered on the nominal kingdoms of Germany and Italy) and the kingdoms of England and Scotland.  With the rise of nation-states and the Protestant Reformation, the theory of divine right justified the king's absolute authority in both political and spiritual matters.

(1) France,

(2) Portugal,

(3) Spain,

(4) Britain,

(5) Germany-Italy (still called the Holy Roman Empire),

(6) Russia,

(7) Poland/Lithuania,

(8) Sweden,

(9) Denmark-Norway,

(10) Austria. 

History, as well as current events, prove the fact that the Roman Empire did fragment and devolve, first into kingdoms and then into democratic nation-states, as they continue to exist today.  But, something phenomenal happened that the earlier commentators possibly could not have imagined.

Three of those kingdoms became empires in their own right, at different points in time, and went exploring.  In the process, they discovered the New World and began to colonize it.  

And the ten horns that sprout from that kingdom represent ten kings that will rise, and the last one will rise after them, and he will be different from the first, and he will humble three kings.

The discovery, exploration, development and colonization of the North American continent by Britain, France and Spain created a situation whereby a "new little horn" rose up from them, but actually came about 800 years after them.  It was different from them in that when it declared its independence, it was not a monarchy like all the rest, it had eyes and a mouth like a person because it was ruled by the people.  And these three kingdoms, who were in turn great empires in their own rights, would one day be humbled, replaced and dominated by the "little" horn that they had established, but whose "appearance" would become "greater than theirs" - the Final Iteration of the Roman Empire - The United States of America. 

I asked Google, "What country has the most military bases around the world?"  And the answer was...

The United States

The United States is the largest operator of military bases abroad, with 38 "named bases" having active duty, national guard, reserve or civilian personnel as of September 30, 2014. Its largest, in terms of personnel, was Ramstein AB in Germany, with almost 9,200 personnel.

I don't believe that any of our commentators, with the benefit of living in our times, would deny that America is the epitome of Rome in our days.  Further, if we truly are at the "end," then the only thing left is for the power to be handed over to Yisrael.  There is already an undeniable transition going on, evidenced by the State of Israel's (soon to become the Kingdom of Israel) rising stature in the world at the same time that the dominant world power, the US, evokes derision among many nations and is collapsing internally from debt, disaster and disease.

The fourth and final exile is finally coming to an end, and we can see it happening!

Proceed to Part 3 - "A Time, Times, and a Half".

May any learning from this blog post go to the merit of Rabbi Alon Yehudah Yosef ben Chanah Miriam for a refuah shleimah bimehira.  Amen!

Daniel: Part 1 - The Fourth Empire

30 Tishrei 5780
Rosh Chodesh Alef

Thank you to the poll participants.  I think we can dive right in now.

I have been pondering the mysteries of the Book of Daniel for about 50 years.  Each time I read it, I learn something new.

"As for you, Daniel, obscure the matters and seal the book until the time of the end; let many muse and knowledge increase." (Daniel 12:4)

The implication is that when we actually arrive to the End of Days, the riddles will be able to be understood.  Very recently, I was re-reading it, along with a book of collected commentaries, hoping to get some additional insight.  After several days of going back and forth between several translations and my book of collected commentary, I felt like I was making some progress toward a better understanding when something suddenly clicked in my mind and an amazing possibility occurred to me.  It may be the solution to one of the most intriguing codes in the book - "ad idan, idanin uplag idan" - often translated from the Aramaic as "a time, times, and a half [of time]." 

I pondered throughout the holidays how, or even whether, to share my thoughts on this subject outside my own family.  As I've continued to pore over the sources, as well as seek Hashem's will, I am more and more convinced that I have a viable explanation.  In fact, just yesterday, I had an even deeper insight into this possibility which just reinforces that viability.  So, I posted the poll to test the waters, so to speak, and now, I have determined to go forward as far as Hashem will allow.  

It looks like this subject can be covered in three parts, so pay close attention over these next three days...

As a quick overview, Daniel has been carried away to Babylon at the time of the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.  He is intent on understanding when the Babylonian exile will end.  In answer to his prayers, Daniel receives prophetic visions which span world history, describing each of four major exiles that the Jewish people will endure until the End of Days when Mashiach will come and power will be transferred to Yisrael.  The angel Gabriel acts as a guide and interpreter to help Daniel understand what he is seeing - all of which was still future for Daniel, but almost all of which is now past history for us.  That being the case, it is easier to identify the who and how of these once-future prophecies historically.  And our great commentators like Rashi (1040 - 1105), Ramban (1194 - 1270), Abarbanel (1437 - 1508), etc. did just that. 

However, they did not live to see what we have now seen, so it may also be possible to shed some light on further developments as we approach the very End of Days.  Seeing as how we are living at the end of the fourth empire - the empire of Rome/Edom - I was concentrating my efforts on a portion of the prophecy that concerns it.  Daniel, chapter 7...

...as I looked on in the night vision, there was a fourth beast - fearsome, dreadful, and very powerful, with great iron teeth - that devoured and crushed, and stamped the remains with its feet.  It was different from all the other beasts which had gone before it; and it had ten horns.  While I was gazing upon these horns, a new little horn sprouted up among them; three of the older horns were uprooted to make way for it. There were eyes in this horn like those of a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly....  

Then I wished to determine the truth of the fourth beast, which was different from all of them - excessively dreadful;....

And concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other one that came up and the three that fell before it, and the horn that had eyes and a mouth speaking arrogantly, and its appearance was greater than that of its companions.

I looked on as that horn waged war with the holy ones and overwhelmed them, until the Ancient of Days came and gave revenge to the high holy ones, and the time arrived that the holy ones inherited the kingdom.

[The angel explained] "The fourth beast represents a fourth kingdom that will be on the earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and it will devour the whole land and trample it and crush it.

And the ten horns that sprout from that kingdom represent ten kings that will rise, and the last one will rise after them, and he will be different from the first, and he will humble three kings.

Some insight from the commentators:

"The exile represented by the fourth beast would be equivalent to all three previous ones" [i.e., Babylon, Media/Persia, Greece]. (Rashi from Vayikra Rabba 13:5)

"...the fourth kingdom [or empire], represented here [Daniel 7:7] by a fearsome unspecified beast, different from all the other beasts, is that of the Roman empire with all its metamorphoses.  This is the view of almost all the commentators and clearly that of our Sages in the Talmud and numerous midrashim."  (Artscroll Tanach Series - Sefer Daniel)

Can the "horns" be identified?  I believe so, because in our time, as opposed to Daniel's, this has already happened.  All we have to do is match it to the historical record.  If I am right, it could give us all some much-needed chizuk.

All are welcome to share their thoughts in the comments.

Proceed to Part 2 - The Little Horn.

May any learning from this blog post go to the merit of Rabbi Alon Yehudah Yosef ben Chanah Miriam for a refuah shleimah bimehira.  Amen!

What Do You Know?

30 Tishrei 5780
Rosh Chodesh Aleph

I have something special I'd like to share regarding the prophecies of the End of Days in the Book of Daniel.  But, before I do, I'd like to gauge the readers' current familiarity with the text.  So, if you would be so kind, please participate in the following poll:

Please complete the following sentence:
Regarding the Book of Daniel in Tanakh,....

I am very familiar with the text and its commentaries.

I've read it and am basically familiar with what it is about.

I know there is a book by that name, but I don't know much about it.

Daniel who?

Created with Survey Maker

And if you have anything you'd like to add or share about your knowledge of the Book of Daniel, write me at tdnjslm@gmail.com.  Many thanks!

"Laws of Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan"

29 Tishrei 5780
Yom Kippur Katan
Erev Rosh Chodesh 

Laws of Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan - Rav Yosef Khiyayev 5780

NEWS: Confirmed and Unconfirmed

28 Tishrei 5780

The US President as Judge, Jury and Executioner: How Can That Be Right?

Most immediately on my mind is this leading headline on every website:  Confirmed - ISIS Terror Chief Baghdadi is Dead at the Hands of US Special Forces.

Has any government or world leader spoken out against the targeted assassinations being carried out around the world by the United States?

Who defines who is a terrorist and who decides who is guilty of terrorism and who determines that they should die and who gave them the right to do so???

What makes certain populations fair game?  Locality?  Religious beliefs?  Competing economic interests?

If you are a Torah Jew, you can't just pile on the congratulatory band-wagon, you have to ask yourself if this is even legal according to Torah law.  The nations are bound by Sheva Mitzvot to set up courts of justice.  And contrary to what they've been doing for the last 20 odd years, that justice must be extended even to those who do not live under the protections of the US Constitution!

Make no mistake.  Mashiach, and those who follow him, could potentially be labeled a terrorist, too, on the basis of whatever criteria they are using.  They've already done it with the "hilltop youth."  

Holding the Jewish State Hostage to an Anti-Torah Agenda

And on the homefront, there is an unconfirmed report that Gantz has made Netanyahu an offer: a unity government with Netanyahu on first rotation as PM on condition that chareidim are left out of the government coalition, along with full support for all anti-religious legislation introduced.  The chareidim may be let into the coalition at a later date, after such legislation has been passed, as long as they commit not to try to reverse any of it.

So, essentially, they intend to hold the entire public that wants a right-wing government with religious representation hostage to their anti-Torah agenda.  

Just What Is Avigdor Lieberman Afraid Of?

28 Tishrei 5780

If I were a psychologist, I would diagnose Avigdor Lieberman as deophobic.  It's a Latin + Greek word for "fear of God," but not the righteous kind we call yira Shamayim.  This is the kind more in keeping with an irrational hatred and a desire to be rid of the object of hatred.  There are quite a number of people afflicted with this condition living in Israel today.  For their own good, I'd advise that they make a permanent change in location.  The situation as it is developing in Israel now is not conducive to their future mental health.

Israel military is becoming ‘army of God’ says Lieberman

...according to the country’s former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, ... Israel’s military has now become the “army of God”.  

...Lieberman, who made the comment in reaction to a booklet authored by senior rabbinical figures, which contained instructions for religious Jewish soldiers on how to avoid interactions with women forbidden by Jewish law, said that the Israeli army was becoming “Hashem’s army” (God’s army). He also criticised the interference of Rabbi saying: “This … booklet for religious soldiers on the halachic laws of modesty, written by military rabbis … with the support of senior rabbinical figures, is yet another proof of the growing radicalisation of religious Zionism that is being led by the ultra-Orthodox wing.”

Russian born Lieberman, who also served a short stint as foreign minister, explained that the radicalisation of the Israeli army was a reflection of wider society. “This attempt to turn the IDF into the ‘army of Hashem,’ with conduct resembling that of a haredi [ultra-Orthodox] kollel, is part of the same messianic worldview that has penetrated Israeli society and which seeks to damage the fabric of life and the status quo on religion and state issues,” he said.

Lieberman concluded the post with a call for the booklet to be banned and rabbis that endorsed it to be barred from the Israeli army. “The distribution of this booklet to IDF soldiers must be forbidden,” wrote Lieberman, and “the rabbis who sign it prevented from serving in reserves or lecturing to soldiers.”

If only it were so!!

Return to Gan Eden

26 Tishrei 5780
Erev Shabbat Kodesh 
Parashat Bereishit - Mevorchim

Many people believe that history follows a straight line with its starting point being Genesis 1:1 and its ending point being the Final Redemption.

This picture illustrates how most people envision time.  

Time is a construct of the physical universe and does not exist on the spiritual plane.  Time is measured and counted according to the progression of the celestial bodies and our planet - all of which circle an orbit in space.  In fact, Judaism teaches that time is circular, not linear, as we also see from the yearly cycle of holidays.  

But, for time to be circular and able to draw on the light of each holiday at its appointed place in the cycle and yet not repeat the same moment in time, it must be a spiral.

But not just any spiral, it has to be a spiral with no beginning and no end.  Or rather, its beginning and its end are the same place.

What this means for us is that Bereishit, "in the beginning," we were in Gan Eden, and with God's help, in the "end," at the final redemption, we will once again find ourselves back where we started - in Gan Eden.  The difference being, we'll be back to stay.

All of history is about returning to Gan Eden.

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

"The Chaos President"

24 Tishrei 5780



And the record of this president's administration has only proven the truth of Jeb Bush's amazing insight.

US Ambassador Tells Impeachment Panel Of Trump-Ukraine Quid Pro Quo

If Donald Trump Is Impeached, All Hell Will Break Loose In America

Hashem found the man most worthy to oversee the destruction and downfall of America and it was Donald J. Trump.

America's fall will signal Israel's rise - Mashiach is truly "at the door."

"Simchah of the Hidden Torah"

21 Tishrei 5780
6th Day of Chol HaMo'ed Sukkot
Hoshanah Rabbah

Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair

Simchah of the Hidden Torah - A wonderful True Story for Simchat Torah

~ A Very Happy Sh'mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah ~

"Hoshanah Rabbah 5780"

21 Tishrei 5780
6th Day of Chol HaMo'ed Sukkot
Hoshanah Rabbah

SHABBAT IN THE SUKKAH - DOUBLE CHAG SAMEACH!

19 Tishrei 5780
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
4th Day Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

This Parade Is An Annual Desecration of God's Name in His Own City

19 Tishrei 5780
4th Day Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

There were discussions on several Facebook pages over whether the parade in Jerusalem yesterday was an Israeli parade featuring Christian groups or a Christian parade open to everyone.  The historical reality is that it was a traditional Israeli Sukkot event - a secular alternative to religious observances - that a small group of Christians latched onto and now they claim it as their own.

It is actually sponsored by the Jerusalem Municipality, and as such, two rules were given to the Christian groups who wanted to march in it:

"Please don't pass out any candy from your nation, because many parents are concerned about their children having non-kosher candy."

"Finally, please understand that the handing out of any tracts has been prohibited."

It's my understanding that all the groups participating must sign something to this effect. But, when souls are in the balance what's a little fudging of the rules, right?

These pictures were posted to Facebook today by the Swedish group...

Like some sweet little Swedish cakes from nice Christian "lovers of Israel" kiddies?

Who needs a "tract" when you've got a ten-foot sign?

AD MATAI?!

Finally! Somebody Gets It!

18 Tishrei 5780
3rd Day of Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

This is a highly appropriate and timely subject to be discussed and educated about considering the (literally) tens of thousands of Christian worshipers flooding our Holy Land and Holy City during this Sukkot season...

Is Christanity Idolatry? with Rabbi Gutman Locks

"DIN" Is In The Air - BD"E

18 Tishrei 5780
3rd Day of Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

I don't think anyone has ever seen a Sukkot quite like this one in 5780.  I fear the decree on Yom Kippur did not turn out well for us.  

Besides the damage from storms and fires (also here), we now must share the grief in the passing of a sweet-faced 14-year-old yeshivah bachur, son of a "senior Shas activist," who was out with his family on chol hamoed and was struck down by lightning, along with four others from the same family - BD"E.

Remember this? 

Is a Popular Musical Coming to Israel Designed to Missionize Jews?

Look what has happened to them...

Even with all of these totally extraordinary events happening all around us, I have to wonder if HASHEM has got our attention.  He certainly has mine!  What's coming next?

Their god Is Not Our GOD

17 Tishrei 5780
2nd Day Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

In a perfect world where Jews refuse to have anything to do with idolaters, it would not be necessary to expose Jewish neshamot to Christian nonsense, but to my great sorrow, we are very far from a perfect world.  Today's Jews have forgotten the centuries of murderous persecution in the name of oto ha'ish and now cozy up to Christians who spout "love" from morning to night.  Today, many Jews routinely refer to their "Christian friends."  We've even got rabbis saying they are "righteous gentiles!"

The worst part, however, is how they have bought into the worst lie - that we worship the same God.  NOT TRUE!  And for your edification, I'll explain why.  Besides the obvious three-in-one and physical incarnation, you've got the major problem of the New Testament's portrayal of God-the-Father as an adulterer.  I do not jest...

The Gospel of Matthew from the New Testament...

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

NOTE:  As was common at that time, they had completed the betrothal [kiddushin], but not the wedding [nisuin].  Although the marriage had yet to be consummated, they were considered married and a divorce would be required to break that bond.  [See HERE.]

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

NOTE:  And which any cursory reading of the original reference in context will prove has nothing whatever to do with the birth of the Messiah.  As well, the word famously mistranslated as "virgin" is purposefully misleading. [See HERE.]

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Knowing that adultery is a sin by the Torah, one deserving of the death penalty, why would God then choose to impregnate a married woman instead of finding an unmarried one?  Their three-in-one god would clearly do such a thing and no one would consider it at all odd or criminal.

But this god is NOT Our Holy One, may He be blessed forever!

Also, be it known that when they say they worship the "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob," they are actually talking about their J-man, God forbid!  NO!  No way!  NOT our God!!

"Duped and Duplicitous"

17 Tishrei 5780
2nd Day Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

The following comes from the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) website:

If you ever stopped one of these Christian invaders to our Holy City during the week of Sukkot while they are here grandstanding and parading around like the owners of the House, and asked them why they do it; why they spend the time and money to make this trip, some of them every single year, no doubt the answer would be short and to the point - to fulfill prophecy!

Their entire false religion is built upon "fulfillment of prophecy;" therefore, they are obsessed with it.  Their J-god's (supposed) past fulfillment of prophecy together with their own (supposed) current fulfillment of prophecy gives them the assurance that their future prophetic expectations will be fulfilled as well.  And they are depending on that!

The trouble (for them) is that there is NO fulfillment of prophecy in any case one might want to imagine it.  It's all a sham, a con, and they are living one big lie. 

Take, for just one pertinent example, the photo above which comes from the ICEJ's advertising for its "Feast of Tabernacles" week-long celebration where Christians come to Jerusalem from all over the world to be part of the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy as quoted.

In typical Christian style, some very important words have been left out, and I don't even see the use of ellipses to indicate that unfortunate fact.  Here is the proper rendering of Zechariah 14.16:

And it will come to pass that everyone left of the nations who came up against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to prostrate himself to the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to celebrate the festival of Tabernacles.

The red-letter words were purposely left out.  Anyone can see why.  The way it is worded in their advertisement, they can claim to be fulfilling this prophecy right here and now, but how dishonest and manipulative is that?  Yes, that is how false religions get started and how they survive for 2,000 years.

When read within the greater context and with the deleted words put back in, it is abundantly clear that this cannot have happened yet because it is talking about the righteous gentiles who have survived the war of Gog and Magog, and they are from those countries who came and waged war against Jerusalem.  How many of the Christians here this week would be willing to admit that their nation is currently waging a war against Jerusalem and is destined to be destroyed by God because of that?  Furthermore, it is NOT the King Messiah to whom they are to prostrate themselves, but to the King of kings, HKB"H!  

The ICEJ website tells us everything we need to know about why they come and do what they do. It's everything about their misunderstanding and misrepresentation of our Holy Writings and Prophets.

Zechariah foretold of a time when all nations will ascend to Jerusalem each year to "worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (14:16).

Thus we also keep Sukkot now because of this future prophetic purpose.

Throughout the Messianic Age, the entire world will celebrate this feast because it will mark the return of Jesus to the earth. But for now, Christians flocking to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles is a powerful statement of faith demonstrating that we believe the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus is coming.

For the past 39 years, Christians from all over the world have come to Jerusalem each fall to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. They come to take part in a dynamic worship experience and to taste of the joy of the Lord in the age to come.

Long-time missionary-in-residence Mike Evans wrote the following in a JPost article...

...Today, the Feast of Tabernacles’ celebrations in Jerusalem has become a magnet for tens of thousands of Evangelical Friends of Zion from every continent. These pilgrims travel great distances to express their love for, and solidarity with, the Jewish people. During their visit to the Holy Land, these devoted Christians come to pray for peace in Jerusalem and extend their blessings to the State and People of Israel. It is truly a beautiful sight to see so many people from China, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Austria, Brazil, the United States, and other countries gathering in unity and happiness.

True to his theological roots, he carries on the time-honored Christian tradition of twisting scripture and pulling it out of context in order to claim prophecies fulfilled by the J-god and/or his duped and duplicitous followers.  Zechariah gives the reason for the nations to come up to Jerusalem at Sukkot and it's not to express "love" or "solidarity" with the Jewish people, to" pray for Jerusalem" or to "bless" Israel.  They are actually commanded to appear and prostrate themselves before their Creator in acknowledgement of His sovereignty since they were part of nations who rebelled against God and tried to take Jerusalem from His children.  Furthermore, they are to celebrate Sukkot in thanks for their survival and in anticipation of the rains that God will provide for them in the year to come.  [See Rashi on that.]  This is why their failure to appear will result in the withholding of their rain.

No Jew who knows his Tanakh would ever be taken in by the false claims of Christianity, but unfortunately, very few Jews in this generation are very conversant in the Prophets and the Writings. Instead of relying on the very source and bedrock of truth, they rely instead on their gut feelings formed and shaped oftentimes by Western standards and values absorbed in the long exile.  Too many have been brainwashed to think these are one and the same with Torah values.  THEY ARE NOT.

Rain and Storms Out of Season Are NOT a Brachah!!

16 Tishrei 5780
1st Day Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Moadim l'Simchah

A week before Rosh Hashanah I wrote the following: "You can't view those videos and not shake in your boots at what God must be about to bring upon us."  (HERE)

On Shabbat Shuvah, out-of-season rain and hail fell on Israel unexpectedly and without warning.

The first day of Sukkot was as hot as a usual day in July and by nightfall, there was an electrical storm the likes of which I have never seen in my 24 years living in Israel.  Only two or three times did we ever even get a passing rain shower to wet the sukkah decorations.  And I thought that was an expression of Hashem's displeasure.

The Avodah Zarah in Eretz Yisrael increases to intolerable levels during the week of Sukkot as Christians from around the world invade our Holy Land and Holy City with their tumah.

On Yom Chamishi, 3rd Day of Chol HaMoed Sukkot (Thursday, Oct. 17), they will be parading it through the streets. 

THESE ARE STILL WARNINGS - THERE IS STILL TIME TO DO TESHUVAH UNTIL HOSHANAH RABBAH!!

"Zeman Simchateinu"

14 Tishrei 5780
Erev Sukkot
Hag Sameach!

Wishing us all a wonderful and joyous holiday - Sukkot 5780!!

COMING SOON: America - One Nation Under Je-Zeus

14 Tishrei 5780
Erev Sukkot

The Christian Dominionist Nationalists (Republican Right) and the Secularist Liberal Globalists (Democratic Left) are fighting a battle to the death for the future of America.  Neither one is "good for the Jews," but this one is downright scary.



In full HERE.

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ALSO...

Sukkot Was Meant to Be Celebrated in Eretz Yisrael

14 Tishrei 5780
Erev Sukkot

THE UNITED STATES - Fire, High Winds, Heavy Snow, Flooding Rains

Thousands under mandatory evacuation order after wildfire explodes overnight in Los Angeles

'Potentially historic' October storm to slam north-central U.S. with snow, strong winds

Fall Nor’easter To Create Travel Headaches



EUROPE - Record Heat, Record Cold

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"A Generation of Reversals"

12 Tishrei 5780
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Ha'azinu

"...it deserted God its Maker, and was contemptuous of the Rock of its salvation.  They would provoke His jealousy with strangers;...they are a generation of reversals, children whose upbringing is not in them."

Eitan Bar is such a person as described here in this week's parashah.  Tel Aviv born-and-bred, educated in Christian institutions and clearly converted to Christianity, now it is his life's work and mission to entice other Jews to apostasy and to incite the gentiles to hatred of Torah Judaism and its rabbis with lie upon lie.

Below is as short an excerpt as I could make to include all the information you need to understand what is happening here but not to be overburdened with information that was not relevant, but simply promoted their false religion, God forbid! 

He is speaking before a Texas audience of evangelical Christians, explaining three reasons why Jews have not accepted Yeshu up to now and why they should be giving their money to Yeshu-believers rather than to the State institutions or settlements.



May we soon see the day when all false religions will have disappeared from the world. Amen!

~ Shabbat Shalom ~

Who Are the "Kurds"?

11 Tishrei 5780

This controversy about the Kurds has nothing whatever to do with Jews or Israel.  Ayelet Shaked is remiss in making public statements in regard to Israeli support for the Kurds. 

Certain Western powers made certain promises for certain favors in the past and that's between them and the Kurdish people.  The Kurds are ethnically Persian and religiously Muslims.  The PKK wants their new country to be Marxist.  None of this has any connection whatever to us.  

So, please stop playing their game of "Pick-a-Side."  Israel stands alone and apart with HKB"H!  

A Final Critical Thought Before Yom Kippur

9 Tishrei 5780
Erev Yom Kippur
G'mar Chatimah Tovah!

This is paraphrased from an instruction by Rav Yehudah HaCohen Richter...

We know that Yom Kippur effects forgiveness for sins committed against HKB"H, but not for those committed against other people.  To obtain forgiveness from someone you have wronged, you must approach them in person and ask for their forgiveness.  There are several halachic opinions, however, which say, in fact, that Yom Kippur will not effect forgiveness for sins against HKB"H UNTIL FIRST the sins bein adam l'chavero have been taken care of.

May we all repent our wrongdoings against both our fellows and HKB"H and may we all find forgiveness for same and experience the joy of the peace that results from it.  

RELATED: Feeling Hashem's Love on Yom Kippur! 

CHAG SAMEACH!

9 Tishrei 5780
Erev Yom Kippur

G'MAR CHATIMAH TOVAH!!