Is A Literal Earth-Shattering Event On Our Horizon?

8 Av 5786
Erev Tisha b'Av 

"In the future, Persia will fall into the hands of Rome.  Firstly, because they destroyed the houses of prayer and, secondly, it is the decree of the King that builders [of the Second Temple] should fall into the hands of the destroyers."  (Yoma 10a.)

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Posted to "X" at 7:11 PM - July 21, 2026

Pickaxe Mountain is located in the Zagros Mountains, just about 1.5 to 2 kilometers south of Iran's main Natanz nuclear complex in the Isfahan Province. It is built deep underground (over 100 meters beneath solid granite rock), making it heavily fortified against aerial bombings and conventional bunker-buster weapons. Western and Israeli intelligence assess that Iran has moved thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges into tunnels beneath the mountain to shield its nuclear infrastructure from military strikes.    (Gemini)

A specialized tactical nuclear earth-penetrator would be sufficient to destroy the main underground halls of the Natanz complex. However, it would likely require a full-on strategic nuclear weapon (or repeated tactical strikes) to fully collapse the neighboring, hyper-fortified Pickaxe Mountain facility.

Note the proximity of the City of Qom there. The city of Qom holds massive, dual significance for Iran—serving as both the spiritual heart of the Islamic Republic and a critical, heavily fortified anchor of its nuclear program.  Qom is also the final resting place for several of the most famous and highly revered figures in Islamic history, Persian royalty, and modern Iranian politics.  (Gemini)

The connection of current events to the Hebrew date when both Temples were destroyed is unmistakable and in no way coincidental! 

~ May this mark the end of fasting for our national sins ~ 

The Real Reason for the Season

 7 Av 5786

Many, many religiously observant people struggle with the practices performed during the Three Weeks period.  They can manage the outward forms required, but they are not invested in it mentally and emotionally.  

For example, many modern Jews feel that the redemption arrived with the founding of the State and that hi-rise buildings crowding the narrow streets of the capital constitutes the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  In their view, Jewish life is thriving in Eretz Yisrael despite the constant state of tensions and wars.  Try as they might, they can't work up any depth to the feeling of loss for something that happened 2000 years ago.

First of all, these fast days are installment payments on a past debt to HKB"H - the national sins which occurred at these times.  When the debt has been paid in full, they will no longer be necessary.  Instead, we will celebrate sort of like a couple who pay off a 25-year mortgage note.  What we should be feeling today is the burden of that 'note' that comes due every year at this time, along with regret over the life that we could be living but cannot while the debt remains.  In other words, we mourn over our current sorry condition.

I think there is another major reason people have trouble accepting the curtailing of their business-as-usual activities during this time.  It is a result of a major misunderstanding (or just ignorance) of the impact of spiritual forces in our physical realm.  These basics have been virtually lost in our rational, technological age.  

[I]n Kabbalistic and Jewish thought, the forces of tumah (spiritual impurity) and Din (harsh judgment) reach an annual peak during the months of Tammuz and Av.

Specifically, the 21-day period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av)—known as Bein HaMetzarim ("Between the Straits" or the Three Weeks)—is considered the most spiritually vulnerable time of the year. During this window, the forces of the Sitra Achra (the "Other Side") are in severe ascendance.

Why Tumah Ascends Now

The Concealment of Holiness: Kabbalah teaches that the physical destruction of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem during these months reflected a spiritual reality: a severe restriction of Divine light. When holiness is hidden, tumah automatically rushes in to fill the vacuum.

The Rule of Cosmic Judgment: According to the Zohar, the year is split into seasons of mercy and seasons of judgment. The hot summer months of Tammuz and Av are dominated by solar heat, which mystically represents blinding, raw Din (unmitigated justice/judgment). Without the tempering cooling effects of Chesed (loving-kindness), negativity holds great sway.

The Danger of K**** M*****

The Talmud (Pesachim 111b) and midrashic texts explicitly warn of a physical manifestation of tumah during these weeks: a destructive spiritual entity or plague-demon called K**** M*****. It is said to rule from the 17th of Tammuz until the 9th of Av. It is particularly active during the middle of the day—from the fourth to the ninth halachic hours (roughly 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM). 

Because of this ascendance, classical Jewish law (Shulchan Aruch) advises people to exercise extreme physical caution during these weeks, avoiding dangerous activities, remote areas, or intense physical confrontations.

The Kabbalistic Paradox: Hidden Light

While the Sitra Achra dominates the surface of Tammuz and Av, Kabbalah reveals a comforting paradox: the greater the darkness, the more powerful the hidden light inside it.

The Chassidic masters teach that the intense energy of these months was originally meant to channel the highest possible spiritual revelations. Because humanity could not handle that intensity, it shattered into tragedy. Therefore, any spiritual work, repentance, or Torah study done during this low point has a disproportionately powerful effect in dismantling tumah and transforming it into ultimate good.     (Source: Gemini)  

I hope this helps the readers as much as it helped me to be reminded.  With thanks to the one who started the conversation which turned into this blog post.   You know who you are. 😉💖

The Internal War - It Can Only End One Way

7 Av 5786  

This is another proof that it's not about needing more soldiers to fight the wars that they refuse to win, purposely extending them with endless "ceasefires."

It's all about distancing them from Torah and exposing them to bad influences.  (Something like assigning dati leumi sherut leumi girls to a missionary base where they would greet Chr*stian tourists.)

ALTERNATIVE TO CONSCRIPTION: Katz, IDF Move To Expand Civilian Service For Chareidim

Defense Minister Israel Katz is advancing a plan, in coordination with the IDF and the Civil Service Administration, to significantly expand civilian service opportunities for Chareidim who will not enlist in the military.

However, I doubt that any court will accept this plan as it doesn't have the added 'benefit' of killing off the soldiers in order to bring down the birth rate in that sector, r"l.  [See: Why are so many of Israel's fallen soldiers from religious Zionist camp?]

Dati Leumi Talmid: “They’re Turning Us Into Deserters Too”

Yishai, a Dati Leumi talmid yeshiva, told Kol Chai about a growing phenomenon of Dati Leumi talmidim who seek to defer their military service to continue learning Torah being classified as deserters.

Yishai said that many of his friends have already been declared deserters despite intending to serve in the IDF in the future.

“They want to enlist—just not at age 19,” he explained. “They want to postpone their service so they can learn for a few more years, but because of problems with obtaining draft deferments, they end up being classified as deserters.”

He said that these are talmidim attending well-known Dati Leumi yeshivos rather than Hesder yeshivos.

He added: “This isn’t just a war against the Chareidi community—it’s a war against everything that is holy. The same people who want to dismantle the Chareidi Torah world also want to dismantle the Religious Zionist Torah world.”

He added that, in his view, this is part of a broader campaign against Torah institutions. He also referred to protests within the Religious Zionist community over religious issues in the IDF, including the integration of women into the Armored Corps, saying that these developments make it more difficult for young men who wish to enlist while maintaining their religious way of life.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

It's way past time for real "brothers" to act like true brothers and join hands in this battle. The Religious Zionists have to decide whether to be religious or Zionist because you can't be both. Not anymore.

UNITY among Jews - from our very beginnings - was only ever around the Torah of Hashem.  There is, and never has been, and never can be any UNITY with those who reject and rebel against God's Law.

Will Mashiach Be 'Born' This Tisha b'Av?

6 Av 5786 

Maybe the concept of Mashiach's "birth" on Tisha b'Av is not referring to a literal physical birth, but to his actual anointing from Heaven releasing him to act as the Mashiach.  This would necessarily result in the revelation of his identity.

In Jewish tradition, the messiah (Mashiach) does not receive a brand new soul when he is anointed. Instead, his existing soul, which already has a very high and holy root, is elevated. When he is officially chosen by God, he is granted a powerful, higher level of divine consciousness and prophetic power. (Source)

1. His Soul is Already Here 

According to Jewish teachings, the soul of Mashiach is not created on the day he becomes the redeemer.  It is an ancient soul that is constantly present in the world, waiting for the right moment.  Some mystical traditions teach that the soul of Mashiach is closely connected to the souls of great leaders from history, like King David and Moses.    (Source)

2. The "Anointing" Awakens Hidden Potential

When a king or a high priest was anointed with oil in ancient times, it was never just a symbol.  It was a physical sign that God was setting that person apart for a holy job.  According to [some] teachings ..., the moment Mashiach is revealed, God pours a new and special "spirit of Mashiach" upon him.   (Source)

Think of it like a musician who is already great, but when they step onto the main stage, a brilliant spotlight is turned on them.  The spotlight (the anointing) gives them the bright, supernatural energy they need to complete their mission, but the musician (the soul) is the same person who has been preparing for this job all along.

3. It Fills Him with Divine Knowledge 

The anointing from on high fills the Mashiach with an advanced level of wisdom and divine inspiration.  It gives him the ability to successfully lead all people toward peace, justice, and the ultimate repair of the world.    (Source)

[Source for the following...]

Zechariah 8:19

Thus said the LORD of Hosts: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth month, the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month shall become occasions for joy and gladness, happy festivals for the House of Judah; but you must love honesty and integrity.

Pesikta Rabbati 28:1

“For there our captors asked us for words of song…” (Psalms 137:3)  At the time (of the Temple's destruction), the nations of the world said to them: Stand up and sing before idols just as you would sing in the Holy Temple.  They replied: If we had sung songs in our place, we would not have been exiles.  And now how could we sing songs before idols?!

... Immediately [the nations] arose and killed heaps and heaps of them, and even though many of them were killed Israel rejoiced that they did not sing songs before the idols, as it says “…and our tormentors [asked of us] mirth…” (ibid.)  At that moment the Holy One swore a whole oath to Israel. He said of Himself, so to speak, if I do not keep my oath, as it says “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget [its skill].” (Psalms 137:5)  At the moment Israel was exiled, the Holy One took His hand and placed it behind Him, just as it says “He has withdrawn His right hand from the enemy…” (Lamentations 2:3)  The Holy One, so to speak, did not return it to its place.  And so too the Holy One said to Israel: I will forget My right hand which I placed behind Me if I do not fulfill my oath to you and not forget you among the nations.  “May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.” (Psalms 137:6) 

In the future the Holy One will return to Jerusalem all of her joy, as it says “And the redeemed of Zion shall return, and they shall come to Zion with song, with joy of days of yore shall be upon their heads…” (Isaiah 35:10)  And anyone who mourns for Jerusalem in this world will rejoice with her in the time to come, as it says “Rejoice with Jerusalem and exult in her all those who love her: rejoice with her a rejoicing, all who mourn over her.” (Isaiah 66:10)

They said in the name of Abaye: joy only comes on the ninth of Av, because they mandated mourning then in this time and in the future the Holy One will make it into a holiday, as it says “…and I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31:12)

Eikhah Rabbah 1:26

“…she has no comforter…” (Lamentations 1:2)  R’ Levi said: every place where it says ‘has no,’ she has.  “And Sarai was barren; she had no child.” (Genesis 11:30)  And she did have, as it says “And the Lord remembered Sarah…” (Genesis 21:1)  Similarly, “…but Hannah had no children.” (Samuel I 1:2)  And she did have, as it says “For the Lord remembered Hannah…” (Samuel I 2:21)  Similarly, “…that is Zion whom no one seeks out.” (Jeremiah 30:17)  And she did have, as it says “And a redeemer shall come to Zion…” (Isaiah 59:20)  And so too you say that she has no comforter - she has, as it says “I, yea I am He Who consoles you…” (Isaiah 51:12) 

Shabbat Chazon 5786

3 Menachem Av 5786
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Devarim - Chazon 

Passing along "Shabbat shalom" from Moshe Feiglin...

"With Justice and With RIghteousness We Will Be Redeemed"

3 Menachem Av 5786
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Devarim - Chazon 

Stone Edition Chumash Commentary on Parashat Devarim:  "...R' Hirsch explains that Devarim was Israel's introduction to the new life it would have to forge in Eretz Yisrael." 

Am Yisrael were standing on the other side of the Jordan River opposite Yericho preparing to cross and conquer.  Everything was about to change for them.

Today, parashat Devarim, Am Yisrael is standing on the threshold of the Final Redemption and everything is about to change for us!!

It's Shabbat Chazon.  Envision a different future...

(Haftarat Devarim)  "...Woe!  O sinful nation, people weighed down by iniquity, offspring of evil, destructive children; they have forsaken Hashem, they have angered the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward...."

"Hear the word of Hashem, O chiefs of Sodom; give ear to the Torah of our God, O people of Gomorrah...."

"Wash yourselves, purify yourselves, remove the evil of your doings from before My eyes; desist from doing evil.  Learn to do good, seek justice, strengthen the victim, do justice for the orphan, take up the cause of the widow."

"...If you will be willing and you will obey, you shall eat the goodness of the land.  But if you will refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword - for the mouth of Hashem has spoken."

"...Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her returnees with righteousness."

___________ 

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~ 

Does This Mark the End of the Memshelet Zadon?

2 Av 5786 

So much ink has been spilled over the term of the 25th Knesset, which will effectively come to an end Thursday after completing its full term — the first Knesset to do so since 1988 and the 11th Knesset. The words that best capture the situation are “who would have believed it.” Who would have thought October 7 would befall us and, even more than that, who could have imagined that after such a disaster, Netanyahu would survive, and so would his government.  (Continues here,)

Great Analysis

The next election has been scheduled for October 27, 2026 or 16 Marcheshvan 5787 on the Hebrew calendar - one day prior to the anniversary of the Great Flood of Noah.  l don't believe it will ever take place.  I believe the revolution is upon us - out of the darkness and into the pure light.

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Memshelet Zadon (מֶמְשֶׁלֶת זָדוֹן) is a Hebrew phrase that translates to "rule of arrogance," "government of malice," or "tyranny of wickedness."The term is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, history, and philosophy.

It's not just the government.  The Erev Rav is embedded among us and they are fighting to eliminate Torah observance and to destroy the Torah itself for all time. 

And they are being ably assisted by Chr*stian missionaries and Erev Rav Jews.

(Join the Change - Liberal Jerusalem: "The Secular Return to Jerusalem") 

Everyone understands now that there is no longer room for accommodation.  One of the two sides has to be in control and whichever side wins will coerce the opposing side to comply with their vision.

This is located at the Hayovel base and they have even bigger plans to expand and bring yet more Chr*stians to live and work and fill the first Chr*stian Zionist yishuv in the Shomron.

You can bet Old Friend Huckabee will be in attendance.

All of this is destined to disappear from this reality along with the Memshelet Zadon which protects it and promotes it.

MAY THIS BE THE

LONG-AWAITED MOMENT!!

Now Who Is Bein Hametzarim?

2 Av 5786 

Bein Hametzarim (בין המצרים), or "Between the Straits" (often called "The Three Weeks"), is an annual period of Jewish mourning. It begins on the 17th of Tammuz (the fast commemorating the breaching of Jerusalem's walls) and culminates on Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av (when both Holy Temples were destroyed).  (Gemini)

This may be the first time in all of human history that the nations of the world are caught "between the straits" during this period of time.