07 September 2016

Beware False Messianism!

4 Elul 5776

(h/t P.E. and YY)

Although we are supposed to be yearning for the geulah and anticipating Mashiach's arrival every day, we have to keep even this in perspective and not allow ourselves to be drawn to any extreme. If the Yetzer HaRa can't tempt us to forget about the geulah altogether, he will change tactics and cause us to become obsessed with it to the point of thinking we have to force the issue.

This is what led to the terrible tragedy of Shabtai Tzvi and Jacob Frank. In Frank's case, he and his followers based their false teachings on the saying that "Am Yisrael will be redeemed in a generation that is either all good or all bad". They saw that they could not all be good, so they determined to become "all bad" in order to force the redemption to come. In a recent online shiur, I actually heard a yeshiva bachur make just such a suggestion based on the same exact reasoning, God forbid! Of course, his rebbe set him straight.

How is it we don't know our history so that we can learn from past mistakes? Why do we blithely ignore the threats with some smug self-assurance that we are immune from such errors?

Here is another timely and relevant example of what is happening today. The following was posted to the Israel Rising Blog a month ago:
REDEMPTION WATCH: AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE, BLACK HEBREWS, AND THE MESSIAH
Amar’e Stoudemire is coming home. After travelling back and forth to Israel since 2010, he has experienced what many African-Americans have noted as a sort of realization that somewhere in their past a Jewish ancestor is rooted. Stoudemire confirmed that his Jewish roots reach back through his mother’s side, linking him to the Jewish people. To many observers this sort of awakening is surprising, but it has been going on for quite a while.
...a new crop of younger African-Americans find interest in Hebrew customs and beliefs. This Hebrew awakening is beginning to ripple across the African-American world. Influential leaders like Rabbi Capers Funnye are publicly advocating for Black Jews to become fully integrated members of the broader Jewish world, dropping the racial division. In the past traditional Jewry shunned such overtures, but something is occurring now for the first time throughout world Jewry: tacit acceptance.
...Now, with this tremendous awakening underway, a piece of of the redemption is unfolding in front of us. Jews from all over the world are meant to return. Amar’e Stoudemire’s return to his roots is not only his personal journey, but in light of clear documentation, his journey is part of the redemptive process of the people of Israel.
Three months ago, this website (along with other geulah-related websites like Breaking Israel News, and at least one well-known anti-missionary rabbi who even brought him to Rabbi Kanievsky) was promoting "King Ayi"...
King Ayi: We Have a lot of Work Ahead
The first thing one notices when they meet King David Ayi, is a deep sense of personal humility.
...The three times I met with King Ayi, I witnessed countless people come and speak with him, seeking confirmation that there is in fact a Jewish King from Africa. Some asked for blessings and others just wanted to feel part of something mazing.
Interestingly, the first comment under this posted article on BIN's Facebook page says...

Gerd Schulz Hi, I read that article and wanted to know more about this king. So, I googled and found the following:

Royal Ruse Or Really Royalty?
June 24, 2000|BY MEGAN O'MATZ Staff Writer
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/.../0006240012_1_togo-miriam-oliphant-royal-heritage

"People bowed their heads in his presence. They addressed him as "his majesty." And they gave him the key to the city.
Fort Lauderdale's political, business and religious leaders feted King Ayi of Togo, West Africa, on Friday, unaware or unconcerned that his royal heritage has been questioned.
"It's a scam. He's no more king than I am," said the Rev. Gordon White, a Pennsylvania minister who knew Ayi in Togo, where White worked as a missionary from 1978 to 1986.
"He's perpetrating a total fraud," White said."
I also googled it when I first read about him with similar results, as would anyone else who bothered to check him out.

At least, they are coming clean today: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A FAKE KING TWISTS THE LIGHT OF REDEMPTION?

But regardless, I seriously doubt if this will stop them from seeking out other questionable African tribes and leaders to "return" to the Jewish people in order to "bring about" the final redemption. Hashem have mercy on the rest of us!

The final sentence of the article linked above: "...We must filter those who seek to harm us and our friends from within and connect with those forces who are like-minded in seeing a world that is rectified."

This is the crux of the problem - seemingly "religious" Jews who are prepared to violate the clear teachings of Torah and halachah in order to bring about the Redemption on their own terms. This just proves they have no faith or trust in HKB"H that He will do what is needed at the most opportune time.

(To be continued, iy"H...)

16 comments:

  1. http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/08/rambam-rejected-childless-messiah-by-mr.html

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    Replies
    1. That's interesting, Mr. Cohen, but it doesn't discount any potential Mashiach who doesn't have children YET, does it?

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  2. I have said for years now, we will know who it is when the Creator of All identifies him. I have been scoffed at by the religious so much so that they say God wont decide, we will. We are heading for an incredible disaster as if you read on another blog listed on Shirat Devorah's site, the claim that the messiah will be introduced before this Rosh HaShana. Fine, may it be, but if the person was NOT identified by the Creator, we will be in a world of trouble. Lots of fools out there and we have placed tradition and this will go against your post, halacha, against whom the Creator anoints. But we wont believe it, take that to the bank.

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    1. The halachah is Divinely inspired. Hashem will never let us be misled if we adhere to the halachah. If you think otherwise, then you are still in error.

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  3. This has gotten so out of hand already, it's sickening. I saw the same headline on Geulah 613 (if I remember correctly). Firstly, let me say that the one who writes on the Israel Rising website constantly about finding jews in Africa and elsewhere, about all kinds of tribes, chas v'sholom, has some kind of problem or he's doing his job for the agenda of destroying Torah Judaism. We have to look just at Tehilim 83 to see how the nations are all trying to take away our heritage for themselves, as if they can fool the Ribbono Shel Olam.

    What kind of 'religious' Jews fall for this claptrap, unless they are robotic Jews who daven and don't any Torah or understand what they are davening. It is as clear to me as crystal what this is all about as it should be to every Yiddishe neshama. These people should not be allowed to step in the Land. We as Jews know who the Jews are and who are not. They are not!!!

    H' help us; if this were not the signs of the coming of Moshiach, it would be too frightening to believe. Comforting to know we have been warned of the unbelievable chaos, confusion and treachery that would take place. Praying for H's rachamim that the wait will be very short for Moshiach Tzdkeinu's coming because H' is merciful. nili

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    1. have you seen the kinds of people that israel has accepted mostly in tel aviv? if it was me as leader, the good ones would be deported and the bad ones would all be gruesomely murdered. how can anyone be this soulless to accept immigrants like these and destroy a whole nation and heritage? it is even happening in america and europe so you can see clearly that this is not natural. you can read articles on how europe is handling this and it could shock anyone even a great rabbi {heaven forbid}. there is almost no place in the world where they are not filthetizing and you can not live where they come from.
      jack

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  4. All this is so troubling, Devorah. I am left dumbfounded with all that you are bringing to your readers attention.

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    Replies
    1. Believe me, GoldieZP, it gives me no pleasure at all to have to talk about these things.

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  5. Devash, I saw this article on IsraelRising and here is my reply to the author:

    Re: What Happens When a Fake King Twists the Light of Redemption?
    I just do not understand all this business of strange peoples all over the world claiming to be descendants or otherwise connected to the Jewish People/Nation. I think it disturbing and detrimental to the Geula that all kinds of peoples are coming out of their closets and wanting to be included in Am Yisrael.

    This is a FARCE and I believe Hashem is testing us Jews in this situation. How can real Jews fall for such nonsense.

    Please do not misconstrue, I am all for the Ingathering of (real halachic) Jews, which is a necessary process for the Geula.

    When Moshiach arrives (very soon) he will put all this to rest when he tells each person if they are Jewish or not, and to which Tribe they belong. I think we should just say, “Thank you for your interest, but we are awaiting Mashiach to Judge and Declare Who is a Jew!

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  6. Neshama: But in the meantime we have no right to accept these people and make them think that they're getting away with it. Also if they come to visit and are accepted with the probability that they are somehow associated with Jews, they'll want to stay on and they know very well they're definitely but definitely not Jews. In the meantime, the Country looks like a mini U.S, and we are getting the 'sin' of allowing non-Jews to live in E.Y. They have as much to do with Jews as if saying Jews are really Eskimos. We don't need to wait for Moshiach to answer such questions which we know the answers to already! nili

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  7. Yes. Unfortunately. I think one KEY to this enterprise being a scam is this man's CONSTANT NEED TO ASK FOR MONEY. The Real King of Israel won't need a cent: Isaiah 55:1 "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye for water, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price". The God of Israel will send His Spirit before His Anointed King to spread authentic Israelite (Jewish) teachings to The World. He won't need MONEY. And he won't need WEAPONS. He will have the Power of the Torah. And one day THIS Unclean Spirit will be washed from Our Land: Zechariah 14:21 "Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy unto the LORD of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein; AND IN THAT DAY THERE SHALL BE NO MORE A TRAFFICKER [Canaani] IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OF HOSTS".

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  8. TO THE COMMENTERS ABOVE: The author did reply and acknowledged the situation : "Yes this whole incident has blown me away. I am here for anyone who wants to convert no matter the color, but the rest of this stuff is totally dangerous and obfuscating the truth.”

    A suggestion – We should keep on top of these websites and/or blogs that fall into this trap and write them to counter their misunderstanding.

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  9. Also, wish to respond about Moshiach and those who think he chosen by the people. No, he is not. Everything is from Shamayim. MBY might be a heroic person or the people themselves who will do the battles against our foes. Moshiach Ben Dovid is anointed from Above. No one knows who he is and it will not be the people who have the say, because the coming of Moshiach Tzdkeinu is Divine! nili

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  10. They don't let up for one minute!!!!!!!!!! P.E.

    When Buddha met Abraham
    For the first time, leaders of eastern religions will meet with religious leaders in Israel to discuss common issues.

    For the first time, a special convention is to take place that will see the meeting of leaders of eastern religions with Jewish leaders, in an attempt to strengthen interfaith relations.

    The convention, to take place next week, is an initiative of the foreign ministry, in participation with the American Jewish Committee and the World Council of Religious Leaders.

    The goal of the meeting is to create a dialogue between religions on a wide range of topics: The status of religion in modern society, intercultural and political, economic, and strategic relations.

    Some 20 religious leaders of eastern religions are to participate, including leaders of the Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto, Jain, Sikh, Taoist and Zoroastrian religions.

    On the Israeli side, Rabbis of all denominations are to participate, as well as various authorities in the fields of Interreligious Relations and Jewish Thought.

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  11. Anon at 7:52 pm. It is all so terrible but all of us who come to this wonderful site already know that this is the 'global agenda' to make a one world religion, r'l. They can try but, of course, it will not help them 'with the real Jews'. The remnant of Israel is eternal - this is the chaos before the Geulah (may it be immediately) and soon H' will send Moshiach Tzdkeinu and all these amaleikim will be finished. We just need to see that more Jews are aware of what is happening.
    Yid amiti

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