30 September 2021

Bereishit: Return to Gan Eden

25 Tishrei 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh 
Parashat Bereishit - Mevorchim

[Yes, this is a re-run.  I hope you like it just as much the second time around.]

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 ~

23 September 2021

SUKKAH vs. GOG - 5782

18 Tishrei 5782
3rd Day Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Erev Shabbat Kodesh

I'm going to inject some information here on my pre-Shabbat blog post because it is suddenly all over the news and until I looked it up, I did not know what to make of it.  So, this is for others who are like-minded...
Israel Starts Widespread Use of Regeneron's COVID Treatment in High-risk Patients
What Is Regeneron COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment?
Monoclonal Antibodies: Update on COVID-19 Experimental Therapy
Basically, this is just another experimental form of artificial manipulation of the human immune system.  And it carries the same risk, if not more, as the misnamed "vaccine."  It's part and parcel of the same program whose end goal, after almost two years, we still don't know.

~
The War of Gog and Magog:
The Haftara of Shabbat Chol Ha-mo’ed Sukkot

By Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein
Translated by David Strauss

The haftara for Shabbat Chol Ha-mo’ed Sukkot (Yechezkel 38:18-39:16), which deals with the war of Gog and Magog, is one of the most famous prophecies in Scripture. It has succeeded in taking hold of the human imagination and penetrating deeply into our cultural and religious consciousness. The destruction of the existing and imperfect world, the ultimate war against evil, the heavy price of blood, and God's victory over men of flesh and blood are powerful images that leave a profound impression on the human soul. Thus, this prophecy has become part of the inalienable property of the Jewish and general world.

It is quite understandable, then, that this prophecy was included in the haftarot cycle. However, its relationship to the festival of Sukkot is not at all clear, and is even surprising, for what is the connection between a blood-drenched world war and the festival of Sukkot? How does the sukka of peace connect to war, and what is the relationship between the refuge and shelter of the sukka and the destruction and desolation described in this prophecy?

The reading of the haftara of Gog and Magog on Shabbat Chol Ha-mo’ed Sukkot is not merely a custom, but an obligation of Talmudic law. The gemara in Megilla (31a) mentions it along with the other haftarot read on the various holidays to this very day; we thus see that Chazal already saw an essential connection between the prophecy and the festival.

In answer to this question, Rashi (Megilla 31a, s.v. be-yom) identifies the war of Gog and Magog with the war fought in the end of days that is mentioned at the end of the book of Zekharia in the chapter that serves as the haftara on the first day of Sukkot. As Rashi puts it, "'On that day, when Gog shall come' is the war mentioned in Zekharia in 'Behold, the day of the Lord comes.'" Indeed, there is significant correspondence between these two prophecies. Both deal with a future war of defense fought against nations oppressing Israel in which God Himself rises to fight against the enemies of Israel, making use of very similar methods of fighting. Both campaigns are decided by way of supernatural means introduced by God, the focus of which is a great earthquake that utterly overturns the regular natural order, as a result of which pandemonium breaks out, causing "every man's sword to be against each other." From this perspective, we can certainly speak of very similar accounts issuing from the mouths of Yechezkel and Zekharia, and conclude from this that we are dealing with the same war, as is argued by Rashi.

Based on this, we can explain why we read the story of Gog and Magog on Shabbat Chol Ha-mo’ed Sukkot, for the prophecy in Zekharia makes explicit mention of the festival of Sukkot. According to Rashi, the two haftarot read on the festival of Sukkot deal with the terrible war that will take place in the future, "on that day," for they are one and the same war. On the first day of Sukkot, we read the account of that war as it appears at the end of the book of Zekharia, mentioning the festival of Sukkot at the conclusion, and on Shabbat Chol Ha-mo’ed, we read Yechezkel's account of the same war.  [You can read the rest here.]

MOADIM L'SIMCHAH
SHABBAT SHALOM

19 September 2021

SUKKOT 5782

14 Tishrei 5782
Erev Sukkot 

May we now see the downfall of the wicked nations and may God's people be redeemed and healed fully with a complete healing!!

Sukkot!! (Feast of Tabernacles) Uniting with All Nations? Religions? - Rav Yehudah Richter


~ Chag Sukkot Sameach!! ~

"...Instill Your awe upon all Your works...."

13 Tishrei 5782 

"...and Your dread upon all that You have created."

[LIVE: Volcano erupts on La Palma in the Canary Islands]

The massive hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and volcanoes don't seem to inspire much awe of Hashem these days.  Apparently, The-Powers-That-Should-Not-Be foresaw this and prepared their "Climate Change" narrative in their battle against Hashem and mankind's faith in Hashem.  

But what is waiting to happen, withheld only by Hashem's enduring mercy on His creatures, cannot be attributed to "Climate Change."  I've written about it before - ten years ago at this same exact time of year.  Scientists say it is not a question of "if" but "when" and while they all rush to say that the chances of it happening davka now are infinitesimal, an eruption appears to be imminent.  

It's up to HaKadosh Baruch Hu if, when and how much damage will occur.  The created beings of this world need to start taking their Creator more seriously.

Megatsunami Scenario - La Palma Landslide



La Palma (Canary Islands) Update: Earthquake Swarm Increases - Deformation Reaches 10 cm Uplift

17 September 2021

"NOW OR NEVER"

11 Tishrei 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Ha'azinu 

Now or Never
Parshas Haazinu

Posted at Torah.org on October 10, 2016 (5777) By Rabbi Pinchas Winston

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! And let the earth hear the words of my mouth! (Devarim 32:1)
The Talmud says that after history as we know it is said-and-done, the gentile nations of the past will complain to God that they were short-shrifted (Avodah Zarah 3a). They will argue that they lost their chance to go to the World-to-Come because they were not given Torah and mitzvos. Had they received Torah like the Jewish people, they will say, they too would have upheld it and earned their own portions in the World-to-Come.

Right.

“Why did you not clamor for Torah while you were still in the previous world?” God could ask them.

“We would have,” they might say, “had we known what it was leading to.”

“Why did you not check and find out while you still could? Why didn’t you investigate Torah and see why Jews believed in it?”

“Well, ah . . .” they will be forced to say.

In any case, the Talmud continues, God will humor them nonetheless. He will tell them:

“Fools! Only one who prepared from before Shabbos will have what to eat on Shabbos!” (Avodah Zarah 3a)

In other words, God will tell them, just as a Jew had to prepare before Shabbos in order to have cooked food on Shabbos, likewise you had to have to perform mitzvos in the previous world to enjoy their benefit now.

“Nevertheless, I will give to you an easy mitzvah called ‘Succah.’ Go perform it!” (Avodah Zarah 3a)

This statement causes bells to go off in the Talmud. Mitzvos in the World-to-Come? Not possible, as Rebi Yehoshua explains. The Torah, at the end of Parashas VaEschanan, says that mitzvos can only only be performed in this world, not in the World-to-Come. Was God merely playing a joke on them?

The Talmud says no. God doesn’t play jokes on His creations.

In any case, the Talmud continues:

Immediately, all the gentiles build succos on their roofs. God however makes the sun beat on them like it does in the heat of summer. [When the heat becomes too intense] the gentiles kick their succos and leave. (Avodah Zarah 3a)

If God does not play tricks on His creations, then why did He make it impossible to fulfill the mitzvah He gave them as a test? As the Talmud points out, even a Jew is allowed to leave the succah in such extreme and uncomfortable conditions. What did God prove?

The Talmud answers:

[A Jew] would leave, but they would not kick the succah [in frustration]. (Avodah Zarah 3a)

The difference between a Jew and a gentile, the Talmud says, is not the mitzvah per se, but how each relates to it. What does kicking something in anger reveal? That the person feels betrayed, taken advantage of, cheated. If a Jew is forced out of the succah for reasons beyond his control, he does not feel slighted by God, but reprimanded. He does not see himself as the abused, but as the abuser.

The verse says:

Fortunate is the man whom You, God, chastise, and from Your Torah You teach him. (Tehillim 94:12)

God did not play a trick on the gentiles. He set them straight about Torah and mitzvos. He told them it wasn’t the mitzvah itself that counted most, but how the person doing the mitzvah relates to it. This is what Moshe Rabbeinu tried to teach the Jewish people prior to his death when he said:

Now, Israel, what does God, your God, ask of you? Only to fear God, your God . . . (Devarim 10:12)

Isn’t fear of God only ONE of 613 mitzvos? What about the other 612 mitzvos?

That was the whole point Moshe Rabbeinu was teaching. Once a person masters fear of God, the rest of the mitzvos for him become far more “natural.” For the person who truly fears God, performing mitzvos becomes second nature, as they will actually become in the Messianic Era when there really will be no yetzer hara anymore (Succah 52a).

A major part of reaching the ultimate level of fear of God is Divine chastisement. We do not know ourselves as well as God does, and only He can set us on the straight path and keep us there. If we don’t heed His “advice,” how can we possibly achieve personal spiritual perfection?

Kicking the succah on the way out proved to the gentiles that even if they had mitzvos to perform in this world, they would never have achieved the fear of God they are meant to promote. They would not have developed the proper relationship to them, and therefore the mitzvos would not have accomplished what they were meant to develop in the person performing them.

It is one’s relationship to mitzvos that really counts the most, as the Talmud may also be alluding to on a different level. This however is only perceivable after first explaining a concept the Maharal revealed. It is a mind-blowing idea to say the least, and it helps to answer the question the Talmud raises about mitzvos in the World-to-Come.

The halachah of Eruv Tavshillin was created by the rabbis to allow a person to prepare for Shabbos on Yom Tov. In general, one is not allowed to prepare for another day on Yom Tov, only for the day itself. However, sometimes Yom Tom is on Friday, and preparing for Shabbos on Thursday is not always the ideal thing.

Therefore, by preparing an Eruv Tavshillin on Thursday when it is still permissible to cook for Shabbos, a person has essentially begun cooking for Shabbos before Yom Tov. The Eruv is a legal device designed to extend the Shabbos preparation process into Yom Tov so that the cooking can be completed on Friday.

Eruv Tavshillin is an interesting halachah to discuss, but not here. What is important is the idea it teaches, and how it pertains to this discussion, including the mitzvah of Succah. For, just as the walls of the succah enclose that which is within in, likewise does the Eruv Tavshillin enclose Yom Tov within it. One’s relationship to mitzvos in this world, it will turn out, will act similarly with respect to the Messianic Era as well.

The halachah says that an Eruv Tavshillin allows cooking for Shabbos at a time when it is not otherwise permissible because of what was performed before Yom Tov. Similarly, the Maharal explains that a person who correctly performed mitzvos beyond the Messianic Era when there was a yetzer hara will be able to perform them in the Messianic Era when there won’t be one. Since he performed mitzvos when he had to fight the yetzer hara, he will be allowed to perform mitzvos even when there is no yetzer hara to fight.

To what end? All the reward for performing mitzvos is from overcoming the yetzer hara who tried to interfere with doing them. No yetzer hara, no resistance. No resistance, no reward, right?

Wrong, says the Maharal. Part of the reward for properly performing mitzvos while we have a yetzer hara is the opportunity to perform them when we will no longer have one—as if we still do. Just as mastering fear of God makes the other 612 mitzvos easier to perform, but does not reduce the reward for doing them, likewise properly performing mitzvos in this world gives us the reward of Messianic mitzvos without any loss of benefit.

This is the deeper meaning of, “The reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah” (Pirkei Avos 4:2). The reward of a mitzvah performed in this yetzer hara-oriented world is the opportunity to perform a mitzvah in the yetzer hara-less world, and continue to receive reward for it. The interest accrued from the proper use of free will in this world pays dividends long after free will becomes a concept of the past.

According to the Talmud, this is true not just of the Messianic Era, but even into Olam HaBa—the World-to-Come. This is what God will tell the gentiles at that time when they complain about their lack of mitzvos in this world. “Mitzvos still exist,” He will tell them, “but only for the person who performed them in the previous world and developed the proper relationship to them. Only the person who prepared on ‘Erev Shabbos’ can eat on ‘Shabbos.’ Your complaint,” He will prove to them, “is far too little, and far too late.”

Knowing this, one is now ready to better appreciate this week’s parsha, and the holiday of Succos that follows.

~ Shabbat Shalom ~

15 September 2021

G'MAR TOV!!

9 Tishrei 5782
Erev Yom Kippur

Start HERE! [Yom Kippur] - HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov Hillel 

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT - 5782

9 Tishrei 5782
Erev Yom Kippur

Saw this on Jewish Press this morning.  It's meant to scare people, but just think - for one minute.  Considering that 3500+ of the 7400+ reportedly dead from Corona passed away BEFORE THE VACCINE WAS AVAILABLE in December 2020, it makes sense doesn't it?


IF YOU FEAR ANYONE OR ANYTHING BUT G-D, DO VIDUI FOR THAT!!  AND HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL YOM KIPPUR FAST.

~ G'MAR CHATIMAH TOVAH! ~

12 September 2021

"Israeli Soldiers Forced Jab in Middle of the Night"

7 Tishrei 5782 

(h/t Deb Ghedini)  With English Subtitles.  Be sure to engage the "CC" button. 

This demonstrates the importance of having these conversations with your children in advance and wargaming with them various possible situations they could find themselves in so they won't be caught off-guard or unawares.  Hashem yerachem!!

10 September 2021

SHABBAT SHUVAH 5782

4 Tishrei 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Shabbat Shuvah - Parashat Vayeilech 

Shabbat Shuvah / שבת שובה

The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuvah because its special haftarah reading begins with the words Shuvah Yisrael ["Return O Israel"] from the prophecy of Hoshe'a.  It is also referred to as Shabbat Shuvah because it falls during the ten days of Teshuvah - Repentance.
...It is customary in almost all Jewish communities for the rabbi of the city or congregation to expound on teshuvah, and to emphasize the severity of transgression so that the people turn their hearts toward repentance.  Our Sages have said that when the wise address the people, God forgives the sins of Israel.
...on Shabbat Shuvah one should be especially careful to concentrate entirely on Torah, prayer, and reflection on teshuvah, thereby attaining forgiveness for whatever unfitting behavior may have marred other Sabbaths.
--- Book of Our Heritage by Eliyahu Kitov

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~
G'MAR CHATIMAH TOVAH!!

09 September 2021

RABBI RICHTER: "GRAND FINALE!"

3 Tishrei 5782
Tzom Gedaliah

This is the final episode (in 2 parts) in Rabbi Yehudah HaCohen Richter's series entitled "The State of Israel: G-D's Hand or Satan's? Finally, a Guide for the Perplexed."

Grand Finale! Summary! State of Israel, G-ds hand or Satan's?-Rav Yehuda Richter (Part A)


 

06 September 2021

SHANAH -5782- TOVAH

29 Elul 5781
Erev Rosh Hashanah

On the Day of Judgment, as the King sits to open the books - who will live and who will die - may He overlook our shortcomings and count our steadfast loyalty to Him and to His Holy Torah as worthy of continued life and service to Him in the coming year 5782.  

The best is yet to come!

Ain od milevado!


Wishing Klal Yisrael the most heartfelt Yom Kippur and Sukkot holidays as well.    
Chag Sameach!!

05 September 2021

Ahhhh! The Sound of Elul and Rosh Hashana, Just Hours Away Now!

 28 Elul 5781

I was down Yafo Street when I heard a shofar - from afar - and started wheeling my shopping cart in that direction.  I was holding my phone in the same hand guiding the cart, so it's a bit jumpy until I find my shofar blower at the northeast corner of Davidka Square.  If you go full screen, you can just make out a small figure standing on the 1st floor balcony behind the big Israeli flag.  He couldn't have been more than five years old.  Really made my day!

~ WISHING ALL THE READERS SHANAH TOVAH FOR 5782 ~

Dr. Zelenko Makes Kiddush Hashem

28 Elul 5781
Shavua Tov!

Del Bigtree of The Highwire Interviews Dr. Zelenko
 on September 2, 2021

03 September 2021

"STANDING BEFORE HASHEM"

26 Elul 5781
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Nitzavim 

Recycled from 2010.  An oldie but a goodie.

B"H Elul 26 5770

"Atem nitzavim .... You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem...." (Deuteronomy 29:9)

Why "standing"?

We stand to indicate respect and attention. Moses gathered the Children of Israel on the East Bank of the Jordan River on the day of his death "In order to establish you ... as a people to Him and that He be a G-d to you...." (Deuteronomy 29:12)

We stand when the Sefer Torah is carried. We stand for a Torah scholar. We stand for our parents. When the Torah was given at Mount Sinai"Moses brought the people forth from the camp toward G-d, and they stood at the bottom of the mountain." (Shemos 19:17)
Standing signifies dignity and respect. In the Prayer after Meals (bentching), we ask G-d to "break the yoke of oppression from our necks and guide us erect to our Land." In other words, we don't want to crawl home to Israel at the end of the Exile, G-d forbid. Slaves are bent and depressed; they drag their bodies along in servile lowliness. But we are different; we are Children of the Al-mighty.

"They slumped and fell, but we arose and were invigorated." (Psalm 20)

Every morning, we thank G-d, "Who straightens the bent."

We are royalty, descendants of kings, prophets and great rabbis through whom the light of Torah enters the world.

I recently received the following email:

"After reading your article on how we speak, I thought you might appreciate what we experienced the other day when my husband and I found ourselves in a Walmart in a town where I don't think they had ever seen a religious Jew. The language of the people around me was colored with inappropriate words, which are 'normal' speech for today's times. A teenage daughter was speaking to her mother with only 'four-letter' words.

"Her mother looked at me and my husband and then said to her daughter, 'You know you shouldn't be talking like that.'

"At that moment I realized what G-d wants from us. We are a Holy Nation, an example to others on how to behave. The way we speak affects not only our personality, but it also affects the look on our face, so that someone who looks at us can see it, and I think they did.

"At that moment I was so proud to be a Jew."


What a Sanctification of G-d's Name occurs when the Jewish People act in conformity with our Holy TorahAll we have to do is LIVE IT! When the Nations see us living this way, they remember that there is a G-d in the world. When we remember that we are in the Presence of G-d, the entire world remembers that G-d rules the world! Our purpose in this world is to sanctify G-d's Name ... without embarrassment!

"See, I have taught you decrees and ordinances, as Hashem my G-d, has commanded me, to do so in the midst of the Land to which you come to possess it. You shall safeguard and perform them, for it is your wisdom and discernment in the eyes of the people who shall hear all these decrees and who shall say, 'Surely a wise and discerning people is this great nation!' For which is a great nation that has a G-d Who is close to it, as is Hashem our G-d, whenever we call to Him? And which is a great nation that has righteous decrees and ordinances, such as this entire Torah that I place before you this day?" (Deuteronomy 4:6-8)

As the Month of Elul draws to a close, ...as we prepare for the Days of Judgment and the beginning of a new year, it is well to remember the great responsibility resting upon our shoulders. We do not need to try to flatter the other nations by mimicking their lifestyle, G-d forbid. They are always looking for something new to fill the empty bottomless pit through which they are plunging, but we are "sameach b'chelko... happy with our lot" (Ethics of the Fathers 4:1). All we need is to live the glorious life of Torah. This is what will guide and protect us in the darkness until the Great Light shines!

"I will rejoice intensely with Hashem, my soul shall exult with my G-d, for He has dressed me in the raiment of salvation, in a robe of righteousness has He cloaked me, like a bridegroom who dons priestly glory, like a bride who bedecks herself in her jewelry. For as the earth brings forth her growth, and as a garden causes its sowing to grow, so shall my L-rd Hashem cause righteousness and praise to grow in the face of all the nations." (Haftaras Nitzavim/Yeshiah 61:10ff)

We are already here! We do not have to innovate! We have our Torah! We have everything we need! Do you see what happened when the lady who sent me the email simply stood with her husband among the members of the surrounding culture, even in a setting of almost total materialism! They radiated Yiras Shomayim... Fear of Heaven, and they changed the world!

Once, years ago, I was late to an appointment in New York City. It was a winter rush hour, just before sunset. Suddenly, I realized that I had not yet said the Afternoon Prayer. I pulled my car over to the curb in Midtown Manhattan, got out, faced East, and began to say "Ashrei." A police officer approached me.

"What are you doing? Move your car right now!"

"Officer, I ... um ... actually just need about five minutes for my prayers."

Silence. He looked at me.

"You want to pray! Why didn't you tell me?"

And then he said, "Don't forget to pray for me!"

Don't you think they WANT us to pray for them? What do they have in this world except for the Holiness of the Children of Israel? They need us, and they know it! They WANT us to keep the Torah! They are desperate for us to keep the Torah! We are their only hope!

"It is your wisdom and discernment in the eyes of the people who shall hear all these decrees and who shall say, 'Surely a wise and discerning people is this great nation!'"

My friends, let's give our Father and King endless nachas this year by returning to Him with "all our hearts, all our soul and all our resources." He is ready to dry all our tears, end the insanity, cruelty and pollution, ready to bring a new dawn to all mankind. It's in our hands.

Let the year and its curses conclude! Let the year and its blessings begin! (Achos Katana)

Roy S. Neuberger

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

02 September 2021

"A Lot of Things Are Going on in the World"

25 Elul 5781

You don't want to miss this!  Rabbi Anava drops a bomb shell in this one!!

Why does G-d allow evil to exist? Corruption, conspiracies, religions, evil... - Where is G-d?


"Powerful Weather Disasters": A Sign of Mashiach?

25 Elul 5781

* The United States will be severely struck because of their pride.

* The dollar will lose its value and the inflation will severely escalate.
* America will become bankrupt.
*The severe strikes on the U.S. will come through wars and even more, through powerful weather disasters.
* The quick escalation of Moshiach ben Yosef will contribute to antisemitism.
* Antisemitism will rise to unimaginable heights.
* Jews of the United States will be forced to flee like fugitives, because those who survived the weather disasters will not be able to survive the tremendous waves of hatred against them.

* The survivors will arrive in Israel with only the clothes on their backs and Moshiach ben Yosef will reach out to help them.

 (Source: Yehudit's Prophecy) 



CHECK BELOW FOR UPDATES AS THEY COME IN...



'We're not out of this yet': At least 46 dead after flooding overwhelms NYC, Northeast

Hurricane Ida: Death toll has risen to 59 in 8 states  [From one storm!]



The Rabbis Speak

25 Elul 5781 

"Congratulations Mr. Hitler/Eichman (ym's)!! You are now Jewish converts!!"- Rav Yehuda Richter p.2


Is what you see the truth? Or are you looking through the wrong lens...? - Rosh Hashana advice

01 September 2021

It's No Longer Safe Under the Palm Tree

24 Elul 5781 

Well, I am appalled!  I am incensed!!  How dare they?!!!

Shocking discovery of cellular tower camouflaged as a palm tree

Do I have any readers in Hevron?  Have you guys seen something like this down there???  Reader YD tells me he saw one this past yom shishi at Me'arat HaMachpelah.

~ ~ ~

Here is something else that appalls and incenses me, but it does not surprise me,..


~ ~ ~

There are some great signs of good things ahead though:  1)  The State of Israel has determined that vaccines and testing cannot be mandated for children with regard to school attendance.  Seems someone decided it was illegal; 2)  I haven't heard anything about a holiday "lock-down" in awhile.  That's hopeful;  3)  The Truth is getting out, TPTB's control is slipping:  Top Vaccine Officials Resign From FDA Amid Pressure from White House, CDC Involvement.

~ ~ ~