Does He Really Know?

25 Marcheshvan 5782

UPDATE...

Running out of people to trust.  From Dr. Vladimir Zev Zelenko's Twitter feed... 

(h/t "Victoria")

As Relevant As Today's Headlines...

23 Marcheshvan 5782

Erev Shabbat Kodesh

Parashat Chayei Sarah -  Shabbat Mevorchim

Parashat Chayei Sarah - Whose Hebron is it, anyway? – Rav Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane

(Plus added background-article from the writings of Rabbi Meir Kahane: "Who stole Eretz Yisrael?")

“And Avraham weighed to Ephron the silver...” (Gen. 23:16). Rabbi Yehuda Bar Simon said: It is one of the three places where the nations of the world would not be able to deceive Israel by claiming: You are thieves (since it was acquired with money). The Cave of the Patriarchs, as it is written: 'And Avraham weighed to Ephron the silver...'; The Temple Mount, as it is written, 'So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold coins by weight'; Joseph's Tomb, as it is written, and he (Yaakov) bought the parcel of ground ... at the hand of the children of Hamor, the father of Shechem (Bereshit Rabbah, 89).

Three questions arise from the above Midrash: 1.) And on the rest of the Land of Israel the gentiles can say that we are robbers? 2.) What does it mean, “they will not be able”? We see that they are quite able and even successful in undermining our claim to those three places. Indeed, precisely those three places are where they concentrate their struggle! 3.) On the verse in Psalms (111:6), “The power of His works has He declared to His people in giving them the heritage of the nations”, Rashi writes: “so that the nations will not be able to say you are robbers when you conquer the seven nations”. And so, we see that Rashi says that on all of Israel “they cannot say” that we are thieves!

The Torah knew that when the gentile would rise up against the Jewish “thieves” and “occupiers”, certain Jews may doubt the justice of their cause due to all kind of guilt feelings. Perhaps the gentile is right that we stole his land? Perhaps he has an ethical argument? And so the sages come to tell us: Look, there are three places that even according to simple logic the gentile cannot open his mouth about, for they were purchased with money. And in any case, this justified claim makes no impression on them. On the contrary, it is precisely in these three places where they center their struggle against us! What does this teach us? That it isn't justice or ethics which motivates them, nor is it a dispute over property that can be resolved. Rather, it is a national-religious struggle!

Now the sages come and explain: Just as you know that in these three places their claims are not justified, by the same token you should not get excited about the rest of their claims on other parts of the land of Israel, since “the entire world belongs to the Holy One, Blessed Be He, He created it and gave it to whomever it was right in His eyes, of His own will He gave it to them and of His own will He took it from them and gave it to us!” (Rashi on the beginning of Genesis). This now explains Rashi in the aforementioned Psalm, that “the nations of the world won't be able to say you are robbers”. Not that they “won't be able to say” it. On the contrary, they'll say it all the time. But the “won't be able to” is not directed to the gentile, but rather to the ears of the Jews! That they must know that G-d gave us the Land, with an obligation to conquer and to expel. And so it is said: “The power of His works He has declared to His people in giving them the heritage of the nations” - the answer is intended for “His people”. The gentiles are not being addressed here, either because they will not listen anyway, or perhaps it simply is not important what they think.

Hebron, Shechem, and the Temple Mount [...] have become symbols of the Arab-Israeli struggle in the land of Israel. Indeed, the battle for the Land of Israel has reached its climax, and those three locations which the “gentile won't be able” to contest, are, in fact, the most hotly contested.

Excerpted by Tzipora Liron-Pinner from the commentary on Chayei Sarah in “The writings of Rav Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane. HY”D”

[Please read also this]:

Background: Who stole Eretz Yisrael? - From the writings of Rabbi Meir Kahane

G-d is Creator of the universe and Owner and Master of the earth and all that it contains: “The earth is the L-rd's, and the fullness thereof” (Ps. 24:1). He gave Eretz Yisrael to the Jewish People as their land, to enable them to fulfill their mission of building a state and society in accordance with the laws and foundations of the Holy Torah: “He gave them the lands of nations; they inherited people's toils, that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws” (Ps. 105:44-45). As far as Eretz Yisrael, no apologies or justifications are necessary. The Jewish People came to the land where the seven nations dwelled and took it from them by decree of the Owner, G-d. G-d uprooted the nations who dwelled there and brought in His chosen people, Israel, because the land is His and does not belong to those who lived there as occupants.

As R. Yehoshua of Sachnin said in the name of R. Levi (Bereshit Rabbah, 1:2): “He declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the lands of the nations” (Ps. 111:6): Why did G-d reveal to Israel what was created on the first and second days of Creation? [I.e., why did the Torah relate the entire Creation narrative when it should have concentrated on Torah law?] It was because of the nations of the world, lest they curse Israel and say, “What a nation of pillagers you are!” Israel can respond, “Are you yourselves not pillagers? Surely it says, 'The Kaftorim came from Kaftor and annihilated the Avvim, occupying their territories' (Deut. 2:23).” I.e., you and all the nations who claim that we, Israel, are pillagers, are hypocrites. After all, many nations took lands from nations who lived on them without any right or pretext for doing so. [Consider also America, Australia...] For example, the Kaftorim annihilated the Avvim and occupied their land. See Deut. 2 for further examples of nations who pillaged other nations and took their lands.

The point seems to be that before Israel respond to the nations with the main answer, they advance a side argument, namely: How can you and the Canaanites attempt to pose as innocent? After all, Eretz Yisrael was given to the descendants of Shem, and the Canaanites, descendants of Ham, took it from them. As Rashi wrote regarding the verse, “The Canaanites were then in the Land” (Gen. 12:6): “The Canaanites were gradually conquering Eretz Yisrael from Shem's descendants, for it had fallen to Shem's portion, when Noach divided up the earth amongst his sons.”

Afterwards comes the main argument: The world and all it contains were created by G-d and belong to Him. He is the Owner, and He gives to whomever He wishes and takes from whomever He wishes. He chose Israel to be His chosen people, His supreme, treasured nation, and He gave them the Land to be theirs and not the Canaanites'. It likewise says (Deut. 6:10-11): To give you great, flourishing cities that you did not build. You will also have houses filled with all good things that you did not put there, finished cisterns that you did not quarry, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant. You shall eat and be satisfied. [As Rabbi Kahane further explains in Peirush HaMaccabee on Shemot, Chapter 1]: And there, in the Land of Israel, they inherited houses full of good things(Nehemiah 9:25), just as G-d had promised to give them houses filled with every type of good, which you did not fill (Deuteronomy 6:11) – you did not fill these houses, rather you captured them already filled with good. (Incidentally, this also teaches that everything that the Gentiles built and acquired when the Jews were not in Israel, they acquired illegally – in fact, by theft – because the land does not belong to them. Thus it is permitted to repossess their lands; only such property as they acquired under Jewish sovereignty is truly theirs.)

Clearly, just as G-d supervises the world and builds houses for the Jews in the Land of Israel in spite of the Gentiles and their anger, so too, when the Jews sin (!), His supervision works against THEM: They will build houses, but will not dwell in them…the great day of Hashem is near (Zephaniah 1:13-14).[...] “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me, they are My slaves, whom I have taken out of the land of Egypt – I am Hashem, your G-d.” (Lev. 25:55) – This last verse was rendered [in Aramaic] by Targum Yonatan: “The children of Israel are Mine – slaves to My Torah.” NO ONE ON EARTH IS FREE! The children of Israel are not free, but slaves to Him and His Torah. Being such, how can we possibly own property? Surely, whatever a slave acquires, belongs to His master [...].

A Jew must realize that everything – the world, punishment, even he himself – is under G-d's exclusive domain [...]. IT IS A MITZVAH AND DUTY UPON EVERY JEW TO LIVE IN ERETZ YISRAEL, and a chilul Hashem when Israel lives outside of it. NO NON-JEW HAS THE SLIGHTEST RIGHT TO OWNERSHIP OVER THE LAND, and any non-Jew who denies G-d's mastery and the ownership of His people Israel over the whole Land is rebelling against G-d, denying G-d's sovereignty on earth and profaning G-d's name. He has one fate – to leave the Land or to die.

Compiled by Tzipora Liron-Pinner from “The Jewish Idea” and “Peirush HaMaccabee on Shemot” of Rabbi Meir Kahane, HY”D

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

WHAT IF...?

22 Marcheshvan 5782 

In the 73rd year, all the kings of the world shall assemble in the great city of Rome. And the Holy One, blessed be He, will shower fire and hail and meteoric stones upon them, until they are wiped out from the world. And only those kings who did not go to Rome will remain in the world. And they shall return and wage other wars. During this time, the King Messiah will declare himself throughout the whole world. and many nations will gather around him together with many armies from all comers of the world. [Zohar]

Four G20 leaders not expected at Rome summit

ROME, Oct 19 (Reuters) - At least four leaders from the Group of 20 wealthy nations look set to miss this month's summit in Rome that hosts Italy had hoped would be an in-person event, diplomats and officials said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday that he would definitely not attend the Oct. 30-31 meeting, the third leader to formally pull out after Japan's new prime minister Fumio Kishida and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Putin and Kishida have said they will follow proceedings via video link, while a spokesman for Obrador said he would send Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard in his place.

Other countries have yet to make official announcements, but a diplomatic source in Rome said Chinese President Xi Jinping was unlikely to come. There was also uncertainty over whether Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro would show up.

By contrast, U.S. President Joe Biden has confirmed he will come, with the leaders of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the European Union also all expected.

~ ~ ~

The United States, on behalf of the rest of the world, is currently trying to prevent all Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria, while at the same time attempting to reopen a consular office to the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem, while the Erev Rav regime, which is attached to the West, is doing its damnedest to destroy everything connected to a "Jewish" state.

At the General Assembly on September 10, 2021, in celebration of its 75th anniversary, the UN announced the formation of UN 2.0: "we will launch a UN 2.0 that offers more relevant, systemwide, multilateral and multi-stakeholder solutions to the challenges of the 21st century."  (See here.)

If not now, then when?????

"Safe and Effective" NOT!!

21 Marcheshvan 5782 

As the next vaccine drive is set to begin next month, chas v'shalom, for children ages 5 - 12, the evil regime is already laying the groundwork to divert attention away from the truth.  People are being prepped to think the new wave of infections that result from the vaccinations are really attributable to another "new variant." Do not be deceived!    

COVID Vaccine Report

 

Posted to Twitter 25 Oct 2021...

Covid Vaccines Linked to SEVEN RARE Neurological Complications - Scientists

Using data from 32MN vaccinated adults, researchers from Oxford and Edinburgh have found Guillain-Barre Syndrome affects 38 more people per 10MN after receiving a first AZ jab. GBS impairs the immune system resulting in muscle weakness - and in more severe cases - paralysis. (Financial Times)

The study also found that strokes or cerebral hemorrhages increased in an estimated 60 people per 10MN within 28 days - the risk greater for females specifically after a Pfizer shot.

The experts emphasized the adverse events were so rare that they had to report their incidence in millions, and stressed those infected without vaccination were at a greater risk of the same seven neurological conditions.

Israeli women urge examining link between menstrual changes, COVID vaccines

The World As One

20 Marcheshvan 5782 

R. Richter: One World Religion? One World Government? One World Currency? Conspiracy Theories?

ONLY HASHEM KNOWS

19 Marcheshvan 5782

"Then, on the twentieth of the month called Mar (bitter) Cheshvan, the entire world will shake through a seismic noise that will sound from the earth until the sky." [Sefer Eliyahu]

Even Suspicious Observers is now admitting that a tsunami is a possibility and the volcano's status should be monitored "every day."  All of the readers on the coastlines of any country which is likely to be affected should have a plan of escape ready for moving to higher ground.  This will save precious time and likely put you ahead of everyone else, increasing your chances of survival.  Because we just don't know when it could happen. [ See HERE for greater details.]

The United States Is Leading the War For Jerusalem

18 Marcheshvan 5782

The final war for Jerusalem - the one predicted by the Prophet Zechariah (chapter 12) - is in full swing and may be nearing its denouement. 

From local to international, the media has been full of reports over the past week about the ongoing attempts by the United States to serve 'Palestine' from Jerusalem, as if it is a "shared" capital.

Report: U.S., PA Hold Talks Over Consulate Branch in East Yerushalayim

YERUSHALAYIM - Besides reopening a diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in western Yerushalayim, the Biden administration is also looking to open a consulate branch in eastern Yerushalayim, Yisrael Hayom reported, quoting sources involved in the matter.

According to the report, Washington has already held talks with Palestinian leaders with regard to this.

The U.S. Consulate used to be located on Derech Shechem Route in eastern Yerushalayim but was moved to the western part of the capital in 2010. The mission operated from there until its closure by former President Donald Trump in 2019.

For years, it assisted the Palestinian Authority in establishing governing bodies and security services and liaised with the Palestinian leadership in east Yerushalayim, Yehudah and Shomron, and the Gaza Strip. It also provided the State Department with information on Israeli building of communities in Yehudah and Shomron, a move Washington opposed for many years, except during the Trump administration.

According to the Al-Quds daily, the Biden administration plans to reopen the consulate – despite pushback from Israel – within the next few weeks.

The move was commended by PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh who expressed hope it would “lay the foundation for a future U.S. Embassy in the Palestinian state.”

According to the Palestinian Media Watch, he also said that by reopening its diplomatic mission to the Palestinians, “the U.S. administration is sending a message that Jerusalem is not a united Israeli city and that it does not recognize the annexation of Arab Jerusalem by the Israeli side.”

It's very unfortunate that even a source like Hamodia continues to divide our Holy City by referring to "East" and "West" Jerusalem.  However, what appears to be at issue is not a facility on the eastern side of the city, but one that sits right down the street from the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel.

The above is the official Facebook page for the US facility on Agron Road. I find it more than a bit interesting that instead of a picture of the location itself, as would be expected, the picture identifying it is of the Temple Mount. What does that suggest? It's meaningful to be sure. 

This is how the US describes its property on Agron Road...

The United States bought the property in the 1930s. Since then, this building and the many U.S. diplomats who have lived here over the years have borne witness to historic events in a city that is not only home to hundreds of thousands of Jerusalemites from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and that is sacred to billions more throughout the world.

In 2006, the U.S. Consulate General expanded its presence on Agron Road with a lease of an adjacent building for its administrative and public affairs offices. The building, a monastery of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Lazarists, was built in the 1860s and still houses a small group of Lazarist clergy. The walls of both buildings on Agron Road are built of the distinctive Red Slayeb stone typical of many of Jerusalem’s historic buildings. Roman arch windows and doorways add to their architectural beauty.

Regarding its use as the "Palestinian Affairs Unit"...

As part of U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) operates out of our historic Agron Road property to promote our overarching strategic objective of achieving a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We seek to move the Palestinian economy to a model of healthy and sustainable private sector-led investment, growth and job creation. Through public diplomacy, we harness the power of U.S. higher education and promote U.S. values and interests, including through collaborative academic and professional exchanges, English language learning, and promoting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship development, as well as initiatives for young Palestinians to tap into career-enhancing opportunities involving science, technology and innovation.

The Palestinian Affairs Unit is led by PAU Chief and Assistant Deputy Chief of Mission George Noll.

The logical question that demands to be asked is, if all the "Palestinian Affairs" are being conducted by the "Palestinians" themselves in Ramallah, why does the United States insist on bringing them into Jerusalem??? "East" or "West"??? 

You already know the answer to that.  [See the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' July 15, 2021 article:  "A U.S. Consulate for the Palestinians Should Be on Palestinian Territory – Not in Jerusalem".]  Not that we should accept one centimeter of Eretz Yisrael as "Palestinian Territory."  Just sayin'...

A protest is scheduled for this Wednesday.  It's difficult to say how much of an impact this organized protest might have, but it certainly can't hurt.  EVERYTHING we do makes a difference on some level.  

~

U.S., Israel on collision course over decision to reopen Jerusalem consulate

~

On Jewish Sovereignty In Jerusalem

Remembering Rabbi Kahane on His 31st Yahrzeit

 18 Marcheshvan 5782

Rabbi David Bar-Hayim Speaks at the 26th yahrtzeit commemoration of Rabbi Meir Kahane z"tz"l

A Timely Message From the Parashah: Who Merits Survival and How?

16 Marcheshvan 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Vayera

As our world tumbles down into the abyss reached by others before us -  the generation of the Great Flood, the generation of the Tower of Bavel; the generation of Sodom and Amorrah - there is a lot of discussion going on about who is righteous and who will survive and who deserves to be rescued by HKB"H and how.  It is no coincidence that since the mention of Gog uMagog at Sukkot, we have been reading the parashiot that deal davka with these events.  If it is of real concern to us, we cannot do better than let the words of the parashah and its meforshim impress their truths upon our souls.

Taken from the Stone Edition Chumash Commentary:

...So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, and the betrothed of his daughters, and he said, "Get up and leave this place; for Hashem is about to destroy the city!"  But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.

...By their impudence, Lot's sons-in-law had lost their chance to be saved, so the angels insisted that Lot hurry and take his wife and single daughters, for if he delayed, the lethal downpour would begin and it would be too late for him.

This illustrates a common principle of God's conduct, one that is often encountered in history: Someone who is totally righteous - an Abraham, for example - may be saved by miracles even when everything around him is crashing down. Less righteous people may be granted an opportunity to save themselves from impending doom, but once the destruction begins, they will be caught up in the general carnage. Thus, Lot deserved to leave Sodom, whether in his own merit or Abraham's.... However, he could be saved only before the upheaval began, but not from its midst. Furthermore, neither he nor the others in his entourage were entitled to witness the fate of the other Sodomites and still remain unscathed. Thus, when Lot's wife turned around to see the horrors that her fellows were suffering, she, too, died.

We know already from last week's parashah that Lot went to Sodom in the first place because he chose materialism over spirituality, and that is why, despite being Avraham's nephew, his righteousness was considered lacking.

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

Eisav's Jerusalem

14 Marcheshvan 5782 

Courtesy of The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA)...

Cinema and Television Project

The overall objectives of the project are: To empower the human image of Jerusalem through cinema movies and television series whose plots take place in the city; invest in sustainable infrastructures for the development of the industry in the city; and encourage creative forces from Jerusalem to integrate in the cinema industry.

Since its establishment, the project has invested over NIS 27 million in the production of 22 cinema movies, 11 television series, and two international projects, as well as in the development of 53 new projects. The project movies have been very successful in Israel and at festivals around the world, including the Cannes Festival, Berlin, and Tokyo, and some have been candidates for the Oscar for the best foreign film.

The project looks for unique stories about little-known aspects of Jerusalem that can turn the formal capital into a city that appeals to people of all ages, where humans experience pain and seek meaning. The project encourages veteran creative forces to offer refreshing new angles through previously untold stories, encourages new forces in the field, and offers them a first screen to present their work.

JNEXT

JNEXT is a JDA project established with the goal of promoting hi-tech industry in Jerusalem.... As part of the project, the JDA is working to create an optimal environment in the city for the establishment, growth, and intake of groundbreaking start-up and international companies. This is achieved by providing direct assistance for companies; establishing and supporting platforms and programs that help companies work in the city; reinforcing the connections between academic institutions and industry in the city; and positioning Jerusalem on the global scene as a growing and attractive base for the hi-tech sector. 

Bio-Jerusalem

The Bio-Jerusalem Center was established with the goal of promoting the biomed cluster in the city as an engine for economic growth. ...The Center markets Jerusalem as a biotech city in Israel and around the world, and brings together services for biotech companies active in the city.

Old City Basin

The Old City Basin in Jerusalem has been declared a Global Heritage Site and constitutes a key attraction for visitors of different faiths who come to the holy places and numerous sites in the city.

This is all to destroy Jerusalem's main claim to fame...

 "...and the Torah will go forth from Yerushalayim." 

Within all these plans for development, no affordable housing exists.  This is Eisav's (and the Erev Rav's) vision of the city, not the one foretold by all the Hebrew prophets...

 A Holy City With the Third Temple as its Focal Point.

"A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words"

12 Marcheshvan 5782 

The Call - "Lech Lecha" - Is For Every Jew

9 Marcheshvan 5782 
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Lech Lecha

(Reposting from 2010)

The Kumah organization which promotes aliyah to Eretz Yisrael has made available free on their website an English translation of "a short and little-known book by kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai Atiyah." It's called "Lech Lecha" and it "expounds on the tremendous merit of making Aliyah – and the misfortune of those who will not."

You can download a copy of the booklet here. Following are some excerpts:

"...those who dilly-dally and refrain from coming to the Land, and explain that they are waiting for the Messiah, are making a basic error. For one who believes in the Messiah and truly awaits him must do so in the Land of Israel. This is just like one who waits for a king must get there a few hours early in order to get a good spot, and to show honor to the king by waiting for him; he should not wait in his own house, causing the king to arrive first and have to wait for people to show up."

"...Whoever confidently views himself as a citizen of a foreign country is living in error, misleading himself and others, and bringing evil upon himself and his descendants. Come and see what the Gaon Yaavetz wrote in his commentary on the Siddur:

'...And do not think of ever settling outside the Land, G-d forbid. For this was the sin of our forefathers that led to a 'weeping for generations' - the sin of rebuffing the Land. It was this sin that caused us such suffering throughout the generations, with nary an opportunity to live in serenity.' "

"...those pious people who fear the word of G-d and are careful in the performance of His commandments, must understand that learning Torah outside the Land strengthens our enemies and those who wish us harm. On the other hand, learning Torah here in the Land of Israel strengthens the forces of sanctity and the Divine Presence,...."

REMINDER:  Please note that motzaei Shabbat is 11 Marcheshvan - the yahrtzeit of Rachel Imeinu.  

~ Shabbat Shalom! ~

They Just Don't Get It!

7 Marcheshvan 5782

Jews are at the mercy of the goyim in foreign lands, but they have the chance to create their own reality in their own homeland.  That's why HKB"H brought us here.

Outcry In UK: Young Chareidi Girl Remains Unburied For 10 Days

Alta Fixsler’s Parents Lose Appeal To Have Her Die At Home

Belgian court upholds ban on religious slaughter

Heaven is not going to give up on you Diaspora Jews.  It is going to just get harder and harder for you to remain in the impure lands until you get with Hashem's redemptive program.

How Do You Spell Opportunity? C-O-V-I-D!

5 Marcheshvan 5782 

Get ready for a "Dark Winter."

COVID-19: The 4 building blocks of the Great Reset 

The World Economic Forum’s Great Reset initiative seeks new ideas in order to use this unique moment in history provided by the disruption to economics, politics and our everyday life to catalyze a new approach to how our societies are run.

Gravitas: The global energy crisis explained

 

W.H.O.'s "Smoking Gun" - What They Knew About Vaccine Safety

4 Marcheshvan 5782 

One shocking revelation after another.  This is everything you need to know.

W.H.O. Expose on Vaccine Safety

Beware the alternatives being rolled out. If they can't get you one way, they'll try another.

"Proceed With Caution At Your Own Peril"

Merck's COVID 'Super Drug' Poses Serious Health Risks, Scientists Warn

Even supposedly "natural" remedies need investigating very carefully before taking. Consider it another form of kashrut. If it manipulates DNA, stay away!! That should also include treatments requiring nanotechnology delivery systems.

Jewish New Year fruit may hold seeds of hope for brain disease sufferers

...So Gabizon teamed up with Prof. Shlomo Magdassi — an expert in the field of nanotechnology from the Casali Institute for Applied Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem — and together devised a way to break down the oil into tiny particles that can slip through the liver undetected and make their way to the brain.

Bringing G-d's Truth to the World

2 Marcheshvan 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Noach

Has the location of Noah’s Ark finally been proven using 3D scans?

Parashat Noach - Creation Annihilated?
Rav Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane, ztz"l, Hy"d

"And He blotted out all existence that was on the face of the ground - from man to animals to creeping things and to the bird of the sky; and they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noach survived and those with him in the Ark." (Gen. 7:23)

Parashat Noach raises the following question: Why did G-d wipe out all of the beasts, birds, and crawling things in the flood? If man sinned, why should the animals suffer? Rashi explains: "The entire creation is for man, and when man is wiped out, who needs all these?" That is, the purpose of the creation is not simply to exist, but rather to actualize the destiny of the Creation. The moment there is no purpose (which is the case after G-d wiped out man, for whom the world was created), then the animals must perish since there is no longer a reason for their existence. Here, too, the moment the deeds of man prove that there is no longer a possibility for him to fulfill his destiny, his existence is no longer necessary, and he perishes. But we are still left wondering: All that creation, just for annihilation? All those generations before the flood (a span of 1654 years) were for nothing?

The answer is no. Harsh though this verses may be, a verse appears at the very end of Bereshit which turns everything around: "But Noach found grace in the eyes of G-d." And while this lonely verse may appear to be only a small comfort to a world gone astray, the truth is that this one verse is everything. Even if we are speaking about one individual, he is the one who counts. Noach is the justification for the world's continued existence.

G-d created the world for the sake of those who will eventually fulfill the world's destiny, and He is not deterred by the possibility that there may be just a very few out there who may be willing. What really counts is that small ray of light that sometimes is not paid much attention to, but illuminates the world with the light of the world's true destiny.

But...

For 120 years, Noah fulfilled G-d's commandment and built the ark, all the while warning the people in his generation about the impending flood. When the people would pass by his house and ask what he was doing, he would reply, "The Almighty said that He is bringing a flood upon the world". The people reacted with vicious mockery. (Bereishit Raba 30:7)

The question that can be asked is the following: For 120 years Noach warned of the flood. And what came out of it? At first glance absolutely nothing! In the end, the flood wiped out the entire world, except for whom? Except for Noach and his family. Not even one person was convinced to do "teshuva." Not even one! Noach's "life endeavor" of 120 years was a waste of time. Or was it?

The story of Noach provides us with a concrete illustration as to what the true role of the chastising prophet is. Certainly the major goal of the warnings and admonishment are to direct the people onto the proper path, in the hope that they will do "teshuva" immediately. But in contrast as to what one might think, if the prophet does not succeed in bringing the people to "teshuva," this does not necessarily mean that he failed! A deeper look will reveal that the rebuke in itself has value. If we look at the prophets of Israel, we will notice an amazing fact: Generally speaking, they were a dismal failure. It seemed as if they influenced no one. The people were not interested in hearing them, and did not change their evil ways. Does this mean that there was no value in the warnings of the prophets? Of course not. After all, the words of the prophets are inscribed forever in our holy Tanach.

The answer to this question can be found in G-d's answer to Ezekiel when He appoints him as a prophet (chapter 2) "And He said to me, Son of man, I sent thee to the children of Israel...that have rebelled against me...and you shall say to them, Thus says the Lord G-d. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse to hear, (for they are a rebellious house), so that they shall know that there has been a prophet amongst them." And afterwards (3:7): "But the house of Israel will not hearken to you..." Can this be? If G-d knows that they will not listen, why send Ezekiel out and put him through such humiliation and abuse? And so a new concept is learned here. The saying of truth has value, even if it has no apparent influence at that particular moment. What is the value? "So that they shall know that there has been a prophet amongst them." Even if immediate results are not seen, the value of the warnings are that they manifest the bringing in of G-d's word into the world. The prophet who expresses G-d's truth is giving expression to G-d's actual presence in this world. It is showing us that the world is not "hefker"...[ownerless]. There is justice in the world. By so doing, the prophet in essence sanctifies G-d's name.

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(Compiled by Tzipora Liron-Pinner from "The writings of Rav Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane" HY"D - end of commentary on Parashat Bereshit and commentary on Parashat Noach)

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~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

Week of Parashat Noach : LaPalma Update

1 Marcheshvan 5782

Rosh Chodesh

This volcano has already out-performed all the predictions and it is only showing signs of strengthening further.  This should give us all pause, especially during the week of Parashat Noach when we recall the terrible judgment with water that took place at that time.  

The looming threat of a mega-tsunami that could wipe out tens of millions of lives across the planet, and primarily in the West, should move us all to increase our teshuvah and desire to please (and placate) our Creator!

May it be a new month of only happiness and good news!!  Chodesh tov to all!!

The Fiery Mountain throws out balls of fire, earthquakes intensify

Fun Videos That Prove the World Has Become a Very Crazy Place

30 Tishrei 5782
Rosh Chodesh  

President of the Most Powerful Country on Earth

Mayor of the Most Powerful City on Earth

 

"The Superhero Mask Song"

(AND THERE ARE AT LEAST 15 MORE LIKE IT ON YOUTUBE!)

Your Bodily Autonomy is Subject to the Greater Good

Add your contribution in the comments.  CHODESH TOV!!

Which "Shoe" Will Drop First?

29 Tishrei 5782 

Two major events are destined to happen at the End of Days - a third world war and a global economic collapse.  It remains to be seen which one will befall us first, but clearly, we are poised at the brink of both events.  Yesterday, we looked at two major flashpoints of conflict - US vs. China over Taiwan and Iran vs. Israel in Azerbaijan with Turkish involvement thrown in for good measure.  Today, we turn our attention to the economic warnings.

From a Zerohedge article this morning...

Storm clouds blanket the entire global economy right now. In the articles I’ve written over the last ten days, I reported extensively on the following prevailing winds that are assailing all economies, and in this article and the next, I’ll reveal how our governments are actively making them much worse:

• The fastest rise in inflation since IHS Markit began tracking;
• Commodities now at record highs;
• Full-blown Asian and European energy crises (in oil, natural gas and electricity) with gas lines like the 70’s;
• Global shipping problems doing nothing but getting worse for months;
• Developing food shortages due to energy crises and shipping problems;
• The Fed now admitting none of this is as transitory now as they had formerly believed;
• Persistent labor shortages well after all augmented unemployment benefits have ended;
• The European Central Bank, Bank of England and US Federal Reserve all tapering/raising interest rates simultaneously;
• The first time multiple central banks have moved to various levels of tightening after their economies and markets had already started to rapidly decline during a time of extraordinary CB largesse;
• The resolute history of stock-market troubles when the Fed tapers and stock market disaster when it tightens;
• Stock markets and bond markets both starting to shiver over the prospects of tightening now that schedules are being talked about for real, busting through recent trading ranges and levels of support;
• Recent horrible US bond auctions with bid-to-cover levels not seen since the 2008 economic collapse;
• The imminent removal of the Fed’s absolute control over US treasury pricing and the yield curve;
• Risk appetite and sentiment in stocks falling for the past half year according to surveys;
• The rapid growth of product shortages expressed by numerous businesses.
• Relentlessly expanding shipping backups.

The governments of this world and their COVID policies and environmental policies seem hellbent at present on turning the COVIDcrisis into an all-out economic crisis, maybe even to the point of causing global economic collapse. In this two-part series, I’ll lay out some of the inexplicable things they are doing to make the crisis worse.

Don't be caught off-guard.  Prepare.  That's why we were told in advance. (Mental preparation is every bit as important as stocking up on supplies.)

~

Yellen warns of 'financial crisis and calamity'

Global supply chains in crisis 18 months into the pandemic

 

Who Will Blink First?

29 Tishrei 5782

"...in the seventh year, there will be war. In the year after the seventh, Ben Dovid will come."

The pressure has been building up for months, if not years.  Who will go to full-out war first?  Israel and Iran or the US and China?  

ISRAEL AND IRAN VIA AZERBAIJAN?

Our Loss Is Heaven's Gain

28 Tishrei 5782

BD"E

Dear Readers, I learned late last night that one of our regular readers and commenters who goes by "Zaidy" recently passed on to Gan Eden ahead of us.  He was one of only a handful of readers I have met in real life and we maintained that connection online.  He was a great encourager with a very positive outlook. Above all, he was committed body and soul to the Truth and to upholding it at all cost.

I miss him already.  I can't imagine the loss his family is feeling right now, but I know without a doubt that his memory will forever be a blessing.  In tribute to his character, I'd like to share the last thing he sent to me...

ON FAITH AND REDEMPTION

Our holy Torah, much more than our contemporary dwarves, understood the natural danger inherent in the presence of a foreign people that just yesterday had ruled over the Land and today had become a minority within Israel. The holy Hebrew language, the creation of G-d, put the word for "land" in the feminine, "eretz," rather than in the masculine, as an allusion that just as it is forbidden for a woman to be married to two men, so does the Land of Israel belong to one people, and only one people can claim ownership over it. Another people, different from the Jew in religion, ethnicity, language, culture, destiny, and in addition to that, claiming ownership over the Land - not only threatens the Land's Jewishness with assimilation and mixed marriage, alien thought and corrupt culture, but reflects an existential threat to the Jewish State itself and to all the Jews who live in it. Worst of all, another people that is not part of the Chosen People, that special people chosen by G-d from amongst all the nations, and which was commanded by the Creator of Heaven and Earth to establish in the Land of Israel a country of priests and a holy society - is preventing the Jewish People from fulfilling its destiny. 

Rabbi Meir Kahane

To "Zaidy's" beloved wife, children and grandchildren: 

.המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים