Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Va'era
"...all who dwell in Egypt shall know that I am Hashem, because they were a reed-like support for the House of Israel. When they grasp you in their palm, you will be snapped, and you will pierce their every shoulder; and when they lean on you, you will be broken and will force all their loins to stand straight." (Yechezkel 29.6-7)
This is especially meaningful right now as yet another world power which is currently treating us like a vassal people entirely under their control is fulfilling this very prophecy. Through trickery and political pressure, the United States created a situation where Israel became dependent upon them. Yet the moment we relied upon them, they failed to support us and we were injured as a result. But, what I never noticed until now is that the very act of our reliance injures them as well - they are broken and we are forced to find the courage to finally stand upon our own two feet.
"Therefore, thus says my Lord Hashem/Elokim: Behold! I shall bring the sword against you and cut off from you man and beast. And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste and they shall know that I am Hashem, for he has said, 'The River is mine and I have created,'...." (Yechezkel 29.8-9)
In our own time, he has said, "There will be a two-state solution!" with all the capitulation this entails.
The Stone Edition Chumash Commentary says on this haftarah...
The sidrah that begins the process of tearing down the arrogance and power of Egypt is accompanied by a Haftarah that foretells the downfall of a latter-day Egypt and castigates Israel for relying on the bogus friendship of that disloyal ally.
The connection between the parashah and the haftarah is the beginning of the judgment on ancient Egypt and this "latter-day Egypt". Recalling that HKB"H expresses His power and judgment through acts of nature, it's worth a look at what has been happening this week across the US.
Regarding holding up the geula, please see this link to a letter from Rav Dov Kook shlita.
ReplyDeleteבס"ד מכתב שהרב דב קוק שליט"א ביקש להפיץ לכל יהודי העולם. יש לקרוא בעיון רב
Rav Dov Kook shlita requested that his letter be publicised amongst ALL the Jews in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_hcBpK34FhQoCemJ3bc8EQ/community?lb=UgkxIVtkzoiQYp4iSIjuVnKe714ual2IlNLE
If you are willing to make a post about it, I will, bli neder, help translate it.
It's all two sides of the same coin: the missionary onslaught together with majority non-Jewish, basically xn, aliya to dilute the Jewish birthrate, on the one side, and, on the other, the failure of real Jews, frum Jews especially, to make aliya.
L.L.
I don't know why you say "regarding holding up the geula" as if I said something like that. I've made it very clear that I don't hold by such an idea. My position is that we are right on track with a geulah b'ita with nothing "holding it back."
DeleteYou have so much to say and to share, I really don't understand why you don't start your own blog.
Off topic here but an important report: Former MK Neguise’s candidacy as ambassador to Ethiopia stirs up his ‘missionary’ past
ReplyDeleteThe "Geula" is NOT dependent on us. It is coming whether we LIKE it or not, whether we REPENT or not. Thus Says The God Of Israel/Yehezkel-Ezekiel 36:21-23 https://mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1236.htm
ReplyDeleteכא וָאֶחְמֹל, עַל-שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי, אֲשֶׁר חִלְּלֻהוּ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר-בָּאוּ שָׁמָּה. {פ} 21 But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, whither they came. {P}
כב לָכֵן אֱמֹר לְבֵית-יִשְׂרָאֵל, כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, לֹא לְמַעַנְכֶם אֲנִי עֹשֶׂה, בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל: כִּי אִם-לְשֵׁם-קָדְשִׁי אֲשֶׁר חִלַּלְתֶּם, בַּגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר-בָּאתֶם שָׁם. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord GOD: I do not this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which ye have profaned among the nations, whither ye came.
כג וְקִדַּשְׁתִּי אֶת-שְׁמִי הַגָּדוֹל, הַמְחֻלָּל בַּגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר חִלַּלְתֶּם, בְּתוֹכָם; וְיָדְעוּ הַגּוֹיִם כִּי-אֲנִי יְהוָה, נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, בְּהִקָּדְשִׁי בָכֶם, לְעֵינֵיהֶם. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which hath been profaned among the nations, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.