Right on Schedule

27 Menachem Av 5782 

I don't know if you've been keeping up, but judging by the massive wave of severe and extreme weather striking the US, Europe and other places right now, as well as the uptick in activity to our north here in Israel, it would appear that the geulah train is still on track for this shmitta cycle.  Oh, and today is Ukrainian Independence Day, so there are big expectations on that front as well.  Stay alert.  This is your heads up.

(CLICK IMAGE FOR STORY)

Even if Nasrallah claims to limit the potential war over the gas field to a single day, and even if Israel claims to be uninterested in war, the intensity of a potential military conflict between the two sides will be much greater than what we've become accustomed to during IDF's campaigns in Gaza. It will be difficult for Israel to control the situation once shots are fired, and an all-out war, which both sides are trying to avoid, might be inevitable. (Source)

 

Israeli Defense Chiefs Call for Assault on Iran’s Proxies

Israel’s defense chiefs are advising the government to launch an intensive assault on Iran’s terror proxies. In a dramatic strategy shift, a new report calls for diverting resources from Iran strike preparations to focus on preemptive attacks on Tehran’s regional allies.

The sensitive document was recently submitted to Israel’s leadership, N12 News reports. Until now, the IDF focused on upgrading its capabilities to attack Iran.

However, the security chiefs believe that targeting Tehran’s forward bases in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq should be prioritized. This would greatly weaken Iran’s power and ultimately make it easier to attack its nuclear project.

The new strategy would require Israel to launch a series of short but intense strike operations against Iran’s Mideast proxies. Israel will aim to immediately escalate any military clashes instead of focusing on restoring quiet, the report said.

The overall Israeli objective would be to destroy the capabilities of Iran’s militias quickly, to prevent Iran from rebuilding its regional terror armies.

Israel’s defense establishment is urging this strategic shift shortly after the successful preemptive assault on Islamic Jihad in Gaza. In parallel, Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned that the IDF could initiate military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon to thwart attacks on Israel’s new gas rig.

Notably, a leading strategic expert predicted earlier that Israel will shift to a preemptive war doctrine to neutralize Iran’s military buildup on its borders.

Construction Area: Hard Hats Required

25 Menachem Av 5782 

More and more people across the entire spectrum of humanity are sounding the alarm.  If you have ears to hear it, then listen closely to the warnings:  financial crash, food shortages, chaos in the streets, nuclear threats, world war, more and more natural disasters - if it's not a flood, it's a drought.  

The pendulum of history is swinging to crazy extremes.  It's interesting that the War on Terror has morphed into a war against "extremism" which is defined by TPTB as anyone who disagrees with their vision of our future.  

However it appears, what we are witnessing and experiencing are the simultaneous death throes of the Old World of Lies and the birth pangs of the New World of Truth.  

If we are honest, we have to admit that it is already the end of the world as we've known it. 

This generation has the questionable privilege of living through a major rehab of not only society but the entire planet as well.  As you can well imagine, there are going to be some anxious days ahead until the renovation is complete.  

Watch your heads!

The Old World Order Is About To Collapse

"You Are What You Eat"

22 Menachem Av 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Ekev - Mevorchim 

"...not by bread alone does man live, rather by everything that emanates from the mouth of God does man live."  (Devarim 8.3)

That would include all the laws of kashrut.

The prohibition against eating insects is Min HaTorah (Biblical). If one eats an entire insect, even if it is less than a kezayis, he is punished with malkus (lashes). This applies to any insect that is visible to the naked eye. Insects that can only be seen under a microscope are not included in this prohibition.

The need to check fruits, vegetables, fish, and even water for insects is actually nothing new. The Gemara raises the issue in Maseches Chullin (67b) and the Shulchan Oruch devotes an entire siman (chapter) in Yoreh Dea’h (Si. 84) to it. The Pri Chadash actually writes: “I cannot contain myself from mentioning and making it known to the nation of Hashem regarding the severity of the prohibition of tolaim (insects). It has become light in the eyes of people and once a person becomes accustomed to a certain transgression it becomes ‘permissible’ in their eyes. Even the Chachomim are not careful enough in this matter.” (Source)

No doubt there will be plenty of "kosher" voices who will try to tell us there are all kinds of exceptions and help to pave the way for the "green revolution" in eating.  Be careful!  Everything on the WEF's agenda is part of their war against God and their desire to subjugate mankind.  

Follow the Divine Manufacturer's instructions and you won't go wrong.

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~

"If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em"

21 Menachem Av 5782 

The evidence is clear that the Sitra Achra's chosen pathway for the destruction of the Jewish People at the End of Days is through massive assimilation.  Some examples...

The Erev Rav regime is doing all it can to thwart Orthodox religious aliyah while encouraging all others, including non-Jews of false religions.

The Erev Rav regime is bending over backwards to take in as many non-Jewish "refugees" as it can in the name of "humanity."

Predominantly "Anglo" Jews and "Anglo" Jewish organizations are recruiting questionable converts into the rabbinic ranks and actually sponsoring "missionary" activities towards "outreach" to non-Jews.

A massive number of loosely-affiliated Jews are depending on the internet for their Jewish education.  Tragically, much of the worst heresy in the modern Jewish world is waiting there to entrap and mislead them.

HASHEM YERACHEM ALEYNU!!

BE AWARE!!  FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED!!!

Where Is The Comfort?

19 Menachem Av 5782
Baruch Dayan Emet

Just when I thought we were about to catch the glimmer of light evidencing the end of the dark tunnel, the darkness settled around us like a suffocating blanket.

Jerusalem bus careens out of control: Mother, two daughters killed

‘Screams of terror’: 7 hurt, including 2 seriously, in shooting near Western Wall

Soldier who killed comrade Monday apparently followed open-fire policy, IDF says

In the first case, a family from Ofakim was visiting Yerushalayim for bein hazemanim. The expectant mother wanted to shop for a bar mitzvah gift and new baby things with an eye to needs for the upcoming high holidays. The father and son of the family was onsite as well as extended family who were witnesses. There are just no words, Hashem save us!

The second case also involved an entire family, visiting from New York, again an expectant mother among the wounded, but thank God!, everyone has survived.  It happened near Kever David on Motzaei Shabbat.

Now, this morning comes the news that the soldier who was killed last night near Tulkarem was killed by "friendly fire."  He reportedly went to pray and was shot and killed by his fellow soldier as a suspected terrorist infiltrator upon his return to post.  

These were the best of us.  If it could happen to them, then no one can feel any sense of security.  The only comfort I can find in the current situation is that perhaps - perhaps! - this can be compared to the period when we thought we were about to be redeemed in Egypt and suddenly it all got a lot worse as we were forced to find our own straw to make the bricks.  Though, in my mind, the loss of life and the terror can't compare.

I'm hanging by a thread and I truly do not know how I am going to be able to keep standing if this continues.  Hashem, please help!

"Nachamu Ami"

15 Menachem Av 5782
Erev Shabbat Kodesh - TU b'Av 
Parashat Va'etchanan - Shabbat Nachamu

"For Hashem, your God, is a merciful God, He will not abandon you nor destroy you, and He will not forget the covenant of your forefathers that He swore to them."

7 Things to Know About Shabbos Nachamu

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

So what are the top seven things to know about Shabbos Nachamu?

#1. Firstly, being joyous and celebrating Shabbos Nachamu is a custom with deep historical roots. The Maharil (1365 – 1427) in his Minhagim (27) explains that the entire nation should rejoice on this special Shabbos. He further writes that we should express our faith and conviction in the arrival of the redeemer who will surely comfort us.

#2. Because of this, it is worthwhile to treat this Shabbos differently than another Shabbos. Indeed, the Sefer entitled Drashos Eben Shoiv (Parshas VoEschanan) states that we should treat Shabbos Nachamu like a Yom Tov. This Sefer was written by a student of the Rashba.

The Ritvah (Taanis 30b) indicates that the food preparations on this Shabbos should be like Yom Tov – in other words, the food should be more elaborate than for a regular Shabbos.

#3. Many Shuls recite special Piutim on Shabbos Nachamu as well.

#4. Shabbos Nachamu also represents the first of the seven Shabbaths of consolation that is to come prior to Rosh haShana. But aside from being the first, Shabbos Nachamu is different than the others. Of all the seven, it is only Shabbos Nachamu which contains this remarkable “Yom Tov” nature.

#5. Another aspect of the Yom Tov nature of Shabbos Nachamu lay in the fact that the Torah reading is always Parshas V’Eschanan – when we lein the Aseres haDibros – the Ten Commandments. This is a convention enacted by Chazal. The Chofetz Chaim (in his Biur Halacha to Orech Chaim 428) explains that this was enacted so that during the week immediately before Tisha B’Av we can read the reproach of both Moshe Rabbeinu in Parshas Dvarim as well as that of Isaiah in the Haftorah.

Certainly, this is an important reason, to enable us to get the most out of Tisha B’Av and help direct our Teshuvah.

#6. But perhaps there is another reason, as well. Chazal tell us that there is no Simcha, there is no joy like Torah. Last week we read Yisamach Yisachar beOhalo – Yissachar, he who dedicated himself to Torah study will rejoice in his tent. The Abarbanel, as others, explains that there is no Simcha, there is no joy like the joy of Torah. This then may be another reason for why Shabbos Nachamu is always on Parshas VoEschanan. The reading of the Aseres haDibros gives us joy. It uplifts, nourishes, restores.

There is something different about Klal Yisroel – The collective neshama of the Torah nation is configured with a different operating system – one that finds joy and meaning in Torah itself. We are only truly happy, we only thrive on account of Torah.

We have just witnessed grave tragedies. The day that commemorates the destruction of both palaces of Hashem – the Batei HaMikdash. Klal Yisroel needs a reprieve, a salve for our affliction and ailments. There is no better salve than that of Torah, and the receiving of it.

#7. Many have the minhag to immerse in the Mikvah on Shabbos Nachamu – even those who do not do so normally on a Shabbos morning. And, of course, the Minhag is to honor the Rav of the Shul with the Aliyah of the reading of the Aseres HaDibros (See Mogain Avrohom 428:8). These Minhagim reinforce the joy and exultation of the day.

It is suggested that just as the Chofetz Chaim tells us that this special enactment was made so that the Haftorah will inform the impending day of Tisha B’Av, so too should we look at this Haftorah to inform how we conduct ourselves. We should once again serve Hashem in happiness. The period of mourning is over, and we should once again find the joy in our lives.

As in every Yom Tov, indeed, in every venue of human endeavor, the more we prepare for something the more meaning we ultimately can derive from it.

So, while it is still early, let’s go out and shop for a few extra delicacies for Shabbos Nachamu. Let’s hug our children. Let’s enjoy our older relatives. Let’s be tolerant of the foibles of others. Let’s appreciate the gifts that HaKadosh Boruch Hu bestowed upon us – especially the gift of Torah that is embodied in the reading of the Aseres HaDibros. And most importantly – Nachamu, nachamu Ami.  (YWN)

~ SHABBAT SHALOM UMEVORACH ~

"Everlasting Love"

14 Menachem Av 5782

Every 15th of the month which falls in a time of trouble, I am haunted by the vision I had in a dream of a missile attack on Eretz Yisrael which happened under a full moon.  Given the time and events, I can't help thinking it might actually materialize in a matter of days.  But, if it has to happen, it couldn't come at a more propitious time of the year to receive the maximum amount of mercy from HKB"H.

We have now entered the days of mercy, repentance, forgiveness and consolation.  Tonight begins the holiday of TU b'Av - the 15th of Av - the "Love" holiday.  

The Mishnah tells us that: "No days were as festive for Israel as the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur." (Tractate Ta'anit) What is Tu B'Av, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Av? In which way is it equivalent to Yom Kippur?

Our Sages explain: Yom Kippur symbolizes God's forgiving Israel for the sin of the Golden Calf in the desert, for it was on that day that He finally accepted Moses' plea for forgiveness of the nation, and on that same day Moses came down from the mountain with the new set of tablets.

Just as Yom Kippur symbolizes the atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf, Tu B'Av signifies the atonement for the sin of the Spies, where ten came bearing such negative reports which reduced the entire nation to panic. As a result of that sin, it was decreed by God that the nation would remain in the desert for 40 years, and that no person 20 or older would be allowed to enter Israel. On each Tisha B'Av of those 40 years, those who had reached the age of 60 that year died – 15,000 each Tisha B'Av.

This plague finally ended on Tu B'Av.

...That last year, the last 15,000 people got ready to die. God, in His mercy, decided not to have that last group die, considering all the troubles they had gone through. Now, when the ninth of Av approached, all the members of the group got ready to die, but nothing happened. They then decided that they might have been wrong about the date, so they waited another day, and another...

Finally on the 15th of Av, when the full moon appeared, they realized definitely that the ninth of Av had come and gone, and that they were still alive. Then it was clear to them that God's decree was over, and that He had finally forgiven the people for the sin of the Spies.

This is what was meant by our Sages when they said: "No days were as festive for Israel as the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur," for there is no greater joy than having one's sins forgiven – on Yom Kippur for the sin of the Golden Calf and on Tu B'Av for the sin of the spies. In the Book of Judges, Tu B'Av is referred to as a holiday (Judges 21:19). (Source)

It's fine that TU b'Av is associated with marriages and betrothals and the love between a man and a woman.  That definitely has its place in our tradition.  But, there is no greater love than that bestowed on Klal Yisrael by HKB"H.

"From long ago, the Lord appeared to me [Rashi: ...and told me to say to the congregation of Israel]; With everlasting love have I loved you; therefore have I drawn you to Me with loving-kindness." (Yirmiyahu 31.2)

Scary events are looming on our horizon, but they have one purpose only - not to destroy us, but to drive us to teshuvah so that as many as possible can survive to live in the Days of Mashiach which are dawning even now.

At the heart of the sins of our ancestors was their lack of faith in HKB"H's love.  They accused Him of bringing them into the wilderness in order to kill them there.  They said their children were going to Eretz Yisrael to die.

Never, ever, ever allow such thoughts to cross your mind - that HKB"H has brought us back to Eretz Yisrael just to let our enemies overrun and destroy us.

TRUST IN HIS LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE!  HE MEANS ONLY GOOD FOR US - LIFE, HEALTH, BLESSINGS IN ABUNDANCE...  

Too many of us have become comfortable with the "status quo"; therefore, HKB"H must bring us to a situation where we will cry out for deliverance, just as we did in Egypt, and He will answer that cry, as He did then, by sending us a deliverer.

"Mashiach, when are you coming?"

"Today, if you will but heed my voice."

~ Wishing us all a very joyous TU b'Av ~

The Irony of It All

13 Menachem Av 5782 

"If you go up high like an eagle, and if you place your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, says the Lord."  (Ovadiah 1.4)

Top U.S. Generals Take Issue

 With Russian Satellite Near U.S. Orbit

~ ~ ~

FYI: HaRav Avraham Baruch says: "The ceasefire is a temporary illusion before a large axis of missiles all over the country."  הרב אברהם ברוך - הפסקת האש היא אשליה זמנית לפני ציר גדול של טילים בכול רחבי הארץ

Excerpt:  "Sin/Artzot HaBrit, roshei teivot Sitra Achra...Syria/Iran, roshei teivot Sitra Achra...We are on the verge of war with Iran."