31 January 2018
30 January 2018
The Connection Between Shevat, Devorah and the Final Redemption
15 Shevat 5778
I was born on TU b'Shevat. In the year that I was born - 5714 - it fell on a Tuesday, right between Parashat Beshallach and Parashat Yitro. I was named for Devorah Haneviah whose famous song is recounted in the haftarah of Parashat Beshallach. The very next parashah mentions Tziporah bat Yitro in its opening pasukim.
The juxtaposition of these two women in the Torah readings is interesting because of the history they share. It is recounted that Tziporah was greatly distressed at being caused to miss out on Shirat HaYam, after having been sent back home to await the redemption from Egypt. To compensate her, Hashem reincarnated her soul in Devorah Haneviah and gave her a song of her own to sing - Shirat Devorah.
Devorah Haneviah was also a reincarnation of Tamar bat Shem. Devorah Haneviah's custom of sitting under the palm tree to judge Yisrael was a rectification for Tamar's sitting at the crossroads like a prostitute.
It's also interesting to me that the land allotted to Yitro's offspring was located near Yericho, the City of Palm Trees, in the same area where I currently live. (See the banner above.) And Devorah Haneviah reputedly owned groves of date palms in this same area.
Speaking of dates...
by Rabbanit Chagit Shira
The month of Shevat...is a special month that has great salvations hidden inside it. Shevat is the month of miracles, blooming and renewal. Shevat means stick in Hebrew, like the stick of salvation that can literally rest in your hands.
Our sages tell us that there were 10 things G-d created at the end of the 6 days of creation right before the onset of the first Shabbat in the world. Among them was the staff with G-d’s name engraved on it which Moses used upon leaving Egypt. Before leaving the Garden of Eden Adam took a branch from the tree of knowledge and that is the staff that went from Adam to Enoch. Enoch gave it to Noah who gave it to Shem who gave to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. Of This staff Jacob said: “With my staff I crossed this Jordan River (and now I am two encampments)”...
The staff went to Yehuda and was given as collateral to Tamar. It got to Yosef in Egypt and when Yosef dies all his possessions were taken to Pharaoh’s palace including the staff. Yitro who was one of Pharaoh’s astrologers saw the staff with the letters engraved on it and he desired it for himself. He took it and planted it in his garden in Midian. The Midrash says that no one could approach the staff and remove it from its place until Moses came along.
Moses goes to Yitro’s house and prays in the garden. He notices the staff (made of sapphire) planted in the garden. He approached it and saw the name of G-d engraved on it. He took it out easily and it became something always with him and ultimately something inseparable from the process of redemption which continues till this very day. The staff will be given to Moshiach in the final redemption, we hope real soon.
I was born on TU b'Shevat. In the year that I was born - 5714 - it fell on a Tuesday, right between Parashat Beshallach and Parashat Yitro. I was named for Devorah Haneviah whose famous song is recounted in the haftarah of Parashat Beshallach. The very next parashah mentions Tziporah bat Yitro in its opening pasukim.
The juxtaposition of these two women in the Torah readings is interesting because of the history they share. It is recounted that Tziporah was greatly distressed at being caused to miss out on Shirat HaYam, after having been sent back home to await the redemption from Egypt. To compensate her, Hashem reincarnated her soul in Devorah Haneviah and gave her a song of her own to sing - Shirat Devorah.
Devorah Haneviah was also a reincarnation of Tamar bat Shem. Devorah Haneviah's custom of sitting under the palm tree to judge Yisrael was a rectification for Tamar's sitting at the crossroads like a prostitute.
It's also interesting to me that the land allotted to Yitro's offspring was located near Yericho, the City of Palm Trees, in the same area where I currently live. (See the banner above.) And Devorah Haneviah reputedly owned groves of date palms in this same area.
Speaking of dates...
Dates are also associated with Devorah the Prophetess who is mentioned in the haftorah of the Shabbat before TU b'Shevat. For she is described as judging the people "under the date palm of Devorah." She shares a connection with the ultimate Redemption for through her efforts, "the land was at rest for forty years," and forty is associated with the Redemption.An excerpt from Shevat: The Month of Salvation and Miracles
by Rabbanit Chagit Shira
The month of Shevat...is a special month that has great salvations hidden inside it. Shevat is the month of miracles, blooming and renewal. Shevat means stick in Hebrew, like the stick of salvation that can literally rest in your hands.
Our sages tell us that there were 10 things G-d created at the end of the 6 days of creation right before the onset of the first Shabbat in the world. Among them was the staff with G-d’s name engraved on it which Moses used upon leaving Egypt. Before leaving the Garden of Eden Adam took a branch from the tree of knowledge and that is the staff that went from Adam to Enoch. Enoch gave it to Noah who gave it to Shem who gave to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. Of This staff Jacob said: “With my staff I crossed this Jordan River (and now I am two encampments)”...
The staff went to Yehuda and was given as collateral to Tamar. It got to Yosef in Egypt and when Yosef dies all his possessions were taken to Pharaoh’s palace including the staff. Yitro who was one of Pharaoh’s astrologers saw the staff with the letters engraved on it and he desired it for himself. He took it and planted it in his garden in Midian. The Midrash says that no one could approach the staff and remove it from its place until Moses came along.
Moses goes to Yitro’s house and prays in the garden. He notices the staff (made of sapphire) planted in the garden. He approached it and saw the name of G-d engraved on it. He took it out easily and it became something always with him and ultimately something inseparable from the process of redemption which continues till this very day. The staff will be given to Moshiach in the final redemption, we hope real soon.
~ HAPPY TU B'SHEVAT! ~
29 January 2018
27 January 2018
25 January 2018
A Worrisome Trend
10 Shevat 5778
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Beshallach
I had something entirely different prepared for this spot just before Shabbat. Hopefully, I'll be able to post it motza"sh. But, right now, I have to ask a question.
Since when is there a "US ambassador for international religious freedom?" Well, it seems at least since yesterday according to this article I just happened to stumble across.
You know, Americans have constitutional guarantees for this sort of thing. This is not about ensuring religious "freedom" in America where these people live and make their laws, This is about attempting to impose American values on everybody else in the world.
There are actually quite a few people who want to live under shariah law. There are even some people who would like to live under Torah law. Neither of which allows for idolatrous polytheism - the basis of Christianity. But, this man is not going to go to bat for Muslims' religious freedom to abide by shariah law; neither will he uphold Jewish religious freedom to adhere to Torah law. They are not even prepared to ensure Jewish rights to pray on Har Habayit as Pence just assured King Abdullah of Jordan on his visit this week that they respect his custodianship of the holy places in Jerusalem!
So, what if they want to turn America into a Christian nation?
PLAN FOR THE TAKEOVER OF AMERICA - Jim Garlow Explains 7 Mountains Dominionism
So, let them. Just keep it there in the US and stop trying to impose it everywhere all over the world and especially here in Eretz Yisrael where it is forbidden to believe in multiple gods and to worship a man as god.
You think Israel has any hope of stemming the tide of missionaries and missionary funds into this country?! If there ever was, it has decreased to near zero with this newest move by the Trump/Pence administration!
Somewhere I think it says that at the final redemption we will see miracles even greater than those that we saw in Egypt. Hashem, this would be a good time. You took us out of Egypt, now, please take Egypt out of us!!
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Beshallach
I had something entirely different prepared for this spot just before Shabbat. Hopefully, I'll be able to post it motza"sh. But, right now, I have to ask a question.
Since when is there a "US ambassador for international religious freedom?" Well, it seems at least since yesterday according to this article I just happened to stumble across.
Brownback narrowly confirmed as US religious freedom envoy
WASHINGTON — The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved Sam Brownback’s bid to be US ambassador for international religious freedom,....
With two Republican senators absent, Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Capitol Hill to cast the tie-breaking vote to confirm Brownback, a favorite of Christian conservatives for his views on same-sex marriage and abortion. The vote was along party lines, 50-49, underscoring the narrow margin Republicans hold. Pence’s vote also was needed earlier in the day to get Brownback’s nomination over a procedural hurdle.
...“I’m glad to have the vice president in my corner,” Brownback told reporters.... He added later, “I’m happy. It’s a critical job. I’m excited about being able to do it.”"Critical" to whom?
You know, Americans have constitutional guarantees for this sort of thing. This is not about ensuring religious "freedom" in America where these people live and make their laws, This is about attempting to impose American values on everybody else in the world.
There are actually quite a few people who want to live under shariah law. There are even some people who would like to live under Torah law. Neither of which allows for idolatrous polytheism - the basis of Christianity. But, this man is not going to go to bat for Muslims' religious freedom to abide by shariah law; neither will he uphold Jewish religious freedom to adhere to Torah law. They are not even prepared to ensure Jewish rights to pray on Har Habayit as Pence just assured King Abdullah of Jordan on his visit this week that they respect his custodianship of the holy places in Jerusalem!
"...Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said Wednesday that he was concerned Brownback would focus solely on protecting Christian minorities."Yep. I'd say that's a very safe bet.
Pence: America will prioritize protecting Christians abroad
Vice President Pence sought on Thursday to reassure Christian leaders looking for the White House to focus more on the plight of persecuted Christians abroad.
“Protecting and promoting religious freedom is a foreign policy priority of the Trump administration,” the vice president said during a morning address at the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians....
Advocacy on behalf of people persecuted for being Christian is a topic “of enormous importance to this administration,” Pence said. Turning to speakers at the conference who were there to share their personal stories of persecution abroad, he said: “You have the prayers of the president of the United States. The suffering of Christians in the Middle East has stirred Americans to action, and it brings me here today.”
Pence is very popular among the Christian leaders gathered at the conference at the Mayflower Hotel, which was organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Several said they trust that the administration wants to help Christians because they know that Pence cares about their cause.
The Rev. Franklin Graham, who led the conference, said in his introduction of Pence: “What I appreciate so much about our vice president is his strong faith in God and his belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God. As a nation, we are very fortunate to have a president that believes in God and a vice president who strongly supports all of us in the church and is not afraid to express his faith.”
...During his speech, Pence repeatedly reminded the attendees that he spoke on behalf of Trump,.... He said that Trump calls the persecutors of Christians by the name “radical Islamic terrorists,” which drew applause.VP Mike Pence has already made it abundantly clear in very frank statements that he is a Christian "first", above everything else. This should have disqualified him from office in the United States of America. He should not be allowed to use his high office to advocate on behalf of one particular religion. Especially one whose overriding goal is to convert everyone else to that same religion.
So, what if they want to turn America into a Christian nation?
PLAN FOR THE TAKEOVER OF AMERICA - Jim Garlow Explains 7 Mountains Dominionism
So, let them. Just keep it there in the US and stop trying to impose it everywhere all over the world and especially here in Eretz Yisrael where it is forbidden to believe in multiple gods and to worship a man as god.
You think Israel has any hope of stemming the tide of missionaries and missionary funds into this country?! If there ever was, it has decreased to near zero with this newest move by the Trump/Pence administration!
Jim Garlow and his group started a Bible study in Israel's KnessetWHO WILL ENSURE JEWISH RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN OUR OWN LAND?
Bible Study at Knesset Can Unite Christians, Jews by Tuly Weisz
Pastor Jim Garlow, a member of President Trump's faith advisory council, and his wife Rosemary Schindler Garlow, reached out to Member of Knesset Rabbi Yehuda Glick from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party, about hosting a Bible study at the Knesset.
Because of the sensitive nature of Christians and Jews studying Bible together, my organization, Israel365, which serves as a bridge between Christian Zionists and Israel, was called in to collaborate on the program."Collaborate" is an excellent choice of words. HASHEM YERACHEM!!
Somewhere I think it says that at the final redemption we will see miracles even greater than those that we saw in Egypt. Hashem, this would be a good time. You took us out of Egypt, now, please take Egypt out of us!!
24 January 2018
About "Religious Coercion"
9 Shevat 5778
However, we are not a state like all others. This is supposed to be a Jewish state built on holy ground. If you want to see what that is supposed to look like, you need only go back to the last time we returned from a stay in the exile. It is most instructive to read the accounts of the first return from exile in the writings of Ezra and Nechemiah.
(Nechemiah 12.15-22:)
In those days, I saw in Judea [people] treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing stacks [of grain] and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, and figs, and all types of loads and bringing them to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, and I warned them on the day they sold provisions.
And the Tyrians [who] sojourned there were bringing fish and all [types of] merchandise and selling on the Sabbath to the people of Judea and in Jerusalem.
And I quarreled with the dignitaries of Judea, and I said to them, "What is this bad thing that you are doing - profaning the Sabbath day?
Did not your ancestors do this, and our God brought upon us all this calamity, and upon this city, and you are increasing the wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath?"
Now it came to pass when the gates of Jerusalem cast shadows before the Sabbath, that I commanded, and the doors were closed, and I said that they should not open them until after the Sabbath, and I stationed some of my youths over the gates so that no load should enter on the Sabbath day.
So the traffickers and the vendors of all types of merchandise lodged outside Jerusalem once and twice.
And I warned them and said to them, "Why are you lodging opposite the wall? If you repeat [this], I shall lay a hand on you." Since that time, they did not come on the Sabbath.
And I commanded the Levites that the watchers of the walls should purify themselves and come to hallow the Sabbath day. This too remember for me, my God, and have pity on me according to Your abundant loving-kindness.
Rabbi Riskin Calls for Public Transportation on Shabbat
Chief Rabbi of Efrat, in Gush Etzion, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, one of the most prominent liberal rabbis in religious Zionism, is warning against religious coercion of secular Israeli Jews. He points an accusing finger at the Chief Rabbinate, among others, which he says keeps pouring gasoline on the fire.
In an interview on Tuesday with Israel Hayom, Rabbi Riskin said that “there’s a serious problem with religious coercion, in fact this is an oxymoron – if it’s coercion, it can’t be truly religious.”
...“It is impossible to compel Shabbat observance through a state law,” Riskin said, adding, “I would be very happy if everyone kept Shabbat and did not work, but the state must be careful about what it requires by law.”Many citizens of Israel are confused on this matter and because of the assimilation of western values and ideals, they feel that so-called "separation of religion and state" should be the desired goal.
However, we are not a state like all others. This is supposed to be a Jewish state built on holy ground. If you want to see what that is supposed to look like, you need only go back to the last time we returned from a stay in the exile. It is most instructive to read the accounts of the first return from exile in the writings of Ezra and Nechemiah.
(Nechemiah 12.15-22:)
In those days, I saw in Judea [people] treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing stacks [of grain] and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, and figs, and all types of loads and bringing them to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, and I warned them on the day they sold provisions.
And the Tyrians [who] sojourned there were bringing fish and all [types of] merchandise and selling on the Sabbath to the people of Judea and in Jerusalem.
And I quarreled with the dignitaries of Judea, and I said to them, "What is this bad thing that you are doing - profaning the Sabbath day?
Did not your ancestors do this, and our God brought upon us all this calamity, and upon this city, and you are increasing the wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath?"
Now it came to pass when the gates of Jerusalem cast shadows before the Sabbath, that I commanded, and the doors were closed, and I said that they should not open them until after the Sabbath, and I stationed some of my youths over the gates so that no load should enter on the Sabbath day.
So the traffickers and the vendors of all types of merchandise lodged outside Jerusalem once and twice.
And I warned them and said to them, "Why are you lodging opposite the wall? If you repeat [this], I shall lay a hand on you." Since that time, they did not come on the Sabbath.
And I commanded the Levites that the watchers of the walls should purify themselves and come to hallow the Sabbath day. This too remember for me, my God, and have pity on me according to Your abundant loving-kindness.
Traitors to God, Traitors to Am Yisrael
8 Shevat 5778
Colluding with our enemies. Hamevin yavin.
Working hand-in-hand with the Pope and his emissaries to replace the truth of Judaism with a new world religion inclusive of all, but with Christianity at it's head...
Jewish Members of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders
Chief Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, Israel
Rabbi David Bigman, Israel
Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Israel
Rabbi Menachem HaCohen, Romania
The International Jewish Committee On Interreligious Consultation, USA
Rabbi Arthur Green, USA
Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, Russia
Prof. Rabbi Richard Marker, USA
Rabbi Michael Melchior, Israel
Rabbi David Rosen, Israel (He serves on the permanent bilateral commission of the State of Israel and the Holy See)
Gilla Rosen, Israel
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, England
Chief Rabbi Shmuel Rene Sirat, France
Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, The Netherlands
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, UK
Past Members: Rabbi Eliyahu Yosef She’ar Yashuv Cohen, Israel (1927–2016); Rabbi Mordechai Piron (1921-2014)
Additional Leaders Who have Participated in Elijah Events: Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Israel; Rabbi Joseph Azran, Israel; Rabbi Dr. Naftali Brawer, England; Judith Hertz, USA; Rabbi Daniel Kohn, Israel; Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau; Rabbi Dov Singer, Israel
I've singled out Jonathan Sacks above in order to clue you in to what is really going on here...
(h/t Yaak) Former British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Major Contributor to Pence Speech
An emissary of the Pope - "Evangelical Catholic" Mike Pence - receiving help from the enemy within to word his speech so as to lure in and snag gullible Jews. R"L! It's working!!
All this "love" of Israel does not translate to love of Judaism as the sole truth in the world. It is part of the web of lies meant to snare and entrap Am Yisrael at the End of Days.
IN THE FUTURE ESAU WILL DON A TALLIT
In the future, Esau will wrap himself in a tallis, sit down next to Yakov and say to him, "You are my brother"....Yakov will say to him, "My brother, you will not be like me. I will lead you to death, I will be the pestilence that leads you to Sheol (Hoshea 13,14). Had I upheld decrees that you promulgated against me, I would have been guilty at the eyes of Heaven. Had I violated them, you would have killed me (Yalkut Shimoni, Yirmiahu 333).
"That was Esau's intention when he told Yakov, 'Let us travel together and I will go before you' (Genesis 33,12). He wanted them to join together in both this world and the world to come, to meet each other halfway, with each modifying his conduct until they were alike (Yalkut Shimoni, Genesis 133).
Are YOU willing to meet Eisav halfway??? The Final Birur will separate between those who are willing to betray their God and their people and those who are not.
Colluding with our enemies. Hamevin yavin.
Working hand-in-hand with the Pope and his emissaries to replace the truth of Judaism with a new world religion inclusive of all, but with Christianity at it's head...
The Elijah Interfaith Institute
The spirit of Elijah is wisdom, inspiration, friendship and hope across religious traditions. Elijah deepens understanding among religions. Elijah’s mission is to foster unity in diversity, creating a harmonious world. Elijah’s message: The world’s great religions radiate wisdom that can heal the world. Deep level spiritual conversation across interreligious lines enriches our inner lives, enhances our prayer and opens our hearts. Discover unity and embrace diversity. We are many and we are one.
...Elijah seeks to create a community of religious leaders, scholars and practitioners from all faiths, who are inspired to find novel ways of sharing the wisdom of their traditions with each other and to create bridges between faith and society.
Elijah recognises the power of sharing wisdom, revealed in its many forms, to foster mutual appreciation, respect, deep friendship and peace between religious communities. We see the creation of the Center of HOPE in Jerusalem as an expression of the power of religion to be a force for peace and harmony.(See also Elijah Principles of Faith)
Jewish Members of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders
Chief Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, Israel
Rabbi David Bigman, Israel
Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Israel
Rabbi Menachem HaCohen, Romania
The International Jewish Committee On Interreligious Consultation, USA
Rabbi Arthur Green, USA
Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, Russia
Prof. Rabbi Richard Marker, USA
Rabbi Michael Melchior, Israel
Rabbi David Rosen, Israel (He serves on the permanent bilateral commission of the State of Israel and the Holy See)
Gilla Rosen, Israel
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, England
Chief Rabbi Shmuel Rene Sirat, France
Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, The Netherlands
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, UK
Past Members: Rabbi Eliyahu Yosef She’ar Yashuv Cohen, Israel (1927–2016); Rabbi Mordechai Piron (1921-2014)
Additional Leaders Who have Participated in Elijah Events: Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Israel; Rabbi Joseph Azran, Israel; Rabbi Dr. Naftali Brawer, England; Judith Hertz, USA; Rabbi Daniel Kohn, Israel; Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau; Rabbi Dov Singer, Israel
***
I've singled out Jonathan Sacks above in order to clue you in to what is really going on here...
(h/t Yaak) Former British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Major Contributor to Pence Speech
An emissary of the Pope - "Evangelical Catholic" Mike Pence - receiving help from the enemy within to word his speech so as to lure in and snag gullible Jews. R"L! It's working!!
All this "love" of Israel does not translate to love of Judaism as the sole truth in the world. It is part of the web of lies meant to snare and entrap Am Yisrael at the End of Days.
In the future, Esau will wrap himself in a tallis, sit down next to Yakov and say to him, "You are my brother"....Yakov will say to him, "My brother, you will not be like me. I will lead you to death, I will be the pestilence that leads you to Sheol (Hoshea 13,14). Had I upheld decrees that you promulgated against me, I would have been guilty at the eyes of Heaven. Had I violated them, you would have killed me (Yalkut Shimoni, Yirmiahu 333).
"That was Esau's intention when he told Yakov, 'Let us travel together and I will go before you' (Genesis 33,12). He wanted them to join together in both this world and the world to come, to meet each other halfway, with each modifying his conduct until they were alike (Yalkut Shimoni, Genesis 133).
***
Are YOU willing to meet Eisav halfway??? The Final Birur will separate between those who are willing to betray their God and their people and those who are not.
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