MASHIACH BEFORE THE ELECTION (Part 2)

5 Adar II 5779

Continued from Part 1...

...Even before we examine our sages' words regarding Mashiach ben Yosef, we already have in hand several basic principles from the holy lips of the Gra:

1. There are two Messiahs, Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David. The first is called "the Inaugural Messiah."  He is involved in the whole physical side of redemption, the actual return to Zion, and he fights G-d's wars.  The second completes the spiritual redemption.

2. These two Messiahs exist among us in every generation; and if Israel only understood what they must do to bring redemption "in haste," it would come speedily via these two Messiahs.

3. Mashiach ben Yosef not only goes unrecognized, but Israel ridicule those who herald the truth of redemption and are fit to be Mashiach ben Yosef. If Israel only recognized him and his era, he would immediately bring complete redemption "in haste."

Some people have posited that Rabbi Meir Kahane, ztz"l, Hy"d, was Mashiach ben Yosef for his generation.  Had the people of Israel stood up for him when the Erev Rav disqualified him from running for Knesset a month before the election, and backed his party wholeheartedly, he could have risen to power and prevented Oslo and every tragedy that followed in its wake.  But, the people were too weak and of too little faith, so unable to fulfill his mission, the Rav was taken from this world and his mission fell to the next generation's representative.  This is, I believe, why we are bidden to pray that Mashiach ben Yosef not die.  Furthermore, it is no coincidence that Rabbi Kahane's name has been so much in the news in these days just prior to another election, one which may very well be key to the arrival of this generation's Mashiach ben Yosef.

In every generation a Mashiach ben Yosef and a Mashiach ben David appear. The present exile has no fixed length. It can come "today, if we hearken to G-d's voice" (Ps. 95:7). In this regard G-d says, "Let not this possibility seem remote to you. Believe that if you only acted correctly, redemption would come 'today.' Search for the Messiahs, and I, too, will search Jerusalem with candles."

The Talmud states (Bava Batra 123b), "Jacob saw that Esau's seed could only be delivered up by Joseph's seed" (and the same in Targum Yonatan on Gen. 30:25). The point is clear: The beginning of the nations' fall will be through Mashiach ben Yosef who comes from Rachel. ..."In whose hands shall Edom fall? Those of the anointed of war, who comes from Joseph."

And Bereshit Rabba (73:7) teaches, "With Joseph's birth, Esau's adversary was born... There is a tradition that Esau shall fall only to Rachel's descendants."

...Pesikta Rabati, 36: 

At that moment, the nations became excited and said, "Master of the Universe!  Who is this into whose hands we shall fall?  What is his name?  What is his nature?"  G-d replied, He is the Messiah and his name is Ephraim, My righteous Messiah.  He shall raise up himself and his generation [i.e., from degradation to independence]. He shall bring light to Israel and save his people, and no nation or tongue can withstand him...  All his enemies and foes flee...  Even the rivers cease running..."

G-d set ground-rules for [the Messiah]:  "In the future, the sins of these stored away with you will place you under an iron burden.  They will make you like this calf whose eyes have dimmed.  Their burden will suffocate your spirit.  Through their sins, your tongue will cleave to your palate.  Do you wish this?"  The Messiah asked, "Is that pain going to last many years?" and G-d answered, "I swear by My life and yours that it shall last no later than the year seven thousand [i.e., the latest possible end, as noted previously from Avodah Zarah 9a].  If you are unhappy with this, I will make them suffer starting now."  The Messiah replied, "Master of the Universe!  Joyfully do I accept it upon myself so that not one Jew be lost...  It is what I want!"...

Part 3. 

URGENT MESSAGES! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!

5 Adar II 5779

The prophecies of world war 3 were true!! Find out more info from the sources you need to know!!

The Zohar's predictions of the end of days!!! Rabbi Alon Anava

MASHIACH BEFORE THE ELECTION (Part 1)

4 Adar II 5779

I firmly believe, based on the many signs, that there is a very real possibility for Mashiach by Pesach.  And, in fact, I expect him before the election.  In fact, I believe this election is key to his arrival.  I'd like to say more, but we have to be careful not to do or say anything that would provide the Sitra Achra with ammunition to sabotage it.  

Why say anything then, you may wonder. Because the push this year is so strong, we have to know, now more than ever, how important our prayers and teshuvah are to its success.  With this in mind, I would like to begin preparing for this momentous event by dedicating coming blog posts to the subject of the "Inaugural Messiah" - Mashiach ben Yosef.  (All quotes are taken from chapters 30 and 31 of Rabbi Meir Kahane's Or HaRa'ayon.)

Mashiach ben Yosef is alluded to by our sages, and although they concealed more than they revealed, they still gave us their tradition that before Mashiach ben David's arrival, Mashiach ben Yosef will fight G-d's wars in the age of redemption.  He will improve Israel's physical welfare by fighting the wars against the nations, and Mashiach ben David will complete their spiritual redemption.

We may conclude that the Atchalta DeGeula, the stage before the conclusion of redemption when all surviving nations accept Heaven's yoke, is the period of Mashiach ben Yosef. ...the Gra, almost without equal since the Temple's destruction, calls Mashiach ben Yosef the "Mashicha De'Atchalta," the "Inaugural Messiah."  It would already be fitting at this point to present a brief quotation from the work establishing basic principles regarding Mashiach ben Yosef (Kol HaTor 1:2):

According to our master, the Gra, everything involved in the ingathering, building of Jerusalem and expansion of settlement in Eretz Yisrael for the return of the Divine Presence, all the elementary activities [building and planting], and all the finest details, are included in the mission of the Mashiach De'Atchalta, the first Messiah, Mashiach ben Yosef, the miraculous power assisting every non-miraculous act performed as catalyst below.  For Mashiach ben Yosef is from earth and Mashiach ben David is from Heaven.

..."Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him" (Gen 42:8)  This is one of Joseph's attributes.  Not just in his generation, but in every generation, Mashiach ben Yosef recognizes his brothers and they do not recognize him.  It is an act of Satan which conceals Mashiach ben Yosef's attributes, such that the Jews unfortunately do not recognize his footsteps, and in fact scoff at them...  If not for this, our troubles would already be over.  If Israel "recognized Joseph," Mashiach ben Yosef's footsteps comprising the ingathering of the exiles, etc., we would already be redeemed.

The aim of this series of blog posts is to help focus us on "recognizing Yosef," but without mentioning any specific names.  Our prayers should be directed on behalf of Yosef and our teshuvah should be for any part we have played in the betrayal of Yosef. 

My hope is that the sources will speak to you and declare "Ani Yosef" and with the ultimate "recognition" will come the breakthrough we have all been waiting for. It could be in a matter of a few weeks!!  Please Hashem!!

Part 2.

What Do The Forces of Evil Know That We Don't?

1 Adar II 5779
Erev Shabbat Kodesh - Parashat Pekudei
Rosh Chodesh Bet

Inside these "gates" is a huge room. If you've ever walked through Sha'ar Yafo or Sha'ar Tzion you'll have some idea, but these gates around the Temple Mount are much bigger than those allowing entrance into the Old City itself. 

Palestinians take part in Friday prayers outside the Golden Gate, or Gate of Mercy entrance to the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's Old City, on March 1, 2019. (Sliman Khader/Flash90)

Israel, Jordan said holding talks to end conflict at Temple Mount gate

High-level Israeli and Jordanian officials held talks Wednesday evening in an effort to end the conflict over a contested religious area on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The longstanding closure of an area near the Golden Gate has ignited tensions between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police in recent weeks. Worshipers have forced it open and entered on several occasions.

Jordan oversees the Waqf, the Islamic custodians of the Temple Mount.

...Earlier in the day, junior officials from both sides held talks, during which Jordan offered that the site be closed for long-term renovations. While the Israelis agreed, they insisted it must first be closed without renovations taking place, as a statement of Israeli authority. This disagreement reportedly led to talks breaking down.

The fact that the focus of evil forces has moved to this Eastern Gate, known as the Mercy Gate (Psalm 102:14 - "You will rise, You will have mercy on Zion for there is a time to favor it, for the appointed season has arrived.") is a sign to us that they know how short is their time. They are gathering there to try to stop the return of the Holy Shechinah. (Amida Prayer - "May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy.")  But they have no power to stop it. All power belongs to HKB"H. 

...And he led me to the gate, a gate that faced eastward.  And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east, and its sound was like the sound of abundant waters, and the earth shone from His glory.

...And the glory of the Lord came to the House by the way of the gate that faced eastward.  And a spirit lifted me and brought me to the Inner Court, and behold the glory of the Lord filled the House.  And I heard [Him] speaking to me from the House, and a man was standing beside me.

And He said to me, Son of man, [this is] the place of My throne and [this is] the place of the soles of My feet where I shall dwell in the midst of the Children of Israel forever, and the House of Israel will no longer defile My Holy Name,....  (Yechezkel 43:1-7)

May this be the year in this season of Redemption. 

The Shushan Gate

30 Adar I 5779
Rosh Chodesh Aleph

I had an inkling when I wrote The Spirit of Mashiach and Redemption on Shushan Purim Katan that something significant was happening with regard to the Gate of Mercy.  But I did not understand the full extent of it until, thanks to Orna Nitzevet, she reminded me of something long forgotten. (See her comment on the previous post.)

On Rosh Chodesh of Adar II - the one that counts for Purim - Orna Nitzevet has reminded me that the Gate of Mercy (Sha'ar HaRachamim) on the Temple Mount is also known as the Shushan Gate.  

The Riddle of the Shushan Gate

Waqf rejects Israeli court order to shutter Temple Mount's Gate of Mercy

What are the chances that this gate would be in the headlines davka now?  There is certainly a deeper message here.  If you have any ideas, please share them in the comments.

~ CHODESH TOV ~

"Rabbi Benny Lau, Racism and the Nuremberg Laws" - Part 1

30 Adar I 5779
Rosh Chodesh Aleph

Rabbi Yehudah Richter's latest shiur...

Rabbi Benny Lau, Racism, and Nuremberg Laws P.1

Zehut - Whose Identity? Not Jewish!

29 Adar I 5779

I knew Zehut was not for me. I've been opposed to Moshe Feiglin almost since the beginning of his political career. But, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I really thought his party did at least represent Jewish identity, as it purports to; however, I was wrong.

In a recent mailing, he bragged that his party includes "atheists" among its representatives.  

Where is the Jewish identity in that?

(H/T Rabbi Yehudah Richter)

And now, today, I read that another person on the party list speaks against circumcision.

Where is the Jewish identity without that?

Who is the Star of the Net who joins Feiglin's identity party?

...known for his performances against religion and mockery of faith....

Candidate for the 'identity' party against circumcision

A video that has been running on the Internet in recent hours presents the candidate for the Knesset's identity party, Gadi Vilcharsky, explaining to the parents why not to circumcise their children. Eli Yishai: "I am shocked."

..."I was shocked to see that the candidate of the identity party, Gadi Vilcharsky, calls on parents not to circumcise their children, r"l. Even Lapid did not dare to challenge the Torah of Israel," Yachad chairman Eli Yishai said. This is not identity, but an erasure of Jewish identity, a true right party is committed to caring for the people of Israel, the Land of Israel and, above all, the Torah of Israel."

Before I suggested in a recent post that Zehut was an acceptable choice even though it would not be my choice, I should have re-read my earlier posts on the subject.  (See here and here.)

I hope this corrects my earlier mistake.

"Are We There Yet?"

28 Adar I 5779

Have we reached the fiftieth level of tumah yet?

Women soldiers to have free access to 'morning after' pills
In order that cost not be a factor when considering contraception following unprotected sex, a special hotline will offer free, instant prescriptions for female IDF recruits.

Jewish Agency offers loans to staff seeking surrogacy abroad
For the first time in history, a state entity is offering its employees support for the extremely expensive procedure, which is denied to gay men in Israel by law

Israel's rabbi for same-sex couples
Tamar Gur Krause is a Reform rabbi with hundreds of marriage ceremonies under her belt; she believes in equality and love and the need for Judaism to develop and adapt to the times, rather than stay stagnant; 'I see myself as a bridge that brings people to a life of spirituality and meaning that derive of generations of Jewish texts,' she says.

The last thing she wants to do is to incite a war, but when Tamar Gur Krause, a Reform female rabbi, describes what sets apart the marriage ceremonies she conducts, she doesn't hide the fact she also officiates at same-sex weddings, and that in her opinion, the Orthodox wedding ceremonies seem like a parody of a prayer. And yes, she does know that there are many in Israel—and not just former anti-LGBT Shas minister Eli Yishai—who would be outraged and horrified by her words.

..."As far as I'm concerned, equality and love are far more important than something that was written in the distant past."

Jewish Couple Donates Millions For Christian Missionary Doctors In Africa
Mark Gerson and his wife Rabbi Erica Gerson will be giving $5 million over the next 10 years to fund Christian mission teaching hospitals across Africa.

"The Torah tells us, more than it tells us anything else, it tells us 36 times in various ways, to love the stranger," Mark told CBN News. "When my wife, who is a rabbi, and I think about how best we can discharge that Jewish obligation to love the stranger, we are drawn to the most effective and efficient way to do so which is to support the Christian medical missionaries who are providing care to the poor in Africa."