Chai Elul

Art Baruch Nachshon

"Chai Elul" -- the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Elul -- is a most significant date on the Chassidic calendar. The founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, was born on this date, in 1698. It is also the day, 36 years later, on which the Baal Shem Tov began to publicly disseminate his teachings, after many years as a member of the society of "hidden tzaddikim" during which he lived disguised as a simple innkeeper and clay-digger, his greatness known only to a very small circle of fellow mystics and disciples.

Elul 18 is also the birthday -- in 1745 -- of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, who often referred to himself as the Baal Shem Tov's "spiritual grandson" [Rabbi Schneur Zalman was the disciple of Rabbi Israel's disciple, Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch]. After gaining fame as a child prodigy and young Talmudic genius, Rabbi Schneur Zalman journeyed to Mezeritch to study under the tutelage of the Baal Shem Tov's successor--as he later explained, "to study I knew somewhat, but I needed to learn how to pray"--and was soon accepted into the intimate circle of Rabbi DovBer's leading disciples. Rabbi Schneur Zalman established the "Chabad" branch of Chassidism, which emphasizes in-depth study and intense contemplation as the key to vitalizing the entire person, from sublime mind to practical deed.

"I See It.... But Not Now...."

I see it, but not now; I behold it, but not soon. A star has gone forth from Jacob.... Balak 24:17

The second sun... aka Kochav Yaakov...filmed August 25 2026 Nevada Las Vegas - East

Rosh haShanah on Shabbat : A Signal for the World

H/t Sherry

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

When Rosh haShanah falls on Shabbat, extra-ordinary things happen.  Rabbi Hajioff explains.

What can we expect?  

Rosh Hashanah 2026 falls on Shabbat, and Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff explains why this year carries such a powerful message. 

What is the real meaning of Rosh Hashanah? 

Why does the Torah describe it as a day of sounding the shofar rather than simply a “Day of Judgment”? 

And what does the shofar reveal about teshuvah, judgment, redemption and the year ahead? 

 In this conversation, Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff explores the deeper meaning of the shofar, the spiritual significance of listening, and the teaching that Rosh Hashanah is a microcosm of the entire coming year. 

 We discuss: 

 • Why the shofar is the central Torah mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah 

• The connection between listening, judgment and the scales of Rosh Hashanah 

• Why the shofar represents the inner cry of the Jewish soul 

• The shofar of Mount Sinai and the future shofar of redemption 

• The Rambam’s famous description of the shofar as a spiritual wake up call 

• Why one mitzvah can change a person and even impact the entire world 

• What Rosh Hashanah means for Jews who only come to synagogue once or twice a year 

• The remarkable lesson of Ishmael and “ba’asher hu sham” 

• Why a person is judged according to who they are right now 

• How teshuvah, tefillah and tzedakah can change a difficult decree 

• Why Rosh Hashanah 2026 falling on Shabbat is especially worth thinking about 

• A blessing for a sweet new year, redemption and the rebuilding of the Third Temple 

Rabbi Hajioff explains that Rosh Hashanah is not simply about fear. It is about renewal. It is the moment when we stop, listen, examine who we are and recognize that the coming year can still be changed. 

May we all be written and sealed for a Shana Tova U’Metuka, a good and sweet year filled with blessing, peace and redemption.

The Unconscious Mitzvah

''....when you forget a bundle in the field...'' [Ki Teitzei 24:19]

Why should a person be blessed for performing a mitzvah if he unwittingly - and even unwillingly - drops money on the floor, which is later found by a poor person? [see Rashi v.19]

Chassidic thought explains that every Jew, regardless of his status and station, is essentially willing to do all that he is commanded to do by our Torah.  The fact that he might sometimes be influenced to do otherwise is because  his conscious state can be affected by external pressures that induce states of mind and even behaviour which is contrary to his essential nature [Rambam, Laws of Divorce 2:20]

Therefore, if he performs a mitzvah which was not consciously intended, it is nevertheless an act that is consistent with his inner, subconscious desire.  In fact, what has actually occurred here is that his subconscious mind has been able to influence his actions directly, without passing through the conscious state.

So, if a person drops money which is later found by a poor person, he has done an action which is commensurate with his true, inner desire to serve G-d, and therefore he is blessed because of it.

Based on Sefer Hama'amarim Mehukat vol 5 p 50 Lubavitcher Rebbe

How The Mighty Fall

 

The son of Rabbi Yeshua Halevi went up to heaven and then came down. It doesn’t mean he went up physically. He went “up” in consciousness. He had ruach ha’kodesh -- holy spirit - so he could see into the world of Yetzira. 

When he came back, he was asked what he saw up there. He uttered the famous statement, “olam hafoch hu”--it’s an upside-down world. Whoever was great here is, basically, almost a nobody up there, and whoever was nobody here was an incredible godol--a person of great stature up there. 

How could that be? How could we not see who’s really worth something? 

The answer is: the critical determinant of who you are is not your physical act; it’s the yegiah--hardship, the darkness of the klippa that you undergo and yet remain G-d-fearing, to believe and trust in G-d that we cannot see. You could have Mr. A who is unbelievably diligent in doing mitzvahs, and Mr. B who hardly does any, but Mr. B may have a terrible struggle to do the few mitzvahs he does. This makes him much greater than Mr. A.

The above text is an excerpt from Rabbi Mendel Kessin's "The Model for the Redemption"

click here for full transcription and lecture

So who is the Judge?  Only Hashem.  Our eyes cannot judge anyone.  We think we know, but we don't.

Those who are mighty one day, may fall the next day.  A lot of the time, their fall is due to narcissism, greed and corruption.  Greed for money and power.  The more money they have, the more they need to feel fulfilled.  Many times, a poor person can be far happier than a rich one, simply because his needs are less.  He doesn't expect so much.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe was legendary for treating every single person he encountered with profound dignity, noticing even those passing by or waiting just to catch a glimpse.  Stories frequently shared within the Chassidic community  illustrate that the Rebbe made it a point to always greet others with a warm, personal "hello" and a radiant smile, teaching that no individual is ever invisible. 

Beware the trap of thinking you are at the top, because the next day you may find yourself at the bottom.  

How does it happen?  Through greed and thinking yourself better than the other person. But maybe the other person is far greater than you, and you have just insulted on a true Tzadik.

Time is Running Out

H/t Elisheva

Rabbi Isser Weisberg - from 2022 - a calculation based on Sefer Daniel

We discussed how I came to the conclusion that the final Redemption must occur before the closure of the Hebrew year 5787 (corresponding to October 1, 2027), and why I surmise that the Lubavitcher Rebbe deliberately left us clues supporting my calculation.

"When the Messiah Comes and You Meet With Him"

Let's clear up the mis-understandings once and for all.   Here is the video of Rabbi Moshe Ben-Tov, the Holy Mezuzah man, putting up the mezuzot in Netanyahu's office, and he is telling him "when the Messiah comes and  you meet with Him and you hang the key of completion"..... see for yourself.

I also suggest you check out the latest comments at Dov bar Leib's blog by clicking here although you may have to scroll down to the end as there are a lot of comments there. I'm speaking about the latest comments written by Dov bar Leib regarding Netanyahu.

ROME is NEXT. End Time Prophecy Happening Now.

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff went to Rome searching for the menorah... What he discovered connects directly to end-time prophecy.