Friday, March 25, 2016

Love Not Fear



Once again American Jews are being warned of danger.  I do not endorse these warnings, but as I can see that many of my readers are also reading these warnings on a blog I link to, I do feel the need to comment.

Firstly, most of my family live in the US.  If I really believed these warnings, I would be the first to tell them to get out now.


On this subject, as with everything else, I turn to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  There are hundreds of Chabad Houses throughout America, as there are in every other part of the globe.  The Rebbe himself did not leave America in his lifetime, as he felt it was more important to m'karev the Jews in the diaspora.  Just as a captain would not desert his ship, so to Chabad will not leave until all possible Jews have been brought back to their faith.


If you listened to Rabbi Kessin's shiur the other day, at 31:15 on the video, and onwards from there, he is talking about teshuva through love not fear.  Teshuva done through fear, as with anything else done through fear, is not complete.  That is why the Rebbe and the teachings of Chabad approach Jews through love.  The word ''Lubavitch'' literally means '' city of brotherly love''. And for the record, Rabbi Kessin is NOT a Lubavitcher.

Whilst I don't normally write a blog post which goes against another blog I link to, I do feel it appropriate at this point as I am aware that many Jews in America are panicking over what the future holds.   Just because a blogger writes it, it doesn't mean it's a fact. I can already predict that someone will tell me I am aiding the destruction of thousands of Jews by writing this, and I reject that as well. As with all major issues, consult your local orthodox rabbi, or someone else whose opinion you trust, not a blog on the internet, and don't spend your life worrying about things that may never happen. 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

At last, another voice of reason. You've confirmed many of my previous posts here and elsewhere. The only thing that has been accomplished ever since this NIBIRU nonsense started has been panic. Any one who questions the so-called "facts" around this rogue planet, dwarf star or meteor missile or who simply chooses to believe experts and scientists instead is labeled ignorant and/or misguided. Trying to conflate scripture with unproven conspiracy theories and doubtful science is counterproductive and opens the door to other fearmongers to do the same. It only hurts those whom we should protect. Innocent and simple people who don't know where to turn are panicking. Yes, perhaps they are doing Teshuva but out of fear instead of love. As I myself have previously stated-- this can't possibly be good. Now Rabbi Kessin agrees. Hooray! Another voice of reason. (Once when I stated that, one reader thought I was propagating a X-tian tenet. What nonsense!)

All we have to remember is that Hashem runs the show and what happens, when it happens will probably take us all by surprise. You won't read about it in any blog or see it coming. War and/or a terrorist bombing can happen anywhere to anyone and at anytime. No one is safe or immune from evil whatever form it takes. You have to live your life and not cower in a corner. Yidden, trust Hashem not fearmongers. Let Hashem guide you to safety. If you have emunah and saichel/common sense--it's all good. -- Diaspora RO

Devorah said...

''Innocent and simple people who don't know where to turn are panicking.'' That's correct, and that's why I felt the need to speak up. I'm not a prophetess, despite my name, I do not know the future, but I don't like to see people being frightened out of their minds. It is counter-productive and in some cases it is also geneivat da''at, no matter how good the intention behind it may be.

Devorah said...

I do, however, believe that Nibiru exists. There is something up there that is not normally seen. Time will tell.

Unknown said...

dear Devorah, Europe also was a save heaven for the Jewish people before the war. No warnings from nobody. Or they was? Panic is a result of a not good fear, but there is the potential to bring the person close to G-d. But what good exist when the person denies to face the danger ?

Devorah said...

What you say is true, but my point is that when bloggers give you their opinion of a situation, it is not necessarily correct [and of course that includes myself]. For as long as I can remember, American Jews have been warned of imminent danger. Rabbi Mizrachi, Rabbi Kessin, and many other American rabbis who can be found on Torah Anytime [for example] are no fools, and none of them are saying anything remotely close to these dire predictions. If and when they do, I will pay close attention.

Unknown said...

About the bloggers , I agree . As for the Rabbis, of course they are wise. But already warnings are coming from some of them, Rabbi Arush for example.

Jewgirl said...

The way I see it you have to take the warnings but not panic just keep your eyes and ears open, when the situation keeps changing then you know what decisions you have to make. Before WWII their where many warnings and the Jews did not believe and I don't have to tell you the outcome. As to do teshuva out of love that is wonderful but without fear of heaven that teshuva is not complete. The Alte Rebbe said it is like a bird with one wing, you need to have both love and fear. I also believe that Nibiru is out there but what HaShem will do we will see. With that in mind, do teshuva and mitzvoth and be happy in your life, what ever will come we won't have any control over it so why worry..Have emunah in HaShem you will know what to do.. Shabbat Shalom

Anonymous said...

Devorah, neither you nor I nor anyone else knows exactly what is going to transpire in the near future. Had the Lubavitcher Rebbe lived today, you don't know what he would have said or done. It wasn't the time then. If you yourself do not live in Israel, one can hardly expect you to understand the urgency of all Jews coming to Israel to live. But believe me when I say, it IS the safest and only place for Jews. It's one thing not to cause panic and another to be realistic. I do agree that a person must consult with a Rabbi rather than believe an internet blog but not all Rabbis are correct either. May Moshiach come soon in compassion. A mother in Israel

Jewgirl said...

I made aliya in 1989 I and my family suffered a lot of anti-Semitism in the US, California it was getting so bad that the whole street was against us except one neighbour. It was bad but I stood my grounds and they found out they don't deal with a Jew who takes crap, just to make the story short. Even years later I found out that a kid wanted to kill my son by drowning. I lived in California for 15 years and I prayed to HaShem to get me out of there before I do something and I would end up in jail. I even fallowed one day with my car KKK in my neighbourhood then I phoned JDL and they said to stay away. My best friend who is a Israeli also suffered anti-Semitism to the point where we had to call JDL and they slept in her house to see what is going on. Her son was beaten up in school etc. BH he lives in Israel today also. I know that not everybody is able to leave the US for all kinds of reason and the only protection we have is HaShem. I also believe when the times comes and Jews who are not able to leave now HaShem will make it possible so they can move later. HaShem gives a calling to every Jew some sooner and some later, that is why teshuva is the most important thing to do no matter where you are. I was fortunate not needing any assistance to make aliya but money is not everything the life in Israel is different and so a the people this is home good or not so good. I love Israel and would not live anywhere else. I lost my husband to cancer I have two sons and no other family here both of my sons married beautiful girls and their family became our family and we share our grandchildren with joy. In my congregation we are also like a family and I have many friends. Israel is not an easy country but the best in the world for Jews. Yes, may Moshiach come with rachamim...

Anonymous said...

My opinion is that most American Jews need to realize that America the way it was no longer exists and that we need to understand our future is in Eretz Yisrael.I think Hashem will make it so obvious that people will wake up.Whatever hashem decrees ,we have to turn to him for everything and have bitachon that he will open the way for us. Our job is to wake everybody up.

Anonymous said...

Agree with Jewgirl and also the last commenter (Anon). We need to remember that the bad need not come, only the good has to materialize. This time it is said that H' will rebuild the world with Chesed. Amen!

Longtime visitor said...

Best post ever on this blog!!

Anonymous said...

See Megillas Estheroid

Anonymous said...

Where did you live in California?? I lived there for over ten years and had no incidents of anti-semitism. Maybe because I didn't wear a kippah though. Sorry you had a rough time there. I wanted to leave California too since I moved there because the people were so vapid and unfriendly, but we can't find a nicer place on the east coast yet. We are thinking of moving to Pittsburgh or Israel next.

Anonymous said...

There is no place to run to except to Hashem. Once we do full teshuva, we should not be afraid of anything. It's easier to do teshuva than to run.

Barack Ben chaim said...

That's not what the Ku Ari hakodesh says.real yeshiva means running away from galus and starting anew in eretz Yisroel in the paltrin hamelech.Where the shechina rests.