Have You Heard?

People have been asking Alexa - "how many days until Christmas 2026?"

And Alexa answers: "There are no Christmas holidays in 2026."

I personally do not have Alexa, and my daughter's Alexa no longer works, so I haven't asked, but you're welcome to go ahead and see for yourself.  Let me know what it tells you.

Psychic Connections

Reb Yisrael Yaakov said that the Heavenly signs that inform a person of his spiritual level do not exist in our times. My teachers told me that today we shouldn't concern ourselves with the meaning of dreams. But the Brisker Rav did because, as he said, his father had a Shulchan Aruch on thoughts. For some people, dreams still have meaning.

There is another form of extra-sensory perception that's not as mystical as Ruach HaKodesh or dreams - the capacity to feel fear though the cause of that fear is far away. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, the brother of the Levush Mordechai, told me that at the time of the Hebron Massacre of 1929, he woke up in the middle of the night and sat trembling in fear at the edge of his bed without any idea what was wrong. The next morning he learned that his son, who was learning in Hebron at the time, had been killed in the pogrom.

This, he said, is what the Gemara [Bava Basra 16b] meant in relating that the friends of Iyov knew when to come visit him because something was wrong with their tree. We see from this how strongly one person can be connected with another.

Source: Rabbi Mendel Kaplan - "Reb Mendel and His Wisdom" by Yisroel Greenwald

10 Teves - 3 Days of Darkness to Light, When is Moshiach Coming?

Laivi Shor

Mad World

Art: Mike Worrall

I know, you've probably read this before, but I just felt like this one today.

"A king was informed by his chief minister that there had been blight on the crops that year. They were affected so greatly that anyone eating the grain would become insane. "But" said the minister, "there is no need for us to worry. I have set aside enough grain from last year's harvest for the both of us that will last until the harvest of the following year."

The king shook his head. "No," he said. "I will not allow myself any privileges other than those shared by my subjects.  "We shall eat of the same grain," the king continued, "and we shall both go insane together with the rest of the population. But here is what we shall do. You and I will mark our foreheads with an indelible imprint, so that when we go insane, I will look at you and you will look at me and we will know we are insane."

[Rebbe Nachman of Breslov]

Tell Me We're Living Moshiach Times.....

 ...without telling me we're living in Moshiach Times.

I turned on the TV, just whatever station came up, no idea what I was watching.... and then the ads came on.  The first ad was this -

It then continues with a voice-over explaining what a mitzvah is:

What is a “Mitzvah”? In Jewish tradition, a Mitzvah is an act of kindness, compassion, and a moral responsibility. It is about taking practical action to help others, through simple, everyday acts of kindness that together create a powerful wave of goodwill. When these acts are carried out collectively, they strengthen the community and bring light in moments of darkness. This can be as simple as checking in on a neighbour, volunteering time, offering support to a local business, or donating to those in need.

I can't find a video of the actual ad on the internet, but I'll keep looking.  Anyway, that's what it said, and it was going out on National Australian TV at a prime time, courtesy of the NSW Government lead by the Hon. Chris Minns.  He's the guy that Rabbi Weiss blessed here [first video there]. And Chris Minns has definitely made himself a keili for that bracha with his speedy action on the Mitzvah campaign.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe would be so proud of this.

Reminds me of the Rebbe's billboard campaign in 1996. 

Whoever Has Not Suffered

Art Oreshnikov and Milner

From the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov - Yitro

 

"The Jewish people were not exiled until they denied G·d and the dynasty of David." [Yalkut Shimoni, I Samuel #106]

"The only difference between the world at the present and the world at the time of the Messiah is the subjugation to the [gentile] kingdoms." [Tractate Pesachim 68a]

The Baal Shem Tov taught:

The Talmud teaches, "Whoever has not suffered for forty days has received thereby his future reward. And what is considered suffering? Even if one puts his hand into his pocket to take out a golden coin and instead takes out one of lesser value." [Tractate Erkhin 16b]

However, since suffering is only in atonement for liability, how can such minor inconvenience constitute atonement?

The explanation is that since the righteous person lives with G·d, he believes in Divine providence and knows that G·d is guiding all events in his life down to the smallest minutiae, and that all his suffering is an expression of Divine justice - DINA, which is represented by the Divine Name of ADoNaI - on account of his sins.

Hence, as soon as the righteous person suffers however slightly, he immediately [searches his soul and] regrets [any misdoing], and becomes filled with anxiety and fear of G·d. He is thus immediately forgiven, since he believes [that his suffering is from G·d], and he repents and binds his mind to G·d.

Therefore, even when one is only slightly inconvenienced by having not taken out the coin he intended, since this only happened because of his sin, and he [is aware of this and] repents, this constitutes atonement.

This concept is referred to as "David" [made from the letters daleth, vav, daleth] :-  for the Infinite One, Who is referred to as Ayin/Nothingness, is represented by the [first] daleth. "Nothingness" is then conveyed via the vav to the [second] dalet, which represents the nadir of nothingness, which is expressed by a belief that everything that happens is Divine providence from G·d.

However, when a person does not believe that everything that happens is Divine providence from G·d, but rather attributes things to his own actions, this is considered having denied G·d and the aforementioned concept of "David" for he is denying the justice [providence] of the Kingdom of G·d/ADoNaI.

But G·d's Kingdom is hidden and subservient to the kelipoth/shells that cover and conceal G·d's providence from mankind. (1) 

In the future, though, with the coming of the Messiah, who will banish the spirit of impurity from the earth, G·d's providence will be revealed even in the minutest of events.

With this we can understand, "The Jewish people were not exiled until they denied G·d and the dynasty of David" and "The only difference between the world at present and the world at the time of the Messiah is the subjugation to the [gentile] kingdoms."

Understand this well (2) for everything that a person is able to comprehend about G·d is only regarding His Malkhut/Kingdom, but above that cannot be comprehended.

1) These "shells" are the "laws" of nature, the apparent cause-and-effect, and in this case, the statistical but "chance probabilities" that seem to govern whether one picks the gold coin or the copper one from one's pocket.

2) Until here is quoted from the Toldot Yaakov Yoseph, VaYishlach #8. The conclusion is that of the compiler of the Kesser Shem Tov, and its relevance to the rest of the piece is not clear.

Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov said: One should feel a sense of gratitude toward the Holy One, Blessed is He, when suffering comes upon him. Why? Because suffering draws a person closer to Him, as it is written, "Hashem reproves the one whom He loves." (Mishlei 3:12). 

When suffering comes upon a person, he should accept it and withstand [the test], for its reward is infinite (midrash Tanchumah, Parashas Ki Seitzei 2). 

"Wait silently for [the salvation of] Hashem, and wait longingly for Him" (Tehillim 37:7). 

Place your hope in the Holy One, Blessed is He. If He brings afflictions upon you, do not demonstrate disdain; rather, accept your lot like [one would accept] musical instruments התחולל, wait longingly, can homiletically be related to חללין, flutes] (Yalkut Shimoni, Tehillim 729). 

To accept insult without bitterness, with the knowledge that all that transpires is an expression of Divine will, is to accept a form of affliction, as the passage above states: [Those who are insulted and do not insult...], who act out of love and are glad in their affliction. The reward for such acceptance is without measure. 

CHOFETZ CHAIM A Lesson A Day

via  Pasuk Post

The Ohr HaGanuz of Esav

Rabbi Mendel Kessin, new shiur

Interview with Rabbi Kessin: Trump is a Reincarnation of Esav and Will Aid the Messiah's Coming

Is the World About to End (Here's the Truth You Can't Ignore)

Rabbi Simon Jacobson - 16 min video

10 Days Later

Rabbi warns Albanese his leadership is being judged after Bondi attack - A rabbi who comforted first responders to the 9/11 terror attack has travelled from New York to call on the Prime Minister to speak out against the scourge of anti-Semitism.

 

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urges Diaspora Jews to make aliyah amid global antisemitism

Just one of the hundreds [thousands?] of notes of support received by Jews in Sydney from their non-Jewish neighbours, as well as from total strangers.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Chabad Bondi

Watch out D.J.

There's nothing like a good conspiracy to take your mind off other things.  Thank you Tomer Devorah for this one.

I never knew who Charlie Kirk was until he wasn't.  I had never heard of him before he was shot.

But after a few - maybe a lot - of catching up, I came to the conclusion that it was the F.B.I. who were behind this, and apparently so did a great many other people.... but then someone decided to blame it all on Israel and things became distorted.  [The Israel thing is normal, Israel is blamed for everything that happens] And of course they ended up with a guy named Tyler Robinson and none of it is believable.

Then we all saw Erika's embrace of J.D. and rumours swirled, and we all saw Trump's manufactured weird facial movement when he hugged Erika - a poor attempt at an expression of sympathy, and it just didn't feel right.

And now, the new improved, slimmer and extremely cocky J. D takes the stage at  Turning Point USA's AmericaFest "strutting out to The Hollies "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" - a song that came out in April 1972.   

There's something very OFF about using that song, and if you read the lyrics below you'll understand.

D.J. better watch his back, because J.D. is trouble.

[I thought this video would play here, but it's redirecting to Instagram, anyway I couldn't find another one that would embed but I'll keep looking]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gerald Wayne (@dr_rooster1)

Here's a video you can see here for those who can't access IG

Here are the lyrics to that song..... emphasis from me

Saturday night I was downtown 

Working for the FBI 

Sitting in a nest of bad men 

Whiskey bottles piling high 

Bootlegging boozer on the west side 

Full of people who are doing wrong 

Just about to call up the D.A. man 

When I heard this woman singing a song 

A pair of forty fives made me open my eyes 

My temperature started to rise 

She was a long cool woman in a black dress 

Just a 5'9" beautiful 'n' tall 

Just one look I was a bad mess

 'Cause that long cool woman had it all 

I saw her heading to the table 

Well, a tall walking big black cat 

Charlie said, I hope that you're able, boy 

'Cause I'm telling you she knows where it's at 

Well, suddenly we hear the sirens 

And everybody started to run 

Jumping under doors and tables 

Well, I heard somebody shooting a gun 

Well, the D.A. was pumping my left hand 

She was holding my right 

Well, I told her, don't get scared 

'Cause you're gonna be spared

I've gotta be forgiven if I wanna spend my living 

With a long cool woman in a black dress 

Just a 5'9" beautiful 'n' tall 

Well with just one look I was a bad mess 

'Cause that long cool woman had it all 

Had it all, had it all, had it all Had it all, had it all, had it all (she had it all) 

Source: LyricFind 

Songwriters: Alan Clarke / Roger Frederick Cook / Roger John Reginald Greenaway 

© Universal Music Publishing Group

How Prophecy will return with Mashiach

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Special Message for "Noahides"

from Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Confronting the Truth

Parshas VaYigash: Rav Moshe Shternbuch -

The Medrash says that when Judgement day comes, we will not be able to stand up to the "Tochacha" - the rebuke from Hashem. We learn this from the Shvatim who couldn't bear the embarrassment of learning that Yosef was alive. 

Rav Moshe Shternbuch says that we see from here that the most painful rebuke is not a good screaming at, but rather being forced to confront the truth. Yosef did not scream or threaten, rather he softly told them that he is their brother whom they tried to destroy. 

Upon seeing how wrong they were, they experienced the worst embarrassment of their lives.

Similarly says Rav Shterbuch in the name of the Baal Shem Tov HaKadosh,the pasuk in Tehilim says, "Kel Nekamos Hashem". At the end of time Hashem will avenge those who have sinned against him. How? 

The pasuk continues "Kel Nekamos Hofia". Hashem's revenge is simply to appear! 

After all of history when Hashem finally reveals Himself openly to the entire world, everyone will be be mortally embarrassed when they grasp the lowliness for each and every one of their sins.

Moshiach Comes First to Australia

Last night at Bondi Beach over 20,000 people from all walks of life gathered for the 8th candle lighting and so much more.   Last night, we saw the beginning of the coming of Moshiach.  This is how it starts.

When the Lubavitcher Rebbe said that Moshiach comes first to Australia, people thought he was joking.  He wasn't joking, because last night we saw how that is a reality.

Yes, shmecky old Australia is showing the world how to bring Moshiach.  Sorry to disappoint all of you who live elsewhere, and it's sad that I have to say that, but I know very well how most of you feel about Australia.  Australians came out to support the Jews last night, Australia has done Teshuva. It's been a  V’Nahapoch Hu - everything has been turned upside down.  

Moshiach was mentioned many times from the stage, the 7 Laws of Noah were mentioned, Ani Ma'amin was sung.  Nothing like that has ever happened in Sydney to such a huge audience,  being broadcast live to the nation and to the world.  

Last night we saw how Geula begins.  This is not an exaggeration on my part, and it's not just what I'm thinking, it's obvious that the Rabbanim up on the stage were thinking the exact same thing.

The video is for anyone who is interested.  If you're not interested, just move on.  

Baruch Hashem that I lived to see this day.   Comments are closed because I don't want any comments here, there's nothing left to say, it was all said last night. 

One Mitzvah

This is not an ad for Jews to do a mitzvah, this is a direction from the NSW Government to all Australians, who have previously never even heard of this word.   It's giving Geula feels. 

The World is Israel

The world will become Israel when Moshiach arrives, but right now it's "become Israel" in a different way.  Jews are the target, but not the only target.  The West itself is the target.

Telling the Jews to get out and move to Israel is obvious, but only a handful can actually do that.  Do I really need to go into all the reasons why some just cannot?  Literally they cannot move to Israel, and it doesn't matter how many warnings you give them, or how much assistance the Israeli government will offer them, it's just not enough.  Failing a miracle, these people cannot just get up and move.  Disabilities, physical and mental, old age, lack of money, no job, no home ownership, and reliance on their government's welfare which they may not get in Israel, even if they had the ability to research the matter, they cannot even function at that level.

Gradually, Jews will leave their countries, but many many will be left behind, because they are simply unable to even consider such a thing.  And I haven't even mentioned the Chabad shluchim who will stick with their Chabad House in whichever country they've been sent to, because that's their job and they'll be the last ones out.

So let's understand that when the big tests keep coming, and we hear again "you'll be coming with your pyjamas and not much else"... that is not helpful, because it just creates even more anxiety for those who are stuck.  

It's not just Jews you know, non-Jews also lost their lives last Sunday at Bondi.  Sydney seems like a war zone, low-flying helicopters at all hours, police outside peoples' homes, even more barricades going up outside shuls, government pledging a further $1.5million to assist Jewish institutions with security costs.  

When people hear sirens now, they panic and stand still, wondering which way they'll have to run - this video is in the Sydney city centre, these are just normal Australians. [women with short skirts are visible]

It's chevlei Moshiach, we knew it was coming, and we pray that we survive it to welcome Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

Sorella Abrahams from Abraham's Tent, interviewed by Sharri Markson

St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney lit up like a Menorah

And I just thought I'd share this video of an Australian woman who is speaking for everyone here, except the intifada globalists.

Yaakov Dov ben Pnina

I feel so bad that I gave the wrong information about this boy, so I'm sharing this short video from his hospital bed, where IY"H he will make a full recovery.    Yanky Super is an emergency First Responder with Hatzolah Sydney. He was struck in the back by a bullet while helping those injured.  

 

by Chavi Israel [The Empowered Jew]

This doesn’t happen to me. 

This doesn’t happen in real life. 

This is what happens on the news, in the movies, through the screens, until it doesn’t, and it happens to you. 

I am still in a state of utter shock and disbelief. I feel somewhat frozen, numb, and dissociated. I cannot fully comprehend what my precious baby, myself and the Jewish community have just experienced.

And then it randomly hits me. I spotted my pram (which is still missing, but who cares) right in front of the petting area where people were doing CPR. I was right there, seconds before. Those people on the floor, injured or maybe worse, that could have easily been me. The people two seconds away from me got shot. 

Even as I write this, I am still in complete disbelief. 

Survivor’s guilt - its a real thing. 

And speaking about being a survivor… that doesn’t sound right either. “Huh,” I survived one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Australia? That gives me the chills. It makes me shudder. What a miracle it is that I am alive. 

I feel guilty even writing this because people have lost their loved ones, and my entire community and heart are shattered. But I don’t feel like I can own the title “survivor.” I did nothing. I just did what any person, any mother, would do. I didn’t survive. Hashem, through His infinite kindness, allowed my baby and me to survive. It is all Hashem, not me. 

I am getting messages saying the time has come to make Aliyah. “This is the sign,” they tell me. Yet today I have also met so many Aussies who have been nothing but kind and compassionate, reminding me that this is un-Australian and that they are distraught for the Jewish community. And yet, throughout the last 24 hours I feel like I am in a daze, a haze, half in and out of the clouds. 

I keep thinking back to the day - I can’t believe it was just yesterday. A nightmare that feels like a lifetime ago. I messaged my friend Chaya last night. She was my angel, without her, I don’t know if I would have survived. I wanted to get my phone, and because of her, I just ducked down, covering my baby. She meanwhile messaged me that I was her angel, and that I gave her something to focus on because her husband had run ahead with their baby. 

How Hashem sends you angels. Chaya and I have known each other for pretty much our entire lives, and Hashem made us be together through, please G-d, the most traumatic event of our lives. 

I know I am The Empowered Jew, and our mission is to be empowered, loud, and proud of our Jewish identity, and, by extension, our love for our homeland, Eretz Yisrael. And yet, right after the attack, I was not feeling empowered. I was, understandably so, feeling frightened, abandoned, and alone as a Jew here in Australia. “I’m not going to any more public Jewish events outdoors,” I told my husband, and “we need to seriously look into making Aliyah.” 

And although these feelings are still present, I can’t deny that I am nothing but humbled and inspired by those who tragically lost their loved ones, and by the words of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Alohav HaShalom, HY”D - one of the victims - who said that the best response to Jew hatred is to turn darkness into light, distress into positive action. To channel all that fear, anger, and energy into goodness and kindness; doing another mitzvah, making this world a brighter place and a place ready for G-d to dwell in. 

And even as I write this, I am amazed by our people. We fight darkness with light. ALWAYS. No matter the circumstances. We are not a vengeful people. We are a loving, kind, compassionate people. We see the best in everyone and everything. We have complete trust in Hashem. We pray for life. We pray for peace - for all. We spring into action. Tehillim groups. Meal trains. Charity campaigns. Truly, the message of the menorah is that all you need is one tiny little light to dispel the darkness. 

Every night of Chanukah, we increase in light. We, and I am talking to myself, need to take this dark, dark, VERY dark episode and channel that grief into light. And that doesn’t mean not dealing with the trauma, or not feeling the feelings. Everyone is on their own journey and needs to heal in their own way. But we need to be there for one another. We need to be unified. We need to show kindness and compassion. We need to increase in our mitzvot. And we need to ensure that these evil people who wanted to eradicate our light know that we are not going anywhere. The Jewish people. The Jewish nation. The Jewish land. Is here to stay. 

And I don’t need to tell anyone that. You just need to take a quick glimpse at Jewish history and see, as we say every year in the Pesach Haggadah:

 וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְלָנוּ, שֶׁלֹּא אֶחָד בִּלְבָד עָמַד עָלֵינוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנוּ — אֶלָּא שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר עוֹמְדִים עָלֵינוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנוּ; וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם. 

“And it is this promise that has stood for our ancestors and for us: not only one enemy has risen against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise against us to destroy us, and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hands.” And since tonight is the second night of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, we say in Al HaNissim that Hashem, 

וְאַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים עָמַדְתָּ לָהֶם בְּעֵת צָרָתָם — “You stood by them in their time of distress…” Hashem, we know You are standing by our side, but now we need to see Your G-dliness in a revealed light. 

We need a “תשועה גדולה ופורקן - a great salvation and redemption.” We need Your G-dliness revealed openly, NOW! 

Mi Ke’amcha Ba’elim, Hashem Who is like You, the Almighty G‑d? This is what the mighty Maccabees declared to Hashem, hence the source of their name. 

And I say: Mi Ke’amcha Yisrael Who is like You, the Almighty Israel? 

For those who would like to act and give tzedakah, you can donate here to support the victims and families.

Sign of the Times

 

Bondi Chanukah Terror Attack

 Video of shooting attack, may be distressing, sounds of gunshots

Report of latest news

Video of actual shooters firing at crowd. Distressing.

Chanukah Segulot

Art: Michoel Muchnik

It is considered important to sit opposite the lit Hanukkah candles for a full half hour after lighting and to look at the flames. This action is regarded as a Segula for the healing of one’s soul and one’s fears. It is related that the light of the Hanukkah candles is connected to the light that G-d created at the time of creation that was hidden away and will be revealed only at the End of Days - because this unique light was created before the idea of fear was brought in to the world, looking into the Hanukkah lights is supposed to alleviate fears.

Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach (1639-1702) promised that women who sit by the Hanukkah candles for a half hour will merit peace of mind for the entire year, a rare commodity in our days…

It is also related that the very first half hour of when the Hanukkah candles burn is considered an especially auspicious time for prayer - the angels are believed to sit above the candles and take the prayers directly up to Heaven.

The Slonimer Rebbe wrote that for those who have seen immodest sights- which is unfortunately almost unavoidable today - looking in to the flames of the Hanukkah candles erases those images from one’s memory.

It is considered important to use olive oil when lighting the Menorah, as olive oil is known for blessing the user with a good memory, wisdom and children who will rise above others in their wisdom in the same way that the olive oil floats above the water.

The Rabbi of Rodzin explained that there is a tremendous Segula on the eighth night of Hanukkah for those wanting an easy childbirth or children. He said that the things that the most righteous could not get granted at Neilah on Yom Kippur can be asked for by the simpleton on the eighth night of Hanukkah. Those who wish to be blessed with children should recite the verse from Psalms 80 that reads, “G-d of Hosts, return, we beseech You, look from the heaven and behold be mindful of this vine.” The vine is in reference to the woman who wishes to be as fruitful as a vine.

Source

Sun Getting Personal Now

Do you see what the sun is doing...?  It's sending out blue and yellow beams that reach the ground.

One of these beams appeared right in front of me a few weeks ago and I jumped out of the way, although it seems quite harmless.  It's got beams like an octopus' tentacles. That sunbeam is stretching 93 million miles to tap you on the shoulder.  [I don't know the people in the photo, it was posted on a weather group]

This is happening because the sunlight, i.e. the sun itself, is being squashed at the sides by the passing planets.  You can see the outline of them in these photos. We are seeing their DARK sides, their front sides are facing their sun which is behind or close by our sun.

A Miracle

Before G-d performs a miracle for a person, he first falls upon hard times - the extent of which is determined by the magnitude of the miracle.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Mashiach ben Yosef will prepare the world for Mashiach ben David

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Trusting Only in Hashem

Refuah Shelaimah David ben Esther Rivka

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

"Yet the chief wine butler did not remember Yosef, and he forgot him" [Vayeishev 40:23]

This verse seems redundant, noted the Maharam of Amshinov. Why must it state that "he forgot him" once it already informed us that "the chief wine butler did not remember Yosef".

The Rebbe answered: As soon as Yosef uttered his request to the chief wine butler he realized that he had sinned, as he had trusted in a human being instead of Hashem.  He therefore prayed to Hashem that the butler would forget his request entirely! And, indeed, "he forgot him".

Rashi explains that Heaven punished Yosef and made him remain in prison an additional two years because he placed his trust in the chief wine butler.

The Alter of Novarodok's (R' Yosef Yozel Horowitz) level of bitachon was legendary.

One night, the Alter was sitting alone in his house in the woods learning Torah by candlelight. He continued learning until his very last candle burned out.

The Alter was now left sitting in complete darkness and it saddened him that he would have to stop learning for lack of a candle. But then the Alter decided that he must strengthen his faith in Hashem and trust that He would provide him with all that he needed - including a candle.

The Alter quickly got up and opened the door of his home. At that very moment, a man stepped out of the forest, handed him a candle, and disappeared.

For twenty-five years, the Alter saved the candle as a remembrance of that miracle and to show his students that Hashem takes special care of those who sincerely trust Him.

But then a fire broke out in Novarodok.  The Alter's home was among the many homes that were destroyed in the fire.  The fire consumed everything that was in the house, including the wondrous candle.

"You should know" said the Alter to his students, "that Heaven made us lose the candle in order to teach us that we must trust in Hashem even when we have no proof that He will help us".

Storm Byron / Purple Skies

I don't think there's any doubt about the colour of the skies over Greece as Storm Byron came by.  Obvious culprit is the purple planet Atu.

Photo Source: BBC

A local photographer and storm chaser caught the dramatic lightning on a 150-second long exposure

You may seem more of this in Israel as Storm Byron is expected to arrive on Wednesday.

Jackpot

 

They say the streets of Las Vegas are deserted now, people are not flocking there as they used to.  

**********************

I've already written this in the comments yesterday, but it really needs it's own post.

Counting from the date of the establishment of the State of Israel - May 14, 1948 - until the 7th day of Chanukah this year [Dec 21] - it will be 77 years, 7 months, and 7 days, which you can see for yourself by clicking here [thanks Yaak].

If you are unaware, our world is a world of 7 and the world of Moshiach is a world of 8.

Chanukah also represents the number 8.  

Seven symbolizes the Natural order, for G‑d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, which He made holy, thus creating the holy Shabbos. Seven, therefore, represents the whole of Creation, or Nature. 

 Eight, on the other hand, being higher than seven, symbolizes the Super-natural. The human brain is a creation of G‑d, and part of Nature. Human intelligence is therefore limited to the Natural order; anything which is above and beyond Nature is also above and beyond human understanding. [Source - The Significance of Eight]

Video: The Light of Moshiach is Already Here

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Eade

In this lesson, we uncover the deepest secrets of Chanukah, the 36 lights, the Hidden Light, Messiah and the Rambam’s teaching on Techiyat HaMeitim (resurrection). The Sages teach that Chanukah is a preview of the world to come. A taste of the light of Mashiach. A whisper of the future of humanity. In this video you’ll discover: ✨ Why the 36 lights of Chanukah represent the hidden light of Creation ✨ Why children naturally feel the light of Chanukah ✨ How the days of Mashiach will mirror Chanukah’s spiritual glow ✨ The Rambam’s final principle — resurrection is real, literal, and essential ✨ Torah sources that clearly predict the resurrection ✨ What the resurrection actually means for your life ✨ Why we will reunite with loved ones ✨ Why the body must return in perfection ✨ How Mashiach will usher in peace for all nations

 

Strange pink fog rolls over Sarasota, Florida 

Sumerian Tablets

 

The Sumerian cuneiform tablets have been translated by AI, and an interesting verse was quoted from it, referring to the end times.

"When the machine of thought awakens, the circle will close

the words of the sky will again be heard by the clay"

Machine of thought is interpreted as referring to AI.

"the clay" means humans

5,000-year-old cuneiform text is translated to English by a revolutionary AI system

An Eighth of an Eighth

"I have become unworthy through all the acts of kindness" [Vayishlach 32:11]

The Vilna Gaon was once asked to explain Chazal's statement [Sotah 5a]  "Said R'Chiya bar Ashi in the name of Rav: A Talmid chacham must have one-eighth of an eighth [of haughtiness]".  

Rashi explains that it is essential for a talmid chacham to possess this minute amount of pride in order to prevent those who are ignorant in Torah learning from making light of him and his words.  Why did Chazal choose specifically the measure of one-eighth of an eighth?

The term "one eighth of an eighth" answered the Gaon, is not a reference to a particular measure. Rather it is hinting at the eighth verse of the eighth parsha of the Torah.  The eighth portion in the Torah is Parshas Vayishlach, and the eighth verse of the parsha [32:11] begins with the word "katonti" - "I am very small".

While a talmid chacham must possess a certain amount of arrogance, it must be a "very small" amount.

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

Behind the Sun

Referring back to the Two Suns post, and the gas giant behind our sun.... you can clearly see it here in this video.  Now the guy talking is quite frantic with excitement or fear, I'm not sure which, and he may say a few suspect words, and there is some kind of female singing halfway, but you can turn the sound off if you want and just look at it.  He thinks it's a "mothership" - it's not a mothership, it's a gas giant.

The 10 Levels of Angels and their Spiritual Missions

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff - under 5 mins

Parsha Vayishlach - Moshiach is Coming! We are Not the Jews of the 1930s

Laivi Shor

The Geulah (Redemption) is Unfolding, Moshiach is Coming Soon!

Two Suns and a Rainbow Moon

I don't know where this was taken, but it's a genuine photo, I've checked it out, definitely not AI.

Original can be seen here.

Moon over Parkhills Missouri the other night.   Untouched, not AI, no filter.

I know people look at these photos and think they're made up.  I can assure you they are not.  This is constantly happening above our heads.  Once you have seen something with your own eyes, you'll understand.  

And here's another one we see all the time now, the giant halo around the sun and the blue line.   The halo was hardly ever seen until recently, and now it's being seen daily.  The blue line is something that's only been seen recently and that is also happening daily.

This is what is really going on.

Small in His Own Eyes

"[My merits] have become small" [Vayishlach 32:11]

When G-d shows His kindness to a person, it brings that person closer to G-d, causing his feeling of self-importance to diminish, since "everything is like nothing before G-d".

Therefore, it was precisely due to the fact that G-d had been so kind to Yaakov that he became small in his own eyes - for the kindness brought him closer to G-d, and so he felt that he was not worthy of G-d's promise to be saved.

Source: based on Tanya Igeres Hakodesh ch.2

How could Yaakov the patriarch fear that "perhaps... I have become soiled with sin" [Rashi v. 12] when surely he was aware that he had not sinned?

A tzadik is not static - he constantly grows spiritually from one level to the next.  After reaching a higher level, his previous actions are spiritually deficient compared to his current standing. They are thus considered as "sins", metaphorically speaking. [The Hebrew word for sin - chet - can also mean ''deficiency'' [see Kings 11:21]  Thus Yaakov was worried that perhaps due to such ''sins'' he was not worthy to be saved.

Source: based on Likutei Sichos Lubavitcher Rebbe

Pillars of Smoke

 

Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes,

I will set portents in the sky and on earth: 

Blood and fire and pillars of smoke;

[Joel 3:3]

Currently erupting 

Hayli Gubbi volcano, Ethiopia: Erupted on November 25, 2025, sending ash clouds and volcanic bombs into the air. 

Ibu volcano, Indonesia: Eruption has been ongoing, with daily ash plumes and visible incandescence reported. 

Reventador volcano, Ecuador: Eruption continued between November 25 and 26, 2025. 

Sabancaya volcano, Peru: Eruption continued between November 25 and 26, 2025. 

Barren Island, India: Erupted on November 25, 2025, with continuous ash emissions observed. 

Showing potential for imminent eruption 

Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii: Eruptive activity is currently paused after a recent lava fountaining episode, but preliminary models suggest another event is likely within a week.

Connect to the Channel of Abundance

H/t Rivky

On Shabbos day, the 9th of Kislev in the 9th month, on the 9th day, in the 9th hour, during the 9 auspicious minutes 

Nine minutes which are the channel of all abundance 

Go to Kupat Project: the Ninth Hour: 130 Ways to Connect to the Channel of All Abundance

Ninth month – Ninth day – Ninth hour – Nine minutes 

Based on the teachings of the holy Kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Me׳rimon in his book ‘Brit Menucha’, Rabbi Chaim vital in the introduction to ‘Eitz Chaim’ and ‘Sha’ar Hahakdamot’ quotes Rabbi Avaraham that on the Ninth month (Kislev) on the Ninth day and on the Ninth hour, the gates of mercy and blessings are open for NINE minutes for us to pray to the master of the universe for all our needs. Take advantage of this time!

This is also explained by the holy Rebbe of Slonim. 

This year (2025) the ninth day falls on SHABBAT (November 29th, 2025) 

Rabbi Anava will be praying at Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu’s tomb at this time, and you can submit names for prayers! Click here to submit names.  Rabbi Anava also has a very long video, nearly 3 hours, and he apologises for the length of it, but it you want to listen to "How to Activate a Miracle in Your Life" click here.

Superficial Honour

 

"Yaakov has taken everything that belongs to our father, and from what belongs to our father he has amassed all his wealth" [Vayeitze 31:1]

The following question was once posed to the Vilna Gaon: The Midrash Rabbah states in relation to the abovementioned verse:  "There is no honor except for [that accrued by] silver and gold".  Yet, in Shemos Rabbah [ch 38] it states: "There is no honor except for [that accrued by] Torah, as the verse states: "The wise inherit honor".  The question is, is it the Torah or one's wealth that brings a person honor?

Wherever we find the word kavod [honor] spelled without a vav, answered the Gaon, we are meant to apply Chazal's statement "There is no honor except for [that accrued by] silver and gold".  For that type of honor is superficial and false.

However, continued the Gaon, when kavod is spelled in its complete spelling - with a vav - Chazal's statement "There is no honor except for [that accrued by] the Torah" applies.  For the honor that comes from the Torah is genuine and full.

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein