Trump's Huge Mistake: The Messianic Process Continues

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

The Traditions of Shavuot

Text: Rabbi David Hanania Pinto

There exist numerous and varied customs regarding the holiday of Shavuot, ones that we will cite and expand upon below. 

Decorating the Synagogue and the Home 

On Shavuot people usually decorate the synagogue and their homes with greenery and flowers, and they also place trees in synagogue [Rema 494]. The Mishnah Berurah [494 al. 10] states that we do this in order to remember that we are judged with regards to the fruit harvest. The Vilna Gaon annulled this custom because it is similar to the customs of non-Jews. However many poskim have written that there is no reason to take this into account, for our custom has a reason behind it and has spread to Jewish communities everywhere [Da’at Torah 494]. We must simply be careful not to pluck branches from fruit-bearing trees, for some believe that doing so constitutes a transgression of the verse, “You shall not destroy its trees” [Devarim 20:19]. The Ya’avetz described the reason for this custom in the following way: It is done in memory of the giving of the Torah, which took place on a verdant mountain. This is why we use many trees and all kinds of fragrant flowers to rejoice in this great day. The Milin Chadetin states that Moshe was born on Adar 7, and the Torah states: “She hid him for three months” [Shemot 2:2] – until Sivan 6 – at which point “she placed it among the reeds” [v.3], meaning the reeds and greenery that we display in memory of the miracles that were performed for Moshe. The Bnei Issachar states that the customs of the Jewish people must be considered as Torah, and they prepare roses and other greenery on Shavuot in accordance with the following words of the Midrash: “The matter may be compared to the case of a king who had an orchard planted with one row of fig-trees, one of vines, one of pomegranates, and one of apples. He entrusted it to a tenant and went away. Some time later, the king came and looked at the orchard to ascertain what it had yielded. He found it full of thorns and briars, so he brought woodcutters to raze it. He looked closely at the thorns and noticed among them a single, rose-colored flower. He smelled it and his spirits were calmed. The king said, ‘The whole orchard shall be saved because of this flower.’ In a similar manner, the whole world was created only for the sake of the Torah” [Vayikra Rabba 28:3]. 

Studying Torah on the Night of Shavuot 

Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah states: In the Arvit prayer of Shavuot, we recite the Ahavat Olam blessing with great joy because it is on this day that Hashem chose our forefathers and sanctified them by a Torah of truth and righteous laws. Let us therefore rejoice in our G-d, in His Torah and mitzvot, and may we be careful not to eat excessively on that night, that we may recite the Tikkun. Immediately after reciting Birkat Hamazon, we should quickly make our way to the Beit HaMidrash, without losing a single moment in mundane conversation. The Ya’avetz states that those who stay awake on that night should not involve themselves in useless pursuits. There is no place for joking around or having lighthearted conversations on that night, for in such a case it would be better for them – and everyone else – to have slept. The Pele Yoetz states that the Tikkun on the night of Shavuot effects a great repair for the damage caused by a person looking at forbidden things, as well as by what a person damages by a few nights of working and anger, for he was awake to disturb his Creator by his laughing, lightheartedness, and other detrimental things. 

Milk Products 

The Rema states [494:3] that in certain places people customarily eat milk products on the first day of Shavuot. The reason behind this is for people to take two kinds of food, much like on the night of Passover when we mention both the Passover and Chagigah offerings. Similarly, on Shavuot we eat milk products first and then meat. [See Mishnah Berurah ibid., which explains the remarks of the Rema.] 

The Mishnah Berurah gives a second reason for this custom by citing the words of a great Torah figure, who said that when the Children of Israel stood before Mount Sinai, they received the Torah and went back to their dwellings. However upon returning, they did not find anything to eat other than milk products, for it took a great deal of effort to prepare meat. They had to slaughter an animal with a knife that had been checked, the forbidden fat on the animal had to be removed, and the meat had to be salted and cooked in a new vessel, since the vessels they had used up to that point were now forbidden. This is why they decided to eat milk products. 

A third reason for this custom is given in the Kolbo: In certain places people customarily eat milk and honey because the Torah is compared to these things, as it is written: “Honey and milk are under your tongue” [Shir HaShirim 4:11]. 

A fourth reason is cited by the Magen Avraham: According to the Zohar, for the Children of Israel these seven weeks were like the seven days of a woman’s purification. We know that blood is transformed into milk, meaning that it goes from the color of strict justice (red) to the color of mercy (white). Now the customs of our forefathers must be considered as Torah. 

Mateh Moshe cites a fifth reason: The Torah alludes to the fact that people ate milk products on Shavuot, as it states: Mincha Chadasha L’Hashem B’Shavuotaychem [“A new meal offering to Hashem in your feast of weeks” – Bamidbar 28:26], the initials of which form the word M’chalav (“from milk”). 

Sixth reason: When the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to give the Torah to Israel, the ministering angels wanted to keep it in Heaven. Hashem said to them: When you descended to visit Abraham, you ate milk and meat, as it is written: “He took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared” [Bereshith 18:8]. When a child of theirs returns from school and his mother gives him a meat sandwich and some milk, the child replies: Today our rabbi taught us, “You shall not cook a kid in its mother’s milk.” From here we conclude that by the merit of the warning against mixing meat and milk, Hashem rejected the arguments of the angels. This warning earned us the giving of the Torah, hence we eat milk on Shavuot to demonstrate how careful we are to separate milk from meat. 

Seventh reason: The word chalav (milk) has a numerical value of 40, alluding to the Torah that was given in 40 days. The importance of Torah is such that all the good things of the earth are worthless in comparison to it. To demonstrate how much they love Torah, the Children of Israel adopted the practice of eating milk products, which alludes to this idea. – 

Sources: Rema 494; Magen Avraham al. 6; Mishnah Berurah ibid.; Beit Halevi, Yitro; Baer Heitev 494; Sefer Nezirut Shimshon; Kovetz Mivakshei Torah, par. 187; Sefer HaToda’ah.

Shavuot and Mashiach

This is a very short video. The Rebbe is speaking in Yiddish, with English translation already on the video, you will probably need to enlarge the video to read the text clearly.

"Every aspect of Matan Torah is associated with the true and complete Redemption."

Shavuot begins this Thursday night.

"A Process of Redemption"

Not sure how I missed this one.... PM Netanyahu's remarks at the Festive Event at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva, Marking 59 Years since the Unification of Jerusalem.

And I want to add regarding Rabbi Kook's teachings: This is the Torah of the Land of Israel at its best. Rabbi Kook understood a fundamental thing: The Torah that was shaped in the Diaspora is important, but in its character, it addresses the individual, the community. In the Land of Israel, he understood, we need a renewal of Torah: A Torah that addresses all parts of the nation. A Torah that is required for national challenges. A Torah that is connected to Zionism, to the ingathering of the exiles, to security, to settlement, to economy, to education, to culture. A Torah that gives strength to deal with the difficulties, out of the understanding that we are in a process of redemption! Nothing less than that, a process of redemption, as the prophets prophesied. As we came here for the ingathering of exiles to redeem our people, to ensure the eternity of Israel.

Read the whole thing here.

Soul Searching

"A man or woman who distinguishes himself (or herself) by taking a Nazirite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem" [Naso 6:2]

Rashi asks "Why was the Torah portion of the nazir put adjacent to the portion of the sotah (a woman who deviated from moral behaviour)? To tell you that anyone who sees a sotah in her disgrace should take upon himself to abstain from wine [by becoming a nazir]."

Whenever a person sees something improper, he must think: "Why has Heaven shown this impure thing to me?" He must do some serious soul-searching and attempt to strengthen himself in his Divine service.

R' Yisrael Salanter once caught a bad cold. The first day of his illness, he spent the entire day worrying.

"Why is the Rav so worried?" asked one of his close disciples. "Baruch Hashem, it's just a cold and it will not pose any serious threat to your health."

"It is not my health that concerns me" responded R' Salanter. "I worry over what it states in Mishlei: "Colds and traps are in the path of the stubborn" [Mishlei 22:5] "This verse is evidence that I was stricken with a cold on account of possessing the terrible trait of stubbornness".

Only once evening had arrived and R' Salanter had thoroughly examined his deeds without finding the trait of stubbornness within himself, was his mind put to rest.

[Source: Rabbi Y. Bronstein]

No-one Is Prepared... The Final War Is Beginning

H/t Sherry

With clips from Yishai Fleisher and Rabbi Tovia Singer, this video explores Jewish prophecy and the End of Days. 

Is the current conflict connected to the war of Gog and Magog — the final war described in Tanach?  

In this deep dive, we examine: 

• October 7 and its possible prophetic significance 

• The rebirth of Israel and its connection to Tanach prophecy 

• Gog and Magog in the words of the prophets 

• Ezekiel (Yechezkel) and visions of the future State of Israel 

• Prophecies from Joel and readings in the weekly Torah cycle 

• Parshas Vayeilech, Yom Kippur, and messianic themes 

Through Tanach and classical Jewish sources, we explore what these events may mean for Israel’s destiny and the unfolding of history.

No Dispute

Camping in front of the Mishkan, in front of the Tent of Meeting to the east were Moses, Aaron and his sons... [Bamidbar 3:38]

Rashi coments: Adjacent to them was the division of the camp of Yehudah, with whom Yissachar and Zevulun camped.  The righteous man prospers and his neighbor prospers!  Since they were neighbors of Moshe, who was engaged in Torah study, they became great Torah scholars.

A person could influence his neighbour with any good or bad quality.  Nevertheless, the fact that Rashi mentions just one good quality - Torah study - and one negative quality - being quarrelsome [see Rashi's Commentary to v. 29 and 38], is certainly no coincidence; it indicates that these two qualities are connected with each other. 

Rashi is teaching us that the study of Torah and involvement in disputes are diametric opposites.  If a person studies Torah with the proper intentions and sufficient dedication, he simply will not become involved in disputes, bcause Torah is the common thread which unites all Jews.

Based on Likutei Sichos vol 33, pp 16-17 Lubavitcher Rebbe

Trump and Iran - What's Really Going On?

Rabbi Isser Weisberg

Aliens and the End of Days

H/t Sherry

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

In The Desert

Bamidbar, the name of this week's parsha as well as the name of the entire 4th book of the Torah, means "in the desert". However, the name Bamidbar itself does not seem to bring to light any unique qualities of the Parsha at all. At this point, the Jewish people have been situated in the desert for a considerable period of time: throughout the whole book of Vayikra and part of the book of Shemos. So what is added now by stressing that the Jewish people were "in the desert"?

The answer to this question lies in the fact that "we always read Parshas Bamidbar before Shavuot" [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim]. Before we experience the giving of the Torah once again - for spiritually the Torah is given anew every Shavuot - it is necessary to recall and take to heart the fact that the Torah was not given in a civilized environment, but in a desert.

The lesson here is twofold:

1. A desert is a place of utter desolation where "no man can live". Thus the Torah was given there to indicate that it should be embraced without any preconceptions or ulterior motives. When a person lives in a civilized place and he encounters a new idea or suggestions, he will first evaluate it to determine whether it is acceptable according to societal norms. With Torah, however, this would be a mistake; the correct approach to accepting the Torah is "we will do, and (later) we will understand" [Shemos 24:7]. Therefore the Torah was given in a desert, where nobody lives, to indicate that one needs to be truly "open-minded" - i.e. not influenced by one's environment - to appreciate its values.

2. The Torah was given in a desert to teach that sharing the Torah with those who currently find themselves in a spiritual desert is fundamental to Torah Judaism. It is not the case that the Torah can "also" reach those who are found in a spiritual wasteland; to the contrary, this is a central theme of the giving of the Torah: To transform every spiritual desert into a "civilized environment".

Based on Sichas Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (5732 and 5734)

The Incredible Power of Staying Silent

Rabbi Shlomo Landau - A one minute video

Self Reflections

"No man among you may mislead his fellowman, and you shall fear your G-d" [Behar 25:17]

According to the simple meaning of the verse, remarked R' Simchah Bunim of P'shischa, the Torah is only prohibiting an individual from deceiving his fellowman.  An individual of true piety, however, will go beyond the letter of the law and refrain from deceiving himself as well.

Trump's Latest Action Could Usher in the Moshiach

H/t Sherry

J-TV - 10 min video

 

Trump Proclaims a "National Shabbat"

As part of the 2026 U.S. 250th-anniversary celebrations, President Trump proclaimed a "National Shabbat" [Shabbat 250] from sundown on May 15 through nightfall on May 16, 2026. 

This initiative encourages a period of rest, reflection, and gratitude, honoring the Jewish tradition of Shabbat and recognizing Jewish contributions to the United States.

Key Details of the National Sabbath [Shabbat 250]:

Significance: Proclaimed to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence (Semiquincentennial) and celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.

Duration: From sundown Friday, May 15, to nightfall Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Purpose: Encourages all Americans to join in a national day of rest and reflection, acknowledging the Jewish tradition of Shabbat.

Proclamation Context: Trump recognized the role of Jewish Americans and their contributions, referencing early figures like Haym Salomon.

Support: Orthodox organizations and community members expressed support for this initiative.

More at Chabad

Lag b'Omer and Moshiach's Rainbow

I walked outside this morning and there was a rainbow. Half an hour later, another rainbow !

Good sign?  Bad sign?  I don't know, but it made me happy.

Lag b'Omer begins tonight [Monday night]

Photo dario.bs

by Rabbi Yossi Marcus 

Why is Lag b’Omer celebrated with bonfires and bows and arrows? 

The bonfires celebrate the immense light that was brought into the world by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai [who passed away on Lag b’Omer], especially on the day of his passing. 

The bow commemorates the fact that during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime no rainbow was ever seen. [Bereishit Rabbah 35:2] 

Note: This was a good thing because the rainbow appears when the earth deserves punishment. 

The first time a rainbow appeared was after Noah’s flood, when G-d said that He will no longer destroy the world, rather He would send a sign: the rainbow. 

During Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime, the world was filled with merit because of him and therefore never saw a rainbow. [Genesis 9:8-17 and Rashi there] 

There is a Kabbalistic tradition that on Lag b’Omer a rainbow will appear in a different color, which will symbolize the arrival of the Messianic age [Bnei Yissaschar]

Super-Rational

"When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to the Lord.

You may sow your field for six years, and for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce,

But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest a Sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field, nor shall you prune your vineyard." [Behar 25: 2-4]

One of the reasons for the Sabbatical year is to allow the land to rest for a year, to enhance its fertility. From this it follows that after six consecutive years of intensive agriculture, the land is at its least fertile point in the seven year cycle. So the Torah's promise that the land "will yield produce [sufficient] for three years" in the naturally infertile sixth year, is totally irrational and requires a person to accept an authority which is higher than his mortal understanding.

The Talmud [Sanhedrin 97a] compares the six agricultural years to the six millenia of this world, and the Sabbatical year to the seventh millennium [when the Redemption will have arrived].

Since the Jewish people suffer from a gradual regression in spiritual stature as the generations pass, a person might ask: "How could the efforts of the spiritually weak and "infertile" sixth millennium bring the true and complete redemption?

The Torah answers: It is the super-rational self-sacrifice and commitment to Judaism of the final generations of exile, that will bring the blessings of the Redemption.

Based on Likutei Sichos vol 27, Lubavitcher Rebbe

“Trump Made A Huge Mistake” Kabbalist: Assassination Was Part Of Messianic Prophecy

H/t Sherry

Rabbi Mendel Kessin on J-TV

Gog & Magog Explained: Why the World Turns Against Israel

Rabbi Tovia Singer and Rabbi Aron Sokol - 15 min video

What is Gog and Magog — and why do the nations rise against Jerusalem? 

In this powerful and eye-opening breakdown, Rabbi Tovia Singer and Rabbi Aron Sokol explore one of the most mysterious and talked-about prophecies in Tanakh. 

From Ezekiel 38–39 to Zechariah, the prophets describe a future where the Jewish people return to Israel… and the entire world reacts. But why? 

This video reveals: 

• What Gog & Magog actually represents 

• Why the nations feel threatened by Israel 

• The deeper meaning behind “the land of Magog” 

• The spiritual battle between trust in power vs trust in Hashem 

• Why Jerusalem becomes the focal point of global conflict 

• What triggers the final redemption 

As the prophets describe, the return of the Jewish people to their land is not just history — it’s part of a larger unfolding story that challenges the beliefs of the world. Are we witnessing the beginning of these events? Or are these just the early stages?

The Reward

Art: Boris Dubrov

''And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of the hadar tree...'' [Emor 23:40]

The Vilna Gaon had a great love for the mitzvah of the four species.  Year after year, Vilna's vendors streamed to the Gaon's house with choice etrogim, and he would select the one he thought was the nicest.

One year, a vendor showed the Gaon an exquisite etrog.   The Gaon was very impressed and was willing to pay its full price.

''I do not wish to sell the etrog for money''  responded the vendor.  ''Rather, I desire the reward that you will garner for performing the mitzvah of the four species.''

''I readily agree'' said the Gaon.  ''I will take the etrog, and you will receive my reward.''

All those who visited the Gaon that Sukkot saw him savoring his beautiful etrog to a far greater degree than in previous years.

To calm their curiousity, the Gaon explained: '''Throughout my entire life, I have yearned to fulfill the words of our Sages [Pirkei Avot 1:3] ''Be like servants who serve their master, not for the sake of receiving a reward.''  A person must not serve Hashem simply in order to receive a reward.  This is extremely difficult, however, as we are constantly aware that we will receive a reward each time we perform a mitzvah,  But this year I was given the opportunity to perform a mitzvah with the knowledge that I would not be receiving any reward for doing so!''

''I am so fortunate to have merited such an opportunity.  This is why you find me so overjoyed.''

Source: Rabbi Yisroel Bronstein

Miracles & The Messiah Happening Now

Tamar Yonah sits down with Rabbi Tovia Singer to talk about the Messianic age — and whether we may already be living in it. Are biblical prophecies unfolding right in front of us? Are miracles happening around us without us even noticing?

 

Gog & Magog, Iran, and the Messiah: Prophecy Reveals What’s Coming

Rabbi Isser Weisberg

Who is the Moshiach? (Messiah) When will the Moshiach arrive? -Soon! Says this scholar of the End of Days. Who will win the war with Iran? America or Iran? - BOTH are able to, and it will be decided in Heaven. You'll want to hear this interview and learn what ancient sources say about all of these questions as Tamar Yonah speaks with Rabbi Isser Weisberg on what Prophecy says.

Click here to watch on You Tube

How Our Inner Thoughts Have Power Over Our Destinies

In an address the Lubavitcher Rebbe gave in 1963, he expanded on the philosophical and spiritual dynamic behind the principle  "tracht gut vet zein gut" - “Think good, and it will be good.” 

He began by asking the obvious question: On the basis of what should one believe that in the face of any challenge, “it (the outcome) will be good”? Isn’t it presumptuous to assume that in every given situation we are always deserving of Divine grace, regardless of our state of religious and moral standing? 

And what of the basic Jewish belief that there is a Divine order of reward and punishment that governs our world, making salvation dependent on righteous behavior?

The Rebbe’s answer was: When a Jew decides to place his trust in G‑d, believing that his current crisis will be resolved favorably despite facing a bleak reality that suggests otherwise, he has, in effect, risen above his own nature, which in turn elicits, reciprocally, “measure for measure” the suspension of the Divine order, where only the righteous are deserving of salvation.   In fact, according to Nachmanides [Bechukotai 26:11]: “When the majority of the Jewish people are complete [in their faith in G‑d], their affairs are not run by the natural order…to the extent that there is no need for a physician or to follow the ways of medicine, as it says, ‘I am the L‑rd your healer….’” Obviously, those times of spiritual perfection are all too rare, and under the current circumstances, we are encouraged to follow the natural order of things.

G‑d, the creator of Man, understands how difficult and even “supernatural” it is for a human being to truly believe—to the degree that he or she no longer experiences fear and anxiety—that an unpromising and even seemingly hopeless situation will have a positive outcome. And, thus, as a result and even reward for the extraordinary act of worship of “tracht gut,” G‑d deems the believer, who is otherwise undeserving of a positive outcome, to be deserving in this instance of an extra measure of Divine generosity.

This was extracted from an essay at Chabad, to see the original plus footnotes, click here

No Revenge and No Worries

"You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the members of your people" [Kedoshim 19:18]

There are times, said the Chofetz Chaim, that a man grows angry with a friend who did not do him a particular favor.  Such feelings are completely unjustified.

To what can this be compared?  To a man who was walking down the street, looking for his friend.  As he passed people in the street, he would ask them "Have you seen my friend perhaps?"

"Try looking for him in the town square," he was told.  "There are many people gathered there; maybe your friend will be among them."

He went to the town square, searched for his friend, yet he did not find him.

Would it even occur to him to feel anger toward those individuals who directed him to the town square?  Of course not! He realizes that he must simply continue his search.

The same thing applies to the prohibitions of taking revenge and bearing a grudge, said the Chofetz Chaim.  We are forbidden to feel anger towards a friend who did not do us a favor.  What reason can there be to be angry with him?  Hashem obviously did not designate him as the one who would bestow this particular kindness upon us.  We must simply turn to someone else, and place our request with him; perhaps he is the one who will be able to assist us. 

If a person accustoms himself to constantly thinking in this manner, he will never bear a grudge or feel the need to take revenge.

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

No Intermediaries

What is a Rebbe? What does a mitzvah reveal?

A Rebbe is not an intermediary, we don't require an intermediary, we are already connected to Hashem.  So why do we need a Rebbe?  Rabbi Nochum Schapiro explains - 2 min video:

Is the Prophecy about Iran and Turkey Coming True?

Rav Ron Chaya

An ancient prophecy foretells a decisive war between Rome and Persia before the liberation. Yet, who are these powers today, and what role does Turkey play in this scenario? Indeed, certain geopolitical signs seem to correspond precisely to these millennia-old writings. Are we truly on the verge of experiencing the events that herald the coming of the Messiah?

[French with English subtitles.  If you make yourself a You Tube account, it remembers your settings, so as soon as you click on the "CC" your chosen language automatically appears in the sub-titles.  If you don't want to make a You Tube account, then you need to click on the Cog as well as the CC, and navigate to auto-translate and choose your language.]

Click here to watch on You Tube.

Moshiach's Coming, Climate Change and the Sun

H/t Anonymous commenter

Rabbi Sholom Zirkind

Understanding "the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun and the light of the sun will be sevenfold" and "climate change" at the time of Moshiach.

The Three Blessings

Chassidus teaches that the Angel Michoel is responsible for bestowing the three blessings of  health, wealth and children.  Some people have all three, some people have only one of them, and some people have none at all.  The word ''children'' does not just refer to being blessed with having children, but also that the child grows up to be a mensch... that you receive nachas [loosely translated as pride and pleasure] from your children.

The Zohar teaches that if a Jewish woman covers her hair, she will be blessed with all three..... [Likutei Sichos, vol. 13, p. 188 Lubavitcher Rebbe]

.... unfortunately, these days, it is not always that simple.   Our souls are all reincarnations and our situations in this life are probably determined by our past lives and whatever needs to be atoned for and fixed in this life  [although for women, covering the hair is still a very good way to give yourself and your family extra blessing from Above].

Of course, Torah, Tefilla [prayer] and Tzedaka [charity] can improve all three blessings.

Wealth

There are two tests – for a wealthy person, his challenge is to not believe that he is the creator [of his wealth].

For the person in dire straits, it is to still believe.

Both can be educated through the “Ma-an” [manna - the daily seeds which fell, giving the Jews food during their duration in the desert].

For the wealthy person, the Ma-an was literally the Jews' sustenance  - for though people were famously wealthy – having taken the Egyptian wealth, nonetheless they were in a desert, and the Ma-an was their sole sustenance which forced them to daily look Heavenward.

In contrast, the Ma-an was miraculous in that if you took extra even for one day, it rotted [in other words, the poor person could appreciate that extra was actually not a blessing].

How To Unlock Divine Flow 

However, the key to unlock the Divine infinite flow is by setting aside one’s ego – acknowledging that everything is merely G-d’s kindness.

We find there is a commentary that explains that after Yitzchak gave Maaser [tithe] on the produce of his fields, he discovered that the same produce multiplied one hundred times.

In other words, what Hashem is coming to teach us is that from the reward of giving Maaser, man is blessed even a hundred times more. 

We can ask, if the ultimate reward is spirituality, and fulfilling unconditionally G-d’s will, why does the Torah promise physical rewards [as we learn in the Shema]?

Furthermore, why would it be so laudable that in the messianic era so many Divine miracles will create a miraculous physical abundance [such as “When you plant, things will grow” – “The taste of the tree’s bark will be like its fruit” – all indicating a world of complete physical pleasure]

The answer is that in truth, everything in the physical flows from the Torah.

Hence when a Jew engages in the Torah [as the Zohar teaches, “First G-d creates through Torah, then Jews maintain through its study”] so this manifests not only spiritually, but also physically.

In the era of Moshiach this flow will be apparent.

Sources: Lubavitcher Rebbe: Likutei Sichos 4 Page 1099; Likutei Sichos 5 Page 12; Likutei Sichos 37 Page 79; Kabbalah Wisdom 

The Year Melech haMoshiach Appears

Rabbi Yuval Ovadia

"We are living through the famous words in the Yalkut Shimoni, but many are asleep and do not realize.  We are living history: the past, the present and the future. This is the year that the King Moshiach appears! That's what the Midrash says, it is not me saying it!  This is an ancient Midrash which has been studied for thousands of years, studied, quoted and we have waited for it to come true. Because this Midrash speaks of a year in which the Moshiach will appear. It explicitly says it will be in that year!"

[In its section on the biblical Book of Isaiah and the prophecies contained therein, a Rabbi cited by the Yalkut Shimoni states]: 

“In the year Moshiach comes all the nations of the world will provoke each other and threaten with war. The king of Persia (Iran) will provoke the King of Arabia (Saudi Arabia) with war. The King of Arabia goes to Edom (The Western Countries, headed by USA) for advice. Then the King of Persia destroys the world. And all the nations of the world begin to panic and are afraid, and Israel too is afraid as to how to defend from this. G-d then says to them “Do not fear for everything that I have done is for your benefit, to destroy the evil kingdom of Edom and eradicate evil from this world so that the Messiah can come, your time of redemption is now.”

The rest of the video is Rabbi Ovadia explaining all that is happening now which ties in with the passage above.  Click the CC to activate the subtitles on the video, then the Settings cog to Auto-translate.

Iyar: The Month of Healing

The Sefer Ta’amei HaMinhagim writes that our new month of Iyar is tried and tested as a time for refuah, healing, from the ailments and pains that may affect a person. Why is this so? He brings the B’nai Yisaschar, who teaches that most weakness and illness come from foods which do not comport with the person’s nature or composition.  Read full article at: Days of Mashiach

There are a couple of ways to assist in your own healing, and that is by saying the Unique Healing Prayer [but you have to do it properly and say every chapter relating to your [Hebrew] name, instructions are at the site].... and the other thing to do is to change your eating habits for the following reason:

"The reason a person's health returns through taking medicines is that his soul sees that he is able to control himself and to act contrary to his physical desires and habits. Perhaps he is accustomed to eating bread and other foods, but now he curbs his desires and submits to a medical regime, taking bitter medicines for the sake of his health. His soul sees that he has the power to control his impulses in order to achieve a certain goal, and she therefore comes back to him in the hope that he will curb his desires for the sake of the true purpose - which is to carry out the will of the Creator" [Likutey Moharan I, 268].  

Do we recite a Blessing on Medication?  Rabbi Eliezer Posner says:

If the medicine has a good taste, such as flavored chewable pills, recite the Shehakol blessing. [Seder Birchat Hanehnin 7:8] Flavorless medicine, such as pills that you swallow, do not require a blessing—but we do say a prayer that the medicine should take effect:

"May it be Your will that this medicine shall bring healing."

No blessing is recited on water that you drink to swallow down the pill. If you are swallowing it down with a beverage other than water, then you do recite the appropriate blessing on that beverage. [Tip: recite the blessing, take a sip, swallow the pill and then drink it down with the rest of the beverage.]

Sun Dance

Who remembers when the sun was yellow?  A yellow circle, no variations.

These days, the sun mostly appears to be white.  It looks like it's turned into a LED light.  It also changes shape, as you can see in the video.  This is a real video, it's not AI.  Notice the double lens flares as well.  Two sources of light.  You can clearly see what appears to be a second sun emerging, and that is what is causing the apparent shape shifting of our sun.  

There's hundreds of these videos of the sun behaving in this way, all taken from different parts of the world.  

 

Metzora: The Power of Speech

Rav Kook on the Torah Portion 

Only in Israel 

What is the root cause for the disease of tzara'at as described in the Torah? The Midrash explains that this skin disease is a punishment for gossip and slander. A person suffering from tzara'at is called a metzora because he is motzee sheim ra — he spreads derogatory reports [Vayikra Rabbah 16:1. See Rambam, Hilchot Tzara'at 16:15, that one fulfills the mitzvah "Be careful regarding tzara'at" [Deut. 24:8-9] by avoiding gossip].

Given that tzara'at is brought about by slander, one would expect that all peoples would be afflicted, since even non-Jews are culpable for personal damages. Yet, Maimonides wrote that tzara'at is not a natural phenomenon, but a unique sign found only among the people of Israel. Why should only the Jewish people suffer from this ailment?

Divine Speech 

There are two levels of speech. There is everyday speech, based on and limited to that which occurs in the physical universe. And there is a higher form of speech, a holy speech that God bestowed to Israel. This elevated speech does not come from the world. On the contrary, the world comes from it. This is the speech by which God created the world. "By the word of God, the heavens were made; and by the breath of His mouth, all of their host" [Psalms 33:6].

God granted us the power of His speech, this speech that preceded the world, when He gave us the Torah, the blueprint of creation. "He looked in the Torah and created the universe" [Zohar Terumah 161b]. The transmission of Divine speech to the Jewish people is hinted in the verse, "I put my speech in your mouth... to plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth" [Isaiah 51:16].

Redemption of Speech 

The Kabbalists explained that the Hebrew name for Passover, Pesach, is a combination of the words peh sach — 'the mouth speaks.' The redemption from Egypt, which paved the way for the Torah's revelation at Sinai, also redeemed the faculty of speech. For this reason, Passover is commemorated with an oral mitzvah, the mitzvah to retell the story of the Exodus. And we find that Moses, aware of this aspect of the redemption from Egypt, tried to disqualify himself by protesting, "I am not a man of speech" [Ex. 4:10].

In an essay entitled ' The Redemption of Speech,' Rav Kook wrote: "Sometimes we can sense the connection between our speech and the universe. This is the initial step to redeem speech from its exile."

"As the soul is elevated, we become acutely aware of the tremendous power that lies in our faculty of speech. We recognize clearly the tremendous significance of each utterance; the value of our prayers and blessings, the value of our Torah study, and of all of our discourse. We learn to perceive the overall impact of speech. We sense the change and great stirring of the world that is caused by speech." [Orot HaKodesh vol III, p. 285] 

Two Mouths 

The most striking expression of the difference between these two levels of speech is the remarkable statement of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai: "Had I been present at Mount Sinai, I would have requested that God create us with two mouths. One mouth to speak in words of Torah, and one mouth for all of our mundane needs." [Jerusalem Talmud Berachot 1:2]

We may lack a mouth specially dedicated to Torah and prayer, but we can still deepen our awareness of the extraordinary nature of holy speech. At the start of the morning prayers, we recite a wonderful kavanah: "I hereby prepare my mouth to thank and praise my Creator." With this short declaration, we prepare ourselves to employ our mouth for a totally different form of speech. We prepare ourselves to use the sublime speech that is rooted in the source of Divine wisdom. Since this discourse comes from the elevated speech used to create the universe, our prayers have the ability to influence the world and change its course [Olat Re'iyah vol. I, p. 192].

With this appreciation for the power of holy speech, we may understand why tzara'at only afflicts the Jewish people. Our faculty of speech, based on the Divine speech that transcends the universe, can influence the world for good and for bad. When we misuse this great power, we damage the world and are held responsible. The affliction of tzara'at — and the process of purifying oneself from it — comes to repair this wrong. The verbal communication of other nations, however, comes from within the physical universe. Since it lacks the power of elevated speech, they are not punished for its misuse. [Adapted from Mo'adei HaRe'iyah, pp. 295-296]

Source: Rav Kook Torah

Click here for link to Rabbi Kessin's book: The True Power of Speech: The Key to Both Worlds

The Destruction of Iran, Trump's Mistake & the Divine Plan

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

 

Trump's Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.....IN THE PARSHA

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein - 3 min video

The Imminent Unveiling of Mashiach

Rav Ron Chaya

This is my very rough translation, you can watch the video with subtitles in any language. Click the CC to activate, and click on the Settings cog to navigate to your language.

Just a note to say that Rav Chaya states that he has been talking about Moshiach for a long time, and so far he's always been wrong with his predictions.... however, this is what he is thinking now.

Rav Ron Chaya, speaking about how he came to Israel because he thought Moshiach was coming, many many years ago, and his entire family made Aliyah with him.... and they joke about Moshiach coming.... but since then we have arrived at a point where, after October 7, there has been a huge teshuva movement especially in Israel.  He also speaks about his stage four cancer, and the doctors who told him to go and enjoy his grand-children for as long as he had left, because there was no hope for him.  Then... he received an open miracle, when he returned to the doctor for his scan, there was no cancer there at all.

He says he was told that the majority of Israelis under 30 are religious, which is incredible.

It is written in Tractate Avodah Zara that two nations will survive until the end of days... and those two nations are Rome and Persia.  The war between Rome and Persia occurs before Moshiach comes.

So the war began and we were hopeful, and then the war ended and we were disappointed, but now we see the war has started up again.  So what happened? Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia called President Trump and told him he would invest a trillion dollars in the American economy, and more millions on weapons, plus he is committed to making peace with Israel.  This is very recent news, it only happened yesterday.

So b'ezrat Hashem, Trump is going to attack. Since the Iranians are allowing Russian and Chinese ships through, but not American ships, he is going to attack and stop the ships that have already passed through.  This means we will be at war with Russia and China as well as Iran.

"When the Russian boats pass through the Dardanels..... get ready for Moshiach"  Note: The tradition regarding Russian boats in the Dardanelles and the coming of Moshiach  is a prophecy attributed to the Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Elijah of Vilna, 18th century), which states that when Russian ships cross the Bosphorus/Dardanelles straits, it is a sign that the "steps of Moshiach" are being heard.

Rav Chaya says he thinks it will happen very quickly, as Trump doesn't like to drag things out.

We are still in Nissan.... and it says that in Nissan we were redeemed, and in Nissan we will be redeemed.

He repeats, Trump is not a patient person, it will probably happen very quickly. It's possible we could have Moshiach by Rosh Chodesh Iyar.  

A reminder that this is all speculation.

May we hear good news.

The Yanuka: Moshiach - Anytime - Suddenly

This video is in Hebrew but has an English voice over. There are also sub-titles.  However, you need to watch it on You Tube to access those things.  To watch it on You Tube click here.

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Corrupt Governments Can Force the Redemption

"If he has turned completely white, he remains pure" [Tazria 13:13]

R' Yochanan in Maseches Sanhedrin [98a] taught: "Mashiach, the son of David, will only come to a generation that is either entirely meritorious or entirely guilty".

This statement is difficult to understand, noted the Chasam Sofer (R' Moshe Sofer).  For while it is easily understood why a generation that is entirely meritorious would be worthy of receiving Mashiach, on what basis would a thoroughly guilty generation receive him?

We find a similar difficulty in the verse: "If he has turned completely white, he remains pure".  If a small affliction is considered impure, why is it considered pure when it covers the metzora's entire body?

We can answer both questions with one answer. Skin afflictions come upon an individual in order to inspire him to repent for his misdeeds.  Now, if his entire body has turned white, he will definitely be humbled to repent completely and sincerely. There is therefore no need to declare him impure.

The same applies to a generation that is completely guilty.  The way to awaken a generation that is full of sin is not with reproach but by sending them Mashiach ben David.  Then they will return to Hashem in complete repentance.

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

The Talmud states: "The son of David [Moshiach] will only come when every government becomes heretical".

Rabah said: "Where do we see [an allusion to] this in Scripture?  From the verse: "he has turned completely white, he is ritually pure." [Sanhedrin 97a]

Rashi explains: "Just like when the affliction has spread throughout the entire skin the person is ritually pure, so too when all the governments have become heretical, the redemption will come."

This sign of redemption could be seen as either:

a) A negative sign, that people have become so corrupt that G-d is forced, so to speak, to save the world and bring redemption.

b) A positive sign, that the world has become so refined that it is clear to everybody that any regime or government which is not based on Torah is heretical and corrupt.

This parallels the two views expressed above:

a) If the corruption of governments is a negative sign, it follows that G-d is "forced" to bring the redemption, so to speak, despite the world.  This corresponds to the view that the law ("he has turned completely white, he is ritually pure") is a super-rational decree of scripture, which is followed despite the fact that it is illogical.

b) But if the corruption of governments is a positive sign, it follows that G-d is bringing the redemption because the world has become good. This corresponds to the view that the law is logical.

Source: Based on Likutei Sichos Lubavitcher Rebbe

Earmarked For Redemption: The Final Days of Nissan

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein - 3 min video

And Aharon Was Silent

As we return to whatever we call normal life following Pesach, I'm sure there are a lot of people feeling let down that we didn't see any trace of Moshiach.    However, this is not the time to give up.   The war is still going, Hormuz is still closed, the world is a mess, and no-one knows what lies ahead.

The following is by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto

Expressing thanks even after experiencing grief "And Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu, each took his pan… And fire went forth from before the L-rd and consumed them, and they died before the L-rd… And Aharon was silent" [Shemini 10:1-3]

Chazal say that when Aharon's two sons, Nadav and Avihu, died, the Torah praises Aharon by testifying, "And Aharon was silent," and he received reward for his silence. 

But there is another level which is even higher than that, as we find by David Hamelech, the Mashiach of Hashem. After all the troubles and grief that he experienced, he declared: "So that my soul will sing praises to You and not be silent." This implies that he even sings praises to Hashem for all his trials and hardships!... [Tiferet Shlomo]

Seudah Moshiach

 

President Trump issued a deadline for Iran for 8pm Tuesday night - which is the beginning of Shevi'i shel Pesach: the seventh night/day of Pesach.  It was on this day that the parting of the Red Sea occurred.

Something huge may happen.  Then again, nothing much may happen.  No-one knows where Trump is concerned, so this is not a prediction, but could it even be a possibility that we will indeed have a Seudah Moshiach the day after.....   ???

Acharon Shel Pesach, the last day of Pesach has a special connection to the coming of Moshiach and is celebrated accordingly, by partaking of Moshiach's Seudah [the meal of Moshiach..... sometimes known as the Third Seder]

The last day of Pesach  is celebrated by eating a special, festive banquet called Moshiach's seudah, a custom initiated by the Baal Shem Tov. The connection between the last day of Pesach and Moshiach is explained by the Tzemach Tzedek: "The last day of Pesach is the conclusion of that which began on the first night of Pesach. The first night of Pesach is our festival commemorating our redemption from Egypt by the Holy One, Blessed be He. It was the first redemption, carried out through Moshe Rabbeinu, who was the first redeemer; it was the beginning. The last day of Pesach is our festival commemorating the final redemption, when the Holy One, Blessed be He, will redeem us from the last exile through our righteous Moshiach, who is the final redeemer. The first day of Pesach is Moshe Rabbeinu's festival; the last day of Pesach is Moshiach's festival."

Pesach is the festival which celebrates freedom. The first day celebrates the redemption from the first exile; the last day celebrates the future redemption from the final exile. The two are intimately connected, the beginning and end of one process with G-d in the future redemption showing wonders "as in the days of your exodus from Egypt."

That Moshiach's festival is celebrated specifically on the last day of Pesach is not merely because Moshiach will redeem us from the last exile. Being last has a significance beyond mere numerical order, for that which is last performs a unique function. When the Jews journeyed in the desert after leaving Egypt, they marched in a specific order, divided into four camps. The last to march was the camp of Dan, which is described by Torah as "ma'asaf l'chol hamachanos" - "gatherer of all the camps." Rashi explains this as meaning that "The tribe of Dan...would journey last, and whoever would lose anything, it would be restored to him."

The concept of "gatherer of all the camps" - restoring lost property and making sure that nothing is missing - may be applied to various situations. The Baal Shem Tov, for example, taught that just as the Jews in the desert made forty-two journeys before they reached their final destination, Eretz Yisroel, so there are forty-two journeys in each Jew's individual life. The birth of a person corresponds to the initial journey when the Jews left the land of Egypt, and at each stage of life a Jew is somewhere in the middle of one of the forty-two journeys he must experience before he enters the next world.

Not only a person's entire life, but also every individual service to G-d has various stages or "journeys." In particular, the conclusion of a specific service acts as the "gatherer of all the camps" - to make sure that nothing is missing from that service. Pesach, it was noted earlier, is associated with the concept of redemption, and our service on Pesach is correspondingly directed towards hastening the arrival of the final redemption. But even if service on Pesach was deficient, if opportunities were missed, not all is lost: the last day of Pesach acts as "gatherer of all the camps" for the entire festival. Just as the tribe of Dan restored lost articles to their owners, so the last day of Pesach provides a Jew with the opportunity to rectify omissions in the service of Pesach, and thereby regain what is rightfully his.

Because Pesach is associated with the redemption through Moshiach and the last day of Pesach is the finish to and completion of Pesach, the last day of Pesach accordingly emphasizes the coming of Moshiach.

The notion of "gatherer of all the camps" applies not only to each individual Jew's life and service, but also to Jewry in general. The forty-two journeys between leaving Egypt and entering Eretz Yisroel took place in the desert, the "wilderness of the nations," which is an allusion to the period of exile when Jews sojourn amongst the nations of the earth. The forty-two journeys in the desert served as the means wherewith Jews left the limitations of Egypt.  Thus all the journeys undertaken until the Jews actually entered Eretz Yisroel may be viewed as part of the exodus from Egypt. So too with the journeys in the exile: until Jews merit the final redemption, they are still journeying to reach Eretz Yisroel.  In every generation, Jews are somewhere in the middle of one of those forty-two journeys.

As in the journeys in the desert, there is a "gatherer of all the camps" in the generations-long journey of Jews to the Messianic Era. Our present generation is that of "the footsteps of Moshiach," the last generation of exile. It is the "gatherer of all the camps" of all generations of Jews.

That this generation of exile is the "gatherer of all the camps" of all generations is not just because it is the last. Exile is not just punishment for sin.

The mission of Jews is to elevate and refine this corporeal world, to reveal G-dliness and to transform the physical into a dwelling place for G-d. Dispersed throughout the world in exile, Jews have been given the opportunity and the means to carry out this mission in all parts of the world.

This has been the Jews' task throughout their history. "Gatherer of all the camps" in this context means that if any portion of that task is missing, it now can be rectified. Thus the era of "gatherer of all the camps" is the era when the world will have been fully refined and G-dliness revealed: the Era of Moshiach.

It is for this reason that it is our generation which is that of "the footsteps of Moshiach" and "gatherer of all the camps." For the service of Jews throughout the generations has been all but completed, and only the finishing touches - "gatherer of all the camps" - is needed. We stand ready and prepared to greet Moshiach.

Moshiach, of course, could have come in previous generations. The Talmud, for example, relates that at the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, a cow lowed twice. The first time meant that the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed; the second time meant that Moshiach was born. In other words, the potential Moshiach was born immediately after the destruction and had the Jews merited it then, he would have been the actual Moshiach.

Although Moshiach could have come in previous generations, the future redemption nevertheless has a greater connection to our generation - just as the idea of Moshiach is emphasized on the last day of Pesach,  although the whole of Pesach is associated with the future redemption. For both are the concept of "gatherer of all the camps" and we accordingly celebrate Moshiach's seudah specifically on the last day of Pesach.

There is still more to the connection between the last day of Pesach and Moshiach. The prophet Yechezkel describes the exodus from Egypt - which took place on the first day of Pesach - as the birth of the Jewish nation.

The last day of Pesach, the eighth day, is therefore the day of the circumcision, which is "the beginning of the entry of the holy soul." Moshiach is the yechidah - the most sublime level of the soul - of the Jewish people. Until the body of Jewry has undergone circumcision it is not whole; its holy soul is missing. Moreover, the Alter Rebbe writes, the highest level of circumcision will take place in the future, when "The L-rd will circumcise your heart."

The Haftorah read on the last day of Pesach is also connected with the Messianic Era. It states: "The wolf will lie down with the lamb...He will raise a banner for the return...the earth will be full of the knowledge of the L-rd." All of these verses refer to the Messianic Era.

Thus the relationship between the last day of Pesach and Moshiach. But why do we mark this relationship by eating a meal?

Belief in Moshiach is a cardinal tenet of the Jewish faith, enshrined as one of Rambam's thirteen principles of belief: "I believe with perfect faith in the coming of Moshiach; and although he may tarry, I will wait for him every day that he shall come." But abstract belief is not enough. Our intellectual awareness must be translated into concrete action - by eating of Moshiach's seudah. Moreover, the food from Moshiach's seudah becomes part of our flesh and blood, and our faith in, and yearning for Moshiach permeates not just the soul's faculties but also the physical body.

Moshiach's seudah was initiated by the Baal Shem Tov, and there is good reason why it was by him specifically. In a famous letter to his brother in law, R. Gershon of Kitov, the Baal Shem Tov tells of the time he experienced an elevation of the soul to the highest spheres. When he came to the abode of Moshiach, he asked, "When will the Master come?" to which Moshiach replied, "When your wellsprings shall spread forth to the outside." In other words, it is the Baal Shem Tov's teachings - Chassidus - which will bring Moshiach, and it is therefore particularly appropriate that it was the Baal Shem Tov who initiated Moshiach's seudah on the last day of Pesach.

In the time of the Baal Shem Tov, the principal element of the seudah was matzah. The Rebbe Rashab, fifth Rebbe of Chabad, added the custom of drinking four cups of wine. Matzah is poor man's bread, flat and tasteless. Wine, in contrast, not only possesses taste, but induces joy and delight, to the extent that our Sages say, "Shirah (song) is said only over wine."

Chabad Chassidus conveys the concepts of Chassidus, first propounded by the Baal Shem Tov, in an intellectual framework, enabling them to be understood by a person's Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding/developmental), and Da'as (conclusive) - ChaBaD. And when a person understands something - in this case the concepts of Chassidus - he enjoys it that much more. Chabad, in other words, introduced "taste" and "delight" into Chassidic doctrines, which until then were accepted primarily on faith alone.

The four cups of wine also allude to the Messianic Age, for which the dissemination of Chassidus - especially Chabad Chassidus - is the preparation. The four cups symbolize: the four expressions of redemption; the four cups of retribution G-d will force the nations of the world to drink; the four cups of comfort G-d will bestow upon the Jews; the four letters of G-d's Name which will be revealed; the four general levels of repentance.

[Source: Sichah of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Acharon Shel Pesach, 5742]