"Not By Chance"

New Argentinian President Javier Milei, says it is not by chance that he was sworn in during the festival of Chanukah, the Festival of Light.  Rabbi Berel Solomon says this is a sign before Moshiach. 

The Hidden Greatness of Yosef

וַיִּקְרָא פַרְעֹה שֵׁם יוֹסֵף צָפְנַת פַּעְנֵחַ

And Pharaoh named Joseph "Tzafnat Pa'neach" [Mikeitz 41:45]

Rashi explains: "Tzafnat Pa'neach - mepharesh hatzefunos [decipherer of the cryptic]"

If that is the meaning of Yosef's title, asked the Sefas Emes [R' Yehudah Leib Alter of Gur], then would it not have been more appropriate to reverse the order of the words and refer to him as "Paneach tzefunos"?

Yosef, answered the Sefas Emes, merited his unique ability to reveal that which was concealed on account of the fact that he acted with extreme modesty, always concealing his own righteousness from the eyes of others.

It is for this reason, he concluded, that he was referred to as Tzafnat Pa'neach. Tzafnat - because he went to great lengths to hide his greatness ["tzafnat" - the hidden one], "paneach" - he merited to decipher hidden matters.

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

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

The True Essence of Chanukah

New shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin

'Anyone who hates Israel is considered to be like Amalek'

 

'We have a lot of enemies, but the accepted name for Amalek today is Hamas,' says Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh. 

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, dean of the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva in Yitzhar, spoke at a special gathering about the war with Hamas. 

"According to the simple explanation, there is no longer this nation, Amalek. But halakha (Jewish law - ed. says that anyone who hates Israel and wants to destroy the Jewish nation is considered Amalek," Rabbi Ginsburgh said. "This is how the Brisker Rav ruled." 

Amalek, he said, "changes its name. In the previous generation, it was not called Amalek, it was called, 'Nazi.' Now, with us, we have a lot of enemies, but the accepted name for Amalek today is really Hamas."

He added in that in gematriya - a system which gives numeric value to each Hebrew letter - the word, "Hamas," is equal to the words, "v'ani evtach bach," which translate to, "I will trust in You." 

"Therefore, now, we will sing this even more powerfully than before - 'v'ani evtach bach,' and each person who says these words eliminates one Hamas terrorist," he said. 

"From everything we have said now, we can create an operation - especially for the soldiers, who will sing, 'v'ani evtach bach,' with the simple intention - they can fulfill it while singing." 

Rabbi Ginsburgh added, "If you are a yeshiva dean or give Torah classes, when you say, 'v'ani evtach bach,' you need to kill one of the leaders of Hamas. But sometimes it's just luck that even a simple person will score a direct hit on the leader of Hamas, of the snake."

Chanukah: Restoring the Messianic Light

This audio is from 2021 - Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Transcription can be found here

Judging Others

 וַיְהִי אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה  - And it came about, after these words....  [Vayeishev 40:1]

The "words" that are referred to here are those of Potifar's wife, who bad-mouthed Yosef throughout Egypt.

From the actions of Potifar's wife, we can learn a powerful lesson about judging other people:

At first glance, Potifar's wife's actions appear to have been utterly evil.  Not only did she cause Yosef to be sent to prison, but furthermore, she spoke badly of him so that his name was blackened throughout Egypt.

Rashi however enlightens us to the truth, that even these actions were intended for the sake of Heaven! Despite the fact that she was brought up in the corrupt, idolatrous atmosphere of Egypt her intentions were pure, to the extent that our sages compared her to Tamar, the mother of "strong ones and righteous ones" [Rashi]. 

From this we can learn the importance of not judging other people by their first appearances.

Source: Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Art: Abraham Leon Kroll

Giant Hail Storm

Giant hail just hit in Gympie, Queensland Australia

Images D. Grant and C. Williams

Two Soldiers

Two soldiers, a Muslim and a Jew, praying side by side.   

Photo: סטטוסים מצייצים [not a page I look at, but this photo was shared by a friend, H/T Judy]

The Messiah Will Be Groomed in Arabia

H/T Sherry

Does Yishmael do teshuva at the End of Days?  

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

What will happen when Eisav and Yishmael join forces? Who is Yishmael? Rabbi Daniel Glatstein elaborates on events that will take place at the End of Days in another sensational lecture based on the Parsha.

Whatever is Supposed to Happen, Will Happen

Rabbi Alon Anava

How to have bitachon, complete faith in G-d, and no fear.

Paving the Way for Moshiach

Art: Dena Ackerman

Based on Sichos Shabbos Parshat Vayeishev 5751 Lubavitcher Rebbe

Rashi explains the simple reason why the Torah begins to speak of Yehudah in the middle of the story of Yosef.  ''To teach us that [Yehudah's] brothers demoted him from his high position.''

However, Rashi does not explain why the entire account of Yehudah and Tamar was recorded here, leading up to the birth of Peretz and Zarach.

However, according to the explanation of the Midrash, we can understand that the account of Yehudah and Tamar was included here to explain the reason why Yosef was sold : because G-d was paving the way for Moshiach.

Thus, before we read of Yosef's enslavement, and the ensuing Egyptian exile, the Torah prefaces ''the cure before the disease'' informing us of G-d's inner intent.

The Middle East War & The True Task of a Non Jew: Part 1

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Closer and Closer

Yesterday we had another gigantic storm, the afternoon turned pitch black [it was about 4 in the afternoon] and we had purple skies and purple lightning.  The blackness was because the sun was completely blocked out by the planet Napisiti, which you can see in the second video below.  I've shown you Napisiti many times before, click here for one of recent posts  and you'll be able to see it is the same.  

At this point, I don't really care if you believe in these planets passing us by.... or not... I just cannot ignore this stuff, and it needs to be documented.  Soon enough everyone will wake up to this and realize that these "clouds" are not just clouds.

They are getting closer and closer, and we are seeing them more frequently, things are really speeding up right now.  Believe it or not, big things are on the horizon, no doubt in my mind anyway.

Mamash - Angels !

"And Yaakov sent angels ahead of him to Eisav" [Vayishlach 32:4]

Rashi comments: "And Yaakov sent angels -  literally [mamash] angels".

R'Meir of Premishlan explained Rashi's words with the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos [4:13] : "He who fulfills one mitzvah gains one advocate for himself". When an individual performs a mitzvah, he creates an angel that speaks favorably on his behalf in Heaven.

The verse tells us that Yaakov sent angels as messengers to Eisav. Which angels did Yaakov send? Those angels that had been created through the mitzvos that he had performed.

This is what Rashi is alluding to when he says: "mamash angels".  For "mamash" is the acronym of the words "malachim me'mitzvos sheásah" ["angels from the mitzvos he performed"].

A Message for Eisav

by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto

"And he said, "If Eisav comes to one camp and strikes it down, the remaining camp will escape."

 וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אִם־יָב֥וֹא עֵשָׂ֛ו אֶל־הַמַּֽחֲנֶ֥ה הָאַחַ֖ת וְהִכָּ֑הוּ וְהָיָ֛ה הַמַּֽחֲנֶ֥ה הַנִּשְׁאָ֖ר לִפְלֵיטָֽה  [Vayishlach 32:9]

Take a look at the word in the Torah "והכהו" - ''strikes it down''.   Whether we read it forwards or backwards, it is the same word.

There is a great message here, as is found in the Sefer Da'at Chachamim. Every blow, every wound that the gentiles inflict on Am Yisroel, will eventually rebound and hit them back in the face.

The Message of the Letter Nun

Did you read Tomer Devorah's post about the number 50?  The letter Nun is the number 50.

I remembered I did have a post about the letter Nun, although I hadn't published it, it was there waiting as a draft.   Here it is.  

The 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet: the letter Nun represents miracles.

"It is written in the Gemara [Berachot 57a] that one who sees Huna in a dream will have a miracle happen to him. If he sees Chanina, Chananya, Yochanan, or Nisi, many miracles will occur. However, this applies only if he sees these names in writing. Rashi explains that all these names contain the letter nun, the first letter of the word -- miracle." [Source]

By focusing on the letter Nun, it can bring you from a state of darkness to a state of joy, and to see miracles.

Perhaps we can explain this based on the Gemara in Berachot [57a] which says that one who sees the names "Chanina, Chananiah, or Yochanan" in a dream - "nisei nisim" (wondrous miracles) were done for him. 

Rashi explains that all of them have a double nun, alluding to "nisei nisim," many miracles. The Maharsha explains differently, however, that a name defines a person, and all of these names have either a yud-hey or yud-vav and the letters "chen." The base of these names, therefore, is that the person finds "chen" (grace) in the eyes of Hashem. 

All of these people recognize even in natural, mundane events the goodness of Hashem. The Ramban at the end of parshat Bo [Shemot 13:16] says that a person does not have a share in the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu unless he believes that everything is a miracle. We say three times a day, "for your miracles that are with us every day." [Rabbi Y. M. Schachter]

The letter Nun and Moshiach

Letters of Light: Nun [video]

Gog u Magog

Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz

Today's Random Items

Here are some photos which may convince you that something huge is occurring in the Heavens and I truly believe Hashem is preparing the world for major events.  Don't ask me technical questions, I have no answers, these are planets, halfway between the Sun and the Earth. Very close... if you believe NASA's measurements they are still 46 million miles away.

The first two photos are from today's batch... the remainder are some I have kept on hand from weeks or months ago.  These are all planets, each has unique clouds and colours.

Photo: Science & Astronony - FB

Photo: Nathan Erikson, Sioux Falls South Dakota
overlapping planets

This is the planet Atu, which has a base they are calling a "snail's foot"

Albion Park NSW Australia Oct 16 2023



This is the reason why we have weather conditions like this:

And these are just a couple of videos I thought worth sharing:

The first one is author  Douglas Murray speaking, and the second one is native New Zealanders [Maoris] doing a Haka for the Israeli hostages.. we need these guys on the front line.... thank you to the Maori [pronounced Mow-ri] people for supporting Israel.

End of Days Zohar Predictions

Rabbi Alon Anava

Last Night

The moon last night, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England

Photo: Cloud Appreciation Society

It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn

Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz

Rachel and Leah

This week's Parsha Vayeitze is the Parsha of the week I was born.

Is there any personal significance to the Parsha of the week you were born? Find out here.

Vision of Rachel and Leah: Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Lavan had two daughters, the older was was called Leah, and the younger one was called Rachel.

[Vayeitze 29:16]

Rachel represents the approach of tzadikim whose lives are totally holy; and Leah represents the approach of ba'alei teshuvah (penitents) who elevate the secular world to holiness.

Thus, Rachel was naturally attractive: "Rachel had beautiful features and a beautiful complexion" like the tzaddik whose character is flawless; whereas Leah cried profusely, alluding to the process of teshuvah. She was also naturally outgoing, a talent which helps a person to bring the outside world to the realm of holiness.

"Yaakov was an honest person, dwelling in tents" [Toldos 25:27]-  i.e. he busied himself only with matters of holiness - the approach of tzaddikim.  Therefore, people said that Yaakov was destined for Rachel, since their characters matched.  Eisav, on the other hand, was an outgoing "man of the field". Therefore people said that he would be a good match for Leah, for only the talented, outgoing Leah would have the ability to make Eisav do teshuvah.

Source: Based on Likutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe: Gutnick Chumash

G-d Floods Gaza Tunnels

H/T Joe

Now we can see the passing binary solar system in action, over Gaza.  Hashem has used it to flood the tunnels, which the IDF were planning to do anyway.  Hashem did it for them.  I just hope the Israeli hostages are not caught up in the flooding.  As we are in the month of Kislev, which is a month of miracles, let us pray that they come home safely.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, all my posts on the passing solar system can be found by clicking on the Label Wonders underneath this post.

"The Spiritual War" Podcast with Rabbi Shimon Kessin

 "G-d is bringing the Redemption much faster, and there are some people who think that Moshiach will come this year" - Rabbi Shimon Kessin

Rabbi Kessin gives advice on how we can accelerate the Redemption.

The Pain You Cause Others Will Come Back to Haunt You

 Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz

Message to Am Yisrael

H/T Rivka

HaGaon haYanuka

First he meets the soldiers, shiur starts at the 3min mark.  Hebrew with English subtitles.

To see the English subtitles, click on the cog at the bottom right hand corner of the video, click Subtitles and navigate to translate to English.

Right at the beginning he talks about Gog u Magog and says "it is an entirely different matter"....

For all the Noahides, approx 11.30 mark he speaks about the righteous of the nations.

An Enemy of the Jewish People

Following Obama's recent comments on Israel [which I couldn't even listen to because just looking at this man makes me feel ill], Alan Dershowitz calls him despicable and "an enemy of the Jewish people".  I told you this back in 2008 and again in 2011, 2014, and most recently 2023.

Yishmael vs Edom - Iran vs USA

Who Will Win?

"We're close to the end. We want to know: how close are we? "

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

How to be Saved !

 Rabbi Yuval Ovadia spells it out in this video.

From the Zohar [from around 12:30 in the video] - note, I'm mostly quoting Rabbi Ovadia, but have changed some words and added a couple of things to clarify.  Please listen to the shiur to hear his exact words.

"A star with seven moons - a mini solar system in fact - will appear."   [To see all the posts I've done on this "mini solar system" click here]

This is the Kochav Yaakov, although Rabbi Ovadia calls it the Star of David.

Some people call it Nibiru, but there's a whole other theory that Nibiru is just a blue planet, so let's just call it the Kochav Yaakov.

The appearance of this star will be parallel to the revelation of Moshiach.

Although nothing is for sure until it happens, the rise of the jihadists around the world could lead to a war between them and the gentile nations - between Yishmael and Eisav.  Maybe Korea or China will wage war against a xtian country.  During this war, the Star shows up, causing the destruction of many places on earth.

How can we be saved?  The Prophet says anyone who will call out for salvation from the Almighty will be saved.  So many were saved during the massacre of October 7 because they called out to Hashem. These were secular Jews, not religious, and they called Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad - they just said this "Jewish Password", the first line of the Shema, and were literally saved!

He tells an amazing story of how a Jewish family were saved by this Jewish password, around the 15 minute mark, but I do suggest you listen to the entire shiur.

Details of this War: The Start and The End

 HT: Dov bar Leib 

This is Rabbi Eliyahu and Rabbi Shalom, it's in Hebrew but there is a transcript underneath which I deciphered thanks to Google translate.  As it turns out, Ari Goldwag is right !

"Welcome.. Welcome..." You may sit down, Your Honor! 

Rabbi Shalom asks: So, the rabbi said: On the day of Pesach, I showed the rabbi - the rabbi said that after Sukkot - the end of the world. 

So Rabbi Shalom asks: What is going to happen? How much longer is this going to last? 

The rabbi: The matter is like this: the sages said about the Haftar that we read on the holiday of Sukkot: "On the day Gog comes upon the land of Israel"... [In the prophet Ezekiel, in chapter 37, it appears and is written] "The Vision of the Dry Bones", it is written (ibid.): "Did these bones cry out"? 

And he continues and answers his question: that there is a war that will begin in Sukkot and end on Passover Eve! - 

And where is it written: Elijah the prophet said about the well-known verse: "And he said that there is a hand on the throne for the Lord to fight against Amalek from generation to generation." what day is it - On the eve of Passover, in the middle of the day The first half of the month is 14 days, the eve of Passover. "...because there is a hand on the throne...." - God will sit on his throne and this will happen on Passover Eve! In this second the world will end and there is a war that will continue from the evening of Sukkot until the eve of Passover. 

Her name will end, the light will go down. There will be a war, the nations of the world will intervene, there will be an atom (atomic bomb)! 

The Gra says: There will be three minutes (of a bomb) atomized and God will do the war... 

A question to the rabbi: So what should we do about sweetening these decrees? 

The rabbi's answer: By righteousness, by the Torah...by mercy, by mercy...! 

What will be with the captives? 

Rabbi Eliyahu Abutbol: BA will be released soon. The problem is that it will take time, what the sages said - and this is also who said... Rabbi Yonatan Eivshitz, zt'l. Have you seen his letter? 

Those present ask Rabbi Eliyahu, Shalita: What does he say? 

Rabbi Shalom, Shalita, reads the words of Rabbi Yonathan Eybshitz, zt'l: "And truly, in our many sins, the advice of Balaam happened, who said to Balak: "What will this nation do to your people in the end of days. Namely: "Acharit Yamim", which is the joy of the Torah, when in our many iniquities the devil rules, and Balaam's counsel is almost fulfilled in our many iniquities, in which the mixture of women and young men and virgins will dance like stags and foxes will dance there and a great breach will be made in our many iniquities..."! "That's what happened!!! The boys and girls went ... prohibitions on celibacy and there was also a statue (as everyone who saw the videos from that 'nature party / the Nova party' knows, God save us!!!!!! (And it happened) on Simchat Torah!!! here!!! 

The rabbis agree with Rabbi Shalom and Rabbi Eliyahu, Shalita: Yes, exactly like that!!! Rabbi Eliyahu continues and tells them: "And the owner of the 'honey forests' wrote these things about 300 years ago!!! The honorable rabbis say to Rabbi Eliyahu, Shalita: "This is the Holy Spirit, Rabbi, huh...? It's the Holy Spirit"!!! 

Rabbi Eliyahu, Shalita continues and says: This time has come! Here! Rabbi Zadok HaCohen of Lublin, zt'l, he says that the Messiah will come on the first day of Nissan! "In Nisan they will be redeemed and in Ha Nigal (in the month of Nisan)!" That's what everyone said!!! About the war of Gog and Magog - and redemption will be in Nisan in Israel! This is all proven!!! 

Rabbi Shalom and Rabbi Avraham Asulin say to Rabbi Abitbol: The soldiers walk with dedication.... Rabbi Eliyahu: "Sure, sure... they are great tzaddik!!! The Almighty will save them and they will not touch them! May they go healthy and unscathed in their war and so be it willed and we say Amen"

The Test at the End of Days

I don't remember when or where, but I clearly remember learning that at the End of Days we would be tested.  You may think the test is whether we support Israel or not.... but I think the test is far greater than that.  

Someone very close to me, who didn't know Yiddish but had picked up a few words here and there [and managed to mis-pronounce all of them] used to often say she was "fedummeled".  Fedummeled is not actually a Yiddish word, it isn't any word at all, but she would use it when she was confused and couldn't focus on anything due to stress.   That's how I feel right now.. I feel fedummeled.  

I have gone back and forth, not understanding how the G-d that I have believed and trusted in for all my life could allow such terrible things to happen to innocent babies, children and parents.  It's not something I can deal with on any level.  Hence, I am fedummeled.

But I decided that this must be the actual test.... do we abandon G-d, as many did during the Holocaust, because G-d had obviously abandoned those who awaited their death in the concentration camps?  Or do we carry on and understand that this is happening for a reason?  How can we believe in Hashem's kindness in the face of such horror that we witnessed on October 7 ?

I think this is the test at the End of Days.  It's a very difficult test, because we cannot understand why Hashem would allow any of it.  I have gone back and forth with this issue, I have no answers and no comprehension of Hashem's ways.  I thought I knew who G-d was, obviously I was under a false impression because the G-d I know would not have allowed the events of October 7.

I don't know what to make of anything right now.  What do I do with the innocent people in Gaza with no food or water, or shelter?  What do I with my heartache for all the suffering of my own people? 

I remain fedummeled. I'm not sure I'm even passing the test at the End of Days right now.  Even if I pray to G-d, I'm still shell-shocked and operating on less than 50% of my usual power. 

I know as a blogger I'm supposed to present an outward sense of strength and pass that on to my readers. I admire those bloggers [and commenters] who can do that, I admire their strength, especially if they are living in Israel. Although lately I've been thinking it's a lot harder to be a Jew in the diaspora, and I haven't gone out very much since October 7 which is already one month ago.  I've been dazed for a month, I'm confused and yes I am fedummeled.

The Simchat Torah End of Days Prophecy

Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz in his book Yaarot Devash haShalem [Honeycombs] 

Book 1, Chapter 5   [translation by Reuven]

"...there happened the advice of Bilaam, who said to Balak, "Your counsel, which this nation will do to your people in the End of Days" [Balak 24:14], and we were the end which is Yud Tet which is yomtov, which is Simchat Torah and like in the past when the evil inclination – Yetzer Hara- Satan happened like Bilaam's counsel in the past in which there are mixtures of men and women, men and women, single men and single women who are virgins and they will dance there and they will dance inappropriately with illicit dancing, and a great and big loophole – breach is made, and all the good that they merited from the High Holy days – Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur they will lose all the favors that they have gained and this will be such terrible days, and woe is Bilaam's advice to do in the last days, and bitter and evil is the matter for me to do."

Now you see the clear prophecy of Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz, please go to Tomer Devorah and read her post Tzeva Adom!

The 10 minute video below explains it all very clearly.

  "because of our sins, the satan is in charge"

Now, that's pretty much the same thing Rabbi Anava said.... "who is running the show?"  [see comments here]

Information on Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz  -click here

Round the Clock Prayers Needed

Please click here to read this post 

Wherever you are in the world, calculate your time difference at the World Clock and time your Tehillim and other prayers to coincide with the Israeli time of 2am - 5am.  You can save the lives of the IDF and really make a contribution to this battle.

The Flag of Palestine 1939

 

Hidden Blessings

“A blessing rests only on something that is hidden from the eye.” [Taanit 5b]

"And they gave their father wine to drink on that night....."[Vayeira 19:33 ]

According to the Zohar, the dot on the word - וּבְקוּמָהּ - alludes to the fact that God was secretly assisting this event, because Moshiach was to materialize from it, since Ruth, King David's great-grandmother, was a convert from the Moabites.

The latter event between Lot and his younger daughter [19:35] is written without the letter vav, to indicate that the union did not produce such great offspring.  Rabbi  Shimon said "When the verses states that Lot wasn't aware, it means he wasn't aware that Moshiach was destined to come from this union."

Why should the beginnings of Moshiach occur in such an undignified manner?

Ramak explains that when a very lofty soul is about to descend into the world, the forces of kelipah [evil] oppose the soul's descent vehemently.  Sometimes, however, kelipah will consent to the soul's descent if it occurs amidst a particularly sinful act.  Thus we find that from this undesirable act the ancestor of Moshiach was born.

Source: Lubavitcher Rebbe

The Middle East Conflict - Part 3: Protecting Yourself from Calamity through Shmiras Halashon

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Please click here to subscribe to Torah Thinking for all official updates.

Part 3

Just in case you need confirmation that this is indeed Part 3 of the Holocaust [Gog u Magog] -

Israel's United Nations ambassador displayed a yellow star on his chest Monday as he addressed the Security Council, provocatively pledging to wear the badge until members of the body condemn Hamas "atrocities." 

"Some of you have learned nothing in the past 80 years. Some of you have forgotten why this body was established," envoy Gilad Erdan said, as he denounced the Security Council for "staying silent" over the unprecedented deadly attacks by Hamas Palestinian militants against Israel on October 7. 

The deeply divided 15-member council has not adopted a single resolution on the three-week-long war between Israel and Hamas. 

"So, I will remind you. From this day on, each time you look at me you will remember what staying silent in the face of evil means," the ambassador said.

"Just like my grandparents, and the grandparents of millions of Jews, from now on my team and I will wear yellow stars," he said, standing up to affix one on the breast of his suit inscribed with the words "Never Again," in reference to the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear by the Nazis.

Now What?

 Rabbi Alon Anava - conclusion to previous video which can be found here

Moshiach #17 - 1948-1967-2024

 Ari Goldwag 

What is the common thread that runs through the years 1948, 1967 and 2024, as well as the years 2005 (Gush Katif) and 1492 (Expulsion from Spain)? 

What is the concept of the Sod Ha'ibur - the Secret of the Leap Year, or, more literally, the Secret of the Pregnancy? 

What can we observe about the 19 year cycle of the Jewish calendar, which contains 7 leap year? 

What is special about the 8th year of that cycle? 

What is the 9 month 'birthing' process that begins every leap year - in Av of the year before? 

What starts to be revealed in the end of Tishrei of a leap year? 

What is behind the concept of the 70 day period from 25th of Adar until the 6th of Sivan? 

How does this explain the 70 days from 28th of Iyar (Yom Yerushalayim) and the 9th of Av? 

What did the Chofetz Chaim predict about where in the world would remain safe during World War II? 

What is the unique power of Moshiach ben Yosef in destroying the Persians (Iran) and facing off with the nations of the world? 

Find out all this and more in this 17th edition of the Moshiach Podcast.

Golda Meir "I'm a Palestinian!"

 

Thoughts and Notes on Rabbi Anava's Lecture

Note: I have added a few of my own bit and pieces here, but basically all of this information was part of Rabbi Anava's lecture.  

Rabbi Anava is polarising, people either love him or hate him. [Judging by the number of views and reading the comments under the video at You Tube, he is adored by thousands]  He can say scary things, and that is why I stopped putting his videos on the blog quite a while ago.  However, in hindsight, I can see he was right, even if I didn't want to hear it then. 

Rabbi Anava's words are always from his heart.  He is obviously angry about the situation and all the lies we're being fed from various sources.  I did listen to the entire lecture, bit by bit, and I found it extremely helpful in many ways.   

One of the more interesting points he made was when he quoted the words of Esther haMalka from Megillat Esther... and showed how she was talking about the End of Days, in coded language, and the gematriot of the words Haman haRa haZeh... this evil Haman.... and the ultimate plan for the State of Israel at the end of time.  It's very scary... but it rings true.  I have not heard it spoken of so clearly before, and I think he's right.  I'm not giving you any more information, you'll have to listen to find out what I'm talking about. However it involves the Pope and the English monarchy. Rest assured, Rabbi Anava brings it all back to G-d.  

None of the conspiracies he talks about have any relevance when Hashem strikes back, and that is going to happen, no doubt about that.  Just as the evil ones have a "plan" for the State of Israel, so Hashem has a "plan" for them.   

In the last hour of the shiur he talks a lot about sinat chinam and ahavat chinam, and the baseless hatred that exists amongst us all.  Jealousy, bitterness... whatever form it takes, we all have it at times and it is directed at someone we may not even know.  Rabbi Anava had some very helpful advice for how to handle this, and remove any baseless hatred from your life.  Rabbi Kessin also spoke about this topic in his latest shiur..   Now Rabbi Kessin and Rabbi Anava are totally different personalities in so many ways... and yet they were both talking about the very same thing in relation to current events. 

After listening to Rabbi Anava,  I came to the conclusion that it is midda kneged midda.... Jews have baseless hatred towards each other, and Hashem has sent baseless hatred towards the Jews [worldwide anti-semitism] because Hashem has HAD ENOUGH of our behaviour and we are being chastened by the stick.  We are the generation with the face of a dog.... we are blaming the stick for our pain.... but the real force behind the stick is not Hamas, or Iran, or the jihadists in every country..... it is Hashem Himself.   

The Baal Shem Tov famously said "not a leaf falls from a tree without  Hashem's Will".  

Rabbi Anava explains how Hashem is angry with people who worship a man.... and whether that man is from 2000 years ago or 50 years ago, it doesn't matter.... Hashem is angry because we should not be worshipping a man! and calling that man "Moshiach" when he is already gone from this world.  Stop calling people, whether they are dead or alive, by the term "Moshiach" and worshipping that person as if it was already a certainty.  Hashem is angry about that. Moshiach will be revealed at the right time, and not a second before.  Right now we need to be putting our faith in G-d alone, not a man, not the IDF, or anything else.   

In the end, we are all one body of people.  Just because I don't do or think exactly as you do, it doesn't make me the enemy.  Accept everyone's differences and respect them, don't hate them because they do things in a different way to you. 

Now that we have had the scorpion attack us in the month of Heshvan which is the mazal of the akrav - the scorpion - we are instantly realizing who the enemy really is, and we are being nicer to each other, because we're all in this together: all the types of Jews that exist are one.   Just take off the face of the dog and stop blaming the stick.... it is from Hashem.... and when we all turn to Hashem, and Hashem alone, He will fight our battles and bring Moshiach.  

How long will it take?  That depends on us.  

I would like to sincerely thank Rabbi Anava for making it all so clear to me. 

He mentions the fact that many people are saying masses of Tehillim, giving tzedaka, etc etc but the bottom line is, what Hashem REALLY WANTS from us is not just to say Tehillim and continue living as before. We have to change inside ourselves. We have to actually DO something about the way we behave towards others. You can't spend hours saying Tehillim and then write, speak or believe lashon hara about another  and expect Hashem to accept your prayers. 

It is our fault that Hashem is angry, and we have to fix that with concrete action on the ground. If the Israeli government followed Torah, they would understand that.  Hashem would fight this war for them. All we have to do is turn to Hashem.   

Rabbi Abba son of Kahana said, “David’s generation were all righteous, but because there were informers among them, they fell in battle...Ahab’s generation were idolaters, but because there were no informers, they went to battle and were victorious.” [Jerusalem Talmud, Peah 1:1]

Jerusalem is the city that joins all the tribes together as one. When the Jewish people come together as one, nothing can destroy Jerusalem. And only when there is love and caring between them is the destruction and our exile healed.  When a father sees his children working together with love, he is prepared to give them anything.  Yes, love for one another means also to care enough to encourage the other to do mitzvahs and learn Torah.  But first comes the love.  See Likutei Sichot, vol. 30, pg. 221.

Are You Ready to Meet G-d? What Really Happened on Oct 7? What is G-d's Message To Us

Rabbi Alon Anava [contains mild violence and is age restricted] - click on the video to watch on You Tube.

As it's over 3 hours long, I obviously haven't listened to it yet.  Will try and listen today on and off.

11 Cheshvan: Yarzheit Rachel Imeinu

Jewish Mother's Day The 11th of Cheshvan 

by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh

One of the most important days in the month of Cheshvan is the 11th, which commemorates the day of passing of our matriarch Rachel. Rachel was Jacob's most beloved wife and was the principal of his household and thus the principal of the entire house of Israel. From the first day of the year, the 1st day of Tishrei, the 11th day of Cheshvan is the 41st day. 41 is the numerical value of the Hebrew word "eim," which means "mother," thus the 11th of Cheshvan is truly the Jewish Mother's Day.

"Rachel cries for her children, she will not be comforted…"

Rachel constantly mourns over the exile of her children, the Jewish people, and the Almighty comforts her with the words: "Withhold your voice from crying and your eyes from tearing, for there is a reward for your actions… and the children will return to their border." Literally, "return to their border" refers to the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. But, more deeply, it refers to the return of our people to our natural spiritual environs: Judaism and our ancestral Jewish nature. These are the borders that truly circumscribe the uniqueness of our people. Amazingly, numerically, the value of the Hebrew word for "border" (g'vul / גבול) is exactly the same as the value of the word for "mother" (eim / אם); both equal 41.

In Hebrew, Cheshvan is written with the four letters: חשון. The borders (the first and last letters) of Cheshvan are chet - ח and nun - ן, which together spell the word chein - חן, meaning "beauty." The word chein - חן, "beauty" equals 58. The 58th day of the year is the 28th day of Cheshvan.

Rachel is described as the most beautiful woman in the Torah. The numerical value of the two middle letters, shin and vov, שו, is equal to isha -אשה , meaning "woman." Thus, the name of the month itself hints at the special and unique grace endowed to women.

King Solomon says that external beauty by itself is deceitful. If external beauty is all that a woman seeks then the name of the month becomes Marcheshvan, which means Bitter-Cheshvan. It is of such a woman King Solomon says: "And I find the woman to be more bitter than death." But, of true beauty, the beauty of a Jewish woman that emanates from within, he says: "The woman of beauty shall support honor." This true beauty is given to us, the Jewish people, by G‑d through the Torah, for "there is no truth but Torah" and "there is no honor but Torah."

It was Rachel, who was first endowed with this real beauty. Rachel is described as the most beautiful woman in the Torah, "She had a beautiful face and a beautiful figure." Thus, Rachel was the embodiment of the verse: "A woman who fears G‑d, she shall be praised," praised both for her grace and true beauty.

The beauty of the Jewish woman is not just a passive agent of spirituality. The sages teach that the offspring of Esau and his grandson Amalek can be defeated only by the children of Rachel.

Who embodies the spirit of Amalek in our day and age? In Hebrew, the words "Amalek" (עמלק) and "doubt" (safek / ספק) have the same numerical value. Thus, the spirit of Amalek that continues to plague each and every Jew is doubt; doubt in our faith, doubt in our Torah, and doubt in ourselves and the moral justification of our path.

But, sometimes the spirit of Amalek becomes bolder and captures a Jew (whether he be a private individual or a political figure) to the point of driving him or her to unconscious or even conscious self-hatred. This can result in a Jew's cooperation with the enemies of our people.

Finally there are the direct spiritual offspring of Amalek: those enemies who threaten the lives of Jews and our return to the Land of Israel.

The sages say that beauty is a woman's weapon. With everything that we have said about Rachel, her role as our matriarch, as the progenitor of Jewish nature, and of her beauty, it should now be clear that our weapon for defeating Amalek is the special beauty and grace of the Jewish mother. Joseph the tzaddik (righteous one) inherited his mother Rachel's beauty and he too is described as having a beautiful face and a beautiful figure. That is why the prophet says about him that "the house of Jacob will be fire and the house of Joseph its flame and the house of Esau straw, and together they will ignite him and consume him; and there will be no remnant for the house of Esau."

True Jewish beauty and grace destroy the enemy indirectly but, beauty is no regular weapon. True grace and beauty work by attracting the sparks of holiness that are bound within the enemy. These sparks are G‑d's will that the enemy still exist. Yet, when they are redeemed by their attraction to true beauty, they escape the enemy's grasp, leaving him void of any Divine source and causing his demise. True Jewish beauty and grace destroy the enemy indirectly by leaving him void of any beauty or grace himself, making him irrelevant and powerless.

The battle against Amalek in our generation must be conducted primarily with our ability to communicate to all around us the true nature of Jewish beauty and grace. It is to this beauty of Jewish nature and character that we return during the month of Cheshvan by reconnecting with our matriarch Rachel, with our own Jewish nature, and with ourselves.

Also visit: Rachel's Tomb

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Yiddishe Mama

Rachel lost her own spiritual luxury - the privilege of being buried in the Cave of Machpeilah - in order to help her children. This represents the unparalleled quality of the "Jewish mother" who is always willing to sacifice her own needs, spiritual or physical, for the sake of helping her children.

And this is the inner reason why Jewish identity follows the maternal and not the paternal route. For even though the father possesses a greater degree of spirituality - since he has the privilege of observing more mitzvos than a woman - the quality of a Jewish mother is nevertheless greater, that she is willing to forego much of that spirituality in order to enable her to raise a family with tender loving care. And since this quality is even more quintessentially Jewish than the spirituality of the man, it is the mother that actually makes her children Jewish.

Based on Likutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Parshas Vayechi

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Mama Rochel understood that tending to a broken heart comes above even Kavod Hashem....

When Rochel, out of frustration, complained to Yaakov about not having children, Yaakov got angry with her. The mefarshim say, based on a medrash, that Yaakov was punished for getting angry at Rochel and telling her that she needs to daven to Hashem and not complain to him.

Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro points out that Yaakov was defending Kavod Shamayim (the honor of Heaven) and was correct that Rochel's complaints were unjustified. His mistake was that he addressed the words that she spoke and not the pain in her heart. Had he pierced the veil of her soul, he would have known that because of her anguish, the words escaped her mouth and she was not accountable for them. He should have been slower to defend Kavod Shamayim and faster to understand human suffering.

This he explains was the greatness of Rochel. After the destruction of the first Temple, when Bnei Yisroel went into Galus, all the Avos and Imahos came before Hashem with all their great zechusim but were turned away empty handed. All the heroism of the Akeida, Yaakov's Torah, and lives of pure mesiras nefesh to build Klal Yisroel, did not impress Hashem in that dark moment of history.

The only one who merited Hashem's attention was Rochel Imeinu. What was her great act that warranted this special treatment? That she gave the simanim to her sister and helped fool Yaakov. With this bravery, in her mind, she was sabotaging the history of the Jewish nation since she understood that it was her and Yaakov that were destined to build the nation. Nevertheless she chose to cast aside her own destiny and Hashem's grand plan in order to save her sister from a single embarrassing moment.

Only Rochel, who had such a deep understanding of another person's pain and how it carries more weight than the entire Jewish experience, can be Hashem's emissary to bring his children's pain before Him. Only tears from Mama Rochel can bring the Geula.

Fighting Evil With Good

It may seem strange, but by doing extra mitzvot wherever you live outside of Israel, you are actually helping Israel in so many ways.  "A small amount of light dispels a great deal of darkness" [Tanya Ch 12]  

Imagine a dark room, no light at all, and then someone lights a candle... one tiny flame can illuminate a very large area.

Following article by Rabbi Simon Jacobson

We Can Dispel Darkness with Our Light 

The greatest and most powerful response to the terror around us is by doubling and tripling our effort in helping those around us. As much as you have done until now, go out of your way and lend your hand to another – financially, emotionally, spiritually – in whatever way possible. 

Do something to save a life, and you save not just that life but the life of the entire universe. 

Do not stand by as an observer on the sidelines. Act. 

Do your thing today to help another person. 

Add an additional mitzvah. 

Keep Shabbat and Kashrut. 

Light a Shabbat candle Friday before sundown. 

Study Torah. 

Pray. 

All people – commit to the universal Divine laws that transform this world into a holier place. 

We are not victims or mere observers. Our actions matter now and forever. 

Our blood boils when we hear about those that were silent during the Holocaust. When we will be asked one day: “What did you do about the tragic events happening around you?” what will your answer be?

Let us not be left with no answer, or worse yet, an answer that we did nothing. We want to know that we did everything in our power. I know we all feel the same. Let us create a true revolution. 

Let us reconnect to our Divine mission. Let us move heaven and earth with our actions. We have been promised that when we do, we will save the universe – literally.

What can we do on a practical level?   Click here to continue reading.

Shmiras Halashon: How to Protect Yourself Against the Rise of Antisemitism

 

HAKADOSH BARUCH HU SAYS

"I can save you from all harm provided you don't speak loshon hora."  [Iyov 5:21]

To subscribe to the daily mailing Shmiras HaLashon group click here

The Middle East Conflict at the End of Time: Part 2

Part 1 can be found here.

Rabbi Mendel Kessin.

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Emunah: Above and Beyond

''He trusted in Hashem, and He considered this for him as an act of righteousness'' [Lech Lecha 15:6]

Why, asked the Chofetz Chaim, was Avraham's trust in Hashem considered 'righteousness' - as though it was something above and beyond what was demanded of him? After, all, Avraham fulfilled every commandment in the Torah; what was so unique about his trust in Hashem?

We see from here, answered the Chofetz Chaim, that trust in Hashem is more than just another mitzvah, rather it is the foundation of the entire Torah.

To what can this be compared? To a man drowning in the sea who suddenly sees a tree extending from the shore. Which part of the tree will he attempt to grab? Not the branches, for they can easily be broken off; rather, he grabs hold of the roots.

So too, concluded the Chofetz Chaim, is trust in Hashem. Trust in Hashem is comparable to the sturdy roots of a tree, which serve as a foundation and a base for the entire tree.

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein