Updated: Attack on Iran: Decisive Step to Gog u Magog

Rav Ron Chaya

 

Iran is obsessed with destroying Israel. 

We will experience Gog u Magog... a people who come from the North to attack us.  In my opinion they are in agreement to attack, both at the same time.  It is noted that there is no greater day for the people of Israel than Yom Kippur and the 15th of Av.  [not sure why he mentions that here, perhaps it will become clearer later in the video]

He begins by explaining why we are at war....  We have been waiting for this for 30 - 40 years.  Although it is only about 15% of Iranians who wish for the destruction of Israel, we believe they are Amalek. They have a hatred of the G-d of Israel and an incomprehensible obsession with its destruction. 

Apparently Hitler yemach shemo told them to change the name from Persia to Iran, because they are "Aryan" like him, descended from the Iranian [Aryan] stock.  Obviously we have no doubt that Hitler yemach shemo was Amalek whose sole purpose was to annihilate the Jewish people.  Anyway, he told the Iranians that they are from the same race and we see this obsession with wanting to destroy the land of Israel.  Iran is a poor country and most of the money it has, it uses to buy weapons, build an atomic bomb etc. 

Iran is the centre of the Shi'ites. It was Iran who armed Hezbollah.  They are also the ones who assisted Hamas in Gaza. And they send the missiles to the Houthis in Yemen to fire them into Israel.

So we can say it is an octopus with many tentacles whose head is Iran. 

They think the Madi [their Moshiach]  must come within the framework of war throughout the world, an end of time war.

For years and years we have known that we have to go to war against Iran and the leaders of Israel have been preparing for it.  As we know Iran now has an atomic bomb, Israel had to act. 

He then speaks a bit about the miracles of what Israel has achieved so far, killing the commanders etc.

He speaks about Bibi going to the Kotel to pray, with Javier Milleil, and how we have never seen that... even with Bibi not being a classical orthodox Jew, but he still davened at the Kotel for hatzlacha. Bibi also put a note in the Kotel, a verse from parshat Balak which speaks a lot about the end times. This act of public prayer to Hashem was a Kiddush Hashem.  That a secular statesman goes to pray at the Kotel is extraordinaire !  It's an example for Jews everywhere.  We must call on G-d and then see the phenomenal results.

[this is also what Rabbi Weisberg was saying two blog posts below this one.... ]

He then explains that Israel does not want war, and all we want to do is live in peace... he is explaining this for the non-Jews who have written to him and do not understand certain things.  [I won't type up this part, if you want to hear it, it begins around the 8.30 mark and there are subtitles in any language]

He goes into the history of  Israel and the Israeli/Palestinian origins and the various wars, the surrender of Gaza by Ariel Sharon. 

How does Moshiach come? 

The great non Jewish prophet Bilaam from the parsha Balak, which we will read in four weeks time. Bilaam speaks about the End in two verses.

"Alas! Who will be able to survive when God will impose these things?"   [Balak 24:23]

"Ships from the Kittites will afflict Assyria, and afflict those on the other side. But he, too, will perish forever.” [Balak 24:24]

It is Yishmael who will do us harm at the End of Days.  As it is written in Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer, why are the Arabs called Ishmael? because in the end they will do a lot of harm to Israel. The people of Israel will cry to G-d and G-d will listen [i-shemael] and will answer.  It is a verse in Tehillim, G-d will listen and answer us. 

Now we come to the ships from Kittim.  While there are many interpretations of these ships, the most famous one comes from Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel who says that these are soldiers/armed fleets that come from the west and they will attack what is today known as Iraq.  This was actually the Gulf Wars when the allied forces came by boat to attack Iraq.  But now it is the other side of the "river" and it is Iran, and the boats will come from the distant shores of the west: America and England as was the case in the Gulf war.

It would seem that America will soon enter the war against Iran because Trump wants to get rid of the Shi'ite leadership... note that 85% of the Iranians are not fanatical Shi'ites who just want to destroy Israel.

Iran has threatened to attack U.S. bases and that's all they have to do to provoke Trump.  He's going to be red-faced, and he's going to smash them into little pieces. And then we'll see Bilaam's prophecy.

Regarding the other part of that verse  "But he, too, will perish forever.” ....The attacker is therefore America.... so how could America be lost for eternity?  Perhaps for example Putin has said he won't hesitate to press the button...but besides that, the great economists of the world say we are on the verge of an economic crash in America, called the End of the Kingdom of Wall St... i.e. the stock market. It will be finished. The dollar will no longer be needed. When Moshiach arrives the dollar will be worth nothing at all - zero.  

So I give you my explanation, but it could all be completely wrong.  In any case, we were waiting for the Israeli and now especially the U.S. attack on Iran, as it is written in the text.... first Iraq and then Iran. 

Also in Daniel Chapter 2,   Nebuchadnezzar's dream where he sees a large statue which in fact represents all the nations for which Israel will be in exile.  At the end, the statue collapses, and even in the order that they collapse - and the final one is Iran. 

So there will be economic collapse, and I could be wrong but I don't think I am wrong. 

[Rav Ron Chaya]

Prayers for the State of Israel, the IDF and the Hostages

 

Gog Magog, the Rebbe, Netanyahu, Trump and the coming of Moshiach

Suddenly everything makes sense.

I highly recommend you listen to this. 

Rabbi Weisberg is very excited, he's speaking much faster than usual....although the volume seems a bit low...  

He talks about the prophecies of the final war: the War of Gog and Magog, Trump and his role, who is Gog, and then at 19.45 he talks about the incredible role of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Netanyahu.  Approx 23:50 he talks about the two parts of Eisav [and Trump]. And why this had to happen before Moshiach comes. 

Here is Netanyahu with Javier Mileil from 3 days ago, as described in Rabbi Weisberg's video.  

Also see  You Can Stay Here Until the Arrival of the Messiah

Beha'aloscha: The War Against Iran

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein - 5 min shiur

Specific Psalms

Art: Shoshanna Bauer
"Shalom rav al Yisrael am'cha tasim l'olam"
Establish abundant peace upon Your people Yisrael forever

Rebbe Nachman's Tikun HaK'Lali (Complete Remedy) is a set of 10 Psalms [Tehillim] which, when said daily, are of great benefit for all ailments and difficult situations in a person's life.  Rebbe Nachman advised people to say these 10 Psalms daily:

"I am very positive in everything I say. But I am most positive in regard to the great benefit of these ten Psalms."

"These are the ten Psalms: 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150."

"This is the General Remedy. There is a specific remedy for each sin, but this is the general remedy."

"Go out and spread the teaching of the ten Psalms to all men."

"It may seem like an easy thing to say ten Psalms. But it will actually be very difficult in practice."

[Rebbe Nachman of Breslov]

Other Psalms and when to say them:

To find a mate (shidduch) - Psalm Nos. 32, 38, 70, 71, 72, 82, 121, 124

On the day of a wedding - Psalm 19

For healthy childbirth - Psalms 4, 5, 8, 20, 35, 57, 93, 108, 142

Upon the birth of a child - Psalms 20,139

On the day of a circumcision - Psalm 12

For recovery from illness - Psalms 6, 13, 20, 22, 23, 30, 32, 38, 41, 51, 86, 88, 91, 102, 103, 121, 130, 142, 143

For livelihood - Psalms 23, 34, 36, 62, 65, 67, 85, 104, 121, 136, 144, 145

For peace - Psalm 46

In times of crisis - Psalms 20, 121, 130

Antidote for rejoicing at an enemy's downfall - Psalm 7

For success - Psalm 112

For protection against an ayin hora - Psalm 59

For the Jewish People - Psalms 43, 79, 80, 83

For thanksgiving - Psalms 9, 21, 57, 95, 100, 116, 138

For Divine guidance - Psalm 139

For repentance - Psalms 51, 90

For help in troublesome times - Psalms 20, 38, 85, 86, 102, 130, 142

Prayer recited when traveling - Psalm 91

Psalm of thanksgiving for a miracle - Psalm 18

Psalm of thanksgiving upon being rescued - Psalm 124

In a house of mourning - Psalm 49

At a gravesite or on a Yahrzeit - Psalms 33, 16, 17, 72, 91, 104, 130

At the dedication of a monument - Psalm 1

For "supernatural" results: 121, 130 or 142 - all three Psalms have eight verses, eight represents "Above Nature" - the time of Moshiach.

Tehillim online: Hebrew and English: http://tehilimhotline.org

Return

Rebbe Nachman said that repentance helps for all sins.

True repentance involves never repeating the sin.

"You must return to the same place where you sinned, and put yourself in the same situation, and let the temptation stand before your eyes. When you can do this, and not repeat the sin, then you have broken the evil urge and have truly repented."

Sometimes Hashem does this for you.  You are given the same event, like a gift, and you have the chance to behave differently.   Sometimes this can happen more than once, because you are being tested. Once you've passed the test, that situation will not cause you any more problems.

Protection

from the writings of the Ben Ish Hai

"Hashem safeguards the faithful, and repays the one who goes beyond to make arrogance" [Psalms 31:24]

It is bad enough to give in to negative traits that are part of our nature. Much worse is to arouse or cultivate negative traits, as did the Erev Rav in the desert.

Ben Ish Chai

They "desired a desire" - they desired to have desire - and they said "Would that we were given meat to eat!" [Numbers 11:4]

Another example is a poor man who is haughty. Wealth naturally pushes people toward arrogance, but if a poor man is haughty, he has brought it on himself.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who overcome their nature to serve G-d faithfully. An example is sharp Torah scholars who could find grounds to permit the forbidden but do not [see Eruvin 13b].

G-d punishes or protects most people through angels. But He "repays the one who goes beyond to make arrogance" - G-d personally punishes anyone who goes beyond his nature to make himself arrogant. And "Hashem safeguards the faithful" - He personally protects those who go beyond their nature to serve Him faithfully.

Talking to Yourself

Art: "Hannah's Reflection" - Jana Bouc





Sometimes when you speak to a friend, your words are not accepted.

Still, you can be motivated by your own words.

A ball cannot enter a stone wall, and therefore bounces back from it.

When your friend refuses to accept your words, they likewise are reflected back to you.  You are therefore influenced by your own words.

These same words may have had no effect if you would have spoken them to yourself.  But when you speak them to your friend and he is not influenced, they are reflected back to you.  You are therefore motivated by them.

Source: Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom by Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov

Translated by Rabbi Ayreh Kaplan

Open Your Eyes and Welcome the Messiah

Rabbi Y. Y. Jacobson on our favourite topic: Moshiach - 12 min video

Mysticism: Manna for All

But the multitude among them began to have strong cravings. Then even the children of Israel once again began to cry, and they said, "Who will feed us meat?  [Beha'alotecha 11:4]

Ordinary bread [''bread from the earth''] which is the product of hard physical labor, is a metaphor for the ''revealed'' interpretations of the Torah [nigleh] found in the Talmud, which require arduous analysis, questioning etc.

On the other hand, manna [''bread from Heaven''] represents the mystical teachings of the Torah, which are of such a ''heavenly'' nature that there is no disagreement or argument.

Logically speaking, a person might think that it is necessary to have a firm grounding in classic texts, and achieve a certain degree of spiritual greatness before one can progress to the study of mysticism.  However, the Torah teaches here that even the wicked individuals who complained to Moshe ate manna.

From this we can learn that it is appropriate for people from all walks of life to study the mystical teachings of the Torah - particularly as they are formulated clearly and methodically in the teachings of Chassidus.

Based on Likutei Sichos Lubavitcher Rebbe

Two Suns Worldwide

Mastercard....

First video, female singing

What's Going On...

This is a photo from East London on June 1st, as you can see there is a red sun with something pink around and above it. 

 

Georgia, June 1st

Yes, I know there are wildfires in Canada and everyone is blaming the sun's appearance on that.... but just check out these videos from the US dated 2nd and 3rd June, and you'll see that it's not the Sun at all, it's a totally different red object.    

"Sunset is over there"

"Not the Sun"

"A Second Sun"

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

Expedite the Coming of Moshiach

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein tells how the Chafetz Chaim wrote a special essay about the coming of Moshiach which could not be published because the censors at the time did not allow it's publication. 

Instead, the Chafetz Chaim had to publish it as a supplement in a journal which came out between 1905 and 1910,  and it is so secret that it is not even mentioned on the headstone of the Chofetz Chaim, where all his other Sefarim are mentioned.

Now for the first time, in English with notations and explanations, Artscroll is publishing Rabbi Glatstein's translation of  "Yearning for Redemption". [not available yet]  If you're interested in sponsorship opportunities there is an email address at the end of the video to contact Rabbi Glatstein.

As we say every day in the Amidah, Hashem please bring the Geula.....It is our yearning for redemption and this Sefer "Yearning for Redemption" that actually brings the Geula.  

The Book of Psalms of King David was written for the Moshiach

HaGaon HaYanuka

Hebrew with English subtitles

No Common Ground

Art Dima Dmitriev

Two people in Vilna had an argument that required a Din Torah. They agreed to choose the Dayanim [judges] through Borerus, where each one chose one Dayan and the two Dayanim would choose the third. 

One side chose the Vilna Gaon. The other side chose someone who wasn't a Ben Torah and the Vilna Gaon said he would not hear the case together with this other Dayan. He said that the Daas of a Ba'al HaBayis is completely different from Daas Torah and they would never see things eye to eye. 

When the Vilna Gaon was asked where his basis for this was in the Torah, he said that it can be found in Parshas Bamidbar. When discussing the encampment of the Shevatim, the Torah says each Degel had three Shevatim under it. By the last Shevet in each group the pasuk say's "U'Mateh," and the Shevet... However, by Zevulun - who was last in the Degel of Yehuda, right after Yisachar - it says only "Mateh," without the letter "Vav".   [Bamidbar 2:7]

The Vilna Gaon explains that the letter Vav connects what is written previously with what the Torah is saying now. Since Yisachar learned Torah, and Zevulun were the businessmen, their outlook was always different and there was no common ground between the two. Therefore, the connecting "Vav" was left out.

Source: Revach

The War Between Good and Evil: Current Events

Rav Ron Chaya

Israel is being harassed by an Islamist international allied with the Western left: Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza at the military level, and Western governments at the political level. Not to mention a hostile force acting from within known as the Erev Rav. 

This war also exists in the metaphysical and spiritual realms. The prophecies of the end times seem to be unfolding before our eyes.

The following is the text of Rav Chaya speaking

Israel's worst enemy today is not Hamas, not Iran, not Hezbollah.... because G-d is not going to let the apple of His Eye be gouged out without reacting.

We were waiting for the negotiations between Iran and America to collapse.  Baruch Hashem it all went wrong.  Two or three days ago the Iranian Foreign Minister said that they will continue to enrich uranium whether it's a negotiation or not.  At the same time, a couple of days ago CNN announced on behalf of American intelligence that it was preparing for an attack on Iran.  So things are moving forward.

It is written in the text that just before Moshiach comes, Iran falls into the hands of Edom.  Edom is the West.

So it is likely that it is not just Israel that will attack Iran. there will certainly be American help.  So there you have it.  We certainly  have Moshiach coming very very soon.  This goes hand in hand with the attack on Gaza and the general turmoil around the world.  

There is no army in the world who pays more attention to civilians than the Israeli army.

The Arabs are very good at advertising [propaganda] and so the whole world attacks us as usual.  It's not new, it's been the case for 3,300 years.

The Torah was given on Mt Sinai and it is called "Sinai" because the hatred of the people is against us.

Regarding the attack on Gaza, there is a very wise old man here in Jerusalem, he has Ruach haKodesh and sees things that other people don't see.  

His name is Rav Sheinberger   - He already spoke a year ago and said Israel must destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza because they are Amalek.  The end of Amalek comes through us and and we are the ones who must do this mitzvah.  Now we have decimated the entire Sinwar family Baruch Hashem, and all the commanders one after the other.

We are almost at the end and now the fireworks will be with Iran, who in my opinion is also Amalek.

I don't know when that end will be.... there is a Zohar that says it will be Shavuot which is very close. There are also Zohars which say Pesach and Rosh Hashanah.  These are all possible options, but it can happen very very quickly.

There is also the threat of world war with Putin, so France along with other European countries want to send soldiers against Putin.   Putin has said "I don't know if I will hesitate to press the button."  I tell you, he wouldn't hesitate.  Zechariah 13 says two thirds of the world will disappear.

Zelensky, Putin, Trump et al.... it's all about ego.   It's incredible that the destiny of the world is given to men who think only of their own money and their own honour: me, me, me! Russia, Ukraine, France etc.

Israel's worst enemy today is the Erev Rav. These people have a hatred of Israel and the [real] Jews. Among them are people who criticize Israel's attacks, saying it is war crimes.  However, Israel is the only country who sends messages to civilians telling them when they are going to attack. Thousands of telephone calls were made to people in Gaza telling them to get out of the way, we are going to attack.

This Erev Rav are also attacking the apple of G-d's eye.... the Torah students.  After 77 years of living in Israel they have developed laws to break the Torah, such as any student under 27 who does not want to go to the army will receive no funding for their children at creche. so a man with small children has to pay 7,000 shekels for day-care, but still they will give subsidies to the terrorist Arabs.  

In my opinion, Hashem is not going to put up with this, and we are very very close to the End. We're not going to stay like this for weeks or months - Hashem will react, and on the contrary, the merit that these people have will ensure they have help from Heaven. 

In the Zohar that speaks about Geula on Shavuot, it speaks about the Erev Rav, that they are the KEY to evil and it is because of them that the people of Israel are suffering.  It is said that at the end of time they will multiply greatly and be enormous in their power against us.

For me this is a clear sign that the end is very near. B'ezrat Hashem we hope, that it comes with great mercy, and we must prepare now and pray to G-d that it comes quickly without suffering or fear.

B'ezrat Hashem, very soon the Geula, Amen v' Amen.

In Reverse

"...and I will remember My covenant [with] Jacob, and also My covenant [with] Isaac, and also My covenant [with] Abraham I will remember." [Bechukotai 26:42]

Why are the forefathers listed in reverse order? asked R' Shmelke of Nikolsburg.

Chazal have taught us, answered the Rebbe, that "The world depends on three things - on Torah study, on the service of G-d, and on kind deeds [Pirkei Avot 1:2]

Each one of the forefathers was noted for a different character trait.

Yaakov embodied Torah study.  He was "a wholesome man abiding in tents" [Bereishis 25:27] who studied Torah in the yeshivah of Shem and Ever. 

Yitzchak, who had been bound to an altar, represented service of Hashem.

Avraham, the paradigm of hospitality, represented the trait of kindness.

The order in which the verse lists the forefathers - Yaakov, Yitzchak and Avraham - corresponds to the order utilitzed by Chazal to enumerate the three things upon which the world depends: first "Torah", then "service of G-d" and finally "kindness" [Torah, Tefilla, Tzedaka]

Source: Rabbi Yitzchak Bronstein

The Sun Has Dramatically Changed

 

For all of you living in the Northern Hemisphere ... if you spend any time outside this summer you will notice that your skin burns/tans very quickly, much faster than it used to.  People are reporting this from all over the world, and I know from my own experience under the sun during our summer, this is the case.  

The sun does not look normal anymore.  At various times of the day you can find it looking like this:

Vaucluse, Sydney a couple of weeks ago

This guy is talking about the weather in the U.S. and the crazy skies.... you'll notice he says it's "out of this world", and he's right, it's not "our" weather, it's from the passing planetary system and all these new clouds are actually the clouds surrounding the planets.  This is how Hashem brings the severe weather to us.  Yes, I know it's not possible, but as it's happening it must be possible.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joose 🇭🇹 (@consciousjoose)

 

Trump Flips Back To Israel

 

Eventually and Immediately

 

Artist Unknown

''and I will remember My covenant [with] Jacob, and also My covenant [with] Isaac, and also My covenant [with] Abraham I will remember. And I will remember the Land'' [Bechukotai 26:42]

Unlike the redemption described here, where the Jewish people were redeemed despite their lowly state, without having done teshuvah, in the case of the true and final Redemption '''the Jewish people will eventually do teshuvah at the end of their exile, and they will immediately be redeemed''.  [Rambam, Laws of Teshuvah 7:5]

Source: Based on Likutei Sichos Vol 27 Lubavitcher Rebbe

At the Kever of the Chafetz Chaim

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein 

[I didn't know that the Chafetz Chaim was a Cohen - for those who can't read Hebrew, the image of the two hands at the top of his headstone is the sign of a Cohen]

The Secret of Lag B'Omer

Rabbi Mendel Kessin - from 2017

Divine Providence

 

The Blind Mashiach

Art Vladimir Kush

by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh

The month of Iyar is the month of light. Even its name, Iyar, is cognate to the Hebrew word for ‘light,’ - Or. In the Bible, the month of Iyar is called the month of Ziv, which also means ‘light.’

How did this month merit such a luminous name? First of all, Iyar comes to us after a long, cold, cloudy winter. The month of Nissan blazes the trail to the spring, followed by Iyar, which is all light. We thank God for the light of the sun, but it is upon us to be mindful of the spiritual light, as well. Light is a wondrous allegory for Divine revelation, God’s illumination and benevolent abundance.

The Torah is also equated to light, “For a mitzvah is a candle and Torah is light.”[1] This is particularly true of the concealed, inner dimension of the Torah, the wisdom of Kabbalah of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in his book, The Zohar. This is another connection to Iyar, for Lag Ba’Omer, the day of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s passing, is on the 18th of Iyar. In addition, on the 14th of Iyar we commemorate the day of passing of Rabbi Meir Ba’al Ha’nes in Tiberias. Click here for Rabbi Meir's miracle remedy to find lost objects.  

The redemption is also likened to light, and at the Pesach seder we bless God for taking us out of “darkness to a great light.” In the merit of the Torah and the secrets of the Torah the redemption emerges.

Love in the Soul

While all of this is very nice, the fact is that there is still much darkness in the world – hatred, wars, troubles and illnesses. Even in our own communities, the situation is far from perfect. The same is true of our interpersonal relationships and even in our relationship with ourselves. This state of affairs can make it seem like we are light-years away from the redemption.

How do we emerge from the darkness of the exile to the light of the redemption? The main rectification for this time period is love for others. The students of Rabbi Akiva died during the days of the Omer – which we count during the entire month of Iyar – because they did not act with respect toward each other. It is upon us to rectify that blemish and to fulfill Rabbi Akiva’s teaching: “Love your neighbor as yourself – that is a great principle in the Torah.”[2]

How can we truly love our fellow man – even those who seem to be so different from us? Are we supposed to be blind and not pay attention to the distance between us and even the shortcomings and faults of others? Yes! We are supposed to be blind to those shortcomings!

Sometimes, it is good to close our eyes. This world is full of passing sights, replete with smoke and mirrors, old news, breaking news and a flood of input. It is all dizzying, blinding, confusing, superficial light. Stop! It is ok to release the tension, to step off the speeding train and relax. Close your eyes and take a look inward.

A blind person does not see superficial colors and shapes. This is specifically why he can sense something much more internal and essential. Quite a few Jewish Torah giants were blind and it was they who could sense the footsteps of Mashiach:

The Talmudic sage Rabbi Sheshet, who was blind, was the first of his colleagues to perceive when the king was coming by. It was the blind Talmudic sage Rav Yosef who declared: “May the Mashiach come and may I merit to sit in the shadow of his donkey.” (The numerical value of Rav Yosef equals ‘Mashiach’). Isaiah the Prophet says: Who is blind, but My servant? Or deaf, as My emissary whom I send? Who is blind as he who is wholehearted, and blind as God’s servant?[3] God’s servant, His emissary, the Mashiach, seems blind and deaf because he is focused inward.

The blind person sees the inner light, the light of the soul and the redemption. There is a deep connection between the Hebrew words for ‘light’ (or -אור) and ‘blind’ (iver – עור ). The blind person sees the light beneath the surface. It is no coincidence that in Aramaic, a blind person is called ‘sagi nahor,’ which means ‘much light.’

This is the way to love our fellow man: We must ignore his external appearance and focus on the inner dimension that unites us, seeing the connection between all the souls of Israel. This love banishes darkness and melts estrangement and hatred.

May this be an illuminating and healthy month for all!

[1] Proverbs 6:23.

[2] Leviticus 19:18, Sifrei ad loc, Jerusalem Talmud Nedarim 9:4.

[3] Isaiah 42:19

Source: Inner

Global Explosion and Economy: Israel and the US vs Iran

This is a brief transcription of the video.  There are English subtitles available but some of them are not clear.  Anyway I have typed up the relevant parts.  Hopefully I have not made too many errors.

Rav Ron Chaya

We are waiting for an American attack on Iran. Why are we waiting for this?

Iran, as Netanyahu said, have an obsesssion with wanting to destroy Israel. They are the ones who ran Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and those who rule all in Yemen. They have militias in Iraq.  We think it is Amalek, there is evidence for this, we have talked about it often.  So America attacks them to prevent an atomic bomb.  France and Israel also have an atomic bomb, but if Iran has one it is to send it to us.  It's obvious. So we can't let them have it.

It is written that at the end of days Persia will fall into the hands of Rome.  This will happen before Moshiach comes.  When it is written that Persia and Rome will last until the end of days it means until just before Moshiach comes.  This means that just before Moshiach comes, Persia will fall into the hands of Rome.

Rome is not the Vatican, especially since the Pope is dead.  Rome is the leader of the Western World, it is America. There has never been a war between the West and Persia.

Negotiations have taken place between America and Iran regarding their nuclear powers, but the Iranians will never agree to stop, they have made it clear. 

We also have a prophecy in the Torah from Bilam, the greatest non-Jewish prophet in history, and at the end he makes a prophecy about the end of time.  

After America attacks Iran there will be an economic crash, and that's the end.  Many are speaking about an impending economic crash. Elon Musk spoke about it a few weeks ago.  Warren Buffett did not say it but financiers say he foresees a great economic crash.

So what will happen in Israel if America attacks Iran?  I don't know but it is clear there will be fantastic miracles.

The Erev Rav are causing us many problems, enormous problems like never before in history.

The Zohar says that at the end of days the Erev Rav will fall.  We are waiting for that.

What happens next... Gog u Magog and Moshiach. Armies will come to attack Israel. For example, Erdogan wants to attack Israel, to "liberate Jerusalem".

After the Gog u Magog attack, Hashem will reveal Himself and everyone will recognize the G-d of Israel, and Moshiach comes.  It is said that this war will be the last 3 hours of the night, but the Vilna Gaon said it would only last 12 minutes and the Baba Sali said it would only last a few seconds.

As soon as the Moshiach arrives, everyone is healed.  The mute will start to speak etc. There will be no more illness, no more divorce, no more lack of Shalom Bayit. Everything will be perfect.

We don't know when it will happen but it's in Trump's head and Trump's head is in G-d's hands. The mind of the kings is in the Hand of G-d.  When Hashem says it's time to attack, they will attack.

No Defence

"For the people who were in the land before you committed all these abominable acts, and the land thus became defiled" [Acharei Mos 18:27]

The Rema [R' Moshe Isserles] explained this verse by way of a parable: A father purchased an expensive and beautiful garment for his beloved son. The son, however, was not careful with the garment and he soiled it.

If the son had been careful not to sit in a dirty area, he could have defended himself before his father with the claim that the garment was so fine and delicate that it stained easily, and he should therefore not be held accountable.

But since the son sat in an area that was so muddy and full of dirt that even a coarse and inexpensive garment would have been stained, he has absolutely no way of excusing himself.

The same thing applies to the Jewish people, said the Rema. The Jewish nation is Hashem's precious and only son, blessed with souls so fine and delicate that even the slightest sin is capable of leaving a stain. They can therefore claim before Hashem that it is the soul's delicate nature that is responsible for its stain.

But if the Jewish people commit sins that are so severe that they are capable of contaminating even unrefined nations - as the verse states "For the people who were in the land before you committed all these abominable acts, and the land thus became defiled" - then they will have absolutely no way of defending themselves before their Father in Heaven.

Source: Rabbi Y. Bronstein

An Act of War

I saw Warren Buffett on the news the other day and I made a mental note to look for a clip of it, because he is the only one so far who has said it so concisely.  

Here it is

Judging Others Favourably

It is written, “With righteousness shall you judge your fellow” [Acharei/ Kedoshim 19:15]

The Sages interpret this to mean, “Judge your fellow favorably” [Shevuot 30b]. How can we apparently lie to ourselves by judging people favorably in every case, when in certain cases we can see them doing the very opposite of something favorable? What is the meaning of this mitzvah in that case? The Sages have said, “Any man who is insolent will in the end stumble into sin” [Taanith 7b]. This means that shame serves as a barrier and an obstacle to sin. Once a person had breached the barriers of modesty and shame, there is nothing to prevent him from sinning, as it is written: “It is a good sign if a man is shamefaced. … No man who experiences shame will easily sin” [Nedarim 20a]. 

The same applies to a person’s influence on others. The first one who sins completely breaches the barriers of shame. The one who follows him does not require as much insolence to sin, and the third person needs even less, once these barriers have been broken down. This is why the sin of desecrating Hashem’s Name is so grave. A person who openly sins diminishes the intensity of the fear and shame that are engraved in man with regards to committing a sin, thereby prompting others to sin as well.

We can now understand how the advice given to us by the Sages, to judge others favorably, is designed to help us. It is meant to ensure that the barriers of shame are not breached within our own hearts, for once we are certain that everyone is righteous, how could we dare to be the first ones to sin? However if a person tries to find fault with everyone, he will be more likely to sin at a time of weakness.

Source – Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin via Rabbi David Pinto

Why Does God Want Us to Work for Our Future Reward?

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Sins from a Past Life

Art: K. Madison-Moore

This was originally published on "Jewish Soul Searching" - a website that no longer exists.

In his commentary on the Book of Yonah, the Vilna Gaon writes 

“The main thing [to keep in mind is that the purpose of reincarnation] is to effect the repair of a [negative] influence originating in a previous lifetime... [One way] to discern exactly what that negative influence is is to reflect upon the type of wrong your soul yearns after the most in this lifetime. That which you yearn after most is likely something you became habituated to in a previous life. And therefore pay attention to your vices. [They tell you exactly what you have to work on in this lifetime.] ...The main thing is to repair that which one stumbled in in a previous [life] ... How can one know what one stumbled in during a previous life? ... [Pay attention] to that particular sin one’s soul longs for greatly (for it was emblazened into the soul as a habit in the previous life). That’s why some people are drawn after one type of sin more than another. And that’s also why our Sages say that one must continually judge himself and weigh his actions..."

Note the subtle difference here between culpability and character improvement [tikkun]. Consider yourself not responsible for any sins you may or may not have done in a previous life, if you even had one (and/or know about it). Nevertheless, since in principle, at least, a previous life may be impacting on your present life circumstance, pay attention to your vices. Rather than limiting your free will, this information can, in theory, help it. For instance, you may feel you have no chance to overcome your lust for cheeseburgers. You may tell yourself you were born with this lust. It’s genetic. You feel you have no free will to oppose it. Every time you pass a McDonald’s you have to go in there and order a Big Mac.

However, if you take the Vilna Gaon’s teaching to heart, you may then come to realize that, although you are not now responsible for the sin of eating cheeseburgers in a previous life, you have this great lust as an opportunity for tikkun. Had it been just a regular lust for cheeseburgers your overcoming it may not be metaken (fix) the original weakness emblazoned into your soul. You don’t want this weakness when you are given your place in Eternity. So you were sent back here for the opportunity of eliminating the weakness; indeed, turning it into a strength. Overcoming this extra-powerful lust in this world turns your soul into a “body-builder’s” soul; perhaps even a “Mr. Universe” soul. It’s now stronger than it ever was. In any event, the point is that knowledge or even intuition about a past life can be a powerful aid to free will in this life.

Granted, it can theoretically create the opposite effect. A person may think, for example: What the heck; I’ll get it right in the next life. Or: If I didn’t get it right in the past what’s the point in trying in this life etc. The latter fear is the reason I believe the doctrine was restricted to Kabbalah, which ideally is reserved for select individuals of a higher spiritual standing to begin with.

What the Yanuka Said Before the Death of the Pope

 

Potentially Great

וְאִם דַּל הוּא "And if he is poor" [Metzora 14:21]

Written by Rabbi Yisroel Bronstein

The offerings of a wealthy man and that of a poor man, remarked the Chofetz Chaim, are not equal.  A wealthy man brings an offering in accord with his wealth, while a poor man brings an offering that is within his means.

The Mishnah in Maseches Nega'im states that a wealthy metzora who brings a poor man's offering does not fulfill his obligation with that offering.

The same thing applies, said the Chofetz Chaim, to a Jew's spirituality.  A person must put forth the utmost effort when it comes to serving Hashem, and he must utilize the potential that Hashem has granted him.  For example, Hashem demands much more from a talmid chacham than from someone who is ignorant in Torah learning.  Each individual must harness his own potential and level to its maximum.

There are times when you pray or study Torah and you think to yourself:  "I may not be totally focused during my prayers and learning, but compared to my friend, I am far superior."

This is a grave error.  The friend may fall into the category of a spiritually "poor man" - perhaps he never learned how to pray properly; perhaps he has worries that gnaw at his peace of mind; or perhaps the friend does not possess the same intellectual capabilities that you do.

Your friend's deeds may appear inferior to your own, but Hashem, Who knows and understands the hearts of every man, sees that your friend is praying and studying Torah to the best of his ability, thereby satisfying that which is required of him.  It may very well be that it is you who are the inferior one!

Reb Zusha was on his death bed, and tears were streaming down his face. "Why are you crying?" asked his disciples. "If God asks me why I wasn't like Moses or Maimonides," answered Reb Zusha, "I'll say, I wasn't blessed with that kind of leadership ability and wisdom.

"But I'm afraid of another question" continued Reb Zusha, "what if God asks: Reb Zusha, why weren't you like Reb Zusha? Why didn't you find your inner being and realize your inner potential? Why didn't you find yourself? That is why I am crying."

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.]

The Yarzheit of R' Chaim Vital and the Desecration of his Kever

The grave of  R' Chaim Vital, the famous student of the Arizal, was desecrated a few days ago in Damascus.

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein speaks about the timely occurrence of this and what it signifies for us, on the Yarzheit of R' Chaim Vital - 30 Nissan.  [3 min video]

The Eve of 28 Nissan

 

Art SRG

On the eve of Nissan 28, 5751 [April 11, 1991], the Lubavitcher Rebbe issued an emotional call to his followers, and to the world Jewish community, to increase their efforts to bring Moshiach and the ultimate redemption. 

Spoken in an anguished voice and couched in uncharacteristically personal terms, the Rebbe's words deeply shocked the Chassidim present in the Rebbe's synagogue and reverberated worldwide. 

"How is it that the Redemption has not yet been attained?" the Rebbe cried. "That despite all that has transpired and all that has been done, Moshiach has still not come? What more can I do? I have done all I can to bring the world to truly demand and clamor for the Redemption...The only thing that remains for me to do is to give over the matter to you. 

"Do all that is in your power to achieve this thing--a most sublime and transcendent light that needs to be brought down into our world with pragmatic tools... I have done all I can. I give it over to you. Do all that you can to bring the righteous redeemer, immediately! I have done my part. From this point on, all is in your hands..."