Iran Plans and God Laughs

Yesterday there was an article in the Yeshiva World News stating that Iran planned to detroy the kevarim of Mordechai HaTzadik and Esther HaMalka and replace it with a Palestinian Embassy, G-d forbid.

Today on Twitter: #BREAKING: Security forces of #Iran's Islamic Regime including #IRGC Ground Force are now sending their troops and military equipment including these MRAPs to the city of #Qom in-order to establish military curfew over #CoronaVirus outbreak and death of two people in the city!

Another video shows arrival of the MRAPs of #IRGC Ground Force at the entry points of the city of #Qom for military curfew and closure of main roads to the city over the #CoronaVirus outbreak in the city!

Crazy Light Show Last Night

We had the most amazing lightning last night, I was mesmerized.  The night sky lit up, on and on and on, never seen anything like it, and we have a lot of storms here but this one was something else again.

Here's a video that will give you some idea

Rabbi Kessin: Current Events and Messianic Process

Just in, shiur given Feb 16.

Discreet Tzedaka

by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto

 "When you lend money to My people, to the poor person who is with you" [Mishpatim 22:24]

The word 'עמך', who is with you, seems to be superfluous?

The sefer 'Lekutei Hamelitz', written by Rabbi Meir Laniado zt"l, offers a beautiful explanation: The Gemara says [Chagigah 5a], that one who gives charity to the poor must do so secretly. However, one who lends money to his friend, should do so specifically in the presence of witnesses, for if not, he transgresses the prohibition of, "You shall not place a stumbling block before the blind", for the borrower may forget about the loan and deny that he borrowed money.

The precise wording of the verse expresses this idea clearly: 'עם כסף תלוה את עמי', when you lend money to My people, meaning if you lend money to your friend, you should do so with 'עמי', meaning in front of witnesses. But if you are donating charity to the poor, this should be carried out discreetly, which is implied by the wording, 'את העני עמך', specifically 'with you', and not in front of others.

Coronavirus Foretold

HT: Dan and Yaak

From the Medrash Yalkut Shimoni  [Based on Shir Hashirim 2:13] -  see 2nd-5th lines in image above.

התאנה חנטה פגיה

Ribbi Hiya bar Abba said: a sign for the days of Mashiah: a great pestilence will come and the Resha'im [wicked ones] will be destroyed therein.

והגפנים סמדר

These refer to those who remain, as it says, [Yeshaya 4:3] "And it will be that he who remains in Zion (...will be considered holy)."

Emunah

from the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

Faith is a very strong thing, and it can greatly fortify your life.

If you have faith, then you have a source of comfort and inspiration even when troubles strike. You realize that all troubles are ultimately for your good and are an atonement for your sins. You know that G-d will be good to you in the end, both in this world and the next.

The faithless skeptic, on the other hand, has nowhere to turn when troubles strike. He is utterly alone, without comfort or inspiration.

It is impossible to put everything into writing, but an intelligent man should be able to build upon this himself.

The main thing is innocent faith. With it, one can have a portion both in this world and the next. Happy is he who has such faith, for he shall never be moved.

There are souls conceived in absolute holiness. When such a holy soul comes down to this world and is not tainted with sin, it results in a person with perfect faith. Such a person never has any doubts.

Others can express their skepticism in such a man's presence, but his faith is no way disturbed. He is totally oblivious to all doubts. His ears are deaf to all their speculation and confusion.

Even one who is not endowed with such an extraordinary soul can realize that the average person's questions are mere foolishness. Upon close examination, their questions turn out not to be questions at all.

Many people are disturbed by questions for years, not realizing that their questions are actually answers. It is only their lack of intelligence that makes them seem like questions in the first place.

They have questions like those one might ask a child: "If we have a broken window, why replace it with a pane from the next window if a bird can then fly through the remaining empty frame?"

Such a question actually includes its own answer. But a child does not realize this and considers it a very difficult question. He will ponder it and not know what to reply.

But the question itself is really very foolish. The question about the bird is really the answer to the first foolish question. The reason why we do not use the adjacent pane is precisely because it leaves a space through which a bird can fly.

A young child does not have enough intelligence to realize that the answer is included in such a question. For this very reason, the question seems very difficult to him.

The same is true of many people. A foolish question enters their mind, and they have no idea that this question actually includes its own answer. It seems like a difficult question, but only because of their lack of intelligence. Understand this well.

Consider all this and be strong in faith. Flee from this foolishness and confusion, and cast all questions and doubts from your mind.

Tu BiShvat: The Segulot of Each Fruit According to the Kabbalists

Click here to read The Segulot of Each Fruit according to the Kabbalists

Also see: The Seven Species and the Land of Israel

and The Tikkun of Tu B'Shvat

Women First

Art Michoel Muchnik

by J. Immanuel Schochet

“Thus you shall say to the House of Jacob and tell the Children of Israel.” - [Yitro 19:3]

Our sages state that “House of Jacob” refers to the women of Israel, and “Children of Israel” to the men. When G‑d gave the Torah to Israel, He told Moses to approach the women first.

The purpose of the exodus from Egypt was for the Jewish people to receive the Torah at Sinai, as it is written: “When you will have brought the people out from Egypt, you shall serve G‑d upon this mountain” [Shemot 3:12]. Of the exodus itself it is said that it occurred in the merit of the pious women of that generation. Thus, when it came to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the women were given precedence.

The Messianic redemption, too, will come about in the merit of the righteous women of Israel, as stated in the Midrash: “All generations are redeemed by virtue of the pious women of their generation” [Yalkut Shimoni, Ruth: 606]. Thus the women will once again be first to receive the wondrous teachings to be heard from Moshiach.

Source: Chabad

Has the End of the World Arrived?

New shiur from Rabbi Mizrachi - @  approx 1 hour 33 mins he starts to talk about the virus, and gives advice on what to do right now.

Trump Acquittal and Another ''Coincidence''

If you remember this post from a while back: where major events were shown as occurring on special Chabad dates.....

here's another one to add to the list.

Trump's acquittal occurring on Yud Shevat : the day the Lubavitcher Rebbe took the reins from his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, 70 years ago.  Whilst it is already 11 Shevat here in Australia, the date in America is 10 Shevat.

Peace, Plagues and Politics

Tamar Yonah interviews Rabbi Mendel Kessin Feb 4 2020

Many say that we are indeed in the Messianic Era. If so, what are we to understand from the recent events of peace plans, plagues (the Coronavirus), and politics (the upcoming Israeli elections)?

Click here to listen

Parshas HaMon

Art: Heidi Malott

Parshas HaMon: a segula for parnasa, is recited today Tuesday 5 February.

Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Riminov [1745-1815], a disciple of the Holy Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, instructed everyone to read "Parshat HaMann" specifically on the Yom Shlishi [Tuesday] of Parshat Beshalach in the "Shnayim Mikra v'Echad Targum" format, i.e. reading the Hebrew verses twice and the Aramaic translation of Onkelos once.   This year it will occur today Tuesday 5 February.

Not to be confused with the evil villain of the Purim story, Parshat haMann [The Chapter of the Manna] is found in the 16th Chapter of the Book of Exodus: verses 4-36. This Chapter details the episode of the miraculous "Manna" [bread from heaven] that sustained the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey in the desert.

Rav Yosef Caaro, the "mechaber" [compiler] of the monumental Halachic text, the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 1:5, instructs us to recite it daily. Other giants of Halacha also point to the importance of reciting it daily: The Tur 1; Aruch Hashulchan 1:22; Shulchan Aruch HaRav 1:9.

By so doing, every Jew acknowledges that his/her livelihood comes from only from Hashem. Reciting the Parshat HaMann daily strengthens one's Emuna and Bitachon [belief and trust] in HASHEM, and is a "Segula for Parnassa" [auspicious for having a healthy income].

To read Parshat haMann in Hebrew [with the Aramaic translation of Onkelos], please visit: Tefillos.com

English version here: Ou.org

Read more at: Zchus Avos and Why Parshas Hamon is recited on Tuesday

Miracle of Re-Growth after Fires in Australia

Photo: Cyn Bodycote - Shark Bay Iluka in New South Wales, Australia.

Kate Geraghty: The Sydney Morning Herald/Getty Images - A green fern stands starkly against the burned flora in the Blackheath woods.

Photo Cyn Bodycote - Shark Bay Iluka in NSW.

KarenHBlack/Getty Images - Christmas bells flowers are only found in Australia.

Andrew Merry/Getty Images - Grass trees are found in all Australian states and territories.

“Moshiach Is Standing Next To The Wall”

HT: Sherry

“We’re in a terrible situation,” Harav Amar said. “We were never in a situation like this regarding the elections. I’m not a political person and I haven’t spoken about this, but there’s another election and another election and we don’t see a way out. Who knows what Hakadosh Baruch Hu is preparing for us. Who knows if Melech Ha’Moshiach isn’t already on the way.”

“Also regarding what the US President Trump is doing – things that we never dreamed in our best dreams – and he’s continuing and doing more. And all the leaders who came, Putin and others, spreading the name of Israel. It’s impossible to ignore. These are things we never dreamed of. Isn’t it the preparation for the coming of Moshiach?”

“This the preparation [for Moshiach],” Harav Amar emphasized. “I want to tell you something personal. A few weeks ago I went to a wedding in Bnei Brak…My mashgiach from yeshivah ketanah, Tiferes Tzion – the yeshivah that the Chazon Ish established where Harav Chaim Greineman and Harav Chaim Kanievsky learned as well as others – walked in.”

“[My mashgiach] told me that a little while ago he wanted to travel abroad for his kollel. He went to Harav Chaim Kanievsky to tell him. Harav Chaim said to him: “Rebbi Yitzchak, you’re traveling abroad? You don’t know that Moshiach is standing next to the wall.’ Harav Chaim told him to remain and he did.”

Source: Yeshiva World

Current Events and Why Evil Persists

Rabbi Mendel Kessin, new shiur

Min HaShamayim

Art: Vladimir Kush

The manna reminds us that a Jew's food, and his livelihood in general, come directly from G-d, in a manner of "bread from heaven", i.e. even though, at first glance, it appears that a person earns his livelihood through hard work, in truth however the work of his hands is merely a "receptacle" into which G-d places his blessings.

In other words, it is not the hard work in itself that brings a person his daily bread - G-d provides a Jew with food in a manner which is not limited to the rule of nature.  But in order not to disturb the natural order which He created, G-d garbs His gift in natural phenomena, so that it should appear to come from nature alone.

The eternal perpetuation of manna reminds us that, even though we no longer see bread coming from heaven, nevertheless, in truth the bread continues to come from heaven to this day.

Source: Sichas Shabbos Parshas Beshalach 5751, Lubavitcher Rebbe

Crows over Hubei

Guest Post by Rivka

An unpredecented amount of crows have been flying over cities in Hubei Province.  Crows are associated with death because crows feed on carrion, dead meat.  Video below shows masses of crows over cities in Hubei China, where the coronavirus is killing thousands. In the Hanchuan City video, a large, dense flock of crows was videotaped flying around and cawing loudly. One observer said, “This situation has never occurred before.” [See Epoch Times]

The Hebrew word for “crow” and for “raven” is oreiv. Some see the two birds as two versions of the same.

...every raven according to its kind...[Shemini 11:15]

Why is the raven (oreiv) forbidden to be eaten while the dove (yonah) is kosher?

The Raven (Oreiv) is identified with selfishness and betrayal and it is universally despised as the symbol of heartlessness and cruelty. 

Is this a Divine message of Middah K'neged Middah for a heartless, cruel and selfish country whose society is devoid of compassion just like the crow/raven!?

Our Creator created this world as a kind of mirror, which reflects the actions of mankind. When people behave cruelly to each other, causing damage to each other, then the world treats us the same way and is filled with natural disasters and harmful animals.

v’NaHaFoch Hu

v’NaHaFoch Hu is a phrase from the Purim story.  It means ''it was turned around''  - it was the opposite of what was expected.

When you see something that is turned around unexpectedly, and there is no possible logical explanation for it, you can be sure that Hashem is at work here.

This is how I feel about the Coronavirus.  The fact that it began in the ''live'' markets, where live animals are sold and butchered, in a country where people eat the limbs from live animals.... and the gematria of the word ''Corona'' equals the gematria of  ''eats limbs from live animals''..... shows us that Hashem is at work here.

Whilst it is not a ''turn around'' in the same way as the Purim story, it is a turn around in the way people think about their eating habits.  It is a miraculous event, in a bad way, that will end up being a miraculous event in a good way.

It was the same experience for me with the fires in Australia.... first the drought, then the heat and then the fires... and then the incredible winds that blew the fires everywhere.  There was no other explanation except that Hashem was at work, even taking into account that some of those fires were caused by mis-management and arson, the outcome came from Shamayim.

And again with the ''Deal of the Century'' which seems to have fizzled out before it has even begun.

We can all get carried away with conspiracy theories but let's not forget who is running the world, and who is orchestrating events to bring us towards Geula.  

Just my thoughts as this crazy week comes to an end.

''Moshiach will come before then''

HT: Yeranen Yaakov

Exactly ten years ago the Baba Sali came in a dream to his son Baba Baruch and told him that Moshiach would come that year.   It is worth noting that Baba Sali's yarzheit is tomorrow - 4 Shevat.

Ten  years ago we were in the year 5770 when so many thought Moshiach would come.

Now, ten years later, Baba Baruch has again made a statement concerning Moshiach, saying that the ''Deal of the Century'' will not happen because Moshiach will come before then.

Why the ten year delay?  It is possible that there was a decree in Shamayim to delay Moshiach's coming for ten years.

With all the other events going on around us..... such as Coronavirus..... things are heating up in a big way.  

Corona Virus #2

This image is from Jewishinfographics
Please click the link to read their original post
Also see Corona Virus and Hints to Moshiach