Yanuka: Remembering the Beit HaMikdash

Hebrew with English subtitles

The True Meaning of Tragedy and Its Relationship to Current Events

New shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Colours and Wonders

Yesterday I decided to take my own photo of the sun, to see if it looked like the ones I'm seeing from other people.  Whilst my own photo is not publish-worthy, it looked just like this one below..... all sorts of colours radiating outwards from a giant sun... and it appeared as though there was something much bigger behind it.  Everything I've been showing you is definitely real, 

The orange "clouds" are asteroid trails. Taken in Scotland.

This photo of a rainbow is too good not to share.  There are so many colours in the skies lately, all captured by photos from all over the world.  It's going to be a very colourful Geula from the looks of things.

Yesterday, Yellowstone Lake Colorado

How To Elevate One's Self-Esteem and Eliminate Immaturity Part 2

Rabbi Shimon Kessin

Part 1 can be found here

Your Special Mission

While Jewish law obligates each person to observe all the mitzvot, there is always at least one particular mitzvah to which one's soul is drawn more strongly.  According to Chassidic thought, this concept is hinted to by the fact that the Land was apportioned ''by means of a lottery'' [Pinchas 26:55] suggesting that one's primary mission in life, one's spiritual ''inheritance'' has been pre-allotted to him on High, and one has no choice in the matter.

The reason why a person's soul has a particular affinity to its ''special mitzvah'' is because each soul is a ''spark'' of the general soul which Adam possessed; and corresponding to its original ''location'' within Adam's soul, it will have a distinct spiritual path of its own.  Consequently, through observing his ''special mitzvah'' the person will become spiritually fulfilled, which will give him additional enthusiasm in the observance of all the other mitzvot as well.

How can a person discover what ''his special mitzvah'' is?  There is no simple solution.  However, being that a person's mission in life is centered around his ''special mitzvah'', it follows that his ''evil inclination'' will oppose this mitzvah strongly, which may give a person a clue as to what it is. Furthermore, Divine Providence will inevitably lead a person to circumstances which are conducive to the observance of his ''special mitzvah''.  [So if one is wealthy, for example, his special mitzvah is quite possibly to give charity.]

In addition to all the above, every person in a given generation will have a ''special mitzvah'' by virtue of the times in which he lives.  And in our times, this is the obligation to promote knowledge, belief and yearning for the coming of Moshiach, since our souls have, by Divine Providence, been placed here in the last generation of Exile.

Source: Lubavitcher Rebbe - based on Likutei Sichos vol 2 p.346, Sefer Hama'amorim 5706 p.240, Sefer HaSichos 5752 vol 1 p.97

The Electro-Magnetic Force Field in the Bible

Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin 

The clouds of glory served as an electromagnetic force field for the Israelites in the desert. These clouds were in the Merit of Aaron the high priest. Find out why Aaron’s merit brought about these clouds of glory!

Super Moon Halos

 

Queensland Australia last night

Queensland Australia last night

The full moon on July 3 will be the first of three full moons that will occur during the summer season [Northern Hemisphere] and winter for us in the Southern Hemisphere.... and is the first of four “supermoons” that will occur in 2023. The three other supermoons will occur on Aug. 1, Aug. 30 and Sept. 29.

Our sun is a dwarf yellow star, behind it is a bigger standard red star and behind both of them is the gas giant known to some as "Immaru".  The halo effect in the moon photos is from the gas giant Immaru.

Neuvo Laredo, Mexico

Just added this one, moon last night in Perth, Western Australia

Bilaam and the Coming of Moshiach

Posted motzei Shabbat.

HaRav Yitzchak Breitowitz

Extra-Terrestrial Life and the Torah

Note: this originally came from Torah.org but I could not find it there.  I found  a version of  it on Scribd.

You can also see more on this at Sefaria and Chabad Is There Life on Other Planets? as well as YU Torah: What did Chazal Say? [audio]

Extra-terrestrial Life - Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan 

One of the unique aspects of Judaism is its far reaching universality. Not only does Judaism provide a lesson for every human being, its teachings extend to the very boundaries of the universe. It is an axiom of Judaism that the entire universe was created for the sake of man. 

In one place, the Talmud reckons that there are some [10 to the 18th power] stars in the observable universe, and explicitly states that they were all created for the sake of man. It goes further to state that all the angels and spiritual worlds also only exist for this purpose.

Of course, this immediately raises a question that many find quite difficult. How is it possible that man, living on a dust mote called planet Earth, should be the center of the universe? Our Sages realized the vast number of stars in the universe, and also realized that many of them were many orders of magnitude larger than the earth. [Maimonides - Foundations of Torah 3:8].

It should be quite simple to understand that size and quantity alone are meaningless to an infinite God. There is absolutely no question that the human brain is vastly more complex than the greatest galaxy, and furthermore, that it contains more information than the entire observable inanimate universe. Beyond that, man is endowed with a divine soul that towers over even the highest angels. 

Although the creation of such a vast universe for the sake of man does not defy logic, we still need to seek out a reason for its necessity. Some sources state that by contemplating the greatness of the universe, one can begin to comprehend that of God, and thereby fear Him all the more [Maimonides -Foundations of Torah 2:2].  However, if we speak of the possibility of extra terrestrial life, we must explore the question somewhat further. 

The Free Will Question 

One of the first to discuss the question of extraterrestrial life in general was Rabbi Chasdai Crescas [Or Hashem 4:2]. After a lengthy discussion, he comes to the conclusion that there is nothing in Jewish theology to preclude the existence of life on other worlds. As possible evidence for extraterrestrial life, he quotes the Talmudic teaching [Avoda Zara 3b] that "God flies through 18,000 worlds." 

Since they require His providence, we may assume that they are inhabited.  Of course, this Talmudic quotation is by no means absolute proof, for it may be speaking of spiritual worlds, of which an infinite number were created. One could also attempt to support this opinion from the verse [Psalms 145:13], "Your kingdom is a kingdom of all worlds."

However, here, too, this may be speaking of spiritual universes.

The exact opposite opinion is that of Rabbi Yosef Albo, author of the "Ikkarim." He states that since the universe was created for the sake of man, no other creature can exist possessing free will. Since any extraterrestrial life would neither have free will nor be able to serve a creature having free will (as terrestrial animals and plants serve a terrestrial man), they would have no reason for existing and therefore be totally superfluous.

One could bring some support to the second opinion from the Talmudic teaching that every land where it was not decreed for man to live was never subsequently inhabited. However, here again, it is not absolute proof, since this may only refer to our planet. 

The Star of Meroz 

Between these two extremes, we find the opinion of the Sefer Habris who states that extraterrestrial life does exist, but that it does not possess free will. The latter is the exclusive possession of man, for whom the universe was created. 

The 18,000 worlds mentioned earlier, in his opinion, are inhabited physical worlds. The proof that he brings for his thesis is most ingenious. In the song of Deborah, we find the verse, "Cursed is Meroz... cursed are its inhabitants....   that Meroz is the name of a star.  According to this opinion, the fact that Scripture states, "Cursed is Meroz... cursed are its inhabitants" is clear proof from the words of our Sages for extraterrestrial life.

Of course, even this proof is subject to refutation, for the Zohar also follows the opinion that Meroz is a star, yet states that "its inhabitants" refers to its "camp," that is, most probably, to the planets surrounding it. Nevertheless, the simple meaning of the verse seems to support the opinion of the Sefer Habris.

The Sefer Habris goes on to say that we should not expect the creatures of another world to resemble earthly life, any more than sea creatures resemble those of land.  He further states that although extraterrestrial forms of life may possess intelligence, they certainly cannot have freedom of will. The latter is an exclusive attribute of man, to whom was given the Torah and its commandments. He proves the latter thesis on the basis of the above-mentioned Talmudic teaching that all the stars in the observable universe were created for the sake of man. 

Wings to Escape the Earth 

The basic premise of the existence of extraterrestrial life is strongly supported by the Zohar. The Midrash teaches us that there are seven earths. Although the Ibn Ezra tries to argue that these refer to the seven continents, the Zohar clearly states that the seven are separated by a firmament and are inhabited. Although they are not inhabited by man, they are the domain of intelligent creatures. We therefore find the basic thesis of the Sefer Habris supported by a number of clear-cut statements by our Sages. There may even be other forms of intelligent life in the universe, but such life forms do not have free will, and therefore do not have moral responsibility. 

Freedom of will, however, is not at all an observable quantity. Even its existence in man has been hotly debated by the secular philosophers. Indeed the main proof that man does indeed have free will comes from the fact that God has given him moral responsibility, namely the Torah. It is in this sublime, yet unobservable quality, that man is unique.  

However, if we assume this to be true, we would return to the basic question of Rabbi Yosef Albo, mentioned earlier:  If such creatures never have any utility for man, what is their reason for existence?

We find a most fascinating answer to this question in the Tikunei Zohar. Speaking of the verse [Song of Songs 6:8],"Worlds without number," the Tikunei Zohar states: "The stars certainly are without number. But each star is called a separate world. These are the worlds without number."

The Tikunei Zohar further states that every tzaddik (righteous person) will rule over a star, and therefore have a world unto himself. The 18,000 worlds mentioned above would therefore be that number of stars, presided over by the 18,000 tzaddikim that are alluded to in the verse [Ezekiel 48:35] "Around Him are 18,000." However, these may only refer to those worlds visited daily by the Divine Presence, but there may be innumerable worlds for the lesser tzaddikim.

We therefore have a most fascinating reason why the stars were created, and why they contain intelligent life. Since an overcrowded Earth will not give the tzaddikim the breadth they require, each one will be given his own planet, with its entire population to enhance his spiritual growth.

Once we know that the stars and their planets were created as an abode for the tzaddikim, we might naturally wonder how they will be transported to them. However, the Talmud even provides an answer to this question. 

Discussing the passage [Isaiah 40:31], "They shall mount up with wings as eagles," the Talmud states that in the future world, God will grant the tzaddikim wings to escape the earth. The Zohar goes a step further and states that "God will give them wings to fly through the entire universe."

In a way, this teaching predicts the advent of space travel. But more than that, it provides us with at least one of the reasons why space flight would be inevitable as part of the prelude to the messianic age. This, of course, could bring us to general discussion of the role of modern technology in Torah perspective, a lengthy subject in its own right. 

Republished fromTorah.org , excerpted from "The Aryeh Kaplan Reader"

Published by ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications Ltd. 

Video: Dr Steven Greer UAP/ET Disclosure Press Conference 6/12/2023

Video: Garry Nolan, Stanford University

Physical Organs Correspond to the Organs of the Soul

For a Refuah Shleimah for Yaakov Avraham ben Devorah

Text by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto

“Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon the Kohen saw, and he stood up from amidst the assembly and took a spear in his hand” [Balak 25:7]

My holy forebear, Rabbi Chaim Vital, zy”a, states [Sha’arei Kedushah 1:1] that man’s body is comprised of 613 parts, corresponding to the 613 mitzvot. Each part of the body corresponds to a different mitzvah. And just as in the body there are 613 organs, so too, the neshamah contains 613 organs, paralleling the 613 mitzvot. This was very difficult for me to comprehend. The neshamah is a most elevated, spiritual entity. What connection can it have with the 613 physical parts of the body?

I thought over the matter and arrived at the conclusion that the body is physical mass. It is naturally drawn to materialism, not to mitzvot. Since the body does not want to part with its natural urges and temptations in favor of observing mitzvot, Hashem created the neshamah, corresponding to the organs of the body. The organs of the neshamah are spiritual, granting power to the body to overcome materialism and observe mitzvot. If not for these vital organs, the body would never be pulled to do mitzvot. How dreadful that would be! Hashem, Who knows our makeup, created spiritual organs in man’s neshamah. These are what motivate him to keep the mitzvot, which correspond to them.

For this reason, the pasuk [Eichah 3:23] states, “They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” The neshamah, which enters the body anew each morning, fuels it so that it can triumph over its materialistic nature and hurry to accomplish mitzvot. The neshamah, with its powers of purity, descends, sanctifying the body [see Eitz Chaim 29:3].

When Pinchas took note of what was transpiring with Zimri and the Midianite woman, he hurried to grab the spear and, sparing not a moment, killed both of them in one fell swoop. The pasuk [Balak 25:7] states, “He stood up from amidst the assembly and took a spear in his hand.” The Zohar (see III, 237a) states that the word רמח [spear] hints to the fact that Pinchas sanctified the name of Hashem with all his 248 [רמח] limbs.

The gematria of the word בידו [in his hand], adding one for the word itself, is equal to that of the word גידו [his limb]. Pinchas harnessed all his body parts for the purpose of fulfilling the injunction [Shoftim 17:7]: “You shall destroy the evil from your midst.”

From where did Pinchas gain the determination to act so zealously? It was from his neshamah, comprised of 613 organs which affect the physical organs, as explained according to Rabbi Chaim Vital, zy”a.

Asteroids and Moons

I left a comment yesterday about a massive asteroid passing by Earth....

,,,,here is a photo from today.... it's an asteroid, whether it's the one they told us about or a different one, I do not know.  Somehow I don't think it's the one they were talking about.  Not a photoshop, not a hoax, a real photo by a real person.  Mainstream media will never show you this.

And this one which was taken half an hour earlier, is the moon from planet known as Atu - so I was told.  They are all revolving around us, passing by in the sky.  You just need to be in the right place at the right time with eyes to see and a camera in hand.

And I'm adding this photo, taken of the sun today in Sydney.  No rain here today, no rain scheduled for tomorrow either.

The Torah Perspective on Extra Terrestrial Life

Do aliens exist?

Rabbi Hajioff talks about Devorah haNeviah so often in this shiur that I had to give it it's own blog post.

Yes we do believe in the existence of "aliens".  Listen and learn.

Why is Evil so Strong?

 New shiur from Rabbi Shimon Kessin

Angels, Prophecy and Curses v Blessings

HT: Sherry

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Last week's shiur which I missed, and I will go back and listen, was about Aliens: click here to watch

The Greatness of Man's Soul

New shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Q and A with Rabbi Breitowitz

I decided to blog this video because one of the questions was about aliens and other universes.  Fast forward to the 43 min mark to hear the answer.  Or listen to the entire shiur which also includes questions on  Divorce Rate, Unanswered Prayers, Souls, Adam & Eve, Modesty...and more

New Page

Just putting this photo up to direct readers to my new page "Kochav Yaakov" which you can find

at the top of the page or by clicking here 

Pages are visible if you are using a computer -  if you are on a phone they are visible by clicking the arrow to the right of "Home" at the top of the page.

Yanuka: The Greatness of the Souls of Israel

Hebrew - English subtitles

This one is for the people who are suffering.  We are all suffering but some have great suffering in their lives.  This is for you.

I know there are many non-Jews reading my blog.... if you are one of them and have connected to the Jewish people and the Torah, you have a special soul and you should not feel excluded. Righteous Gentiles have a place in Olam HaBo - the World to Come.

Lost

Concerning this, those who speak in parables say "Come to Heshbon...." [Chukat 21:27]

In Maseches Bava Basra [78b], Chazal expound on this verse as follows: "Regarding this hamoshlim would say - This refers to those who rule [hamoshlim] over their yetzer hara.  'Come to Cheshbon' - Come and let us make a calculation [cheshbon] of world importance."  This teaches us that it is incumbent upon each individual to evaluate his deeds in order to determine whether or not he is acting properly.

R' Yitzchak Blaser, one of the primary figures in the Mussar movement, was approached by members of his community who requested that the Rav rouse them with words of inspiration in light of the upcoming High Holy days.

"Allow me to draw a parable" he began.  "A caravan lost its way in a forest. For a week the travelers wandered around aimlessly, unable to find their way out.  Suddenly, the men saw a lone figure walking in the distance. They quickly made their way toward him and asked him to show them the way out of the forest.

"My brothers and friends" replied the man, "you have been roaming this forest for only a week.  I, however, have already been lost for several weeks. Let us try to find the way out of here together, perhaps then we will be successful."

"But there is one area in which I can be of assistance" continued the man. "I will tell you the paths that I have already tried, and we will know not to mistakenly tread them again."

"This applies to our own situation as well" said R' Blaser with great humility. "I am just as lost as you are; only more so, for I am old and have already been lost for many years.  Yet my experience can be of benefit, as I will be able to enlighten you as to things that I have seen in my life which I have investigated and found to be trivial and meaningless!

"You can trust me on those matters that it would not be worth your while to try those things.

"Come, let us search together for the path that leads to complete repentance!"

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

Masters of the Game

People ask "why are they hiding it" ?  Who are "they"?

You need only look at your Mastercard for the answer.

The main share-holders of Mastercard are the Vanguard Group, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. State Street Global Advisors, Inc.  The three largest shareholders of Pfizer, J&J and Merck are Vanguard, SSGA and BlackRock. Pfizer of course brought us the Covid vaccine.  These people control the world.

Blackrock has a half-a-trillion-dollar deal to rebuild Ukraine.

They know about Nibiru, the Mastercard logo even shows us the two suns - one yellow and one red! Of course they say it represents something else, but it's right in front of our eyes...  conspiracy theory or not, join the dots and understand. 

“The smaller investors are owned by larger investors. Those are owned by even bigger investors. The visible top of this pyramid shows only two companies whose names we have often seen…They are Vanguard and BlackRock. The power of these two companies is beyond your imagination. Not only do they own a large part of the stocks of nearly all big companies but also the stocks of the investors in those companies. This gives them a complete monopoly. A Bloomberg report states that both these companies in the year 2028, together will have investments in the amount of 20 trillion dollars. That means that they will own almost everything. 

See: https://forbiddenknowledgetv.net/monopoly-an-overview-of-the-great-reset-follow-the-money/

I realize this blog post has entered the realm of conspiracy theories, but I just wanted to investigate and show you what I found.  Someone else brought the Mastercard logo to my attention and I went from there.  Blackrock and Vanguard are two words I've heard many times, so I'm not surprised at all.