Brexit has won ! [BBC]

The BBC and ITV networks are reporting that Brexit has won the vote for the UK to LEAVE the European Union.

The Nikkei has plummeted more than 1000 points and has halted trading [now re-opened] and Asian stocks are a sea of red.

''Markets around the world are Freaking Out''

Mystical Torah - No Argument

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 [chassidut], which are of such a ''heavenly'' nature that there is no disagreement, argument etc.

Logically speaking, a person might think that is 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 [Beha'alotecha 11:6]

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

Source: Based on Likutei Sichos vol 4 Lubavitcher Rebbe

Tikkun HaMiddot Part 6

To see earlier Parts 1-5 click on the ANAVA label below.

The Character of the “Man” Moshe

From the Teachings of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita 

It is written, “Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth” [Bamidbar 12:3].

We should reflect upon the expression “on the face of the earth,” which seems superfluous. What is the Torah trying to teach us with these extra words?

I would like to explain this by saying that the verse is telling us that just as the earth does not feel anything when Lashon Harah is spoken about it, or if it is scorned, the same exact thing applied to Moshe. He was so humble that he felt absolutely nothing when Miriam and Aaron spoke Lashon Harah about him.

We may also explain this verse by saying that Moshe possessed two characteristics:

The first is that he is called a “man,” and the second is that he is called “humble.” These are opposite characteristics.

How could Moshe excel in both things at the same time? The answer is that when it came to the honor of Heaven and the leadership of the Children of Israel according to the holy Torah, he acted as a “man,” and he was a warrior. Yet when it came to himself, Moshe was “humble, more than any person on the face of the earth,” as the holy Torah testifies.

R' Mendel Kessin - On Trump & others [continuation of Current Events]

This is a continuation of the Current Events shiur which you can find by clicking here.

 

''Moments before the End''

This is Rabbi Mizrachi's latest video. I have not watched it, I hope to do so later on today or after Shabbat. It is titled ''Moments Before The End [What Will Happen In The World In End Of Days]''. Seems that this topic is on every rabbi's mind, and we are the fortunate recipients of their collective knowledge.

Update: If you are short on time, he does go off-topic for about an hour.  He returns to the End of Days topic at approx 1.23.00.

Rabbi Pinchas Winston, Current Events - Is Redemption Near 6-15-2016

Here is the video of the latest Rabbi Pinchas Winston shiur given in Israel on June 15. Some of you have no doubt already heard it by now via the audio link, but here is the video for those who have not.

Turn Away from Evil

To serve God, one must both ''turn away from evil'' and 'do good''.  But which of these steps is the most important? And which must be prioritized first of all? [Naso 4: 1-28]

The sequence of Kehos' and Gershon's descendants in the Torah provides the key to answer these questions.

Gershon is related to the Hebrew word Gerushin, meaning ''divorce'' alluding to the process of turning away from and ''divorcing'' oneself from evil.  Kehos means ''gathering'' [as in '''He will gather [yikhas] the people'' [Bereishis 49:10], alluding to the accumulation of good deeds - ''doing good''.

Gershon was the firstborn, indicating that at the outset, when one is just beginning to serve God, a person should stress the path of turning away from evil.  This is in order to thoroughly cleanse oneself from negative traits before one can begin to sanctify oneself properly with good deeds.

However, in the Torah, Kehos' descendants are placed before Gershon's descendants [see Midrash] to indicate that, ultimately, ''doing good'' is the ultimate goal which actively brings a person close to God, and makes this world a ''home'' for Him.

Source: Based on Likutei Sichos Vol 13 p. 9 Lubavitcher Rebbe