5 Av - Yahrzeit Arizal

Arizal Synagogue, Safed - Photo Steven Pinker

The Arizal [1534-1572] - Rabbi Isaac Luria was the most famous Kabbalist in the city of Safed, Israel who became known as the "Arizal" or ARI, an acronym for “The G-dly Rabbi Isaac of Blessed Memory.”

The Arizal passed away at the age of 38, and it was only during the last two years of his life that he met his foremost disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital. The Arizal himself never wrote any books, however all his words were faithfully recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital in what is known as Kitvei Ari, the “writings of the Arizal.” The Kitvei Ari is the key to the secrets of the Zohar, and it was the Arizal who formulated the Kabbalah into a comprehensive system. Rabbi Chaim Vital writes in the name of the Arizal that, “It is a Mitzvah to reveal this wisdom.” Until the time of the Arizal, knowledge of Kabbalah was not known outside of the tightly knit circle of the tzaddikim.

More about the Arizal at Ascent of Safed or click on the label "ARIZAL" below to read more of his teachings.

Is This ''Generation Moshiach''?

Applied Chassidus with Rabbi Simon Jacobson: Is it possible, G-d forbid, that this generation won’t bring Moshiach? Why is childbirth so difficult? And more.

Why does G-d make the process of childbearing so difficult for women? Is there any other significance to the painful process aside for it being attributed to Chava’s sin?

Is it possible, G-d forbid, that this generation won’t be the one to bring Mashiach? Even though the Rebbe said we would, is it conceivable that we failed and another generation will succeed? After all, the Rebbe said that “it’s up to us.” So what happens if we don’t fulfill the mission given to us?

The fear of someone else’s impression of us, often times, handicaps us. Why do so many people worry about it? Is it a confidence issue? How can one get over worrying about what others may think of him/her?

These are among the relevant and provocative issues Rabbi Jacobson will address in this week’s 126th episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied. Other topics that will be discussed include: the possible limits to making a dirah b’tachtonim, other projects that Rabbi Jacobson was involved in, and follow up to previously discussed concerns related to a secular education.

See more at ColLive

Rabbi Mendel Kessin 21st Century - Part 8

The Light Of Redemption throughout history.
To see previous shiurim click on the KESSIN label below

Gathering What Remains

by Rabbi David Pinto Shlita

One day, a defiant man tried to provoke Rabbi Yosef Dov of Brisk with a question:

“Why do Jews mourn between Tammuz 17 and Av 9, and also on Av 9 itself? Nothing can change their situation!”

The Rav replied, “I shall answer you with a parable: Imagine that a fire has broken out in a city and destroyed numerous homes. If one resident leaves the remains of his burnt-out home and no longer concerns himself with it – to the point that he even abandons objects that were spared by the fire – we would think that he has no intention of returning to rebuild it. On the other hand, a person who puts in a great deal of effort into looking for objects amid the heap of ashes, meticulously sifting through each undamaged brick and gathering what remains, such a person certainly has the intention of rebuilding his home soon.”

The Rav concluded, “The same applies to us. As long as we mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the fire that burned our holy and glorious House, we may rest assured of its rebuilding, speedily and in our days.”

The Ten New Creations in the Era of Moshiach

HT: Absolute Truth

Today is Rosh Chodesh Av, the beginning of the Nine Days.  The Kaf HaChayim [551:1] states that everyone who meticulously observes the halachos of the first ten days of Av [which you can find here], thereby demonstrating his personal mourning over the churban of Yerushalayim, will merit to witness these ten miracles, listed below.

The Medrash [Medrash Rabbah Shmos 15:21] teaches that Hashem will bring forth ten new creations in the era of Moshiach: 

1. He will create a new light for the world. 

2. He will bring forth a freshwater spring from Yerushalayim whose waters will heal all illness. 

3. He will create trees that every month will produce new fruits that have curative powers.

4. All the cities of Eretz Yisroel will be rebuilt, including even Sodom and Amora. 

5. Hashem will rebuild Yerushalayim with sapphire stone that will glow and thereby attract all the nations of the world to come and marvel at the beauty of the city. 

6. The cow and the bear will graze together, and their young will play together. [See Yeshaya 11:7]. 

7. Hashem will make a covenant with all the creatures of the world and banish all weapons and warfare. [See Hoshea 2:20] 

8. There will be no more crying in the city of Yerushalayim. 

9. Death will perish forever. 

10. Everyone will be joyful, and there will be an end to all sighing or worry. 

May we all merit to see these miracles speedily and in our days.

Rabbi Mendel Kessin Part 7 - finally !!

Distortion of reality, levels of arrogance, and the four parts of Eisav
To see previous shiurim click the KESSIN label below

Higher

Rebbe Nachman's Hidden Scroll on Gog u Magog

HT: Rivkah Lambert Adler

Rav Eliezer Schick zt''l shares some of Rebbe Nachman’s ‘Hidden Scroll’ which explains what will happen before Moshiach comes.

For around 200 years’, the Megillat Setorim, or hidden scroll, written by Rebbe Nachman has been one of the best-kept secrets of Breslev chassidut. Until recently, very few people had even heard of it, and even fewer had access to its secrets.

The scroll was written in code by Rebbe Nachman before his death in 1810, and it contains secrets pertaining to what will happen in the world before Moshiach comes, that only one in a generation is initiated into.

In the last generation, as the footsteps of Moshiach have come closer, more and more of the contents of the ‘hidden scroll’ have been leaking out. Before his untimely death last year, Rav Eliezer Schick, ZTL, wrote the following about the contents of Rebbe Nachman’s ‘hidden scroll’ in his book, Paolot HaTzaddik.

Rav Shick revealed that there would be a terrible ‘war’ prosecuted against the nation’s leading Tzaddikim, as part of the preparations for Geula.

To read it: click here