Two Methods to Bring the Geulah

 New shiur from Rabbi Shimon Kessin

Eclipsing the Wonders of Yetziat Mitzrayim

[text received via WhatsApp - author unknown]

The most significant thing is that the blood moon Joel 3:3 should be very familiar to everyone because it appears in our Haggadah in the signs and wonders that will eclipse [pun intended] the signs and wonders of Yetziat Mitzrayim to herald in the Final Redemption.... May it be so !

Timelapse over Sydney Opera House: Hirsty Photography

Supermoon Rising

 

Supermoon rising over Bondi. 

Photo: Glick Photography

New Video from Rabbi Alon Anava: Message of Meron

 "Stop Stepping on Others"

After the devastating disaster in Meron on Lag Ba'Omer, Rabbi Anava points out the sources in the Torah referring to the disaster and the message G-d is sending us that we need to address.

Total Lunar Eclipse

Tonight in Australia we will be able to see the full lunar eclipse: for full details of how to see it in your country click here.

The last time the moon turned red, I saw it with my own eyes, although the moon was quite far away and just a small red dot in the sky.  This time the moon will be much closer to us, and as the weather is fine here I'm hoping for an amazing sight.

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

War of Words

It seems that the more we try to defend ourselves, the worse it gets for us.  [These are just my thoughts, you are welcome to disagree with me.]

In that vein, I refer to an ad in the NYTimes by the World Values Network which is headed by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach - an ad which seems to have only inflamed the situation.  If you go looking for that ad on Google, all you will find is a mass of links to sites condemning the NYTimes and the World Values Network for publishing such a thing.   

This is the ad:

For those who may not be aware, Bella and Gigi Hadid are top models, and Dua Lipa is not only a mega pop star, but also dating Anwar Hadid, brother of Bella and Gigi.  Between them all, they have over 100 million followers.  

In response to the ad in the NY Times, all three women have unanimously rejected the notion that they are in any way anti-semitic: Lipa said "I utterly reject the false and appalling accusations that were published today in the NY Times ad.... this is the price you pay for defending Palestinian human rights....  I take this stance because I believe that everyone - Jews, Muslims and Christians - have the right to live in peace as equal citizens... the World Values Network are shamelessly using my name to advance their ugly campaign with falsehoods and blatant misrepresentation....." [see full text here]

I believe everything Dua Lipa says about her beliefs. She, along with Bella and Gigi, see Israel as a ruthless entity intent on wiping out her people.  In her young mind, she does not equate her anti-Israel sentiments with an anti-Jewish feeling.  

They are not alone in these thoughts.  A former close friend of mine also feels the same way, and she is definitely not an anti Semite I can promise you that.

Why can these people not see what is really happening here?  

It is not for lack of intelligence, they have plenty of that.  

Another question I have is why Hashem saw fit to bless these three women with good looks, talent, fame and fortune [and millions of followers].  Why?  Obviously Hashem knew that they would use their platforms to defend the Palestinians, considering that Bella and Gigi's father is Mohamed Hadid, a well known personality, lately most famous for building an impossible mega-mansion  and losing a great deal of money in the process.   Make no mistake, the opinion of these three women is having a major detrimental impact upon the Jewish people, and increasing anti-Semitism around the globe.

The only conclusion I can come to is that Hashem wants this to occur.  And there can be only one reason why Hashem wants this to be so.....

....it is to unite the Jews.

If we cannot unite in good times, then we must be forced to unite in bad times.  And famous faces such as the three women above, are being utilized for this purpose.

Bread of Shame

 Rabbi Mendel Kessin's latest shiur [audio]: Nahama d'Kesufa

A transcript of this shiur can be found here