Ikvot Moshiach: The Time Immediately Before Moshiach

Because we need reminding, this is the world we live in.

Text by J. Immanuel Schochet

The time appointed by G‑d for the Messianic redemption is a closely guarded secret.1 Nonetheless, we are offered many hints to recognize its proximity: when certain conditions come about, await the imminent coming of Mashiach. 

Most of these conditions are quite disturbing, clearly displaying a situation of the very “bottom of the pit.”2 One major source describes the world-condition in those days as follows: increase in insolence and impudence; oppressing inflation; unbridled irresponsibility on the part of authorities; centers of learning will turn into bawdy houses; wars; many destitutes begging, with none to pity them; wisdom shall be putrid; the pious shall be despised; truth will be abandoned; the young will insult the old; family-breakup with mutual recriminations; impudent leadership.3 

Other sources add: lack of scholars; succession of troubles and evil decrees; famines; mutual denunciations; epidemics of terrible diseases; poverty and scarcity; cursing and blaspheming; international confrontations nations provoking and fighting each other.4 In short, it will be a time of suffering that will make it look as if G‑d were asleep. These are the birthpangs of Mashiach, bearable only in anticipation of the bliss that follows them. 

“When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him… when you see a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him.”5 “When you see nations fighting each other, look toward the feet of Mashiach.”6 

Little wonder that some sages expressed apprehensions about those days in terms of, “Let [Mashiach] come, but let me not see him.”7 The prevailing attitude, however, is to await his coming in spite of all, even if thereafter we shall merit no more than sitting “in the shadow of his donkey’s dung!”8 

The troubles and agony of chevlei Mashiach (birthpangs of Mashiach), however, are not unavoidable: 

“What is man to do to be spared the pangs of Mashiach? Let him engage in Torah and acts of loving-kindness!”9 

Moreover, there are also good and happy signs indicating the imminent coming of Mashiach: a good measure of prosperity;10 a renewal of Torah-study;11 and opening of the “gates of wisdom above and the wellsprings of wisdom below,”12 evidenced also by scientific and technological discoveries and advances; a manifestation and propagation of the mystical teachings of the Torah;13 and also “In the time that Mashiach will awaken, many signs and miracles will occur in the world.”14

Source and Footnotes: click here

3 Prophetic Signs We Are Living in the Times of Moshiach

HT: Sherry

Current: uploaded to You Tube today

In today's class Rabbi Moshe Chaim drops some 🔥 🔥 🔥 on the Chevra! 

Here we are discussing three powerful signs that we are literally living in the times of Moshiach! 

You may think it sounds ridiculous. "How could it be possible that we are in the times of Moshiach when he hasn't revealed himself?" 

Just you watch and see for yourself.

The Book of Ruth

 

Why is The Book of Ruth read on Shavuot? 

from the ME'AM LOEZ 

The Megillah of Ruth is read in shul [synagogue] on the festival of Shavuot, "the time of the giving of our Torah". 

What connection is there between Ruth and Matan Torah [the giving of the Law]? One answer is that the account of Ruth's marriage to Boaz testifies to the authenticity of the Oral Law rendered to Moshe Rabbanu at Sinai. 

The legitimacy of David and of the Mashiach depends on the halachic distinction "a Moabite, not a Moabitess," which is an oral tradition not recorded in the scripture. 

Our Sages declare that the book of Ruth is read on Shavuot to teach that the Torah is given only through affliction and poverty. "The Torah said before G-d: If the rich study me, they will grow haughty. But when the poor study me, they know they are hungry and lowly, and will not grow haughty." 

Ruth personifies the teaching that the Torah is perpetuated only by those who made do with little, suffer, and accept death for its sake. She joined the Jewish people and made do with barely, the bread of poverty; enduring wandering, want, and loneliness; and she cleaved to the Torah even if she would have to die for it, declaring, "Where you die, I will die" Therefore, she merited to have Solomon as her descendant, who made the Torah accessible to others through his wisdom. 

This too, we learn from Ruth: One should not study Torah in order to achieve honor and glory, although these will come. She cleaved to the bitter, destitute Naomi, and in the end attained honor and glory in this world and in the next. 

From Elimelech, on the other hand, we learn that one should not leave the land of Israel. Yet one may do so in order to study Torah. 

"How great is the illumination provided by the Torah!" exclaim our Sages. Gentiles abandon their vanities and convert in order to cleave to it; how much more so, then, we must exalt it and toil to possess it! Just as our forefathers accepted the Torah and entered a covenant with G-od through the ritual immersion, so too, did Ruth at her conversion. From the time she joined Israel "at the beginning of the barely harvest" [on Pesach, where the first-grain [the omer] of barely is offered] until the end of the barely harvest on Shavuot, she was purified and elevated during seven weeks from the Exodus on Pesach until Matan Torah on Shavuot. 

We learn as well not to look down on the convert. Rabbi Akiva was descended from converts, and according to the Midrash was worthy of having Torah given through him, had he not been preceded by Moshe Rabbanu. 

Thus the Midrash recounts that when Moshe ascended on high and saw Rabbi Akiva, he said to G-od, "You have such a one, yet You give the Torah through me!" 

Ruth's great grandson, David, is likened to Moshe Rabbanu. Whatever Moshe did, David did also. Moshe saved Israel from the Egyptian bondage, David, from the suppression by the nations. Moshe split the sea, David, the rivers. Moshe Rabbanu gave Israel the Five Books of the Torah, David, the five books of Psalms. 

Ruth was forty years old when she embraced the Torah, and perhaps it was her example that inspired Rabbi Akiva to begin learning Torah at the same age. Hence adults who receive no Torah education in childhood can draw courage to educate and immerse themselves in Torah. 

From Ruth's divinely chosen husband-the wealthy aristocratic Boaz, of whom it is written, "Boaz ate and drank, and his heart was glad [with Torah study], we learn that the rich, too, must occupy themselves with Torah learning. 

The story of Boaz and Ruth teaches that righteous women are equal to righteous men. Although women are not obligated to engage in Torah study, they can attain high spiritual levels, as did the beautiful Ruth, who, by carefully observing the laws of gleaning and scrupulously practicing modesty, merited to become the mother of royalty. 

The book of Ruth is read during the harvest season to remind us that Torah study is a prerequisite for prosperity. When "It came to pass in the days of the judging of the judges," which our sages explain as reflecting a weakening of Torah study, "there was a famine in the land." 

It also reminds us of the obligation of giving to the poor from the harvest, in accordance with the laws of peah, leket and shikechah [Leviticus 19:9-10]. Charity is particularly necessary and advisable at the completion of the days of Counting the Omer, a time of din, strict judgement, for it then protects the giver from the Attribute of Justice. Through charity and Torah study, Israel will merit the speedy coming of Ruth's descendant, the Mashiach.

[This post originally appeared on Pasuk Post]

Two Suns and some Plasma

The sun has a red stripe and red aura.  This red stuff moves around. - I think it is called "plasma".  Our normal-looking sun does not have this red colour.  

The universe is made of up of space plasma. Plasma is the word given to the fourth state of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasma). A plasma is a gas that is so hot that some or all its constituent atoms are split up into electrons and ions, which can move independently of each other. [Google]

As you can see in the other photos below, we appear to have two suns. 

There is an entire separate solar system currently circling our Earth.  People are seeing two suns, and many other strange phenomena and there are thousands of photos of these things.

Nibiru is mostly thought of as nonsense because in the past people have predicted it to arrive and nothing happened... well the Nibiru System is well and truly here and I will keep showing photos and videos as long as I can find them.  

Just to note: a few minutes into the video, it mentions the book of revelation  and zetatalk, both of which of course I do NOT endorse.   Otherwise, enjoy the video.  

 

Michigan May 22

Location unknown

Birmingham UK May 22

The Power of Words

The Gemorah says [Moed Kattan 18] there lies a power in words. Whatever is said can occur.

This is not only when one says something negative.  The power of speech is very significant and saying positive things can also cause good things to happen.

People tend to complain and say things aren't going well.  They would be wiser to get into the practice of saying that everything is good. Their words can cause change for the better.

Source: Torah Daily 

The Yanuka: Safeguarding the Eyes

"The eye is the way to come closer to Hashem..... all of the functioning of the body is through the eyes..

based on what is seen, all of the body organs, sinews.... all follow what a person sees."

Hashem wants us to see the beauty of His creation and lift our eyes to Heaven.

Regarding this Yeshayahu said "Raise your eyes on high and see who created these things".

Video: Hebrew with English subtitles.

Entering the King's Palace

"A man's holy items shall remain his" [Naso 5:10]

To what can this be compared, asked the Chofetz Chaim? Answer: to a King who summoned his servant Reuven, to appear before him.

Reuven was filled with dread and thought "why has the King summoned me? Perhaps someone has slandered me and falsely accused me of committing some crime".

Reuven approached his trusted friend Shimon, and asked him to accompany him to the King's courtyard; yet Shimon refused!

"What shall I do" thought Reuven. "Shimon my closest friend has refused to join me; I will go and ask Levi. True, Levi is not my best friend, but perhaps my plea will sway him enough that he will accompany me."

"I am prepared to join you" replied Levi, "but I am afraid of entering the King's palace. I will accompany you to the King's courtyard, and then I will have to part from you."

Left with little choice, Reuven approached Yehudah, whom he hardly knew.

Surprisingly, it was Yehudah who agreed to join Reuven on his visit to the King. He agreed to enter the palace and intercede on Reuven's behalf.

"When a person departs from this world", concluded the Chofetz Chaim, "and is summoned to appear before HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the King of all kings, his closest "friend" - the gold and silver that took so much effort to amass - will refuse to accompany him. His sons and daughters escort him partway, but they will not enter the King's palace.

"Only the mitzvos and good deeds that he performed during his life - the things he appreciated least - will be the ones to accompany him all the way to the Throne of Glory. Only they will plead on his behalf!"

This is as the verse states: "A man's holy items" - the mitzvos and holy deeds that a man has done throughout his life - "shall remain his" - only they will remain with him to intervene on his behalf after passing from this world.

Source: Rabbi Y. Bronstein on the Weekly Parsha

Meteor Last Night: Queensland Australia