Our Tikkun on Rosh Hashanah [and the 10 Days of Teshuva]

 New shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Filling the Waters

We've all heard about the Nordstream pipeline sabotage - if you don't know what I'm talking about click here. 

I don't want to talk about who is responsible, but I do want to mention that apparently a gas pipeline to Crimea in the Kherson [Ukraine] has now been destroyed and is burning.  This pipeline sabotage is gaining popularity and it's taking us one step closer to Geula.

Gemarah: "Moshiach will not come until that day, when the waters will be filled with oil, and no fish will be found to feed the ill - as it's stated: "then I will fill their waters will oil".

Rashi comments: When the waters will be congealed and fish cannot swim in such waters.

Note that it says "oil" and "congealed" - it doesn't say "gas". 

But it seems we are just getting started with this particular type of sabotage and I'm thinking that perhaps it won't be long before it is oil as well as gas being targeted.

Bad for the fish, but good for Geulah.  Is it time to stock up on canned tuna again? 

Talmud Sanhedrin 98a

Above is the relevant page of the Talmud: translation - "Mashiach ben Dovid will not arrive until someone seeks a fish for a sick person and cannot find one."

Return to Source

Hebrew with English subtitles.

Fascinating.

 

Torah Orthodox vs British Royalty

 New shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin

The Fundamental Processes of Human History: The Two Moshiachs

Rabbi Shimon Kessin, new shiur

Why are we focussed on the two Moshiachs.  This is a fascinating shiur, highly recommended.

24 Elul Yarzheit Chofetz Chaim

 

1838-1933 [5598-5693]

Rabbi Israel Meir HaCohen Kagan is commonly known as the "Chafetz Chaim," the name of his famous work on guarding one's tongue.

Born in Zhetel, Poland on February 6, 1838 [11 Shvat 5598], he was taught until age 10 by his parents and then moved to Vilna to further his Jewish studies. Refusing the pulpit rabbinate, the Chafetz Chaim settled in Radin Poland and subsisted on a small grocery store which his wife managed and he did the "bookkeeping"-watching every penny to make sure that no one was cheated. He spent his days learning Torah and disseminating his knowledge to the common people.

As his reputation grew, students from all over Europe flocked to him and by 1869 his house became known as the Radin Yeshiva. In addition to his Yeshiva, the Chafetz Chaim was very active in Jewish causes. He traveled extensively (even in his 90's) to encourage the observance of Mitzvos amongst Jews. One of the founders of Agudas Yisrael, the religious Jewish organization of Europe and later the world, the Chafetz Chaim was very involved in Jewish affairs and helped many yeshivos survive the financial problems of the interwar period.

Exemplifying the verses in Psalms 34:13-14, "Who is the man who desires life...? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit," the Chafetz Chaim passed away in 1933 at the ripe age of 95.

The Chafetz Chaim's greatest legacy is the 21 sefarim [holy books] which he published. His first work, Sefer Chafetz Chaim [1873], is the first attempt to organize and clarify the laws regarding evil talk and gossip. He later wrote other works, including Shmirat HaLashon, which emphasized the importance of guarding one's tongue by quoting our Sages. The Mishnah Brurah [1894-1907], his commentary on the Daily Laws of a Jew [his first series in the Shulchan Aruch], is found in many Jewish homes and is accepted universally to decide Halacha.

Firmly believing that he was living right before the time of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the Chafetz Chaim wrote a work that stressed the learning of laws concerning sacrifices, the Holy Temple, and related topics. He also published seforim to strengthen certain aspects of Jewish life including kashrus, family purity, and Torah study.

More on the Chafetz Chaim click here

This Thing is Very Near to You

Rather, [this] thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it.''  [Nitzavim 30:14]

At first glance, the statement that ''this thing is very close to you... in your heart'' appears to be contrary to our experience [and yet the Torah is eternally relevant], that it is simply not a ''very near thing'' to transform one's heart's desires from wanting worldly pleasures to a sincere love of God.

However, the words ''so that you can fulfill it'' at the end of the verse, qualify what is written at the beginning of the verse - that we are speaking here merely of a love which is sufficient to bring about the practical observance of the commandments....even if it is not palpable in his heart, like a burning fire.

And this is indeed ''very near'' and easy for any person who has a brain inside his skull, since a person's mind is under his control, and he is free to think about whatever he pleases, on any subject. So when he will use it to think about the greatness of God, he will inevitably generate - in his mind, at least - a love of God [sufficient to make a person want] to cleave to Him though the performance of His commandments and the study of His Torah.

Source: Gutnick Chumash: Excerpt from Tanya Chapter 17