Purim on Chanukah? Gog u Magog?

For the past few days, I've been thinking about the connection between Chanukah and Purim.  This is due to the fact that a close relative of mine had a dream about M. [who passed away a few years ago on Purim]. In the dream, M told her that Donald Trump was still President [he'd won somehow] and showed her the TV news announcing his Presidency win.   

In the dream,  M was looking fabulous, very thin and well.  This is why I feel the dream was real... simply because the  person who had the dream had never really known M when she looked that way.... there was a 30 year age gap between them and the only way M had looked in her later years was over-weight and unwell.  This was not an image of someone recalled from the brain, because the dreamer had never even seen M when she was thin and ''fabulous''.  And I don't think she'd seen photos of her either, in fact she told me she'd never seen her look like that before.

So I started to think... why would M come in a dream to this person with this message about Trump, and is there another message that I'm supposed to find.  Is there a connection between Chanukah and Purim?  They are the only two chagim which will be celebrated after Moshiach comes [although some say only Purim].  ''To put it simply, as the famous adage goes, Purim was a fight for the Jewish body, Chanukah for the Jewish soul.''  And on Purim the body of the Jew was saved, whilst on Chanukah it was his soul.

And then over Shabbas the news came out that Iran's top nuclear scientist had been killed and Iran was irate and blaming Israel.

Suddenly the Purim/Chanukah connection became even more real.  

Is this the War of Gog u Magog starting?  Is this the War that will allow President Trump to stay in office [see Moshe's comments here about President staying in office if war breaks out during his Presidency].

For me, this just ties up the loose ends of the dream.   Trump, Presidency, Iran, Purim, Chanukah, V'Nahafoch Hu.  Turning it all upside down, having Purim on Chanukah.  

I don't know, but I am a Geula Blogger, and this what I do.

Prophecy: How the Evil controlling the world will be destroyed at the End of Days

 

Rabbi Alon Anava

Jonathan Pollard: "Key to Redemption"

 

The following is from an article dated July 2015 written by Rivkah Lambert Adler

One of the most prominent personalities who offered Pollard emotional and spiritual support during his decades in prison was Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu. Eliyahu served as a Chief Rabbi in Israel from 1983 to 1993 and had a close and supportive relationship with Pollard for 20 years. Eliyahu passed away June 7, 2010. 

Shortly after Eliyahu’s death, Pollard’s then-wife Esther began to speak out about the spiritual messages the rabbi shared with them. In an article published by The Yeshiva World News on June 11, 2010, Esther shared Eliyahu’s prediction that the eventual release of Jonathan Pollard from prison is connected to the final redemption. 

 “Over time, the Rav [Rabbi] shared with us and with a few others who were very close to him that Jonathan’s release is the key to the redemption of all of Am Yisrael [the Jewish people],” she wrote. “He taught us how Jonathan’s release is also the key to the release of all of Israel’s captives and MIAs. Once Jonathan is out, all the captives are all out! Once they are all out, we are all in Geula [redemption]!” 

 “Perhaps most significant of all, the Rav always referred to Jonathan as the ‘Yosef HaTzadik shel doreinu’ (The Yosef Hatzadik of our generation),” she added. 

This last reference connects Jonathan Pollard to the Biblical Joseph, who was also imprisoned. 

In August of 2010, Esther Pollard sent her husband a birthday letter which he released for publication. In it, she strengthened her husband’s spirits with the words of the recently departed Rabbi Eliyahu.

 “You are a cosmic key to the redemption of the Jewish people. Your release is synonymous with the release of the Shechinah [the Divine presence] from galut [exile]. Your release is tied up with the Moshiach Ben David’s [Messiah son of David’s] return to the Land. Your release is bound to the redemption of the land and people of Israel.”

Toldot Tikkunim

According to kabbalistic teachings, Yitzchak corrected the spiritual damage caused by Adam's sin.

Therefore, just like Adam had been led by the ingenious plot of the serpent, the correction of Adam's sin had to come through ingenious trickery: ''Your brother came ingeniously and took your blessing''.  [Toldot 27:35]

Source: Likutei Sichos Lubavitcher Rebbe

The B’nei Yissachar takes this concept one step further. A number of commentators are bothered by the fact that Yaakov had to resort to such deceit in order to receive his father’s blessings. As the legitimate inheritor of Yitzchok’s spiritual legacy, shouldn’t Yaakov have been able to receive what he deserved in a more straightforward manner? 

Citing the Zohar HaKadosh, the B’nei Yissachar explains that Yaakov represented the tikkun [refinement] of Adam and his sins. Yaakov’s arch-nemesis was his wicked twin brother Eisav, who is described by the Torah [25:27] as a “yodeah tzayid” – hunter. The Targum Onkelos renders this phrase “gevar nachshirchon,” hinting that Eisav represented the nachash – serpent. Because the serpent enticed Adam and Chava to sin through tricky, underhanded methods, Yaakov had to rectify its previous triumph by successfully taking the blessings away from Eisav using similarly devious tactics.

The Arizal teaches that Rivkah was a gilgul [reincarnation] of Chava, the first woman. One of the purposes of reincarnation is to give a soul the opportunity to rectify the sins that it committed in an earlier lifetime. In what way did Rivkah correct the sin of Chava and atone for its consequences?

After the serpent convinced Chava to eat from the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge, she immediately gave some to Adam to eat. Rashi explains that she did so out of a fear that after her death, Adam would remain alive and would find another mate. As a result of his sin, Adam was cursed with death and with the pain and difficulty of sustaining himself.

Because Chava ensnared Adam in sin when he listened to her, her descendant Rivkah learned from her mistakes and rectified her sins. In contrast to Chava who caused Adam to eat something forbidden, Rivkah saved Yitzchak from eating from the food that Eisav brought him which was not properly slaughtered, and according to some opinions was dog meat [Targum Yonason ben Uziel 27:31].

Source: ShemaYisrael

The Solution for the World's Crisis

 

Rabbi Alon Anava 

Corona, Masks, Vaccines, Lockdowns, US elections - Now what??

The U.S. Elections 2020 in the ‘Spiritual Realm’

Tamar Yonah interviews Rabbi Mendel Kessin [audio] 

What’s going on behind the scenes of the lack of a final and official result in the US Elections 2020? Why isn’t there an ‘official’ winner yet, and is there a spiritual aspect behind this ambiguity? 

Rabbi Mendel Kessin  joins Tamar Yonah and talks about what he believes is happening in the Messianic era and why it is happening. He also makes some fascinating statements about when the Moshiach (Messiah) has to come by, as well as ‘the resurrection of the dead.

Kislev: Month of Miracles

How to receive your own miracle in Kislev: a very short video from Rabbi Anava

Calculating the Year of Moshiach

This information is generally known, however I have roughly transcribed it from Rabbi Anava's video today.

Although we are not allowed to calculate the arrival of Moshiach, as we draw nearer to our destination, we are permitted to talk about such things.

When we count the years for Moshiach's arrival, we count from Adam -  the word 'Adam' is an acronym for Adam/David/Moshiach.  David is in the middle of Adam and Moshiach, making it easy to calculate a year for Moshiach's arrival. [The soul of Moshiach appears in every generation, but so far no generation has been worthy of it's revelation]

 אדם 

  דוד 

משיח

Adam was born in the year 0. 

David HaMelech was born in 2854 and became King of Israel in the year 2891.

2854 is the middle year, multiply it by two and therefore 5708 is a year for Moshiach.  Obviously we didn't see Moshiach then but we did see the birth of the State of Israel [1948 on the Gregorian calendar].

We call David "King David'' and therefore we can count from the year he became King:  2891 - multiply it by 2... and we then get 5782.  [as everyone knows we are currently in the year 5781]

That doesn't mean Moshiach can't come before then, but this is the calculation Rabbi Anava was talking about.

Is the End of the World Near ? Torah Secret that Reveals What's Coming

Rabbi Alon Anava, new shiur

Whoever Has Not Suffered

Art Oreshnikov and Milner

From the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov - Yitro

 

"The Jewish people were not exiled until they denied G·d and the dynasty of David." [Yalkut Shimoni, I Samuel #106]

"The only difference between the world at the present and the world at the time of the Messiah is the subjugation to the [gentile] kingdoms." [Tractate Pesachim 68a]

The Baal Shem Tov taught:

The Talmud teaches, "Whoever has not suffered for forty days has received thereby his future reward. And what is considered suffering? Even if one puts his hand into his pocket to take out a golden coin and instead takes out one of lesser value." [Tractate Erkhin 16b]

However, since suffering is only in atonement for liability, how can such minor inconvenience constitute atonement?

The explanation is that since the righteous person lives with G·d, he believes in Divine providence and knows that G·d is guiding all events in his life down to the smallest minutiae, and that all his suffering is an expression of Divine justice - DINA, which is represented by the Divine Name of ADoNaI - on account of his sins.

Hence, as soon as the righteous person suffers however slightly, he immediately [searches his soul and] regrets [any misdoing], and becomes filled with anxiety and fear of G·d. He is thus immediately forgiven, since he believes [that his suffering is from G·d], and he repents and binds his mind to G·d.

Therefore, even when one is only slightly inconvenienced by having not taken out the coin he intended, since this only happened because of his sin, and he [is aware of this and] repents, this constitutes atonement.

This concept is referred to as "David" [made from the letters daleth, vav, daleth] :-  for the Infinite One, Who is referred to as Ayin/Nothingness, is represented by the [first] daleth. "Nothingness" is then conveyed via the vav to the [second] dalet, which represents the nadir of nothingness, which is expressed by a belief that everything that happens is Divine providence from G·d.

However, when a person does not believe that everything that happens is Divine providence from G·d, but rather attributes things to his own actions, this is considered having denied G·d and the aforementioned concept of "David" for he is denying the justice [providence] of the Kingdom of G·d/ADoNaI.

But G·d's Kingdom is hidden and subservient to the kelipoth/shells that cover and conceal G·d's providence from mankind. (1) 

In the future, though, with the coming of the Messiah, who will banish the spirit of impurity from the earth, G·d's providence will be revealed even in the minutest of events.

With this we can understand, "The Jewish people were not exiled until they denied G·d and the dynasty of David" and "The only difference between the world at present and the world at the time of the Messiah is the subjugation to the [gentile] kingdoms."

Understand this well (2) for everything that a person is able to comprehend about G·d is only regarding His Malkhut/Kingdom, but above that cannot be comprehended.

1) These "shells" are the "laws" of nature, the apparent cause-and-effect, and in this case, the statistical but "chance probabilities" that seem to govern whether one picks the gold coin or the copper one from one's pocket.

2) Until here is quoted from the Toldot Yaakov Yoseph, VaYishlach #8. The conclusion is that of the compiler of the Kesser Shem Tov, and its relevance to the rest of the piece is not clear.

The Inner Meaning of the 2020 Election Results

 

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

History Repeating.....

This week's Haftorah tells how Dovid HaMelech's son Adoniyahu attempted to illegitimately seize the Kingship which was not rightfully his.

Using falsehood and deception, he caused some of the most respected and influential figures in King David's government to believe that he had been legitimately granted the Kingship.

The presence of the influential figures convinced the masses that his claim to the throne was legitimate, and he arranged a large celebration in anticipation of his ascension to be King, chanting and screaming ''Long Live our King Adoniyahu!"

Despite his brazen attempt to steal the crown - in the process convincing the masses that he was the legitimate heir to the throne - he was not successful, and David made clear who the rightful successor would be [his son Shlomo].

Adoniyahu is the same gematria as Biden  [76]

אדניהו
 

בּיידן

Hasidic Jews in New York

 

A 3 part video series, which I thought readers would find interesting.  Peter Santenello goes to Brooklyn to find out what really goes on in the Hasidic communities.  

No Revenge

 

Words of Comfort

Text by Naftali

For anyone who may be feeling the burden of these uncertain times, I would like to share some words of comfort. 

The verse states ״עֵת־צָרָה הִיא לְיַעֲקֹב וּמִמֶּנָּה יִוָּשֵׁעַ״  

“it is a time of distress for Jacob, through which he shall be saved.” [Jeremiah 30:7] 

The initial letters of the first three words in this verse spell the word ״עצה״ “Solution”. This coincides with the idea that GD puts the solution in place before the hardship. 

The initial letters of the last three words of this verse add up to the numerical value of “46” hinting at the current time where a 46th president seems to have been “elected”. 

There’s a solution in place, for our current time. Do not despair! Good things are on the horizon, from financial to health and everything you can and cannot imagine, the likes that we have never seen before.  

“וְהַבּוֹטֵ֥חַ בַּֽ״ד חֶ֜֗סֶד יְסֽוֹבְבֶֽנּוּ'' “but as for him who trusts in the Lord- kindness will encompass him.” [Psalms 32:10]

See this video from Rabbi Glazerson for more. [Hebrew]

Putting the Alef into Exile = Geula

 Picture of the Rebbe by Leon Sternberg

Text by Binyamin HaLevi

The Lubavitcher Rebbe prophesied thirty years ago "that this year 5781 will be the year when I [Hashem] will surely show you Wondrous Miracles", it is appropriate that we open our eyes and bring the following quotation of the Rebbe:

 א - אלופו של עולם - גולה - גאולה 

As is known, that by bringing the Alef - א of אלופו של עולם - the commander of the world into the exile [גולה] – by our Torah activities and our Avoda throughout the period of exile, thereupon “depends the Geula” – coming from within the exile itself – the גאולה - Geula - Redemption. 

And more, since this comes because of the concealment and disguise of the exile, the revelation of the true and complete Geula will be a break-through of overwhelming strength, a Geula never to be followed by exile, “Hashem will rule for all eternity”.

More from the Rebbe on the revelation of Moshiach:

[How, moments before the appearance of the new moon - Royalty - King David [Moshiach] there will no sign in the events of the world of Moshiach's arrival. And this is immediately followed by the appearance and arrival of Moshiach. - Translator].

 ויאמר לו יהונתן מחר חודש ונפקדת כי יפקד מושבך 

And Yehonasan said to him [David] tomorrow is the first day of the new month and you will be remembered because your seat will be empty”, my father [King Saul] will be reminded of you and ask where you are?” [Shmuel 1.20.18]. 

And this is connected to מחר חודש tomorrow is the first day of the new month [moon]: before the first day of the month there is concealment - the moon is hidden, that up until the moment before birth of the moon there does not even remain a minute remnant [“the seat of David will be missing” - of Malchus - his Kingdom, the spiritual source of the moon]. And immediately thereafter comes [tomorrow -] the month, the birth of the moon appearing afresh “and you [King David] will be remembered”. 

Parshas Shemini 5752

B'Hatzlacha !

 Wishing him a great success.  Im yirtze Hashem

Who Will Win the Election?

This is a very interesting shiur from Rabbi Anava. I'm listening to it now and thought it worth sharing.

Rabbi Anava, more than any other Rabbi on the internet, explains everything in a way that can be understood by Jews and nonJews alike.  He translates and he shows the text from the Torah in English so people can clearly see what is written there and understand that the Torah is not just a book, but in fact is a matrix which needs to be taught by a competent Rabbi.  

Listen to this shiur and see the incredible predictions from the Torah, which in hindsight we can see clearly have come about through the election of Donald Trump four years ago.  

The last half hour of this lecture may upset some people, because here Rabbi Anava talks about the destruction of America.  Whatever your personal opinion may be, bear the following in mind.... the Lubavitcher Rebbe prophesied that 5781 would be a Year of Wonders, and the Rebbe was and is a Tzaddik whose words were never incorrect.  

Hidden Blessings

“A blessing rests only on something that is hidden from the eye.” [Taanit 5b]

"And they gave their father wine to drink on that night....."[Vayeira 19:33 ]

According to the Zohar, the dot on the word - וּבְקוּמָהּ - alludes to the fact that God was secretly assisting this event, because Moshiach was to materialize from it, since Ruth, King David's great-grandmother, was a convert from the Moabites.

The latter event between Lot and his younger daughter [19:35] is written without the letter vav, to indicate that the union did not produce such great offspring.  Rabbi  Shimon said "When the verses states that Lot wasn't aware, it means he wasn't aware that Moshiach was destined to come from this union."

Why should the beginnings of Moshiach occur in such an undignified manner?

Ramak explains that when a very lofty soul is about to descend into the world, the forces of kelipah [evil] oppose the soul's descent vehemently.  Sometimes, however, kelipah will consent to the soul's descent if it occurs amidst a particularly sinful act.  Thus we find that from this undesirable act the ancestor of Moshiach was born.

Source: Lubavitcher Rebbe

Rabbi Kessin: Moshiach ben Yosef [Audio]

 

Shiur given 5/19/2020

Various Interesting News

Thank you to everyone who emailed me some of these links.

Tamar Yonah interviews Rabbi Mendel Kessin October 27 - Are we Hearing the Footsteps of Moshiach

Rabbi Batzri composes prayer for Donald Trump

Rav Sternbuch shlita sees Geula in Corona

Rav Kessin: How God Plans to Rescue the Jews before Redemption

The Generation of the Flood has Reincarnated Now

The Sense of Smell

 

The Dove's Message

Art: Charnine

"The dove came to him toward evening, and behold it had plucked an olive leaf with its beak"

[Noach 8:11]

Rashi, quoting a Midrash, recounts that the dove said to Noach: "Let my food be as bitter as an olive - as long as it is provided by the hand of HaKadosh Baruch Hu - and not as sweet as honey - if it will be provided by the hand of flesh and blood."

Why, asked the Dubno Maggid, would the dove make such a statement to Noach before taking leave of him and the ark?  Hadn't Noach so graciously provided for it and cared for all of its needs over the course of an entire year?

Rather, answered the Maggid, the dove was concerned that perhaps Noach would suspect that it had returned not because the flood had ended but because it knew that it would receive all of its food on the ark.  This is why the dove told Noach, "I have not returned for food. For I prefer to be sustained with food that is as bitter as olives, as long as it is provided by Hashem, rather than with food that is as sweet as honey but provided by man!"

Source: Rabbi Y. Bronstein

The Rescue of the Jews before the Redemption

 New Rabbi Mendel Kessin shiur

Garments of Leather

by Rabbi David Pinto Shlita

It is written “Hashem made for Adam and his wife garments of skin, and He clothed them” [Bereishit 3:21]

Why did G-d choose garments of skin to clothe Adam and his wife?

The author of Tzafnat Pa’aneach offers us a subtle explanation: When Adam discovered that he was naked and needed to be clothed, he was in a situation that required him to recite the Shecheyanu blessing, for he would be wearing a new garment. However the Halachah forbids a person from reciting a blessing if he is naked.

Adam was therefore faced with a dilemma: Should he recite a blessing for his first garment, and if so, how should he say it?

Hence the verse states, “Hashem G-d made for Adam and his wife garments of skin, and He clothed them.” It specifically mentions garments of skin because Shecheyanu is not recited over leather garments, since “His mercy extends to all His creatures” [Tehillim 145:9]. By fashioning garments of skin for Adam while he was still naked, Hashem exempted him from having to recite Shecheyanu.

Are We There Yet?

One of the conditions that will occur before Moshiach is that ''the pious will be despised''.

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.  Source: Chabad

A quick glance at any news outlet will show you many stories of the orthodox [Hareidi] celebrating the chagim amidst corona... whatever your opinion is, it is a fact that right now the pious are despised, accused of spreading corona. 

18 Tishrei Yahrzeit Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov's histalkus [ascent from the body] took place in Uman, a Ukrainian town in Kiev oblast, on the 18th of Tishrei, which is the second day of Chol HaMo'ed Succos, 5571 [Oct. 16, 1810]. According to his express wish, Rebbe Nachman was buried in the old Jewish cemetery, together with more than 20,000 martyrs of the Haidamack massacres of 5528 [1768]. His surviving family members included his second wife, who built over his grave the original Ohel [a wooden structure to accommodate those who wished to pray nearby]; his daughters Adel, Sarah, Miriam, and Chaya; and several grandchildren. According to one tradition, the Rebbe's father, Rabbi Simcha, survived him, as well. 

It is customary for Breslover Chasidim to gather together on "Chai Tishrei" in order to commemorate the Rebbe's Yahrzeit. As is commonly the case in the Breslov community, there are no special minhagim [customs] associated with this event, other than lighting a Yahrzeit candle, giving Tzedakah [charity] in Rebbe Nachman's memory, and engaging in the study of Rebbe Nachman's writings.

To read and learn Rebbe Nachman's teachings, click on the REBBE NACHMAN label below this post.

 

Where is the Satan on Yom Kippur?

 

Fundamentals of Repentance - Rabbi Mendel Kessin - given in 2017

5781: Heading for a Showdown

 by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh

…and their lifeblood is dashed against My garments and I have stained all My raiment. For the day of vengeance is in My heart and the year of My redeemed has come.” [Isaiah 63:3-4]

These two verses in the portion of Prophets read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah always awaken our hopes: Perhaps this is the year that we have anticipated for so long? Perhaps this is the year of redemption?

“For the day of vengeance is in My heart.” God has a passion to take vengeance. The vengeance in this verse refers to Edom, but the essence of Edom is Israel’s age-old archenemy, Amalek. The numerical value of Amalek (עֲמָלֵק) is the same as doubt (סָפֵק), safek. Amalek represents doubt. These verses are particularly relevant this year.

The coming year is 5781 since the creation. It is customary to designate the year by discarding the thousands and thus this year is known as, תשפ”א, or 781, which is (among other important things) the numerical value of Israel-Amalek (יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲמָלֵק), together. This means that the coming year is a decisive one. We might go so far as to say that this year will see the final showdown between Israel and its archenemy, Amalek. God’s spirit will rest upon Israel “And the spirit of Havayah will rest upon him,” [the value of the words, “Israel” (יִשְׂרָאֵל) and “God’s spirit” (רוּחַ הוי’) together also equals 781] and Israel will defeat Amalek. Israel will defeat doubt.

Vengeance on Doubt

What is the doubt that we must defeat? After the Israelites in the desert asked, “Is God in our midst or not?”[1] the following verse says, “And Amalek came and made war with Israel.” Amalek attacks us with the most painful and destructive doubt of all: Is God here, present, and with us, or is He not? Amalek has the power to make us doubt the existence of that which is clearly here.

“For the day of vengeance is in My heart.” The commentators explain that “in My heart” means that the desire to take vengeance on Amalek has been in God’s heart for generations, as is written, “God’s war with Amalek from generation to generation.”[2] It is as if God has restrained Himself throughout the years, but now the time has come. The entire movie is nothing more than a backdrop for the showdown. The showdown, the climax of the movie, is upon us.

The heart is the seat of desire. “The day of vengeance in My heart” means that God has a desire for that day to arrive. If God has this desire, why does He restrain Himself? God fulfills the teaching in the holy Zohar and the holy Tanya: “The mind controls the heart.”[3] This means that the intellect controls one’s passions and desires. We generally think of passion or lust in negative terms, as the evil inclination or the animal soul. But there are also positive passions: “The cravings of the righteous are strictly good.”[4] God is the Tzaddik, the Righteous of the world, and certainly, His desires are all positive. But the mind also controls positive desires. It reins them in if the time has not yet come. The mind sees the possible outcome of the fulfillment of a particular desire and knows when the proper time has come. It controls the desire of the heart so that it will wait for the exact moment—for “the year of My redeemed has come.”

The Mind’s Inner Dimension is Pleasure

Sometimes, however, the desire is so strong that the person’s mind cannot overcome it. An example of this would be when Joseph could no longer hold himself back and revealed his identity to his brothers. It is then that the inner dimension of the heart enters the arena to control the mind. In spite of the power of the heart’s inner dimension wanting to reveal the year of redemption, the mind’s inner dimension can still exercise control over the heart’s inner dimension. So, the wait may continue until the mind’s inner dimension has decided that the time is right.

What is the difference between the mind’s inner dimension and the ‘regular’ mind that controls the heart? When we say that the mind controls the heart, we mean that the mind, which sees the potential repercussions or outcomes of a particular action, perceives that the time is not yet ripe—the mind judges that the world is not yet ready. The perfect, precise backdrop is needed for “the year of My redeemed has come.”

The inner dimension of the mind is about something entirely different. It represents the feeling of Divine pleasure—it senses the exact moment when revealing, “the year of My redeemed” will cause the most pleasure. In Kabbalistic terms, the mind’s inner dimension is described as “the inner dimension of partzuf Abba [the father principle]” and this is equated with, “the inner dimension of Atik” (פְּנִימִיּוֹת אַבָּא פְּנִימִיּוֹת עַתִּיק), which in Chassidic thought is called “pleasure.” Thus, though in His heart, God desires “a day of vengeance” upon Amalek, in the inner aspects of the mind, God’s essential pleasure dictates otherwise. The time has not yet come for the manifestation of this essential pleasure. And so, we wait… until now. The showdown is always the movie’s climax, the high point of the entire story. It is “the year of My redeemed has come.”

Amalek’s Conversion

There is an important debate between the sages as to whether it is permissible to accept converts from Amalek. Maimonides determines that it is permissible, but there are many others who say that it is forbidden and that Amalekites must literally be killed, as in the verse, “Erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the heavens, do not forget.”[5] Maimonides writes that before going to war with Amalek, we offer peace. If he is willing to fulfill the seven Noahide commandments and to be subservient to Israel, he is accepted as a ger toshav, a foreign resident who accepts the Torah’s authority and the seven Noahide laws. Some sages say that if an Amalekite is willing to accept the conditions for becoming a ger toshav, he can then proceed to full conversion.

We see from this that there is a rectification for Amalek. It is written that the descendants of Haman (the Amalekite) taught Torah in Bnai Brak.[6] If they were teaching Torah in Bnai Brak, somebody must have converted them. There are opinions that they were accepted without knowledge of their lineage, which only became known after they converted. Nonetheless, we see that something good can come of Amalek—he can even become a Jew! Interestingly, the numerical value of “an Amalekite convert (גֵּר עֲמָלֵקִי) is equal to that of “the King Mashiach” (מֶלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ)!

[1] Exodus 17:7.

[2] Exodus 17:16.

[3] Tanya A 12.

[4] Proverbs 11:23.

[5] Deuteronomy 25:19.

[6] Sanhedrin 96b.

Source

Judge Yourself before Judging Others

 

There is a wellknown saying that if you go to Court, you should do so '''with clean hands''.  In other words, if you are guilty of a wrong-doing, and then you take another party to Court, you will not only be judged accordingly in this world, but you will also be judged in Heaven before the other party is judged.

As the Ben Ish Chai wrote:

"Woe to the victim who cries out, more than to the one who wronged him." [Bava Kamma 93a]

A victim calls upon G-d to punish the one who wronged him - and Heaven treats the victim more severely! Why? Let's say Reuven called on G-d to judge Shimon for doing him a grave injustice. Shimon will not be punished until the Heavenly Court judges him. But Reuven himself probably wronged others at some point in his life - and for him, judicial procedures can be dispensed with. He himself admitted that such sins warrant severe punishment!  [See: Judgments Above and Below]

And also as we see here:

 "You are guilty of the injustice done to me," said the childless Sarah to Avraham when she sensed that Hagar, the maidservant Sarah had given to him as a wife, stopped respecting her after Hagar became pregnant. Sarah was outraged that Avraham had remained silent as Hagar abused her, and she concluded her charge with the words "Let Hashem judge between us!" [Bereishet 16:5]

This summoning of Heavenly judgment, says Rabbi Chanan in our gemara, boomerangs against the initiator, who is punished by Heaven even before the accused is. The proof is that Sarah died before Avraham, who "came to eulogize Sarah and weep over her." [Bereishet 23:2]

The impropriety of summoning Heavenly judgment, qualifies the gemara, is only in a situation where there is an alternative of seeking justice in a court here on earth. What alternative existed for Sarah, who is cited as the classical example of such impropriety?

Tosefot explains that she had the alternative of bringing her complaint against Avraham before the court of Shem, the son of Noach. Rabbeinu Nissim [Rosh Hashanah 16b] offers another approach. Even if Sarah had no court to turn to, she was wrong in not first bringing her complaint to her husband before summoning Heavenly judgment against him.

Heavenly judgment improperly summoned by the wounded party is a two-edged sword. Hashem declared that if the victim cries out to Him the outcry will be heeded and there will be severe consequences [Shmot 22:22-23]. The implication is that both the accuser and the accused will be punished, but the first to suffer will be the accuser. Maharsha points out that in the case of Sarah, her husband was punished with the loss of his wife, for the greatest tragedy of a person's death is suffered by the bereaved spouse. But her punishment of death preceded his punishment, for his grief began only when he returned to Hebron and became aware of her passing.

An interesting historical footnote to this chapter is provided by Ramban in his commentary on Torah. Sarah's oppression of Hagar, and Avraham's consent to her action which eventually forced her to flee, was improper. As a result "Hashem heeded her pain and gave her a son [Yishmael] who would be a wild man oppressing the descendants of Avraham and Sarah in so many ways."

[Source: Bava Kama 93a]

5781 - Raising the Poor from the Dust

 

Shana Tova!

 

What's Ahead in the New Year? Part 2 from Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Following on from yesterday's video, here is Part 2 which illuminates the many details of this previously cryptic footnote that suddenly resonates with unprecedented optimism —unmasking the wonders in the sacred vision of the Rebbe!

Have the Events of 5781 been Predicted 30 Years Ago ?

 An incredible note from the Lubavitcher Rebbe says so.  Rabbi Mendel Kaplan explains in the video below.

Thank you Chaya for sending this to me.  I'm listening to it now, but already want to share it...

I recommend this shiur because it is so full of wonders and miracles, it will give you all a lot of chizzuk, in preparation for the coming Year of Wonders which is going to be shown to us, iy''H.

First Ever Mincha on the White House Lawn

 

Click here to read and see more

5781 Predictions

Thanks to Nonee for sending this to me.  I haven't listened to this Rabbi before:  Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin with some ''predictions'' for the new year.

5781 - ''I will show you wonders'' - the Talmud says that any year that begins with poverty will end with tremendous wealth.  

This lecture is well worth a listen - many good things to hear and iy''H they will all happen.  

Secret Codes of Ha'azinu

Seder Hadoros relates that Ramban once confronted his former student, named Avner, and asked him why he had strayed from the path of observant Judaism.  Avner replied that Ramban had once taught that "everything is to be found in the Song of Haázinu" and Avner found the idea so utterly preposterous that it led him to lose faith.

When Ramban stated that he still held by his assertion, Avner challenged him, "If so, where is my name to be found in the song?"

Ramban turned to the wall praying to G-d, and it soon occurred to him that the third letter of each word in verse 26 spelled Avner's name:

 אָמַרְתִּי אַפְאֵיהֶם אַשְׁבִּיתָה מֵאֱנוֹשׁ זִכְרָם

On hearing his, Avner repented and mended his ways.

Even though Avner had strayed far from the path of observance, his name was nevertheless recorded in the Torah with his title, Reb Avner, referring to his status as a fully observant Jew, after he had returned - for this was indeed his true essence.

Based on Sichas Shabbos Parshas Haázinu 5742 Lubavitcher Rebbe

24 Elul 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

Many Evils

Art Sarah Porter

It is written, “When many evils and distresses have befallen them” [Vayelech 31:21]

The Maggid of Dubno states that towards evening, as the peddler of goods stands in the marketplace with his baskets in hand, and most of his products are already sold, he wants to return home quickly. He therefore takes his remaining pears, prunes, and other products, and mixes them together in one basket and sells them at half price, for he wants to get rid of them as quickly as possible. 

Hence the Torah states, “When many evils and distresses have befallen them” – when you see a combination of various ills descending upon Israel, it signifies that all the “products” are almost gone, and that we have reached the remainder, the “footsteps of Mashiach,” meaning that he will soon arrive.

Source: Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita

Trivial Pursuits

Photo Luis Beltran

by Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

"For I know its inclination" [Vayelech 31:21]

A man's yetzer hara schemes against him all the days of his life and tries to make him stray from the path of Torah. It is man's duty to use every strategy at his disposal in order to defeat him.

To what can this be compared? The Chofetz Chaim offered the following parable:

There were two countries that had been waging war for many years. One day, the king of one of the countries declared that whoever could resolve the dispute between the two countries and achieve peace would receive a very great reward - an opportunity to enter the king's vaults and take whatever he is able to amass in the duration of one hour.

A short while later, a certain wise man approached the king and proposed a solution to end the warfare. The king liked the plan very much and decided to use it. Eventually, peace was restored between the two countries and, as promised, the wise man was invited to the king's vaults to collect his reward.

However, when the day of reward drew near, the king became concerned: Perhaps the wise man would take the most precious treasures in his vault. The king turned to his advisers for suggestions on how to protect his treasures.

"Your highness" said one of the advisers, "I happened to discover that this man loves music. Why doesn't the king simply place the kingdom's finest orchestra inside the vault? When the man arrives, the musicians will start playing music that will enrapture him; he will be so mesmerized by the music that he will entirely forget about the king's treasures!"

The king was very pleased with the idea.

When the wise man arrived at the palace, he was immediately taken to the king's vaults. The heavy gates to the vaults were opened, and the wise man took a step inside. But as he made his way to the riches, he was frozen in his place. For emanating from inside the vault was the sweetest sounding music he had ever heard.

The wise man awoke from his trance and reminded himself why he had come. He took another step in the direction of the riches and tried looking through the treasures, but the beautiful music kept distracting him.

"I will only listen to these beautiful tunes for one more moment." said the wise man. But one moment quickly turned into two, then three and four...

Do not forget why you came here! he shouted at himself. But the music was simply too enchanting.

"The time is up!" announced a royal officer. The hour had passed.

"But I haven't taken anything yet." said the man.

"Nothing you say will make a difference now" replied the officer. "Your time has passed!" The man returned home sad and despondent over the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he had squandered. Everything had been in his hands, but he let it all slip away.

So it is in our own lives, said the Chofetz Chaim. Man receives a very special gift from Hashem. Over the course of his life he is given the opportunity to amass innumerable mitzvos.

However, the "evil adviser" - the yetzer hara - offers his "advice" and seduces man with trivialities that draw him away from Torah and mitzvos.

But then, when man reaches the end of his days and is summoned before the Heavenly court, he is painfully reminded of how he wasted his precious time, choosing to indulge in listening to worthless "music". By then, however, it will be too late.

It is incumbent upon every individual to constantly remind himself why he has come to this world. Let him not allow the yetzer hara to distract him from his true task.

Spiritual Beings in Physical Bodies

"that you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you will bring from your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you. And you shall put [them] into a basket" [Ki Tavo 26:2]

First fruits represent the Jewish souls, as the Midrash teaches that the Divine Thought to create Jewish souls "preceded everything" [Bereishis Rabah 1:4]. In this respect, Jewish souls are "first" and cherished in a way similar to first fruits.

When the soul is in Heaven, before it enters a body, it enjoys an intense, ecstatic relationship with G-d.  Nevertheless, the soul is sent down to earth in a body which conceals its relationship with G-d.  This is not without profit since, through this descent, the soul is able to carry out a mission in the physical world, which can eventually result in an even more intense relationship with G-d.  For G-d's innermost "desire" is for His mitzvot to be carried out specifically in the physical world.

This is the lesson from the requirement of first fruits being placed in a basket.  Although the fruits are the finest and first of the crop, they cannot achieve perfection without a basket.

Likewise, the Jewish soul, which is G-d's highest priority, cannot achieve perfection without coming down into a physical body, in a world of concealment and temptation, because it is precisely through that descent that an even greater ascent is achieved.

Source: Likutei Sichos Lubavitcher Rebbe vol 29

Also see: Yerida L'tzorich Aliya: Descent for the Purpose of Ascent

Is There a Death Sentence on America?

How does one connect the rioting, chaos and coronavirus in the USA to the bringing of the Moshiach?

On this show, Tamar Yonah speaks with Rabbi Mendel Kessin. He shares his views on the mystical meaning of today’s turmoil that we see happening on U.S. streets and in the halls of Washington.

This video is audio only.

Chabad in Dubai...

I'm not getting into the politics of the peace deal between Israel and the UAE, but you should know that Chabad has been operating out of Dubai for a while now...

I think I just like the listening to the soundtrack on this video.

America's Role in the Messianic Process

Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Rabbi Dudel of Lelov: Childbirth and Cholent

Rabbi Dudel of Lelov: Yarzheit 5 Elul  -[text from Inner.org]

Dovid Shlomo Tzvi Biderman of Lelov (Lelów) also known as Rebbe Dudel, was the fourth Rebbe of the Lelov dynasty. He was born to his father Rabbi Elazar Mendel Biderman and his mother, Matel Faigeh, who was the granddaughter of the Seer of Lublin. From his father’s side, he was also a grandson of The Holy Yid.

He made aliyah to Israel at the age of 6. He married Miriam, who was the great-granddaughter of Rebbe Pinchas Halevi Horowitz, author of the Sefer Hafla’ah.

Influenced by the Karlin chassidim in Jerusalem, Rebbe Dudel journeyed to the “Beis Aharon” of Karlin. When he returned to Israel, he opened a synagogue for Karlin chassidim.

After his father’s passing, Rebbe Dudel refused to become a Rebbe, and it was only after his uncle also passed away that he agreed to lead the chassidim.

Rebbe Dudel was responsible for the money distributed by the Kollel Poland for the Jews living in the land of Israel, and was even jailed because of the Kollel’s debt. He was the head of the yeshivah Chayei Olam in Jerusalem and was admired by all the residents of the city – both Jews and non-Jews.

He passed away on the fifth of Elul, 1918 and was laid to rest on the Mount of Olives. His son, Rebbe Shimon Nosson Nuta, succeeded him.

The Ana Beko’ach Spiritual Remedy 

Once a chassid whose wife was having a difficult childbirth (first birth) came to Rebbe Dudel of Lelov to ask for a blessing for a successful birth. Rebbe Dudel told him that he should say the “Ana Beko’ach” prayer seven times – not too fast and not too slow. The chassid entered the room where his wife was giving birth and did exactly as the holy rabbi had instructed him. When he reached the last two words of the prayer, “He Who knows concealed things” (יוֹדֵעַ תַּעֲלוּמוֹת), he already heard the cries of his new baby daughter.

***

The initials of the Ana Beko’ach prayer spell a Kabbalistic holy Name, known as the Name of 42 Letters. 42 is the value of the word “mother” (אִמָּא). It is a segulah (a spiritual remedy) for bringing about a state of, “the mother of children is joyous.”[1]

When the Israelites encircled Jericho seven times in order to conquer it, they blew the shofars and recited the Ana Beko’ach prayer. (Until this very day, chassidim and devout people have a custom to encircle places that need to be “conquered” while reciting the Ana Beko’ach prayer – particularly with a melody that repeats each word of the prayer seven times).

Just as the Name of 42 Letters has the power to open Jericho, which is considered the lock of the Land of Israel, so it has the power to open the womb (the womb is described in the Song of Songs as, “a locked garden… a locked spring, a sealed fountain”[2]) when the time has come for the baby to be born.

Rebbe Dudel instructed his chassid not to recite the prayer too quickly or too slowly. This is the middle road, which is accepted and finds favor in the eyes of God and man. (The Alter Rebbe of Chabad also instructed his followers to do the same when leading communal prayers—not too quickly, not too slowly). This was also the prayer of Channah, when she asked for, “offspring of men.”[3] The sages explain that she meant that they should be neither too tall nor too short; neither too small nor too fat; neither too white nor too red; neither too smart nor too stupid.[4]

Honoring Shabbat Food

Once Rebbe Dudel spent Shabbat with his chassidim in Meron. A pot of cholent was brought in. The Rebbe said to bring it to him and he ate the entire pot by himself. Afterward he explained that the fire had gone out from under the pot and the contents of the pot had spoiled. “When they opened the pot, everybody held their nose,” he said, “and I could not stand to see how they were shaming the Shabbat food. So I ate it.”

***

Shabbat is the day that Divinity dwells openly even in the physical world and is present in the food prepared for the holy day. Rebbe Dudel’s sensitivity toward the Shabbat food is the attribute of the Academy of Hillel, who were careful to honor brides. In a discussion in the Talmud, the Academy of Hillel maintains that even if the bride is crippled or blind, she should still be praised as being, “attractive and righteous.” Rebbe Dudel was willing to go to great lengths (and if the reader has ever smelled a pot of spoiled cholent, he understands what resolve it takes to eat a pot of it) to maintain the honor of the bride, the holy Shabbat.

[1] Psalms 113:9. 

[2] Song of Songs 4;13. 

[3] 1 Samuel 1:11. 

[4] Berachot 31b.

Source: Inner

Rav Arush Predicts

Someone sent me a link to the article where Rav Arush predicts the ''last Rosh Hashanah in Uman before Moshiach''  - I guess he means not just Uman, but the entire world.... his point is that it's the

Breslovers last chance to daven by Rebbe Nachman's Kever in Uman before Moshiach comes.

He also says that Moshiach could even come on Rosh Hashanah itself.

I didn't pay too much attention to the article at the time, but later I found the video of Rav Arush speaking [in Hebrew] with another Rabbi translating into English, and I found it quite compelling, so here it is:

Joe Biden's Stolen Speech

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

Joe Biden’s speech on Thursday night seems to have hit a homerun among voters. But to people in Canada that were listening – there was something vaguely familiar, according to reports.

Biden ended his speech with the words, “For love is more powerful than hate. Hope is more powerful than fear. Light is more powerful than dark.”

Jack Layton was the leader of Canada’s left-wing New Democratic Party and died exactly nine years ago – to the day.

As he lay dying in 2011, he wrote the following words to his followers and friends:

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair.”

There seems to be a prevalent notion out there that plagiarism and cheating isn’t really wrong. It is wrong, and if a person is brazen enough to do it during a speech in which the whole country is listening – well, it does not bode well. It is also halacha, by the way. Melania Trump’s speech was also not original at the RNC in 2016. It took much of the content from Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech.

King Solomon

Let’s start with Shlomo HaMelech: In Mishlei 22:22 he writes: “Rob not from a poor person – for he is poor.” Chazal tell us (Yalkut Shimoni Mishlei 560; Midrash Tanchuma BaMidbar 27) that Shlomo HaMelech is referring to plagiarism – to reciting a statement without attributing it to its source.

Just as a poor person has no protector – no guardian to right wrongs and injustices, the same is true with intellectual property. An earlier thinker came up with an idea. Just as the poor person has no protector, so too does the thinker have no protector. Shlomo HaMelech is appealing to our conscience – do not steal from a poor person – for he is poor – he has no protector. Do not cheat or plagiarize for they too have no protector.

Queen Esther

We move forward down the timeline to Queen Esther (Megilas Esther 2:22). Two guards – Bigson and Seresh had plotted a coup d’etat. Mordechai, proficient in seventy languages, overheard and told the Queen. Queen Esther didn’t take credit for the information. She told the King that she got the information from Mordechai.

Esther was amply rewarded. It is for this action that she merited to be the conduit of the salvation of the Jewish people. Because of Esther it is said, “Whoever says something in the name of its originator – brings salvation to the world.”

Wouldn't She Have Been Justified?

What was really going on here? Esther certainly was a righteous woman. Can’t we assume that if she thought it better for the king to have assumed that the information came from her, then surely she would have been fully justified?

It would seem not.

It would seem that even though, it may have been in the Jewish interest that Esther gain the king’s favor, there is something inherently wrong in not attributing the information to the true source. She knew this. Esther could not stoop to do something that is inherently wrong. It was for this realization – that we are but mere foot soldiers in a campaign and our primary responsibility is to follow Hashem’s bidding in what is right and wrong – she was so amply rewarded.

Ethics of the Fathers

We now move on to Pirkei Avos 6:5. Naming the original source of the information. Avoiding plagiarism. It is in a list of one of the 48 ways in which Torah is acquired.

The Yalkut Yoseph (Kivud Av V’Aim chapter 9) cites a few more sources. The Shla in Meseches Shvuos says that it is an enormous sin – and should be looked at as if one has kidnapped human life.

He further cites the Sefer Chasidim (224): Whoever says something in the name of a deceased Tzaddik earns his favor and is prayed for by that Tzaddik.

Conversely, the Chida writes (Bris Olam) that if one writes a book from Torah that was stolen from others – they curse him, and he dies halfway through life.

Not the First Time

This incident was not the first time that candidate Joe Biden has plagiarized. In September of 1987, newspaper stories reported that he had plagiarized a speech by British politician Neil Kinnock and had not attributed it. A few months earlier, on March 15th 1987, given to a Welsh Labour Party Conference, Kinnock had said the following words:

“Why am I the first Kinnock in a thousand generations to be able to get to university? [Kinnock pointed to his wife, sitting in the audience:] Why is Glenys the first woman in her family in a thousand generations to be able to get to university? Was it because all our predecessors were thick?”

According to an article in the New York Times on September 12th, 1987, written by Maureen Down, Biden’s speech given earlier that week, essentially plagiarized Kinnock’s speech. Biden also made reference to himself and his wife Jill in the same manner as Kinnock did and included the lines:

“I started thinking as I was coming over here, why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go to a university? [Pointing to his wife sitting in the audience:] Why is it that my wife who is sitting out there in the audience is the first in her family to ever go to college? Is it because our fathers and mothers were not bright? Is it because I’m the first Biden in a thousand generations to get a college and a graduate degree that I was smarter than the rest?”

In 1987, Biden also duplicated other parts of Kinnock’s speech. According to Wikipedia it included their forebears’ ability to read and write poetry, their strength in working for hours underground in a mine only to come up and play football afterward, and their being limited by lack of a “platform” upon which to stand.

Here, however, Joe Biden also made up different facts and attributed it to his own family so that he could say these words.

Recently, it was revealed by Joe Biden’s wife’s first husband that Mr. Biden and his wife were carrying on together while he, a former volunteer on Biden’s campaign, was still married to his wife Jill.

As my friend Rabbi Avi Shafran has said in a recent article:

“Shameless dissembling and personal indecency acted out in public before the entire country are, in the end, no less morally corrosive than the embrace of abortion-on-demand..”

No candidate is perfect. However, in this particular candidate, unfortunately, we have all three elements.