Wednesday, January 11, 2023
The Name of God
Monday, January 9, 2023
Who Will Build the Third Temple? Man or G-d?
Each of these views is based upon sources in the works of our Sages. [4] There is, however, a unique historical point which supports the Rambam’s position. Our Sages relate [5] that in the era of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah, the Romans granted the Jews permission to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash. Joyous at the opportunity they were granted, our people rushed to begin the preparations for building only to have the project thwarted by the intervention of the Samaritans. What is significant, however, is that they planned to build the Beis HaMikdash through their own efforts; they did not wait for it to descend from the heavens.
Will We Be Worthy?
This account can, however, be reconciled with Rashi’s view. To explain: Our Sages [6] note the apparent contradiction between two verses describing the coming of Mashiach. One verse states:[7] “Behold, one like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven.” It is, however, also written: [8] “Your king will come... like a poor man riding on a donkey.” In resolution, our Sages explain that if the Jews are found worthy, Mashiach will come “on the clouds of heaven”; if they do not merit, he will come “like a poor man riding on a donkey.” Similarly, in other contexts, our Sages describe one course for the Redemption if the Jews’ conduct is meritorious, and another, if, heaven forbid, such merits are lacking. [9]
In the present context as well, it can be explained that the ultimate conception of the Beis HaMikdash is a Heavenly structure to descend from above. If, however, the Jews are not worthy of such a sanctuary, the Beis HaMikdash will still return in the Era of the Redemption. It will, however, be a structure built by man, and not by G‑d.
On this basis, we can also resolve the difficulty cited above. When the Romans granted the Jews the opportunity to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash, the people must have been somewhat disappointed that the Beis HaMikdash did not descend from heaven. Nevertheless, the realization that they had not been found worthy of a heavenly structure did not dampen their enthusiasm for building a sanctuary to the fullest extent of their human potential. [10]
Concrete Elucidation of Yechezkel’s Prophecies
Another possible resolution can be offered based on the Rambam’s statements shortly after the beginning of Hilchos Beis HaBechirah: [11]
The structure which Shlomo built is already described in the [Book of] Melachim. Similarly, the structure which will be constructed in the future era [is described in the Book of] Yechezkel. Nevertheless, the description there is not explained or elucidated.
[Therefore,] the people who constructed the Second [Beis HaMikdash] in the time of Ezra, built it according to the [basic] design [employed by] Shlomo, incorporating the elements which were explicitly detailed by Yechezkel.
It can be explained that Mashiach will lead the people in the construction of those dimensions of the Beis HaMikdash which can be grasped by human intellect. Afterwards, since the dimensions of Yechezkel’s prophecies which we cannot comprehend will be left incomplete, they will be revealed from Heaven by G‑d.
When That Which is Hidden Will Emerge
Another approach to reconcile Rashi’s view and that of the Rambam is based on our Sages’ interpretation of the verse, “Her gates sank in the earth.” [12] Our Sages relate [13] that the gates of the Beis HaMikdash were fashioned at the order of King David. This endowed them with an eternal invulnerability. [14] When the Babylonians laid waste to the Beis HaMikdash, the gates were not destroyed. Instead, they were swallowed by the earth.
In the Era of the Redemption, the entire Beis HaMikdash will descend from the heavens with the exception of the gates, which will ascend from the earth. Mashiach will then connect the gates to the Beis HaMikdash. Our Sages explain [15] that connecting the gates to a building is considered as equivalent to the construction of the entire edifice.
Adding Divine Perfection to Human Effort
Moreover, it can be explained that the two conceptions are, in no way, contradictory. Building the Beis HaMikdash is a mitzvah incumbent on the Jewish people. [16] In the Era of the Redemption, when it will become possible to fulfill all the mitzvos, we will also be obligated to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash. Within that structure which man will erect, however, will descend and be enclothed “the Sanctuary of G‑d,” which is waiting in the heavens.
Mankind is obligated to create a Sanctuary for G‑d within the context of our material world. After that is completed to the fullest extent of our human potential, the inner essence of the Beis HaMikdash will be revealed — that it is “the Sanctuary of G‑d,” possessing a dimension of perfection which utterly surpasses any possible work of mortal man.
* * *
May we witness the actual resolution of this issue in the immediate future, with the coming of the Redemption and the rebuilding — or the descent — of the Beis HaMikdash. “And then, the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to G‑d, as in the days of old and as in bygone years.”[17]
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, Vol. XI, p. 98; XVIII, p. 418-419; Vol. XXVII, p. 205.
FOOTNOTES
1. Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Melachim 11:1,4.
2. Sukkah 41a, Rosh HaShanah 30a. See also Tosafos, Sukkah, loc. cit.
3. Shmos 15:17.
4. The Rambam’s view appears based on the Jerusalem Talmud, Megillah 1:11, Pesachim 9:1, Vayikra Rabbah 9:6, and Bamidbar Rabbah, 13:2. Rashi’s view has its source in the Midrash Tanchuma, Pekudei, sec. 11, the Zohar I, 28a, and other texts.
5. Bereishis Rabbah 64:10.
6. Sanhedrin 98a.
7. Daniel 7:13.
8. Zechariah 9:9.
9. See the essay “Two Periods Within the Era of the Redemption,” in the text I Await His Coming, which discusses this issue at length.
10. Significantly, in the era of Rabbi Yehoshua, there was no particular individual distinguished as Mashiach. Nevertheless, the people planned to build the Beis HaMikdash. It was only in a later generation that it was revealed that it would be Mashiach who would build the Third Beis HaMikdash.
11. Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 1:4. See the essay “How We Can Build the Beis HaMikdash” which elaborates on this concept.
12. Eichah 2:9.
13. Bamidbar Rabbah 15:13, Eichah Rabbah on the verse cited.
14. Sotah 9a.
15. See Bava Basra 53b; see also Shaarei Zohar to Sukkah 41a.
16. Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 1:1. See also the conclusion of the discussion of the positive mitzvos in Sefer HaMitzvos, which states that building the Beis HaMikdash is an obligation incumbent on the Jewish people as a communal entity.
17. Malachi 3:4.
Original Article: Chabad.org
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Taking Care of Business
'Zevulun will live by the sea coast....'' [Vayechi 49:13]
Source: Based on Likutei Sichos Lubavitcher Rebbe [vol 30 p 137]
Monday, January 2, 2023
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ani Yosef
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Instant Salvation
"And they rushed him out of the dungeon" [Mikeitz 41:14]
Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Who is Mashiach?
[published motzei Shabbat]
Rabbi Efraim Palvanov
What is the true role of the Messiah, and how can we properly identify this person? What are the 5 key qualities that Mashiach must possess? And who were the 5 major figures in Jewish history that had a messianic movement associated with them?
Find out in this class, where we also explore Jacob’s transformation into Israel, the spiritual power of music, the greatness of King David, and the timeline of events in the forthcoming Messianic Age.
*Background image of the Third Temple under construction courtesy of The Temple Institute.
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
The Mystery of the Animals Walking in Circles
Rabbi Yosef Biton talking about the recent news of animals walking in circles. It is in Hebrew but below is a rough translation/summary by Rahel. Thank you so much Rahel, those who can't understand all the Hebrew really appreciate it.
Monday, November 28, 2022
Receiving Prophecy in a Dream
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Monday, November 21, 2022
Blessings You Don't Say but Really Should!
Rabbi Efraim Palvanov
What is the blessing on an elephant? How about an albino? Find out in this class where we explore the power and meaning of the ancient berachot instituted by our Sages.Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022
Who Was Og the Giant? And Other Big Questions in Genesis
Rabbi Efraim Palvanov Addressing some big mysteries in Sefer Beresheet, the Book of Genesis, and beyond:
- Who was Og and how did he survive the Great Flood?
- What exactly were the Ten Trials of Abraham?
- Why is Eliyahu spelled without a vav in the Tanakh 5 times?
- What is the difference between Chokhmah, Binah, and Da’at (“Chabad”)?
- Which of the “Cosmic Shemittot” are we in?
- Who was the Nachash (the Primordial Serpent) in Eden?
- Does God create evil?
- Is the Torah written in ancient Hebrew script or in Assyrian/Ashuri script?
- How will all of history be revealed in the Messianic Age?
- Is there a rational way to understand the Great Flood?
- Where was the Garden of Eden located?
More on the incredible story of Og (with archaeological evidence): click here
More useful links at You Tube source: click here
Connecting to the Source
Art ''Holy Land'' Michoel Muchnik |
Friday, November 11, 2022
Guests of Honour
Based on Likutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Gutnick Chumash
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Monday, November 7, 2022
The Descent of a Lofty Soul: Moshiach
Art by Andreas |
And they gave their father wine to drink on that night, and the elder came and lay with her father, and he did not know of her lying down or of her rising up - וּבְקוּמָֽהּ
According to the Zohar, the dot in the הּ in the word וּבְקוּמָֽהּ [Vayera 19:33] alludes to the fact that G-d was secretly assisting this event, because Moshiach was to materialize from it [since Ruth, King David's great grand-mother, was a convert from the Moabites]. The latter event, between Lot and his younger daughter [19:35] is written without the letter vav - וּבְקֻמָֽהּ - to indicate that the union did not produce such great offspring. Rabbi Shimon said "When the verse states that Lot ''wasn't aware'', it means he wasn't aware that Moshiach was destined to come from this union" [Zohar I 110b]
Source: Lubavitcher Rebbe
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Friday, November 4, 2022
11 Cheshvan: Yarzheit Rochel Imeinu
Jewish Mother's Day The 11th of Cheshvan
Rachel lost her own spiritual luxury - the privilege of being buried in the Cave of Machpeilah - in order to help her children. This represents the unparalleled quality of the "Jewish mother" who is always willing to sacifice her own needs, spiritual or physical, for the sake of helping her children.
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Thursday, November 3, 2022
Are We Witnessing the Prophecy?
Current News
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Noah's Ark and the Tower of Babel: Not What You Think!
Monday, October 31, 2022
Father of Many Nations
Source: Chanan Morrison from the writings of Rav Kook
Notarikon in the Torah - [Notarikon is a method of deriving a word, by using each of its initial
(ראשי תיבות) or final letters (סופי תיבות) to stand for another, to form a sentence or idea out of the words]
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Hakhel Year: 8 things to Ponder
Rabbi Aaron L Raskin [28 min video]
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
The Post-Flood Era
Chassidic thought teaches that before the Flood, G-d sustained the world despite its low spiritual standing, due to His attribute of kindness. There was a limit, however, to how long G-d was willing to sustain a world without merit - hence the Flood.
- Noach was unaware of the above, so he was scared to repopulate the world, fearing it would be destroyed again. Therefore, G-d had to re-command him to ''be fruitful and multiply''. [Noach 9:1]
- The inner reason why Noach's generation failed to repent was because, before the Flood, the world was spiritually insensitive.
- Meat is an extremely coarse food that can lead a person to excessive physicality. Thus, it was only permitted to the spiritually-attuned post-Flood generation. [Noach 9:3]
- Before the Flood, people had extremely long lifespans because the world was sustained by G-d's kindness which was bestowed disproportionately to people's merits.
- Before the Flood, physicality was more coarse. This was true in a literal sense, to the extent that the clouds were too thick to refract light, so a rainbow never appeared. After the Flood, physicality become more refined, so the clouds began to refract light. Thus, the rainbow was not only a ''sign of G-d's promise not to destroy the world, it was also a physical consequence of the refinement of the world that ensured its permanent existence.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
The Purpose of Falsehood
Monday, October 24, 2022
The Yanuka
HT: AG
"A soul like his does not descend in every generation, it descends once in many generations"
Rav Shlomo Yehudah Be'eri, known as "The Yanuka", born in 1988 - knows the entire Torah, Talmud, Zohar by heart. You can read a lot more about him here.
Thursday, October 20, 2022
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]
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Angelic Healing
Image: Dusteramaranth |
Every aspect of creation is governed by an angel. Even trees and plants (especially those with healing properties) have angels supervising their growth. As the Sages said [Bereishit Rabbah 10:6] "There is nothing below, not even a common herb, which does not have an angel on high that strikes it and tells it to grow". Each of these angels receives its life force from the particular Utterance which is the source of its creation. It then transmits a measured amount of this life force to its particular charge.
Friday, October 14, 2022
Third Rome #2: Russia, Iran, and Gog u'Magog
Thursday, October 13, 2022
18 Tishrei: Yarzheit Rebbe Nachman
Sunday, October 9, 2022
The Tikkun of David
Friday, October 7, 2022
Who Do You See?
Art: Gustave Caillebotte |
[Written by Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein]
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Hurricane Ian and the Revelation of God from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur
An exciting new shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin
The Kabbalah of Yom Kippur
Rabbi Efraim Palvanov
What is the deeper meaning behind the five afflictions of Yom Kippur? How do they serve to purify the five aspects of the soul?
Also discussed is whether the sons of Jacob actually sold their brother Joseph or not, the Ten Martyrs that are mourned on Yom Kippur, miracles of the Yom Kippur War, and the role of air and water in Creation.
For a written summary of the class, see here
Monday, October 3, 2022
Complete Teshuva
Art: Maurycy Gottllieb |