May A Jew enter the Temple Mount? Listen to what Rav Ovadia Yosef zt'l had to say about the matter.
(Thanks to Rav Lazer Brody of Lazer Beams for posting this)
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
The Geula has begun!
Message from a Kabbalist, Rav Chaim Cohen, in bible codes - Rabbi M. Glazerson
"The full process of Redemption started".
Rabbi Lazer Brody also related in a recent shiur that all of our Sages concur with this. We must take it seriously. Doing teshuva, repentance, is urgent now.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Finding Our Sons
So many blog posts and articles have already been written about three teenagers who were snatched off the street on their way home from school in Israel last week.
My goal isn't to repeat what has already been said but to enlighten those who are in the dark. For some reason, International Media has chosen to keep quiet about this atrocious act, as if it didn't happen at all. Is it because it wasn't in their own backyard or perhaps because we are of a different religion, nationality, and thousands of miles away? The truth is, they could be anyone of your sons, brothers or friends. They are just regular kids minding their own business who were suddenly, unwittingly and savagely thrust into a world of terror, with their family and friends suffering right along with them.
It seems like every man, woman and child in Israel is concerned about these boys to the point of obsession. It would be nice if others cared. We are all human beings, are we not?
Here is a bit about each of these kids who are now political pawns at the mercy of ruthless terrorists. If they remind you of your own kids, or of the boy next door, that is because they are just the same. Just kids!
My goal isn't to repeat what has already been said but to enlighten those who are in the dark. For some reason, International Media has chosen to keep quiet about this atrocious act, as if it didn't happen at all. Is it because it wasn't in their own backyard or perhaps because we are of a different religion, nationality, and thousands of miles away? The truth is, they could be anyone of your sons, brothers or friends. They are just regular kids minding their own business who were suddenly, unwittingly and savagely thrust into a world of terror, with their family and friends suffering right along with them.
It seems like every man, woman and child in Israel is concerned about these boys to the point of obsession. It would be nice if others cared. We are all human beings, are we not?
Here is a bit about each of these kids who are now political pawns at the mercy of ruthless terrorists. If they remind you of your own kids, or of the boy next door, that is because they are just the same. Just kids!
If you want to help bring these young men back to their family and friends, please contact your government to take action.
Help them to be able to sleep in a warm, soft bed tonight instead of in a cold and dark dungeon.
Last but not least, please pray for their safe return and for the safety of all the soldiers trying to free them and rid the world of evil. They may be far away, but the evil lurks in every corridor of the world.
Yakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah, Gilad Michael ben
Bat-Galim and Iyal ben Iris Tshura
Together we can make a difference!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Not Even Your Socks
בס"ד
The Parsha for this week - Ki Teitzei
This World, The Next World, and Your Socks
The end was drawing
near. Mr Wolf Lazerson, one
of the richest Jews in the country was on
his death bed
with all his children surrounding him. "I have two last
requests to make," he said in a weak voice. "The first is
that you do not read my
will until the shloshim, and the
second is
that you bury me with my
socks on"
"But Dad," his
son protested "halacha doesn't allow
such a thing." "I don't care," Wolf said "that's what I want."
No amount
of convincing was going to change his
mind.
He insisted on keeping the socks on, and that was that.
His
children were disturbed knowing that their
father insisted on doing
something that he himself knew was contrary
to halacha.
A few days later, the father was niftar and the children consulted a poseik
A few days later, the father was niftar and the children consulted a poseik
who told them that their father's wish must
be ignored and so he was buried
without his socks. At the shloshim, they opened his will.
"My dear Children,"
they read, "I left you a lot of money and a
large estate.I wanted you to realize
before dividing it up that in the end you can't take any of it with you
- not even your socks. love, Dad." and as Rabbi Dovid Kaplan concluded,
a story like this can really knock your socks off.
In this weeks sedra, it
says "VeLo takim lecha matzeva asher saneh
Hashem
Elokecha" "and you shall not
make for yourselves a pillar..."
It is brought down in
Pirkei Avot, this world is compared to a corridor leading
up to the world to come. Fix yourselves
in the corridor so you can enter the
Banquet Hall. A person needs to be constantly aware
that this world is fleeting
and temporal. One must utilize all his worldly dealings and all his
physical
necessities as a preparation for the service of G-d, for the
world to come.
Chazal
often refer to "worldly pleasures" as "lecha" (literally
"for yourselves")
Kedushas HaLevi teaches us that the Torah is saying "VeLo takim lecha matzeva..."
and you shall not make the
"Lecha" a pillar. In other words, you shall not make
your
worldly pleasures into a pillar,
i.e., into that which is strong, sturdy and
everlasting, but rather, only as preparation for the
world to come.
May we merit to utilize all that Hashem gives us leTova.
- Awesome for the
Shabbos Table!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The Depth of Tragedy
בס"ד
This is a very difficult post to write because there are so many raw emotions and opposing views on the subject that I know it may not be a very popular piece. Yet, I feel that if we look at the big picture, it will help us through what at first glance appears to be a nightmare scenario, one which makes us wonder, "What is going on?"
We have just completed the 'Three Weeks' which, in the Jewish calendar, has been known to be a time fraught with many calamities for the Jewish People. On a national level it is a time of the destruction of the first and second Temples, the foundation of Jewish spiritual life. So many horrible things happened to our people during this period that we have been instructed to be very careful throughout these days. The last nine days leading up to Tisha B'Av, the 9th of the Jewish month of Av, we treat as a time of mourning, holding by many of the traditions attached to that sad event. So real is the danger, that we are forbidden from swimming as well.
This year, while thank G-d, there was no major catastrophe affecting the Land of Israel, several terrible events permeated our beings. One is the ever-increasing contempt and misplaced criticism between our brothers. There is so much infighting involving different sectors of society that it is hurtful to watch. We are supposed to be as one and yet we treat each other like our own worst enemy. I heard a very true statement that is quite ironic - our enemies don't differentiate between us. They are anxious and willing to annihilate all of our people; national religious, haredi, reform, secular and chassidic Jews. To them, we are one unit. And that is what we are meant to be. The commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) obviously lost its meaning even to some who claim to have a fear of Heaven. Sadly, this internal strife reached a pinnacle over the past three weeks. At a time when we should strive for peace and guarding our tongues from loshon hara (evil talk and tale-bearing) instead we bring shame upon ourselves.
Then something less public and more dreadful brought us all into different corners of the ring. As if bickering over our different views would somehow bring back the three precious souls who lost their lives through parental misjudgments. Yes, three young babies in the course of two weeks left this world through pain and suffering, being left alone in the back seat of their parent's hot car. One can say the parents were negligent and failed in their responsibilities, but it is really irrelevant because the torment they will endure the rest of their lives will more than make up for any lack of civil punishment. It's difficult to imagine how one can go on after such a catastrophe. In Israel, despite the squabbling, we are as one family in agony and therefore we are all grieving.
If we view these instances through spiritual eyes, we may still not be able to comprehend it, but we can come to an acceptance on a different level.
As much as it hurts, Hashem (G-d) decided that those infants were meant to leave this world. Each detail was predetermined so that even the amount of suffering they experienced was somehow beneficial to their neshamas (souls). We will never know or understand the reasons, but this was decreed in Shomayim (Heaven). Even the poor parents, regardless of the turn of events which led to the disaster, are destined to suffer for the remainder of their existence on earth. This too, though it is humanly impossible to fathom why, is somehow the way it was intended to be and for their ultimate good. When someone passes away, we say "Baruch Dayan HaEmet" which means, Blessed is the True Judge". We accept G-d's decision, as painful as it is. When we pass these tests in our material lives knowing that everything He does is for the best, that is basis of emuna. Acknowledging this can, with Hashem’s help, give the families the strength to go on.
My friend, Jessie, told a related story which may help clarify this concept. There was a great Tzaddik (righteous man) who was niftar (passed away) and when he went to the next world, he was judged as righteous. Just as he was about to enter Gan Eden, an accusing angel told the Heavenly Courts that he had nursed from a non-Jewish mother for two months because his own mother was ill. Therefore, he was sent back to earth and was born to a Jewish mother who nursed him for two months. Immediately, a bat kol (Divine 'voice' proclaiming G-d's Will) came from Shomayim (Heaven) and welcomed the Tzaddik to his rightful place in Gan Eden. But to the new parents of the two month old baby, they were faced with an aching loss. We have no clue. Hashem runs the world in every aspect down to the next meal of the smallest ant on a blade of grass and everything He does is for the good.
By all estimations, we are living the birth pangs of Moshiach. We are told it will be a rough ride but we must hang on with all our spiritual might. It is no coincidence that recently we have lost many holy Tzaddikim.... Torah Giants, Scholars, sinless babies plus other upright men and women who have died simply for being Jews. These excruciating sacrifices are the price we pay to bring us closer to our final Redemption. May it be G-d's will that there will soon be an end to all this heartbreak and struggle, bringing us together in song and joy to the newly rebuild Beit Hamikdash!
 |
| www.articlesbase.com |
This is a very difficult post to write because there are so many raw emotions and opposing views on the subject that I know it may not be a very popular piece. Yet, I feel that if we look at the big picture, it will help us through what at first glance appears to be a nightmare scenario, one which makes us wonder, "What is going on?"
We have just completed the 'Three Weeks' which, in the Jewish calendar, has been known to be a time fraught with many calamities for the Jewish People. On a national level it is a time of the destruction of the first and second Temples, the foundation of Jewish spiritual life. So many horrible things happened to our people during this period that we have been instructed to be very careful throughout these days. The last nine days leading up to Tisha B'Av, the 9th of the Jewish month of Av, we treat as a time of mourning, holding by many of the traditions attached to that sad event. So real is the danger, that we are forbidden from swimming as well.
This year, while thank G-d, there was no major catastrophe affecting the Land of Israel, several terrible events permeated our beings. One is the ever-increasing contempt and misplaced criticism between our brothers. There is so much infighting involving different sectors of society that it is hurtful to watch. We are supposed to be as one and yet we treat each other like our own worst enemy. I heard a very true statement that is quite ironic - our enemies don't differentiate between us. They are anxious and willing to annihilate all of our people; national religious, haredi, reform, secular and chassidic Jews. To them, we are one unit. And that is what we are meant to be. The commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) obviously lost its meaning even to some who claim to have a fear of Heaven. Sadly, this internal strife reached a pinnacle over the past three weeks. At a time when we should strive for peace and guarding our tongues from loshon hara (evil talk and tale-bearing) instead we bring shame upon ourselves.
Then something less public and more dreadful brought us all into different corners of the ring. As if bickering over our different views would somehow bring back the three precious souls who lost their lives through parental misjudgments. Yes, three young babies in the course of two weeks left this world through pain and suffering, being left alone in the back seat of their parent's hot car. One can say the parents were negligent and failed in their responsibilities, but it is really irrelevant because the torment they will endure the rest of their lives will more than make up for any lack of civil punishment. It's difficult to imagine how one can go on after such a catastrophe. In Israel, despite the squabbling, we are as one family in agony and therefore we are all grieving.
If we view these instances through spiritual eyes, we may still not be able to comprehend it, but we can come to an acceptance on a different level.
As much as it hurts, Hashem (G-d) decided that those infants were meant to leave this world. Each detail was predetermined so that even the amount of suffering they experienced was somehow beneficial to their neshamas (souls). We will never know or understand the reasons, but this was decreed in Shomayim (Heaven). Even the poor parents, regardless of the turn of events which led to the disaster, are destined to suffer for the remainder of their existence on earth. This too, though it is humanly impossible to fathom why, is somehow the way it was intended to be and for their ultimate good. When someone passes away, we say "Baruch Dayan HaEmet" which means, Blessed is the True Judge". We accept G-d's decision, as painful as it is. When we pass these tests in our material lives knowing that everything He does is for the best, that is basis of emuna. Acknowledging this can, with Hashem’s help, give the families the strength to go on.
My friend, Jessie, told a related story which may help clarify this concept. There was a great Tzaddik (righteous man) who was niftar (passed away) and when he went to the next world, he was judged as righteous. Just as he was about to enter Gan Eden, an accusing angel told the Heavenly Courts that he had nursed from a non-Jewish mother for two months because his own mother was ill. Therefore, he was sent back to earth and was born to a Jewish mother who nursed him for two months. Immediately, a bat kol (Divine 'voice' proclaiming G-d's Will) came from Shomayim (Heaven) and welcomed the Tzaddik to his rightful place in Gan Eden. But to the new parents of the two month old baby, they were faced with an aching loss. We have no clue. Hashem runs the world in every aspect down to the next meal of the smallest ant on a blade of grass and everything He does is for the good.
By all estimations, we are living the birth pangs of Moshiach. We are told it will be a rough ride but we must hang on with all our spiritual might. It is no coincidence that recently we have lost many holy Tzaddikim.... Torah Giants, Scholars, sinless babies plus other upright men and women who have died simply for being Jews. These excruciating sacrifices are the price we pay to bring us closer to our final Redemption. May it be G-d's will that there will soon be an end to all this heartbreak and struggle, bringing us together in song and joy to the newly rebuild Beit Hamikdash!
Forbidden Fruit
בס"ד
 |
| www.applegazette.com |
“.. of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it” (Genesis 2:17)
From the
beginning of creation man’s freedom of choice has been tested. Adam was told
directly by G-d Himself not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, but with a
little friendly persuasion, he chose to disobey Hashem’s Will. At first
glance it appears that Adam’s choice was based solely on lack of
self-discipline, but how could anyone in his right mind purposely disobey the
Master of the Universe? Our Sages tell us that his motives were not as
dishonorable as they appear. All he wanted was to get closer to Hashem
and to understand the difference between good and evil so he would be better
able to live his life as G-d intended. Unfortunately for future generations, it
was the wrong decision.
One mistake,
one bite of one little ‘apple’, and humankind is banished from the Garden of
Eden. One erroneous judgment and man was condemned to toil by the “sweat of his
face” for his daily bread, woman was decreed to endure pain with childbirth and to all human beings death now became a
reality. Such a seemingly innocent action held the power to generate
such guilt and caused the evil inclination to reside within mankind.
Someone
pointed out a very interesting idea to me the other day. We all have access to
a seemingly innocuous device, namely the computer with internet access, which
also has the ability to destroy one’s whole future. Hashem gave man the
intelligence to construct it but it takes aTzaddik (righteous
individual) to be able to back away and refuse the dangerous enticement it
holds. It is no coincidence that the first mainstream personal computer, and
now a major icon worldwide, was made by a company with the name, none other
than: Apple. The company logo portrays the fruit of temptation with a bite out
of it! This is the same fruit the world recognizes as the fruit that Adam and
Eve ate. (We know from our Sages it was not actually an apple they ate,
nonetheless, this is the fruit that the general public accepts). All leading
Rabbis of our generation have openly declared these electronic devices to be
hazardous. Overflowing
with knowledge, both beneficial and harmful, it lures us into believing that it
is safe and useful.
Yes, it can
be. Yet, I too, diminish its danger. I am only using it for work, to earn parnassa
(income) and to spread emuna, to share Torah and do kiruv (Jewish
Outreach). I set limits and try not to get carried away. I tell myself that a
little news story and a short scrabble game can’t hurt. I rationalize that it
keeps me in touch with what’s happening in the world and allows my ever aging
mind the mental exercise it needs to stay sharp.
If it would
end at that, there would be no problem. But who can truthfully say that they
don’t spend a minute extra doing wasteful and pointless things. This in itself
is “Bitul Torah” (neglect of Torah study). Couldn’t this time
also be better spent working on interpersonal relationships rather than
ignoring those we care about? Once we plunk ourselves down on the chair by the
computer, the yetzer hara (evil inclination) plays havoc with our
desires. Just a minute more on this site and a second more reading that and
before we know it, we have wasted precious hours on this hypnotic invention.
And that’s not to mention the lewd and sinful options available to those who
show no restraint!
With the
advent of Moshiach, prophecies tell of a fight between good and evil. It
will be a spiritual war between belief in Hashem, our steadfastness of emuna
on one side versus those diametrically opposed to this principle on the other.
Like the snake in Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), the computer, internet and
all the technology of this modern world are deadly temptations feeding the
venomous enemy. Snakes symbolize so many negative traits such as immorality and
deceit (by way of its forked tongue). We see this clearly as the internet is
full of deception with people hiding behind aliases and false intentions.
Since nothing
in the world is coincidence, I will leave you with something else to think
about. The Tree of Knowledge contained good and evil. We humans are constantly
confronted with the choice between the two. Everything that has a negative side
also has a positive aspect. That is what free will is all about.
The gematria
(numerical equivalent) of the word snake, nachash, (נחש), is
358.
The
gematria of Moshiach (משיח) is also 358.
Chet is Hebrew for sin and the gematria of
the letter chet is 8.
If
we take the chet (ח) out of nachash, we will have the gematria 350, which is
also the gematria for keren, קרן,
the ram’s horn which will one day be blown to herald the arrival of Moshiach.
So if we work together to remove the sin, the chet,
from our lives by making an effort to stay off the computer and internet as
much as possible, we will help bring Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beit
Hamikdash, speedily, in the coming days, amen!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Emuna Cats
בס"ד
I’m not really a
cat lover. I do have a soft spot for animals but until we took in Reggie eight
years ago, I would have never thought I would adopt a cat. I grew up with a dog
and after I was married we looked after a variety of living creatures; birds,
fish, hamsters, dogs and even a rabbit (against my better judgment). Then one
day, I saw an ad from a friend who was trying to find homes for a litter of
kittens that had been abandoned by the garbage bin. After a couple of weeks,
her plea to rescue these fluffy felines finally got to me. I decided to bring
home a live Chanukah gift for our kids. In fact, Reggie chose us rather than
the other way around as he would not let us leave without him.
Since learning
over the years, it seems that having a pet is really not so simple in terms of halachot,
purity and holiness. Many owners are not aware of the numerous problems that
can arise with these furry mammals, but that is a whole different discussion.
Reggie is an
indoor-outdoor cat. He enjoys the benefits of life in the warmth of our home
including regular meals, yet he is free to run in the outdoors to his little
heart’s content. He has it pretty good.
By contrast, our neighborhood is overrun with street cats. They mostly live out
of the garbage bins and literally fend for themselves. Three brothers recently
found a nice little hideout in the entrance of our apartment. When they aren't out searching for food, they can be found snuggling up together or playing.
Despite their hard lives, these cats seem happy.
Reggie knows he
will be fed and doesn't worry where his next meal is coming from. When he is
hungry, he comes in and there is food and water waiting for him. If, for some
reason, the bowls are empty, a few meows or a different method of grabbing my
attention is all that is needed to have them refilled. If cats possessed human
qualities, it would seem that Reggie should have much stronger emuna
than all those street cats. After all, he trusts in us, his guardians, to
ensure he has all he needs met. He never does without. He knows there is
nothing to worry about and for him, life is good.
Upon deeper
examination, though, it is really the homeless variety that has a much higher
level of emuna. Despite their difficulties in life, they forge on daily
in their struggle for survival. They are always scavenging for food and they
somehow manage to find their sustenance, yet at the end of the day, they are
happy and content.
Although cats are
selfish by nature, whenever we occasionally to throw a few scraps their way (yes,
we’re guilty) they are so thankful, they purr with gratitude. Reggie, on the
other hand, takes it all for granted. I know he appreciates it in his own
animal way, but the trio outside really makes me feel like they are grateful for
anything they receive.
This is something
we should be striving for as well. By being complacent and assuming it is all
coming to us, we are not showing HaShem our gratitude. He doesn't have
to give us anything and we shouldn't be presumptuous about all our blessings.
We could very well be like the street cats, down and out, not knowing where our
next meal is coming from or how we are going to pay our rent or mortgage. We
must constantly pray for even the most basic mercies such as having a roof over
our heads. With emuna, when we realize that it is all for the best, the
Master of the World will provide for us.
Every living
creature has some unique qualities we can learn from. The Gemara in Eruvin
(100:43a line 46) says that we learn tzniut
(modesty) from a cat. A cat is very private in its personal hygiene among other
things.
Perek Shira also tells
of the wisdom we can gain through G-d’s creations. Unlike dogs, cats don’t try
to please others and are persistent in their goals. The cat says, in Psalm
18:38, “I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, and will not turn back
until they are destroyed.” While this probably refers to a cat hunting a mouse
for dinner, we can apply it to standing up for what we believe in or resolving to
defeat our adversaries. Yet don’t be fooled into assuming that our successes
come about through our own might.
For the cat also observes,
“If you raise up to place your nest among the stars like an eagle, from there I
shall bring you down, says G-d (Ovadia 1:4). If we are too haughty, HaShem
can surely put us in our place. Physically and spiritually, it is only through
His guiding hand that we can soar to any heights at all.
In these days of turmoil,
when our enemies seek to destroy us and we have no one to turn to but our
Father in Heaven, we must pray that our leaders take heed of the lessons of the
cat as well. We must firm in our resolve to defend our right to exist in freedom
and holiness in the Land HaShem promised us. But only if we act with the
modesty and integrity fit for the children of the King, will we merit G-d’s
Divine protection.
“Blessed is the
man who trusts in HaShem, then HaShem will be his security. I was
young and also have aged, and I have not seen a righteous man forsaken with his
children begging for bread. HaShem will give might to His people. HaShem
will bless his people with peace”. (from Grace After Meals; Artscroll)
Ken Yehi Ratzon – May
it be G-d’s Will!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Bottom of the 9th
בס"ד
I am dedicating this previously published article l’iluy neshmat Yoseph ben Yitchak Dovid z”l, my beloved Father who left this world one week ago.
 |
| Originally published on www.breslev.co.il 6/3/2011 |
Baseball season is now upon us. The truth is, I am not a big sports fan and never really understood all the rules of the different games, but during high school, I enjoyed a baseball game now and then. My father on the other hand, may he be well and live a long life, can tell you anything you want to know about any sport and then some. However, when one becomes religiously observant, and advances in spiritual pursuits, sports and other similar forms of entertainment lose their appeal as they take us away from more lofty objectives. Since our sages, including Rebbe Nachman of Breslev zt’l (may the memory of the righteous be for blessing), say one can and should elevate all mundane matters into the realm of holiness, let’s give it a try.
When it came to sports, I was never much of an athlete. As a result, in high school, when our whole school participated in tryouts for the girls’ basketball team, I was shocked when I made it through to the second round. It made me step back and think, ‘hey, maybe I CAN do it’. If the coach had confidence in me, I must have some potential. The same holds true for all of us in this material world. G-d, our Master Coach, would never have brought us here with our individualized tasks, if He didn’t think we could achieve our goals. That awareness should give each of us some encouragement. During a baseball game, there are always players sitting in the dugout, but they don’t have to remain there. In order to get a turn on the field, a team member first must prove himself. By hard work and making an effort to progress, anyone can be in the first lineup (allegorically, gain entry to the World to Come). But one won’t get a chance to play in the major leagues if he doesn’t even get up to bat. He must first take the initiative to improve and when he finally gets his break, he shouldn’t waste a second of this prime opportunity. Similar to a batter who spends several minutes in the batter’s cage warming up before his turn up at bat, we ought to also prepare ourselves as a prelude to our prayers and other sacred undertakings. If we don’t strengthen ourselves in emuna and holiness, we will surely strike out. Even if this happens, don’t despair. Rebbe Nachman says “There is no despair in the World”. If we get knocked down, we must pick ourselves up and try again. In baseball, we are given only 3 chances… three strikes and you’re out. In life, we have as many new opportunities as we desire. Contrary to the rules of baseball, Rabbi Lazer Brody teaches that if HaShem does something three times, we can assume He will do it again. The catcher, just like our yetzer hara (evil inclination), is anxiously waiting to cash in on our failures. One blunder can make the difference between sending the ball high into left field or right into the catcher’s mitt. If we hit a foul ball, we simply need to adjust our strategy slightly and accept helpful tips from the coach. In baseball, once the hitter is already at the plate it’s too late to review the rules, but in the game of life, constantly strengthening our knowledge of Torah is primary. “Torah study has the power to direct a person with the proper and correct advice in all of his endeavors. It is vitally important to have faith in the Tzadikkim. Then, by studying their words, the Torah will guide man to his proper course in life” (Likutey Moharan 1, 61:1). Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we’re least expecting it. Understanding that it is all from Hashem and for the very best, we can overcome the difficulties with a clear and tranquil mind. Occasionally, we are presented with situations in order to be united with others, even those with whom we don’t always see eye to eye. One rule of thumb in sports is to know your opponent which is also beneficial in making peace with a family member, neighbor or friend. Rebbe Nachman tells us to seek out the good points in both ourselves and others to bring about happiness. Sometimes, a well-placed bunt into the infield is all you need to get on base and bring your teammates home.  Despite all his hard work, occasionally a batter may be replaced by a pinch hitter. Unfortunately, in baseball, the substituted player is never allowed back into that game. Rabbi Brody explains in his lesson ‘Unconditional Love’ that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai zt’l states in the Zohar, when someone gets angry, they lose their Neshama and Ruach, (parts of the soul), the Nefesh (basic soul) takes a walk and sends a pinch hitter (from the dark side) to fill in. If this happens, the Jewish Neshama (soul) is lost, a far worse penalty than losing out on one baseball match. Once the pitcher warms up, he situates himself on the pitcher’s mound, intent on striking the batter out. He is on the ‘other side’, the same team as the catcher, so a staunch performance is paramount in foiling their plans. If the batter is prepared and has trained sufficiently, he will be able to outmaneuver them. Sure enough, a fast-ball makes its way to the plate and with one crack it flies into the air, but alas, it is caught before it hits the ground. With 2 out and bases loaded at the bottom of the 9th, nothing short of a miracle will win the game. The batter says a prayer as he knows he cannot win the game alone. He hits the ball so perfectly that he can’t believe his eyes. But wait…..the outfielder tries to grab the ball and it instantly disappears! Poof! "All of the desires of this world are like rays of light. - You try to catch them in your hand only to find there is nothing in your grasp." (Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom #6) The batter wakes up to find that it was all just a dream. We too will wake up one day and realize that our existence was more fleeting than we understood. Only Torah and Mitzvot (good deeds and following the commandments) are eternal and worthy of our time and efforts. The world in which we live today can be compared to the bottom of the 9th inning. It is only with HaShem’s help that we will merit to triumph, and only if we do our utmost to prove our commitment to our Creator and His Manual (Torah). With the World Series looming, isn’t it time to step up to the plate and give it all we’ve got? And one more thing ~ it’s still not too late to slide Home! |
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
23rd of September, 2012 ~ Worldwide Prayer for Moshiach
Rabbi Lazer Brody wrote:
The Chafetz Chaim said: "If only thousands and millions of sincere Jews would show to Hashem how they truly desire Mashiach, he would surely come immediately." Let's follow the advice of the Tzaddik and pray all together, giving tsedaka right before. The moment will be on September 23, 2012 at 18:00 Israel time, 8:00 AM Los Angeles, 11:00 AM New York, 10:00 AM Peru, 12:00 Noon Buenos Aires,17:00 Paris, 19:00 Moscow, 23:00 HongKong, 1:00 AM Sept 24 Sydney...
This is on the 7th of Tishrei, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur!!
The Chafetz Chaim said: "If only thousands and millions of sincere Jews would show to Hashem how they truly desire Mashiach, he would surely come immediately." Let's follow the advice of the Tzaddik and pray all together, giving tsedaka right before. The moment will be on September 23, 2012 at 18:00 Israel time, 8:00 AM Los Angeles, 11:00 AM New York, 10:00 AM Peru, 12:00 Noon Buenos Aires,17:00 Paris, 19:00 Moscow, 23:00 HongKong, 1:00 AM Sept 24 Sydney...
This is on the 7th of Tishrei, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur!!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Beyond Logic
 |
| Photo Credit: Breslev Israel |
I know that I am not the first person in the world to lose a mother. It is one of the most sorrowful yet inevitable realities of life, but not everyone goes through a whole personal metamorphosis in the process.
The 4thof Tammuz (this year June 24th) is my mother's 22nd Yartzeit, the anniversary of her death. It is hard to believe that 22 years have passed, yet it seems like much more than 22 years since I last spoke with my mother. It actually has been more than 23 and a half years since we had any sort of normal conversation. Neither ripe old age nor some disabling disease caused her death. It was the tragic result of a horrible road accident.
Driving with my mother on an intercity freeway, my father fell asleep at the wheel and as a result the car flipped over several times before landing in a rocky ditch at the side of the road. The fact that both of my parents weren't killed instantly was in itself a miracle. The car was a total write-off. A valuable lesson to be learned from this would appear to be; never drive while very tired. But that isn't why I chose to write this in my mother's memory. There is a much more urgent message I feel compelled to pass along: In times of greatest despair, have faith (emuna) in G-d and believe in miracles. And most importantly, never underestimate the power of prayer! These may not be new or unique concepts for those of you who are frum (religious) from birth. They are fundamental principles which should be ingrained into the core of one's intellect from day one. But for those of us who are chozer b'tshuva (penitent), who made the conscious decision to redirect our lives, we often require a boost to reinforce this major leap of faith.
The whole incident occurred as my husband and I were just beginning our journey down the road of religious observance. It had been less than a year since we began to keep Shabbat and Kashrut. My first test in this ordeal fell on me like a load of bricks just a half hour before the onset of Shabbat. As if it wasn't shock enough to receive a phone call with the unthinkable news of the crash, I was faced with the most difficult decision of my life. Yet, there was really no choice to make. Despite the doctors' pleas for us to hurry to the hospital and be at my mother's side for what they claimed would be her last hours in this world, we could not desecrate the laws of Shabbat by driving. There was no case of pikuach nefesh here. There was nothing I could physically do to help save her life. The doctors were doing all they could for her severe head trauma and other multiple injuries. So I chose the only thing that was available to me and the one thing in which I had placed all my hope....I prayed to HaShem to save my mother. (My father sustained multiple fractures and external injuries, but nothing life-threatening, thank G-d)
The fact that my mother survived over Shabbat was the first sampling of the numerous miracles that encompassed me over the course of the next year and a half. The initial diagnosis of her impending death was followed by an unequivocal prognosis that if she did survive at all, she would be a 'vegetable'. Ultimately, she proved the doctors totally wrong and far surpassed the expectations of all involved. These medical practitioners were forced to admit that they had been mistaken, calling her progress nothing other than miraculous. With limited space in this article, I will refrain from all the grueling and cumbersome details of all that transpired until her final departure from this world, when she finally succumbed to a heart attack. Suffice to say, all that occurred was beyond the realm of earthly reason and logic. Our fervent prayers were answered with chillingly unexpected results beyond any of my wildest expectations. It was a humbling experience which brought into my being a conviction so unwavering that there was no longer any doubt in my mind of the existence of G-d. In addition to that profound understanding was the underlying essence of something much more cliché; learn to value all of HaShem’s blessings and never take them for granted since one never knows when they will be gone. As the old saying goes, appreciate each day as if it were your last.
On this day, I look back with love and gratitude for the gifts that I was blessed to have received. When my mother passed away I was entering my eighth month of pregnancy. The unborn child I was carrying gave me unparalleled strength. Instead of being left with a huge void in my life, I looked forward to bearing a new life. The sharp pains of mourning were replaced with the sharp pains of labor. He came into the world quickly on Shabbat, twelve days before Rosh Hashana.
 |
| My family when I was a baby |
Only with the comprehension that there is a Greater Power than man, the Holy One, Blessed be He, Creator of the Universe, can one make any sense of what is going on in the world today. It is not for us to question why things happen as they do, but to grab onto them and discover ways to improve ourselves. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to do more to elevate our actions, to become better people and grow closer to G-d. We will thereby not only bring peace into our own lives, but to the world itself via 'spiritual osmosis'.
The Torah reading for the week of the 4th of Tammuz 22 years ago was Chukat. This Parasha tells the story of the time when the Jewish people were crossing the desert on their way to Israel and found themselves in desperate in need of water. G-d spoke to Moses and told him 'speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it will give forth its water' (Bamidbar 20:8) With the entire congregation assembled before Moses and his brother, Aaron, it was the prime opportunity to sanctify G-d's Name and give witness to this undeniable miracle. But, instead of trying to produce water from the rock by speaking to it as he had been commanded, Moses struck it twice with his rod. One interpretation of this episode explains that his show of anger appeared to the people as if he did not have faith in G-d. For this he was punished and not allowed to enter the Land of Israel. How relevant this lesson is today. We must trust in HaShem and abide by His Laws, in order to deserve the right to keep our Land and the privilege to dwell there.
I share this with you in memory of my beloved mother. As time fades the vision in my mind's eye of this once-vibrant and beautiful woman, her strength and courage is indelibly etched in my memory. As I groped through the fog of anguish to find meaning in adversity, her pain and suffering was the catalyst through which I confirmed the true meaning of life. This testimonial is but a taste of the full depth of that revelation. It is my hope that I have succeeded in imparting at least some of that enlightenment as an inspiration to others.
This article was first published on Breslev Israel on my mother's 21st Yarzeit:
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Pop
 |
| Pop and me |
My most cherished memories are of getting together with the whole family, including aunt, uncle and cousins, for holidays such as Pesach (Passover) or Chanukah. Before any family gathering, Nanny would be busy in the kitchen preparing the festive meal. I watched with fascination, as she mixed together all the ingredients needed for the cake. Her method of baking was very simple but the desserts always tasted delicious. These special times are eternally engraved in my mind and I am thankful to HaShem for being given the opportunity to have known my grandparents. Due to the tragedy of the Holocaust, many were not blessed with this privilege. Baruch HaShem, thank G-d, all four of my grandparents left Europe long before the war broke out, but their stay in Canada was merely a temporary stepping stone for our survival.
Despite his small physical stature and calm demeanor, Pop’s heart and soul were larger than life. I can still see his kind, sweet smile and hear his cheerful laugh. He was the Patriarch of our family, seated respectfully at the head of the table as we participated in the traditional meals. While none of us were religiously observant during that period, we nevertheless followed his lead, as he read the Pesach Haggada and sang the customary songs. He would always hide the ofikomen (matza piece) in the same place, yet finding it still brought delight to young and old alike. He imbued us with a fondness for our heritage which will remain with us always, and for that I am grateful.
Despite societal pressures, Pop endeavored to remain true to his beliefs and would never compromise his devotion to Judaism. Living in small-town Canada in the early 1920s, keeping kosher wasn’t nearly as easy as it is today. Before I was born, my grandparents raised chickens in their yard so they were ensured a kosher chicken for Shabbat. (As a child, my mother a’h took pleasure in watching the chickens run around, but found it difficult knowing they would soon be shechted [ritually slaughtered]). I was told that although Pop would accompany other family members for a meal in a restaurant occasionally, he would only order fish, as he couldn’t bring himself to eat treif (non-kosher). He did what he had to do, and so my grandparents attempted to set an example, despite the fact that everyone around them was giving in to the lure of the modern world.
The course of recent generations has been anything but smooth. We are all victims of the ‘enlightened’ culture which made our journey all the more challenging. The number of Jewish Neshamot (souls) who have lost their spiritual direction is staggering. Those families who have not been touched by intermarriage are few and far between. Yet, thank G-d, the numbers of returnees to their roots, to true Torah Judaism is increasing by leaps and bounds. This overwhelming teshuva movement was a prophecy of the days leading up to Moshiach, the days which are presently upon us.
The path to any admirable goal is never straight and rarely effortless. There can be pitfalls and roadblocks, stumbling blocks and icy patches, but the incentive to succeed comes from the desire to attain the lofty objective. Once we finally reach the pinnacle, the awesome view on the other side takes our breath away and we don’t know how we ever lived without it.
In the article, Illuminating our Children, Rabbi Lazer Brody writes “Tradition tells us that a person’s favorable judgment in the Heavenly Court after he finishes his term of service in this world is conditional; one doesn’t earn his or her permanent place in Gan Eden until the Heavenly Court sees how the subsequent three generations turn out. In other words, once your great-grandchildren are living lives of emuna, you get your permanent penthouse in Paradise.”
After all our ups and downs, our return to a Torah lifestyle and our aliya to the Holy Land of Israel, I pray that my dear, beloved Pop, may finally be able to settle down right next to the Heavenly Throne and the King of Kings Himself, along with all our righteous ancestors. And may we all merit to greet our departed loved ones once again with the fulfillment of the thirteenth principle of faith, techiyat hameitim (resurrection of the dead) as stated in the Mishnah, Sanhedrin.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Damage Control
 |
| Tel Aviv - Photo credit: Uri Ovadia |
I realize I am a bit late in writing this. It seems like it should be old news, after all. The truth is, sadly, I fear it is just the beginning. Like a snowball full of dirt and hard stones, this whole episode has become quite an unpleasant and dangerous game. I am referring to the recent occurrences of intolerance and distasteful (to put it mildly) actions within our own people.
The list of intramural hatred in Israel is endless and I know it won't go down well with many when I say that we should all be held accountable. The frightening thought is that if we don't do something to rectify it soon, the consequences may be devastating. G-d promised to protect our land and our people if we obey His laws but did we forget that also includes “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)? With thousands of missiles aimed at our heads, we must ask ourselves the ultimate question; Do we deserve HaShem's Divine protection?
The Talmud (Tractate Yoma) tells us that Sinat Chinam, baseless hatred destroyed the Second Temple. According to the Gemora, Tractate Yevamos (62b) it was also the cause of the loss of Rabbi Akiva's talmidim (students), twenty four THOUSAND, to be exact. Their fatal failure was the lack of respect towards one another. This is no small matter.
The media is the worst culprit of all as it feeds the evil inclination's need for gossip and the cultivation of distortion and lies. We are subjected to so much misinformation; truth is ne'er to be found.
The facts are shameful and embarrassing to write. Men who call themselves G-d fearing, who outwardly reflect the look of righteous individuals, physically and emotionally attack young girls and soldiers, all in the name of Torah. Their actions are counterproductive and reek of hypocrisy with a misplaced belief that what they are doing is 'l'shem shamayim' (for the sake of Heaven). I don't know of any Jewish Holy writings that condone this type of behavior. For a youngster in the formative stage of life, it is not a nurturing message to send. We are not livestock that can be kept in line with the sting of a whip or a cattle prod. Those who have no understanding of the sanctity of religious life will only be pushed farther away. Plus, it creates a whole slew of further sins including loshon hora (slander), taking revenge and holding a grudge, to name a few. Just yesterday I read about a secular man who spit on an ultra-orthodox girl. Other accounts say he allegedly kicked her. Tit for tat? What is going on here? I think it's time to tell people to grow up! This is not child's play.
It hurts. It really hurts to see the dissension and the name-calling. I can only imagine how our Father in Heaven feels watching His beloved children at each other's throats like vultures over their prey. Do we really want to end up as the satan's lunch?
What is even more painful is when I hear about our brothers and sisters being brutally dragged out of their homes by our own 'protective' armed forces, our own sons. What happened to the pride of developing our land, when being a settler was something we longed for, not something to detest? It is bad enough that it is against G-d's Will to remove anyone from their dwellings in this Land, but to do so in the middle of the night without warning and with such venom? It happened in Gush Katif and now it is happening at other outposts. Where is our humanity? Where is our sense of compassion, if nothing else? We treat our enemies with more respect. We have totally lost our perspective.
We each have to take responsibility for the improper actions of the few because we are all one. It is not 'him' or 'her' or 'them', it is US! Since everything that happens is for a reason, we must look within ourselves and find something to change, something to improve. Like a spoken word, the damage caused by hurtful conduct is next to impossible to repair, but we have to try. A smile, a kind comment, a helpful deed - there are so many redeeming ways to erase the darkness.
We must stop this cycle of madness. If our enemies choose to act like barbarians they will simply self-destruct. Do we want to be on that level? They would probably like nothing better than to witness a civil war within Israel. But that is not the endgame of the Jewish People. Our purpose is to be a source of G-dliness, a Light unto the Nations. Through love and unity we can surely accomplish that goal. Once we master that tenuous and challenging task, HaShem will gladly be our strength and our shield, as He has been always.
As we say in our morning prayers, “Enlighten our eyes in Your Torah, attach our hearts to Your commandments and unify our hearts to love and fear Your Name….may we exult and rejoice in Your salvation”. Please, may it be soon. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)