Monday, June 16, 2014

Gehennom

GEHENNOM: loosely translated as ''hell''.


Important Note: This article has been greatly edited: the entire essay can be read by advanced scholars (questions must be answered before you can access all the information) at Daf Yomi Review

"If people knew of the bitter punishments of Gehinom, they would fall on their faces and scream and they would not have any business whatsoever with matters of this world." - Rabbi Yehonason Eibshetz, Ye'aros Devash 1:2

Note: The potentially infinite sufferings of Gehinom from a benevolent G-d only make sense if man and his actions in this world are also infinitely important. Otherwise how could G-d punish so immensely for such insignificant acts? From learning about Gehinom we can get a glimpse of the greatness of our mission in this world and the enormous responsibility that lies on our shoulders.

BIRTH

The midrash says: Before a person is born a "candle" is put on his head (i.e. an angel teaches him the whole Torah) and he gazes from one end of the world to the other as written "When His candle would shine over my head" [Iyov/Job 29:5]. Just before birth, the angel takes him/her to Gan Eden and shows him/her the tzadikim sitting with their crowns on their heads.

And the angel says to him:

"Know who these people are that you are seeing. They were formed just like you in their mother's womb and were born into the world. They guarded G-d's mitzvos, and therefore merited this goodness. And soon you too will be born into the world and if you are meritorious and you guard the Torah you will have a place with them, otherwise you will sit elsewhere".

Afterwards, he is brought to Gehinom and he is shown the wicked which are beaten by angels of destruction using clubs of fire and scream 'voy, voy'. And the angel says to him:

"Know that these that are being burned, they were formed just like you and they were born into the world and did not guard G-d's mitzvos. Therefore they are punished and humiliated like this. And you will soon be born. Be a tzadik and don't be a rasha, in order that you live." [as it is written "And he taught me, and said unto me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments, and live'" - Mishlei/Proverbs 4]

When the time comes to leave the womb, immediately the angel hits him and extinguishes his candle and pushes him out by force and he forgets everything he saw. It is because of this, that a baby cries (i.e.even though the baby forgot, his 'inner soul' remembers and he cries) immediately when it is born [Midrash in Rabbeinu Bechayei - end of Acharei Mos]


LIFE

Throughout a person's life the Midda of Din (trait of justice) accuses him/her (in the Heavenly court) but it is not listened to. When the day of death comes it is listened to. [Vilna Gaon -Even Shlema ch.10]

At the time of death is the very great day of judgment. Generally G-d judges leniently, but for someone who was "ra l'brios" (evil to society), he is given the full measure of justice. And likewise for a haughty person.

The body and the 'nefesh' are judged for 30 days and the 'ruach' is judged for 12 months (Except for heretics, deniers of the Torah, Jews who abandon their religion, who stay there forever [see Rosh Hashanah 17a for a list of sins warranting punishments of eternal Gehinom (and not just 12 months)]

[everything below is from the Ramban's book Shaar HaGemul unless otherwise stated]

There are three entrances to Gehinom.

1. desert - "they [Korach, Dasan, Aviram and their families] descended with all their possesions alive to the she'ol (Gehinom)" - [Bamidbar 16:33]

2. sea - "from the belly i saw the she'ol" [Yona 2:3] when Yona was in the belly of the fish, it swam to the depths of the sea and showed him the entrance to Gehinom.

3. in Jerusalem as it says : "He has fire in Tzion and an oven in Jerusalem". and R. Yochanan ben Zakai said:"there are 2 palm trees in the valley of Ben Hinom and smoke rises between them - this is the entrance to Gehinom." [Eruvin 19]

A person must pass through all three "landscapes" after death. [Vilna Gaon on Mishlei 3:24]

The River of Fire ["Nahar Dinur", Daniel 7:10] separates between the mystical Land of Israel on high and the mystical "chutz l'aretz" (diaspora) just like the Jordan river separates the land of Israel from the diaspora below. [Vilna Gaon - ES 10:16]. (this means the Dead Sea which is the end of the Jordan river and the lowest place on earth (by far at 418m below sea level), corresponds to Gehinom which is the end of Nahar Dinur and the "lowest place" in the mystical worlds.)

Generally speaking, every Biblical and Rabbinic transgression requires a sentencing in Gehinom (unless one repents before death, in which case he is forgiven completely). Some examples of sins which merit Gehinom in the other levels [from Zohar Chadash Ruth 79a quoted from Reishis Chachma - Shaar Yira Ch.13] :

Level 1) someone who interrupts his Torah study to engage in idle chatter, someone who doesn't honor talmidei chachamim, someone who curses a deaf person or the like, someone who says good things about someone in front of his enemy (causing him to say lashon hara).

Level 2) someone who honors himself through putting down someone else, someone who knows his friend is going to stumble in halacha and he doesn't tell him and they're both in the same city, someone who has a shul in his city and doesn't go there to pray, someone who lifts his hand to hit his friend even though he doesn't hit him, someone who insults his friend and causes him embarassment.

Level 3) scholars who are arrogant in their Torah study, someone who judges others negatively (l'kaf chova), lends money with ribis, doesn't say amen after someone's blessing, interrupts his davening and talks, an old scholar who forgot his Torah learning (through neglect)

Level 4) arrogant people (gasei ruach), someone who speaks harshly to the poor and the downtrodden, someone who sees a poor man in a tough situation and doesn't lend him money, someone who oppresses his employee (oshek schar sachir), a man who wastes seed (motzi zera lbatala), someone who has relations with a gentile or a nidda, a judge who corrupts justice or takes a bribe. [from Zohar Chadash Ruth 79a quoted from Reishis Chachma - Shaar Yira Ch.13]

(Also, gentiles who did not keep the 7 mitzvot of Bnei Noach will be sentenced to Gehinom, even if they had no education whatsoever in the matter. The gentile will respond to the Heavenly court screaming "how could I have known!?" which on the surface seems like a good claim. But it will not be accepted. The reason is that every creature and every phenomena in the world reflects intelligent design of infinite proportions. Any person who is not insane knows in his heart that there must be a Designer. This obligates him to question and search out the truth with all his heart, as to why he was created and what his purpose in this world is. If he doesn't do it, it is only because he is entangled in his desires and does not want to know. For this he/she will be sentenced.[Kovetz Ma-amarim by Rav E.Wasserman - sec. Emuna.]

THE GREAT DAY OF JUDGMENT

Originally G-d wanted to create the world with justice, whereby a sinner would be destroyed immediately and not be given a second chance (according to strict justice, one who sins no longer deserves to live). He saw the world could not endure and merged justice with mercy to give sinners a chance to repent. This is why this world seems to have no justice and evildoers roam freely.

In the future, will be the 'great day of judgment'. Everyone who ever lived must, in turn, stand individually in front of G-d while all of humanity watches. All of his life is reviewed on a large movie screen, including all of his actions, words, thoughts, in front of all of humanity (but if he does teshuva, that part of the tape is erased. The final accounting of all the consequences of his actions relative to other people and all descendants will also be examined and taken into account as it says "the end of the matter all is heard" [Koheles 12:13]. Then each and every person will receive the full measure of justice without any mercy or any favoritism as G-d had originally intended to create the world [Yearos Devash 1 Derash 6].

Rabbi Yehonosan Eibshetz, zt'l explains that all the suffering a person has while alive in this world is not in the category of punishment. It is only there to wake him up in order that he mend his ways. Similarly, he says the sufferings of Gehinom are also not in the category of punishments. Their purpose is only to clean and purify the soul from the sins which contaminated it in order that it be fitting to behold the face of the King on the "Great Day of Judgment". The main punishment will be meted out then (unless one repented before death).

TIPS:
One who learns to overlook the bad things that people do to them, will be forgiven for all their sins (measure for measure). [Talmud Yoma 23a]

"Be concerned that you do not offend, not that you are not offended" - [Mildred N. Ryder]

If one observes Shabbos properly, then G-d forgives him for all of his sins.  [Talmud Shabbos 118b].

Whoever recites the Shema and is careful with the pronunciation, Gehinom will be cooled down for him (assuming he is sentenced to spend some time there) [Talmud Berachos 15b]

"The fire of Gehinom has no power over those who learn Torah" - [Talmud Chagigah 27a]

Someone who stares at women for pleasure, even if he has Torah and good deeds like Moshe Rabeinu, it will not save him from Gehinom [Berachos 61]

Tzedaka saves a person from Gehinom - [Bava Basra 10a]

Someone who visits a sick person and sees to his needs, will be saved from Gehinom - [Talmud Ta'anis 7b]

"Whoever gets angry all types of Gehinom rule over him" - [Talmud Nedarim 22]  "The fire of Gehinom has no power over those who are free from anger" - [Sefer Maalos HaMidos beginning of Maalas HaRatzon]

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, zt'l would bring his hand very close to the havdala candle every motzei shabbos to remind himself of the fires of Gehinom.

There is also a parallel Gehinom of snow. When one refrains from transgressing the negative commandments in the Torah, it makes a protective "garment" called "shanim" (lit. "years" since there are 365 days/year and 365 negative mitzvot) which protects from the snow blizzard there. This is alluded in the Friday night "Aishes Chayil" song: "lo sira beisa mi'shaleg ki kol beisa lavush shanim" - her house will not fear snow because her whole house is 'clothed' in 'shanim'. [Vilna Gaon on Mishlei 31:21-22]

"And you will return to Hashem your G-d" - [Devarim 30:2]"

Nothing stands in the way of teshuvah [Rambam Hilchos Teshuva 4:1]. Even if one transgressed throughout his entire life but repented on the day of his death and died in repentance, all his sins are forgiven." [ibid 2:2]

Said The Holy One blessed be He: "My children open for Me one opening of repentance the size of a pin prick and I will open for you openings through which even wagons can enter." [Shir Ha'shirim Rabba 5:3]

Without teshuvah the world could not endure. Without teshuvah man could not but despair, crushed by the burden of his errors. Torah is the foundation of the universe, it assures and sustains its existence. Teshuvah ensures its survival.

The first step (in teshuva) is to drop the burden of the past completely from your shoulders. Start anew as if you were born today...[Rabeinu Yona - Yesod HaTeshuva] "The shame and regret that the soul feels from one transgression is far worse than all the pain of this world. One act of getting angry, or hurting someone, or being depressed, or wasting time... is a relentless eternity of pain.

Now for some good news. The pain of Gehinom is nothing compared to the reward of one mitzvah. In other words, if you experienced the pain of all the Gehinom of every person since the beginning of time, it would still be worth it to gain the reward of one mitzvah."

The main purpose of life is not to refrain from evil but rather, to do good. [R.Avigdor Miller zt'l].

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Bring Back Our Boys !


Please pray for the 3 Israeli teenagers (ages 16 and 19) who were kidnapped by Arab terrorists on Thursday night -

Yakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah, Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim and Iyal ben Iris Tshura
 יעקב נפתלי בן רחל דבורה, גלעד מיכאל בן בת גלים, אייל בן איריס תשורה

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Rectifying Past Lives


What happens to people who fail to do teshuvah for past wrong-doings - is there no hope for them?

The answer brings us to the Divine gift of reincarnation.

All Kabbalistic sources are in agreement: the soul (or the portion of the soul that requires it) will be reincarnated to rectify any wrongdoings committed in its previous lifetime. To facilitate this, the reincarnated individual will be drawn to the specific areas which require rectification (tikunim).

According to the Arizal, the Talmud [Shabbat 118b] alludes to this when it tells us that Rabbi Yosef was asked about his father Rabbah: "Which mitzvah was he most careful to perform?" The questioner knew that every Jew is required to fulfill all the mitzvot to the best of his ability. Clearly, however, he was asking a deeper question: if a person is inordinately connected to a particular mitzvah, it indicates that his entire mission in being born was to rectify that mitzvah. According to this, the questioner was asking which particular mitzvah had Rabbah's soul been lacking in his previous incarnation.

The Arizal writes that the same applies to every single individual. The main characteristics of one's spiritual weaknesses are the specific areas one must rectify [see Sha'ar HaGilgulim 16]

Everyone has difficulties in their character traits which G-d gave them to work on in this life. If they were given a problem, it is their task to find out how to use it in a way that serves G-d, rather than going against His directives.

The very thing which a person will have the most trouble doing, is perhaps the one thing they need to rectify in this life.

from the writings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
adapted by Chaim Kramer

[Igros Kodesh of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, vol 5, letter 1257]

You tell me you are giving the proper amount of tzedaka. However your shalom bayis (peace in the home) situation needs great improvement.

The fact that you are having great difficulties in this area is a sign that this mitzvah has not been completed in your previous life. The holy Arizal teaches us that most souls living in a body have been here before. The reason they come back again is to fulfil those mitzvos that they did not do properly the first time around.

Those mitzvos that they did complete in their previous lifetime do not require any more refinement, and therefore their observance is easy.

However, those mitzvos that one did not complete in his previous lifetime are the ones most difficult to do. The yetzer hara targets these non-completed mitzvos as the ones to oppose most.

The fact that the issue of shalom bayis is so difficult for you proves that it is a mitzvah which needs fulfilment. In your past lifetime you did not refine this mitzvah. Now is your opportunity.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Love Packages


by  Rabbi Aron Moss

Question of the Week:

My son recently died in an accident. I would like to know if he can see or hear us here on earth. Is he still aware of us now that he is in Heaven? Your comments would be appreciated.

Mum missing her son.

Answer:

The mystery of death is one that we cannot truly understand. Why some souls come down here for so short, only to be taken away from us, we cannot explain.

But we know that only the body dies, not the soul. And it is the soul of a person whom we love. Our connection with our loved ones is not with their physical presence, but their person, their love, their spirit. And that relationship never goes away. It just takes another form.

The Rebbe once spoke to a mother who was inconsolable after the loss of her son. He said to her: "What if I told you that your son isn't dead? Rather he has gone away to a place where he is safe and happy. He feels no pain, he has no fear, he has no regrets. You can't see him. But you can send him love packages, and he will receive them and enjoy them. If I told you this, would things be different?"

She thought about it and said, "Well, I guess the pain would not be quite so unbearable if I knew he was safe and I could tell him I love him."

"Well," the Rebbe said to her, "this is the case. Your son is in heaven where he is at peace. And he can still feel your love. The love packages you send to him are the mitzvos, the good deeds you do in his memory and in his honour. When you give a coin to charity, say a prayer, light a candle, be kind to those in need, and you have him in mind, he receives a flow of love from you every time. His soul up there is elevated when down here you do good inspired by his memory. Channel your grief into a positive force. Let the vacuum caused by the loss draw more light into the world."

Nothing can replace the physical touch of a hug, the pleasure of seeing your child grow and learn and play. But he is still with you. And he knows that he is blessed with a loving mother who will always think of him.
We don't know why it has to be this way. But one day, we will be reunited with the souls of our loved ones, and the pain will be no more. May that day come soon.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Soul Searching

"A man or woman who distinguishes himself (or herself) by taking a Nazirite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem" [Naso 6:2]

Rashi asks "Why was the Torah portion of the nazir put adjacent to the portion of the sotah (a woman who deviated from moral behaviour)? To tell you that anyone who sees a sotah in her disgrace should take upon himself to abstain from wine [by becoming a nazir]."

Whenever a person sees something improper, he must think: "Why has Heaven shown this impure thing to me?" He must do some serious soul-searching and attempt to strengthen himself in his Divine service.


R' Yisrael Salanter once caught a bad cold. The first day of his illness, he spent the entire day worrying.

"Why is the Rav so worried?" asked one of his close disciples. "Baruch Hashem, it's just a cold and it will not pose any serious threat to your health."

"It is not my health that concerns me" responded R' Salanter. "I worry over what it states in Mishlei: "Colds and traps are in the path of the stubborn" [Mishlei 22:5] "This verse is evidence that I was stricken with a cold on account of possessing the terrible trait of stubbornness".

Only once evening had arrived and R' Salanter had thoroughly examined his deeds without finding the trait of stubbornness within himself, was his mind put to rest.

[Source: Rabbi Y. Bronstein]

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The Right Path

"Of Yetzer, the Yitzri family; of Shilem, the Shilemi family" [Bamidbar 26:49]

This verse, said the Chofetz Chaim, can be expounded upon in the following manner:

"Of Yetzer" - One who succumbs to the lure of the yetzer hara (evil inclination) will immediately find himself in the company of the "Yitzri family" - the members of the yetzer hara's family are all more than ready to help him along the path of wickedness.

"Of Shilem" - But one who strives for perfection (sheleimus) will find himself in the company of the "Shilemi family" - those who fear Heaven and have achieved spiritual perfection will help him along the upright path.

"In the path that a man wishes to go, he is led" [Makkos 10b]

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Overcoming Obstacles


Always remember: You are never given an obstacle you cannot overcome. [Rebbe Nachman of Breslov]

The Rebbe Maharash innovated the concept of "L'chatchila ariber".  The approach of l'chatchila Ariber teaches that if we come upon an obstacle to a task we are involved in, or an obstacle to a mitzva or project or good deed which comes our way (or we pursue), we should overcome the obstacle in the most direct manner. The Rebbe Maharash explained that while some people propose that when confronted with an obstacle the best route is to go around, or under it -- and the Rebbe Maharash says: "And I say one has to go l'chatchila ariber [from the start, go over it]."


********************

When You Carry Valuable Merchandise

The Ohr HaMeir says that in life there are certain people who have it easy. Everything goes smooth for them and no obstacles stand in their way. They think that they have reached perfection, they are on top of the world. On the other hand some people cannot catch a break. Every time they make a move something goes wrong. Are they traveling on the wrong road?

The Ohr HaMeir explains with a Mashal. If someone is traveling on the road carrying a sack of wheat husks, his trip is easy. He can travel wherever he wants, for as long as he wants, feeling secure and knowing no one will rob him of his goods. However, if he is carrying a satchel of precious stones he sweats every step, knowing that he is a hunted man.

Dovid HaMelech says in L'Dovid Hashem Ori [Tehilim 27:3] "Im Takum Alai Milchama B'Zos Ani Botei'ach" - if the enemy is constantly attacking me, in this I find confidence. Why? If my path in life was devoid of any value I would not encounter constant resistance from the Yetzer Hara. The fact that there is an obstacle in my path at every turn is a sign that I, my actions, goals, and ambitions are very valuable. So valuable that the Yetzer Hara is throwing all his resources at me to stop from accomplishing my dreams.


Source: Revach L'Neshama

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Monday, March 24, 2014

The Malaysian Plane - Torah Codes - Part 2

Due to the great interest in this Code, Rabbi Glazerson has given us another video with some extra information.


Friday, March 21, 2014

The [Missing] Malaysian Plane in Torah Code

An interesting Torah Code..... this is one we can keep an eye on:  here is a link to one of the latest news reports, no conclusion has yet been reached.

 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The Last Day of Time

Why is the world so chaotic now?

In a presentation titled "The Last day of Time", Rabbi Tzvi Freeman quoted from the Zohar: "in the sixth century of the sixth millennium, the gates of supernal wisdom will be opened, as will the springs of earthly wisdom, preparing the world to be elevated in the seventh millennium." 

He explained that the times of the world correspond to the days of the week and that the world is currently in the sixth century ["elef hashishi"], which can be translated to Friday afternoon.

"The year we live in, 5774, is erev Shabbos after chatzos, right before Elef Hashvi'i which will be the time of Moshiach, a time that will be higher than time, so we are now living in the last day of time. The current turmoil in the world is similar to the typical chaos that can be found in Jewish homes on Friday afternoons, shortly before Shabbos'' Freeman said.

Source: Col Live

Monday, January 20, 2014

Geneivat Da'at: Theft of the Mind

Art: Jacek Yerka
by Rabbi Eli Mansour

The Torah in parshas Mishpatim denounces as a thief not only one who steals property but also someone who acts in a deceptive manner towards others.

Trickery, lying, and deceiving, are forms of stealing.

The Tosefta in Masechet Bava Batra lists seven categories of theft, and mentions at the top of the list, as the most grievous form of thievery, the sin of "Geneivat Da'at," which literally means "theft of the mind," referring to deception.

The Ritva (Rabbi Yom Tov Ashbili, Spain, 1250-1330), in his commentary to Masechet Chulin, writes that deceiving another person transgresses a Torah violation. According to the Ritva, the verse "Lo Tignovu" ("Do not steal" – Vayikra 19:11) refers specifically to this form of "theft," and thus a person who deceives another violates this Torah prohibition. This is also the position of the Yerei'im (by Rabbi Eliezer of Metz, France, 1115-1198), in Siman 124. Others, however, maintain that deception transgresses a Rabbinic edict, and not a Torah violation.

We present here a number of practical examples of Geneivat Da'at.

The Gemara mentions the example of somebody who invites his fellow to join him for a holiday, fully aware that this person had already made plans to spend the holiday elsewhere. He deceives his fellow into thinking that he sincerely wishes to host him, whereas in reality he has no actual intention to extend the invitation. Even though no practical harm results from this disingenuous invitation, it nevertheless violates the prohibition of Geneivat Da'at, insofar as the individual has deceived his fellow.

In the context of business operation, the issue of Geneivat Da'at arises quite frequently. For example, a proprietor may not announce a 50% price reduction and then raise the prices so that the sale price will amount to the item's actual price. Even though he in the end receives a fair price for the merchandise, he has nevertheless transgressed the prohibition of Geneivat Da'at because he has deceived the consumers.

The Poskim (Halachic authorities) discuss the question of whether a person who purchased a gift for his fellow at a discount price may leave the original price-tag on the package, so that the recipient will think he paid the price listed on the tag. Would this be considered Geneivat Da'at, in that the giver deceives the recipient into thinking that he paid a higher price for the gift? The Poskim generally conclude that one may leave the price-tag on the package, since the price on the tag is, after all, the true value of the item purchased.

Another question addressed by the Poskim concerns a case of one who wishes to give a gift. For example, it is forbidden to gift a set of Zohar that has several pages missing. The person giving the gift assumes that the recipient will never actually study the Zohar and will thus never realize that the set is missing pages. The Poskim write that it is forbidden to give this set as a gift, since one thereby deceives the recipient into thinking that he has received a perfect set of Zohar, whereas in reality it is defective.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (Russia-New York, 1895-1986) records in his work Iggerot Moshe a question he was asked as to whether Yeshiva High School students may be shown the answers to the Regents' Exams before the tests, so that they will not have to study the material and could use the extra time for Torah study. Rabbi Feinstein responds by expressing his astonishment over the very posing of such a question. Cheating is a clear violation of Geneivat Da'at, and it cannot possibly be allowed even for the purpose of facilitating additional time for Torah study.

Rabbenu Yona of Gerona, Spain (1180-1263), in his work Sha'arei Teshuva, compares one who steals property committing a sin with his hands to sins involving deceit. A person's soul, he explains, is a part of the Almighty Himself, the embodiment of perfect, unadulterated truth. Engaging in deceitful conduct contaminates this Godly quality of the soul, and thus constitutes a most grievous sin, more severe than the theft of property.

Summary: Geneivat Da'at, deception, is deemed by Halacha as the most grievous form of theft.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Yud Shvat: Death of Ariel Sharon

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has died on a most auspicious date for Lubavitchers: Yud Shvat [10 Shvat] - the 64th anniversary of the passing of sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, and the 63rd anniversary of the beginning of the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe's tenure as Head of Chabad.  

For those who like to calculate: this date gives us 38 weeks until Yom Kippur 5775 [the term of a pregnancy].

As Yeranen Yaakov blogged:  [from The Forward] ''Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812) was the founder of Chabad and was its first rabbi (Alter Rebbe, as the Lubavitch refer to him). He was the genius of Torah, responsible for the Tanya. In his book “Maamarei Admor Hazakein,” the old rabbi offered his own calculation: the Hebrew year of 5775, the year that will begin in September 2014.''

As mentioned previously in a couple of earlier posts below, Ariel Sharon's death is the ''key'' to Moshiach.... Rabbi Kaduri zt'll stated that Moshiach will not come until after the death of Sharon.

Im yirtze Hashem..... 


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Parshas HaMon - Segula for Parnossa

Art: Heidi Malott

Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Riminov [1745-1815], a disciple of the Holy Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, instructed everyone to read "Parshat HaMann" specifically on the Yom Shlishi [Tuesday] of Parshat [Torah portion of] Beshalach in the "Shnayim Mikra v'Echad Targum" format, i.e. reading the Hebrew verses twice and the Aramaic translation of Onkelos once.   This year it will occur today Tuesday 7 January.

Not to be confused with the evil villain of the Purim story, Parshat haMann [The Chapter of the Manna] is found in the 16th Chapter of the Book of Exodus: verses 4-36. This Chapter details the episode of the miraculous "Manna" [bread from heaven] that sustained the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey in the desert.

Rav Yosef Caaro, the "mechaber" [compiler] of the monumental Halachic text, the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 1:5, instructs us to recite it daily. Other giants of Halacha also point to the importance of reciting it daily: The Tur 1; Aruch Hashulchan 1:22; Shulchan Aruch HaRav 1:9.

By so doing, every Jew acknowledges that his/her livelihood comes from only from Hashem. Reciting the Parshat HaMann daily strengthens one's Emuna and Bitachon [belief and trust] in HASHEM, and is a "Segula for Parnassa" [auspicious for having a healthy income].

To read Parshat haMann in Hebrew [with the Aramaic translation of Onkelos], please visit: Tefillos.com

English version here: Ou.org

Monday, January 6, 2014

Torah Code: Ariel Sharon

Rabbi Glazerson has uploaded a Torah Code showing ''Ariel Sharon / brain haemmorhage / 5766 / 5774 as well as mention of the expulsion from Gush Katif.


Friday, January 3, 2014

Ariel Sharon, Moshiach and The Eighth Year



On January 4, 2006  Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke and went into a coma, from which he has never woken up. Now suffering renal failure, his condition continues to deteriorate.


January 4, 2006 until now: Eight years.  

As Devash speculates: Maybe "in the eighth year Ben David comes" is counting from when Sharon-Israel fell mortally wounded [5766], never to rise again.


Also see: Yeranen Yaakov and Dreaming of Moshiach

Monday, December 16, 2013

Snow: A Sign from the Heavens

HT: Rabbi Yossi Mizrachi   and Dr. Miguel Quaresma Brandão, Portugal


The daily page of the gemara learning [Daf Yomi] speaks about snow in Yerushalayim in the month of Tevet on ''erev Shabbat'' [Friday] - the exact day of the snowstorm in Israel coincided with the topic in the Gemara..  

בס"ד Daf Yomi - ''A sign from heaven" (where the snow comes from) that the fast of Asarah be''Teves [the 10th of Tevet] BEH is soon coming to an end!