The
Haredim
should
all
mass
outside
Meron
for
public
prayer
and
boycott
the
erev rav
actual site
18 May 2022
They’re Doing it Again . . .
Do they think we are asleep? Repeating the same methods as last year!
Meron Safety Advisor Resigns, Citing ‘Rickety’ Infrastructure, Political Decisions Regarding Ceremonies
JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Kfir Malka, the safety advisor for the Meron administration headed by Zvi Tessler, announced his resignation from the job just three weeks before the Lag Ba’Omer celebration, according to a Ha’aretz report.
The report quotes Malka as saying that the infrastructure around the tomb of Rashbi in Meron is “shaky” and is not properly prepared for all of the visitors expected at the site. Malka also complained that the decisions taken regarding the Lag Ba’Omer ceremonies are “tainted by inappropriate and political considerations.”
Despite Malka’s resignation, the director of public relations for the ceremony Avi Blumenthal claimed that Malka’s recommendations had been implemented at the site in recent weeks: “Kfir expressed dissatisfaction with the infrastructure at the site two months ago but since then extensive work has been done. The project manager [Tessler] didn’t hear any statement from him regarding the number of participants and all his recommendations have been implemented.”
Porush claimed that nothing had been done for ten months at Meron and only in the last few months work had been done but it included fencing in and closing off various paths to the site and no viable attempt had been made to enlarge the area or broaden the paths, which would enable a larger number of people to safely visit the site. https://vinnews.com/2022/05/17/meron-safety-advisor-resigns-citing-rickety-infrastructure-political-decisions-regarding-ceremonies/MK Meir Porush sent a sharp letter to Prime Minister Bennett claiming that the Meron administration had ignored the public’s requirements as well as the conclusions of the Meron committee. “There is a feeling that nobody wants to take responsibility and this leads to the maltreatment of a broad sector of the public which sees critical importance in ascending to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon on Lag Ba’Omer.
Unfortunately this info might not get around fast enough to warn Haredim
that they are being set up for another gigantic “accident”!
SETTING THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER “ACCIDENT”
Charedi Extremists Caught by Police Planning to Breach Meron Festival Without Tickets
On Tuesday evening (Israel time), police apprehended and detained a number of Charedi Yungeleit, heading to Meron by minibus. Police found them in possession of burglary tools, which they were apparently planning to use to break fences to breach the Meron site without tickets on Lag B’Omer, in addition to other possible vandalism. The arrest was reported on B’Chadrei Charedim news outlet. More at: https://vinnews.com/2022/05/17/charedi-extremists-caught-by-police-planning-to-breach-meron-festival-without-tickets/
Another Plague ??
Even More Cases Of The Monkeypox Have Been Confirmed As This Sickening Plague Continues To Spread
It is just 24 hours later, and the number of confirmed cases in the UK has more than doubled. I told you that I would be keeping an eye on this story, and there have been some alarming new developments. When I wrote about the monkeypox outbreak in the UK yesterday, there were three confirmed cases. Now there are seven, and authorities can’t explain why it is spreading. This is a disease that is not supposed to spread from person to person easily, but apparently some human to human transmission has been happening in these new cases.
According to UK authorities, the four new confirmed cases are all “gay or bisexual men” and none of them have recently been to Africa…
Four more people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK, bringing the total number of cases in the latest outbreak to seven. All four new patients are gay or bisexual men who were infected in London and had no travel links to Africa, health chiefs have confirmed after MailOnline broke the news earlier today.
So obviously these four men caught the monkeypox in the UK.
But what is really puzzling officials is the fact that these four new cases have had no contact with the case that was confirmed on May 7th, and they have had no contact with the cases that were confirmed on May 14th…
Urgent investigations are underway to establish links between the latest four cases, although it seems not to be connected to the case announced on May 7, nor the previous infections announced on May 14. The UKHSA noted that all of the latest patients being treated for the viral infection self-identify as gay, bisexual, or have been with other men. “Those patients needing medical care are all in specialist infectious disease units at the Royal Free Hospital, Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, and Guys’ and St Thomas’,” the UKHSA noted.
This would seem to suggest that there are additional cases somewhere out there that authorities do not know about yet.
At this point, gay and bisexual men in the UK are being instructed to watch out for any “unusual rashes or lesions”…
“We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay. “We are contacting any potential close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice.”
I will continue to monitor this story as it develops, because it could potentially become a really big deal.
As I explained yesterday, the CDC says that the death rate for the monkeypox in humans can be around 10 percent.
We are already dealing with COVID and a horrifying new bird flu pandemic, and so we definitely don’t need another pestilence to add to the list.
____________________
if you dare to, full article is at http://endoftheamericandream.com/even-more-cases-of-the-monkeypox-have-been-confirmed-as-this-sickening-plague-continues-to-spread/
17 May 2022
Freedom of Religion Under Attack …it was like a “war zone.”
No, this was not a raid on Haredim
although very similar in operation
…it was like a “war zone.”
The police’s “invasion and disproportionate use of force, attacking mourners, striking them with batons, using smoke grenades, shooting rubber bullets, frightening the hospital patients, is a severe violation... of the fundamental human right of freedom of religion, which must be observed in a public space,”
Sound familiar?
… Video footage showed police using their batons to beat mourners, including family members and pallbearers, almost causing the casket to fall to the ground. Those actions have been widely condemned.
…batons to beat the attendees. barbaric ...
…“They [the pallbearers] were not doing anything,” ... “They attacked the pallbearers with batons; they smashed the hearse. It was a very barbaric scene. It was unacceptable and disrespectful, not just for the mourners.
Sources: Article and photos
https://stgdesktopcore.jpost.com/opinion/article-706781
and
https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-706862
16 May 2022
Rabbi Weissman – Root & Branch Torah Class
Note: My most recent Root and Branch Torah class is now available here. The Tanach portion, which focused on knowing when to leave exile, seems to have struck a chord with many people. (Hint: it's well overdue -- even though we live under Erev Rav tyranny.)
A newly discovered video of a pogrom in Eastern Europe about a hundred years ago is available here. My mistake, this took place last week in Meron at the hands of "Israeli police". Most likely they are descended from those who perpetrated the pogroms in Eastern Europe, and were chosen specifically for that reason.
These thugs and the people they work for are the first flowering of the redemption? I've said THAT prayer for the last time. More like the final obstacle.
Much more to read (#203) about Meron at:
If you received this from someone else and want to receive future articles directly, please send a request to endthemadness@gmail.com.
* * *
So doctors can't tell if a baby is a boy or a girl, but they know with absolute certainty that an injection of crap is safe and effective.
* * *
Injuries from the crapcines shouldn't be referred to as 'side effects'. They were the 'primary effects', if not the only effects.
_______________________
Comment:
It is so transparent, the evil directed toward and the premeditated attempted murder of Haredim whenever the police are involved. It is so obvious what the gov is doing (are they that stupid), I don’t know why Israelis arent protesting? They can use and probably will use 5 g for crowd control. I would alert anyone NOT TO WALK ON ANY POLICE CONSTRUCTION BUILT ESPECIALLY FOR Lag B’Omer. Don’t allow them to corralle you in a certain direction; go the opposite way. Remembering (about the screws) what they did last year.
Shalom Pollack: The Museum That is Not
The most significant find of the most significant people in history was made recently on biblical Mt Eval.
On the mountain, overlooking the biblical city of Shechem was discovered the altar which Joshua built and sacrificed after entering the promised land.
As if this mind-blowing discovery was not enough, recently, the words of the bible peeked from under the ancient stones
A lead amulet with the words ``cursed, cursed. are those...", with the name of G-d was found near the altar. If that was not enough, the commandment of God to enter and conquer the land was also found! (Deuteronomy 27: 2-3)
These are the words exclaimed by the kohanim(priests) at the site alongside Joshua just as God prescribed in the bible.
More than the Dead Sea scrolls, Masada, the Western Wall, or any other important site of Jewish history, this find brings us back to the very moments of the entrance of the Jewish people into the promised land.
Imagine if other people in another land discovered proof of the very earliest roots of their nation in that land.
Now imagine if that nation was in a drawn-out bloody conflict with another population that claims that land is theirs and denies that the former has any history in it and simply made-up a colonial narrative in order to subjugate the "natives '.
I would expect that nation to build the most amazing museum on the spot and invite the world to bear witness.
Israel has not done so and has no plans to do so.
More; Israel will not even effectively protect the priceless national treasure from Arabs \who constantly attempt to destroy any trace of our history in our land, such as on Temple Mount and elsewhere.
The Israeli government acts as though these unique priceless sites are just a headache and would be happy if they were never discovered or just disappeared.
That would make life much less complicated for a modern, "normal" country (as Moshe Dayan announced when he gave the keys to our Temple Mount to the Muslim Waqf in 1967 when liberated in the miraculous Six-day War).
The museum that is not there (will it be?) is on the unique and beautiful biblical Mt Eval
I recommend a visit before it disappears at the hands of the "natives "
I intend to lead a group there in the near future God willing.
I also recommend reading my book for a deeper understanding of Israel today.
"Jews, Israelis and Arabs" is available on Book Depository and Amazon
Hastening the Geulah
HOW DOES THE CABLE CAR PROJECT PROMOTE GEULAH?
The cablecar project, which aims, among other things, to make it easier to reach the Western Wall, was opposed by Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli.
Cabinet Secretary was tasked with addressing the issue and clarified that the Minister's objection has no validity or legal status.
Shlomo wrote to Mayor Moshe Leon: "I would like to clarify after consultation with the Attorney-General that the Transportation Minister's opposition has no legal significance at this stage, as this concerns a national master-plan for infrastructure which was approved by the Ministerial Committee on Planning, Construction, Real Estate and Housing in November 21, 2019.”
"Therefore, the cablecar plan for the Old City of Jerusalem is already a legal reality and there is nothing that the Transportation Minister can do about it," Shlomo stressed. "Unless the plan is repealed or amended, the plan remains in existence and is binding by law.”
Transportation Minister Michaeli has already stated her opposition to the cablecar project to the Western Wall, claiming that the damage it causes will outweigh its benefits.
"The cable car does not have a significant transportation function," adding that, "the damage it causes will outweigh the benefits. For the purpose of service to the Old City, the Transportation Ministry is promoting the 'Golden Line' route of the light rail in accordance with the strategic plan for mass transportation in Jerusalem," she said.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Position Paper – In the Air and Underground – the Jerusalem Cable Car Project and its potential impact on the Historic Basin
June 12, 2017
During a government meeting on Jerusalem Day (28 May 2017), the ministers approved the plan to build a cable car that would transport tourists from West Jerusalem to Silwan\City of David and the Western Wall area. For the first phase of the project, which precedes a building permit, the Ministry of Tourism has allocated around 15 million NIS to promote the cable car plans.[1] The cable car will reinforce the site of the “City of David” in the Village of Silwan as a major tourist attraction and bolster the government policy of bringing millions of tourists a year to the Western Wall and the Old City through Silwan. The cable car is part of a series of new projects that are being heavily promoted in Jerusalem’s Historic Basin.
To read PDF file: Position paper – fr om the air and underground
TO READ MORE: GO TO https://emekshaveh.org/en/position-paper-the-jerusalem-cable-car-project/ (with map)
Justice of Truth in Action
Justice Shmuel Herbst**
A haredi man spent the Sabbath in jail, after he tried to immerse himself in a spring near the city of Beitar Illit, south of Jerusalem.
Israeli police arrested the man Friday afternoon outside of the predominantly haredi city of Beitar Illit, after he and a friend – both residents of the city – went hiking towards a nearby spring, intended to use the spring as a mikva, or ritual bath.
Security forces deployed to the area spotted the two approaching Palestinian Authority-controlled territory, and notified police, who dispatched officers to arrest the young men.
While one man managed to evade police, the other was arrested and accused of damaging a local security fence and crossing into Palestinian Authority-controlled territory without authorization.
The man was interrogated and forced to spend the Sabbath in jail.
On Saturday night, police requested that the Jerusalem Magistrates Court extend the arrest by four days, but the judge, Justice Shmuel Herbst, denied the request and ordered the young man freed with no restrictions imposed on his movement and without bail. Justice Herbst also excoriated Judea and Samaria district police for their handling of the case, and their claim that the “presence of Jews in the field could raise concerns for general public safety.”
“Reading Israel’s Declaration of Independence teaches us that this is a Jewish state,” Herbst wrote in his response to the police department’s request, “which was established for the Jewish people; the fact that a Jew is in a particular place does not create safety concerns for the general population.” https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/327580
** Israel need many more righteous Justices and Law Officials like Justice Shmuel Herbst!
15 May 2022
SUPER BLOOD MOON, Motzei Pesach Sheni
I didn’t see anyone else write about this; Rabbi Nachman Kahana, Rabbi Eyal Riess and Rabbi Genuth do so:
The earth, moon, and sun will align on Sunday night, creating a total lunar eclipse, the first full eclipse of the year.
SUPER BLOOD MOON
When this happens, the moon passes through the earth’s shadow, and the earth blocks the sun’s rays from illuminating the moon. This gives the moon a red hue in what many refer to as a Blood Moon. The moon on Sunday is also a super moon, making it a super blood moon eclipse.
The total lunar eclipse will be visible from portions of the Americas, Antarctica, Europe, Africa, and the East Pacific. Meanwhile, a penumbral eclipse, where the outer part of Earth’s shadow blankets the moon, will be visible in New Zealand, eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
The moon will be a faint, reddish glow during totality as red wavelengths of sunlight filter through our planet’s atmosphere onto the moon’s surface. The air molecules from Earth’s atmosphere scatter out most of the blue light. The remaining light reflects onto the moon’s surface with a red glow, making the moon appear red in the night sky. At different moments during the eclipse, it could also appear to take on shades of orange, yellow or brown.
A lunar eclipse only occurs under a full moon and can last up to six hours. This eclipse will happen when the moon is the biggest and brightest of the entire year, referred to as a supermoon, which occurs when the moon is at its perigee, the point in its month-long elliptical orbit that brings it closest to Earth. At that time, the moon appears up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than its apogee, its furthest point from Earth.
The visible part of the eclipse will begin around 10:30 PM EST on May 15, NASA said, when the moon enters Earth’s shadow. Totality, when our planet’s shadow fully covers the moon, follows around midnight, lasting about an hour and a half. It will end around 2 a.m. EST.
This will be the first of two lunar eclipses in 2022. The next one will take place on Nov. 8. The last total lunar eclipse occurred a year ago, on May 26, 2021. There will not be another total lunar eclipse until March 2025.
SECOND PASSOVER AND YOM NAKBA
The timing of the lunar event is quite auspicious, coming directly after Pesach Sheni, the second Passover. Coincidentally, it also falls on “Nakba” day when the Palestinians commemorate the “catastrophe” of the creation of the state of Israel.
Rabbi Eyal Riess, Director of the Tzfat Kabbalah Center, emphasized the difference between the Jewish holiday and the Palestinian day.
“Pesach Sheni is proof that everything can be fixed, and that is our purpose in the world,” Rabbi Riess said. “This is manifested in the moon, which is constantly in the process of fixing. This is even more true for a lunar eclipse. The moon disappears completely, but it returns. This month is the month of Iyar, which is an acronym.”
The rabbi cited the verse (Exodus 15:26) :
Ani Hashem Rophecha (אֲנִי יְהֹוָה רֹפְאֶךָ); “I Hashem am your healer.”
“Nakba is the Palestinians lamenting a reality, reacting in anger, rather than working to fix it,” Rabbi Riess said.
Rabbi Nachman Kahane emphasized that Sunday was Pesach Sheni, a day of serving God in Jerusalem.
“But Sunday isn’t Nakba day for the Arabs,” Rabbi Kahana said. “For them, every day that Jews exist is Nakba. We saw during the Ramadan that they celebrate and serve their religion by going out to spill blood, just as the descendants of Ishmael.”
He shall be a wild ass of a man; His hand against everyone,
And everyone’s hand against him; Genesis 16:12
“They don’t need a special day or a sign in the heavens to tell them to murder,” Rabbi Kahana said. “It is in their nature. Our idea of a Messiah is when we serve God perfectly in a house of prayer for all nations. Their Messiah is when they have eliminated all the non-Muslims.”
ECLIPSES IN JEWISH TRADITION
In his book Davar B’ito, a guide to the calendar based on esoteric Jewish sources, Rabbi Mordechai Genuth discussed the meaning of eclipses in Jewish tradition. Rabbi Genuth explained that lunar eclipses are considered a bad omen for Israel under normal circumstances.
This is based on a discussion of eclipses from the Talmud (Sukkot 29a) that specifically stated that the nation of Israel is spiritually represented by the moon. If the moon appears red during the lunar eclipse, as the upcoming eclipse will be, the Talmud states that this is an omen that great wars will come to the world.
“In the time of the Talmud, only Israel set the calendar according to the moon,” Rabbi Genuth said. “Setting the calendar according to the sun was the practice of the idolaters, like Rome, which named the solar months and days after pagan gods. Today, the Muslims set their calendar according to the moon, even more than the Jews, in a manner that leads their calendar to be imbalanced. So a lunar eclipse is closely connected to the Muslims and, in this case, is a warning for the Arabs.”
Rabbi Genuth made one disclaimer; at the end of the section of the Talmud describing the omens contained within eclipses, the Talmud states: “When Israel does the will of the place [Makom] (God), they have nothing to fear from all of this,” citing the Prophet Jeremiah as a source.
Thus said Hashem: Do not learn to go the way of the nations,
And do not be dismayed by portents in the sky;
Let the nations be dismayed by them! Jeremiah 10:2
“This is a warning to the Israeli government,” Rabbi Genuth said. “They need to be strong when it comes to Jerusalem.”
He explained that the name of Jerusalem is rooted in the Hebrew word “Shalem” (complete), which is a reference to the sun, which, unlike the moon, does not go through phases.
The rabbi also noted a prophecy in the Book of Joel that states that a blood moon will precede the coming of the Messiah Mashiach
Before the great and terrible day of Hashem comes, I will set portents in the sky and on earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke; The sun shall turn into darkness And the moon into blood. But everyone who invokes the name of Hashem shall escape; for there shall be a remnant on Mount Tzion and in Yerushalayim, as Hashem promised. Anyone who invokes Hashem will be among the survivors. Joel 3:3-5
“We are indeed close to the end of days, so these astronomical signs are taking on increased importance,” Rabbi Genuth said.
*words appearing in brackets [ ] are added by blog host for Hebrew clarification
Source: Israel365
DID YOU READ THE HAFTORAH THIS SHABBOS?
I did but I didn’t make the connection, like this does:
For thousands of years, Jews read passages from this week's Haftarah and waited. On Shabbat morning, after reading from the Torah, they again read these stirring passages from the Prophet Jeremiah .
Jerusalem is in the midst of the Babylonian siege. These are the last days before the destruction of the city. The Prophet Jeremiah, who had been thrown into prison, is commanded by G-d to do something that makes no sense: to buy a field in the nearby city of Anatot.
Jeremiah responds by drawing up a bill of sale, gathering witnesses, and executing the real estate transaction, despite the horribly dark realization that the nation is going into exile. And then, in that very moment of impending doom, Jeremiah makes an astonishing statement: "Houses and vineyards shall again be purchased in this land." (Jeremiah 32:15)
Two thousand years have passed and you are invited to check the prices of real estate in Jerusalem, to look at the cranes and new buildings going up in its neighborhoods, to walk in its beautiful alleyways -- and to discover that Jeremiah was right. Houses and fields and vineyards are being purchased in this land.
This chapter in our history gave hope to those reading about it for generations. It is an expression of the incredible potential of our people, both collectively and individually, that is now coming to fruition. Just as in the past, positive developments that today seem to make no sense can occur all of a sudden. And just as this prophecy of Jeremiah has been fulfilled, others will be fulfilled as well. It's possible. Ultimately, it's actually essential, although we cannot see at the moment how the future will unfold, as G-d says to Jeremiah a few verses later: "Behold, I am the Lord, the G-d of all flesh. Is anything concealed from Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)
May we continue to see prophecies fulfilled. Shavuah Tov
https://dusiznies.blogspot.com
The BRACHOT For When Mashiach is Here – REPUBLISHED
BE PREPARED
The BRACHOT For When Mashiach is Here
The BRACHOT For When Mashiach is Here
Rav Kanievsky Shlit"a said to be ready to say the blessings when Mashiach arrives (The Rav has periodically spoken about Mashiach). If Rav Kanievsky Shlit"a happens to be Eliyahu HaNavi, and he announces "who" Mashiach is, the following are the Brachot to be said IY"H [written in a sequence depending what happens first, second, etc.]
When we first hear from a reliable source the good news of Moshiach’s arrival, we will recite
• “Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam HaTov V’HaMeiteiv.”
When we see the huge throngs of Jews assembled to greet him, which will no doubt number at least 600,000 people, one recites
• "Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Chacham harazim.”
When one sees the rebuilt Beis HaMikdash or rebuilt shullen or Batei Medrash, one recites,
• "Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam matziv gvul almanah.”
When we actually see the Moshiach, we will recite
• "Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam She’chalak Mikevodo Li’rei’av."
Immediately after reciting this bracha, we will recite the bracha
• "Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam She’chalak Meichachmaso li’rei’av."
And the following Shehechiyanu and Go'el Yisrael:
*For a deeper explanation of these Brachot, and about Mashiach, visit When Moshiach Comes at Yeshiva.org.il by Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
WHEN TO LEAVE GOLUS
R&B Weekly Seminar: R&B Torah Fellowship (Episode #10 -- May 12th, 2022/Iyar 11, 5782) Host: Rabbi Chananya Weissman. Topic: "Knowing It's Time to Leave the Exile"
Nefesh B’Nefesh To Host Annual Online ‘Mega’ Aliyah Event and Employment Fair
Aliyah planning, employment opportunities, navigating the healthcare system, and buying a home in Israel are just a few of the many topics that will be discussed at the 2022 Virtual Mega Aliyah Event & Innovation.IL Job Fair. Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) and the Jewish National Fund-USA, will be hosting the annual event online on Sunday, May 15, 2022, encompassing a wide range of online programming on a variety of Aliyah topics.
Prospective Olim from over 37 states and 5 provinces across North America, as well as from a dozen countries around the world, are set to join the virtual event. In addition to a full schedule of Aliyah-related informational sessions, the event will also feature an Innovation Job Fair for the chance to hear directly from companies and leaders in the Israeli hi-tech industry about job opportunities and training programs. Representatives from top hi-tech companies, including Microsoft, Intel, and Monday.com will be leading sessions and available to speak with attendees.
“When considering Aliyah, Olim are seeking real answers and insights into what their lives will look like once they arrive in Israel and answers on how to overcome the social, economic, bureaucratic, and logistical challenges that arise during the process,” said Sarah Kantor, Director of Aliyah Programming. “The Mega event is designed to address and eliminate many of these obstacles, and it is now accessible to countless more potential Olim because of its online presentation. Our support for Olim in every circumstance, in-person or virtual, is unwavering.”
The Mega Aliyah Event is open to the public, regardless of age, residence, and level of Aliyah interest (including those intending to make Aliyah in the near future as well as those in the early-planning stages).
On a local level, a pre-Aliyah informational event and barbeque will be held in Englewood, New Jersey on Monday, May 23, 2022 for Olim from the Tri-State area who are making Aliyah during the summer months. These Olim and their families are invited to visit various booths and speak with Nefesh B’Nefesh representatives in preparation for their upcoming Aliyah.
JERUSALEM REPORT: TURN OFF, TUNE OUT, UNPLUG
JERUSALEM REPORT with Ilana Rachel Daniel
https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/shows/the-jerusalem-report
13 May 2022
Reb Neuberger – SURVIVAL
SURVIVAL
Last week, outside Israel, we read the following Haftara: “The word of Hashem came to me, saying: Now you, Ben Adam … rebuke … the city of bloodshed and let her know all her abominations…. Thus says my L-rd Hashem Elokim …. Through your blood that you shed you became guilty and through your idols that you fashioned you became contaminated ....” (Yechezkel 22:1ff)
The headlines are catastrophic.
“Har ha Bayis is out of hand.”
“Murderous attack in Elad.”
I for one cannot bear even to look at them.
My friends, there is blood being shed now every day. Am Yisroel is being killed in the most savage way and each day sees more shocking events. It is out of control.
On the petirah of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, I wrote a column entitled “Our Protection is Lost.” When we lost the Saar ha Torah, immediately all restraints seemed to end, and our enemies went on a rampage which continues every day.
We are also being attacked outside Israel, both spiritually and physically. The State of New York has launched a murderous assault on the entire yeshiva system, which could chas v’Shalom destroy Torah life in our communities.
We are talking about survival.
Sefira is an extended Chol ha Moed, but it has come to be associated with mourning. We know that, during this period, Rabbi Akiva’s students died and that, over the centuries, there have been murderous attacks on Jews.
Why now, during Sefira? Parshas Emor, which is read this week outside Israel, includes the mitzvah of Sefiras ha Omer, so it is particularly appropriate to understand this now.
We were rescued from Mitzraim at the lowest madreiga, mem-tes shaarei tumah. Hashem took us out when we had almost no zechusim. He took us out because He loves us and because of our glorious past – the Avos and Imahos – and our glorious future as a Torah Nation. But we had to earn our place at Har Sinai after Hashem miraculously rescued us. So we have seven weeks devoted to teshuva, elevating ourselves and ridding ourselves from the tumah of Mitzraim. During these seven weeks we must achieve spiritual elevation so we are ready to stand at Har Sinai and receive the Torah. This is hard work. We are tested during this period.
Let’s face reality because, otherwise, we are not going to make it. This is survival mode. This is an emergency. Let’s put everything else aside.
Everything in life is midah keneged midah. If you want to know why someone is attacking you, then look in the mirror.
We are attacked because we attack.
We are bloodied because we bloody.
We are hated because we hate.
They scream at us because we scream at each other.
My friends, there is such brutal, bloody sina among us that we cannot hide any more. It is coming right back at us. Instead of being shocked at what our enemies do to us, we should be shocked at what we are doing to each other!
There used to be a nursery rhyme, “Mirror mirror on the wall.” The Kosel is our Wall and our mirror. When they attack us at the Kosel, it is because we are attacking each other. Last week a religious member of Knesset had to be rescued by the police. This is not a question of “free speech” where one supposedly “has a right to express his or her opinion.” This is hatred. This is brutality, Jewish brutality.
We received the Torah only – ONLY! -- because we were “k’ish echad b’lev echad… like one man with one heart.” All our troubles began with sinas chinom. All our troubles began when the Shvatim sold Yosef. The Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed and we descended into this brutal Golus because of sinas chinom.
This is the elemental fact of survival in the year 5782, now and forever.
It is not a “nice thing” to be united. We are talking survival! We have to understand what is going on and what the consequences are.
As a practical matter, it is difficult if not impossible to change one’s emotions, the feelings of the heart, but we can change actions.
We have to ACT as if we love each other.
That means controlling our actions even if we
cannot control our thoughts and feelings.
We have to stop murdering each other with words and deeds.
We have to know that our lives and the
lives of those we love depend on it.
Every time an enemy sheds Jewish blood it is only because
we – Am Yisroel - are shedding each other’s blood!
“If only My People would heed Me, if Israel would walk in My ways, in an instant I would subdue their foes and turn My hand against their tormentors.” (Tehillim 81)
It’s so simple! Why don’t we listen to our Father in Heaven!
The Temple Mount
GLOSSARY
Golus: Exile
Madreiga: Spiritual level
Petira: Death
Saar ha Torah: Prince of Torah
Sina: Hatred
Sinas chinom: Unwarranted hatred
Tumah: Impurity
Zechusim: Merits
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