Ir David: The Rise of David's Fallen Sukkah

From The City of David (Ir David):

The Rise of David's Fallen Sukkah

What does it mean that the Fallen Sukkah of David will rise again? And how is it connected to what is currently happening in the City of David?

Througout Sukkot we welcome seven honored guests (Ushpizin) into our Sukkah (booth). Every night an esteemed visitor enters, beginning with Avraham (Avinu). Ushpizin guests embody the pillars of the Jewish People, including Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon and Yosef. On the seventh night we welcome David Hamelech (the king). 

During Sukkot we also recite a strange blessing: "The Compassionate One, may He raise for us the Fallen Sukkah of David".  This blessing is derived from Amos, the prophet, who speaks about the restoration of the Fallen Sukkah of David (ibid 9:11).

What is the Sukkah of David?

According to most commentators, raising up the Fallen Sukkah of David refers to the reestablishment of the Davidic monarchy.But let's break it down a bit more, because what goes up must come down. Or in our case, what falls down, must inevitably rise up again.

What is this treasured sukkah that we pride ourselves in decorating with twinkling lights, tinsel and freshly made "art projects" from school with the seven species of fruit, the Ushpizin and other pictures made by tiny hands and appreciated by mother hearts? It is a temporary dwelling, with shaky walls and a roof that by definition should be anything but waterproof. So every time the seasonal autumn winds pick up and all the tinsel and pictures flitter and flop, everybody holds their breath that the sukkah won't fly away tinsel and all. This, the Sages say, is the secret behind Jewish resilience!

You see, even when the sukkah falls down, it maintains its components and its character. So too, the Jewish People's legacy endured through a long dark history of exile and persecution and can be easily and naturally restored at any moment.

The Secret Behind the Rise of the Fallen Sukkah

It is no accident that it is called the Sukkah of David. In one of our previous articles (see article: The Making of a King) we discussed David's success in life – he had the highest favor, because he was a man after God's heart. Why?

David succeeded to unify two seemingly opposite character traits: "hitnasut" (exaltedness) and "shiflut" (humility), together making up what is called "malchut" or kingship. Before God, he moved with complete humility, before his enemies, he carried himself with fearless assertiveness. 

The Method in the Madness - Living in Huts for a Whole Week! 

Sukkot is the time of the gathering of produce. Jewish tradition explains that at a time like this any normal farmer might look upon his produce and think how much he achieved, gazing upon his riches, becoming haughty and forgetting God. It is at this very point in time that we intentionally move into frail huts, stating that our true security only lies under the protective wings of the Shechina (the Divine's Presence). Therefore the Sages call the Festival of Sukkot "the Shelter of Faith".

What is it that transforms a flimsy, exposed sukkah into a mighty stronghold? 

Humility and the acknowledgment that our security and success comes from God. The beginning of a dynasty which overcame the greatest of giants, came from a king with a heart of shepherd boy, unflinching in his faith. By embracing the legacy of this monarch, we know that the fallen Sukkah of David will inevitably rise again.

The palace of the Davidic Dynasty has recently been discovered in the City of David, and is visited by thousands of tourists annually. The very place where the Davidic dynasty was established 3000 years ago is rising from the dust. So this year, like all others, we will build a big sukkah in the City of David, Ancient Jerusalem, at the location of the ancient palace. We will welcome everyone, the Ushpizin and all our precious guests coming from Israel and abroad. On the seventh day of Sukkot we will welcome and honor King David, and with strengthened resolve make the blessing: "The Compassionate One, may He raise for us the Fallen Sukkah of David".  Soon, in our days.

Hope to see you there. Chag Sukkot Sameach!

Am Yisrael Chai ... Shabbat Shalom ... Chag Samayeah

Shabbat Shalom right into Sukkot, the Time of our Joy, Chag Samayach!

Shabbat Shalom 

Sukkot in Meah Shearim

Hoshanas at the Kotel

The Real Palace on The Mountain and Yom Kippur

No, this is not a Model of the Temple

Even though it is high up on top of a mountain, surrounded by a wall and what appears as a earth-filled moat between the outer wall and the foundation walls supporting a platform (with no trees) upon which rests a magnificent ersatz palace, with a central edifice jutting up into the atmosphere.

So, what is it?

This is the new palace of Abu Mazen, otherwise known as Abbas, the palestinian international negotiator, troublemaker, inciter of rock-throwers and fiery molotov projectiles, and inciter to murder Jews. A recent survey conducted in the West Bank and Gaza shows that 51% of Palestinians opposed the two-state solution, while an additional 65% want Abbas to resign. YNet

This is The Real Palace on The Mountain, Mt Moriah

The Third Holy Temple 

Architectural Plans Have Begun

>

This is a walk-through the main sanctuary of the Holy Temple, showcasing decades of research and tens of innovative Halachic solutions to various perplexing issues that were resolved to create fully functional, ready-to-use plans. As the visual tour sweeps through the sanctuary, one can see the menorah, incense altar and showbread table, all of which have already been prepared by the Institute, among 70 other sacred vessels. The presentation was specially released to coincide with the Ninth of Av, the Jewish national day of mourning which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

This is not a ‘virtual’ representation, but a portion of a complete and highly detailed architectural plan which has been prepared for the immediate construction of the Holy Temple. The plan includes all of components that will be used in building: marble, stone, concrete, wood, flooring materials, overlay of gold, etc.

The external view presents the openings, windows, chambers, the outer hall, the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies.

In the first stage we are moving through the hall’s entrance. As we continue we arrive at the golden chains described in Tractate Middot, which the young priests-in-training would climb in order to view the decorative crowns that were placed in unique windows above the entrance to the Sanctuary. The visit continues on to the 38 chambers that surrounded the Sanctuary. The door opens and we find ourselves within the first chamber. We turn left and enter into the Sanctuary. From the right we see the three major vessels of the Sanctuary: The golden altar, the table of the showbread, and the menorah. We also see the curtain with its depiction of the two cherubim.

This curtain is actually a double curtain, that separates between the Holy area (the Sanctuary), and the Holy of Holies. We look up to the ceiling of the Sanctuary, which reaches a height of 40 amot. Near the ceiling are the ‘narrowing windows’ (Kings I 6:4) which direct from the Temple outwards.

Turning behind us, we see the doors of the Sanctuary towards the east, as they are opened each morning by the priests, revealing the blue skies of Jerusalem at sunrise.

From the Sanctuary, we turn back to the chambers and go out to the long passageway known as the ‘mesiba.’ We ascend stairs that lead to the roof of the chambers. We continue moving, encircling the Temple from the north and west, afterwards turning east.

At the end of the passageway stands a special ladder that is used to ascend to the upper level. This level has a very high level of sanctity. One opinion maintains that it is only entered once in seventy years (for maintenance purposes).

In summary, this is a highly-detailed building plan which includes room for further innovation by professionals and craftsmen, including decoration, heating and electric etc. According to the decisions of the steering committee that will be established to oversee the construction of the Third Holy Temple, which can be begun immediately.


"Many details about the Temple have been discovered and many more will be discovered. They will discover the foundations of the Temple and many more things, and no one will be able to deny that there was a Jewish Temple. The eye does not believe until it sees. G-d is showing the people of Israel miracles every day. (...) Dear Jews, there are seven locks that must be opened in order for G-d to crown the Messiah as King; six have been opened and the seventh is on its way!" R' Nir Ben Artzi

Yom Kippur, the Special Time 

We Are The Closest to HaShem

"Yom Kippur is a day in which we are invited to walk the path toward Hashem that was ploughed by Moshe Rabbeinu’s excruciating labor of the heart. But it is only when we awaken to the full grandeur of this day and purify ourselves to befit our proximity to Hashem that Yom Kippur’s life giving gift of atonement is firmly within our grasp." V'Ani Tefillah Foundation, 5770

_____________________________

We are given this Special Time to cling to HaShem in gratitude and appreciation for all He does for us. We Crowned Him on Rosh Hashanah as King, but now we enter the most intimate time to be with Our King, Our Master, on Yom Kippur. The Temple is the place, but Yom Kippur is the Time. Let us seize the moments.

The Temple Mount is in Trouble

PLEASE READ THE ADDENDUM AT BOTTOM OF POST

One of these days the Islamic Bubble will burst and nothing will remain of their hypocrisies and lies.

We won’t cooperate with Israel 
as long as ‘Palestine is occupied’: 

“Tell Mr. Netanyahu not to propagate false information,” Faisal told The Times of Israel at the Thursday panel session, when asked to address Netanyahu’s reference to a “sea change” in Israel’s relations with Sunni Arab states.

Jordan's King Abdullah II threatened an "explosion" over Israel cracking down on violent Muslim riots on the Temple Mount on Sunday (. . .) "I say this bluntly - (. . .) Al-Aqsa is a place of worship for Muslims" (....) Arutz Sheva Also King Abdullah and his Lawyers.


Some Honest Historical Background:

Jerusalem's role as "The Third Holiest Site in Islam" in mainstream Islamic writings does not precede the 1930s. It was created by the Grand Mufti Haj Amin al Husseini. The Islamic claim to the Temple Mount is very recent EretzYisroel

The Temple Mount circa 1875

The Western Wall in constant use since biblical times

• There were no mosques in Jerusalem in 632CE when the Prophet Mohammed died... Jerusalem was [then] a Christian city (by Dr Manfred R. Lehmann
• El-Kuds is an abreviation for "The Jewish Temple" by Rabbi Joseph Katz 
• The streets of Jerusalem and the Holy Jewish Temple were walked upon by Jewish Kings and Prophets long before the 7th century C.E. when a man named Mohammed had a vision that he was the last chosen prophet of G-d, the G-d they called Allah. Mohammed was driven out of Mecca by the Arab community and fled to Medina which had three Jewish tribes. Mohammed offered himself to the Jews as G-d's (Allah) final Prophet.
• For 19 months Mohammed offered his "quibla" (direction of his prayers) toward Jerusalem as a "confidence-building gesture", until the Jews refused to believe his claims and totally rejected him. Then Mohammed gathered the pagan desert tribes under his visionary image. [the above information, plus the history of the Temple Mount is from the same eretzyisroel links above]

FastForward to 2015,

and the Temple Mount is [still] in Trouble, 

an article by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, 

the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites:

"Over 80 years ago, even before the establishment of the State of Israel and the return of Jewish sovereignty to the Temple Mount, the Muslim mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, began to spread lies about Jews trying to harm the Aqsa Mosque. (. . .)

This view from the southeast is probably taken from the Arab village of Silwan, across the Kidron Valley. From this angle the entire width of the Temple Mount's southern wall is visible. In the years since 1967, the area in front of the southern wall, within the curve of the distant road visible here, has been excavated by Israeli archaeologists. BiblePlaces


"Forty-eight years have passed since the Temple Mount, the site of the Temple, returned to Jewish sovereignty – and never have Muslims been restricted from entering. On the contrary, the State of Israel has invested great effort to make freedom of worship possible on the Mount – even at the cost of harming Jewish visitors who wish to ascend to the site. (. . .)

"Only a few days ago, on the eve of Rosh Hashana, another name was added to the horrific list of the Temple Mount libel victims. A Jew, wrapped in tallit and tefillin, was on his way to the Western Wall when he was nearly beaten to death by a gang of young Muslims. His only sin was his Jewish appearance, and for this he almost paid with his life. Interview of Yeshiva Student.

"Since then and while these words are being written, the Temple Mount is aflame. Make no mistake – this fire is burning from within the Mount, not outside of it. This fire is bursting forth from Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs that have been hoarded over a long period by heartless and G-dless people in preparation for a well-planned attack on Jewish worshipers praying at the Western Wall during Rosh Hashana, which took place this week.

"I ask you, dear readers of these words – can you conceive of desecrating the holy site with ammunition? Would you dare bring arms meant for murder into your House of G-d? Can you imagine making your G-d a co-conspirator in your plan to harm innocent men, women and children?

"Indeed, Haj Amin al-Husseini was correct in declaring that the Temple Mount is in danger. It is in danger because of those who call themselves “believers,” but use faith to rationalize their blind hatred and cruelty toward Jews. The Temple Mount is in danger from those who claim to be men of religion, but who use their position to spread hatred, dispute and war. Is this G-d’s will? Is it for this purpose that we were all created? So that we shed each other’s blood forever? If the Temple Mount were sacred to you, you would not dare turn its mosques into armories and its gates into blockades.

"If the Temple Mount were sacred to you, you would not build fortifications and blockades on it while drafting hotheaded youngsters to entrench themselves there until blood is spilled.

"We Jews prayed on Rosh Hashana at the Western Wall for the entire world. We prayed for a year of blessings and abundance for all people, of all nations. How despicable and far from G-d is the attempt to harm Jews while they are praying such prayers.

"My Muslim brothers,

[C]ould it be that you would defame the Temple Mount in the name of its holiness?

Could it be that you would desecrate the House of G-d in the name of faith? (. . .)

Is this what G-d desires?

*Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, author of the above article, is rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites. (this appeared in the Sunday issue of the Jerusalem Post; comments and features section) [emphasis is mine]

ADDENDUM

Dr. Mahmoud al-Habash: "We could find ourselves in a Religious War

  “If Israel continues to violate the status quo, we could find ourselves in a religious war. These are two small words that contain a very big danger. I urge you: stop testing Palestinian patience. This kind of situation will lead to disaster. Is this what you want? Naftali Bennett, Yehuda Glick, the settlers, and Benjamin Netanyahu himself want this disaster. If I were an Israeli, I would put Netanyahu on trial for treason. He is ruining Israel.”

I urge everyone to read the full article by David Mark at HaKolYehudi

Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy G-D: I will strengthen thee; indeed, I will help thee;

NEWSLETTER TO LOVERS OF ZION IN THE WORLD

A WARNING FROM THE G-D OF ISRAEL FROM JERUSALEM TO THE EVIL DICTATOR OF IRAN, ALI KHAMENEI, WHO DARED TO PROVOKE THE G-D OF ISRAEL AND CALLED TO DESTROY THE PEOPLE OF G-D, ISRAEL, AND TO THE NATIONS WHO SIGNED WITH HIM AN EVIL ANTI-GODLY AND IMMORAL AGREEMENT.

On the 9th of September, 2015 the dictator and the supporter and perpetrator of terror all over the world, Ali Khamenei, called for the destruction of Israel. He dared to provoke the G-D of Israel, the Creator of the entire universe and mankind, and he proclaimed that 25 years from now Israel will not exist. The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement prayed to the G-D of Israel:

 “O LORD of hosts, G-D of Israel that sittest upon the keruvim, Thou art the G-D, Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. Bend Thy ear, O LORD, and hear, open Thy eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of the evil Ali Khamenei, which he has sent to taunt the living G-D....Now therefore, O LORD our G-D, save us from his evil hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou art the LORD, even Thou only” Isaiah 37:16, 17, 20

Behold, the answer of the Almighty G-D of Israel from Jerusalem, the eternal holy capital of the G-D and people of Israel:

“This is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, despises thee, and laughs thee to scorn: the daughter of Jerusalem tosses her head at thee. Whom hast thou taunted and blasphemed? And against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thy eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel....But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against Me. Because thy rage against Me, and thy confidence is come up to My ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou didst come....Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak word, and it shall not stand: for G-D is with us....For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations: as thou hast done, it shall be done to thee: thy deeds shall return upon thy own head.” Isaiah 37:22,23,28,29; Isaiah 8:10; Obadiah 15.

This is the word of the G-D of Israel regarding the threat of the evil Ali Khamenei:

“But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from its farthest corners, and said to thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy G-D: I will strengthen thee; indeed, I will help thee; moreover, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shall seek them, and shalt not find them, those that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I, the LORD thy G-D will hold thy right hand, saying to thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, O Israel; I will help thee, says the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah41:8-14




From Temple Mount Faithful

No Surrender: Jews Pray at Site of Yeshiva Student's Near-Lynch

No Surrender: Jews Pray at Site 

of Yeshiva Student's Near-Lynch

In my previous post there was a photo of a yeshiva student lying on the ground, who had been beaten, tripped and barely made it home after praying on Rosh HaShana. A video was made where this yeshiva student spoke of his ordeal:




In response to that awful incident, that should never have happened, Yeshiva Students declare:

No Surrender: Jews Pray at Site 

of Yeshiva Student's Near-Lynch

150 Jews pray in Old City at site of attack on yeshiva student; councilman urges 'we have to do what Giuliani did in New York.'



"Some 150 Jews took part in a defiant prayer rally in the heart of the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City on Thursday. The poignant event was organized in protest of ongoing Arab violence in the capital, and particularly the brutal beating of a Jewish yeshiva student during Rosh Hashanah.

"That attack took place amid a rising spike in attacks on Jews in the Old City and Temple Mount over the holiday, as well as a lethal rock attack in the capital. The rally, featuring the selihot prayers said during the Days of Awe between the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, took place at the site where the yeshiva student was attacked.

"Taking part in the prayer rally was Jerusalem Councilman Arieh King, who told Arutz Sheva that it is government apathy that has led to the assaults against Jews in the Old City.

"It's a disgrace that Jews feel insecure on the main street of the Old City," said King. "The blame is placed entirely on the leftist government of (Binyamin) Netanyahu joined with Jewish Home, who didn't know, and still don't know, how to take care of this important city." ArutzSheva

In the spirit of Meir Ettinger’s words to the Court:

"So what is this ‘Kingdom of Israel’? For 2000 years in exile, Jews around the world said in their prayers “Let me witness the return to Zion” and concluded with the words, “blessed is He who restores His glory to Zion.” These Jews did not merely want to return to the land of Israel to build fields and buildings. They wanted more. They wanted to restore G-d’s presence in the land by creating a state that would spread the name of G-d throughout the world."  Kol Yehudi

A Welcoming Rosh Hashanah on the Temple Mount

A FEW EVENTS SURROUNDING ROSH HASHANA 5776

From Rioting to Tzedaka: a Contrast of Morality and Intelligence

This appears to be the (nonsensical) rioting by juvenile arabs, and why do the police even bother to approach and stop it? Sheer madness.



Video courtesy of the Israeli Police
The Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) holiday saw repeated clashes between Palestinians and security forces on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, as the Palestinians attempted to interrupt the normal visits of tourists to the plaza.

CAN ANYONE IDENTIFY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS PHOTO AND WHY?

This was part of a very very brief explanation on YeshivaWorldNews






















HOWEVER, WHAT DO WE JEWS DO FOR ROSH HASHANA?

'Rock Attacks Are Murder, We Declare War'

So says PM Netanyahu:

"Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held an emergency security meeting at his office in Jerusalem on Tuesday night, after the wave of terror attacks in Jerusalem over the Rosh Hashanah holiday including massive riots on the Temple Mount and a lethal rock attack.

• Abdullah Warns Israel over Temple Mount. (Maybe the rocks and firebombs and pipes should be guided over to Abdullah in his Palace in Jordan? But, doesn't he have enough trouble with refugees: "Jordan is in conflict  . . . There are four million refugees, no food or water, and a lot of disease and AIDS. Israel is protecting Jordan for now." R'Nir Ben Artzi. So why does Abdullah shoot off his mouth, he has no power.)

"We will fight through all means necessary against rock throwers, firebomb and pipe bomb throwers, and those who shoot fireworks to harm citizens and police officers," said Netanyahu. Arutz7

"In the meeting, it was decided to raise the harshness of counter-terror steps in a few fields, including the possible changing of orders to open fire giving security personnel a freer hand to take lethal action against terrorists.

I will Believe it When I See it

"Likewise it was decided to set a minimum penalty for crimes such as rock throwing, and to impose high fines on minors conducting the attacks and their parents."

When Israelis are maimed, 

Jews are murdered, 

what in the world is

  Minimum Penalty?

As the rock attack on Wednesday illustrates, Arab rock throwing attacks continue despite Netanyahu's statements vowing harsher punishments for the attacks, as do violent Arab riots on the Temple Mount.  Continued Rioting on The Temple Mount Today

Jerusalem Councilman Arieh King patrolled the Arab hotbeds of terror in Jerusalem late on Tuesday night and reported that the police presence is completely absent still, despite Netanyahu's promises of increased security. Councilman Arieh King


"END OF YEAR SUMMARY: Every week there are dozens of terror attacks of varying severity not reported in most major media outlets. We report on these silenced events to present a fuller picture of the reality in Israel and balance the picture presented to innocent readers abroad. We hope that by reporting these incidents we can raise awareness so that actions can be taken to rectify this problem and improve reality in the Jewish State.

"During this past year (5775) there were over 4000 terror incidents including arson, stone throwing, firebombs, and IEDs (improvised explosive devices). In addition there were over 40 shootings, many of which were also not reported in the mainstream media.

"The attacks occurred throughout Israel, from the Negev, to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Gush Dan, and in the north near the Galilee and the Golan. "KolHaYehudi

When Will the so-called Government Do What it is Supposed to Do to Save Jewish Lives?

UPDATE: HOW TO STOP THE ARAB RIOTS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT JewishPress Article

The Master of the World and All His Creations

The Master of the World and All His Creations 

The following prayer we make with a full heart. This prayer declares G-D the Master over all. We sing this proudly, in all humbleness, knowing that is a Creator of everything we interact with, the Master over our lives. As I was reciting this hymm, it reminded me of something (below)

Ein Kelokeinu* is sung daily after the morning prayers in Eretz Yisrael and at the conclusion of the Rosh HaShana prayers when we crown HaShem King. The words in English (link to Hebrew below):

There is none like our God, there is none like our Master,
There is none like our king, there is none like our saviour.

Who is like our God, who is like our Master,
Who is like our king, who is like our saviour.

Let us thank our God, let us thank our Master,
Let us thank our king, Let us thank our saviour.

Blessed be our God, blessed be our Master,
Blessed be our king, blessed be our savior.

Thou art our God, thou art our Master,
Thou art our king, thou art our savior.

Thou art the one before whom our fathers
offered the spice offering  
(in the Temple on Mt Moriah in Jerusalem).

To view the Hebrew and transliteration as sung visit Zemirot (sefardi liturgy).

Rosh Hashana is the day that we recognize 
the Sovereignty of G-d the King,

Creator of the universe and Judge of all mankind. 
The day on which 
"all beings pass before Him like tender sheep," 
Rosh Hashana's message is truly universal: 
it is incumbent upon all mankind to accept upon ourselves 
G-d's Sovereignty, 
and to take account of our thoughts and actions, 
in light of this awesome recognition.

Temple Mount Faithful

The word Master was recently in the news:

Abolish the word 'Master' (?)

A professor at Yale University is attempting to stamp out the use of the word “master” at the school, claiming it is so offensive to the college’s black and female students that some have had to move off campus to avoid it.

"I think there should be no context in our society or in our university in which an African-American student, professor, or staff member—or any person, for that matter—should be asked to call anyone ‘master’ … And there should be no context where male-gendered titles should be normalized as markers of authority.”

Also Picking the Right Words to Ban From Campus

What happens to the Master's Degree program? 

Why abolish it? What do the want to rename it?

While these establishments of educational training might have good intentions in their current actions of banning offensive word labeling, it came to mind while saying our Rosh HaShana prayers that we Crown G-D King of the world and our special relationship to Him as Master. We acknowledge that He is the Creator and Master of the universe, earth and all mankind, that means animals, plants, weather, men, women, and professors.

When someone doesn't acknowledge a universal ruler 

and master over everything, 

it lessens and degrades all of creation, 

claiming everything is on the same level, 

nothing is distinct, nothing has originality. 

Once everything has been brought so low, 

next after this is denying chv"s a Creator altogether.

_____________________________

*This prayer appears in the liturgy as early as the Siddur Rav Amram (ca 875) - where the first verse is "Who is like ..." and the second verse is "There is none like ...", but the present sequence appears in the Mahzor Vitry and in Rashi (both late 11th century) and a century later in Maimonides. The present sequence is viewed as, first, a declaration against all other religions, then a challenge to all other religions, and thereafter as worship. Additionally, Abudraham (ca. 1340) pointed that that the initial "א" from the first verse, the "מ" from the second, and the "נ" from the third formed Amen, and taking the Barukh from the fourth verse and the Atah from the final verse, together produce "Amen. Blessed are Thou" - as if the end of one prayer and the beginning of another, and this serves as a suitable mnemonic to keep the verses in proper sequence.(Wikipedia)

Wishing A Shana Tova U'Metuka to Everyone, Especially My Co-Bloggers

A Special Post for Rosh Hashanah 

With All the Appropriate Brachot

You Are Standing Today, All of You, Before Hashem, your G–D . . .

You Are Standing Today, All of You, 
Before Hashem, your G–D: 

"the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers – all the men of Israel; your small children, your women, and your proselyte who is in the midst of your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water, for you to pass into the covenant of Hashem, your G–D, and into His imprecation that Hashem your G–D seals with you today, in order to establish you today as a people to Him and that He be a G–D to you, as He spoke to you as He swore to your forefathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Not with you alone do I seal this covenant and this imprecation, but with whoever is here standing with us today before Hashem, our G–D and with whoever is not here with us today. (I believe this refers to us, all of us, today)

(Devarim 29)

Rabbi Pinchas Begins: "[O]ne of the most amazing things about this week’s Parshah, Nitzavim, is that it discusses something that was once only a distant dream and which today is already reality. A prophecy is being fulfilled right under our noses and most people just take it in stride. It is a remarkable thing that so many just see it as being another part of everyday life.

"The Torah says:

"And it will be, when all these things come upon you the blessing and the curse which I have set before you that you will consider in your heart, among all the nations where God, your God has banished you, and you will return to God, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and you will listen to His voice according to all that I am commanding you this day you and your children, then, God, your God, will bring back your exiles, and He will have mercy upon you. He will once again gather you from all the nations, where God, your God, had dispersed you. Even if your exiles are at the end of the heavens, God, your God, will gather you from there, and He will take you from there. And God, your God, will bring you to the land which your forefathers possessed, and you [too] will take possession of it, and He will do good to you, and He will make you more numerous than your forefathers.

(Devarim 30:1-5)

"[E]xactly 70 years after World War II ended, a number that represents potential major historical change. The world is upside down. Right is wrong and wrong is right, from a Torah perspective. Our enemy has become best buddies with our once staunchest ally, who is at odds with our leader because he fights for Jewish security. The forces of chaos are getting stronger in the name of peace. The last time that happened was in Munich in 1938.

"as far as the Talmud is concerned, it [the end of this Shmittah] is the lead-in to the Messianic Era (Sanhedrin 97a)? (...) all of the signs that the Messianic Era is imminent, as mentioned in the Talmud, have come true."

"After Moshiach comes a major war will be instigated against the Jewish people, as mentioned in the Holy Zohar . . . This is the War of Gog and Magog spoken about in Yechezkel, Zechariah, as Midrash Tehillim, and it says:  In the future Gog and Magog will war with the Jewish People three times and go up against Jerusalem; he will assemble and anger the nations to go up to Jerusalem with him. (Drushei Olam HaTohu, Chelek 2, Drush 4, Anaf 12, Siman 10)"

"Has this not been going on for some time now, and so many times before? How many predictions of Moshiach’s arrival have come and gone, going back at least to Talmudic times? Remember Bar Kochbah and his crusade, and how it ended up in unmitigated failure? Aren’t we better off just sitting tight and waiting for Moshiach to tell us what to change and when?

"Good question. History has a good answer. If the signs are correct, we’ll know it soon. Something to think about this Rosh Hashanah."



Source:  
From the commentary on the weekly Torah reading by Rabbi Pinchas Winston



I add here the commentary on the Haftorah for Nitzavim:

The seventh and last of the Haftarot of consolation speaks of the ecstatic time of redemption and also of the years of exile and its final throes. G–D says, "For Zion's sake, I will not be silent," which Targum Yonasan renders as a warning that as long as Israel is dispersed, there will never be tranquility in the world. History bears this out just as it will bear out the rest of the prophecy. Its closing passage describes G–D metaphorically as a Warrior coming from battle, his garments splattered with the blood of Edom the offspring of Esau, ancestor of the Roman Empire which brought about the current exile. (the Stone Edition, Artscroll Chumash)

Why Is This Happening?

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? 

JEWISH LIVES ARE IN DANGER
JEWISH LIVES MATTER

Original post published on Build Jerusalem
by Daniel Luria

JERUSALEM SECURITY SITUATION IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND DETERIORATING

"Daily and nightly attacks on Jewish families and property in the heart of Jerusalem near the Old City in the old Yemenite Village (Shiloach-Silwan) and in Maaleh HaZeitim, Mt Olives and in Kidmat Zion and on the roads leading to these neighbourhoods. Arab terror and violence is escalating and the “Authorities” including top Police brass and politicians and the Mayor of Jerusalem, seem to be keeping everything quiet, and under the covers, in order to not rock the boat.

"But it’s very dangerous, real, and the truth needs to be said. The matter is out of control with molotov cocktails, rocks, and even more dangerous explosives being thrown on a daily basis. The efforts of the Police and Border Patrol Police are simply insufficient in these areas.

"Where is the Mayor of Jerusalem? Where is the Minister for Jerusalem afairs? Where is the chief of Police and Border Patrol Police and other top Police brass? Where are the politicians?

"In Duma, everyone screamed 

and spoke at every opportunity 

to the press about so-called 

and alleged Jewish terror.

"Where are they today with attacks by Arabs on Jews in the centre and heart of Jerusalem? Where?

Close to 700 atacks by Arabs 

in the area of Shiloach-Silwan alone 

and certain police commanders 

claimed to Police Minister Gilad Erdan 

on tour in the area

that “the situation is under control” 

"More shocking and unacceptable attacks  . . . Enough is enough.

Not a single stone and not a single molotov cocktail is acceptable."

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

WHO WILL COME FORWARD TO EXPLAIN?

These are photos of firebomb attacks on vehicles that transport residents to and from their homes. Does this have to exist? Jewish Families Attacked by Arab Mob in Shiloach

Explosives thrown at vehicle of families living in Jerusalem neighborhood breaks apart steel grid covering bulletproof windows. Armored vehicles being penetrated by increasingly more sophisticated weaponry.

These Jews have every right to live in the ancient Yemenite Village .
Jewish Families Reclaim Jewish Houses in Jerusalem's Shiloach Village.

Just received additional photos:

*footnote to the above:

Yaalon: Israel Knows Identities of Duma Arsonists. Defense Minister says suspects behind Duma arson are not being named out of desire to protect sources.

ARE WE LIVING THRU HOSHECH!

Like in Mitzrayim, are we living through HOSHECH?

Next to the last makkos in Mitzrayim was the Darkness that prevented the Mitzriim from being mobile, those sitting could not get up, those standing could not walk.

While it is not so dark here in Israel, in other places in the Middle East, visibility was nearly zero. 

We have no helicopters in the skies, planes are grounded sitting in the airports. Sensitive people are home bound, with air conditioning going in order to breathe. 

There is no clean air to speak of. Everything is covered with layers of sand. All the leaves are covered with sand.

And this is to continue (from Tuesday) until right before Rosh HaShana!

Do we not see a siman (hint) in this weird happening?

This is all I am writing for now on this but there is much more.

Pinchas the Son of Elazar Son of Aharon HaKohen : Eliyahu HaNavi

Before Mashiach, Eliyahu HaNavi Must Appear

Do Not Give Up, Strengthen Your Emuna

In my last post, Schlepping The Jews Out Of Golus I was calling out to Eliyahu HaNavi. Before Mashiach can be revealed, Eliyahu needs to come and identify him. Many events in the world seem to be leading up to a crescendo. We need Eliyahu to come amidst Am Yisrael to inspire us and lead us in the right direction so we can with a full heart receive Mashiach. So we should be davening (praying) for Eliyahu HaNavi. Below are two videos by Rabbi Glazerson on Eliyahu, and further on some valuable info about his background.

The weekly pronouncements of Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi stated:

"There will be great economic downfalls in the world, the harshest will be after Sukkoth, and all of the Jewish businessmen in China will come back to Israel with a little bag of money. After Sukkoth, China and many other places in the world will be stricken." Rabbi Ben Artzi has indicated that Jews would be safe living in Eretz Yisrael, many many times in his weekly talks.

"G-d is telling the Jewish people of Israel: "I will fight for you and you will work." Work - this refers to studying Torah, praying, and obeying the Commandments. G-d does not differentiate between the Jews, those who are real Jews. He wants everyone to repent, religious and secular, everyone has something to repent for, no one is without sin. G-d gave the world the month of Elul, Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Repentance, Yom Kippur and Sukkoth so that the people of Israel fix their wrongs and repent. G-d is using every way so that the people of Israel repent and beg Him to crown the Messiah as King in public. The people of Israel can't see that the nations of the world are eating at each other? That no one cares about Israel? That everyone thinks Iran is a gold mine? 80% of Iranians are terrorists; it is all an act and mask."

Rabbi Glazerson's two videos on Eliyahu:

This is from April 2015



This is a very recent video



US Jews Wake Up: Muslim J-Street Head is 'Anti-Israel'. Two weeks after the election of a Muslim to head J-Street, more of her anti-Israel positions are coming to light.

And from his weekly Divrei Torah, Rabbi Pinchas Winston writes about Eliyahu HaNavi.

Some Background by Rabbi Winston on Eliyahu

In the year 3043, (almost 600 years!) from the time Pinchas acted on behalf of G-d to kill Zimri and save the Jewish people from themselves, Eliyahu HaNavi ascended to Heaven in a fiery chariot (I Melachim 2:11).

"He (Eliyahu) found respite in the cave at Har Chorev, until he went up in a windstorm to Heaven. It was Eliyahu HaTishbi from the tribe of Gad who ascended to Heaven, and he did not descend again.

"However, Eliyahu from the tribe of Binyomin, reincarnated into the one mentioned in the posuk, "And Ya'areshyah, Eliyahu, and Zichri were the sons of Yerucham" (I Divrei HaYomim 8:27). Later, when he died, he ascended to join Eliyahu HaTishbi who had ascended.

"It is Eliyahu from the tribe of Binyomin who ascends and descends constantly to perform miracles for the righteous, and to speak with them. (Sha'ar HaGilgulim, Chapter 32) Not to mention stops by Seder Night at the houses of Jews around the world towards the end of the Seder when we open the door and recite 'Sh'foch chamasecha."

"However, in Yemos HaMoshiach, he will have an additional role to fulfil: In the "End of Days" in the generation of Moshiach, Moshe will return to teach Torah to Israel and will still be of "uncircumcised lips." However, Eliyahu, who will be "chai," will be his interpreter, and this is the sod of the posuk, "Pinchas the son of Elazar son of Aharon HaKohen" (Bamidbar 25:11). This is as it is written, "If [one is drawn] to scoffers, he will scoff" (Mishlei 4:37): when they will need a translator for Moshe, Eliyahu who will be "chai" will translate and be Moshe's interpreter. (Sha'ar HaGilgulim, Chapter 36)


Some additional sites to visit to keep up:

DovBarLeib insights on the End of Days
Weekly Essays by Rabbi Pinchas Winston
HavaAhrona
TomerDevorah
ShiratDevorah
YeranenYaakov
BreakingIsraelNews [this is not a Jewish site, but the writers are Jewish and are writing about the news and events pertinent to the Geula. No endorsement of ads, etc]

"HaShem Has to Wake Up Am Yisrael"

"HaShem Has to Wake Up Am Yisrael"

This is an update to a previous post A Warning From Shomayim, in which Rabbi Vaknin Warns of Imminent War and Danger. Now Rabbi Vaknin is giving Am Yisrael precise advice. The following is what appears on BreakingIsrael News. I am assuming that the quoted text is verbatim otherwise why quote; however, the source in Hebrew which I do not have would be more accurate.

This does not mean that the message is any different.

“When Hashem (G-d) doesn’t see that people are waking up, He has to wake them up,” Nachman explained to Breaking Israel News. “The rabbi is here to ensure that the message comes in rachamim (mercy), not din (strict judgement). Rabbi Vaknin is the messenger. He’s the message of rachamim on Am Yisrael (the Jewish people).”

According to Nachman, the importance of repentance cannot be overstated. Rabbi Vaknin is urging the Jewish people to repent for four things in particular.

The most urgent things to repent for are “the inner sins that you hide away from people and the sins that people see. And kibud av v’eim (honoring your father and mother) is one of the most important things. And always say the truth of what’s in your heart. Be real. It’s all about emet (truth).”

In light of the divine message of war, Rabbi Nachman called on his followers to attend a special prayer gathering, scheduled for Thursday, Sept 17, which falls during the spiritually significant period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, known as the Ten Days of Repentance.

“Any decree can be changed. It depends on Am Yisrael’s teshuva (the repentance of the Jewish People). The people in Israel are really scared of what’s coming, Hashem (God) wants us to do a prayer gathering of everyone who’s really in fear,” Nachman explained.

The Book of Proverbs (14:28) states, “Barav am hadrat melech – The King’s glory is in a multitude of people.” According to Nachman, “If there are at least 100 men, we can change the decree. We will ask Hashem for rachamim (mercy) and ask Hashem to bring Moshiach (Messiah).”

First They Came For The Christians, NEXT It Might Be The JEWS

While we who live in Israel are focused on the Kotel, on Eliyahu HaNavi, and on bringing Mashiach as our first priority, we are still engaged in the day to day occurrences and how they add to or subtract from our Jewish observance and lifestyle. For many years Israel was shadowed by America via a political umbilical cord. What we are witnessing now in this relationship, after 30, 40, 50 years or more, is a corrosion of values. The sooner the cord can be cut the better it will be for the health of the Jews and Eretz Yisrael.

What in the world has happened to America?

As a preface, I'd like to mention that there is a very large population of Jews living in America, some very religious and many secular. 

So the writer begins:  "We live in a country where Christians are being imprisoned for what they believe, but Planned Parenthood is free to slaughter babies, chop them up, and sell off their parts to the highest bidder.

"Christianity is being criminalized in the United States. (....) Christians all over this country are being put into positions where they must choose to either submit to the “new morality” or potentially lose their jobs. For Kim Davis, deciding to take a stand meant that she was thrown into prison. The radical judge that threw her into prison has said that she will stay there until she is willing to change her mind.

"We better start paying attention.

What is happening right in front of our eyes is

eerily reminiscent of what happened in Nazi Germany…"

"The pace of which our nation is circling the toilet is absolutely breathtaking. Just eleven years ago, a state constitutional amendment that banned gay marriage in Kentucky received support from 75 percent of the voters.

"Now, Kim Davis has been locked away, and more county clerks may be next. There is news that another county clerk named Casey Davis has stepped forward to say that he won’t issue any same sex marriage licenses either."

"Mathew Staver, Davis’s chief legal counsel, compared her persecution to that of Jews faced in Nazi Germany.(....) What happened in Nazi Germany, what happened there first, they removed the Jews from government public employment, then they stopped patronizing them in their private businesses, then they continued to stigmatize them, then they were the ‘problems,’ then they killed them.”


They are depriving the Christians of their religious morality and sense of integrity. What happens when they run out of Christians to crucify, will they go after the Jews and their religious morality and belief in a Creator who has commanded them to be Holy and live by the laws (Halacha) they were given on Mt Sinai by G-D?

What will it take before the Creator of the world is repulsed by His creations and destroys ....

Come To Israel Before Sukkot

Jews of the World, Antisemitism will come after you. If you don't believe it, just listen to an aged revered Rabbi in Jerusalem:

Maran Haga'on Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlit"a, "You should inform your family that remains there to make Aliya to Israel immediately before Sukkot." the Revered Rabbi told this to someone living in Panama, but visiting Eretz Yisrael. He told the husband who came to see him, "don't leave Israel".  Is Holland any different than Panama, or France, Germany, England, Poland, Finland, Brazil, Africa, or anywhere else in the world. And yes antisemitism will come after the Jews in America too.

US Jews Wake Up:

Muslim J-Street Head is 'Anti-Israel' Two weeks after the election of a Muslim to head J-Street, more of her anti-Israel positions are coming to light.

Rav Nir Ben Artzi speaks every week on the situation of the Jews in the world: "There will be great economic downfalls in the world, the harshest will be after Sukkot." When the economy is threatened and people start looking for food for their families, no one is protected from thievery and desperation.

Another revered Rabbi, Maran Haga'on Rav Chaim Kanievsky repeated 7 times this year and said that 'The Mashiah is at the doorstep' ..." YeranenYaakov

The following is not the first incident, but one of the most severe.

Elderly Jewish Couple Brutally Attacked in Holland

"Holocaust survivors Samuel and Diana are confined to wheelchairs after being viciously beaten by anti-Semites.

"Samuel opened the door, the nightmare began. Two men dressed in black barged into the apartment and started severely beating the couple. The assailants threw the couple on the floor, kicked them repeatedly and shouted: "Dirty Jews - from now on your property is ours."

"After tying up the badly injured couple, the thieves ripped Diana's jewelry off her body. At gunpoint, they forced the couple to tell them where the rest of the valuables in the apartment were located. Samuel was blinded in the assault and suffered a broken femur. Both he and Diana, who were living independently before the attack, are now confined to wheelchairs at a rehabilitation center in Amsterdam."ArutzSheva

UPDATE:
This is not in Holland, but BRITAIN:
"17-Year-Old Beaten Unconscious in Anti-Semitic Attack. Police in Manchester appeal for witnesses to brutal anti-Semitic attack, which left three others injured as well. It comes amid a surge in hate crimes in London, including an near-doubling of the number of anti-Semitic crimes recorded over the 12 months up to July, compared with the previous period."

"We Will Use Refugee Crisis To Infiltrate West"

What you should know about the so called Refugees

"WE WILL USE REFUGEE CRISIS TO INFILTRATE WEST"

4,000 covert terrorists already in place 'awaiting' orders

Hijrah

“This is no longer just a ‘refugee crisis.’ This is a hijrah.” Hijrah is the Islamic doctrine of migration, which is a form of stealth jihad.

“To emigrate in the cause of Allah – that is, to move to a new land in order to bring Islam there, is considered in Islam to be a highly meritorious act,” *Spencer cited the following Quranic text:

“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance,” says the Quran. “And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him, his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful” (Quran 4:100).






*Author Robert Spencer wrote Sept. 4 in
Front Page Magazine,
"THE HIJRAH INTO EUROPE
'Refugees' colonize a continent."

Schlepping the Jews Out of Golus. Eliyahu, Where Art Thou?

Consider this!

The Geula might not be prevented from occurring because not enough of Jews did teshuva, but will proceed anyway Davka BECAUSE the evil in the world has exceeded its allowed limit and therefore HaShem needs to propel the Geula, and in so doing it will schlep the Jews along out of Golus as a result! This was a truly mind/eye opening shiur given by a very studious Rebbetzen! There is much more to share, but I need to transcribe the audio IY"H to a written format.

It says, before Mashiach comes Eliyahu will announce His arrival.

Where have we heard Eliyahu?

Who is Eliyahu?

What will it sound like?

The prophet Malachi already spoke about the great hiding of the face of Hashem and the great confusion of minds and ideas before the arrival of Mashiach because the evildoers and the actions of the Satan will be successful and the trials and the strength needed will be great, and there will be no possibility of talking about the truth and about faith in front of the multitudes…Therefore the prophet said: "Then those who fear Hashem spoke each one to his fellow" . . . that those who fear Hashem will have to strengthen themselves that they should not err and go after the mistaken people and after the majority, and one should help his fellow man and strengthen him and tell him: "Be strong" and the Holy One blessed is He who searches the heart and kidneys, will test their words. (Maskil el Dal)  From Years of Awe

23 Lo, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord,

כגהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי שֹׁלֵחַ לָכֶם אֵת אֵלִיָּה הַנָּבִיא לִפְנֵי בּוֹא יוֹם יְהֹוָה הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא:

         24 that he may turn the heart of the fathers back through the children, and the heart of the children back through their fathers-lest I come and smite the earth with utter destruction.

  כדוְהֵשִׁיב לֵב אָבוֹתעַל בָּנִים וְלֵב בָּנִים עַל אֲבוֹתָם פֶּן אָבוֹא וְהִכֵּיתִי אֶת הָאָרֶץ חֵרֶם:

Chabad org