“ON THAT DAY I WILL RAISE UP THE FALLEN BOOTH OF DOVID”

“ON THAT DAY I WILL RAISE UP THE FALLEN BOOTH OF DOVID”

By Roy S. Neuberger

Soon, in the secular calendar, it will be 2020. Over a decade ago, I wrote a book entitled “2020 Vision.” For better or worse, things are shaping up pretty much as described in the book. 

It would not be surprising if we soon hear Shofar Godol. 

We can prepare by dwelling in the sukkah and waving the arba minim. 

Sukkos is the culmination of everything. We leave the house; we leave the old life behind and go out under the sole protection of the Ribono shel Olam. We leave our old attitudes behind, carrying only that which Hashem commands us: lulav, aravos, haddasim and esrog. 

During Sukkos, we read explosive prophesies which bring us to the edge of Redemption, “when the wicked bloom like grass and all the evildoers blossom.” (Psalm 92) And then, suddenly, the Presence of Hashem will flash across the earth and those who cling to Him will be saved! 

Does it not now feel as if we are entering these times?

“Behold, G-d’s awaited day is coming [when] Hashem will go out and wage war against those nations [who attack us] …. His feet will stand astride the Mount of Olives …. Then Hashem my G-d shall come with all the angels to your aid…. [and] Jerusalem shall dwell secure.” (Haftara First Day Sukkos)

Can we see angels?

Avraham Avinu saw angels, and we are his children. Don’t we say “Shalom Aleichem” to angels every Friday night? Don’t we read every day how angels “stand at the summit of the universe and proclaim … kadosh, kadosh, kadosh.”  Don’t we say in Selichos, “Angels of mercy … please entreat before G-d [on our behalf].”       

A few weeks ago, in Yerushalayim, I saw angels. A friend felt ill. He dialed 1221 (Hatzala). Within a few minutes the house was filled with angels. Do you think I am exaggerating?

The previous day, during Selichos, I had not felt so emotional (which bothered me), but when I saw these angels enter the house, I got extremely emotional. Before I could turn around, nine holy Jews had entered the room. They worked efficiently, quietly and with chessed. They worked because they were Jews and they were mishpacha. They wanted to save their brother.

The next day my friend was out of the hospital. B’ezras Hashem, he will be fine. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The Ministering Angels “accept upon themselves the yoke of heavenly sovereignty from one another and grant permission to one another to sanctify the One Who formed them, with tranquility, with clear articulation and with sweetness. All as one proclaim His holiness.” (Shacharis)

Hatzala angels leaving the house

We have to learn to imitate the angels. There will come a day when all Israel will dwell together in unity and friendship. As it says, “Rabbah said further in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, ‘The Holy One Blessed is He, will one day make a booth for the righteous out of the hide of the Livyasan….’” (Bava Basra 75a)

“On that day I will raise up the fallen booth of Dovid. I will repair their breaches and raise up its ruins and I will build it up as in days of old…” (Amos 9:11) May we be zoche to see it soon!

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Roy Neuberger, author and public speaker, can be reached at roy@2020vision.co.il

© Copyright 2019 by Roy S. Neuberger