A Perfect World: April 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Husk Has to Fall, Before the Fruit Can Emerge

The Messianic Process
(Edited)

It is a cardinal tenet of Jewish faith, that the events of history are all foreshadowed, in the several layers of meaning, that lie behind the surface words of our Tanach.

For Tanach is not merely a book of history or legislation, on how to live our lives. It is also a book of prophecy: whose subtle messages are not only found in the formal prophetic texts, but throughout the Tanach and the Oral Tradition, which accompanies it.
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What of the establishment of a Jewish state. Was it alluded to in our sacred sources?

1.
The Zohar predicts, that "at the end of days, G-d will return Israel to the Holy land, and gather them in from the exile;"
emphasizing, that at the same time, that "the end of days" refers here, not to the Messianic era, but to the closing years of the exile.

The era in which, terrible and devastating blows, were dealt to the Jewish people.
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But the first to predict the rise of a secular Jewish state as prelude to the coming of Moshiach, is Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel of Prague (1525-1609); known as "Maharal".

In his discussion of the rise of "the Kingdom of the Messiah", The Maharal states that, the coming of Moshiach is not, as often thought, a sudden event; it is rather a process.

The "Holy kingdom of Israel" - Maharal's term for the reign of Moshiach will emerge from an earlier, non-holy kingdom.
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The Midrash states: Just as Moshe, who was destined to break the power of Pharaoh, was brought up in Pharaoh's palace; so too Moshiach, (who is destined to settle accounts with Edom), will live with them in their city.

The ultimate failure of the empire of Edom, will give rise, to a new and different kingdom- the Kingdom of Moshiach...
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This is why Yaacov, was born holding on to the heel of Esav (Bereshit 25:26).

Now, "the kingdom of Edom" refers, to the last of the four empires of the world, as foreseen by Daniel (chapters 4-5): Babylonia, Media, Greece, and Rome.

Rome, as world power, is long since dead and gone. But its heritage, Western Civilization, rules the world. Our Rabbis indicate, that Moshiach will grow up in Western civilization.

Indeed, the parable of "the heel of Esav" signifies, that the spiritual failure and moral bankruptcy of that civilization, will be the forerunner and catalyst, for the coming of Moshiach.

2.
So far The Maharal - (if properly understood) - has described how the kingdom of Moshiach emerges, from the breakdown of Western civilization.

But this is not all. The Maharal's vision is guided by veiled hints in the Midrash: the "Kingdom of Israel" itself, undergoes development.
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In its immature stage, it forms part of the Fourth Empire. But only when it reaches maturity, does it throw off this attachment, and emerge as "the holy kingdom of Moshiach". (Kingdom is, of course synonymous with "state".)

The Maharal continues: So long as the kingdom of Moshiach has not yet reached perfection, the kingdom of Moshiach is attached to Edom (nigar el Edom) ...The holy kingdom of Israel... must grow out, of the non-holy kingdom, that preceded it.
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The Maharal, in a telling parable, describes the relationship between the embryonic "kingdom of Israel", and its "Edomite" environment: Fruit grows within a husk; when the fruit ripens, the husks falls off...

Their kingdom emerges and grows, from within the kingdom of the nations; i.e., from the existential power of the kingdom of the nations. And from their low level, it then raises itself to a higher level.

And when the kingdom of Israel reaches complete maturity, the kingdom of nations are removed; just as the husk is removed, and falls off, when the fruit reaches its perfection.

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The Messianic Revolution

The Messianic revolution will take place, in the hearts and minds of the people. The "falling off of the husk", does not refer to a political or military event; nor does "kingdom of the nations" refer to a political entity.

The husk refers to, the value system of the Western world.

The falling off of the husk signifies, the victory of spirituality over materialism; faith in G-d, over unbounded trust in one's own power; and awareness of divine providence, over belief in blind chance.
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Why does Moshiach have to "sit at the gates of Rome"? Why does the holy have to "grow out of the unholy"?

The Maharal here, explains a principle of universal importance. According to an idea enunciated by Rabbi E.E. Dessler, one of the foremost exponents of Mussar in the 20th century:
The highest levels of holiness can be only reached, as a reaction to a situation, which is steeped, in the very opposite of holiness.

Avraham Avinu became the spiritual pioneer that he was, only because he grew up in the house of Terah, the idol maker. This spurred him to rebel against Nimrod, and the ten generations of idolaters, who preceded him.

Moshe Rabbenu only became the greatest of all prophets, because he was brought up in the palace of Pharaoh. His revolution against the evil that he saw in the palace, propelled him to heights, that no other human being ever achieved.

Similarly, Moshiach grows to full stature, only because he "dwells at the gates of (Evil) Rome". He must be challenged by the value system of the West, rebel against it, and overcome it.
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It is thus fair to say, that the "Messianic Kingdom" must begin its career, as part of Western civilization; and then reaches its full potential, by rejecting those aspects of that civilization, which are destructive to Torah life.

This husk must fall off, in order to allow the Messianic era to flower, in all its purity.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Why Don't Miracles Happen Today?

Rabbi A. Moss
(edited)

Question:
Why don't we see miracles today, like the Jews saw in the story of Chanukah?

Answer:
Have you ever wished you were a child again?
Don't kids have it made? Their parents do everything for them. The child is hungry and, amazingly, food appears in front of him. The child hurts herself, and the parent is immediately there to kiss it better. The child is lovingly put to sleep at night, and lovingly taken out of bed in the morning. It's a comforting and secure existence, but it doesn't last for long.

As the child develops and grows, the parents gradually withdraw. A baby becomes a toddler; she can walk on her own two feet, feed herself, and look after some of her own needs. Eventually she will grow into a young child; and can even go out of the house for the day, without her parents, and go to school.

Then the child becomes teenager, when he asserts his independence even more. Teenagers brush off their parents' advice, because they have to find their own way, and they think that they know best. As difficult as it is, the parents have to accept this as a part of their child's maturation process, and to some extent allow the teenager to make some silly mistakes. Otherwise the child will never grow up.

The parents have to let go, because only then can children finally grow up -- and become adults. Then, as adults, they can relate to their parents with respect and understanding. They don't need their parents to clothe and feed them anymore, they can do that themselves.

But they can enjoy a relationship that is even deeper and more real; because now, as an adult, they have grown to appreciate what their parents have done for them. That the child is the person, he or she is now, is due to the love and attention, that their parents devoted to him or her.
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Humanity has taken a similar course. In the early days, G-d was like a loving parent, very apparent, and obviously looking after us. He spoke to us to give us directions; He intervened by doing miracles to save His children from harm. The wicked were punished immediately, and the righteous rewarded.

That was the era of humanity's infancy. We had yet to develop the spiritual tools to relate to G-d, in any subtle or sublime way, so He spoon-fed us with open miracles.

As humanity developed spiritually, G-d withdrew His open manifestations in our lives. As a parent allows his child more and more freedom, so too G-d removed His open interference in world affairs. But of course, while parents may not interfere, they never really withdraw their love and attention. They oversee every move their growing child makes, and quietly influence their child's life direction, albeit from the sidelines.

Similarly, as time has moved on, G-d is just as present as before, pulling the strings of history and human destiny, this way and that; but not in such an obvious and obtrusive way, as through a miracle. He hides behind the coincidences and daily occurrences, that seem on the surface to be quite normal. But on reflection, they are not - the hand of G-d is clearly there.
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Over the last couple of centuries, humanity went through an adolescent rebellion. We threw off the yoke of our Heavenly Parent, and sought independence. Belief in G-d was seen as a childish crutch, an immature myth. But our generation, having learnt from the adolescent mistakes of modern history, is starting to mature. We are realizing, that our Divine Parent's values are not so bad after all.

And we as a generation, are seeking to reconnect with G-d and true spirituality -- not as children who need miracles to convince us, but as spiritual adults, who can discern the magic behind the everyday, and the Divine within the mundane. We are finally coming of age.

Perhaps this new thirst for G-d, is the greatest miracle of all.

How Do I Know that G-d Exists?

Rabbi A. Moss
(edited)

Question:
How do I know that G-d exits?

Answer:
Imagine you could do a blood test to determine who your soul-mate is. You would go to a laboratory with a prospective partner, and give blood samples, and half an hour later they would tell you yes or no.

Sounds amazing? But think about it: Is that an ideal way to start a relationship? Would it be romantic to say, "Listen, the blood test came out positive, so we may as well get engaged"?

The truth is, we wouldn't appreciate a laboratory-tested soul-mate. What makes a relationship meaningful is, that it is a choice coming from within. If we based a commitment on external evidence such as a blood test, we would indeed have certainty, but the sense of freedom would be lost.

Freedom is an essential ingredient of true love; but certainty, is not.
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This is why proving G-d, is not helpful. G-d wants us to enter into a relationship with Him by choice, not by force. He created us as free beings, who can deny Him if we want.

There is no outside force or argument or proof, that compels us to serve G-d. For this reason, when we do serve Him, it is by a choice that it is coming from us, and that is the basis for a real relationship.

There are many logical proofs of G-d's existence and the truth of Torah. But most people are only ready to appreciate these proofs, after they have already established a relationship with G-d; just as most people only recognize their soul-mate, after they have already committed to the relationship.
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If you wait to know for sure, that you have found your soul-mate, you may forever remain single. And if you wait for proof of G-d's truth, you may forever live, in a lonely universe.

Embrace uncertainty, and open yourself up to a real relationship. When you make that choice, you will find proof of G-d, within your own soul.

Why Doesn't Judaism Proselytize?

Based on an article by Rabbi A Moss

Question:
Why doesn't Judaism proselytize?
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Answer:

Jim, do you have brothers and sisters? If you do, I'm sure you'll agree, that each of you is different. One of you may be musical, another a sports freak, and yet another more academically inclined. Each of you is an individual, and that should be encouraged.

It would be wrong of parents to treat all their kids the same. If they would have forced you all to play violin, or soccer, or to read Shakespeare, it would have been counter-productive.
Good parents know, that each child has to be allowed to develop in their own unique way.
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The nations of the world, are all G-d's children. He doesn't treat them all the same, because they aren't all the same. He wants each nation to develop in its own way. So each nation has a different path to reach their full potential.

To the Jewish nation, he gave the Torah as our way of expressing our souls. But Judaism is not for everyone. We don't believe that a non-Jew needs to become Jewish to find G-d, just like a musically-talented child shouldn't be forced to play soccer. Anyone is welcome to convert, but that is up to them.
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G-d created different nations, because each has a unique contribution to offer the world. Maybe your "mission" should be, to ensure that your nation fulfils that purpose.

Why Did G-d Create Us?

Rabbi A. Moss
(edited)

Question
Rabbi, I have two questions for you: 1) Do you make up these questions, or do you receive them from real people? 2) If G-d is perfect, why did He create us? A perfect being isn't missing anything, so why would He need us? And if He doesn't need us, is our life meaningless? Are we just some divine experiment?

Answer:
Some questions are too deep to answer. It is beyond our limited understanding to reach a solution to all the mysteries of the universe, and they may always remain mysteries. So, I will have to skip your first question and only deal with the second.
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You are absolutely correct: G-d, being perfect, was missing nothing before creation. There is no possible need that this world can fulfill for Him. He doesn't need anything. Therefore, creating us must not have been in order to fulfill a need. It was something G-d chose to do. He doesn't need us, He wants us.
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What does G-d want from us? The one thing He didn't have before creation was a relationship, He was alone. What He wanted from this world, was a relationship with free beings. So He created us, and gave us ways of connecting to Him - the commandments.
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But we can't say that He needed this relationship with us. He may have been alone before creation, but he was still G-d - perfect and missing nothing. He didn't need a relationship, He wanted it.

Does this make our life unnecessary? Did G-d make us just for fun?

No, on the contrary. When you have a relationship with someone just because you need them (such as a cleaning lady, or a family doctor), then when that need has been fulfilled, the relationship ends. Your connection is dependent on them providing a service, and will only last as long as that service is needed.

But when you have a relationship with someone, simply because you want to, because you have chosen to connect to them, then that bond is intrinsic. You don't love them because of what they do for you, you love them for who they are - and that is forever.
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G-d doesn't need us; He wants us. He didn't give us commandments because He needs them to be fulfilled, but because He wants us to relate to Him.

If we were created because G-d needed us to do something, then we would be secondary to that mission - once the mission was fulfilled, we would be disposed of. But G-d needs nothing; He chose to bring us into being as a pure act of love.

That is the test of true love: if my beloved could no longer provide me with my needs, would I still love them just for being my beloved? By creating us, G-d answered yes.

Who is Your G-d?

Rabbi A. Moss
(edited)

Question:

What do you say to a scientist who doesn't believe in G-d? He says belief is irrational and unscientific. What do you tell a godless intellectual?
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Answer:

Everyone has a god. There is not a sane person on earth who doesn't believe in one. The question is only, which one.

Your god, is the thing that you believe to be infallible; you trust in its power, despite any evidence to the contrary; you believe it will always be there, cannot be defeated, is all-powerful and omnipresent. The thing you can fall back on no matter what, the bedrock of your life - whatever that may be - that is your god.

If you think science has all the answers, and something is only true if it is scientifically proven, then science is your god. And belief in science can be as irrational as any religious conviction. Its adherents blindly accept the most outlandish theory, as long as it was presented by an expert in the field.

Science is only one common god. Another one is love. Believers in love make lofty statements about its divine qualities: "Love conquers all", "Love is forever", "All you need is love", "Love is the only thing worth dying for".

Even though experience has shown that love is not all you need, and it certainly doesn't conquer all, their faith is not shaken.
Others worship money. "Everything has a price" is their creed. And no matter how many miserable millionaires they meet, their god remains infallible, and they continue to have faith in money as the source of all goodness and happiness.

A very popular modern god is self. "Believe in yourself. You are capable of anything. If you put your mind to it, there's nothing you can't do". Nothing you can't do? Sounds pretty divine. A pity it's not true. We have limitations. There are things that are simply beyond our capability. But to the believer, no evidence will move his faith in himself.
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It is such a relief to just let G-d be G-d. If G-d is G-d, I can be human. I am not G-d. Nothing about me is infallible - not my feelings, not my intelligence and certainly not my bank balance. I don't have to be perfect. G-d does a good job of that.

Science, love, money and self are all very important. But they are also fickle, ever-changing, and unpredictable. The G-d of Israel hasn't changed. If anyone or anything should be god, it's G-d. Seems rational to me.

The Greatness of a Spiritual Gift

By Rabbi Aron Moss
(edited)

There is something about a candle, that makes it more a spiritual element, than physical. Physicality when spread, becomes thin; spirituality when spread, expands and grows.

When you use something physical, it is diminished.
The more money you spend, the less you have; the more petrol you use, the more empty your tank becomes; the more food you eat, the more you need to restock.

But spiritual things increase with use.
If I use my wisdom to teach, the student learns, and I come out smarter for it; if I share my love with another, I become more loving, not less. When you give a spiritual gift, the recipient gains, and you lose nothing.

This is the spiritual property that candles share. When you use one candle to light another, the original candle remains bright. Its light is not diminished by being shared, on the contrary, the two candles together enhance each others brightness, and increase light.
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We sometimes worry, that we may stretch ourselves too thin. In matters of spirit, it isn't true. The more goodness we spread, the more goodness we have. By making a new friend, you become a better friend to your old friends. By having another child, you open a new corridor of love in your heart, that your other children benefit from too. By teaching more students, you become wiser.

Keep lighting your candles. There is an endless supply of light in your soul, so you will never run out of goodness.

The Geula Viewed from the Perspective of Twin Fetuses,

For nine months, the womb has been very comfortable, the twin fetuses have had all they could want. But now, the walls of the womb are starting to convulse, and things are rapidly changing.
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The twins:

The first twin starts screaming in fear:
“It’s the end!! It’s the end!! G-d help us!! Oy- what have we done to deserve this?!”

His brother, on the other hand screams,
"It's happening, it's happening, we are finally leaving this dark dingy world. Freedom at last! We are going to a wondrous world!"
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So too now:
The first twin, has a Galus outlook.
Whereas the second, has a Geula viewpoint.

The Moshiach-Watch of the Baba Sali- Has One Minute Left

Report from Israeli Television (Mabat) from Uri Revach: "Prepare for Moshiach."

Interview with Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, (27 Iyar/June 5, 2005?)
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Reporter: In this small room, the study of the kabbalist Harav Mordechai Eliyahu, this watch is found.

More than two years ago, the son of the Baba Sali, Baba Baruch, had a dream, in which his father, [a Holy and revered Sephardic leader], revealed himself to him, and requested of him, to send this watch to Harav Mordechai Eliyahu.

In the dream, he revealed to his son, that when the hands of the watch reach 12:00, Moshiach will come.
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Harav Mordechai Eliyahu: I was warned not to touch the watch. I don't open the watch, I'm afraid of it.

Reporter: Initially, a gold watch was sent to Harav Eliyahu, but after a few months the Baba Sali returned to his son in a dream, and asked him to send the silver watch.

The watch was at 3:00 [when it arrived], now the hands stand at fifteen minutes to twelve [11:45].

Harav Mordechai Eliyahu: When the hands are like this, it is a sign, that the Geulah is beginning.
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2009 Update: The hands now stand, at one minute to twelve.

Ahavas Yisroel Will Help Bring the Geula

Peace in Unity
Based on an article by Zvi Friedman

When you want to find your soul, you first have to find the soul in another person.

Ones own people are so important: If you want to find peace with any other person in the world, you've got to start with your own brothers and sisters. Until then, you haven't yet found peace within your own self.

And only when you've found peace within yourself, can you help us find peace for the entire world.

Their destiny, is our destiny. They are fulfilled, in us, in all of us together. For we, are all one.
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When one Jew does an act of kindness, all our hands extend with his or hers. If one Jew should fall, all of us stumble. If one suffers, we all feel pain. When one rejoices, we are all uplifted.

In our oneness, we will find our destiny; and our destiny is to be one. For we are a single body, breathing together, pulsating together, one soul.

We are truly one, let it be with love.

"Goral HaGra," - Precedes Igress Kodesh

As the Holocaust ended, the great sage Rabbi Aharon Kotler was poised to leave the refugee haven of Shanghai. He had to decide whether to go to the Land of Israel to begin rebuilding Torah Jewry there; or to go to America.

America where the sage Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was already laying the groundwork, in what has long been known in Jewish circles as, the "America the Midbar," the spiritual desert.

To help make this historic decision, Rabbi Kotler used the famous "Goral HaGra," the lottery used by the sagely Vilna Gaon.
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Rabbi Kotler "randomly" opened up the Five Books of Moses, and let Divine Providence communicate an answer, through whichever relevant verse he "happened" to turn.

The random verse was:
G-d told Aharon, "Go meet Moshe, in the midbar (desert)." (Exodus 4:27)

This verse, of course, refers to the original Moshe and Aharon his brother. However, Rabbi Kotler understood it, as clear providential directive for the 20th century:

G-d told Aharon [Kotler], "Go meet Moshe [Feinstein,] in the midbar [of America].

Secular Knowledge Comes from the Torah

From the book “Mind over Matter”
By Dr. Arnie Gotfryd and Professor Herman Branover

Heading: Plato, Socrates, the Greeks, the Romans, The Sciences…
Page 156, footnote 279:
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"Plato, received wisdom from the prophets.
Socrates, studied from the Jewish sages, Achitofel and Assaf HaKarchi.”

(From the Sefer (book) “Seder HaDorot”
By Rabbi Yechiel Halperin, the Rabbi of Minsk, about 250 years ago.
The Jewish year 3385:)

(This is brought also in Torat HaOlah, by the Rema, vol. 1, chapter 11.
This topic is referenced, in Sefer HaSichot 5701, p. 67, footnotes.)
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(3442: In the Kuzari manuscript, beginning of Ma’amar Bet, it is written):

The works of the philosophers, have roots and foundations in the wisdom taught by the Jews to the Casdeans; who passed it on to the Persians and Medeans; from there to the Greeks; and only then to the Romans.

With the passage of time, the Jewish roots were no longer mentioned or remembered, and it was attributed only to the Greeks and Romans….”

[See Kuzari Ma’amar B, 20, where he uses the expression “knowledge thieves.”]
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In Shevilei Emunah [by Rabbi Meir Aldebi, a student of the Rosh] it is related:

“When Alexander [the Great] went to Jerusalem, he gave his teacher Aristotle control over King Shlomo’s (Solomon) books. Aristotle plagiarized his philosophies from there, and called them by his own name…”

[In Sheva HaChachmot by Dov Rafel, Jerusalem, 5750, chapter 3, he cites many sources, both Jewish and non-Jewish, which mention these traditions.]
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Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi explains in his Kuzari, that Adam — who attained the ultimate intellectual prowess, as a result of being created and formed directly by G-d Himself — was also the first true scholar.

From him, the wisdom and knowledge were passed down to Noah, who passed it on to his descendants; and ultimately to Avraham.

Since all of these generations lived in Babylonia, wisdom first became known and public amongst the Babylonians. From there it eventually spread to the Persians and Medeans; and from there to the Greeks; as discussed above.

(Ma’amar Bet, 66. cf. Ma’amar Alef, 63.)
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Rambam in his “Guide to the Perplexed” (vol. 1, chapter 71, Kapach ed.) writes in a similar vein:

“Know, that the many sciences that existed in our nation… were lost over time; and because of the reign of foolish nations over us…”
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In vol. 2, chapter 11: “Our nation is a wise and complete nation, as G-d declares in the Torah (Devarim, 4:6): “Surely, a wise and discerning people, is this great nation.”

It is only, that the evil ones, from the foolish nations, ended our good: they destroyed our knowledge and our books, and our scholars were lost…

(See also the commentary of the Abarbanel to Bereishit, 10:1.)

The Rebbe: There Will Be No Mass Punishment.

This is a translation of a talk of the Rebbe from 1991:

It is an essential point, to censure the talk of fearful repercussions, and potential tragedies.

Especially of things, that are so preposterous, that we are not allowed to speak of them, because of a clear command in the Torah, “Do no open the mouth (for the Soton)”.

This (talk of negativity), is opposite truth (the truth of Torah), opposite the honor of Hashem, and opposite the honor of the Jewish people.
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Opposite the truth:

There is a clear Psak Din in Rambam, that the scale of merit and sin, is not relative to quantity, but rather to quality.

Therefore, there can be one merit, which is equal to many transgressions. And the True measure is only known to G-d, who knows exactly how to correlate, merits vs. transgression.

When the Jews of our generation, “children who have been captured” who don't know about their heritage, fulfill even one Mitzvah, it is especially treasured, in an even greater measure, by G-d!
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Opposite the honor of G-d:

The description of G-d, as one who sits and counts the measure of sin, and waits until the level has been filled in order to bring punishment; is the opposite of the honor of G-d. It is a depiction of a cruel king, that waits and wants to oppress…

This comes at a time, when the truth is completely the opposite, for Hashem is “our merciful father”.
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Opposite the honor of the Jewish people:

Since the Jewish people are, the Children of G-d, as it says “you are children, to Hashem your G-d.”
And even more “ My first born son are Israel.”
And Hashem loves them, as it says, “ I love them, says Hashem”, “because Israel was a lad, and was loved”.

And as the Bal Shem Tov taught, that the love of Hashem to every single Jew, is greater, than the love of elderly parents, to whom an only child was born to them, in the later years of their lives.

Hashem does not tolerate anything that is said, that is opposite the praise of his children.
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And even more, this talk of the opposite of the praise of his children, is an affront to G-d Himself, so to speak; as it says clearly “whoever touches them, has touched the apple of his eye”.

To the extent that, prophets have been punished, when they spoke disparagingly about the Jewish people.

Even yeshiyahu the prophet, one of the greatest of the prophets , when he said “I am in the midst of a people of unclean lips”….., was punished.

And if for such a thing, the pillers of the world (the prophets) were punished…when they spoke a relatively minor thing against Israel;
even more so, if a small individual, from the small individuals of the world, raises his tongue on the congregation of Israel…to call them sinners and wicked.
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If for the negative, “even talk of imaginary things, can provoke the attribute of justice, until the soton prosecutes;
then for talk of good things, and finding merits for the Jewish people, for sure and without doubt, this will have an even greater effect, and Hashem will accept this finding of merit.

The Ramchal: What Will Happen During the Geula

(Edited)

In the days of Moshiach, there will be a great judgement of the nations of the world.

Those that the Divine judgment will determine are gulity, will be punished.

Those that remain, will recognize the Truth, and abandon false gods.

They will follow the Torah; as they will realize, that through this service, they will be able to receive from the Holiness and Light of Hashem.
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The whole world will be drawn after service of the Creator, and there will be no idolatrous practices.

This is what the Navi referred to when he said (Tzephaniah 3:9), "Then I will turn over the nations, to one clear language;"

As well as the verse (Zechariah 14:9), "On that day, Hashem will be One, and His name will be one."

Physicists Search for the G-d Particle

By Pallab Ghosh BBC News, science correspondent at Cern10 September 2008

Nestling in the foothills of the Alps, is Europe's largest laboratory, the European Centre for Nuclear Research; or Cern.

The scientists here have embarked on their biggest experiment ever, the hunt for a particle, which gave the universe its form.

Its scientific name is the Higgs Boson, but because it is so fundamental in shaping the universe, others have called it the G-d particle.

It is a particle that is supposed to endow other fundamental particles, with mass. Without it, there would be no gravity, no universe as we know it - no "let there be light" moment.

No-one has seen it, but physicists have invoked it, because it is the simplest explanation for how the universe evolved.
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Spark of divinity
Most physicists are instinctively drawn towards theories, with a simple elegance.

Reverend Sir John Polkinghorne used to be a theoretical physicist, and worked with Professor Peter Higgs, after whom the G-d particle was named.

Professor Polkinghorne went on to become an Anglican priest. He believes, the equations which describe the way sub-atomic particles interact, contain a natural beauty, in which some find a spark of divinity.

He said: "Physicists are deeply impressed with the order of the world. It is rationally beautiful and structured; and the feeling that there is a mind behind it, is a very natural feeling to have."
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It is not the first time, that a scientific study of the universe has, inspired awe and wonder.

The crew of Apollo 8 were so moved by their experience, they felt moved to read passages from the Book of Genesis, as they orbited the moon on Christmas Eve in 1968.

US physicists Richard Feynman and George Smoot, both described their Nobel Prize-winning insights into the behavior of subatomic particles, and the detection of the Cosmic Background Radiation, as looking "unto the face of G-d."
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Professor Polkinghorne understands, why such glimpses into the underlying reality of the universe can provoke such reactions.

He said: "I think the feeling of wonder, which is very fundamental to the experience of physicists - the way they see structure in the world - is fundamentally a religious experience, whether people recognize it as such or not.

What's the Logical Proof, that there's only One G-d?

Rabbi A. Moss
(edited)

Question:

I accept that some sort of "Higher Being" created the universe. But why couldn't there be many such beings? Is there any logical reason to say,that there is only one G-d?

Answer:

The definition of G-d is: "a Being without definition." G-d cannot be defined, because if I define Him, then I limit Him; and something limited, is not G-d.

By defining something, I give it borders. If for example I define an apple as a sweet, round fruit, that is green or red; then when I find a long purple fruit, I know that it can't be an apple. An apple is limited, to being round and red or green. That is its definition it’s boundaries.

G-d can't be defined, because by defining Him you are saying, that there's something He can't be; but this could not be true, because G-d is unlimited.

That's why there can be only one G-d. Because if you don't have a definition, then there is nothing outside of you. There can be no "other".
________
An example: two neighboring countries, can only be called two countries, when there is a border in between them. But if a country has no borders, if there is no defined place where it ends and another country begins, how can you say that there are two countries?

G-d has no borders, so how can there be more than one god? Where would one god end, and one begin, if there is no dividing line between them?
___________

The act of creation, is the act of making borders and drawing definitions: this is an apple and not a banana, this is land and this sea. Creation has definitions; but the Creator, doesn't have a definition.

That's what makes Him G-d, and that's why there can only be one.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mark Twain: Concerning the Jews, 1898

Mark Twain: Concerning the Jews,
Harper's Magazine, March, 1898
(Excerpts)

When he is well enough, he works; when he is incapacitated, his own people take care of him. And not in a poor and stingy way, but with a fine and large benevolence. His race is entitled to be called the most benevolent of all the races of men. A Jewish beggar is not impossible, perhaps; such a thing may exist, but there are few men that can say they have seen that spectacle.

The charitable institutions of the Jews are supported by Jewish money, and amply. The Jews make no noise about it; it is done quietly; they do not nag and pester and harass us for contributions; they give us peace, and set us an example.
An example which we have not found ourselves able to follow; for by nature we are not free givers, and have to be patiently and persistently hunted down, in the interest of the unfortunate.
_________
By his make and ways, he is substantially a foreigner wherever he may be, and even the angels dislike a foreigner.

But you were the favorites of Heaven originally; and your manifold and unfair prosperities convince me, that you have crowded back into that snug place again.
____________
To conclude:

If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one per cent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of star-dust, lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly the Jew ought hardly to be heard of; but he is heard of, has always been heard of.

He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance, is extravagantly out of proportion, to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning, are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.

He has made a marvelous fight in this world, in all the ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it.
_________
The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone.
Other peoples have also sprung up, and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out; and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, and beat them all.

And is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind.

All things are mortal, but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?

Aristotle’s Letter, to Alexander the Great

Aristotle: Born 384 -322 B.C.
Birth: Chalcidice, Greece. Death: Chalcis, Greece.

When the great philosopher Aristotle was old, he sent the following letter to his student, Alexander the Great:

“Blessed be He who opens the eyes of the blind, and shows sinners the true path. Let Him be praised in an appropriate manner; since I do not know how to praise Him for the great kindness and mercy, which He showed me. I am eternally grateful to Him, for getting me away from the foolishness to which I had devoted my life.

All my life I delved into philosophy, to explain all natural phenomena in a logical manner. I wrote many books on these subjects. Finally, in the twilight of my life, I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with a Jewish sage. It did not take me long, to recognize his great wisdom; and he led me to understand, how great is the Torah, that was given on Mount Sinai.

He taught me the inner depth of the Torah, providing me with many brilliant insights based on its teachings. I realized how foolish I had been for not realizing, how G-d can manipulate the laws of nature; and that much of what happens in the world, is directed by G-d.

Realizing all this, I decided to devote myself to exploring the wisdom of the Torah. It did not take me long to realize, that the Torah is based on true foundations, while the axioms of philosophy are purely arbitrary.
__________

Therefore, my dear student Alexander, if I had the power to collect all the books I have written, I would burn them. I would be embarrassed for any of them to survive. However, I realize that I do not have this power; my books have already been published, and have spread all over the world. I also realize, that I will receive Divine punishment, for having written such misleading books.

Therefore, my son, Alexander, I am writing this letter to tell you, that the great majority of my theories regarding natural law, are false. While nature does exist, G-d is the Lord of the universe, and He directs all things as He sees fit. I am telling everyone openly, that they should not waste time with my books. They should not look at them, or even touch them with their hands. It is sinful to waste time, on the false theories that I have espoused.

I feel, that I have saved my soul by admitting my error; I hope that I will not be held guilty for the past, since I acted out of ignorance. But now I have revealed to the public that I was mistaken, and that my heart aches for the time I have wasted, on my foolish theories. Those who waste time on my books therefore, will deserve to be punished.

The Jewish scholar with whom I spoke, showed me the book of Proverbs (Mishley), written by King Solomon, one of the greatest geniuses of all times. The scholar showed me, that in many places, King Solomon warned against wasting time on philosophical speculation.

One such place is where he said, “Say to Wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and consider understanding your relative. That they may keep you from strange woman, from the loose woman who speaks so smoothly” (Proverbs 7:4,5).
___________

I feel sorry for my eyes for what they have seen, and my ears for what they have heard. I feel sorry for my body, for wasting its strength on such detrimental studies.

I know that you praise me, and tell me, that I am famous all over the world because of the books I have written. People speak very highly of me. But I wish I were dead, because of the misleading books that I have spread all over the world.

People who devote themselves to the Torah, will earn eternal life; while those who devote themselves to my books, will earn the grave. But I am prepared to accept upon myself, the punishment of them all.
____________

I did not write to you earlier, because I was afraid that you would be angry with me, and perhaps even harm me. But now, I have made up my mind to tell you the truth. I know, that by the time you receive this letter, I will already be dead and buried, because I realize that my end is near.

I salute you with greetings of peace, Alexander of Macedon, great emperor and ruler.”

Your teacher,
Aristotle
_______________________

From The Torah anthology, English, (Yalkut ME’AM LO’EZ) - Volume 6, Page 154-155. Which references a book called Shalsheleth Hakabbalah.
______________
The Jew spoken of, was Shimon HaTzaddik (Simeon the Just), who was a Cohen Godol (High Priest) during the time of the Second Temple. He is also known for his opinions which are recorded in the Mishnah, (making him a Tanna, in Rabbinic terminology).

__________
Joseph b. Shem-Ṭob assures his reader, that he had seen it written in an old book, that Aristotle at the end of his life, had become a proselyte ("Ger Tzedek").
______________
Aristotle recants all his previous philosophic teachings, having been convinced of their incorrectness by a Jewish sage.
He acknowledges as his chief error the claim, that truth is to be ascertained by the reasoning faculty only; inasmuch as divine revelation, is the sole way to truth.

This "letter" is the conclusion of a book of Aristotle, "two hands thick," in which he withdraws; based on his studying with the a Jew, Simeon (Shimon HaTzadik); his views with regard to, the immortality of the soul, the eternity of the world, and similar tenets.
____________
It is claimed that, Aristotle derived his doctrine, directly from Judaism.
Aristotle owed his philosophy to the writings of King Solomon, which were presented to him by his royal pupil Alexander; the latter having obtained them, on his conquest of Jerusalem.

Torah Codes- the Future?

Disclaimer: Torah Codes help us realize, the scale of events that can happen, in order to force us to spread the besuras hageula, before things get really out of control.

When we see world events taking place, we should automatically see the hand of G-d!

When we see that these events do not take place, we should thank G-d , that this in and of itself is a miracle. That due to the kindness of Hashem, even greater tragedies were programmed to occur but didn't.
Thank G-d!
______________

[Ed. Note: Based on the words of the Previous Rebbe (attached), where he says that an entire country may be inundated, causing tremendous political changes in the world.

To paraphrase: The Previous Rebbe seems to imply, that G-d wants the world to realize that He runs the world, and not the force called nature. But simultaneously, he wants man to have free-choice. As a result, just as in Egypt G-d causes tremendous weather changes, that eventually become so unnatural that everyone realizes that it is the hand of G-d.]
____________
As in the days of Noah, people were warned of the upcoming flood, but they laughed and turned a deaf ear, only to find out it was true; and all the inhabitants of the earth were killed; according to The Book of Genesis.

Michael Drosnin who has been an investigative reporter with The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, has wrote a book from a reporter's point of view.

"The Bible Code". Michael Drosnin states with certainty, that there is a code in the Bible, that in a few dramatic cases exactly foretold the assignations of Anwar Sadat, John & Robert Kennedy, Israel Prime MinisterYizthak Rabin.

And other events as The Gulf War, and the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing. Michael Drosnin used two different computer programs, both written by a Israel mathematician, who first found the code.

A large portion of his book is devoted to the possibilities, of Armageddon, and the Apocalypse.

The Bible Code, may in fact have been designed, to be found now.
_______________
The code was discovered by Dr. Eliya Rips, one of the world's leading experts in group theory, a field of mathematics that underlies quantum physics.

Other events foretold in this code were, World War II, the Hiroshima bombing, the landing of man on the Moon, and even the meteor that collided with Jupiter in July, 1994.

Rips stated, that the first hint of the code was founded 50 years earlier by a Czechoslovakia Rabbi named Weissmanndel. H.M.D Weissmanndel noticed, that if he skipped 50 letters, then skipped another 50 letters;

The first modern scientist Sir Isaac Newton, who first discovered the mechanics of our solar system and gravity, was certain that there was a hidden code in the Bible, that would reveal the future.

He learned Hebrew and spent halve his life trying to find it.
Newton was still searching for the code when he died.
___________
Rips stated, that there is a Bible, beneath the Bible. The Bible is not only a book, but a computer program.

"I am persuaded only, that no human could have encoded the Bible in this way, and that we do have proof, that some intelligence outside our own, does exist; or least existed at the time the Bible was written," stated Rips.

Rips stated, "The Bible must have been encoded, all at once, by one mind.

But the code does not exist simply to announce there is a code. The Bible was encoded, to sound a warning. Drosnin said, "It's a warning, not a prediction."

There is no way to know, if the code can predict the distant future.
_____________
Drosnin also points out, that sometimes the code predicts events accurately, but does not predict the accurate date.
Time is not predetermined.

People have freedom of choice. There are simply a number of possible futures, and not one definite one. But each of them can be found within the Bible code.

This means that the times of events, even of the apocalypse can be delayed, or changed. The code can be thought of more as a warning than a simple prediction of what will happen.

The word “delay” is frequently encoded in the bible, with important events. Whenever "end of days" appears in the text of the Bible, the word delay is encoded.

(ED. According to Jewish law, a bad prediction even by a prophet, can always be changed, through the good deeds of people- Teshuvah in Hebrew.)
__________________
The Vilna Gaon, a prominent 18th century Rabbi (Elijah Solomon) wrote; "All that was, is, and will be until the end of time, is included in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible."

The Ramban, Rabbi Moses Ben Nachman, claimed: that the whole of the history of Israel, was contained within The Song of Moses.
___________
Rips said: It is clear, that we are in the end times.

The plain words predict, that The Final Battle will begin, with an attack on the Holy City, Jerusalem, and finally engulf the entire world.

Based on the codes: in 1996 a plague of Biblical proportions, was almost been unleashed on Japan; and what might have happened, was encoded in the Bible.
_________
In every vision of the Apocalypse, the final blow is a massive earthquake.

Drosnin says that in the Bible Code it warns us, that a series of quakes around the world will occur. Three years in code are clearly encoded with "great terror": 2000, 2014, 2113.

The United States, China, Japan, and Israel, are all encoded with "great earthquake" in the near future.

L.A. Calif. is encoded with "great earthquake". The U.S. Geological Survey in 1995 stated, that there is a 80 to 90% probability of a magnitude 7+ quake within Southern California, before 2024.

Drosnin stated, it is only a probability, but the code seems to predict, that the big earthquake will hit California in 2010.

A Great earthquake, is encoded with China.

But the one country most likely in danger is Japan, according to the Bible Code.
_______________
Jerusalem, is clearly encoded in the Bible, as the target of the predicted nuclear attack, or "World War."

"Terrorism" is also encoded with "World War."

Syria, which according to the code, will have a major role in the final world war.

Russia, China and the USA, also appear with the words World War.

The nations of Iran and Libya: The text of the bible, and the code within in seem to work together predicting a huge destructive battle (World War III), that will begin with a battle between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations.
____________
He also predicts a massive earthquake to bring on the Apocalypse.

The destruction of the world by earthquake, is frequently foretold in the plain text of the Bible.

The code seems to predict a series of "great earthquakes" in the years, 2014, and 2113.

Japan is the country most clearly encoded with a great earthquake. It and Israel, are repeatedly stated, to be in great danger.

But it is possible, that the disaster that strikes Japan, that affects the world, is actually an "economic collapse"
__________
Another possibility- for the way the end will play out- which is encoded in the bible, is the collision of an asteroid with the earth.

The year 2010 appears with "comet", "days of horror", "darkness", and "gloom." And the year 2012, is encoded right below "earth annihilated."

Economic collapse encoded between exodus 20:9 and deuteronomy 11:6.

Exodus contains year of the plague

2010 is another year encoded with comet, and days of horror cross 2010, darkness and gloom cross comet.

28] The year 2012 also appears with comet, again in Deuteronomy; also: it will be crumbled, I will tear it to pieces, and earth annihilated.

The prediction of another comet due in 2012 A.D., which is expected to crumble into pieces, or “annihilate” the EarthIn every vision of the Apocalypse, the final blow is a massive earthquake.

Two future years are clearly encoded with “the great terror”: 2014, and 2113. The latter year 2113, is the best match.

Isaac Newton- uses Torah to Calculate the Apocalypse

Documents Shed Light on Scientist's Religious Beliefs

By MATTI FRIEDMAN
AP
6-19-2007

The first modern scientist Sir Isaac Newton, who first discovered the mechanics of our solar system and gravity, was certain, that there was a hidden code in the Bible, that would reveal the future.

He learned Hebrew, and spent halve his life trying to find it. Newton was still searching for the code, when he died.

JERUSALEM (June 18) - Three-century-old manuscripts by Isaac Newton, calculating the exact date of the apocalypse, detailing the precise dimensions of the ancient temple in Jerusalem, and interpreting passages of the Bible - exhibited this week for the first time - lay bare the little-known religious intensity of a man, many consider history's greatest scientist.

Newton, who died 280 years ago, is known for laying much of the groundwork for modern physics, astronomy, math and optics.

But in a new Jerusalem exhibit, he appears as a scholar of deep faith, who also found time to write on Jewish law - even penning a few phrases in careful Hebrew letters - and combing the Old Testament's Book of Daniel, for clues about the world's end.
__________

In a document, Newton interpreted biblical prophecies to mean, that the Jews would return to the Holy Land before the world ends.

He posited: "The end of days will see, the ruin of the wicked nations, the end of weeping and of all troubles, the return of the Jews captivity, and their setting up a flourishing and everlasting Kingdom."

In one document, Newton discussed the exact dimensions of the Temple. He believed, that its plans mirrored, the arrangement of the cosmos, - and he sketched it.
_________
Yemima Ben-Menahem, one of the exhibit's curators said, the papers show Newton's conviction, that important knowledge was hiding in ancient texts.

"He believed there was wisdom in the world, that got lost. He thought it was coded, and that by studying things like the dimensions of the temple, he could decode it," she said.

The Newton papers, Ben-Menahem said, also complicate the idea, that science is diametrically opposed to religion. "These documents show a scientist, guided by religious fervor, by a desire to see G-d's actions in the world," she said.

This article weakens the argument, of science verses religion; and gives crediblity to the Jewish religion.

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