America - the laughing stock of the world

I've been noticing the downfall of America. I'm pretty sure we all have. The dollar is in shambles. All the rogue nations of the world making fun of America. The "Great" America is clearly on its way down. The talk in America now, is not of how great America is, but how to bring America "back".

I've noticed something interesting. With our president apologizing worldwide for America's actions, the current financial situation, the brewing wars, the truth of Congress being exposed (they sign bills without reading them?!), etc., it could be said that America is being made fun of. America has become the laughing stock of the world. What ever happened to the great nation?

There is a parallel story in the Megillah, where Haman (being at that time second in command) was ordered by the king Ahashverosh to ride Mordechai through the streets declaring 'this is what shall be done to a man who the king desires his great value'. This was a most degrading and embarrassing thing for him to do. In addition, we learn that his own daughter, upon seeing the sight, believed that surely it was her father being led by Mordechai through the streets. She proceeded to empty the family chamber pot upon what she thought was Mordechai's head. It was her own father and when he looked up, she committed suicide in her embarrassment.

This was the process of Haman's downfall. A miraculous rise to power; followed by being made into a laughing stock, followed by his ultimate downfall and death. I perceive it to be the same in America. Whether the entire history of America is counted or not, is not the issue. It is clear that America was the superpower of the world. They are now struggling to hold that title. Russia and China are clearly trying to pick up the title. Iran, North Korea, Venezuela are wishing for it as well, but are not anywhere near likely to get it unless they c"v kill most of the world with nukes.

At any rate, America is currently at the stage most likely to be right before its complete destruction. The RaDaK clearly explains that the downfall of Esav/Edom/the "west" is immediately preceding Mashiach's arrival. Hold on!

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5770

Hear this: You will not need to buy a calendar for 5771, 5772, 5773, etc.

The darkness will cease, the exile will cease, the children of Israel will return home. Goodbye to this dusty rock, this dusty lower world of shells/klipah. Read more

Is it starting?

by we want mashiach

While the world has been one big flammable situation for quite a while, it has been only getting worse. It is really getting hot. Everything from North Korea to Iran to the economy is in flames. Just like it says - 'and the house of Esav [will be] straw'. Mashiach ben Yosef is the flame that lights it all up...

Connect all of what is going on right now, with what Ari Goldwag said last week about Tamuz and Av being the months given to Esav; it is pretty scary that all these things are starting to flame up just as we begin to enter into Tamuz.

While last week I wrote about Iran being vulnerable to outside attack due to the internal instability, I was reminded in the comments about Iran destroying the world. It may be time for us to watch and see a certain "king of Arab" coming to America or Europe to get advice (due to the situation in Iran). When that happens, we can expect Iran to do something crazy that will destroy the world. It is not unfeasible to imagine a power-crazed megalomaniac dictator like ahmadinejad launching even crude weapons in a last ditch effort before he is dethroned or killed.

Understandably, we need to focus on our Teshuva continuously. While we cannot predict the future, we can only be certain that we will be redeemed (hopefully, very soon). Chesed and Torah are very important as is modesty for women, as that is considered their learning Torah.

What I cannot stress enough is the need to stay away from all kinds of Machloket - dissent and fighting. The on-time presentation of the Perasha of Korach reminds of the importance of staying away from arguments. It is not hard to see that at this moment, the Satan is working very hard to try to increase arguments all over Am Yisrael - from the national level all the way down to individual households. Be especially weary of this tactic and try to avoid all conflicts. He's trying to ambush us...watch out!

Another Flood?

by we want mashiach

We all know the promise of Hashem to Noach, that He will never bring another Mabul to destroy the world. The symbol of this promise is the rainbow, which appears at any moment that there would have been a Mabul had it not been for that promise. Unfortunately, too many rainbows have appeared throughout the world, especially in recent years.

History of the Mabul

One of the reasons for the original Mabul was stealing. The people would steal from each other tiny amounts (worth less than a "peruta" or penny). It is told that each person would steal a tiny amount and at the end of the day, the vendor was left with nothing. This was impossible to enforce in a court of law (Bet Din) as they do not have jurisdiction upon a value so small. Therefore Hashem had to judge the cases.

Once Hashem got involved in dealing with the crime, there was a portfolio of other unpunished crimes that were done by the generation. These too had to be dealt with. Therefore, the flood was brought upon the world, destroying it completely, save Noach and his family and the animals that he was commanded to bring with him into the Ark.

One specific sin that was mentioned was homosexuality. This was not only between people, but even the animals and vegetation became corrupt and acted likewise. The vegetation would not sprout what was planted, rather a different thing. So if someone planted wheat, barley would grow, etc.

Future Mabul

Hashem promised to never bring another flood. But He was discussing one of water. We do know that there will be a flood of fire at the end of days. I try to picture S'dom, the city of sinners - burning down (actually melting down) from the unbelievable destruction that was brought upon it, for its iniquity.

Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt"l said that New York is even more corrupt than S'dom. Had it not been that there are Jews earning money and supporting Torah with that money, NY would have long gone the path of S'dom. I sometimes wonder if 9/11 was only a preview. I cannot imagine what is to be said of other cities with worse reputations. Or of a country with laws permitting outright stealing under a nice headline of "Bankruptcy" as we see going on today.

If we learn from history, we can therefore expect another Mabul (this time of fire) to come upon the world for its crimes. Most of it will likely have to do with the persecution they have done to us over the years. Once that is being judged, the rest of the crimes will be as well and we can only imagine what will ensue.

Brewing storm

That is why I take particular interest when reading that there are "super volcanoes" brewing in America. Under Yellowstone National Park and Mt. St. Helens in Washington. At some point, these volcanoes can erupt, spewing an unprecented amount of lava, that could cover several states.

Obviously, I have no idea what Hashem's plans are. It would be pretty dumb to even guess. I just take it that we need to realize what's really brewing and what's really in store. The world can continue to think everything is fine and worry about their dollars or what's left of them. Meanwhile, we are being warned to prepare for dangerous tests of our faith. If we can hold on to Hashem, we will be safe. That will surely be a most difficult thing to do. We cannot trust ourselves and must strengthen and prepare for it. Looking around, it is clear that these tests have already begun and will only get tougher.

A Spirtual Battle Begun

by Mystical Paths

On erev Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day (observed a day early this year) the final spiritual battle has begun. Since the days of the navi'im (the holy prophets of G-d) we have been awaiting this day, with excitement for how it ends but with trepidation for what it brings until then.

On erev Yom Yerushalayim, many have speculated for years on who Gog of the biblical prophecy of Gog of Magog may be (a good bit of that has gone on here at Mystical Paths). Does this leader have this attribute from this Midrash or that obscure Gemora quote? In doing so we've been searching for the merest hints, yet the clear signs through major actions are about to burst forth in front of our eyes.

The West, starting with Great Britain, then France, then the United States, has messed with Israel since her reemergence. First they blockaded, then boycotted, then helped (gaining merit), then withdrew support at critical times, then provided it (gaining merit again). They have cajoled Israel, at the price of Jewish blood, to not go to war and defend herself, to stop wars short of complete victory - thereby guaranteeing belligerency and the shedding of Jewish lives into the next generation, and used her as a pawn in global politics. But they've also traded with her, invested in her, and provided some diplomatic coverage.

While they have cajoled, bullied a bit, boycotted now and then, they have never directly threatened her. Yet we find out today, on erev Yom Yerushalayim, that President Obama and the US administration has decided exactly how Israel will be taken apart, how Jerusalem will be divided, and what Israel will give up. Notice what Israel will receive is not on that list, as that's not important.

I do not care that the Obama administration is turning the US government into something not seen since the 50's with MacArthur and the 70's with Nixon. I am mildly concerned that the Obama administration is completely disassembling the financial system of the last 20 years that brought great world prosperity, rather than just re-balancing it and applying better controls. I am slightly disturbed that during the most serious economic downturn since the 1920's the Obama administration is instructing major industries on how they will operate, what products they will produce, and piling on major added costs which will delay recovery by years.

But these are all domestic US issues. If people want to give this man great power and continued approval because 'at least he's doing something', even if it's a really bad something, well that's the way democracy goes. But with Darfur, Pakistan meltdown, an Iran going nuclear, Somalian piracy, when this man singles out Israel as the main world problem and decides the solution is to diplomatically crush her - then I say meet Gog.

My dear American brethren and believers in Hashem, will you stand silent as this man turns the world against Israel? Will you sit by as this man follows the words of that galach (priest) last week who declared to the Arabs residing on the land here that he supports their "ancestral" right to the Land of Israel? Will you wonder whether it's still safe to say anything as Gog leads a coalition of NATO plus other troops into the Shomron and exiles 200,000 Jews from their homes in the name of squatters who were not here 120 yeas ago?

Will you pray for your brethren's safety today, or wait until the UN patrols the streets of Jerusalem as Gog brings the world leaders to declare Jerusalem no longer a city of Israel, a city of the Jewish people, a city of King David, but rather a city of the world, a city of the Vatican, a city where Jews fear to visit their holy sites but Arabs boldly walk where they will.

The time to raise your voice to your political leaders is NOW. The time to cry out to G-d is NOW. The time to be here to strengthen Israel is NOW. For, Hashem Yerachem (G-d of Mercy), the days of Gog u'Magog may be only 14 days away.

In truth, we do not cry out that things may change because the geulah may come. G-d forbid for one moment it should be that we don't want it, and want it today. Rather, we cry out that the words of the navi'im be quick, painless, bloodless, no one should lose their home or be injured, and we merit the arrival of Moshiach and the complete geulah (redemption) literally right away.

And dear friends, all of Israel, secular Israel, religious Israel, zionist Israel, and all the people of Israel all the world over - as well as those who hold by the path of Torah and Hashem without being a part of Israel, all are about to learn that we only have our Father in Heaven, the Melech HaMelachim (the King of Kings), HaKodesh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed Be He), to rely upon.

As the navi writes, Jerusalem will be a cup of poison for the nations. Yet they seem to wish to rush to drink, for they neither read nor believe the words that they themselves appropriated.

Happy Yom Yerushalayim. May we celebrate with Hashem (G-d) in the Beis HaMikdash (the Holy Temple) THIS YEAR for the pilgrim holy day of Shavuos.

Mashiach: Each Our Own Lag B’omer

by Vision of Geulah

Lag B’omer is the celebration of the joy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s hilula.

It is like the resurrection of the dead.

When Mashiach comes (very soon) we will all have our own hilula, our own “wedding” with Hashem, our own resurrection of the dead.

Why the bonfire?

Rabbi Shimon reached the level of Mashiach. The “skin of the snake” fell off, the “garments of skin”, and he received his “garments of Light” like Adam before the sin. (Not physical light, of course.) There is a “garment of Light” waiting for you and me, too. Soon our “skin of the snake/garments of skin” will too fall off, replaced by our Divine “garment of Light”, and we will also have our own Lag B’omer to celebrate, along with our own bonfire!

Perhaps this explains the custom of the holy tzaddik the Ohr Hachayim: on Lag B’omer he would throw expensive garments into the burning bonfire. Shedding the skin of the snake and accepting the garments of Divine Light!

Lag B'omer bonfire in honor of Rabbi Shimon's Hilula

The Light of Mashiach

by vision of geula

The LIGHT of Mashiach is about to be revealed.

It is not incandescent light and not flourescent light and not candlelight or sunlight. It is the LIGHT of Divine Revelation.

You and I and every Jew will be immersed and subsumed in the LIGHT of Mashiach and we will be lifted above this world up to our Divine source.

If we have completed our tasks in this lowly world then we will remain in that Divine unity, bound up with our righteous redeemer and all of Israel. If there remains something left to do, part of our neshama will remain above and part will return down here to complete its mission.

Focus on the mission and make these very final moments of exile seem as nothing.

Because that’s what it is: nothing!

Getting used to things

by We Want Mashiach

Just a quick perusal of the headlines on any given day, a staggering number of headlines about Jews and Israel are seen. We all know the phenomenon, but we're used to it. Getting used to things has a numbing effect on our minds. Only when things quickly depart from what we're used to, we say 'hey, what's going on here?'.

Today's news about Israel, durban, ahmedinejad's speech, etc. are something we're used to. It's something we've all come to expect from the world. The shock that should come at a tiny nation's constant position in the limelight is nothing new for us. A people whose number is so small, we should expect to be in the news once or twice a year at most, winds up being mentioned numerous times a day -- and is commonly the feature article.

I'm not saying anything new, this is all known to us already. What I am discussing is our numbness to it. When things happen slowly, we tend to not realize. As the old saying goes 'a watched pot never boils', because the effects are so slow nobody realizes. As we see the blossoming spring outside, it is exactly the same. We don't notice the tiny activity on the tree until it's a big bright-colored green or pink. Maybe that is why Hashem precisely asks of us to say "Birkat HaIlanot" at this time of year. He wants us to notice the new blossoms, but more precisely to pay attention and ask ourselves, 'when/how did this happen?'.

We were taken out of Egypt in Nisan. I quoted an article by Rabbi Avigdor Miller (whose Yahrtzeit is today) several weeks ago discussing how Hashem purposely took us out during the spring-time to increase our joy and happiness - something that we need to still thank Him for even though we would have gladly come out in the rain.

We pray thrice daily 'Et Tzemach David Avdecha Mehera Tatzmiach" - the seed of David Your servant - please make sprout quickly. Our Rabbis explain that the Geula is exactly that, a sprouting. It's hardly noticed. It slowly creeps out of the ground at a rate that the subtle changes are not realized. Nobody pays attention, since it basically looks the same as yesterday. But before long, it is fully grown and blossoming.

We're living it today. It has begun blossoming. We're just too used to it to realize it. If we take a step back and look at the overall picture, it suddenly becomes clear to us. But to everyone who is not paying attention it will come as a complete shock - where did this come from? That's what I think it means when our Rabbis tell us that Mashiach will only come when we are not paying attention (HeSeach HaDaat). Let's learn from Birkat HaIlanot - and be aware of what's transpiring under the surface.

Video: Growing Anti-Semitism and Moshiach

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Learning from History

We're reaching the final countdown to the world as we know it. We're about to witness changes so profound that our heads will spin. It pays for us to take a look back at history to help us realize what's going on.

In Egypt, as Hashem constantly hit the Egyptians with plagues, there was always an argument (at least for Pharaoh) that it was just a random, "natural" event. Even when the plagues were clearly not affecting the Bnei Yisrael, Pharaoh refused to believe it was Hashem. That lasted for nine plagues. And then, Hashem had us prepare for our redemption and wait.

In one swift blow, exactly at midnight, all the firstborns of Egypt died. People, animals, slaves, etc. all died. Except for Bnei Yisrael - none were affected. There were 9 plagues in which to see the hand of Hashem, but Pharoah refused (and as punishment, lost his free choice in the matter earlier on). But it only took a split second to prove that it was Hashem all along. And that was the start of the Geulah.

We've all been talking about the sweeping changes in the world. The political, economic and social changes that have taken the world by storm, especially in the past few months. The natural disasters that have not stopped, asteroids, volcanoes, earthquakes, raging rivers and many others, have literally been proclaiming that something is wrong. But most of us are still asleep. We are immune to it. We forget who's in charge and what He's telling us.

But if history can teach us anything, it's that it's about to change. Big change. Up until now, we've still been able to attribute everything to "nature". That's how everyone gets away with ignoring Hashem. But just like in Egypt, something will happen, suddenly and quickly that will change everything.

We're all unprepared. The changes will be unprecedented, but there will no longer be any doubt as to WHO is doing it. There will be no "nature" to attribute it to. Statistically, it will be impossible - just like every Egyptian firstborn person, child, slave or animal were hand-picked to die instantly while the Bnei Yisrael were completely immune. We will all know who's doing it and whoever is left from the goyim (2/3 of the world will perish) will be forced to admit it.

Buy Mitzvot, Torah and anything else in the permanent stock market. The one who's value is never depleted, who's interest is guaranteed and the investment completely insured. Trust me, [very] soon nothing else is going to count.
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Fear-mongering?

by We Want Mashiach

I know that often I write about things that are quite scary. There are those who, when dealing with truly fearful situations will get fired up and make major changes in their lives and thoughts. Others cannot deal with the fear. Even if the fear is prudent and proper, that just doesn't get them going. It might make them feel like giving up or otherwise make them feel hopeless.

I believe that we need to approach the forthcoming Geulah with truth. We need to be honest with ourselves and understand that we are at a major threshold in history. As Eliyahu Hanavi told the false prophets of Baal on Har HaCarmel - you cannot be on both sides of the fence. We are at a point in time where our closeness to Hashem or lack thereof will determine our immediate future.

The Torah is complete truth. There is not a sentence, word, letter, dagesh or even a crown on top of a letter that is without purpose or meaning. Therefore, we cannot honestly believe that entire chapters (and there are many) mentioned by the prophets are purposeless. Their prophecies of the coming days will strike fear in the heart of the reader. Again, I am not trying to be a fear monger. The words speak for themselves. They are not purposeless. To me, they seem to predict a situation that way overshadows even the Holocaust. So for people to ignore these predictions and act like nothing is about to happen is complete insanity.

I cannot say this enough. I don't know where else to say this either. I tell this to everyone I speak to. WAKE UP. Hashem's kindness is unsurpassed. However, for our own good, HE will limit that kindness to provide us with REAL kindness. History is replete with suffering for Jew and gentile alike. Hashem still directed those events, even though HE is only kind. So to think that it cannot possibly happen is a to deny the Holocaust ever happened.

Hashem is providing us with warnings, signs, everything that we should be paying attention to. Our enemies statements are to be regarded as prophecy when we are holding without true prophets. If we open our eyes and ears we cannot deny what is happening. The world is on a crash course with itself. The Earth is showing us major signs - earthquakes, volcanos, asteroids -- all kinds of crazy things are happening. To deny that they are signs is to say as the generation of the flood of Noah, that the rain was just a usual storm.

Noah built the ark in the public square for 120 years. They though he was out of his mind. People might think I am too. He didn't care and you can realize I don't either. Whether we are only watching Noah build the ark, feeling the raindrops, or starting to swim -- it's time to deal with the facts staring us in the face. Call me a fear-monger, call me whatever you want. It's time for us to deal with the facts. Are we going to help this redemption come mercifully by changing our ways or are we going to sit back and watch the water rise up around us until.....

You decide.

Mt. Redoubt Erupts

Last night Mt. Redoubt in Alaska erupted. Interestingly, it was smoldering a few weeks ago and then it quieted down. Now, it suddenly erupted.

We have been watching the ups and downs lately. The world is going through tough times. Most people, like to live in denial, never really realizing what's happening until it's too late. That's just the way it goes usually.

The point that needs to be driven home, is that Mashiach is going to come "Pit'om"- suddenly. For the most part, we will be totally unprepared. Like if he came right now, we will (for the most part) be completely unprepared. That probably won't change, but it's good to keep note of it. For when the world begins to act in the same way - sort of playing peek-a-boo with us, Hashem is definitely telling us something.

The "big news" keeps shifting. It keeps us out of focus. It makes us forget what's really happening and doesn't let us prepare. That's part of the plan to keep Mashiach a surprise. If we knew for a fact when he was coming, we would act differently. Hashem is planning a major surprise, but we need to make sure we don't get knocked off our feet.

This past weekend, I saw something printed in Hebrew about Mashiach. It roughly said, 'when Mashiach comes, there will not be any more "Baalei Teshuva" - there will be those who have already gotten on the train, and those who have missed it forever, for it will never return to their stop again.' Let's become more Mashiach-aware so we don't miss the train.
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Still no Israeli Government

Still no government in Israel. The 2-week extension narrowly misses Pesach. It just makes me wonder, because according to several accounts, Rabbi Kaduri zt"l was quoted as saying that Ariel Sharon's government would be the last one before Mashiach.

We're coming close to the deadline. We are all hoping and praying for Mashiach to come solve all our problems. But with his arrival we will lose our free choice, making it impossible to rectify our past mistakes on our own, or to attain a higher spiritual level of our own accord.

While we should be expecting Mashiach every day, nothing motivates people like pressure (as much as we hate it). Loss of our free choice may be discouraging, but Hashem's Shechina being exiled for 1942 years is much worse. Our own wants and desires, even righteous and proper spiritual attainments, must be put aside for the real purpose - Hashem clearly showing His sole rulership of everything. This will be established through the arrival of Mashiach.

We all hope that it will be soon. Sometimes it feels like we're chasing the horizon, but we are guaranteed that he will come. He's gotta come one day. Pesach is the "time" he's supposed to come. Hopefully it will be this Pesach. If it is, we have very little time. Let's make it count!
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Are World Leaders Crazy?

We're continuing to watch as world leaders kow-tow to islam, giving it more power and rights than ever before. The threat of islam is being ignored even covered-up by almost every "democratic" country. Even worse is the crazy policies being supported by the Obama-led government in the US, effectively mortgaging the next several generations as a gamble that it will fix the economy. (Prediction: it will not fix anything, rather it will spiral out of control until America is destroyed)

We were foretold that islam would take over the world for 12 months prior to Mashiach's arrival. We were foretold that poverty will precede Mashiach's arrival. We were told that Iran would have a major part in destroying the world; that 2/3 of the world would be killed; that major earthquakes and natural disasters will signal Mashiach's imminent arrival. We have seen most of these events come to fruition and the rest are clearly in motion.

Now, what's interesting is that most people will blame one person or another for all these "crazy policies" or for the economic situation. But we all know that the "hearts of kings and princes are in the hands of Hashem". So while we see the out-of-control situation in the world, we need to understand what is truly going on. It's not the people themselves, even though they are in the positions of leadership. Hashem Himself has organized, planned and is now executing the biggest coup in history. Right under everyone's noses, the entire planet's future is being altered.

Indeed, Hashem plans massive world shakedowns in order to bring about His plans. Egypt was the biggest world power at the time. How? Hashem planned it that way - with all the events of Yosef ending up in Egypt, to Pharoah's dream and Yosef's ascent to power. It continued with the years of plenty, which Yosef saved massive amounts of food and the ensuing worldwide hunger allowed Egypt to take over all the world's wealth in return for food.

World events, especially of a massive scale are all manifestations of Hashem's direct involvement in even the most minute of day-to-day details. When we see them happening under our noses, let us be reminded of Egypt. That time, there was an exile that had to begin and finally end - to establish our nation. Now, we are already exiled. The events we are watching unfold are clearly leading up to the final "coup" - when Mashiach will establish Hashem's kingdom on earth once and for all. Let's not forget, if a tornado lands and destroys a field in some third-world country - the lesson and goal of that event (we may never understand how) is for Am Israel. All the more so, shifts in the entire world economy and government. The plan is underway. May we all merit to see it executed fully and without any suffering, Amen!
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Obama, the economy, and the prelude to Moshiach

Why is the economic situation connected to Moshiach’s arrival? Why does it seem that the current mode of dealing with the problem will not yield bona fide results?

I think that our hearts tell us that both of the aforementioned questions are valid. While this that we sense may be affected by what we’ve read from the autistic messages, the truth is that there is more depth to this notion then we might otherwise have thought.

There are numerous sources in relation to Moshiach that clearly indicate that economics are associated with his arrival. The strongest source is one I have quoted previously, which is Rebbe Nachman’s story “The master of prayer.” Rebbe Nachman stresses from the onset of the story how the desire for wealth is one of the most difficult mistaken life approaches to correct. He tells how the Master of prayer, who represents Moshiach ben Dovid, tries to get through to the people who have fallen into this trap. They have so fallen into their mistake that they can not even begin to fathom that the true purpose of life is to come close to Hashem, nor that they might possibly be mistaken in their approach to life. He then describes how the Mighty Warrior, who represents Moshiach ben Yosef, is involved in bringing the leaders of the land of wealth on the only path to rectification – the path of war. Profoundly, this very path that they travel in order to rectify the leaders of the land of wealth, eventually brings to the reunification of all of the different characters in the story, which signifies the advent of the era of Moshiach.

The clear indication is that the rectification of the mistake of the land of wealth, i.e. the worship of money, is a precursor to Moshiach’s arrival.

The question is, why?

The answer is that as long as we believe that money is the main purpose of our lives, we are completely drawn away from what life is really about – spritual attainments. Even more finely stated, the more we put our faith in money, the less we are connected to Hashem, and the less we depend on Him. This misplaced faith and mistaken goal in life must be corrected before Moshiach can come, where all of days will be spent in constant devotion to growth in our Avodas Hashem.

Another point which is a direct outcrop of this is that the worship of wealth is truly an extension of the worship of self. It is the belief that my extravagant lifestyle is the center of the purpose of my existence, and I will do whatever is necessary to obtain it. Anyone that will stand in my way will fall.

Ultimately it is simply an immature self-centered goal that is all about pride. That pride is what must fall before the days of Moshiach when our lives will be centered completely outside of ourselves – all will join together just to propel each other ever higher in our service of Hashem - ויעשו כולם אגודה אחת לעשות רצונך בלבב שלם – They will join together in a single unit to do Your will with a full heart.

Coming back to the current crisis, there is a tremendous fundamental mistake that is being made by those who are trying to help the situation. Most people will acknowledge that the main problem in this whole crisis is the lack of trust. Markets and investments were mismanaged and misled by those whose whole interest was none other than number 1 – themselves. This self-centeredness ultimately blew up in everyone’s face and continues to plague us with a loss of faith that does not seem to have an end in sight. To work at the root of this, it would be necessary to go back to the source, recognizing that there is a lack of faithfullness that is creating the lack of faith. Instead, there is only hacking at the leaves of the problem. To my eye, this is simply because the leaders themselves (read: Obama) so totally believe that they are the center of the world, and the answer to all the world’s problems that they do not understand the fundamental problem – the lack of character. Their personal deficit in character will continue to fuel the problem, rather than solving it.

All the money in the world will not replace the faith that was lost and continues to remain weak. Only a real investment in what is lacking – an investment in trustworthiness and in simple goodness and honesty – will return people’s faith. Sadly, however, the drive to return the economy to its ‘former glory’ is completely based in pride, whether it is the pride of an Obama, seeking to make an eternal legacy for himself, or the pride of those who were making millions and now find themselves owing the same. As long as pride is the motivating factor, the point will be missed and the lesson unlearned, and the rectification distant.

To me, this is what Rebbe Nachman hinted to in his story when he told us about the people of the land of wealth who would not be convinced of the error of their ways. The sad result is that the only rectification for them is the path to war. Nevertheless, this path ultimately brings about the ultimate rectification.

In the end all, the message for us must be that we must strengthen our own commitment to raising our level of Avodas Hashem, and our own trust in Hashem. What happens to our faith when times get tough? Will we crack under the pressure, or will we strengthen our trust in Hashem, knowing that just as He helped us in the past, he will continue to help in the future? Ultimately, every experience we have in our lives is from Hashem, and is designed to bring out who we really are - צדיקים ילכו בם, ופושעים יכשלו בם - the righteous walk in them, and the wanton ones stumble in them. The tests reveal who we really are, and whether we have true trust.

There is always the multi-millionare who says, "All my wealth is from Hashem!" Whether he continues to say this when he has lost his money will be a real indicator of his faith in Hashem.

חזק חזק - we must stay strong through these trying times. This strength will be what we have to rest upon. There is only One that is our unwavering Support. It is our Rock - Stalwart and Omnipresent. He sheds tears along with our own, and triumphs with us in our true spiritual victories. Let us keep praying for that day when we will all say together זה ה' קוינו לו, נגילה ונשמחה בישועתו - This is Hashem Who I hoped for - let us rejoice and exult in His salvation!
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Nine Months

Following on from the publication of "Nine Months" here is the complete Zohar translation (which I had not read before now) clearly predicting the nine month "pregnancy" of the birthpangs of Moshiach between R"H Teves and Rosh Hashanah 5770.

Here are some excerpts from that Zohar (Balak) :

שכינתא תהך ותהדר לגבי משה, שבעין יומין. לסוף שבעין יומין, סליק נאקו דישראל לקמי מלכא קדישא, דיהון מעיקין לון בכל סטרין דעלמא. וכנישתא חדא לצד דרומא יתאביד ויתחריב. וחמשה זכאי קשוט יתקטלון בינייהו:

"..the shechina will go and return to Moshe for 70 days. After 70 days the cry of the Jewish people will rise before Hashem because they are oppressed in all corners of the world. One shul on the side of darom will be lost and destroyed and 5 true tzadikim will be killed among them. After 32 days from the killing of the people in that shul Hashem will en cloth in vengeance the small shofar...

[Gaza war started 32 days after Mumbai where 5 true tzaddikim were killed among them]...

[after this is an extended discussion about the 70 nations coming together and their downfall, then...] .."During this time Moshiach will be suffering birth pangs. and regarding this period it is written , G-d will answer you in the time of distress (psalm 20) , that these 9 sentences refer to nine months of birth and there are 70 letters hinting that at 70 years in the 6th millennium will give birth to Moshiach's dominion over the world.
[In other words, the nine months refers to the time between R"H Teves (when the war in Gaza began) and ends on Rosh Hashanah 5770]

"Because of this during those 9 months from midnight and on will be a chariot of fire and horses of fire waging war in the sky until morning. after these 9 months pass, Hashem will arouse this Moshiach and bring him out of Gan Eden. The day that he comes out of Gan Eden the whole world will shake , for they will think it will be their demise....."

Translation reprinted from Moshiach and Geula Forum and with thanks to "Emuna57" and Shloime.

Also see: Zohar Mumbai and MoshiachSource

Geulah Prospectives: Obama and Moshe's staff

After reading Shirat Devorah's post about the gematria of Obama's name coinciding with the gematria of דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב, a little bell went off in my head, reminding me of what I saw in my rebbe's book "Machat Shel Yad" (pp. 39-43).

There Rabbi Frankel mentions that the matteh that Moshe (Moses) used to perform all the miracles in Mitzrayim (Egypt) was inscribed with precisely those letters. He brings down the mishnah in Pirkei Avos that says that this staff was one of the ten things created right before the first Shabbos of Beraishis. It seems this staff goes all the way back to the beginning (ראש).

My gut tells me that Obama will be the rod that Hashem uses to punish the world with, and that he was prepared long ago for the role he is to play in the endgame.
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War

There is a war.

Inside every Jew there is a war. A war against his inner Evil.

What goes on in Gaza is a playing out of what is going on inside of the Jewish people.

Why does Israeli government try to make peace with its sworn enemies?

Why does the Israeli government seek to make a truce every time they gain the upper hand against the cruel, ruthless ones who hate us?

Simple:

BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY HOW WE ARE FIGHTING THE INNER WAR!

Why doesn’t the Israeli government let the army “go all the way”? Because WE won’t let our inner army (Tzivos Hashem) “go all the way”. They are concerned about what the world will think, to the point of letting victory slip from their fingers because WE are concerned about what others will think (including certain voices from within ourselves) if we would finally shecht (slaughter) our drive for evil.

They are keeping evil alive because we are.

The time has come for complete victory, without compromise.

vision of geula

Autistic Communication on Israel War

For those of you who are familiar with the FC concept and Autistic Communication a new letter has been released about the situation in Israel. It can be viewed HERE

( If you are not yet familiar with this please listen this show recently aired on israel national radio)

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It Fits

"According to this scenario there will be fifteen days of darkness; the sun simply will not shine. A frightening, powerful cold will grip the entire earth. Hunger and thirst will fall upon everyone. No one will be able to find food; it will not help to store food, for (because of the darkness) no one will be able to find it. All electric generators will fail to work. Many people will die."

If you had a chance to view the BBC video ("This is a true story...it just hasn't happened yet.") on the Yellowstone Supervolcano, then you understand how this description fits the aftereffects.

Read A Warning To The American-Jewish Community
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