B"H
We pray 3 times a day for it, our ancestors longed for it all their
lives, and its a basic tenet of our religion: The coming of Moshiach
and the Jewish People's Redemption from exile.
Since the destruction of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem about 1,800 yrs.
ago, the Jewish people have been in 'galus'-exile. Dispersed among the
nations of the world, under trials and tribulations, practicing our
religion in danger, Jews have experienced exile harshly. But even in
good times, physically and spiritually successful and free, Jewish
People are still considered in Exile. Until our righteous Redeemer,
descendant of King David, comes and returns us to Israel with the
rebuilding of the 3rd and final Temple, ushering in world peace and
true happiness-we are still in exile.
During the long years of exile, the Jewish People have radiated the
light of Torah and Mitzvos amid all conditions and situations. Our
final challenge is to confront today's unprecedented moral confusion
and spiritual oblivion. We Jews are sent to be a 'light among nations'
in this world-to radiate goodness and truth to those around us and of
course in ourselves.
In the Talmud (written about 1,500 yrs. ago) it is written: "With the
advent of the footsteps of Moshiach, insolence will increase and
prices will soar...the government will turn to heresy and no one will
rebuke them; the wisdom of scholars will degenerate, those who fear
sin will be despised, and the truth will be lacking; youths will put
old men to shame, elders will rise in deference to the young, a son
will revile his father, a daughter against her mother..."
But when Moshiach comes, he will bring only goodness and joy,
perfecting both individual & community.
Today, truth is unrevealed, evil overpowers good, and relationships
are confused.
Our world is abnormal. But once Divine truth is revealed, the world
will be transformed to an ideal state.
Imagine people who live in darkness. Having developed all kinds of
ways to cope with their predicament-canes, ropes, sound signals-they
can't imagine managing without such things. Yet the minute a window is
opened for them, their life changes completely. We are those people.
It's hard to imagine, but WHen Moshiach comes, we will truly desire
Torah and Mitzvos like we huger for food today. There will be no wars,
hatred, or jealousy; there will be no need to fight evil, for goodness
shall reign.
But how long do we have to wait for Moshiach to come already? Another
1,800 yrs.?? 1st of all, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, leader of our
generation, declared repeatedly that Redemption was coming at any
moment. The Rebbe, on countless occasions, told us that we are now the
last generation of exile and the 1st generation of redemption. Our
redemption is imminent, the Rebbe told us, we just have to increase in
Torah and Mitzvos, like Tefillin for boys or lighting shabbos candles
for girls, to increase in goodness and kindness to others, and
anticipate Moshiach's imminent coming!
But how else can we see how close it is?
A great Rabbi (Kli Yakar on Parsh. Shemos) writes: "every day, close
to dawn, darkness is at its deepest...in winter, close to sunrise the
cold becomes stronger and is eventually conquered by the
sun...likewise Pharoah was more wicked to the Jews right before the
Redemption." These tough moments we have seen clearly in recent times.
Exile is like pregnancy: the fetus slowly grows and matures, until it
nears birth. Suddenly its mother experiences sudden birth pains, until
finally the child is born to intense joy and gladness around him.
Through the good deeds of us and our forefathers before us, the
maturity of redemption is fully ripe. Even the sudden birth pains have
surely been experienced by the Jewish people (I don't need to point
these pains out unfortunately), and now the birth of redemption will
occur at any moment to intense joy and gladness!
The toughest and darkest times are during these last years and
moments, we only have to light it up with faith and positive action.
Anything truly good we can imagine, true life and joy, is on its way.
let's just increase in good and prepare for it! Now between Purim and
pesach, between our 2 greatest redemptions, what better time than now
for Redemption. Moshiach Now!
(Most information here was taken from 'The Days of Moshiach-by Meachem Brod)
Shabbat Shalom
-daniel
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Unraveling the Mysteries of Purim
B''H
Hamantaschen and vodka, costumes and gifts- are all around the corner!
This Thursday night and Friday we celebrate Purim.
One of the coolest holidays around, Purim is simply the bomb. And when
looking deeper into the story of Purim, behind all the fun we find the
deepest of secrets and lessons for life unraveled in front of our
eyes...
In 'Megillat Esther' ('The Book of Esther'-named after the heroine of
our story) we find G-d's Name mentioned...Not once! Out of all 24
books of "Tanach"-this is the only book without mention.
Also, throughout the story of Purim; from Esther's ascension to the
throne, to Haman's attempt to annul the Jewish People, and the
eventual victory of the Jews, we don't see anything OPENLY unnatural
or miraculous occurring! What's so special and unique about the story
of Purim?
Chassidus explains that this is precisely the special quality and
lesson of Purim.
In our day to day lives in 2008, life seems pretty natural. True,
interesting events occur in the world, and the Jewish People
especially seem to strive on interesting occurrences, but we've always
been lucky: take the 6-day war for instance! And throughout our own
personal journeys in life, random events have occurred and will occur,
sometimes dramatic twists and turns in every direction-yet we make it
through.
Through seemingly natural events, the Jewish People annulled the
decree against their lives and arose victorious over their evil
enemies; G-d's Name never mentioned once: a lucky victory!
But the lesson 'Megillat Esther' is teaching us, is that in our world
and in our lives,
G-d is Directing everything. Just like in Purim, when the Jews somehow
arose victorious over impending doom, G-d, concealed and through
nature, saved us. Today as well, if we look deeper into the world's
events and into our own life's story,
we can find the story of Purim-G-d's Guidance of events for our
benefit. "Esther" comes from the hebrew word "Hester"- which means
"Hidden". "Megillah" comes from the word "Me-galeh" which means
"reveal." We have to realize G-d's Presence, Even if We don't openly
see Him, and reveal that which is hidden. He's there Behind us all the
way, for each of us in our own personal life, and for our people as a
whole. How have we made it this far?
WHICH brings us to one more very powerful lesson we can learn from the
Purim Story. After King Achashveirosh (say that 10-times fast :)
issued a decree for our people's destruction something strange
occurred. Mordechai, our leader at the time, was very powerful and had
influence in the King's court. What did he do immediately after he
heard the decree issued?
He put on sackcloth and ashes and began to fast! I mean, Come on, use
some connections here or something!
Esther, Achashveirosh's beloved Queen, had to approach the king to
find a way to save the fate of her People, even though it meant
risking her very life (1 never approached the King unless called
upon). SO what did Esther do to prepare for her visit to the inner
chamber of the King? Did she call in the finest makeup artists and
perfumers of her city 'Shushan'? Nope, Esther fasted for 3 days! It
seems that's not the smartest way to gain favor in a King's eyes!
(editor's note: I apologize if models and others disagree with me on
this one).
What were Esther and Mordechai thinking?
Esther, Mordechai, and the entire Jewish people (who also fasted and
prayed), realized that King Achashveirosh wasn't the one in charge of
their fate: it was G-d. Esther and Mordechai used practical means to
win as well, but their intention throughout was entirely in placing
their trust in G-d. And that's why we won. That's why Esther found
favor in the King's eyes and the Jewish People ended up in joyful
victory and we have Purim today. This holiday means so much for it
shows us that forever in our world, amongst the nations, G-d Is in
Control and Behind us.
Through our own trusting in G-d in our daily lives; realizing that our
boss at work isn't in total control of our fate, not even good ol'
Barack Obama! Rather, G-d Runs the show. We must do all we can in the
realms of nature, but ultimately, like the Jews of Purim, we must
place our complete trust, hope and commitment, in our G-d- and then
we'll be assured of victory.
Moshiach Now!
Happy Purim!!!
-Daniel
Thurs.-'Fast of Esther'-commemorating the fast of the Jews to annul
the evil decree.
Thurs. Night-Hear the Megillah reading. Then Get ready to party hardy,
all night, celebrating our people's victory!!
Friday-We have 4 Mitzvot (commandments) to do:
1) Eat a big meal in honor of Purim ;)
2) Give 2 foods in a package to 1 person ("Mishloach Manot")
3) Give charity to 2 poor people.
4) Hear the Megillah read.
Oh, AND #5: Be Joyful!!
(visit Chabad.org for info on Purim and to find the nearest Purim activities!)
Hamantaschen and vodka, costumes and gifts- are all around the corner!
This Thursday night and Friday we celebrate Purim.
One of the coolest holidays around, Purim is simply the bomb. And when
looking deeper into the story of Purim, behind all the fun we find the
deepest of secrets and lessons for life unraveled in front of our
eyes...
In 'Megillat Esther' ('The Book of Esther'-named after the heroine of
our story) we find G-d's Name mentioned...Not once! Out of all 24
books of "Tanach"-this is the only book without mention.
Also, throughout the story of Purim; from Esther's ascension to the
throne, to Haman's attempt to annul the Jewish People, and the
eventual victory of the Jews, we don't see anything OPENLY unnatural
or miraculous occurring! What's so special and unique about the story
of Purim?
Chassidus explains that this is precisely the special quality and
lesson of Purim.
In our day to day lives in 2008, life seems pretty natural. True,
interesting events occur in the world, and the Jewish People
especially seem to strive on interesting occurrences, but we've always
been lucky: take the 6-day war for instance! And throughout our own
personal journeys in life, random events have occurred and will occur,
sometimes dramatic twists and turns in every direction-yet we make it
through.
Through seemingly natural events, the Jewish People annulled the
decree against their lives and arose victorious over their evil
enemies; G-d's Name never mentioned once: a lucky victory!
But the lesson 'Megillat Esther' is teaching us, is that in our world
and in our lives,
G-d is Directing everything. Just like in Purim, when the Jews somehow
arose victorious over impending doom, G-d, concealed and through
nature, saved us. Today as well, if we look deeper into the world's
events and into our own life's story,
we can find the story of Purim-G-d's Guidance of events for our
benefit. "Esther" comes from the hebrew word "Hester"- which means
"Hidden". "Megillah" comes from the word "Me-galeh" which means
"reveal." We have to realize G-d's Presence, Even if We don't openly
see Him, and reveal that which is hidden. He's there Behind us all the
way, for each of us in our own personal life, and for our people as a
whole. How have we made it this far?
WHICH brings us to one more very powerful lesson we can learn from the
Purim Story. After King Achashveirosh (say that 10-times fast :)
issued a decree for our people's destruction something strange
occurred. Mordechai, our leader at the time, was very powerful and had
influence in the King's court. What did he do immediately after he
heard the decree issued?
He put on sackcloth and ashes and began to fast! I mean, Come on, use
some connections here or something!
Esther, Achashveirosh's beloved Queen, had to approach the king to
find a way to save the fate of her People, even though it meant
risking her very life (1 never approached the King unless called
upon). SO what did Esther do to prepare for her visit to the inner
chamber of the King? Did she call in the finest makeup artists and
perfumers of her city 'Shushan'? Nope, Esther fasted for 3 days! It
seems that's not the smartest way to gain favor in a King's eyes!
(editor's note: I apologize if models and others disagree with me on
this one).
What were Esther and Mordechai thinking?
Esther, Mordechai, and the entire Jewish people (who also fasted and
prayed), realized that King Achashveirosh wasn't the one in charge of
their fate: it was G-d. Esther and Mordechai used practical means to
win as well, but their intention throughout was entirely in placing
their trust in G-d. And that's why we won. That's why Esther found
favor in the King's eyes and the Jewish People ended up in joyful
victory and we have Purim today. This holiday means so much for it
shows us that forever in our world, amongst the nations, G-d Is in
Control and Behind us.
Through our own trusting in G-d in our daily lives; realizing that our
boss at work isn't in total control of our fate, not even good ol'
Barack Obama! Rather, G-d Runs the show. We must do all we can in the
realms of nature, but ultimately, like the Jews of Purim, we must
place our complete trust, hope and commitment, in our G-d- and then
we'll be assured of victory.
Moshiach Now!
Happy Purim!!!
-Daniel
Thurs.-'Fast of Esther'-commemorating the fast of the Jews to annul
the evil decree.
Thurs. Night-Hear the Megillah reading. Then Get ready to party hardy,
all night, celebrating our people's victory!!
Friday-We have 4 Mitzvot (commandments) to do:
1) Eat a big meal in honor of Purim ;)
2) Give 2 foods in a package to 1 person ("Mishloach Manot")
3) Give charity to 2 poor people.
4) Hear the Megillah read.
Oh, AND #5: Be Joyful!!
(visit Chabad.org for info on Purim and to find the nearest Purim activities!)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What's so great about Children?
B"H
The love the Lubavitcher Rebbe had for children was legendary. In his
eyes the holiest members of the Jewish people were our youth. Whenever
a young boy or girl waved to the Rebbe, his face would light up
immediately and return the wave.
The Rebbe spoke and wrote countless times about the power of a child's
simple prayer or thought, emphasizing the importance of every Jewish
child's action-more important than the most venerable Rabbi could hope
to achieve.
What is it about children that we love so much? Sure they're cute, and
ask funny questions, grinning from ear to ear without their 2 front
teeth.
But if we look a little bit deeper, what essential value do young
children have compared to their elders? Why should children be valued
more than a teenager or adult in any way? Shouldn't it be the
opposite, considering the fact that the older a person gets, the more
he has worked on himself to realize what is truly meaningful &
worthwhile in life? A child has never really faced the world or
thought about what is truly important...
The Rebbe explains that a father loves a son naturally, and his young
son loves his father by his very nature too. Why? Because that's just
the way it is. The son comes from his father's essence (as explained
in the Chassidic works) and both feel an essential bond for that very
reason.
What happens though when the son grows older? Both the son and his
father begin to feel love for each other based on reason and
understanding also. I love my father because he does so much for me
and really cares, and there's even a commandment in the Torah to
respect my parents. I love my son because he's so warm and smart, with
a great smile and he treats his sister so nicely. Of course each loves
one another intrinsically still for no reason at all, but now this
love is more hidden by the love based on reason.
The source for this relationship between father and son, Kabbalah
explains, stems from G-d's Intrinsic Love for the Jewish People. "You
are children to the L-rd your G-d." (Devarim 14:1) When Yisrael was
a youth did I Love him, and from Egypt I called forth my child."
(Hoshea 11:1) "The children I have raised and exalted." (Yeshayahu
1:2) These are a few of the many places in scripture where we see this
loving relationship expressed. Sure we have to serve G-d through
prayer and Torah study, meditating upon His Blessed Greatness which is
beyond our wildest imaginations, growing continuously in our efforts
to reach closer to our King.
But the simple, intrinsic bond between father and son, rooted in that
of G-d and His People, must be forever cherished.
Shabbat Shalom
-Daniel
The love the Lubavitcher Rebbe had for children was legendary. In his
eyes the holiest members of the Jewish people were our youth. Whenever
a young boy or girl waved to the Rebbe, his face would light up
immediately and return the wave.
The Rebbe spoke and wrote countless times about the power of a child's
simple prayer or thought, emphasizing the importance of every Jewish
child's action-more important than the most venerable Rabbi could hope
to achieve.
What is it about children that we love so much? Sure they're cute, and
ask funny questions, grinning from ear to ear without their 2 front
teeth.
But if we look a little bit deeper, what essential value do young
children have compared to their elders? Why should children be valued
more than a teenager or adult in any way? Shouldn't it be the
opposite, considering the fact that the older a person gets, the more
he has worked on himself to realize what is truly meaningful &
worthwhile in life? A child has never really faced the world or
thought about what is truly important...
The Rebbe explains that a father loves a son naturally, and his young
son loves his father by his very nature too. Why? Because that's just
the way it is. The son comes from his father's essence (as explained
in the Chassidic works) and both feel an essential bond for that very
reason.
What happens though when the son grows older? Both the son and his
father begin to feel love for each other based on reason and
understanding also. I love my father because he does so much for me
and really cares, and there's even a commandment in the Torah to
respect my parents. I love my son because he's so warm and smart, with
a great smile and he treats his sister so nicely. Of course each loves
one another intrinsically still for no reason at all, but now this
love is more hidden by the love based on reason.
The source for this relationship between father and son, Kabbalah
explains, stems from G-d's Intrinsic Love for the Jewish People. "You
are children to the L-rd your G-d." (Devarim 14:1) When Yisrael was
a youth did I Love him, and from Egypt I called forth my child."
(Hoshea 11:1) "The children I have raised and exalted." (Yeshayahu
1:2) These are a few of the many places in scripture where we see this
loving relationship expressed. Sure we have to serve G-d through
prayer and Torah study, meditating upon His Blessed Greatness which is
beyond our wildest imaginations, growing continuously in our efforts
to reach closer to our King.
But the simple, intrinsic bond between father and son, rooted in that
of G-d and His People, must be forever cherished.
Shabbat Shalom
-Daniel
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