Monday, August 22, 2016

I Have Good News and I Have Good News

                                                                          בס''ד
On Shabbos I always like to read the Torah portion and the Haftarah for the week. We have just started a period of seven weeks of consolation that takes us up to Rosh Hashanah. In reviewing these seven Haftaros, I discovered some very exciting good news.

The good news came from reading the Artscroll commentary for the Haftarah:

Haftaras Va'eschanan – Isaiah 40:1 to 26 The seven Sabbaths between Tishah B'Av and Rosh Hashanah are called “the seven of consolation. They contain prophecies that offered the people comfort and hope after the Destruction of the First Temple. They are all taken from the later chapters of Isaiah, whose prophecies were "half affliction, half consolation." As with the three Haftaros of affliction, the seven of consolation are not related to the weekly Sidrah (Parashah).

The Midrash (Pesikta Rabbasi 30:30) states that Hashem will appoint Abraham as His emissary to comfort Jerusalem. But Jerusalem will not be comforted. Hashem will then send Isaac, but with the same results. Jacob and Moses will fare no better. Seeing that Jerusalem refuses to be comforted by its Patriarchs, Hashem will then approach to comfort the city.

This Midrash is hinted at in the opening verses of the first four of the Haftaros of consolation: "Comfort, comfort My people, "says your G-d [to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses]. "Speak to the heart of Jerusalem .... " But Zion said, "HASHEM has forsaken me; that's why He has not come to comfort me" (Haftarah of Eikev)" And G-d replied, "0 afflicted, storm-tossed, [you are] unconsoled _ ... "(Haftarah of Re'eh). Then, "It is I, I am He Who comforts you" (Haftarah of Shoftim).
After reading that good news I realized there was also good news:

These verses of the Tenach are, of course, prophecy of the future. They may have been the consolation for the time of the first Temple, but it is obvious that these seven Haftaros will be Hashem consoling us in our time of need. I was curious enough since I know that there is no such thing as coincidence whether these Haftaros are for now. We went through a three week period of mourning our history and all its difficulties, and then we follow with seven weeks of consolation, which is exactly what we need in the world today. Also, the fact that there is so much evidence that the worldwide redemption and Moshiach will occur in 5776, which just happens to be the exact same seven weeks. These prophecies are being fulfilled now.

So I did a computer search and I was amazed at what I found in the chapters of Isaiah that are covered in the seven Haftaros. The year 5776, the month of Av, the month of Elul and Nibiru were throughout these chapters of the prophet Isaiah. The year 5776 appeared 35 times in these chapters. I tried 5777 and it came up 4 times and not necessarily in the correct chapters. I tried Elul in these chapters and came up with 87 finds. The month of Tammuz came up 7 times in the same chapters. Without a statistical analysis to determine a true probability value, I can only state that these findings seem very significant and add to my excitement that we are in the time of the end.

There are other prophecies that I am researching that also look very promising, but they are not completed yet.

One though that I must add for a deeper insight for my readers. The beginning of Isaiah 40 reads:

40:1 Comfort, comfort My people - says your G-d. 2 Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her time [of exile] has been fulfilled, that her iniquity has been conciliated, for she has received from the hand of HASHEM double for all her sins.
There are two thoughts that need clarification.

I have seen Bible translations that say “Be comforted” rather than just the word “Comfort.” The important difference is that this is not a message from Hashem that we should sit back and relax, that all is good, and we should be comforted. Instead, it is a message from Hashem that He is the only Source of comfort, the only source of power to help those who are with Him. In other words, Hashem is telling us that there is no way to salvation, to receive protection, to get through the difficult times that are yet to come, unless we are completely with the only Comforter that will help us.

These chapters in Isaiah are not telling us that the worst is behind us and we can coast to the finish line, the end with ease. It is telling us that we are close and can feel consoled that we will be protected and reach this time of goodness and total happiness if we come as close to Hashem as possible. It is the same message that I have been putting out for the past 52 months. The difference is we are down to the wire, and have only one very good possibility to succeed. Hashem is consoling us that it will all work, and be successful if we just live His will, follow His instructions in the gift of Torah that He gave us.

Nonetheless, if we see the commentary on the first verse, 40:1, these words are reassuring that the consolation is referring to the Messianic redemption:

40: 1. God speaks to the prophets of Israel, commanding them to comfort the suffering people (Targum). Until this point, Isaiah's prophecies have been mostly visions of retribution and destruction. The remaining ones speak words of consolation, and future Messianic redemption. This passage serves as a divider between the two types of prophecy (Rashi).
Another thought is the clarification of the verse: “for she has received from the hand of HASHEM double for all her sins.”

The commentary:

40:2. Double punishment cannot mean that Israel was punished more than it deserved. Various interpretations are offered: Her punishment was two pronged, she suffered two exiles (Radak); she embraced her ancestors' sins as her own, thus doubling her iniquity (Rashi to Jeremiah 16:18); Hashem's consolation was as great as if she had suffered double what she actually had (Targum).
This is all good news. We are getting such a good feeling that 5776 is the end of this evil crazy upside-down fantasy world, and that we have an infinite Source of Power, Who loves us beyond our comprehension, Who is our Protector, our Consoler and our Comforter to take us to an eternity of goodness.

Thank you Hashem for all the good news.

29 comments:

  1. Thank you Rav Menahem for this beautiful post. Many of us are getting extra challenges in our lives and some are being tested to the hilt. I remind myself that it is all good, all for my soul correction and say little prayers to Hashem: Dear Taty in Heaven...i accept your judgements with love and will do better.I will never give up despite the obstacles, for my reward and joy is to merit to dwell in the shadow of your wings. This post in particular gives us so much hope. Ms. AP

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    1. Thank you; I like your words.

      I enjoyed writing this post, since this past Shabbos I got so excited finding this information.

      Making new discoveries everyday is very exhilarating and makes each day worth living. Torah study is so much more than just learning how to live and perfect ourselves, it is the greatest reason to come closer to Hashem. When we discover Hashem's hidden messages, the day is never dull, but full of excitement. My wife will tell you that without all the clutter of the week, Shabbos is so tremendous, because it is my biggest day of discovery. As soon as Shabbos is over, I am at the keyboard outlining my Shabbos find.

      I can't stop thanking Hashem for all the thoughts He puts into my head all week long -- that is the source of my blog material.

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    2. Dear Rav, I am reposting this so your readers are updated

      THIS IS A REPOST PERHAPS A BLOG FROM YOU IN THE PAST OR
      SOMEONE ELSE, but just wanted to repost it., for today's latest
      post from you.

      David, Europe said...
      בס''ד
      Let me present an opinion about a new interpretation of this verse דרך כוכב מיעקב וקם שבט מישראל.
      In this verse the words כוכב and שבט amazingly perfectly match the notions of a PLANET(כוכב) and its TAIL(שבט) made of meteorites !!! Indeed, the word שבט can be translated as a "branch", "rod", "scepter", objects which all grately resemble the shape of this planet's meteorite tail. Especially the translation as a "branch" matches very well the nature of this planet's tail as a "branch" attached to the main body of the planet. Further, it is possible to translate the prefixes מ in מיעקב and מישראל as not meaning "from somewhere" but meaning "BECAUSE OF SOMETHING". With all these assumptions, we can present here our novel translation of this pasuk as:
      PASSED IN THE WAY OF ITS ORBIT (דרך) A PLANET,STAR (כוכב) BECAUSE OF (מ) JACOB (יעקב) AND WHICH (ו) RAISED, LET COME UP (קם) A "BRANCH","ROD"-THE METEORITE TAIL (שבט) BECAUSE OF (מ) ISRAEL (ישראל).
      It would mean, that the Planet Nibiru (כוכב) is described to pass along its orbital way (דרך) near the Earth, which would cause its attached "Branch", "Rod" of the meteorite tail (שבט) to raise, come up (קם) against the Earth which would pass through this meteorite tail, an event which would bring much calamity and destruction to the nations of the Earth, and all these severe judgements are going to happen because of (מ) The Nation of Jacob (יעקב) and Israel (ישראל), as a Dinive punishment to the evildoers from the Nations of the world and to the evildoers from the Erev Rav, who have been and currently are oppressing from both sides the True Nation of Israel, the Real Jews, faithful to The G-D of Israel and to His Holy Torah.
      ברוך יי לעולם אמן ואמן
      ימלוך יי לעולם אמן ואמן

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  2. Rav, first of: Shavua Tov..

    Thank you for this latest encourgement for so many of us. Jews and non-Jews.

    Your blog gives only encourgement, and you reach out to many just wanting to help.

    I for one, am very grateful to you.
    Hashem bless you, and yours.
    Hashem bless all who come here.

    Amen.
    sc

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, and your encouragement to share the good news.

      One could have good news and enjoy it, but there is nothing more enjoyable than sharing good news and making everyone else happy.

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  3. Words of Comfort...and encouragement... we ALL are looking for Moshiach and the Day to learn of HaShem and the Right Way to live...

    a noahide...

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  4. I thank you for this post. I'm battling anxiety as we get close to having to plan an unveiling for my 18-year-old daughter, who would have turned 19 on 2 Av. Her first yahrzeit is on 22 Elul and I am so hoping to be spared this milestone. The closer it gets without our redemption taking place, the more I must fight to strengthen emunah. I was so sure that Tisha B'Av, and then Tu B'Av, might be possible times. You have given me the boost I needed to stay positive that it is soon and all will be good.

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    1. I would like to say that I feel your pain, but it would be insensitive, since no one could feel such pain unless having gone through such an experience.

      I started to work on a blog post that should give you more insight into the ways of Hashem, and help you realize why He does things the way He does. Hopefully, tomorrow, B"N.

      I would like to request that all of my readers join in memorializing Kayla Rus bas Bunim Tuvia; not just on 22 Elul, but everyday. People on Earth acknowledging those who are not with us give the person's neshamah an Aliyah in Shemayim. It is not just saying Kaddish, it is also studying Torah in her name and even saying Shema asking Hashem to give her an Aliyah. When you are together again, during the resurrection of the departed, she will thank us for our blessings, and thank Hashem for such a wonderful mother.

      Anxiety is not an option; I will try to explain that tomorrow, B"N.

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  5. Does being completely with Hashem mean that everyone would have to be rabbis or in a really high spiritual level to be saved?

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    1. It says in Exodus 19:6 "You will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites;" Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu.

      The entire idea of Tikun is that all people on Earth will all serve Hashem and be holy. All the land on Earth will be called the Holy Land. We will all be at a high spiritual level, since there will no longer be a Yetzer Harah, an evil inclination within us, only the Yetzer Tov, the good inclination. The only difference is that the actual spiritual level will come from our efforts now when we have both inclinations, and work hard to only do things according to Hashem's will.

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    2. It says in Exodus 19:6 "You will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites;" Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu.

      The entire idea of Tikun is that all people on Earth will all serve Hashem and be holy. All the land on Earth will be called the Holy Land. We will all be at a high spiritual level, since there will no longer be a Yetzer Harah, an evil inclination within us, only the Yetzer Tov, the good inclination. The only difference is that the actual spiritual level will come from our efforts now when we have both inclinations, and work hard to only do things according to Hashem's will.

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  6. The coming of Moshiach really excites me. But I wonder which jews are going to be saved, as there are many jewish people that are totally in the wrong path. And also considering that we are not worthy of the upcoming times of Moshiach, everything leads me to think that there is going to be a selection. Also take note that during the exodus from Egypt, we were also not worthy and at least 80% of the Jewish people were wiped out during the plague of darkness.

    Sorry if it sounded negative but I just wanted to share my point of view. I guess everyone will just have to completely trust Hashem that he wants the best for each one. Blessings from California.

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    1. Well, I have good news and I have good news (I like that expression). First the good news. Since we are told in Zechariah 13:8 that 1/3rd of the world population, approximately 2.5 billion people will survive, it confirms that all the Jews and all the righteous non-Jews will survive and thrive (which is brought down numerous times in scriptures).

      Now the good news. Since the Yetzer Harah will be removed from everyone, which was not done in the Geula of Egypt, all will be on the right path (there won't be a wrong path). When we are aware of Hashem (he will not be allusive to us anymore), we will have no other feelings than wanting to come close to Him and serve Him (Wow, more good news).

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    2. Dear Rav, if Yetzer Harah will be removed, why then 2/3 still perish if evil within them is removed?

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    3. Look at the timing. The 2/3rd group will be removed before Moshiach is introduced, since they will not be privileged to greet Moshiach.

      After the Geula is in effect, Hashem will remove the YH from the good people, since they will no longer need testing. The evil ones will be gone before the removal of the YH.

      Also, the Yetzer Harah is not what makes these people evil. The YH is here to test us and help us correct ourselves. People who have been bred for thousands of years with evil ways cannot be helped by a YH giving them correction, or removing the YH. They are beyond help like the generation before the flood.

      Hashem's plan will take care of everyone, one way or the other. I just encourage my readers to be on the right team.

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  7. Shavua tov to you rav Menachem and to Ety.
    Thank you for this post.
    There is an spelling fault in:
    "I have seen Bible translations that say “Be comforted” rather than just the word “Comfort.” The important difference is that this is not a message from Hashem that we should sick back
    Sick=sit???
    Going to continue reading now.
    Orna Nitzevet

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    1. Thank you Orna for finding that, it made me "sick" to see such an error, so I decided to "sit" back and correct it.

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  8. Rav Menachem,
    Thank you for this post. I have to agree with Ms. AP that the tests are coming faster and faster, what I thought I had once beaten are now tempting me every day, so I keep fighting. One interesting thing I saw in the sky today. Just about sunrise I looked up at the heavily cloud covered sky and there was one very bright spot in the sky. That bright spot was shaped exactly like an eye (even with a pupil and a heavy eye brow over the top). That eye appeared to be looking directly at me, and all I could think of is that Hashem is watching and He knows what I am going through and is there to help. I tried to take a picture of the eye in the sky, but by the time I had my phone ready, the eye was gone.

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    1. Hashem is watching all of us these days in this time of the worst testing in history. It is exactly what is supposed to happen before the redemption and Moshiach, the most testing for the best Tikun.

      It does take a very special spiritual person to see the Eye watching us; I am impressed.

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  9. Annonymous at 6.18 A.M

    I have been learning, that we all are Hashem's Creation. Each one of us is special to Hashem.
    What we all have to do, is try to be what Hashem wants from each of us.. and i do believe from hearing lectures of Rav D'ror, that we just go to Hashem and ask Hashem to direct us.
    He will, if we strive for emunah. I am Noahide, and trying to do just that. It is helping.
    And Rav Menachem's blog, is where i come to boost my spirit up more, oh what i am trying to say, is you are very special, as you are.. Hashem will help you, and by coming to this blog, Hasheem has ..
    May we all grow closer to Hashem and help each other. Amen.
    sc

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    1. Thank you; it appears that you are learning things correctly and we thank you for sharing that with us.

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  10. Are animals to be included in this new spiritual realm, even the horrible, vicious and verminous ones? How about insects like flies, wasps and other 'not nice' bugs?

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    1. Animals and bugs serve definite purposes in this world. One of the purposes is to test us and give us Tikun. It is brought down that the Yetzer Harah could show up as a bug, such as a fly. We shoo it away and it comes back to bug us again. It is serving a purpose.

      We are also told in Isaiah 11:6 "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them." There will be total harmony in the world, even in the animal kingdom. Insects won't have to test us anymore.

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  11. Chaya, thank you. I made the change without fanfare this time.

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  12. BS"D
    R' Robinson, I would like to Thank you yet again for your words of inspiration. It is a tremendous zechus. In truth, more description to the end of just how integral your Avodas HaKodesh
    is due, but as this is being done on a ph. I am asking you to forgive what should be added.
    You had a reader who wrote that they saw a lot of balanced numbers. I have seen the same and wanted to validate the one who wrote as knowing that it should be viewed as Divine Providence, a special gift of H.P.; perhaps "Israusa D'laila"; abundance in the form of a gift from G-d to further encourage, motivate and inspire us to pursue SHLEIMUS - Wholeness and Completion. I have seen these numbers more this year than before. The same combinations the reader wrote are what I see as well as other combinations. (No, I am not constantly looking @ the clock.)
    I hipe the reader sees this. R' Robinson, if not, perhaps you know who this reader is and can share this info. w/ them? It's brought down in the seforim HaKedoshim that in certain situations, H' gives "Bina Yeseira" as encouragement to those who are experiencing "Yesurim Shel Ahava". There are different reasons why one would be given "Bina Yeseira". Meanwhile, what this person is experiencing is real and should be validated.
    Yes, H' is the only One who can truly Comfort us all. Especially in these last milliseconds of Golus, as stated by R' Moshe Sternbuch.
    Yet, He Sends exceptional shlichim to be His messengers. To you and your family, Thank you ever so much for being one of those exceptional shlichim.

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  13. BS"D
    Postscript -

    Another way of understanding the Posuk referenced above "Nachamu Nachamu Ami..."
    H' is speaking to all of us, loshon Tzivoi, it's a Command. Be comforted, be comforted my people. How? Dabru AL Lev Yerushalayim, Speak to the Heart, to the Essence of Yerushalayim (root of Yerushalayim/Shaleim/Whole/
    Complete) and call out to her, i.e. pursue, pray for her Wholeness and Completion. Inculcate her Wholeness and completion. Learn the 48 characteristics requisite for one to truly acquire Torah, (Pirkei Avos/Ethics of the Father's, 6:6) Learn Torah, support Torah and pursue it all the days of one's life. This is what H' is commanding us all to do. That is true comfort. True joy and genuine happiness.

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  14. P.S. R' Robinson, Thank you for publishing the two comments I wrote above. I apologize for the typos a result of having to do this via ph. as well as a usage mistake. I hope that this will be dismissed as situational, which it is and the content viewed seriously, despite. Thank you and to all the fellow readers, Thank you for your patience.

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  15. Rav, lately I've been seeing the moon very bright and clear as the water, but during ALL day long. It's like it doesn't move and it's visible all the time, even at midday. It's brightness during the day doesn't change at all. I don't know if it is super normal or it's a phenomenom. I don't remember seeing the moom during the day in the past years of my life. I remember just starting to see it at the sunset. Maybe it's a Nibiru effect.

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    1. When bright enough, the moon is visible during the day. Not moving is not normal. I don't believe it is a Nibiru effect, but we have never had a Nibiru around to effect us before.

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