Another inspiring video by Harry Rothenberg - Abraham's Bed and Breakfast: Parshat Lech Lecha:
Harry Rothenberg, originally from Philadelphia, is an attorney at the Rothenberg Law Firm (injurylawyer.com), where he works with his parents and 5 of his siblings, representing victims of catastrophic injury. In addition to his practice, Harry is passionate about lecturing on Jewish topics, particularly to audiences that did not have the same opportunity he had to study for 3 years in Israel at Ohr Somayach yeshiva. A 1988 graduate of Columbia College and a 1993 graduate of Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, Harry lives in northern New Jersey with his wife Amy and their 8 children - ranging from their 23 year-old eldest son to their 5 year-old twin boys.
Courtesy of Partners in Torah
I have mentioned many times that one of the most important actions that Hashem is looking for from us is Ahavas Yisroel, the love of our fellow Jew. This and "Love your neighbor as yourself," extends to all good people of the Earth, Jew and non-Jew. Loving Hashem's creations including animals and everything else is a very important theme in the Torah and all of Jewish scriptures.
The lack of love and the hatred that existed before the flood was the reason Hashem wiped out all mankind and began again. The evil and the wickedness that exists today will result in the wiping out of the evil at the time of Moshiach and the worldwide redemption. For that reason it is so important for the righteous of the world to be helping each other and loving each other. It is the key to bringing Moshiach, but more importantly, the key to our own personal Tikun, our own personal survival and success.
There is no such thing as a part-time righteous person. Hashem knows when we are truly wanting to help everyone, and when we also divide our time with hatred for others. The desire to wipe out Amalek is a Mitzvah, but to use that as an excuse to hate someone is not kosher, and is seen very easily by Hashem.
True Teshuvah includes our attitude towards everyone, not who we judge as good, which is often poor judgement. Do the right thing. If we can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all. Hashem knows everything that we do, say and think even before it occurs. We get away with nothing, good or bad; so, make sure it is always good.
Wonderful, inspiring video! Ahavat Yisroel always whether we live in our Holy Land or in the Diaspora. Harry is living proof that we can have a full, meaningful Jewish life caring and providing for our loved ones wherever in the world we reside. When Moshiach is finally announced, he will gather us all as prophesized from the "four corners of the earth" and bring us to Eretz Yisroel. That was the promise. Yes, it is one of the many mitzvahs to move to Israel if one has the ability to however most Jews are struggling just to put food on the table and pay their bills. Yet, many still incorrectly assume that North American Jews are a rich group of people and feel they can pass judgement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Reality is we live where we can best take care of our familes, sick relatives, our elderly. In the process we enrich the societies where we dwell - like Harry R. and his family in Philly - and teach them our Jewish values of morality, ethics and love with a helping hand towards each other. If Hashem feels that it is definetely time for us to return to Eretz Yisroel now, he will send a strong, unequivocal message perhaps through the newly elect American president. The jury is still out. Ms. AP
ReplyDeleteThe question isn't whether things are OK outside of Israel now, the question is: "what if tomorrow all your comfort zone disappears?" The entire message we are receiving from Hashem is: "it is all temporary and about to end, come home while it is still comfortable."
DeleteThe unemployment rate in Israel is very low (in the US they are lying to make it look much better than it is), the cost of living is much better, 85% of Israelis speak English (I rarely speak Hebrew since most Israelis are proud to speak English), the schools are far better and safer, I attended a Kollel for years in English (far better learning than anything I had in America), the weather is tremendous, the future is tremendous (not so outside of Israel), Nibiru will only be scary outside of Israel (many countries will be devastated), longevity is 82 in Israel and increasing (about 76 for a male in the US and declining), it is much healthier in Israel (air, water, food, etc), all your friends and loved ones will all be here soon, there are many, many more positive aspects of life in Israel that exists nowhere else in the world (for a Jew). One more big reason: Hashem wants you here!!!!!
When the real devastation starts and you and family are scared to death, you will ask: why didn't you push me more (you will realize how much you should have taken Hashem more seriously). It won't be too late, but it will be with much more of a struggle. We have had messages recently saying the the Jews outside Israel will probably survive, but they will be running with just the shirts on their backs after they lose everything.
I have a post that I am working on for tomorrow. It is not from me, but a very clear message from Hashem that I read over Shabbos.
See Top 10 Reasons Jews DON’T Make Aliyah - http://bit.ly/2fPFSyI
DeleteThis Shabbat we had the worldwide Shabbat Project going on at shuls throughout the world. I asked the same question to many of the Chassidim present in my shul. Should we all be moving to Israel since, after all, it is a mitzvah. The answers were invariably: go if you are able to. However, they also made it very clear that it is perfectly fine to wait for Moshiach where we are. Living an observant Jewish life while we make a living, provide for our families and wait for Moshiach is widely endorsed. As far as we are aware, no one from Chabad or other Orthodox denominations have received messages urging us to move right now. Besides, and I say this with much respect, the stats that I have been looking at show an appalling rate of child poverty in Israel as well as dire living conditions for many elderly and disabled. Overall, there are so many problems with the Arab population and the cost of living is quite high. OK...no such thing as a perfect place and at least the weather is nice and it is our Jewish home. Well, not so fast. Last night I was also informed by another Chassid - during the Shabbat dinner - that a whopping 70% of residents of Israel can be classified as non observant. So again, if Hashem wants us to move asap to Eretz Yisroel(before Moshiach is announced) we in the diaspora will need a very clear sign. Whenever I try to talk about messages from Hashem being received by a few people in Israel I get the look. Who enjoys being looked at like the odd, fringe yid whenever this topic is broached. At this stage I just hope that Moshiach will be revealed before the devastation starts and he urges us to move. Hashem in His infinite love and providence will not abandon his loyal Chassidim and other observant Jews to suffering and death without giving a strong, loud warning. One that is clearly understood by all. Ms. AP
ReplyDeleteMs. AP you voice my feelings, struggles and fears perfectly! I want nothing more than to be in Israel, but money is an issue and we have elderly, ailing parents, married children and extended family who are not financially or psychologically ready to make the move although we all long to be there. The more learned among them say what you have stated, that the gedolei ha'dor have not yet urged this and Hashem would not in his infinite mercy not have a plan to get His devoted out in time. With your permission and Rav Menachem's help I would like to be in touch with you off list.
ReplyDeleteRachel go ahead and email me. I plan to visit Eretz Yisroel in the Spring but i know already it will be very hard to leave. What can i do? It is just me and the children and they are starting college. I can only pray, try to do good deeds and hope that a definite sign like Moshiach being introduced will cause us all to be gathered according to prophecy and aliyah will happen immediately. Hang in there Rachel, don't lose hope and let us focus on our yiddishkeit. Ms. AP
ReplyDeleteYou, Rachel and your families will be here long before the spring. Keep a very positive attitude; that is what Hashem wants to see from all of us.
DeletePositive attitude.....
ReplyDeleteHashem help us please to receive Your messages loud and clear and to jump when You say so.
Please don't let us rationalize away the messages You send us.
Please Hashem help us to influence lovingly our families to yearn for and plan for coming Home.
Please Hashem don't let us give up hope ever- even for a moment that You love us, that we can come close to You in teshuva and that we WILL be redeemed at exactly the best moment of Your choosing.
Please Hashem save us all and keep us positive.
bezras Hashem
Moshiach is coming
Moshiach is coming
Moshiach is coming!!!!!
Kochav is here!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbmhmnxmD4E&spfreload=10