Kiruv

This was an exciting week for me and this blog.  As many of you know I was challenged on various items that I had written about, as to whether it was the Absolute Truth or not.  The great debate that happened on the Shirat Devorah blog which finalized at 110 comments really made me happy and at the same time concerned.  I will get more specific about some of the comments since I feel an obligation to answer the mail.  But, I wanted to post these answers with further explanation for two very specific reasons.  One is that my blog was very specifically created for Kiruv.  Wikipedia describes Kiruv as: Jewish outreach commonly referred to as Kiruv or Keruv (Hebrew: קירוב , קֵרוּב‎ "bringing close").  My desire is to share with the Jewish world and also to include righteous non-Jews, the truth about our world and the One Who created it.  By “bringing close” the people of the world to this truth, people can actually live with reality and get away from the fantasy world of lies that we experience every day.  Why I want to accomplish this task and of what benefit it is to you, is exactly what I have been writing about since March.  So I am saying that my real target audiences are Jews that are not necessarily observant and doing the Commandments that Hashem has given us. This is the reason that I have tried to keep my posts at a very basic level even avoiding Hebrew or Yiddish terms that are so prevalent in this type of learning.  In order to keep my blog exciting I have tried to cover subjects that most people would never see.  Exciting discovery is the name of the game.  When one can read about a subject and say "I never knew that" then I have whet the appetite of my reader and hopefully encouraged him or her to want to learn more.


The second purpose of my blog is to give information to observant Jews on subjects that they may not be as familiar with.  The reason for all of this is that the evidence that we are in the end of days is so extensive that much work needs to be done very quickly by both groups – observant and not-observant-yet.  As an observant Torah Jew I can never say that I am ready for Moshiach; but rather, that I have more to do in repentance, prayer, charity, Torah study and helping others.  When will the job be done?  When Moshiach comes; and, we get to our day of judgment which I call "the too late date."  After that date we can say: “I made my bed and now I must lie in it.”  In other words, whatever I have accomplished at that point is what measure-for-measure will be on my final report card and determine my future forever and ever.  Fortunately, as I have mentioned Hashem does not judge us by what we know, but how we grow.  So even starting today to follow the ways of Hashem should never be considered too late by anyone.  The old expression "today is the first day of the rest of your life" may be corny, but so true.


So why was I happy about the debate this past week?  When you get so many people debating Jewish subjects especially the coming of Moshiach, it was great.  What was my concern?  When people who are not to observant and are considering doing more, they should never experience seeing observant people arguing and calling each other names; that is totally counterproductive.  I have said for months how observant Jews are the nicest people in the world.  They show more love for each other and more help for each other than any other people that I've observed in my many years on this earth.  But, when you see people, who claim to be observant, not being nice to other people, who claim to be observant, you paint a questionable picture.


The most important point that I wish to get across is that a very small minority of the debaters were being disrespectful.  Most comments, including many comments and E-mails that I received on my blog, were done the way Hashem wants to see people treat each other.  Let me teach you a very important Hebrew word that is of great concern to Hashem.  “Achdus,” commonly translated as "unity," is what Hashem wants to see amongst all Jews and, for that matter, all the people of the world.  One very good example that we have in the Torah is that there were two situations where the people were going against the will of Hashem.  The first was the generation before the flood.  They were very wicked -- people who were hurting each other, stealing from each other and even killing each other.  Hashem knew that he had to wipe out this generation and start again with the righteous Noah and his family.  In the generation of the Tower of Babble, the people we're fighting Hashem in their effort to reach heaven.  Why did Hashem not wipe out these rebellious people?  Because, they were working together with Achdus and not hurting each other.   By confounding their languages, they were not able to continue their rebelliousness and the incident ended without Hashem wiping them out.  Love of our fellow Jew where we work together to make a better world is the most important mission we have – that is living by the Torah.  Torah Jews arguing on a public forum is not the way of Hashem.   I was happy, however, to see that the number of favorable comments and even page views on my blog had increased.


A big concern which I tried to cover the other day was that Loshan Harah was happening by people who should know better.  I mentioned that it is a sin to speak Loshan Harah. But, I failed to mention that it is also a sin to even listen to or read Loshan Harah.  In other words in more modern vernacular listening to gossip is as wrong as speaking gossip.  If one should inadvertently hear Loshan Harah, one is obligated not to believe what one heard.  Once again, I am happy to say that there was not an abundance of Loshan Harahin in this week's discussion; but, the little that happened, should not give a wrong impression to Jews who are wanting to become more observant.  I've always said that sometimes very observant people can have a secular moment.  The temptation from our evil inclination sometimes gets the best of us and, because we are human, we don't always do everything according to Hashem's will.


I would like to clarify a couple of the points that were disputed in the comments.  One I have already mentioned – that I was being accused of calculating a date for the coming of Moshiach.  I have said many times I never calculated a date but had only drawn an obvious conclusion from the evidence that had appeared on many blogs recently.  This is the hundred pages of evidence that I offer to anyone who would like to review the documents.  It is still available.  Just send me an E-mail requesting the information.  You will notice, as many, many individuals who already have received the information, that none of it was written by me; but, is completely a collection of blog posts (from other blogs) that use Scriptures and prominent Rabbis as their sources.  I am not calculating I am just stating the obvious “we are just about there.”


Another area that I was accused of in a not too favorable way was my statement about Moshiach ben Yosef being killed and then brought back by Moshiach ben Dovid.  This dispute points to a problem that I have experienced for years.  When somebody disagrees with me but will not take the time to research the answer, only stating a personal opinion and resolving nothing.  I encourage people to check things out for themselves. Instead of just disagreeing, we should all have the desire to avoid conflict by checking it out and getting back to the person with the correct answer.

This particular website worded it well about Moshiach ben Yosef and included legitimate references as to where the information originated:


http://www.moshiach.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=65

The immediate results of this war [11] will be disastrous: Moshiach ben Yosef will be killed.  This is described in the prophecy of Zechariah, who says of this tragedy that “they shall mourn him as one mourns for an only child.” (Zechariah 12:10).[12] His death will be followed by a period of great calamities.  These new tribulations shall be the final test for Israel, and shortly thereafter Moshiach ben David shall come, avenge his death, resurrect him, and inaugurate the Messianic era of everlasting peace and bliss.[13]


[11].  Targum Yehonathan on Exodus 40:11, and on Zechariah 12:10 (manuscript-version in ed. A. Sperber); Agadat Moshiach; Pirkei Heichalot Rabaty (in version cited by Ramban, Sefer Hage’ulah, sha’ar IV; ed. Chavel, p. 291); and Rashi on Sukah 52a; identify the battle of Moshiach ben Yosef with the war of Gog and Magog.


[12].  Sukah 52a, and parallel passages
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[13].  Pirkei Heichalot Rabaty, ch. 39 (cited in Sefer Hage’ulah, sha’ar IV); Sefer Zerubavel; Agadat Moshiach (cited in Lekach Tov, ibid.). See R. Saadiah Gaon, Emunot Vede’ot VIII:ch. 5, adding Scriptural “prooftexts” or allusions for all details; and the lengthy responsum of R. Hai Gaon on the redemption, published in Otzar Hageonim on Sukah 52a, and in Midreshei Ge’ulah, ed. Y. Ibn Shemuel, p. 135ff. Cf. Rashi and Ibn Ezra on Zechariah 12:10; Ibn Ezra and Redak on Zechariah 13:7
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One last thought is that I never want to give the impression that I am infallible. Yes, I make mistakes but I wish to be corrected in a very friendly way.  I encourage people to make comments on my blog but if your comment is complete disagreement, it is best to avoid embarrassment for you and me.  E-mail me instead.  In a private E-mail to absolutetruth613@gmail.com you can say anything you want without getting into Loshan Harah.  Of course, be aware that Hashem is listening and reading everything that transpires between us.  As I have told people who are talking during prayer services: “say anything you want; Hashem is listening.”  They get the message I hope you are getting this message also.  Comments are always sent to me for review on a No Reply E-mail address.  Obviously, if I would like to return a comment without posting it on the blog, I cannot.  If you wish to make a comment that really should not be seen by other people (harsh disagreement or bordering on Loshan Harah) a personal E-mail is second best – no comment at all is best.  Also I encourage avoiding Anonymous.  If you are ashamed of what you are posting, then you probably shouldn't be posting it.  Many don't realize that when you want to post with a name and it asked you for a URL as well, the URL can be left blank.


All I am asking is do things the Jewish way, the way that Hashem wants to see it done and that is with us working together, learning together and helping each other – all with love and respect.


Have a great Shabbat.

Imagine!

Imagine living in a world above time and space: a world with transportation but without traffic jams.  Imagine not having to wait on line in the supermarket - even in the express lane!  Everyone comes and goes as they please (of course they pay for their goods - money will be no problem).

Imagine a sumptuous home-cooked meal that should take hours to prepare.  All you need to do is wish for it and it's yours, instantaneously.  Imagine plucking ready-to-wear clothing right off a tree, just your size and style.

Imagine wishing to communicate with a relative or friend who is far away.  There's no need to lift a telephone to make the connection.  You can just go there and see them - faster than you can push the buttons on your touch-tone phone.  And imagine total recall: never fumbling for the right word or phrase, or stumbling over an assumed fact stored away in memory.

Imagine never worrying about the next mortgage or tuition payment, or about affording your next vacation.  You'll have incredible wealth, never lacking anything your heart desires.  And so will everyone you know - for poverty will no longer exist.

Imagine a world with the ideal environment: no air pollution, no holes in the ozone layer, no acid rain, no rain forest destruction and no nuclear or chemical waste to worry about.  The temperature is just right: not too hot and not too cold.  No hurricanes or tornadoes or sandstorms, no icy rains or sleet.  There will be plentiful rainfall, but never on anyone's picnic or parade.  Animals will also be secure.  No poaching of elephants or rhinoceros for their tusks, no wanton destruction of minks or ermine.

Imagine people luxuriating in the warmth of the sun, without fear of sunburn - or of skin cancer.  A world without illness or suffering: no cancer, no heart disease, no AIDS; no bronchitis, tuberculosis, typhus, malaria or even the flu or the common cold.  Everybody goes busily about their daily lives without incurring even a scratch or stubbing a toe.

Imagine a world without jealousies and without hatred; without arrogance or anger; without the pursuit of power to intimidate or dominate others.  Instead, it will be a world in which people will love and respect one another - simply for what they are - without any ulterior motives.

Sound utopian?  It certainly does and definitely does not seem even remotely feasible in our age.  But then, prior to 1800, nobody thought that many of the comforts of today's world would ever exist.  A forty-mile trip was, if one were lucky, an all-day affair in a horse-drawn buggy over dirt roads.  Today, many people commute that distance in less than an hour without a second thought.  Communication between cities used to take weeks, but today you call using a telephone or fax halfway around the globe in less than a minute or communicate by computer instantly.

Suits and dresses, pants, skirts and shirts are available by the thousands straight off the rack; but, two centuries ago people were fortunate if they found enough ready-made yam to knit a pair socks.  And all foods were "raw materials, with every dinner having to be made from scratch - not some microwave dinner available from your local supermarket.

The world's technology has advanced at an incredible pace since the Industrial Revolution.  In its early years, inventions were introduced every few years.  In today's world, technology jumps forward by gigantic leaps at an increasingly dizzying pace.  Progress seems to scream out to everyone: "Move forward! Move! Move! Move!" But the questions stand out: "Why?" "For what purpose?" and "To what end?"

Mashiach, a windfall and a scorpion

"Three [things] come unexpectedly [to a person]: Moshiach, a windfall and a scorpion." Sanhedrin 97a

Hashem created Adam, the First Man, with the intention that a human being in corporeal form be able to live a spiritual life. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, a spiritually rich and rewarding environment, to facilitate this goal.  But on their very first day of life, they transgressed.  Man was severely punished - banished from Paradise - and penalized with the need to struggle in order to sustain himself in a material world.  He must now work very hard (Genesis 3:19), "By the sweat of his brow," to find spirituality.

But the question remains, if man were penalized with the need to pursue the material, how can he ever attain spirituality?  And even more baffling, what of those who succumb to their physical lusts and temptations, causing man and mankind to plunge deeper into materialism?  If, on their very first day of life, Adam and Eve were unable to maintain a spiritual existence, is there a chance for anybody to ever ascend from that abyss into which mankind has fallen?  Has it ever happened?  And, if so, is it possible that all of mankind could ever make that ascent?

Before Hashem created the world, He knew of man's fallibility - after all, it was He Who created the evil inclination.  He knew that man would be lax in his pursuit of the spiritual.  But Hashem created the world to reveal His goodness (Etz Chaim, Shaar HaKlalim 1) and His plan is that everyone should benefit from His goodness – even the unworthy.  Thus, everyone (well, almost everyone – there are individuals who are totally not deserving) can, through some means, find rectification for his deeds and attain a level of perfection.

*

But who in his right mind would even think that this is possible?  As the world plummets to new depths of corruption and immorality, of perversity and depravity, one wonders how any rectification could ever take place – let alone one in which the entire world reaches a stage of perfection!  But then again, not all that long ago, nobody believed man would ever fly.  We have reached a perplexing stage in history.  Contemporary man has lived through a century of some of the most despicable and bestial behaviors ever exhibited by the human race - against humans, animals and the environment.  And yet man has a better chance of living today than ever before.  Life expectancy has risen, health care is infinitely better (if you are in the right place), the global standard of living rises each year (if you are in the right place) and people have been blessed with wonderful inventions that have benefitted countless lives.

We are beset by a profound paradox having come into the 21st century.  At the very same time that the technology of modern
communication forces everyone into contact with everyone else, those small crevices that divide all the various levels of our society are widening into yawning fissures.  The loftier the heights man reaches through his intellect – as evidenced in his scientific and technological breakthroughs – the greater the depravity that is revealed in his soul.

The explanations that are offered for this are all abstract, like the very concept of Moshiach.  But therein lies a profound commentary on contemporary life.

We constantly find ourselves with "windfalls" – with even more breakthroughs in technology yet to come.  Concurrently, we also find ourselves beset by life's "scorpions."  The only answer that connects these two opposites is that we are in the "End of Days," with the arrival of the Moshiach, imminently.  Therefore, the unexpected always happens.

Global stability no longer exists.  The environment is deteriorating, yet man is living longer.  The great financial institutions upon which western civilization has relied are crumbling, yet the standard of living steadily rises (if you are in the right place), with more people able to enjoy the windfalls of life (if you are in the right place).  In short, as the 20th century is over; there is no longer any tangible explanation for the way the world continues.

Yet it does continue, and any day now Moshiach will arrive and set things right.  In fact, his presence is already here and can be easily felt by everyone, if we but choose to feel it.  The kind of life we will live when Moshiach comes; can be experienced in a microcosmic manner in the present.  But we need to hasten its advent.  By living the Torah life now, we can see how Moshiach is so much a part of us already.

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And then, "The wolf will live with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and the lion will dwell together ... the cow will graze with the bear and their young will forage side by side; and the lion, like cattle, will eat straw.  The child will play with the cobra ... for the world will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem ..." (Isaiah 11:6-9).

This was the Prologue to the book "Mashiach Who What Why How Where When" by Chaim Kramer.  I have made minor changes to bring the Prologue up to date since it was written in 1994.  I highly recommend the book since it has such insight.  It is 18 years since the book was written and the events are happening with great accuracy.  See the note below for additional information. 

Don’t Confuse Me with the Truth!

I am overwhelmed by the attention that I have gotten this past day. Between 110 comments that appeared on Shirat Devorah and many E-mails that I received, both supporting and condemning my effort to save the world.  Overall, I am extremely happy with what happened.  First of all, I never thought I could get so many people discussing and debating Moshiach.  Since I feel very strongly that we are in a time that we should be talking about and learning about Moshiach, I look at yesterday as a very gratifying Kiddush Hashem.

I also woke up this morning with a strong message from Hashem as to why it happened.  Since I believe very strongly that everything, and I mean everything, is for the good and from Hashem, I prayed yesterday for insight as to why Hashem wanted this to happen.  The message I got was to turn it into a very productive learning experience.  One topic that I have mentioned but have not really emphasized is that of Loshon Harah, the evil tongue.  I believe that Loshon Harah is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Torah but one of the most important personality characteristics that Hashem wants us to work on.  In simple English it is the idea of talking about people, sometimes called gossip, which always has a negative effect.  It is an abomination to Hashem since he wants us to love and help each other and not hurt each other.

The Chofetz Chaim, who has written books on Loshon Harah, is considered one of the best sources of information on the subject. He teaches us that it is not just saying unfavorable statements about someone, but even praising the individual could have negative effects for that individual.  We are not even concerned whether the Loshon Harah is true or false; it is just the idea of talking about someone and the damage it could do.  One caveat is if the information that you are providing someone will save them suffering, then it is allowed.  If someone stole money from me and is offering to loan money to a fellow Jew, I am obligated to help an honest Jew from being swindled or hurt in any way.

Let me give you an example of Loshon Harah that is more subtle in nature.  You want to take a particular college course and a friend tells you "make sure you only take the course with Prof. Peloni."  One would think what is wrong with suggesting Prof. Peloni that his friend had as his teacher.  But it is actually Loshon Harah because now you have said favorable things about Prof. Peloni and hinted to negativity about the other professors teaching that course.  That may not have been intended, but yet the individual suggesting one particular professor probably doesn't know the others that available to teach the course.  They may even be better than Prof. Peloni.  The better way would be to just tell the individual "I had Prof. Peloni who I thought did a good job."  Something else that is subtle is to never disclose that a fellow Jew may be very wealthy.  Information like that tends to cause people to bother the individual for more tzedukah, loans, help with financing and who knows what else.  A wealthy Jew is judged by Hashem on his own merit as to how he uses his money and not from the pestering of others (unless that is part of the test from Hashem).  How other Jews treat a wealthy Jew is part of their test in life.

I want to interject a thought here which will disclose a deeper part of the problem that I confronted yesterday.  Many of you, looking at the example I just gave, may be saying "that is not Loshon Harah."  The fact is I got the example from a book by the Chofetz Chaim.  Much of what I had to say yesterday was misunderstood regarding my information about Moshiach.  When one makes a statement and someone else disagrees, Hashem does not want us to promote sinat chinam, baseless hatred, but to open friendly dialogue about the disagreement; respectfully listening to the other side of the argument and resolving it the Torah way with love of our fellow Jew.  All parties are being tested by Hashem as to how they handle the situation.  When someone is misinformed about the truth and is hardheaded about his or her personal opinion, it should never result in anger and name-calling.  That is some of the worst Loshon Harah, especially on a public forum.  It is totally offensive to Hashem.

Let us talk about a more severe situation and how it can cause someone permanent damage.  When I was in the Army, there was a particular sergeant who was absolutely a delightful and pleasant individual.  Everybody liked him.  One day he was exiting a building and there were two policeman and a young woman standing at the exit.  The young woman pointed to my friend and said "that's him, he is the one who raped me."  My friend was handcuffed and imprisoned awaiting his trial.  At the trial the young woman admitted that she had just had an argument with her boyfriend.  Due to a dislike she developed for all men, she decided that she would accuse the first person who walked out of the building.  Obviously, my friend was released from custody as he was completely innocent.  However, never again did anyone look at him the same way.  They always wondered whether he was really involved; and, that maybe she had just changed her mind.  People never treated him the same after that incident.  How sad to just have your entire life upset because of Loshon Harah.

Be aware that I didn't feel bad about some of the things that were said about me.  I was more concerned about how Hashem is judging the perpetrator of Loshon Harah, and what the individual has done to him or herself.  My love of my fellow Jew means I am bothered when I see someone sinning needlessly and causing suffering and hardship to come upon him or herself.  I am a very happy and contented person who was not worried about me.  I started the blog to help others and not to cause them anguish.

Let me give an example written by Mr. Anonymous that should help summarize the horror of what an individual can do to him or herself.  Anonymous said "the Rambam curses an individual who calculates the end."  Then Anonymous went on call me an idiot. What a big negative report went into Anonymous’s book that Hashem keeps on him.  Let us analyze what happened.  First of all, one must know what the Rambam really said, since he even gave a possible calculation of the end.  He gave two provisos, telling us under what conditions one can calculate.  One: if the date is far away, it is very depressing to tell people such news and it should be avoided.  If the date is very close, many Rabbis say that you should disclose such information.  If it results in people doing repentance, more mitzvot, more praying and more Torah study, what a blessing has occurred.  Hashem will even speed up the arrival due to the increased effort.  That is what is meant by "if we are deserving."

The second suggestion from the Rambam is that you say that the calculated date is your opinion.  What is interesting about this entire episode was that I never calculated a date.  I only compiled a vast amount of information from very reliable sources, such Scriptures, and reproduced what was presented on many other blogs.  I came up with none of the information, but only gathered it all into one place and offered it to my readers.  The conclusion was obvious since it repeated itself over and over again in the compiled documentation.  This is the 100 pages of evidence that I offer for anyone who wishes to review it.  That information is growing since I received new information just this morning (see the comment on yesterday's post from A Yid).

The Jewish way to disagree with someone is to ask questions and get a clarification discussion started.  How many times I have gotten E-mails from individuals who didn't agree with my postings.  Sometimes they ask what references did you get the information from (that is the Jewish way).  Sometimes they just told me you are wrong or they stated this is not the absolute truth.  What is interesting is how many times they completely misunderstood what I had written.  Unfortunately, most comments are No Reply E-mails so I can’t even get a discussion going.  Most of the close-minded and even nasty comments are from this person named Anonymous.  If people would send me a private E-mail that I could respond to, that would be the Jewish way and would prevent that individual from being negatively looked upon by Hashem.

I unfortunately cannot write everything that I wish about the subject.  Many would require a volume of details especially considering that I may have written many blog posts from information gathered from many books.  It's very difficult to summarize many subjects and cover every aspect that I would like to.  This unfortunately leaves room for questions and sometimes comments that show that the individual is not understanding what was said.  I often receive excellent comments that do enhance the topic.  In posting these comments my readers get to see the additional information.  But when something is completely misunderstood, only questions, respectively submitted, will clarify a misunderstanding.  This may come as a shock but “I am human.”  I have made some very minor mistakes and was blessed by someone intelligent enough to point them out allowing me to make a correction.  I like to consider myself a nice guy, a friendly person who loves other people and wants to help them.  All I ask is that you reciprocate in a kind manner by telling me what bothers you or what you need help with, allowing us to work together to resolve your issue.  Bringing Loshon Harah into the picture is very counterproductive for you and sad for me.

I would like to disclose something about myself that has been misunderstood from the very beginning.  I am not a Rabbi.  Using the word rav is meant as a teacher.  Wikipedia states: The term rav is also a generic term for a teacher or a personal spiritual guide.  For example, Pirkei Avot tells us that "Joshua ben Perachyah said: Provide for yourself a teacher (rav).  It doesn't diminish my level of scholarship because I was never ordained a Rabbi even though I am referred to by friends, and even when I had coworkers, as Rabbi.  In my environment, it is a very common title whether one has been ordained or not.  It is based more on the level of scholarship and above all a tremendous desire to help people.  It was comical in my last employment environment, before I retired, I worked in an office with other engineers who called me their spiritual leader.  I remember one day a woman from an adjoining office coming in to talk to me and asked me for guidance.  When I asked her why she was asking me, she said you are my spiritual adviser.  When I said to her “but you are Catholic why aren't you talking to your priest,” she answered with Loshon Harah "he is useless."

My desire to teach and help others is not out of arrogance but strictly to perform Hashem's will.  All I ask is that we work together, respect each other, learn together and do everything the way Hashem wants to see it done.  It's the best thing for both of us.

Moshiach (continued)

Since this seems to be the most popular subject that I have posted, I thought I would continue again today. I changed the name from “The Absolute Truth that I Have Been Avoiding” to “Moshiach” since I obviously am no longer of avoiding the subject. I was up at 2 AM this morning to continue with other information on the subject, and I noticed that I was being attacked on one of my favorite blogs. I have spent most of the morning defending myself. You can go to Shirat Devorah and see how I have been raked over the coals. It is interesting that many of my readers were there to defend me against the wolves. All those who spoke against me seem to have the name anonymous. Wonder why?  Since I have not started on a blog post for today, I thought I would give some of the answers that I wrote in my defense on Shirat Devorah.  Following my defense testimonial are answers for people who commented on yesterday's blog post.  I was very pleased that there were some excellent comments from very intelligent readers who definitely enhanced my writings of yesterday.

My posts on Shirat Devorah

I believe that everything that I have said has been taken out of context.  These blogs (the ones that you recommend on your blog) have given me 100 pages of verses from Tenach, Talmud, Zohar, commentary from Gedolim, etc, etc, etc that have said that Moshiach is here and will be announced in 5772. None of this is my opinion, chas vasholom.  Did you not believe what has been posted from the Zohar, the Talmud, the Vilna Gaon, the Yalkut Shemoni, Rav Kaduri, Rav Eliyahu (before his passing) the Autistics, Rav Fish, Rav and Rebbetzin Kanievsky, Rav Scheinberg (just before his passing) and many other Gedolim (I apologize for leaving out certain Gedolim)?  As I said 100 pages of proof that I have compiled.  I am not a prophet, just a compiler.  I heard recently that it is an avarah (a sin) to say that it may not be this year.  Why? Because we are the ones who put off the coming of the Geula and Moshiach.  I have heard for years when we talk about the events that are supposed to happen before Moshiach "we've seen that before and he hasn't come."  A very prominent Rabbi in Lakewood, New Jersey told me years ago:  Hashem says if you are happy not having Moshiach, you will wait longer.  Hashem wants us to say "we have had enough of this evil world -- we want Moshiach now (believe the Rambam when he and our sages tell us this).  Then Hashem will say: Now you have caught on -- here he is (instantly).  If you pay attention to what is supposed to happen before Moshiach comes, you would see that everything has been satisfied.  The only event that I am waiting for is, as the Yalkut Shemoni said (and Yoma 10), Edom (the US and its coalition) will attack Pershia (Iran) "IN THE YEAR THAT MOSHIACH WILL COME." That event is imminent and will probably lead to the final battle of Gog UMagog (yes, that is my speculation but based on very obvious events of the day).  We are there.  How many times have you heard that when all the Jews do teshuvah (repentance) we will have Moshiach instantly.  Our attitude has kept him away.  Hashem is now scaring us with weather, allowing terrorist activity (I didn't say causing it), financial problems, allowing war (I didn't say causing it), etc to get us to do teshuvah.  When all the Jews look up and say "HELP", that one word will do it and Moshiach will be announced.  Hashem wants us to turn to Him even if it is with one word. Not to Obama, Netanyahu, candidates for November's election (which will probably not even happen – yes that was my opinion, political opinions I have) – only Hashem.  If people would read my blog about what is really going on – the obvious signs from Hashem – they would realize I have made up nothing.  I have worked hard for decades to not have an opinion but to read my messages from Hashem and react to His will.  If you think that is dangerous then you are part of the problem.  I state very clearly when something is the Absolute Truth and when it is my speculation.  But never has my speculation been based on anything other than scriptures, words of Gedolim and the events that are happening every day. By the way, I have been correct many times over the decades in what was about to happen.  Open your eyes and see the obvious -- that is what I do.  Please join me in bringing Moshiach and saving the world instead of fighting the issue.  Hashem knows what He is doing -- I am just trying to follow His lead.

Next comment:

Judaism is not a spectator sport.  We are the team on the field.  If we play together and each does his or her part we will win (no I am not advocating co-ed teams).  If I wanted to get a little deeper with my analogy, I would refer to my military background.  If we, on this battlefield of life, don't work together, we are now talking survival.  Working together, as I have said repeatedly on my blog, is doing Hashem's will and helping all my fellow Jews succeed by doing the same.  My blog was setup strictly to help others help themselves.  The winning formula is Torah.  Not just learning it but living it.  My life has been tremendously successful and happy; all I ask is don't argue with success, but join me.  Hashem's way is "the way."  I have been doing Kiruv (outreach) for many years.  I have been very successful – always working with small groups or individuals.  I just thought it was time to use the tools that Hashem has provided to reach more people (this blog).  I thank Hashem for the opportunity to reach out daily to help many more.  I feel very gratified at the great amount of Email and comments saying that they are trying to do more.  I request that everyone does more for him or herself and reach out to everyone around them and show them the way – the Torah way.  When I became observant, people used to say to me "it looks like you discovered a new way of life."  I answered them "No, I discovered life itself."  I have over 7 billion people that I am trying to reach.  That is why I say I need your help.  Even Moshe Rabbenu knew he needed assistance (even though we all know that Hashem is the One Who does it all – we are only His helpers).

One final thing I wanted to mention.  There were many tidbits of information that I got from this blog.  I consider Shirat Devorah to be one of the best blogs on the web.  I am offended if people think that my blog is strictly my opinion since I always, always ask the question when I need information "What is Hashem's opinion?"  Unfortunately, unless I wrote a book everyday to explain my sources of information which is almost completely Jewish scriptures, I would get criticized.  The hazard of trying to say a lot in a short space.  I do, however, take it as a compliment if someone gives me credit for writing brilliant commentary that I took from the sages.  No, I can't take credit, I just happen to be the whipping boy when someone disagrees with the Gadolim or, even worse, what I took from the words of Hashem.  Let's just be nice to each other -- help each other and Moshiach will be here today (now somebody will write me to say "how can you say he will be here today; that is not the absolute truth – or is it?)

Next comment:

I forgot (at my age it happens occasionally -- we call it a senior moment). My 100 pages of evidence to the Geula and Moshiach happening this year have been available to anyone who wants it (the skeptics special). I have sent it to many over the months (it used to be 80 pages, but keeps growing). Just Email me at absolutetruth613@gmail.com and I will send it out as quickly as I can.

I was accused of predicting the date of Moshiach.  I humbly answered:

I didn't predict a date; I only compiled a tremendous amount of information from the best sources possible starting with Hashem, Who has given us so many messages recently that I can't ignore them. The date came from the Zohar, the Talmud, the Vilna Gaon, Rav Keduri and many other legitimate sources. Please request my 100 pages of proof and then decide. I have no opinion on anything -- I am just added 2+2 and came out with an answer (some of you may get the same answer). It says in scriptures when the end is near, even a child will be able to figure it out. Well, I am in my second childhood (or third) and I am just relaying a very simple, obvious message that Hashem is giving to the world. The problem is there are not too many people who are willing to listen.

Enough of that.  Yesterday’s comment:

Anonymous July 9, 2012 1:22 PM

Hi I hope HaMashiach comes soon.. whoever he is? Then we will know :) It is good your post re who is HaMashiach. I am Jewish and dated a non Jewish lady. Her group rejected the Pagan elements of Christianity ie Easter & Christmas etc. She kinda eats Kosher & kinda keeps Shabbat. After a while I found out she was misleading me. She said she wanted to convert to Judaism but knew nothing much about it. Then she mentioned Reform Judaism. Then one day she prayed in the name of Jesus. Then I realized she was not done with Jesus as she had told me. She believes him to be the Jewish Messiah..who will come again. I researched Torah and read the Gospels. I was happy to be Jewish. The New Testament is not Divine. Did you know the 1st Gospel is Mark and the original Mark whom the Church Fathers St Jerome and Esubius had, had no ascension in it..? It was added in.. made up. I confronted her. We ended things. She had lied to me.. based on a verse in the NT where John says he may appear to the Jews as a Jew and to a Gentile as a Gentile etc. Intentional deception. Her aim was to convert me.. to Jesus worship. And that will never happen! That is why a blog like yours is good- people must KNOW the truth! People need to think, learn, study and believe. The Torah is so interesting, just take some time to look at the text and then look deeper. It is an amazing thing. Her group hates the Jews- why? Because we do not indulge in any Jesus belief. We know HaMashiach is yet to come. We wait. Her group also hates the Jews as the Gospels show Jesus breaking the laws of hand washing, instituted by the Sages. Her group says therefore hand washing is man made, Rabbinical nonsense as is all the Oral Torah. They base all their belief on the NT, which has no credibility- they do not care to realize that the Sages had the level of Prophecy which they do not have. Read Acts- it conflicts with Genesis as to Terah being alive when Avraham left Haran- the one book says he was alive at that time and the other says he was dead. Acts conflicts with Genesis (which came first) in a fundamental way.. there are many other examples of this in the error filled NT.. and the NT is the basis for Jesus belief/worship.. Makes no sense to me thank goodness. So, people need to know the truth.

No comment necessary from me other than a book’s worth of additional mistakes in the NT.    OK, two examples.  “Avrahom is buried in Shechem.”  Right country, wrong place.  He is buried in Hevron.  “Yaakov was one of 75 to go down to Egypt.”  Right place, wrong number.  He was one of 70. The text was never proof read.

Jesterhead45 July 9, 2012 1:42 PM

Assuming you are correct and that the individual in question is the Moshiach, then which of the following two views describe him best: a beloved G-d-Fearing approachable leader / best friend / father-figure who embodies the quality of Kindness / Mercy or a harsh, cold, brutal, zealous and severe leader who embodies the quality of Strict Judgment?

I bring up the question as various topics surrounding Moshiach or Geulah from many blogs tend to be divided between those who (apart from the skeptics) are Chesed-leaning and those who are Gevurah-leaning. 

Also and somewhat OT, it says in Yeshayahu 11:12 that amongst many requirements he will gather the Children of Israel from the four corners of the World to the Land of Israel.

Does the final Kibbutz Galuyot also extend to the presently Intermarried (entailing seperation of non-Jewish spouses & children as in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah), descendants of Anusim (both Xian and Ishmaelite), the Lost Tribes as well as others who are unaware that they are actually Jewish? 

I ask since I’ve both heard from others that in the Messianic Era, there will be many people who find out that they are Jewish and return to the fold, despite living as non-Jews for many decades / centuries / millennia, which could potentially number in the hundreds of millions.

My answers:

Moshiach, like Moshe Rabenu, will be a humble tzadik with all the best qualities a person can have.  Actually, since we are made “in the image of Hashem,” Moshiach will exemplify that image to a very high level (definitely Chesed-leaning).

I believe it is Moshiach ben Yosef who will gather the Jews and the tribes (all 12) from the four corners of the Earth.

Intermarriage is considered in Heaven as no marriage at all.  I have spoken of this in a previous post.  But, you are correct that there are many people on this Earth (mostly from the 10 lost tribes) that will find out the truth about their ancestry.  Hopefully, that will help with loving couples who think they made a mistake.  Hashem is merciful and helps the righteous.  Israel will be much bigger and will accommodate all the ingathering (whatever the number).

Anonymous July 9, 2012 2:33 PM

I believe the real Moshiach is not here yet because I'm still deaf. If He is here then I should be hearing.

My answer:

The healing of the sick and afflicted will happen after Moshiach is introduced.  The fact that the person who will be anointed as Moshiach is here already is not the criteria for all that will happen.  It will be after his anointment (right away or over a period of time is not totally understood; but, you will be healed).

Anonymous July 9, 2012 2:43 PM

How do you know he is the Moshiach? Did he tell you? Were there signs? Is he married? Does he have children? Is he Jewish?

            My answers:

If he is Moshiach, it is based strictly on my research that this great tzadik meets the requirements of Moshiach.  Did I catch every requirement?  I don’t know if I know every requirement.  He is married, has children and is extremely Jewish and many more things that I need not talk about.  I am in enough trouble for just suggesting that he is a possibility (even though I have not violated any halachah – someone probably will find something and report back to me).

joshua manevitz July 9, 2012 4:55 PM

The way to verify if the person you think is the Mashiach is he truly a humble person, it may not be enough to be a tremendous Talmid Chacham , some may not qualify .

My answers:

The individual that I suspect (once again, only my speculation) is a tzadik gamor, as humble a person as I have ever met (and I have know great Rabbaim with very good credentials).

Anonymous July 9, 2012 7:31 PM

B'H
YOU MUST ALSO REMEMBER THAT THERE IS ANOTHER SCENARIO BY WHICH MOSIACH ARRIVES AND IT IS THE FLIP SIDE OF THE GENTLE WAT AS DESCRIBED AS COMING IN THE CLOUDS WHICH REPRESENTS ISRAEL BEING HOLY AND STUDYING TORAH. IT IS IN THE ZOHAR, I WILL TRY TO GET YOU THE EXACT LOCATION:
MOSIACH COMES RIDING ON A DONKEY WHICH REPRESENTS ISRAEL BEING POOR IN TORAH AND THUS A HARSH REDEMPTION PROCESS. WE SEE THAT BY THE GAY PRIDE PARADES TAKING PLACE IN YERUSALEM AND GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT AND THE HOLY OF HOLIES THAT EDOM, ESSAU IS NOW KNOCKING ON THE GATES OF THE TEMPLE
MOSIACH BEN YOSEPH (MBY) CAN BE KILLED IN THE WAR !!
THIS IS TO ALLOW THOSE WHO ARE NOT TORAH OBSERVANT TO COMPLETELY WALK AWAY FROM TORAH AND FOR THOSE WHO ONLY LIP SINC OR WHO ARE LACKING EMUNA IN HASHEM WILL ALSO WALK AWAY FROM TORAH!
THIS THEN ALLOWS FOR ERETZ ISRAEL TO BE CLEANSED OF THE IMPURITY 
DURING THIS TIME DIASPORA AND THE REST OF MANKIND IS ALSO PURIFIED !!
THIS PURIFICATION PROCESS IS INTENSE AND PERHAPS TWO THIRDS OF THE WORLD WILL BE COMPLETELY CLEANSED
THEN MOSIACH BEN DOVID (MBD), ALONG WITH MOSES USHER IN THE FINAL STAGE OF THE REDEMPTIVE PROCESS.
IN THIS SCENARIO ERETZ ISRAEL IS REALLY PURIFIED!! TO THE POINT WHERE THERE COULD EXIST ONLY 7000 TRUE TORAH OBSERVANT JEWS LEFT!!
WHAT THEN DOES THIS SAY FOR ALL THE REST OF THE JEWS OUTSIDE THE LAND AND ALL THE REST OF MANKIND?
THIS IS THE MOST HARSH PROCESS, YET BY WITNESSING ALL THAT IS GOING ON IN ERETZ ISRAEL RIGHT NOW IT APPEARS TO BE THE VERY MODE HASHEM MAY RESORT TO USING.
THERE ARE SOME RABBI'S WHO ARE NOW SEEING THIS AS A REAL POSSIBILITY UNLESS JEWS REALLY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER VERY QUICKLY. THIS PROCESS ALSO REALLY SHOWS THE TRUE FALSEHOOD OF ALL OTHER RELIGIONS!!

PS I TYPE ALL CAPS AS IT IS FASTER AND AM NOT SCREAMING AT ANY ONE

PSHAT YID

My answers:

This is an excellent post with much information from scriptures.  I could write more than a book on all the subjects you have brought to our attention.  I will try to expound on certain pertenent points.  First of all the two possible ways for Moshiach to arrive pertain to “if we deserve it” or, if not “in its time.”  Most Gadolim are of the belief that this is In its time and will be the second method of entrance, the donkey.  Noone really knows; so, that will be a wait and see.

The cleansing of the Jews is expected in a way that is very unfamiliar to us.  It is a death that is different than what we know as death.  Described more as being similar to going to sleep and being resurected in a purified state.

I heard years ago (I believe it was 1993) that the people will not accept the Moshiach when he is introduced (similar to the skepticism that arose with Moshe Rabenu).  All will know Moshiach ben Yosef who, I believe, will be here first.  Moshiach ben Yosef will be killed  and three days later Moshiach ben Dovid will resurect him.  (I know, it is Hashem that resurects but Moshiach ben Dovid will go through the motions as Moshe did – like at Yam Suf).  The people will then accept Moshiach ben Dovid for this act since Moshiach ben Yosef was very well liked.  I have also heard more recently that the death of Moshiach ben Yosef will not happen.  Another wait and see.

All the world will not become Jewish but will be monothiests.  All the made up religions of the world will disappear and only total devotion to Hashem will be the desire of every Jew and non-Jew.

It’s funny, when I started to read your comments I  said to my wife “why is he shouting at me?”  I got quite a laugh when I read the end of your comment.  Thank you for the comments.

mg July 9, 2012 8:54 PM

"As explained above: the Rebbe rising up cannot be found in scriptures..."

I found some information you may be interested in from the scriptures and from great tzaddikim of hundreds of years ago that claim that Moshiach can come from the dead:

Arba Mei'os Shekel Kesef (page 68) ...written by Rabbi Chaim Vital, pupil of the Arizal.... 
"Just as we find that Moshe Rabbeinu [Moses] ascended to Heaven, body and soul, and remained there for 40 days...similary, Moshiach [King Messiah] will, through the help of the Almighty, merit to attain that lofty soul. He will then realize that he is in fact Moshiach [King Messiah], although no one else wil be aware of this. This is the secret to which the Zohar alludes, 'Moshiach [King Messiah] will be revealed, yet no one will perceive him'.

Sha'ar Hagilgulim chapter 13

In the second to the last Rashi (the foremost explainer of the scripture and the Talmud, printed in every text) in the book of Daniel, (12:12) he writes: "The Moshiach [King Messiah] will reveal himself and then be concealed.... and then revealed once more, and so it says in the Midrash on Ruth and in the poems of Rabbi Eliezer HaKalir."

So it states in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98b), "If the Moshiach [King Messiah] comes from the dead he will be someone like Daniel." Rashi there explains this to mean exactly what it says; Moshiach [King Messiah] can come from the dead."

And so agrees the Holy Chacham Yosef Chiam (The Ben Ish Chai) in his commentary on Sanhedren 98 in his book "Ben Yehoyada", , that Moshiach [King Messiah] can come from the dead. (he also explains the topic there of Moshiach ben Yosef and how he can also be Moshiach.

The Zohar in Parshat Balak (pg. 203b) states that the Moshiach [King Messiah] will have to "die"' i.e. go to a higher spiritual level, and return again with the new level he has attained.

Finally the Abarbanel states in his book "Yeshuot Moshicho" (Part 2, topic 2, chapter 1) that "the Moshiach [King Messiah] will have to die in order to purify the generation...and he will wait in a spiritual state in 'heaven' until it he rises from the dead, as it says in the Talmud Sanhedrin (98b).

May he come very soon!

My answers:

I have seen many of the sources that you quote and can only say that it is a wait and see.  However, as I mentioned in the last answer to the comment above, we will all experience a type of death and be resurected.  The only question that I have is whether your above sources are talking about that happening to Moshiach as opposed to it being possible that a person could die and be brought back as the same person close to 2 decades later.  The death that Moshiach will experience  as  described above is rather quick.  The other point that I made, I believe yesterday, is that the body is unimportant – it is the soul of Moshiach that we want.  Since, as I have mentioned, that Moshiach can look different to different people, to a Chabadnick he probably will look like the Rebbe.  Time will tell.

shloime July 9, 2012 9:40 PM

The main way of telling who Moshiach is, in the Rambam in Mishnah Torah: that’s Jewish law. He has to be a great Jewish leader that comes from the house of King David, and he's into Torah and mitzvos just like King David was (that is something way more than most of the sages of our times), and he has to compel all Jews to fulfill Torah and mitzvos, and he has to fight the wars of Hashem (spiritually and /or physically), etc,etc.

My answers:

You are correct and I know that whoever the Moshiach is, he will fulfill all the requirements you mentioned except for fighting the war; that will be Moshiach ben Yosef.  Bringing all the people around to the ways of Hashem will come from Hashem.  It says in the Torah that Hashem will circumcise our hearts and we will follow His ways.  This means that the Yetzer Harah, the evil inclination, will be removed from us.

shloime July 9, 2012 10:00 PM

sanhedrin 98(and rashi there), sdei chemed 9, daf 2984, derech eretz zuta (end of chapter 11), yeshuos meshicho (page 104), midrash eicha rabba(1:51), arba meos shekel kesef (page 68), ZOHAR balak (203,b), one of the last rashis on sefer daniel, ben ish-chai on sanhedrin 98, maamarim admur hazaken 5568 (page 283). 
in all these places (and a few more), it says that moshiach will disappear momentarily (not for 2000 years), and then reappear

Anonymous July 10, 2012 1:08 AM

Rav Menachem.... Thank you for posting all this information. We can see it took so long to do it, and we very much appreciate it...on such an important and immanent subject...Surely we are there now...

I hope to continue with more information about Moshiach tomorrow.  I have books on the subject that could take us up to his coming (hopefully much sooner than we think – that was not my opinion, only a fervent desire).