End Days – The Tree of Life

As the World Spins

Isn’t most of the world blinded by the entertainment, that desenistizes us to violence, and makes us think that all the world really is a stage, as if Shakesperean actors are performing for us on television in the movie theatres, and even in real life, which is actually more fascinating than the illusions on the screen, if we venture to learn about what is really happening in the world.

Does art imitate life or life imitate art? Two sides of the same coin. However, the more that I follow the details news and developments each and everyday for the past several weeks, I get the viscereal sense that this is a real life drama, building up in the Middle East.

If we shut out the news by tuning out, turning off the television and shutting down our computers, and electronic devices it is still happening. And America is not immune, nor a place of refuge from the realities of the Acharit HaYamim (the End of Days) that have been transpiring on earth, especially with the onset of the Covid Plague.

Perhaps, the revolution will not be televised; and, even moreso, we are already within the midst of it. Woke ideology permeates almost every facet of society, and those who endeavor to uphold the truth in their lives need courage to stand strong against the tides of change. “And every eye will see G-d’s return to Zion.”

shiur: Bereishis 5784

A Time to Speak: a brief message of hope, resilience, and light

“A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:7–8

Last Shabbat, on Shemini Atzeret, words of wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes were read. These words are apropos of the events that transpired that day in Israel, when Israeli’s were about to celebrate Simchat Torah, usually a day of joy and dancing, in celebration of the Torah, the Etz Chayim, our way of life.

There is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Today, more than ever, for the sake of Eretz Yisrael, Israelis, and Jews all around the world, today, is not a time to remain silent; rather, today is most significantly a time to be outspoken. Primarily, it is a time to speak to H’Shem, Who views Israel as “the apple of His eye.” His gaze is upon Israel day and night, and all throughout the seasons. On Shemini Atzeret, upon the religious calendar, the season of the Mediterranean cool, rainy winter began in Israel, and with the seasonal change, war also arrived upon the southern border of Israel.

Through prayer we appeal to the Almighty, as in all previous generations, for the courage, hope, and reassurance that light will triumph over darkness. We should not even doubt in the slightest, because, ultimately, the promises of G-d to the Children of Israel will be fulfilled. We look forward to a time of peace and harmony, under the banner of Moshiach who will reign from Jerusalem, according to G-d’s timing.

Yet, the road toward that day is fraught with times of trouble, the darkness before the dawn. Yet, “the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18, PS). Let us look forward to that day with sincere and heartfelt expectation, despite the darkness that currently surrounds us. For, this is emunah (faith).

Tisha b’Av 5783

reflection for Tisha b’Av day: Stuck in Galus (Exile)

“From thence ye will seek the L-RD thy G-d; and thou shalt find Him, if thou search after Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29, JPS 1917 Tanach

In Galus (Exile), we are bound by our distractions, and deceived by modern culture. Instead of being cognizant of all that has been taken away from us, we are enamored by the glitter of the world. Our eyes are glued to the screens of New Babylon, projecting its images across the world. We forgotten what the psalmist says not forget: “O Jerusalem, if I forget thee…” (Psalms 137:5).

Even so, Moshe prophesied that from this place of exile, we will seek H’Shem. It is just like the zeitgeist of the world, in every age, to try to blind us to the truth, to make us forget our ways, and assimilate into the masses of faceless humanity. Yet, in our hearts, we know who we are, and the call to return to G-d is more powerful than the yearning for endless entertainment. Unearth the treasures of the past, excavate the hidden gems of our ancestors, dust off the pages of scripture, in order to learn the truth. We are not made for this world; we are created to serve H’Shem.

There can be no compromise, as Elijah made clear to the Israelites at Mount Carmel: “’How long halt ye between two opinions? if the L-RD be G-d, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ And all the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21, JPS). Commentary explains, that the people were worshipping both H’Shem and the pagan deity Baal. They had formed a syncretic religion of sorts, where they blended worship of G-d with that of Baal.

Yet, there can be no compromise. Eliah was calling them to follow H’Shem wholeheartedly. Too often, we mix and match our interests, so that we can not give our undivided attention to the only One who deserves it. “Hear O Israel, the L-RD our G-d, the L-RD is One. And you shall love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Our Ingathering

B”H

וְאֶתְכֶם לָקַח יְהֹוָה וַיּוֹצִא אֶתְכֶם מִכּוּר

“You hath the L-RD taken and brought forth out of the iron furnace.”

– Deuteronomy 4:20, JPS 1917 Tanach

Rashi explains, “a כור is a vessel in which one refines gold” (sefaria.org). Moshe’s choice of words, attempts to impress upon the new generation, that the nisyanos (challenges) in Egypt, were meant to serve as a means to refine the people. Consider that when gold is placed in “a refiner’s fire,” the impurities are drawn out; consequently, what remains is pure. On the level of practical application, the soul is also refined, through the challenges of life, in order to be free from taint.

Consider the following as well, Joseph, who went ahead of the children of Israel into Egypt, endured many challenges, “until the time that His word came to pass; the word of the L-rd had tested him” (Psalms 105:19). His character was refined in the refiner’s fire, in preparation for his role as a leader in Egypt, only second to Pharoah. In this manner, he was tested, until his prophetic dreams were fulfilled by H’Shem, through the circumstances of his life.

Moshe continues, “The L-RD shall scatter you among the peoples, and ye shall be left few in number among the nations, whither the L-RD shall lead you away” (Deuteronomy 4:27). “From thence ye will seek the L-RD thy G-d; and thou shalt find Him, if thou search after Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). These words are addressed to the current generation; this is denoted by the phrase, “the end of days,” wherein we currently are on the Biblical timeline.

בַּצַּר לְךָ וּמְצָאוּךָ כֹּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה בְּאַֽחֲרִית הַיָּמִים וְשַׁבְתָּ עַד־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלֽוֹ׃

“In thy distress, when all these things are come upon thee in the end of days, thou wilt return to H’Shem thy G-d, and hearken unto His voice; for the L-RD thy G-d is a merciful G-d; He will not fail thee.” – Deuteronomy 4:30-31

“G-d assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders” (Deuteronomy 4:34). So too, will He lead us out of exile. As the sages note, the time that precedes the Final Redemption, will mirror the plagues that preceded the First Redemption, when B’nei Yisrael was led out of Egypt. “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1, JPS 1917 Tanach).