Monday, December 20, 2010

n korea = gog?

Korea crisis

the Juche tower in N. Korea

The Juche Idea, also called Chuch'e (Korean pronunciation: [tɕutɕʰe] approximately "joo-che") is the official state ideology of North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). It teaches that "man is the master of everything and decides everything," and that the Korean people are the masters of Korea's revolution. Juche is a component of North Korea's political system.[citation needed] Juche literally means "main body" or "subject"; it has also been translated in North Korean sources as "independent stand" and the "spirit of self-reliance". Juche cannot be completely translated into foreign languages. Its best translation would be ‘always putting Korean things first (wikipedia)

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Shoresh tours

On Shabbat VeYechi, two hikers were stabbed while hiking in the forest outside of Jerusalem near Beit Shemesh.

One of the victims was a tour guide for Shoresh Tours, a Messianic Jewish tour group. According to the website of Shoresh Tours, the group's goal is:

"We want our tours to be used by God to make loving disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) – people who know God’s love for them and share it with others.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

weather and miracles

Despite the severe weather in Israel, there have been countless miracles:

A minibus carrying a group of mentally challenged adults was stuck in a flooded area in Tel Aviv. Fireman unloaded all 13 passengers unharmed.

A commercial vehicle flipped over and went up in flames. All 13 passengers of the vehicle successfully removed themselves. There were 2 injuries but no fatalities.

The number of saved passengers in both cases is 13, which is equal to Hashem's 13 qualities of compassion.

In another incident, a tree fell and severely damaged a school building in Yizhar at night, when no students were present. According to INN, "The fact that the trees collapsed into the empty buildings at night and not during school hours is a miracle," said Yitzhar's residents.

May Hashem have rachamim on all of am yisrael and keep us one and safe in these times.

joseph's pit

Is Jubb Yussef really the pit into which Joseph was cast?

Saturday, December 11, 2010

the Galil and the Golan in the time of Mashiach

HaRav Daniel Zamir reads a section from Talmud that says that before the time of Mashiach the Galil will be destroyed and the Golan will be desolate.

Video in Hebrew:

Thursday, December 9, 2010


And he looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Hashem. And there came forth two bears out of the forest, and tore from them forty-two children.

And he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

(Kings 2 2:24-25)

The Carmel Forest fire of 2010 claimed 42 lives.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Vayigash: Parsha and Commentary

"And Judah approached him..." (44.18)

Midrash Rabbah: Said Rabbi Judah: The verb “he approached” (vayigash) implies an approach to battle, as in the verse (II Samuel 10:13), “So Joab and the people that were with him approached unto battle.” Rabbi Nechemiah said: The verb “he approached” implies a coming near for conciliation, as in the verse (Joshua 14:6), “Then the children of Judah
approached Joshua.” The Sages said: It implies coming near for prayer, as in the verse (I Kings,
18:36), “And it came to pass at the time of the evening offering, that Elijah the prophet approached...” Rabbi Eleazar combined all these views: Judah approached Joseph for all


Midrash Rabbah: Regarding the encounter between Judah and Joseph it is said: “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5). This may be compared to a deep well full of cold and excellent water, yet none could drink of it. Then came one who tied cord to cord and thread to thread, drew up its water and drank, whereupon all drew water thus and drank thereof. In the same way Judah did not cease from answering Joseph word for word until he penetrated to his very heart.

וְהַקֹּל נִשְׁמַע בֵּית פַּרְעֹה לֵאמֹר בָּאוּ אֲחֵי יוֹסֵף וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינֵי פַרְעֹה וּבְעֵינֵי עֲבָדָיו:

וּלְאָבִיו שָׁלַח כְּזֹאת עֲשָׂרָה חֲמֹרִים נֹשְׂאִים מִטּוּב מִצְרָיִם וְעֶשֶׂר אֲתֹנֹת נֹשְׂאֹת בָּר וָלֶחֶם וּמָזוֹן לְאָבִיו לַדָּרֶךְ:
רש"י: מטוב מצרים:
מצינו בתלמוד ששלח לו יין (ישן) שדעת זקנים נוחה הימנו. ומדרש אגדה גריסין של פול:

45.23 And to his father he sent the following: ten he donkeys carrying of the best of Egypt, and ten she donkeys carrying grain, bread, and [other] food, for his father for the way.

Rashi: of the best of Egypt:
We find in the Talmud (Meg. 16b) that he sent him aged wine because elderly people find contentment with it. [I.e., the fact that wine improves with age often affords contentment to the elderly.] According to the Midrash Aggadah (Gen. Rabbah 94:2 on verse 18), however, this refers to pounded beans [which have a soothing effect on a troubled spirit].

45.24 And he sent off his brothers, and they went, and he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the way."

Rashi: Do not engage in a halachic discussion lest the way cause you to stray. Another explanation: Do not walk with large steps, and enter the city while the sun is shining (Ta’anith 10b). According to the simple meaning of the verse, we can say that since they were ashamed, he (Joseph) was concerned that they would perhaps quarrel on the way about his being sold, debating with one another, and saying,“Because of you he was sold. You slandered him and caused us to hate him.”

וַיֹּאמֶר יִשְׂרָאֵל רַב עוֹד יוֹסֵף בְּנִי חָי אֵלְכָה וְאֶרְאֶנּוּ בְּטֶרֶם אָמוּת

And Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ־לֹהִים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמַרְאֹת הַלַּיְלָה וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב יַעֲקֹב וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּנִי


אָנֹכִי אֵרֵד עִמְּךָ מִצְרַיְמָה וְאָנֹכִי אַעַלְךָ גַם עָלֹה וְיוֹסֵף יָשִׁית יָדוֹ עַל עֵינֶיךָ

I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up, and Joseph will place his hand on your eyes.

Talmud Megillah 29a: Come and see how beloved are Israel in the sight of G-d! To every place to which they were exiled, the Divine Presence went with them. They were exiled to Egypt and the Divine Presence was with them; they were exiled to Babylon, and the Divine Presence was with them; and when they will be redeemed in the future, the Divine Presence will be with them.

בָּנָיו וּבְנֵי בָנָיו אִתּוֹ בְּנֹתָיו וּבְנוֹת בָּנָיו וְכָל זַרְעוֹ הֵבִיא אִתּוֹ מִצְרָיְמָה
רש"י: ובנות בניו : סרח בת אשר, ויוכבד בת לוי

Rashi: his sons’ daughters: Serah the daughter of Asher and Jochebed the daughter of Levi.

Sefer HaYashar, Tzror HaMor: When Jacob’s sons returned from Egypt with the news that Joseph is alive, they said: If we tell him straightaway, his soul will fly from his body. So they told Serach to play on her harp and sing, “Joseph lives, Joseph lives, and he is the ruler of Egypt,” so that he should absorb the message slowly. Said Jacob to her: “The mouth that informed me that Joseph lives shall not taste death.” Serach was among those who came out of Egypt and among those who entered the Land; She was the “wise woman” who handed over Sheva ben Bichri to Joab (II Samuel 20); in the end, she entered paradise alive.

Bava Batra 123a: "ALL THE SOULS OF THE HOUSE OF JACOB WHO CAME INTO EGYPT WERE SEVENTY (46:27)" But if you count them, you find only sixty-nine; the seventieth is Jocheved the daughter of Levi, who was born between the boundary walls as they
entered Egypt.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe (phrased by Yanki Tauber): In Egypt, there was one Jew who was born "between the boundary walls" as Jacob's household entered the country. A Jew who straddled the pre- and post-galut states of mind; who was neither of Egypt nor aloof from it. A Jew rooted in the past but an integral part of the present; a Jew with the power to transform Egypt without being transformed by it. This Jew was one of the two Jewish midwives (the second was her daughter, Miriam) who delivered, sheltered and raised a generation of faithful Jews under the terrible reign of Pharaoh. This Jew was Yocheved, mother of Moses.

(collected from Parsha In-Depth)

Today in Jewish History: Esther Made Queen

"And Esther was taken to King Achashverosh, to his palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tevet, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won his favor and kindness more than all the virgins; he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti's stead" (Book of Esther 2:16-17). This set the stage for the miracle of Purim six years later, on the 13th and 14th of Adar of the year 3405 from creation (356 BCE).


A parable for the importance of being connected to Chassidus today

A prince once fell extremely ill. The doctors diagnosed that his sickness could only be cured by grinding down certain jewels, mixing them with water, and administering this potion to him. However, these jewels were so rare that they could not even be found in the king’s treasury. The only such jewels available were in the king’s crown. In the meantime, the prince’s health deteriorated to the extent that the doctors began to doubt whether the prince would even be able to swallow the potion. The king then declared that nonetheless, it is worthwhile to grind down this jewel, the centerpiece of the king’s crown, on the chance that a drop may enter the prince’s mouth and heal him.

(from A Chassidishe Farbrengen)

Rain messages

Rav Shmuel Eliahu of Tzfat said recently that whoever does not understand that the rain sends us simple messages has not truly performed the mitzvah of Kriat Shma. We need to serve Hashem from the heart, to daven with Kavanah, to do things with joy and with awareness - including, when you say "Shalom" to a person, mean it!

מי שלא מבין שהגשם שולח לנו מסרים פשוט לא יצא ידי חובת קריאת שמע, "למען ירבו ימיכם על האדמה.. שנשבע לאבותיכם". הקב"ה אומר לנו שהוא יקיים את הברית אם גם אנחנו נמלא את חלקנו בהסכם, צריכים לעבוד את ה' מהלב, להתפלל בכוונה, לעשות את הדברים מתוך שמחה ומתוך התבוננות, גם כשאתה אומר לאדם שלום תתכוון לזה

full article (Heb) at Arutz Sheva

Zos Chanuka and Teshuva Shlema

- Chanuka is the actual final judgment period from Rosh Hashona, making the last day, called Zos Chanuka, because of the Torah reading that day, the final day of judgment.

- Reb Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov teaches based on the Zohar that Chanuka is a time of Teshuva M'Ahava, repentance out of love for Hashem.

- Reb Yisroel of Ruzhin says that a simple Jew can receive from Hashem on Zos Chanuka, what Tzadikim can on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

(this and more at Zechus Avos)

Segulah for Rosh Chodesh Nissan

The Ben Ish Chai (Hilchos Chanuka 28) says: ומנהגינו להדליק שמן למאור לכבוד נשמת רבי מאיר בעל הנס זיע"א ביום ר"ח טבת - Our custom is to light oil for light in honor of the soul of Rebbe Meir Baal Hannes ZY"A on the day of Rosh Chodesh Teves.
R' Chaim Falagi of Izmir says that during Chanuka, and especially on Rosh Chodesh Teves, it's appropriate to give tzedaka in honor of Rebbe Meir Baal Hannes, and to send the money to the chachomim and rabbonim of Teveria (where Rebbe Meir is buried)...for one will see wonders from Hashem. This is tested and proven. (Moed L'kol Chai 27:76)

(from Zechus Avos)

Tzaddikim - Yartzheits - Tevet - including Reb Nosson, Rambam and Ba'al HaTanya!!

Full list at Zechus Avos

1 Teves - Avrohom Avinu (Bava Basra 91a)

5 Teves - R' Shlomo Molcho HY"D (1534), arrested by the Inquisition in Spain, he recited
Shema with great joy as he was burned at the stake. Read more about his amazing story here.

9 Teves - Ezra Hasofer (320 B.C.E.)

10 Teves - Reb Nosson of Nemirov (1844). Rebbe Nachman's student and wondrous compiler of many of Rebbe Nachman's teachings. See
Likutei Tefilos.

15 Teves - Rav Huna and Mari bar Mar Zutra, Amoraim

20 Teves - the Rambam

24 Teves - R' Shneur Zalman ben R' Boruch of Liadi (1813), first Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch Harav

29 Teves - R' Yitzchok Kaduri (2006) ben R' Zev - elder mekubal of our time. well over 100 years old when he passed away.

Chodesh Tov!! Kol HaYeshuot!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Russian firefighting delegation prays at Kotel

Pictures from Arutz Sheva

Swiss firefighters at Kotel for 7th candle

The Swiss firefighting delegation participated this evening in the Hannukah candle-lighting ceremony at the Kotel. The Kotel Rabbi, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, thanked the delegation on behalf of the Jewish people for their contribution during the Carmel fire. The crowd who participated in the candle-lighting ceremony applauded and cheered along with the remarks.

Full article (in Hebrew) at Arutz Sheva

US, Israel to announce failure of freeze deal

Channel Two reports sides have come to a dead end in negotiations for Israel to renew moratorium on West Bank settlement building in exchange for US benefits package.

The US and Israel will announce on Tuesday night that negotiations to renew the moratorium on building in West Bank settlements have failed, Channel Two reported.

According to the report, Israel will not receive F-35 fighter jets or other benefits from the US in exchange for a freeze, and peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians will, in the mean time, not be renewed.






The letter has not yet arrived.


Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Power of Tehillim

From Israel National News, Rabbi Moshe Moreno speaks about his miraculous survival of the most recent terror attack:

“I am not sure in what merit G-d chose to save my life. I have a few ideas: It could be some form of merits of my forefathers, or perhaps because at that very minute, my mother was reciting Psalms for two hours straight… Or it could be because of a special kindness that I did for someone in our town just the day before… I’m not sure, but the bottom line is that I have received my life anew, as a gift.”

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Obama and the Love Parade Disaster

July 24, 2010: 18 killed in mass panic at Germany's Love Parade. According to the Love Parade's Facebook page, the traditional route of the parade snaked past the Angel of Peace monument, atop the Victory Column, in the middle of the Tiergarden and down to the Brandenburg Gate, a potent symbol of German reunification.

July 24, 2008: From Wikipedia: The Victory Column served as the location for Barack Obama's speech in Berlin during his visit to Germany on July 24, 2008. The choice of site was somewhat controversial in Germany as it symbolises German war victories in the past and is still seen as a Nazi symbol. Obama talked about cooperation between the United States and Europe in the speech and ended his speech with these lines: "With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."

In 2008, prior to his speech, Der Spiegel said Obama would make a good "President of the World."

Prior to Obama's 2008 speech,
Soeren Kern from the American Thinker wrote the following:

Are there any historians among Obama's 300-plus foreign policy advisors? The Siegessäule was moved to its current location by Adolf Hitler in 1939 to make way for his planned transformation of Berlin into the Nazi capital "Germania." Hitler saw the column as a symbol of German superiority.

Or did Obama deliberately choose the Siegessäule venue because in recent years it has served as ground zero for the Love Parade, an annual dance festival/political demonstration for love, peace and international understanding?

איש ואשה קשה זיוגם כקריעת ים סוף = 2090 = 24 יולי 2010

From the Love Parade Facebook page: "It seems that there is hope yet for peace, love and hedonism on Planet Earth!"

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Rav Kook: Love for God

I am full of love for G-d!
I know that my love and yearning has no name.
How can a feeling that surpasses everything:
all goodness, all essence, all existence, be given a name?
(Orot HaKodesh 4:400)

(Credit to I Love Noahides)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

4th of July and the 3 weeks

יום העצמאות בארה"ב תש"ע = תלתא דפורענותא = 1648

July 4th, 1776 = י"ז בתמוז תרל"ו

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Or LaGoyim

Jon Voight speaks on the unique contributions of the Jewish people to the world:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rubashkin and Judge Reade


פדיון השבוי שלום מרדכי בן רבקה = 1482

לְהַצִּילְךָ, מֵאִשָּׁה זָרָה, מִנָּכְרִיָּה, אֲמָרֶיהָ הֶחֱלִיקָה = 1482

Monday, June 21, 2010

Do the math

Americans killed in intentionally by Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups: Over 50
Americans killed intentionally by Israel: 0

Palestinian civilians intentionally killed by I Israel (since 2000): 0
Israeli civilians (of all religions) intentionally killed by Palestinian violence and terrorism (since 2000): 1,190 and over 8,000 wounded.

The number of times Palestinian "leaders" rejected peace and their own state since 1948: 15
The number of times Israel rejected peace and co-existence: 0

Amount of money offered by US to Israel with no strings attached (excluding joint military projects): 0
Amount of US Aid to the Palestinians: over $900 million.
Amount (per capita) of US aid to Haiti (after the quake): $77.47
Amount (per capita) of US aid to Palestinians: $ 579.95

from "theclash" on an SF Chronicle comments page

Oil Spill

From Helium article: Warnings were raised as long as a year before the Deepwater Horizon disaster that the area of seabed chosen by the BP geologists might be unstable, or worse, inherently dangerous. What makes the location that Transocean chose potentially far riskier than other potential oil deposits located at other regions of the Gulf? It can be summed up with two words: methane gas.

The oil spill happened on Yom Haatzmaut, 5 Iyyar, 21 to the Omer, which fell on 6 Iyyar because of the tradition to not have a sad day on Shabbat.

ו אייר תשע = אמריקה הצפונית = אני חוזר בתשובה = ידין עמו בצדק וענייך במשפט

From Wikipedia: massive ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that is now considered the largest offshore spill in U.S. history.[7] Some estimates placed it by late May or early June, 2010, as among the largest oil spills in the world with tens of millions of gallons spilled to date.

On June 18, oceanographer John Kessler said that the crude gushing from the well contains 40 percent methane, compared to about 5 percent found in typical oil deposits. Methane is a natural gas that could potentially suffocate marine life and create "dead zones" where oxygen is so depleted that nothing lives. "This is the most vigorous methane eruption in modern human history," Kessler said.[73] On June 20 an internal BP document was released by Congress revealing that BP estimated the flow could be as much as 100,000 barrels (4,200,000 US gallons; 16,000 cubic metres) per day under the circumstances that existed since the April 20 blowout

June 30th, 2010:

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Story about the Chida's burial facilitated by Rav Mordechai Eliyahu zt"l


More than a century and a half after the Chida was buried in Laverne, plans were made to rebury him on Har Hamenuchos.

The arrangements for the transfer of his remains were made by the Sefardic Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchak Nissim. It was decided to bring his remains to Eretz Yisroel because the Fascists in Laverne planned to convert the cemetery in which he was buried into a public park, and to reinter him in a new plot in a different cemetery.

When the plane bearing the Chida's coffin landed in Eretz Yisroel, the rabbanim who had escorted it from Laverne learned that during the flight, the coffin had fallen twice and, each time it was picked up, it was turned upside down.

One of the escorts was Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, who later served as Sefardic chief rabbi. After the necessary arrangements for bringing the coffin from the airport to Yerushalayim were made, Rav Eliyahu told the other escorts, "We must open the coffin and rearrange the Chida's remains."

The other rabbanim disagreed with him. However, Rav Mordechai insisted that it wasn't respectable to bury the Chida in such a state. Then, fearfully yet courageously, he lifted the coffin's lid slightly and said, "Rabbeinu HaChida, please forgive me if in any way I am not fulfilling this mitzva properly."

As his hand reached deeper into the coffin, he continued, "Rabbeinu, please do this task by yourself, lest I err."

Suddenly, the coffin began to shake, and a rattling sound - made by the Chida's remains striking the coffin's walls - was heard. The rav standing next to Rav Mordechai was so startled that he fainted.

When the rattling subsided, Rav Eliyahu examined the entire coffin with his hand to make sure that all the remains were in the right place.

From Lod, the coffin was brought to Yerushalayim. There it was met by tens of thousands of Jews, who escorted it to Har Hamenuchos. The Chida had finally come home.

from :

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Fire on Road to Yerushalayim

Fire in Valley Closes Route 1 to Jerusalem

Pidyon Shvuyim

Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 252:3 Every moment that one delays in freeing captives, in cases where it is possible to expedite their freedom, is considered to be tantamount to murder.


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Gimmel Tamuz

עד מתי רשעים יעלזו

"Not by our will did we go into galus, and not by our will shall we leave" - the Rebbe's father

The Rebbe explains why we need to ask for Mashiach every day

The Rebbe explains and sings the Niggun Nyet Nyet Nikavo

Pollard gematria

יהונתן פולארד בן מלכה = 998

זה היום עשה ה' נגילה ונשמחה בו - תהלים
או כנפל טמון לא אהיה כעללים לא ראו אור - ספר איוב

Monday, June 14, 2010

who's side are you on?

Here is a very powerful statement by Indiana Republican Mike Pence on Obama's Israel policy.

a conversation between Madoff and Pollard on teshuva







Thursday, June 10, 2010

the gog and magog prophecy in full (ezekiel 38-39)

ב בֶּן-אָדָם, שִׂים פָּנֶיךָ אֶל-גּוֹג אֶרֶץ הַמָּגוֹג--נְשִׂיא, רֹאשׁ מֶשֶׁךְ וְתֻבָל; וְהִנָּבֵא, עָלָיו. 2 'Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
ג וְאָמַרְתָּ, כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: הִנְנִי אֵלֶיךָ, גּוֹג--נְשִׂיא, רֹאשׁ מֶשֶׁךְ וְתֻבָל. 3 and say: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal;
ד וְשׁוֹבַבְתִּיךָ, וְנָתַתִּי חַחִים בִּלְחָיֶיךָ; וְהוֹצֵאתִי אוֹתְךָ וְאֶת-כָּל-חֵילֶךָ סוּסִים וּפָרָשִׁים, לְבֻשֵׁי מִכְלוֹל כֻּלָּם--קָהָל רָב צִנָּה וּמָגֵן, תֹּפְשֵׂי חֲרָבוֹת כֻּלָּם. 4 and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed most gorgeously, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords:
ה פָּרַס כּוּשׁ וּפוּט, אִתָּם; כֻּלָּם, מָגֵן וְכוֹבָע. 5 Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
ו גֹּמֶר, וְכָל-אֲגַפֶּיהָ--בֵּית תּוֹגַרְמָה, יַרְכְּתֵי צָפוֹן וְאֶת-כָּל-אֲגַפָּיו; עַמִּים רַבִּים, אִתָּךְ. 6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his bands; even many peoples with thee.
ז הִכֹּן, וְהָכֵן לְךָ--אַתָּה, וְכָל-קְהָלֶךָ הַנִּקְהָלִים עָלֶיךָ; וְהָיִיתָ לָהֶם, לְמִשְׁמָר. 7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou guarded of them.
ח מִיָּמִים רַבִּים, תִּפָּקֵד--בְּאַחֲרִית הַשָּׁנִים תָּבוֹא אֶל-אֶרֶץ מְשׁוֹבֶבֶת מֵחֶרֶב מְקֻבֶּצֶת מֵעַמִּים רַבִּים, עַל הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר-הָיוּ לְחָרְבָּה תָּמִיד; וְהִיא מֵעַמִּים הוּצָאָה, וְיָשְׁבוּ לָבֶטַח כֻּלָּם. 8 After many days thou shalt be mustered for service, in the latter years thou shalt come against the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste; but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they dwell safely all of them.
ט וְעָלִיתָ כַּשֹּׁאָה תָבוֹא, כֶּעָנָן לְכַסּוֹת הָאָרֶץ תִּהְיֶה--אַתָּה, וְכָל-אֲגַפֶּיךָ, וְעַמִּים רַבִּים, אוֹתָךְ. {ס} 9 And thou shalt ascend, thou shalt come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many peoples with thee. {S}
י כֹּה אָמַר, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, יַעֲלוּ דְבָרִים עַל-לְבָבֶךָ, וְחָשַׁבְתָּ, מַחֲשֶׁבֶת רָעָה. 10 Thus saith the Lord GOD: It shall come to pass in that day, that things shall come into thy mind, and thou shalt devise an evil device;
יא וְאָמַרְתָּ, אֶעֱלֶה עַל-אֶרֶץ פְּרָזוֹת--אָבוֹא הַשֹּׁקְטִים, יֹשְׁבֵי לָבֶטַח; כֻּלָּם, יֹשְׁבִים בְּאֵין חוֹמָה, וּבְרִיחַ וּדְלָתַיִם, אֵין לָהֶם. 11 and thou shalt say: I will go up against the land of unwalled villages; I will come upon them that are at quiet, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates;
יב לִשְׁלֹל שָׁלָל, וְלָבֹז בַּז--לְהָשִׁיב יָדְךָ עַל-חֳרָבוֹת נוֹשָׁבוֹת, וְאֶל-עַם מְאֻסָּף מִגּוֹיִם, עֹשֶׂה מִקְנֶה וְקִנְיָן, יֹשְׁבֵי עַל-טַבּוּר הָאָרֶץ. 12 to take the spoil and to take the prey; to turn thy hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and against the people that are gathered out of the nations, that have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the middle of the earth.
יג שְׁבָא וּדְדָן וְסֹחֲרֵי תַרְשִׁישׁ וְכָל-כְּפִירֶיהָ, יֹאמְרוּ לְךָ, הֲלִשְׁלֹל שָׁלָל אַתָּה בָא, הֲלָבֹז בַּז הִקְהַלְתָּ קְהָלֶךָ--לָשֵׂאת כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב, לָקַחַת מִקְנֶה וְקִנְיָן, לִשְׁלֹל, שָׁלָל גָּדוֹל. {ס} 13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the magnates thereof, shall say unto thee: Comest thou to take the spoil? hast thou assembled thy company to take the prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take great spoil? {S}
יד לָכֵן, הִנָּבֵא בֶן-אָדָם, וְאָמַרְתָּ לְגוֹג, כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: הֲלוֹא בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, בְּשֶׁבֶת עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל לָבֶטַח--תֵּדָע. 14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say unto Gog: Thus saith the Lord GOD: In that day when My people Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
טו וּבָאתָ מִמְּקוֹמְךָ, מִיַּרְכְּתֵי צָפוֹן--אַתָּה, וְעַמִּים רַבִּים אִתָּךְ: רֹכְבֵי סוּסִים כֻּלָּם, קָהָל גָּדוֹל וְחַיִל רָב. 15 And thou shalt come from thy place out of the uttermost parts of the north, thou, and many peoples with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army;
טז וְעָלִיתָ עַל-עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל, כֶּעָנָן לְכַסּוֹת הָאָרֶץ בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים תִּהְיֶה
וַהֲבִאוֹתִיךָ עַל-אַרְצִי
לְמַעַן דַּעַת הַגּוֹיִם אֹתִי
בְּהִקָּדְשִׁי בְךָ לְעֵינֵיהֶם,
16 and thou shalt come up against My people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the end of days, and I will bring thee against My land, that the nations may know Me, when I shall be sanctified through thee, O Gog, before their eyes. {S}
יז כֹּה-אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, הַאַתָּה-הוּא אֲשֶׁר-דִּבַּרְתִּי בְּיָמִים קַדְמוֹנִים בְּיַד עֲבָדַי נְבִיאֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנִּבְּאִים בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם, שָׁנִים--לְהָבִיא אֹתְךָ, עֲלֵיהֶם. {ס} 17 Thus saith the Lord GOD: Art thou he of whom I spoke in old time by My servants the prophets of Israel, that prophesied in those days for many years, that I would bring thee against them? {S}
יח וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, בְּיוֹם בּוֹא גוֹג עַל-אַדְמַת יִשְׂרָאֵל--נְאֻם, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: תַּעֲלֶה חֲמָתִי, בְּאַפִּי. 18 And it shall come to pass in that day, when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that My fury shall arise up in My nostrils.
יט וּבְקִנְאָתִי בְאֵשׁ-עֶבְרָתִי, דִּבַּרְתִּי: אִם-לֹא בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, יִהְיֶה רַעַשׁ גָּדוֹל, עַל, אַדְמַת יִשְׂרָאֵל. 19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I spoken: Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;
כ וְרָעֲשׁוּ מִפָּנַי דְּגֵי הַיָּם וְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וְחַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה, וְכָל-הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאֲדָמָה, וְכֹל הָאָדָם, אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה; וְנֶהֶרְסוּ הֶהָרִים, וְנָפְלוּ הַמַּדְרֵגוֹת,
וְכָל-חוֹמָה, לָאָרֶץ תִּפּוֹל
כא וְקָרָאתִי עָלָיו לְכָל-הָרַי חֶרֶב, נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: חֶרֶב אִישׁ, בְּאָחִיו תִּהְיֶה. 21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD; every man's sword shall be against his brother.
כב וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּי אִתּוֹ, בְּדֶבֶר וּבְדָם; וְגֶשֶׁם שׁוֹטֵף וְאַבְנֵי אֶלְגָּבִישׁ אֵשׁ וְגָפְרִית, אַמְטִיר עָלָיו וְעַל-אֲגַפָּיו, וְעַל-עַמִּים רַבִּים, אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ. 22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will cause to rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
כג וְהִתְגַּדִּלְתִּי
לְעֵינֵי גּוֹיִם רַבִּים
וְיָדְעוּ כִּי-אֲנִי יְהוָה

א וְאַתָּה בֶן-אָדָם, הִנָּבֵא עַל-גּוֹג, וְאָמַרְתָּ, כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: הִנְנִי אֵלֶיךָ, גּוֹג--נְשִׂיא, רֹאשׁ מֶשֶׁךְ וְתֻבָל. 1 And thou, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal;
ב וְשֹׁבַבְתִּיךָ, וְשִׁשֵּׁאתִיךָ, וְהַעֲלִיתִיךָ, מִיַּרְכְּתֵי צָפוֹן; וַהֲבִאוֹתִךָ, עַל-הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. 2 and I will turn thee about and lead thee on, and will cause thee to come up from the uttermost parts of the north; and I will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel;
ג וְהִכֵּיתִי קַשְׁתְּךָ, מִיַּד שְׂמֹאולֶךָ; וְחִצֶּיךָ, מִיַּד יְמִינְךָ אַפִּיל. 3 and I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
ד עַל-הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל תִּפּוֹל, אַתָּה וְכָל-אֲגַפֶּיךָ, וְעַמִּים, אֲשֶׁר אִתָּךְ: לְעֵיט צִפּוֹר כָּל-כָּנָף וְחַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה, נְתַתִּיךָ לְאָכְלָה. 4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the peoples that are with thee; I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort and to the beasts of the field, to be devoured.
ה עַל-פְּנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה, תִּפּוֹל: כִּי אֲנִי דִבַּרְתִּי, נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה. 5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
ו וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי-אֵשׁ בְּמָגוֹג, וּבְיֹשְׁבֵי הָאִיִּים לָבֶטַח; וְיָדְעוּ, כִּי-אֲנִי יְהוָה. 6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and on them that dwell safely in the isles; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
ז וְאֶת-שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי אוֹדִיעַ
בְּתוֹךְ עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל
וְלֹא-אַחֵל אֶת-שֵׁם-קָדְשִׁי עוֹד
וְיָדְעוּ הַגּוֹיִם כִּי-אֲנִי יְהוָה
קָדוֹשׁ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל
ח הִנֵּה בָאָה וְנִהְיָתָה, נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה: הוּא הַיּוֹם, אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי. 8 Behold, it cometh, and it shall be done, saith the Lord GOD; This is the day whereof I have spoken.
ט וְיָצְאוּ יֹשְׁבֵי עָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּבִעֲרוּ וְהִשִּׂיקוּ בְּנֶשֶׁק וּמָגֵן וְצִנָּה בְּקֶשֶׁת וּבְחִצִּים, וּבְמַקֵּל יָד, וּבְרֹמַח; וּבִעֲרוּ בָהֶם אֵשׁ, שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים. 9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall make fires of the weapons and use them as fuel, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the hand-staves, and the spears, and they shall make fires of them seven years;
י וְלֹא-יִשְׂאוּ עֵצִים מִן-הַשָּׂדֶה, וְלֹא יַחְטְבוּ מִן-הַיְּעָרִים--כִּי בַנֶּשֶׁק, יְבַעֲרוּ-אֵשׁ; וְשָׁלְלוּ אֶת-שֹׁלְלֵיהֶם, וּבָזְזוּ אֶת-בֹּזְזֵיהֶם--נְאֻם, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה. {ס} 10 so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests, for they shall make fires of the weapons; and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD. {S}
יא וְהָיָה בַיּוֹם הַהוּא אֶתֵּן לְגוֹג מְקוֹם-שָׁם קֶבֶר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, גֵּי הָעֹבְרִים קִדְמַת הַיָּם, וְחֹסֶמֶת הִיא, אֶת-הָעֹבְרִים; וְקָבְרוּ שָׁם, אֶת-גּוֹג וְאֶת-כָּל-הֲמוֹנֹה, וְקָרְאוּ, גֵּיא הֲמוֹן גּוֹג. 11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place fit for burial in Israel, the valley of them that pass through on the east of the sea; and it shall stop them that pass through; and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude; and they shall call it the valley of Hamon-gog.
יב וּקְבָרוּם בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְמַעַן טַהֵר אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, שִׁבְעָה, חֳדָשִׁים. 12 And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying them, that they may cleanse the land.
יג וְקָבְרוּ כָּל-עַם הָאָרֶץ, וְהָיָה לָהֶם לְשֵׁם--יוֹם, הִכָּבְדִי, נְאֻם, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה. 13 Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them, and it shall be to them a renown; in the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.
יד וְאַנְשֵׁי תָמִיד יַבְדִּילוּ, עֹבְרִים בָּאָרֶץ, מְקַבְּרִים אֶת-הָעֹבְרִים אֶת-הַנּוֹתָרִים עַל-פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ, לְטַהֲרָהּ--מִקְצֵה שִׁבְעָה-חֳדָשִׁים, יַחְקֹרוּ. 14 And they shall set apart men of continual employment, that shall pass through the land to bury with them that pass through those that remain upon the face of the land, to cleanse it; after the end of seven months shall they search.
טו וְעָבְרוּ הָעֹבְרִים, בָּאָרֶץ, וְרָאָה עֶצֶם אָדָם, וּבָנָה אֶצְלוֹ צִיּוּן--עַד קָבְרוּ אֹתוֹ הַמְקַבְּרִים, אֶל-גֵּיא הֲמוֹן גּוֹג. 15 And when they that pass through shall pass through the land, and any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.
טז וְגַם שֶׁם-עִיר הֲמוֹנָה, וְטִהֲרוּ הָאָרֶץ. {פ} 16 And Hamonah shall also be the name of a city. Thus shall they cleanse the land. {P}
יז וְאַתָּה בֶן-אָדָם כֹּה-אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, אֱמֹר לְצִפּוֹר כָּל-כָּנָף וּלְכֹל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה הִקָּבְצוּ וָבֹאוּ הֵאָסְפוּ מִסָּבִיב, עַל-זִבְחִי אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי זֹבֵחַ לָכֶם זֶבַח גָּדוֹל, עַל הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל; וַאֲכַלְתֶּם בָּשָׂר, וּשְׁתִיתֶם דָּם. 17 And thou, son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD: Speak unto the birds of every sort, and to every beast of the field: Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to My feast that I do prepare for you, even a great feast, upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh and drink blood.
יח בְּשַׂר גִּבּוֹרִים תֹּאכֵלוּ, וְדַם-נְשִׂיאֵי הָאָרֶץ תִּשְׁתּוּ; אֵילִים כָּרִים וְעַתּוּדִים פָּרִים, מְרִיאֵי בָשָׁן כֻּלָּם. 18 The flesh of the mighty shall ye eat, and the blood of the princes of the earth shall ye drink; rams, lambs, and goats, bullocks, fatlings of Bashan are they all of them.
יט וַאֲכַלְתֶּם-חֵלֶב לְשָׂבְעָה, וּשְׁתִיתֶם דָּם לְשִׁכָּרוֹן, מִזִּבְחִי, אֲשֶׁר-זָבַחְתִּי לָכֶם. 19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of My feast which I have prepared for you.
כ וּשְׂבַעְתֶּם עַל-שֻׁלְחָנִי סוּס וָרֶכֶב, גִּבּוֹר וְכָל-אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה--נְאֻם, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה. 20 And ye shall be filled at My table with horses and horsemen, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.
כא וְנָתַתִּי אֶת-כְּבוֹדִי, בַּגּוֹיִם; וְרָאוּ כָל-הַגּוֹיִם, אֶת-מִשְׁפָּטִי אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי, וְאֶת-יָדִי, אֲשֶׁר-שַׂמְתִּי בָהֶם. 21 And I will set My glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see My judgment that I have executed, and My hand that I have laid upon them.
כב וְיָדְעוּ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, מִן-הַיּוֹם הַהוּא, וָהָלְאָה. 22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day and forward.
כג וְיָדְעוּ הַגּוֹיִם כִּי בַעֲו‍ֹנָם גָּלוּ בֵית-יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַל אֲשֶׁר מָעֲלוּ-בִי, וָאַסְתִּר פָּנַי, מֵהֶם; וָאֶתְּנֵם בְּיַד צָרֵיהֶם, וַיִּפְּלוּ בַחֶרֶב כֻּלָּם. 23 And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they broke faith with Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they fell all of them by the sword.
כד כְּטֻמְאָתָם וּכְפִשְׁעֵיהֶם, עָשִׂיתִי אֹתָם; וָאַסְתִּר פָּנַי, מֵהֶם.

:הפסוק הזה שווה בגימטריה

הגשר אשר בכותל המערבי בירושלם יתמוטט שוב"

Numerical equivalents of this verse:

24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions did I unto them; and I hid My face from them. {S}
כה לָכֵן, כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה
עַתָּה אָשִׁיב אֶת שְׁבוּת יַעֲקֹב וְרִחַמְתִּי כָּל-בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל
וְקִנֵּאתִי, לְשֵׁם קָדְשִׁי
כו וְנָשׂוּ, אֶת-כְּלִמָּתָם, וְאֶת-כָּל-מַעֲלָם, אֲשֶׁר מָעֲלוּ-בִי--בְּשִׁבְתָּם עַל-אַדְמָתָם לָבֶטַח, וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד. 26 And they shall bear their shame, and all their breach of faith which they have committed against Me, when they shall dwell safely in their land, and none shall make them afraid;
כז בְּשׁוֹבְבִי אוֹתָם, מִן-הָעַמִּים, וְקִבַּצְתִּי אֹתָם, מֵאַרְצוֹת אֹיְבֵיהֶם; וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בָם, לְעֵינֵי הַגּוֹיִם רַבִּים. 27 when I have brought them back from the peoples, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations.
כח וְיָדְעוּ, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, בְּהַגְלוֹתִי אֹתָם אֶל-הַגּוֹיִם, וְכִנַּסְתִּים עַל-אַדְמָתָם;
וְלֹא-אוֹתִיר עוֹד מֵהֶם, שָׁם
28 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, in that I caused them to go into captivity among the nations, and have gathered them unto their own land; and I will leave none of them any more there;
כט וְלֹא-אַסְתִּיר עוֹד פָּנַי, מֵהֶם, אֲשֶׁר שָׁפַכְתִּי אֶת-רוּחִי עַל-בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה. {פ} 29 neither will I hide My face any more from them; for I have poured out My spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.' {P}

courtesy of Mamre Hebrew English Bible

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Chelbana and Ketoret

On the Ketoret (Incense) and Chalbenah (Galbanum):


Galbanum (from Wikipedia):



Emotional Attributes: calming, relaxing, meditation, prayer, sleep
Magical Associations: spirituality, healing, protection, dreams

Sunday, June 6, 2010

When I understand myself...

"When I understand myself I will understand everything - the world, life - until my understanding reaches the very Source of Life." - Rav Kook

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Gaza events and the Book of Zacharia

וְעָבַר בַּיָּם צָרָה, וְהִכָּה בַיָּם גַּלִּים, וְהֹבִישׁוּ, כֹּל מְצוּלוֹת יְאֹר; וְהוּרַד גְּאוֹן אַשּׁוּר, וְשֵׁבֶט מִצְרַיִם יָסוּר.

And over the sea affliction shall pass, and the waves shall be smitten in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall dry up; and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away. (Zecharia 10:11)

תֵּרֶא אַשְׁקְלוֹן וְתִירָא, וְעַזָּה וְתָחִיל מְאֹד, וְעֶקְרוֹן, כִּי-הֹבִישׁ מֶבָּטָהּ; וְאָבַד מֶלֶךְ מֵעַזָּה, וְאַשְׁקְלוֹן לֹא תֵשֵׁב.

Ashkelon shall see it, and fear, Gaza also, and shall be sore pained, and Ekron, for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. (Zecharia 9:5)

וְהָיָה, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא; אֲבַקֵּשׁ, לְהַשְׁמִיד אֶת-כָּל-הַגּוֹיִם, הַבָּאִים, עַל-יְרוּשָׁלִָם


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