United We Stand: Two Rabbi Sprecher Shavuoth/Shabbat Videos

Erev Shavuoth 5780

For some reason I can't get this video to load properly here, even though I was able to do so on my R' Sprecher page. So I'm putting the link here:  United We Stand: Shavuot 5780. I apologize for any distraction it might cause.

Hag Sameah / Shabbath Shalom | חג שמח \ שבת שלום

Who is Mashiah?

the light of 24 Iyyar 5780

No, I don't know who Mashiah is yet. However, it looks like the Christians are at it again. Actually, they've been at it for nearly 2,000 years worldwide, plus a number of decades here in the Holy Land, working on Jewish perceptions of them and getting ready for the day that they will demand payment for all the "favors" they've done us Jews. Especially the religious ones, while not excluding the seculars.

But first, they want to get a Hebrew-speaking channel and a Hebrew-speaking set of programs burrowed into Israel so that Jews can absorb the "good" news of their Messiah from the comfort of their own home. No one has to violate social distancing — physically, at least.

Enter GOD TV's Israeli affiliate, Shelanu.

A major communications company, HOT Cable, had already given them a license to do this; but when it was discovered that GOD TV had lied about their intentions, Israel's Ministry of Communications gave them notice that they may be in violation of a law against proselytizing, particularly to minors, and so I've heard there is going to be a hearing tomorrow (Tuesday, 19 May 2020) about whether they keep or lose it.

Fred Menachem clarifies in The Algemeiner in this opinion piece:

Israeli law clearly states that any person or organization that attempts to convert a minor faces six months in prison — and many minors’ families subscribe to HOT TV. Outside of the law, there’s the ethical component. Israel is the one country in the world where we can freely be Jewish and practice Judaism without any threat of persecution.

While there is no reason a Christian TV station can’t come into Israel and broadcast if they are solely focused on Christians in Israel, they have no right to come into a Jewish country and try to convert us. As Jews, we don’t attempt to convert Christians or anyone for that matter, and they should have the same respect for us.

Here's R' Tovia Singer explaining their advertisement in their own words. (h/t: Devash) For some reason, I can't embed it here, even though Devash could.

And here's the Israeli Cable TV Conduit to Christianity, which I also got from her. Thankfully, I could embed it here.

Fortunately for us, we have a number of former Christians who have converted to Judaism the honest way. Christians always say, "Search the Scriptures," but what they mean is "take the verses and chapters I give you out of context." We certainly don't demean our G-d-given Torah, Prophets and Writings that way.

Below is a link to an interview between Avi Abelow of Pulse of Israel and Shannon Nuszen, now a halachic Jewess, in which she explains how she used to try to get Jews to convert to Christianity and couldn't do it to save her life. The reason? You'll have to watch the video and find out!

Unfortunately, since I can't seem to embed it directly here, you must go there (G-dTV: Praying for Jews or Preying on Jews, Vimeo, 47.5 min). I apologize, but it's really worth the time.

Here's where Shannon sets 'em straight (transcription, light editing and emphasis mine - HDG):

“And even among the evangelicals…Pastor John Hagee can raise tremendous awareness, he can speak at AIPAC conventions, he can say things more powerful, and he can get away with saying things that no Jew could get away with saying, and he can rally support, he can have thousands march to Washington, he can advocate for legislation change in support of Israel. Those are awesome, amazing things that every evangelical can do, every Noahide can do. Those are ways that the Jewish People need help, that’s what Israel needs. That’s what a friend is, that’s what an advocate is. That’s the partnership that we need.

But coming here and establishing your missionary headquarters here, the proselytizing* part of that, that we have to set a boundary and say, “that, you can’t do.” That, we need to protect ourselves [from] because your rights and your religious freedoms to prey upon me infringe on my rights as a Jew to be living safely in my own country, in my own land, and not be targeted and preyed upon. It’s like coming into somebody’s home.”

*proselyte; proselytizing

Christians, your right to preach to the Israeli Jews (we understand that your attempt to spread your "gospel" to 9 million Israelis is intended for all of us here) does not mean that we must cave in to your agenda.

We know that Christians teach each other Hebrew, and even consult with Jews willing to teach them. That doesn't mean you become able to tell us how to speak, translate, and interpret our native tongue. You certainly do not have the skill to set up the communication filter for us, through which we are to understand our Tanakh (תנ"ך).

Like the Danish Bible Society, which took a lot of liberties with its latest edition of the Bible, for example. I didn't protest this, whether antisemitic or not: Omitting dozens of references to Israel in order to conform to current politically-correct sensibilities may be an indicator that Christianity is beginning to reveal its phony face. Will other countries' Bible societies follow suit? I'm watching.

And I would add, how dare you tell me how unworthy I am to live in the Land I live in because I don't accept your man-god! That's idolatry! And if I lived outside the Land of Israel, I would say that in these tumultuous times when I, among many thousands of Jews who realize that my place is there, you have no right to either stop us from going home OR give us money or other support to go there and then demand that we believe your way.

And now for my own. Understand well, my fellow Jew and fellow Israeli. GOD TV and others like them intend to come into your home any way they can, even through your computer and your television, in your language (how I wish I could write smoothly in it! I speak pretty well; but speaking and writing in Hebrew are really two separate things. But I digress.). They may be very nice on the outside and they can overwhelm you with everything you could want or need...but there are lines we have to draw, and insist that they don't cross.

Even if they really love the Jewish People and really care about you personally, the sparkling golden chalice they hold in their hand, so to speak, is filled with poison, taking our self-knowledge away from us; their aid, infantilizing, as though we can't do things for ourselves. Haven't we had enough of this?

The time to expect Messiah is indeed approaching, and it seems there will be competition among various "candidates," even on TV. Don't be fooled, cajoled or threatened.

Watch carefully. This could take a while.

End of Days Secrets from Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai + 2 videos

17 Iyyar 5780 | Erev Lag laOmer

by Efraim Palvanov

Monday evening is the start of Lag b’Omer. This special day commemorates a number of important events in the history of the Jewish people. One of these is the revelation of Jewish mystical teachings by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (or Rashbi), who had fled from the Romans and spent a total of 13 years hiding in a cave with his son. As is well-known, the teachings that he revealed would later be expanded upon and compiled into the Zohar, the primary textbook of Kabbalah. What isn’t as well-known is that there are several other ancient texts attributed to Rashbi. Perhaps the most enigmatic is Nistarot d’Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the “concealed matters” or “secrets” of Rashbi.

This work was first published in 1743. However, scholars trace back its first publication to sometime in the 8^th century. This is because the text includes precise details of the Muslim conquest of the Holy Land in the 7^th century, as well as fairly detailed accounts of the caliphs that followed Muhammad. For Rashbi to have made such a detailed prophecy of events hundreds of years in the future is hard for most scholars to accept, so they conclude that the text must have been composed shortly after the events actually took place, and falsely attributed to Rashbi. Another, more likely, possibility is that the core text does indeed go back to the time of Rashbi, but it was edited and expanded in the 8^th century after the Muslim conquests.

Whatever the case, we will ignore those passages that describe historical events (which make up roughly the first half of the text), and focus on Rashbi’s descriptions of the End of Days. Much of what is written there overlaps with prophecies and accounts from the Talmud, Zohar, and Midrash. An English translation of the full text can be accessed here.

Birth Pangs and Two Messiahs

As with many other sources, Nistarot d’Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai states that Israel will experience nine months of hardship, the “birth pangs” of the messiah, based on Micah 5:2. Nistarot says this means Edom will rule over Israel for nine months (for the identity of Edom, see here and here). After this, the first messiah, Mashiach ben Yosef, will come “and he will bring them up to Jerusalem. He will rebuild the Temple and offer sacrifices; fire shall descend from heaven and consume their sacrifices…”

At this point, an evil king named Armilus will arise. Some identify Armilus with Gog from the prophecies of Ezekiel. The name “Armilus” itself probably derives from Romulus, the mythical founder of Rome (ie. Edom). Armilus will invade Israel and wreak havoc for 45 days. It is possible that something like a third of the population will perish, among them Mashiach ben Yosef. After this, God will send the second messiah, Mashiach ben David, who will slay Armilus and usher in an everlasting kingdom.

The concept of two messiahs is one we’ve discussed in the past. One of the earliest places it is mentioned is in the Talmud (Sukkah 52a). Yet, Nistarot says it isn’t an absolute necessity for there to be two messiahs: “If they are not worthy, the messiah of the lineage of Ephraim [the son of Yosef] comes; but if they are worthy, the messiah of the lineage of David will come.” In other words, the whole catastrophe with Armilus/Gog can be averted if Israel is meritorious. This was already suggested by our Sages in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a):

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raised a contradiction: It is written: “There came with the clouds of heaven, one like unto a son of man…” (Daniel 7:13). And it is also written: “[Behold, your king will come to you…] lowly and riding upon a donkey…” (Zechariah 9:9). [The explanation is that] If they merit, the messiah will come “with the clouds of heaven”; if they do not merit, the messiah will come “lowly and riding upon a donkey”.

When it comes to prophecies, the Jewish view is that negative prophecies do not have to be realized, since they are relayed as a warning. Positive prophecies, however, will all be realized. Therefore, in the ideal case there is one messiah, Mashiach ben David, and no need for a Gog u’Magog-style conflict. If that is not the case, then first will come a Mashiach ben Yosef to lead the people through a difficult time of rectification.

More of this article can be accessed here.

***

As R' Ephraim Sprecher says: Lag Sameach!

Bonus Video by R' Yehuda haKohen Richter

---

Sovereignty is Not Annexation: Vive la Différence! (Judean Rose)

12 Iyyar 5780

NOTE: I, too, hear the words "annex" and "annexation" too often where they don't apply. Varda Meyers Epstein, aka Judean Rose, explains. Used by permission.

Sovereignty is not the same thing as annexation. Prime Minister Netanyahu knows this, which is why he is always careful to speak of exercising Israel’s sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and in the Jordan Valley. The media never seems to see this as a serious distinction, and often cites Netanyahu as speaking of “annexation,” as in this April 26, 2020 Jerusalem Post piece, “Netanyahu: I’m confident annexation will happen in a couple of months.”

In fact, Netanyahu never did say that, which the body of the same article makes clear. “Three months ago, the Trump peace plan recognized Israel’s rights in all of Judea and Samaria,” the article quotes Netanyahu as saying. “President Trump pledged to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Jewish communities there and in the Jordan Valley. In a couple of months from now, I’m confident that pledge will be honored, that we will be able to celebrate another historic moment in the history of Zionism.”

You don’t see the words “annex” or “annexation” in the above quote. You don’t see them there, because to speak of annexation would be to suggest that Israel is taking land that belongs to others and adding it to the State of Israel. Instead, the prime minister says clear as day, Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley are Israel’s lawful territories. They already belong to Israel, are part of Israel. And the U.S., under President Donald J. Trump has pledged to recognize this fact.

To learn more about the vital difference between annexation and sovereignty, click or tap here!

Prayer for CORONA Victims during SEFIRA + 2 VIDEOS

9 Iyyar 5780

 by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher

What do we hope to accomplish when praying for a person stricken with CORONA? G‑D knows exactly what we need. My Rebbe Rav Pam, would repeat the question a cancer patient asked him in all sincerity. If pain and suffering are caused by one’s sins (Shabbat 55) and serve as a purifying process to spare the person from suffering in Gehenom, how may one pray that G‑D remove the pain?

 

Does a critically ill patient tell the physician not to operate or administer painful treatments to cure him of the deadly illness? Of course not! In fact, he pays the surgeon great sums of money to do so. If G‑D, the Great Physician, is administering treatments to cleanse me of my sins, asks the patient, how can I pray that the suffering be removed?

 

Rav Pam related that this very question is answered by Rav Chaim Volozhin in Nefesh HaChaim. Rav Chaim explains that praying to G‑D to remove personal or communal suffering is NOT an attempt to change G‑D’s mind. One’s intention should be to relieve the pain that G‑D Himself, as it were, feels when we suffer pain. This is what the Talmud (Sanhedrin 46) says, “When a Jew suffers for his sins what does G‑D say? ‘I have pain in My Head! I have pain in My Arm.’”

 

Additionally, while many Jewish communities around the world are in distress because of CORONA, this is also a great Chillul Hashem because the non‑Jews say, “Where is the Jewish G‑D, who allows His chosen people to suffer?”

 

When a Jew prays for relief from his suffering, his intention should be to remove the Chillul Hashem that such suffering brings, and the aspect of “I (G‑D) am with him in his suffering” (Tehillim 91).

 

Thus the verse in Shmuel Aleph ch1 states, “and Chana prayed AL HASHEM” which means Chana prayed FOR G‑D! Chana meant to say that if I am suffering then surely You G‑D are also suffering. So she prayed for the relief of G‑D, and thereby she would also benefit.

 

By praying for relief from the suffering and pain of CORONA, one is attempting to reduce this Divine Pain, as it were. Such prayer is not only permissible, but is also an essential aspect of AHAVAT HASHEM (Love of G‑D), which according to Baal Hatanya is fulfilled thru AHAVAT YISRAEL (Love of every Jew).

 

How do we demonstrate AHAVAT YISRAEL during CORONA? The answer lies in SEFIRAT HAOMER! The Counting of the Omer teaches us that we get to choose how we spend our time even in isolation. It’s easy to connect to this idea now, during the CORONA lockdown.

 

Despite CORONA’s misery, it gives us an opportunity to repair our broken society, to bridge the gap that divides us. For example, our Holy Soldiers, who were not exactly welcome in Bnei Brak, have now become heroes by delivering food parcels to infected families while risking their own health to help other Jews in distress. Perhaps this is G‑d’s game plan to get the Jewish people to unite and love each other despite our differences.

 

We have certain physical freedoms taken away from us now, but we are still in control of our time, and how we choose to use it. We count each day, to make each day count by reaching out to the lonely. CORONA that has put millions of people into isolation reminds us that there are people who are always socially isolated. Do we pay attention to those people who suffer from constant loneliness? These lonely people, who have no family, those who are home alone, waiting for someone to give them a kind word, do we hear their voice and feel their pain? Perhaps this virus, that forces us to become lonely, is a wakeup call to remember all the lonely people throughout the year. Loneliness can be painful, but is also easy to alleviate with a friendly smile, a kind word, and a cheerful greeting through a phone call.

 

These seven weeks are the bridge from Pesach, our Physical Freedom, to our Spiritual Freedom of Shavuot – the Festival of the Giving of the Torah. This is a time for personal spiritual growth, when we can overcome physical dependence and bad habits in order to self‑improve.

 

Being in lockdown has given us the opportunity to evaluate our lives – how we spend our time, and to decipher what is really important and what we take for granted. Because we count each day for 49 days, we have a chance to reflect on our personal spiritual growth on a daily basis, to see how our lives are developing. We can evaluate day by day how we spend our time.

 

This SEFIRA (count) will have an important impact on our weeks, months and years for the rest of our lives.

 

The message is that despite CORONA we are still in control of our time and how we choose to spend it.

***