Songs for Pessah...

light of 12 Nisan 5781

A few great videos found their way to me while I was cleaning for Pessah...have a great one, and may Mashiah be revealed!!!

Six13: The Red Sea Shanty

Pessach Medley with Micha Gamerman (Hebrew | עברית)

 

The Adele/Bieber Passover Mashup

Pesah: Reexperiencing Spiritual Redemption + Video: Highlights of the Hagadah

 9 Nisan 5781

by Rabbi Eli J. Mansour | first published here

The Gemara in Masechet Berachot (9a) notes a seeming contradiction between two verses that mention Yesiat Misrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). On the one hand, the Torah in Sefer Debarim (16:1) says, "Hosi’acha Hashem Elokecha Mi’Misrayim Layla" – "Hashem your G-d took you from Egypt at night" – clearly stating that Beneh Yisrael left Egypt during the nighttime. On the other hand, in Sefer Bamidbar (33:3), the Torah says that Beneh Yisrael left Egypt "Mi’maharat Ha’pesah" – the day after the offering of the Pesah sacrifice, during the day of the 15th of Nissan. To reconcile these verses, the Gemara explains that the redemption unfolded in two stages – it began at night, but was completed the next day.

How might we explain these two stages of redemption?

Our ancestors suffered two forms of subjugation in Egypt – physical and spiritual. Physically, of course, they were persecuted and enslaved, forced to perform backbreaking labor, and having their newborn infants taken from them and killed. But in addition, Beneh Yisrael were submerged in a dismal spiritual exile. Ancient Egypt was an especially decadent society. Idol-worship was rampant, as was immorality. Living in such a culture for over two centuries, Beneh Yisrael experienced a sharp decline. The Zohar famously teaches that Beneh Yisrael had fallen to the "49th level of impurity" – one very small step away from the 50th level, from which they would have been unable to recover. The environment in Egypt had become so contaminated that it had a corrosive impact upon our ancestors’ souls, causing them to be defiled.

On the night of Yesiat Misrayim, Beneh Yisrael experienced spiritual redemption. They partook of the Pesah sacrifice and Masa, and they remained in their homes throughout the night. They were required to remain in their homes not only to protect themselves from the plague of the firstborn which descended upon Egypt that night, but also to shield themselves from the spiritually defiled environment of Egypt. Families stayed at home together, eating their sacrifices, thereby extricating themselves from the impure forces that prevailed in Egypt. The next morning, they experienced physical redemption, leaving Egypt and making their way toward Mount Sinai and then toward the Land of Israel.

In the Haggadah, we read about five great Rabbis – Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Elazar Ben Azarya, Rabbi Akiba and Rabbi Tarfon – who once spent the night of the Seder together in Beneh Berak, "and they spoke about the Exodus from Egypt that entire night." Some commentators explain the final phrase – "that entire night" – as referring not to when these Rabbis spoke about Yesiat Misrayim, but rather the content of their discussions. They focused not on the "daytime" redemption, the physical redemption from slavery, but rather on the "nighttime redemption," the spiritual redemption that Beneh Yisrael experienced. They felt that this was the component of Yesiat Misrayim that demanded greater attention.

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Seems to me (HDG) that our long-awaited geulah could come in two parts too.

Pessah Sameah to one and all!

The 4 Stages of Redemption + VIDEO - Freedom to be Slaves, plus some more thoughts before Pessah

 light of 5 Nisan 5781

 

 

 

 

 

 by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here

When G‑d sent Moshe to Egypt to free Israel, the Torah states, “And Moshe took his wife and sons and mounted them on the donkey” (Shmot 4:20). Why is it important that Moshe took his family on a donkey? Rashi makes a strange comment on this verse, “the Donkey that Moshiach will utilize to usher in the Final Redemption”. How do we understand this odd comment of Rashi’s? Can a donkey live for thousands of years? And why will Moshiach not drive a Lexus or a Volvo? What’s up with the Moshiach and the Donkey?

 

The explanation is that Rashi is speaking metaphorically. Rashi means that when G-d appointed Moshe to be the Redeemer of Israel, He set those cosmic forces in motion that will culminate and climax with the coming of Moshiach.

 

Also, the pattern of the Exodus and the Final Redemption is the way a donkey walks, two steps forward and one step back. The road to Redemption in the Exodus and Moshiach’s Coming is not straight forward. There will be many setbacks as it was in Egypt. Things did not go smoothly. But the Final Redemption Process is moving forward and CANNOT BE STOPPED.

 

As the prophet Michah states (7:16), “As in the days of your leaving Egypt, I (G‑d) shall show them marvelous wonders.” The prophet’s words imply that the Exodus from Egypt is the precedent for the Final Redemption.

 

The Midrash Tanchuma states, “Just as in Egypt, I (G‑d) shall redeem you in the Messianic future and shall perform miracles for you.”

 

Indeed, gradual, phased redemption is already found in Egypt, as in the 4 redemption expressions with which G-d addresses Moshe, “Therefore tell Israel that I am G‑d.

1. and I will remove you from the suffering of Egypt,

2. and I will save you from your enslavement.

3. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.

4. and I will take you to Me as my people

… I will be for you G‑d.” (Shemot 6:6,7).

 

These verses refer to the 4 stages of redemption. The 1st stage constitutes a lightening of Israel’s physical hardship, although they continued to be Pharaoh’s slaves.

 

The 2nd stage constitutes the total cessation of their enslavement. Even so, Israel was not yet free but still under the control of the Egyptian King.

 

With the final plague of the killing of the firstborn came the 3rd stage, in which Israel was redeemed totally with great miracles and great judgements.

 

Yet Israel was still mired in the 49 levels of impurity. Finally, came the 4th stage, in which we were taken to be G‑d’s Chosen People.

 

At the time of the redemption Israel was not worthy of it, and yet G-d still redeemed us. This is stated in the Midrash Shemot Rabba, “G‑d said, ‘If I consider Israel’s deeds, they will never be redeemed. Whom shall I then consider? The merit of and the promise to their righteous and holy Avot.’ ”

 

It is Israel’s lack of merit which delays redemption. Therefore, before introducing the 4 expressions of redemption, G‑d says, “Therefore tell Israel that I am G‑d.” On this verse the Midrash Hagadol comments, “I(G‑d) know that Israel will constantly rebel against Me and anger Me. Even so, I (G‑d) shall redeem them for the sake of My Holy Name. “

 

The redemption comes when Israel recognizes Hashem as our G‑d, as occurred during Stage 4 of the redemption process which was at the Sinai Revelation.

 

Yet the Torah goes on and brings a 5th expression of redemption: “And I will bring you to the land which I swore that I will give to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. I will give it to you as an inheritance, for I am G‑d.” (Shemot:6:8).

 

From the redemption from Egypt we learn that complete redemption consists of the freedom of Israel (“I will redeem you.”) and living in Eretz Yisrael, (“I will bring you to the land.”) and belief in G‑d and fulfillment of His Mitzvot (“I will be for you G‑d”) (Shemot:6:8)

 

The Final Redemption will reach completion by a gradual process, like the Exodus from Egypt. Thus, the Zohar states that the Exodus from Egypt is the Road Map and the Long and Winding Road to the Final Redemption.

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Some thoughts about our situation, particularly with regard to the virus and the va((!nes, before Pessah:

 

• The first thing we need to do is call out for Mashiah and GEULAH SHLEMAH! The situation this year could get much worse than the past year has been. If HQB"H doesn't intervene, the future of humanity as a whole is at stake...I seem to recall that this is a prophetic scenario, but I don't remember the source; see next bullet.
  
• WARNING FOR THE WHOLE WORLD: A PDF with an executive summary and presentation (can access here or here), and three videos to explain it in lay language (Vernon Coleman | Mike Adams | Del Bigtree), contain the warnings of Geert Vanden Bossche, Ph.D, DMV, vaccine insider par excellence, are what I have right now to explain it. I hope that I have put all this into an understandable order. Considering the pressure on people to get vaccinated, it's ironic that the vaccinated people will, according to the scenario presented by the vaccination insider, be the ones to spread very deadly versions of the virus, and yet the unvaccinated are the ones who are considered the second-class citizens and who will be blamed for it all...
  
• ...and that people who love each other are sometimes (perhaps many times!) on both sides of the new divide. The Jewish People need to see through this attempt to further divide us and fight it. This is a big test for us! The stakes are high, and we can either bring the world through this or suffer along with them and delay the redemption further, may that never be! Personally, I have been including the vaccinated among the people I pray for daily. I'm not an anti-vaxxer — I took my flu shot (a prophylactic if I ever heard of one) back in October 2020. But as Dr. Vanden Bossche says, being in the heat of a pandemic is no time for a prophylactic vaccine protocol!

Many thanks to NS for finding most of this information and posting it. I watched all of it before posting here.

 

Lastly, from the prophet Zecharia, chapter 8 — found at the "Cave of Horror" (Wikipedia | news story):

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth each one with his neighbor; truth, and judgment of peace you shall judge in your cities. And let no one think evil of his neighbors in your heart, nor shall you love a false oath — for all these are what I hate, says the Lord.

I particularly like this article by Rivka Levy. I hope we can find the balance she calls for there; it is very much in the spirit of the verse above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Rosh Hodesh Nisan Prayer and other thoughts about the Jewish nation's 3,333rd birthday

 1 Nisan 5781 — Hava haAharona Celebrates Am Yisrael's 3,333rd Birthday!

הוה האחרונה חוגגת את יום ההולדת ה-3,333 של עם ישראל

 

Rosh Chodesh Nissan Prayer from Rabbi Alon Anava on Vimeo.

An important message from Rav Anava (I don't know whether the Rav has been to the place he was supposed to be today, as mentioned below. Rather than erasing, I have struck out words that are now irrelevant as of this posting, as best I can without changing the meaning. - HDG):

There is a very special prayer we recite today and Sunday (Rosh Chodesh). This special prayer from the Shelah Hakadosh (Rabbi Yeshayahu Halevi Horowitz) is to be recited on Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan and on. The prayer is for thanking Hashem for everything he gives us and how generous Hashem is with us and MUCH more

One should also recite three (3) chapters of Tehilim 83, 130, 142 (which can be found on this page)

Since our custom is to fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh for our prayers to be accepted, we can either fast or redeem our fast with charity!

Click here to find the prayer both in Hebrew and English

On Sunday (today - HDG - I don't know whether this has yet occurred) I will be reciting the prayer at the Shela's tomb LIVE followed by a special prayer at Rabbi Meir Ba'al Hanes tomb - Please join us - Click here for more info

To submit your names for prayer at the tombs use this page

Wishing you an amazing Month
Rabbi Alon Anava

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Today is a very special birthday for Am Yisrael - as a nation we have reached in years clearly above the 33rd level of kedushah, which is as high as the rest of the world can go. May H' continue to preserve us to see our final redemption, speedily in our time!

 

Will it be easier for us to break away, or be broken away, from domination by the nations from now on...?

 

Read this post on End of Days/Years of Awe for some interesting insights. Other post there mention the 33rd level of purity, if you're interested. I have to post now or else be too late... HDG

The 4 Sons – Which One Am I? + VIDEO: Rosh Chodesh: God's Gift of Renewal

בס"ד

 light of 1 Nisan 5781 — Hava haAharona Celebrates Am Yisrael's 3,333rd Birthday!

הוה האחרונה חוגגת את יום ההולדת ה-3,333 של עם ישראל

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here

The 4 sons occupy a key place in the Hagadah. The Hagadah states their questions, then spells out the answers, all of which are based on biblical texts. כנגד ארבעה בנים דברה תורה.

 

The Torah is realistic, not all children are Chachamim. Life presents us with a variety of children, ranging from the wise to the wicked. Parents cannot and should not ignore any of them. We have to listen carefully to the questions of all of our children and seek to answer them. No matter what the pressure or provocation, we must maintain our relationship with all kinds of children. As long as they sit at the Seder, ask questions and lend an ear to our replies and the teachings of the Torah, there is hope and reason for optimism.

 

This explains the rather unusual introduction in the Hagadah to the passage of the 4 sons. ברוך המקום. ברוך הוא. ברוך שנתן תורה לעמו ישראל. ברוך הוא.

 

4 times the word Baruch is repeated. This is to show that each of the 4 sons, good or bad, is a blessing. Every child, no matter what his attitude is now, could potentially be a blessing. Today’s Rasha may be tomorrow’s Chacham. And today’s Tam may very well become a wise disciple the following year.

 

This optimistic approach is given additional emphasis by the story of the famous sages who were gathered in Bnei Brak onPesach night. They were the greatest men of the generation, the outstanding and revered scholars in Israel, but they were not all originally so. Rav Eliezar, who is described in Pirkei Avot as “a cemented cistern which doesn’t lose a drop” only began his Torah studies at the age of 22. Until then he was an ignoramus.

 

Rabbi Akiva, the greatest Tanna of the Mishna, was a total Am Haaretz until the age of 40. Not only was Rabbi Akiva ignorant of Torah, he even hated the very sight of a Talmud Chacham. (Pesachim 49b)

 

But Rachel, his wife, with a בינה יתרה (women’s intuition) saw in him great promise and potential. She recognized his qualities of potential scholarship and leadership. She would not give up on him. How right she was! Years later, because of her encouragement, Rabbi Akiva would occupy the most revered and distinguished position in the Jewish community.

 

Can we then measure the potential of people? Are we justified in becoming discouraged too easily? Of course not!

 

Let us then apply ourselves to all of our children, the bright and the simple, the devout and the wicked ones. The light of Torah may well perform wonders. Thus each and every child is a special blessing.

 

Let’s keep in mind that every person has a component of Chacham, Rasha, Tam, She’eino Yodeia Lishol in his being. Relative percentages differ, but we are each ALL of the 4 sons.

 

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