Sunday, August 21, 2016
32.The Global Hakhel Call
Until now only tzadikim
Could see across the globe
Today everyone could see
The whole world with their phone
Until now only prophets
Could predict the future
Today everyone knows
The traffic, directions, weather
Until now only geniuses
Could know everything under the sun
Today the answer to any question
Could be found by everyone
Until now only Sanhedrin
Could understand every language
Today there's no barriers
With google translate..
And Until now we were limited
by time and by space
We could only be in
one zone and one place
But yesterday we remembered
that we're way above,
That all limits can disappear
in the face of our love
That technology was created
so we'd have a choice
To listen all as one
to the Rebbe's holy voice
We did it in the morning, evening and noon
We were under the sun and under the moon
We were listening in
Hebrew, French, & English
Russian, Persian, Portuguese, & Spanish.
We were gathered in NY, LA, and Sydney,
A kind of kibutz goliyos,
A taste of what's coming
HaShem knew we needed
A way to unite
To figure out together,
How to end this long night
And very soon we'll see
How all technology
Was created to connect
To the Mikdash Hashlishi!
Could see across the globe
Today everyone could see
The whole world with their phone
Until now only prophets
Could predict the future
Today everyone knows
The traffic, directions, weather
Until now only geniuses
Could know everything under the sun
Today the answer to any question
Could be found by everyone
Until now only Sanhedrin
Could understand every language
Today there's no barriers
With google translate..
And Until now we were limited
by time and by space
We could only be in
one zone and one place
But yesterday we remembered
that we're way above,
That all limits can disappear
in the face of our love
That technology was created
so we'd have a choice
To listen all as one
to the Rebbe's holy voice
We did it in the morning, evening and noon
We were under the sun and under the moon
We were listening in
Hebrew, French, & English
Russian, Persian, Portuguese, & Spanish.
We were gathered in NY, LA, and Sydney,
A kind of kibutz goliyos,
A taste of what's coming
HaShem knew we needed
A way to unite
To figure out together,
How to end this long night
And very soon we'll see
How all technology
Was created to connect
To the Mikdash Hashlishi!
31. Not Extra Credit
If Moshiach is the whole purpose of creation, if Moshiach is so central to our lives, why are there so few and indirect references to it in the Torah?
You would think it would be the first thing HaShem would tell us! You would think belief in Moshiach would be the first mitzvah!
And according to R' Yitzchak of Kurbil, (Sefer Mitzvas Katan,) you're right!
How's that?
In today's Torah reading, we read a review of the 10 commandments.
While 9 of them are very clear and direct commands, the first one, "I am Gd your Gd who took you out of Egypt," is different.
It doesn't even sound like a command!
It sounds more like a statement, a declaration, a fact of life.
But according to the Rambam, it's the 1st of the 613 Mitzvos, and it's one of the only ones we heard directly from HaShem.
So what exactly is the mitzvah?
The mitzvah is to believe that just like you saw Me take you out of Egypt, even though it seemed impossible and you felt you didn't deserve it, so too you must believe that I will take you out in the future and bring Moshiach, even if you can't imagine it or don't think you earned it.
"I'm your Almighty Gd, I've done it before, and I can and will do it again!"
These are the very first words that Hashem chose to tell us as a nation because they are the basis for our whole relationship, for all our Torah and Mitzvos, and for our whole life!
Belief in Moshiach is not extra credit.
(Based on Jewish.tv, R' Ben Tzion Krasnianski)
You would think it would be the first thing HaShem would tell us! You would think belief in Moshiach would be the first mitzvah!
And according to R' Yitzchak of Kurbil, (Sefer Mitzvas Katan,) you're right!
How's that?
In today's Torah reading, we read a review of the 10 commandments.
While 9 of them are very clear and direct commands, the first one, "I am Gd your Gd who took you out of Egypt," is different.
It doesn't even sound like a command!
It sounds more like a statement, a declaration, a fact of life.
But according to the Rambam, it's the 1st of the 613 Mitzvos, and it's one of the only ones we heard directly from HaShem.
So what exactly is the mitzvah?
The mitzvah is to believe that just like you saw Me take you out of Egypt, even though it seemed impossible and you felt you didn't deserve it, so too you must believe that I will take you out in the future and bring Moshiach, even if you can't imagine it or don't think you earned it.
"I'm your Almighty Gd, I've done it before, and I can and will do it again!"
These are the very first words that Hashem chose to tell us as a nation because they are the basis for our whole relationship, for all our Torah and Mitzvos, and for our whole life!
Belief in Moshiach is not extra credit.
(Based on Jewish.tv, R' Ben Tzion Krasnianski)
30. The Final Straw
Sometimes we feel discouraged.
It's hard to keep believing that this time will be different.
We already pleaded and hoped for Moshiach countless times, but He still hasn't come.
How many times can we do the same thing and expect different results?
From where do we draw the faith that THIS time our prayers will really be answered?!
From the name of this week's Parsha.
We are taught that the numerical value of "Vaeschanan" is 515 because Moshe begged and pleaded with Hashem to enter Eretz Yisroel 515 times!
Until HaShem told him to please stop.
Because HaShem knew that if Moshe would ask even just ONE more time, He would be forced to give in.
Prayer #516 would have been the final straw to change Moshe's destiny!
This story is here to remind us that no matter how much we did until now to bring Moshiach, we must never give up!!
It's here to tell us that if we're stubborn enough in our demand, we *will* get what we want!
Because HaShem is listening and counting every single one of our prayers, and every single one of our tears.
And our next cry of "ad mosai" will very likely hit the lucky number that HaShem was waiting for, and bring salvation to the entire world!
29. Tears of Fear
Ironically, the first tears that were shed on tisha B'av were not tears of mourning the destruction of Yerushalayim, nor tears of longing to see it rebuilt.
They were the exact opposite.
They were tears of fear.
Fear of leaving behind the wonderful physical and spiritual comforts of the dessert.
Fear of being taken into the land of the unknown, Eretz Yisroel.
They begged to stay in Golus, and so HaShem said,"Okay, what can I do if you don't trust Me? I won't force you to enter the Promised Land against your will."
And their foolish tears became the source of all our bitter tears throughout history.
Had that generation wanted to enter the Promised Land, Moshe Rabbeinu would have been able to enter with them!
He would have been not only the first Redeemer, but the final Redeemer as well.
Our generation is lucky that, Baruch HaShem, we have also been blessed with a mostly comfortable life, both physically and spiritually.
But let's not, Gd forbid, repeat their terrible mistake!
This Tisha bav, let's decide to let go of any trace of fear of the coming of Moshiach, that may still remain hidden in our hearts.
This Tisha bav, let's have complete trust that HaShem has only great plans in store for us!
This Tisha bav, let's cry genuine tears that will completely counteract their foolish tears,
So that HaShem will joyfully lead us into the Promised Land, with the complete Geulah NOW!
They were the exact opposite.
They were tears of fear.
Fear of leaving behind the wonderful physical and spiritual comforts of the dessert.
Fear of being taken into the land of the unknown, Eretz Yisroel.
They begged to stay in Golus, and so HaShem said,"Okay, what can I do if you don't trust Me? I won't force you to enter the Promised Land against your will."
And their foolish tears became the source of all our bitter tears throughout history.
Had that generation wanted to enter the Promised Land, Moshe Rabbeinu would have been able to enter with them!
He would have been not only the first Redeemer, but the final Redeemer as well.
Our generation is lucky that, Baruch HaShem, we have also been blessed with a mostly comfortable life, both physically and spiritually.
But let's not, Gd forbid, repeat their terrible mistake!
This Tisha bav, let's decide to let go of any trace of fear of the coming of Moshiach, that may still remain hidden in our hearts.
This Tisha bav, let's have complete trust that HaShem has only great plans in store for us!
This Tisha bav, let's cry genuine tears that will completely counteract their foolish tears,
So that HaShem will joyfully lead us into the Promised Land, with the complete Geulah NOW!
Friday, August 12, 2016
28. Let Your Mind See Too
Tonight,
As we light the Shabbos candles,
A special light will enter our souls,
A vision of the 3rd Beis Hamikdash.
A vision of the perfect world that awaits us.
As we circle our hands around the candles three times, to usher in the holy Shabbos,
Let's also usher in the eternal Shabbos,
at the same time!
As we close our eyes and cover them,
And pray for the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash,
Let's pause for a few extra moments!
Let your mind see a taste of what your soul is seeing, in this very moment.
Envision yourself hearing the call of the Shofar, and miraculously arriving in Eretz Yisroel.
Envision yourself walking up to the Temple Mount, with thousands of Jews all around you, before you, with you, and behind you..
Envision yourself watching the Beis Hamikdash descend,
Envision yourself walking up the steps, and entering the Temple courtyard.
Ask yourself,
What are you thinking?
What are you feeling?
What are you saying?
What are you doing?
What do you see?
What do you hear?
What do you smell?
Whose hands are you holding?
Continue to envision all that you have learned about the Beis Hamikdash, even if it's not all so clear, and not in chronological order.
Watch the kohanim bringing Karbanos
Watch the kohen Gadol lighting the menorah
Smell the challahs sitting on the shulchan
Smell the ketores burning on the mizbeiach
Hear the Leviim singing Shir hamaalos in unison, while standing on the 15 steps, with the most beautiful voices and music.
Where will the Seudas Moshiach take place?
Envision yourself partaking in the feast
Tasting the delicious wine,
Tasting the special fish and meat.
See the Rebbe sitting in his red chair,
Beside the Frierdiker Rebbe, and all the Rabbeim, and all the Tzadikim from throughout our history.
Feel the inspiration from the Torah chadasha.
Feel the holiness, the closeness,
The spiritual high.
Continue to envision what's going on around you.
What miracles do you see?
How does it feel to see prophecy?
Take a look at your iPhone (after Shabbos)
What messages are coming in on all your Whatsapp groups?
What do you see in your facebook newsfeed?
What kind of selfies are people taking?
What are all the world leaders saying, in the news?
Continue to envision the personal changes in you, and the way you experience your new reality.
And then allow that vision to flow from your mind to your heart.
Feel the shock, the relief, the tears of disbelief,
Feel the calm, the comfort, the release of all the negative energy
Feel the joy, the laughter, the excitement, the fun
Feel the love in your heart, that you suddenly feel for everyone
Feel the pride, the gratitude, the contentment, the inner peace,
Feel the smile now spread across your cheeks
Continue to envision all that will be.
Get comfortable with the Future You,
the Future World, our destiny.
And then pray to Hashem
With all your soul, mind, and heart,
To allow this vision to flow
just one step lower,
From your heart, to your body.
So that this Shabbos Chazon,
We can experience the true reality
So that our physical eyes can also see,
Together with our souls
In complete harmony.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
26. The REAL World is Better
Golus makes no sense.
It's full of opposites, conflicts, and contradictions.
In ourselves.
In the world.
And in our obligations.
We believe, but we also doubt.
We want, but we're also scared.
We're selfless, but we're also selfish.
We see miracles, but also tragedies.
We see the world getting better, but also worse.
We must have faith that Moshiach's coming now, yet continue planning for the future.
We must be pained to the core by this Golus,
yet also feel happy and serve Gd with joy.
It's possible,
Because Golus is one long dream,
And when you're dreaming,
Anything is possible.
But it's not ok.
We've all been sleeping way too long!
It's time to wake up
It's time to open up our eyes
To envision the Beis Hamikdash
To envision ourselves, in Moshiach's times
To learn about our Future,
To imagine ourselves there,
To start to live it in the present.
It's hard to make the shift,
But this Shabbos we'll have help.
HaShem Himself will wake us up,
Will try to shake us from our slumber.
He'll show us a glimpse of reality,
A vision of the Beis Hamikdash Hashlishi
A peak at the beautiful, peaceful world
That awaits us, completely ready
But it's up to us to hold on to that vision!
Let's not press snooze
Let's not turn over
Let's not drift back to sleep,
Let's just let go, of our dreamland.
It's up to us to wake up, and rejoice with Hashem.
Let's do it!
Because the REAL world is so much better!
Monday, August 8, 2016
24. Be Strong!
Yesterday, after finishing sefer Bamidbar, we joyfully announced "Chazak Chazak v'nischazek"- Be strong, be strong, and we'll be strengthened!!
But why is it that Shabbos Chazak is always in the 3 weeks, sometimes even in the 9 days? Isn't now the weakest time for us? Isn't now when we're anything but strong?
Yes. And that's exactly why now's the time when we need to hear it the most.
It's specifically when we're going through a hard time, when we're seeing opposition, and when we're feeling scared or discouraged, that we need to gather the strength to take all the negative energy and turn it over to goodness and holiness!
But on a deeper level, this is not meant to be a weak time in the first place.
The only purpose of the destruction of the first two Batei Mikdash was to lead the way to the 3rd and eternal BHMK, with the 3rd and eternal Geulah!
That's why specifically now in the 3 weeks, Hashem blesses us with extra unlimited strength from Above, and we ourselves humbly find extra strength from below. When we gather both together, we have a new amazing strength that can transform these sad days into days of joy and celebration!
Because the point of the 3 weeks is not to mourn the past, but to remind us to look forward to the number 3, the 3rd Beis Hamikdash, and to remember to prepare for it with the number 3- the symbol of peace and unity!
(Sefer hasichos matos-maasei nun aleph)
But why is it that Shabbos Chazak is always in the 3 weeks, sometimes even in the 9 days? Isn't now the weakest time for us? Isn't now when we're anything but strong?
Yes. And that's exactly why now's the time when we need to hear it the most.
It's specifically when we're going through a hard time, when we're seeing opposition, and when we're feeling scared or discouraged, that we need to gather the strength to take all the negative energy and turn it over to goodness and holiness!
But on a deeper level, this is not meant to be a weak time in the first place.
The only purpose of the destruction of the first two Batei Mikdash was to lead the way to the 3rd and eternal BHMK, with the 3rd and eternal Geulah!
That's why specifically now in the 3 weeks, Hashem blesses us with extra unlimited strength from Above, and we ourselves humbly find extra strength from below. When we gather both together, we have a new amazing strength that can transform these sad days into days of joy and celebration!
Because the point of the 3 weeks is not to mourn the past, but to remind us to look forward to the number 3, the 3rd Beis Hamikdash, and to remember to prepare for it with the number 3- the symbol of peace and unity!
(Sefer hasichos matos-maasei nun aleph)
Thursday, August 4, 2016
23. Strongest Hug Ever
How do you react in your darkest parenting moments? What do you do when your child is misbehaving so badly, fighting with her sibling so aggressively, or crying/kvetching so irrationally? What do you do when you're completely out of patience and your blood is just boiling?!
In one of those difficult moments, my friend grabbed her daughter to the side, and with every bit of anger she had, she counter-intuitively gave her daughter the strongest strongest hug ever!
She told her she loves her so much and doesn't want to have to punish her.
Her daughter was so relieved and comforted, and naturally behaved so good after that.
Instead of giving her daughter what she deserved, she wisely chose to give her what she knew she really needed! Because when someone hurts another, all it means is that they are hurting inside..
I was so touched by her story that I made that my new reaction. And then I realized, we really need to have the same reaction not only to our family, but to *every* Jew, because we are all really family, children of the same Father.
Perhaps that's the kind of "ahavas chinam" - free love, that will finally bring Moshiach!
To give our love even to the person who is the most unworthy of our love,
To be kind even to the person who is the most unworthy of our kindness,
To be patient even with the person who rubs us in all the wrong ways..
When Hashem sees us transforming our anger to compassion, our desire for revenge to expressions of irrational love,
He will do the same!
But just like that mother, HaShem shouldn't wait 'till we stop fighting to comfort us! He can decide to Redeem us even in our lowest, weakest moment! He should understand that when someone sins it's just because they're hurting from this Golus. He should be the first One to embrace us, and we will all return to Him with love!
In one of those difficult moments, my friend grabbed her daughter to the side, and with every bit of anger she had, she counter-intuitively gave her daughter the strongest strongest hug ever!
She told her she loves her so much and doesn't want to have to punish her.
Her daughter was so relieved and comforted, and naturally behaved so good after that.
Instead of giving her daughter what she deserved, she wisely chose to give her what she knew she really needed! Because when someone hurts another, all it means is that they are hurting inside..
I was so touched by her story that I made that my new reaction. And then I realized, we really need to have the same reaction not only to our family, but to *every* Jew, because we are all really family, children of the same Father.
Perhaps that's the kind of "ahavas chinam" - free love, that will finally bring Moshiach!
To give our love even to the person who is the most unworthy of our love,
To be kind even to the person who is the most unworthy of our kindness,
To be patient even with the person who rubs us in all the wrong ways..
When Hashem sees us transforming our anger to compassion, our desire for revenge to expressions of irrational love,
He will do the same!
But just like that mother, HaShem shouldn't wait 'till we stop fighting to comfort us! He can decide to Redeem us even in our lowest, weakest moment! He should understand that when someone sins it's just because they're hurting from this Golus. He should be the first One to embrace us, and we will all return to Him with love!
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
22. All or Nothing
How do we know for sure that Moshiach *must* come? How do we know that no matter what we do or don't do, he definitely *will* come?
Because it's either all or nothing.
If Moshiach would not be real, then nothing would be real.
Without Moshiach, there would be no purpose to this world.
Without Moshiach, there would be no purpose to our lives.
To doubt Moshiach is to doubt the whole Torah.
To doubt Moshiach is to doubt the Rebbe's whole leadership.
To doubt Moshiach is to doubt Hashem Himself, because you're not sure if His plan for the world will succeed.
Doing Mitzvos without believing in Moshiach is like driving and driving but not knowing where you are going, or not believing you will ever get there.
Doing mitzvos without really wanting Moshiach is like driving and driving, but not really wanting to reach your destination.
Without Moshiach as our clear goal, no matter what we would do, we would not really be getting anywhere, we would just be going in circles.
"Maasai" reminds us that our life today is just a journey; a non- permanent situation.
And that we always need to clearly remember our destination,
especially when we've just about arrived!
21. Don't be Comfortable!
Today we read the story of Reuven and Gad asking Moshe Rabbeinu for permission to stay on the greener side of the Yarden, instead of entering Eretz Yisroel.
They had a great reason for their request!
Reuven had lots of cattle because they were the oldest and received a double portion. Gad had lots because their shevet loved eating the _mon_ so much that they didn't eat anything else. They saw that the land outside of Israel was ideal for grazing and so they wanted their inheritance there.
But Moshe was still very angry with them.
He called then sinners and compared them to the spies who didn't want to enter Eretz Yisroel. He was upset that they didn't love the Land enough; that they had other calculations that were more important to them.
In the end Moshe agreed when they promised to first join the Yidden in crossing, and to fight in the front lines in all the battles.
But what about that 1/2 of shevet Menashe who also wanted to live on the other side of the Yarden? Where are they in this picture? Why are they not mentioned in this story?
Because they are in a completely different story! Their reason for splitting their shevet and living on 2 different sides of the Yarden wasn't because they didn't love Israel enough or because they didn't get along.
They split their shevet because they didn't want to get too comfortable in Golus! They had mesiras nefesh to split their family because they wanted to remember that even though they're entering Israel now and it all feels great, this is not the ultimate complete Israel yet!
(Hashem had promised 10 lands - 3 lands on the East side of the Yarden, and 7 lands on the West. Meanwhile He gave only 7, but in the future, HaShem will spread Eretz Yisroel eastern, to include both sides.)
Their reason for wanting to live on both sides was to have a taste of the Future and to always remember their desire for the complete Geulah, and of course Moshe Rabbeinu was very pleased!
Because what we do is not nearly as important as _why_ we are doing it.
Sometimes we can say all the same words and do all the same actions, but when HaShem sees that our intentions are truly from our desire for Moshiach, He will surely redeem us immediately!
(Based on sicha Tzav, mem hay)
20. Keep on Loving
Last night we couldn't fall asleep
We were crying for a family that we've never met
While thousands around the world
were doing the same.
In those moments we knew, we felt
We're all sisters
We're all the same
We all love each other
For no reason
We all wish each other only the best
We all care for each other with all our heart
In those moments we knew, we felt
That we're not ok with this Golus!
We turned to Him and said enough
We cried ad mosai,
And it wasn't just words
It was real
We meant it with all our being
But here we are tonight
And nothing seems to have changed
Moshiach still hasn't come!
What is HaShem waiting for?!
If not now, then when?
What more can we do?
If that wasn't real love, what is?
If that wasn't a sincere cry, what is?
But maybe HaShem just wants to see us one more night,
"After".
Cuz something that's real
is something that lasts.
To see us continuing to feel each other's pain
To see us continuing to feel each other's joy
To see us remembering that we're all really the same
To see us keep caring, and putting another's needs before our own..
Maybe all we need is one more act of baseless love, Tonight
To finally bring salvation to the entire world,
Forever!
19. Ad Mosai?!
How can a young mother be torn away from her 4 little children?!
How are we supposed to react when we hear such a horrible tragedy?!
We feel Pain.
We feel Sadness.
We feel Shock. Fear. Guilt. Anger. Confusion.
We have questions.
Too many questions.
And we have no answers.
We don't want to just comfort her grieving family.
We don't want to just do good in her memory so her Neshama will have an Aliyah.
We don't want to just wish that from now on we should hear only good news and only Simchas.
We don't want to just learn from her or learn to appreciate what we have.
And we don't want to just distract, become numb, or move on.
Because enough is enough!
And we've said that too many times!
We want a real answer,
The one and only real answer,
The true and complete Geulah!
We want to see her rise up and rejoice with her loved ones, along with all the others who were tragically taken from us.
We want to see Hashem wipe away the tears from every face.
We want to see the answers to all our questions and how we can thank HaShem for all our nation's suffering.
And we want to see it right NOW!!
18. Healthy Home, Healthy World
Why is it that we mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash even more than we mourn the Holocaust?
And why will the rebuilding of the BHMK be the first step of Geulah?
Aren't there other changes we need that are much more urgent?
Is the lack of the Beis Hamikdash really our most pressing issue?
Yes.
When someone belongs to a solid, healthy, loving home, everything about them is healthy and wholesome.
But when someone is Gd forbid lacking a true place to call home, everything about them is dysfunctional.
Their insecurity and confusion effect them in all kinds of painful and dangerous ways.
It challenges their health, their productivity, their happiness, and each of their relationships.
Because your home is not only where you are, it's who you are.
Every single one of our hardships and challenges today, are a direct result of us being exiled from our spiritual home, the Beis Hamikdash.
But as soon as we return to our Father's home, once again feel His loving embrace, and watch Him rejoice in all His glory, we will be cured of all our problems, and feel perfectly happy and healthy, forever!
May it be now!!
And why will the rebuilding of the BHMK be the first step of Geulah?
Aren't there other changes we need that are much more urgent?
Is the lack of the Beis Hamikdash really our most pressing issue?
Yes.
When someone belongs to a solid, healthy, loving home, everything about them is healthy and wholesome.
But when someone is Gd forbid lacking a true place to call home, everything about them is dysfunctional.
Their insecurity and confusion effect them in all kinds of painful and dangerous ways.
It challenges their health, their productivity, their happiness, and each of their relationships.
Because your home is not only where you are, it's who you are.
Every single one of our hardships and challenges today, are a direct result of us being exiled from our spiritual home, the Beis Hamikdash.
But as soon as we return to our Father's home, once again feel His loving embrace, and watch Him rejoice in all His glory, we will be cured of all our problems, and feel perfectly happy and healthy, forever!
May it be now!!
17. BJJ Camp Song
Just want to share the text of a beautiful song we sang in BJJ teen camp many years ago.
Standing here
The joy is in the air
We're all together in our holy land,
Gazing up
The clouds are parting now as it descends
Mikdash Shlishi,
We're home
The Golus finally does end
Levi'im sing praise to HaShem
Kohanim bring Karbanos once again
The kohen Gadol lights the Menorah
King Moshiach teaches Torah
Joyous sounds heard 'round the land
Peace is found
Geulah's here
Oy, it's hard to picture how this day is near
Although it's something that I always hear
I can't imagine
I just don't feel
How I yearn to make it something real
I need to make Geulah be
My life and my reality
I must make a part of me,
The Mikdash Hashlishi
And although it sometimes seems
Geulah's just imagining
Deep inside my heart
Ani Maamin
I look forward to the day
When we'll laugh and sing and pray
In the palace of Hashem
The avodah done with such a bren
The Rebbe leading us
It's a vision that's so near
Sheyibune Hamikdash
We will bring Moshiach here!
Standing here
The joy is in the air
We're all together in our holy land,
Gazing up
The clouds are parting now as it descends
Mikdash Shlishi,
We're home
The Golus finally does end
Levi'im sing praise to HaShem
Kohanim bring Karbanos once again
The kohen Gadol lights the Menorah
King Moshiach teaches Torah
Joyous sounds heard 'round the land
Peace is found
Geulah's here
Oy, it's hard to picture how this day is near
Although it's something that I always hear
I can't imagine
I just don't feel
How I yearn to make it something real
I need to make Geulah be
My life and my reality
I must make a part of me,
The Mikdash Hashlishi
And although it sometimes seems
Geulah's just imagining
Deep inside my heart
Ani Maamin
I look forward to the day
When we'll laugh and sing and pray
In the palace of Hashem
The avodah done with such a bren
The Rebbe leading us
It's a vision that's so near
Sheyibune Hamikdash
We will bring Moshiach here!
16. Living Moshiach'dik
We have a lot to learn from the 5 daughters of Tzelafchad.
They didn't just love and desire the Land, but they refused to take no for an answer.
They demanded that they not be left out, and they succeeded in changing the rules of inheritance. They were the first women in history to take ownership of an actual piece of Land, just like the men.
But where'd they get that idea from?
How did they even think it was possible?
There was no feminist or equal rights movement to be inspired from...
They were completely ahead of their times!
But they had it in their genes.
They had their great grandfather Menashe to learn from.
He too was completely ahead of his times!
When Yakov put his right hand on his younger brother Efraim, Yosef tried to stop him because he was sure Menashe would be jealous, just like his brothers were of him.
But Menashe wasn't jealous.
He was already living a taste of the future world of Moshiach, when there will be no jealousy.
That's where the daughters of Tzelafchad inherited their Moshiach'dik outlook from.
They were already living a taste of the future, when we will hear not only the voice of the groom, but also the voice of the bride.
When the greatness of the feminine soul will be revealed. When every wife will be the crown of her husband...
If they could live Moshiach'dik all the way back then, how much more so we have the power to live it today!
(based on Sicha tzav mem hey)
They didn't just love and desire the Land, but they refused to take no for an answer.
They demanded that they not be left out, and they succeeded in changing the rules of inheritance. They were the first women in history to take ownership of an actual piece of Land, just like the men.
But where'd they get that idea from?
How did they even think it was possible?
There was no feminist or equal rights movement to be inspired from...
They were completely ahead of their times!
But they had it in their genes.
They had their great grandfather Menashe to learn from.
He too was completely ahead of his times!
When Yakov put his right hand on his younger brother Efraim, Yosef tried to stop him because he was sure Menashe would be jealous, just like his brothers were of him.
But Menashe wasn't jealous.
He was already living a taste of the future world of Moshiach, when there will be no jealousy.
That's where the daughters of Tzelafchad inherited their Moshiach'dik outlook from.
They were already living a taste of the future, when we will hear not only the voice of the groom, but also the voice of the bride.
When the greatness of the feminine soul will be revealed. When every wife will be the crown of her husband...
If they could live Moshiach'dik all the way back then, how much more so we have the power to live it today!
(based on Sicha tzav mem hey)
14. Not Knowing What to Mourn
Like a blind person who feels no desire to see colors
Like a deaf person who feels no desire to hear music
Is a Jew who feels no desire to know Gd.
It's sad to sit in the darkness
Searching high and low for the light
But it's even sadder to sit in the darkness
Not even dreaming of the light
Not even knowing what to miss
Not even knowing why to cry
Not even knowing what to mourn
Not even knowing what to ask for
Thinking all is normal...
That's why now's the time
To get to know the Beis Hamikdash
To get to know what once was
To get to know what is about to be
Cuz we have no idea what we're missing!
Like a deaf person who feels no desire to hear music
Is a Jew who feels no desire to know Gd.
It's sad to sit in the darkness
Searching high and low for the light
But it's even sadder to sit in the darkness
Not even dreaming of the light
Not even knowing what to miss
Not even knowing why to cry
Not even knowing what to mourn
Not even knowing what to ask for
Thinking all is normal...
That's why now's the time
To get to know the Beis Hamikdash
To get to know what once was
To get to know what is about to be
Cuz we have no idea what we're missing!
13. The Rebbe's Pain
Every person knows their own pain.
At times it's unbearable, and we cry out.
But thank Gd, it's not constant. It passes. It heals somewhat. And we move on.
Every mother knows her own children's pain.
At times it's unbearable and we cry out.
But thank Gd, it's not constant. It passes. It heals somewhat. And we move on.
But then there's the Rebbe.
He knows the pain of _every_ Jew.
He feels all the pain, as his own, at _every_ moment.
He sees the Beis hamikdash burning before his eyes, every day.
It's constant. It never passed.
And he can't stop crying out.
He urges each of us not to be selfish or complacent.
To join him in crying out with all our heart,
Until _all_ the pain is gone, from _every human being_ and _forever_!
Until we see the 3rd Beis Hamikdash, the "one cure fits all", with our very own eyes.
Tonight, while we eat and drink and celebrate Shabbos, let's use the opportune day of 17 tammuz, to show HaShem how much we care..
So that the fast be pushed off, not just one day, But Forever!
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