America's 234th Birthday

Just happened to realize - today's celebration of America's 234th birthday may have brought America full circle. It is the same Gematria of what America lives and breathes for - the Dollar.
Dalet (4), Lamed (30), Resh (200) = 234.

The Declaration of Independence was signed on the 17th of Tamuz (July 4th 1776) - a day famously known for 5 harsh decrees being carried out against Am Yisrael. One of those was the walls of Yerushalayim being broken - beginning the end of the Bet Hamikdash and beginning of Galut. America, by beginning on that same day, is surely the beginning of the end of the Galut. But even more so, it may have a very big part in way things play out - being that it is the current leader of Esav - and as Jewish End of Days reminds us, Esav acting as our brother - all too often giving us the rope to hang ourselves.

Let's see...

In Response to How Jews are Seen - America versus the World

In response to the article by Harry Maryles, in his article How Jews are Seen - America versus the World I felt the need to write this (what originally started as a comment). Please read the article first to understand the flow.

First of all, I appreciate the article's thought provoking insight. In no way do I want to detract from it, rather to clarify some things that may not be as apparent to all.

I must say that there is an apparent flaw in the thinking that Esav Soneh Le'Yaakov means only to physically oppress Jews. As the Holocaust and history has proven - it is the most common form, however spiritual oppression is even more powerful and permanent. This point connects what I see as two flaws in thinking together - the fact that Jews are not subject to Anti-Semitism in America and the fact that Jews intermarry and are accepted by gentiles can be considered as a yardstick to measure Anti-Semitism.

America allows Jews to live and be free; to have rights just as much as everyone else. This in turn has all-too-often caused (or even just enabled) the American Jew to abandon his heritage and his religion. While many of the generations sprouted from these original Jews are actually not Jewish, since their mothers were not Jewish, they will always be referred to as Jews. Much of Hollywood do have Jewish names, but are they all Jewish? Mostly not.

When the assimilated Jew intermarries, it may seem to be an acceptance of the Jew - which one may believe is not anti-semitism. Again, many of those "Jews" are really Goyim - and even if they are truly Jewish, what is worse Anti-Semitism than being so happy that the Jew has dishonored his own religion.

Esav gives us the rope to hang ourselves and that is how they destroy our SOUL. Nobody can argue with the fact that R' Akiva was murdered for Anti-Semitic reasons (teaching Torah publicly); yet he departed this world with his soul completely in tact - which cannot always be said of the American Jew - even some of the most religious. That is why the real Esav Soneh LeYaakov hatred is much worse today than ever. Although on the surface it seems so nice that the Jews feel comfortable in America; and the Israelis feel comfortable that America is [somewhat] behind them, there is always an agenda under the surface.

For example, regarding the Evangelicals that were mentioned: they are completely selfish, believing that when we have our own land and live there, their own savior (JC) will come as Messiah - and that he cannot come until that fact comes to fruition. That is why they fund Aliyah and are staunch supporters of Israel. No doubt part of a Divine plan to get us moving there for the REAL Geula, yet they themselves will be punished for their actions regardless as was Pharaoh even though he caused us to cry out to Hashem and pray for redemption.

America has their own agendas and even a quick glance at the book - The Secret War against the Jews can get your blood boiling. It might not always be clear, but there surely is one.

We need to walk away with the knowledge that America is the wolf in sheep's clothing. The world has tried to oppress us for years and years - physically - in ghettos, in concentration camps and gas chambers. We were warned about this in the Torah - if we waver in our faith and Torah, Esav will rise up against us. The true purpose is to make us stronger in our faith and commitment to Hashem and Torah, which often happened. Today, they have found a new way to kill us, permanently - destroying our souls. This has proven most effective as we can all attest to in one way or another. The intermarriage rate alone is staggering.

I fervently pray that Hashem open our eyes to see the truth and not be caught up in the winds of freedom that have proven so dangerous. May we all merit to see the ultimate redemption appear through peaceful means, very soon, Amen.

America - the laughing stock of the world

I've been noticing the downfall of America. I'm pretty sure we all have. The dollar is in shambles. All the rogue nations of the world making fun of America. The "Great" America is clearly on its way down. The talk in America now, is not of how great America is, but how to bring America "back".

I've noticed something interesting. With our president apologizing worldwide for America's actions, the current financial situation, the brewing wars, the truth of Congress being exposed (they sign bills without reading them?!), etc., it could be said that America is being made fun of. America has become the laughing stock of the world. What ever happened to the great nation?

There is a parallel story in the Megillah, where Haman (being at that time second in command) was ordered by the king Ahashverosh to ride Mordechai through the streets declaring 'this is what shall be done to a man who the king desires his great value'. This was a most degrading and embarrassing thing for him to do. In addition, we learn that his own daughter, upon seeing the sight, believed that surely it was her father being led by Mordechai through the streets. She proceeded to empty the family chamber pot upon what she thought was Mordechai's head. It was her own father and when he looked up, she committed suicide in her embarrassment.

This was the process of Haman's downfall. A miraculous rise to power; followed by being made into a laughing stock, followed by his ultimate downfall and death. I perceive it to be the same in America. Whether the entire history of America is counted or not, is not the issue. It is clear that America was the superpower of the world. They are now struggling to hold that title. Russia and China are clearly trying to pick up the title. Iran, North Korea, Venezuela are wishing for it as well, but are not anywhere near likely to get it unless they c"v kill most of the world with nukes.

At any rate, America is currently at the stage most likely to be right before its complete destruction. The RaDaK clearly explains that the downfall of Esav/Edom/the "west" is immediately preceding Mashiach's arrival. Hold on!

Esav and Amalek

I was pondering the forced conversions at the hand of the inquisition. As a man stood there at the stake, about to be burned alive, they offered him a final chance - embrace the cross and be saved. The funny thing is, as we all know, what kind of feeble religion needs the forced conversion of a Jew? How much could it possibly mean, when a person facing death chooses to become baptized to save their life? Apparently - enough.

On the other hand, amalek didn't care for conversions. Real or fake, they meant nothing. How many Jews were killed during the Holocaust, even though they were "christians" for several generations? Nobody cared. A Jew is a Jew. No way to erase that. No conversion can change it.

Today, we still have both elements. Some more open than others. But they are still out and about, all vying for the Jewish soul. That's their nourishment. The holiness that a Jew contains, is what they need to live off as Tumah, has no root in creation. It's existence is based on living off holiness.

If we only realized how special we all are and how much power we contain...

Are we Yaakov or Esav?

This video says it all:


(See Video here if player below doesn't work)

Torah Correlations and Hints

I heard this one from several sources, it is not my own. The Parsha that was being read during US elections was Lech Lecha - where Hashem tells Avraham to head to Eretz Yisrael; Obama was elected and just happens to be taking office right after we read about Egypt and its new king that did not recognize Yosef and forced our ancestors into slavery. If we read into it, it looks pretty scary.

I heard this one too...this week's Haftara says 'from the North, the evil will begin'. We are currently in a dangerous war and we all know that the threat in the North, from Hizballah, sponspored by Iran is not a joke. Things can heat up quite fast and before we know it, we will be seeing Mashiach appear on scene in the North as well (as he is supposed to do). Let's make sure we are all ready both spiritually and physically.

I came up with these on my own. In Tehillim, it says "MiToch U'Me'Hamas Yig'al Naf'sham" (from within and from Hamas, He will redeem their lives). This can possibly be hinting to the war in Gaza against Hamas. Hopefully it will trigger our redemption. We need to ensure that we are doing our best, and at bare minimum praying for the welfare of our brethren and Am Yisrael's future.

Additionally, we know of many nations that are supposed to appear on scene as the final battle of Gog U'Magog ensues. We are not sure who these nations actually are in modern times. This might provide a hint to who Edom is. It says in Tehillim - "Al Edom Ashlich Na'ali" (I will throw my shoe at Edom). Since very recently, President Bush has had shoes thrown at him, Hashem may be letting us know who Edom actually is -- America. Not surprising, but scary nonetheless.

Whether these hints are true or not, we need to understand the message. The message is embedded in all of the world events, that we are watching unfold under our eyes. We all, collectively must unite, realize that the singular control of our destiny is in our own hands (and mouths). Hashem is the only one planning, directing, coordinating and completely controlling everything.

We can stand on the sidelines and watch or we can take matters into our own hands. We know from the story of Yaakov and Esav, the voice is the voice of Yaakov and the hands are those of Esav. Our power is in our voice, our speech (or lack thereof). We are not threatening, attacking, protesting or bombing those who do not agree with us, rather we are storming the Heavens with our heartfelt prayers, additional seriousness when performing Mitzvot, intensifying and increasing our learning and overall our complete realization of Hashem's control of the most minute of incidents.

Just as Yaakov was forced to do something about it, when Esav was about to receive the Berachot from Yitzhak Avinu, we must also do something about our situation. It is perfectly feasible that everything will quiet down and we will again become complacent with our situation. Yet, as Rabbi Pinchas Winston points out, historically this has never done us any good. We need to realize that Mashiach's coming depends solely on us. We will have to bring him about. We can do this through increasing our good deeds and strengthening our brothers (BringMashiach.com). The other possibility is that Chas Veshalom, we will feel threatened, our security will be undermined and we will be forced into a predicament in which we come to realize with pure clarity that we have nothing at all to rely on, and that nothing at all can save us, except for Hashem's miracles.

The prophets talk about the wars and dangers of the times of Mashiach. Many, if not all of us are familiar with the frightening prophecies. Yet we know that Hashem is merciful and the prophecies for bad are not required to come true. We can change them, because they didn't happen yet. The intensifying situation for Jews worldwide, is a clear sign which direction we are headed and that we can do more. Do we continue to watch idly, or are we going to change the course of history as our father Yaakov Avinu did?


ps - BringMashiach.com is still in its infancy. The early posters will have the Zechut (merit) of being the first ones involved and get credit upstairs for their effects. If everyone accepts to change for the better and document it, so that it serves to strengthen the next one, we can surely effect major changes "upstairs" and down here. Let's start looking around with a less judgemental eye. Let's see the good our brethren are doing and the miracles that Hashem is showing us (and document them). It can only serve to bring us together, to greet Mashiach very soon. We need to all work together on this one...Shabbat Shalom