Bringing Mashiach

Hi,

"The Torah does not specify how the redemption will evolve, because this great matter is entrusted to Israel’s leaders. It is up to them to do as they see fit, according to the place and the time.

"Therefore we are taught regarding the redemption (Zecharyah 8:19), “The fasts…will become for the House of Yehudah…cheerful festivals.” This teaches that the redemption is entrusted to the human Beit Din just like the fixing of the festivals."

(R’ Yissachar Techtel, Em haBanim Smeichah pg. 267 (Lichtman translation))

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Yom ha'Atzmaut - Israel's 60th Birthday

Hi,

In honor of Yom ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, which is celebrated today (tomorrow if you read this on the blog, today if you read it on the feed email):

"You will return to HaShem your Gd and hear his voice, according to all that I instruct you today; you and your children, with all of your heart and all of your soul.

"HaShem will return your exile and have mercy on you, and He will return and gather you from all of the nations to which HaShem, your Gd had scattered you.

"HaShem your Gd will bring you to the land which your ancestors inherited, and you will inherit it, and HaShem will prepare good things for you and make you greater in number than your ancestors.

"HaShem your Gd will circumcise your heart and the heart of your children, to love HaShem your Gd with all of your heart and with all of your soul, for your life."

(Deuteronomy 30:2-6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Yom haZikaron

Hello,

For Yom haZikaron, in memory of those who have been murdered, in war or in acts of terror, in Israel and in defense of Israel:

One who is buried in Israel is considered as though he had been buried next to the Temple Altar.
(Talmud Bavli, Ketuvot 111a)

Their memory is a blessing.

Be well,
Mordechai

Israel

Hello,

In honor of Israel's 60th birthday:

"One who walks four cubits in Israel is forgiven for all of his sins."

(Talmud, Ketuvot 111a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Maintaining peace

Hi,

"One who degrades his neighbor lacks heart, but a man of discernment holds his peace."

(Mishlei [Proverbs] 11:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Student Entrance Qualifications

Hello,

"Beit Shammai said: One should only teach a person who is wise, modest, of humble spirit, a child of ancestors and wealthy.

"Beit Hillel said: One should teach everyone, for there were Jewish transgressors, and once they became close to Torah study, pious and righteous people came from them."

(Avot d’Rabbi Natan, additional note to Version I, Chapter 2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Righteous flourish, bear fruit and regenerate

Hi,

"Rabbi Chiyya bar Lulayni taught: What is the meaning of the verse (Psalms 92), 'A righteous person will flower like a date tree, he will grow tall like a cedar of Lebanon?' If he is comparable to a date tree, why introduce a cedar? If he is comparable to a cedar, why introduce a date tree?

"Had the verse only mentioned a cedar tree, I would have said that just as a cedar does not produce edible fruit, so a righteous person does not necessarily produce edible fruit, just as a cedar does not produce edible fruit. Therefore, the date tree is mentioned.

"Had the verse only mentioned a date tree, I would have said that a righteous person does not regrow after he falls, just as a date tree does not regenerate after it is chopped back. Therefore, the cedar is mentioned."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 80b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai