Rabbi Goldsmith is once again hosting youth music concerts to promote a music revolution on-line and beyond bringing us good self esteem among Israeli youth and anglo students in Israel. Past performers include Lazer LLoyd, Ari Lesser, Yosef Dainel,Hamakor, Yosef Karduner,Shtar, Boruch Vidal, Avraham Pilcer, Az Yashir, , Hello Sid, Sam Fisher and other young enthusiastic top class musicians.
The Unity of the Bands was so successful, it is returning again for the new school year at a new alcohol-free club for youth The Bet Shemesh Educational Center. Rabbi Goldsmith spoke on Israel National Radio’s The Beat about how music can positively influence young adults to change for the better.
INR: So tell us who you are and how you became the Midnight Rabbi
Rabbi Goldsmith: I grew up in London and have been in Eretz Yisrael for ten years. I’ve seen from being in a few different yeshivas like Ohr Somayach the importance of music - especially me being a baal teshuvah and being involved in London in the music industry. My family, Harvey Goldsmith and my father Martin Goldsmith put on big events. I would see the effect of the music industry had on the youth. I wanted to be a famous rock singer at one point when I was a teenager. I won a “battle of the bands” in London. I’m still close to those guys because music has a bonding effect.
INR: What was the name of your old band?
Rabbi Goldsmith: Common Ground. It was about unity even in that world. But now the boys are coming to yeshiva not just for music but for spiritual reasons. So it can be a spiritually defined purpose. The music has the power to combine the physical with the spiritual. I see that with the bochurim [yeshiva students]. It brings out their self esteem and togetherness.
INR: What were your father’s big events?
Rabbi Goldstein: He helped do Live Aid. There’s an interesting hashkacha pratis [Divine guidance] story about someone else who’s been helping - Jeff Pulver. My dad arranged to get him into the Led Zepplin reunion concert at Royal Albert Hall. Personally, I don’t listen to their music and don’t think their a good influence on the kids at all. Jeff Pulver likes them very much, and he’s a good guy, so the hashkacha pratis is that even from such a place, he ended up contributing a decent amount of money to the studio the boys have been using.
It has a drum kit, piano, amps speaker system and even rebbes have been using it to speak their drashas on. Even though the kids are unfortunatley drawn to this type of music, especially the rap world, when they come with the right intentions, and inspiration, they elevate this type of music. It’s an amazing thing and that what it was at Unity of the Bands.
INR: So why do they call you the Midnight Rabbi?
Rabbi Goldsmith: A few years back I was walking around the street late at night and was surprised to see how many young people were out there. I was learning full time and was learning very shtark [to appear to be religious]. I thought there needs to be something done in the kiruv world late at night. So I asked my wife and she agreed that I should pursue this. The first yeshiva was Netzach, where they called me the X-Box Rebbe because I used to see them where they used to play the video games late at night. Then it ended up Ner Yaakov which offered me an even later position, so they called me the Midnight Rabbi. So it came from the boys themselves. The idea was for me to come late at night.
I remember this one student, his first month or so in yeshiva, he used to come back drunk out of his face. Last year at an end-of-the year party, he told me he thought maybe he was having hallucinations because every night he would find this rabbi that he could sit and talk with about deeper things. And every morning he would wake up — well not really in the morning, maybe in the afternoon — and he would say, “Did I meet a rabbi last night? I can’t remember.” It made a deep impression on him and the whole year we had a good connection.
INR: Do you actually like rap and rock?
Rabbi Goldsmith: For me personally, I don’t think any of this music is ideal. I don’t listen to it in my own house. But my strength is from my past because I can bridge these gaps when I talk to them. At this point that’s where they’re at. I’m more just a stepping stone. I can’t be the end result. It’s about elevating the sparks with real content and the musicians themselves being real Role models for a honest true future!
INR: When is your next event?
Rabbi Goldsmith: hoping with your help to begin 5774, 2013-14 with some new shows and some new surprise guests T.B.A. like Ari Lesser
We have posted our latest music on elyonsong and hope u all get inspired and sing inspired!
We have also included our latest videos and hope to be coming out with a new album asap. See below some of our favourite lyrics that have inspired us all!
Elyon- Eliezer Kosoy soul-ful sounds and teacher! Appreciates Yonason Hill for all his great talent and soul
And HaMakor for the second time thank G-d We Are So Excited To Have Hosted 3 of the Solomon Bros and now a fourth ofThe Talented Solomon Brothers, Yosef, formerly of the Moshav band, At Our Midnightrabbi Mystic Music Hour With The Fortunate Ones! Their Talent Is Beyond Words And Take A Glimpse At The Best Jewish Music Brothers Around. We all Loved It Beyond Talent, Thank G-D! We Hope To Bring The Whole Band and brothers Here Soon With A Rockin’ Midnightrabbi Concert For More Fortunate Ones! Bs’d! The pics are here <-
And Shtar performed here for us, Shtar means a commitment and sincere real talent , you got that!As we all struggle on, looking forward to hosting Shtar again @Bet Shemesh Educational Center for the fortunate ones at yeshivat Ashreinu , for the Midnightrabbi mystic music hour SHtark , nice movie Shtar glasses guys as the Shtar rises up!
DOWNLOAD MY NEW MIXTAPE “MIRACLE MUSIC” TODAY!!! TOTALLY FREE!!!
Includes my new single “UNBELIEVABLE” and many more amazing songs.
Miracle Music, by NISSIM
Boruch Samuel Bovi Vidal
R.I.p to all of the fallen soldiers of Israel, and all the other victims of terror we are thankful for the sacrafice you have given.
I hope you guys are in a better place.. A meaningful memorial day.
MidnighterRabbi congratulates Boruch Vidal on your army service and looks forward to hear good news from everything you do with blessings and more music success:)
INR: These concerts are for 16-19 and more year olds?
Rabbi Goldsmith: Yes. They do a good a job, they did a lot of the groundwork this age group in the past. My goal was to get these guys to run their own events and make them independent. We’ll see from U Muse, which stands for Youth 4 Music, that the youth themselves have the power to lift up all their friends and family. I don’t see that style of music as the goal, but it’s definitely a big step for the world to get to a more spiritual place. The lyrics represent a more positive message.
INR: Do you have any final words about your projects?
Rabbi Goldsmith: I appreciate your interest. Really what you’ve done for the boy’s self esteem, it will help them for the rest of their lives. You have a big mitzvah.
And it’s time wake up and begin the new year with some new shows…!!!!ASAP contact Eli umuse613@gmail.com Send us the sponsors and advertisements so we can get moving right now Midnightrabbi inspiresd
It’s also the yahrtzeit of the holy Rebbe Meir baal Haness.
Rebbe Meir, a third-generation Mishnaic sage or Tanna, is affectionately known as Rebbe Meir “Baal HaNess”, or “master of the miracle”. He is one of the most quoted sages in the entire Talmud and one of the five (some say seven) latter pupils of Rebbe Akiva. His father, a righteous convert, was a descendant of the Emperor Nero.
The Gemara (tractate Avoda Zara, 18a-b) tells us that Rabbi Meir was married to Bruria, a brilliant woman and the daughter of the holy Rabbi Chanina ben Tardion, one of the ten martyrs whom the Romans persecuted. The tyrannical Roman occupiers sentenced Rabbi Chanina and his wife to be executed for teaching Torah publicly. They sentenced his daughter – Bruria’s sister – to be placed in a brothel. Image, above: Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias
Bruria asked her husband to save her sister. Rabbi Meir took a bag of gold coins and said to himself, “If she has remained chaste, a miracle will occur for her, and if not, there won’t be a miracle.”
He then went to the brothel disguised as a Roman cavalryman, and asked her to sleep with him. She refused, claiming she was in the midst of her menstrual period. When he offered to wait until it was over, she said, “There are many other women here that are more beautiful than I.” He then realized that she used this tactic with everyone who sought her and concluded that she indeed maintained her chastity.
The disguised Rebbe Meir then he offered the gold coins as a bribe to the guard. The guard replied, “When my supervisor comes, he will notice one girl missing and he’ll kill me.”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Take half the money for yourself, and use the other half to bribe the officials.”
The guard argued, “And when there is no more money, and the supervisors come – then what will I do?”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Say, ‘elaka d’Meir, aneni - G-d of Meir – answer me!’ and you will be saved.”
The guard was not yet convinced: “How can I be sure that this will save me?”
Rabbi Meir replied, “Look – there are man-eating dogs over there. I will go to them and you will see for yourself.” Rabbi Meir walked over to the dogs, threw a clump of dirt at them, and they ran at him to tear him apart. He cried, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” and the dogs retreated. The guard was convinced, accepted the bribe and he gave Rebbe Meir Bruria’s sister.
The story’s not yet over: When the group of supervisors came, the guard bribed them with the money. Eventually, the money was used up, and it was publicized what had happened. They arrested the guard and sentenced him to death by hanging. They tied the rope around his neck and he said, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” The rope tore, much to everyone’s amazement. He confessed, so they put out a warrant for Rebbe Meir’s arrest. The guard was saved.
The Romans distributed an engraving with Rebbe Meir’s likeness on it and proclaimed that anyone seeing such a person resembling should turn him in to the authorities. One day, some people spotted him and ran after him, so he fled and entered a harlot’s house. They barged into the house in pursuit. Eliyahu HaNavi - Elijah the Prophet – appeared to them as a harlot who embraced Rebbe Meir. “If this was Rebbe Meir,” they said to each other, “he certainly would not have acted like this!” Rebbe Meir escaped and fled to Babylon.
* * *
Ever since, there is a surefire tradition in Judaism that when a person is in peril, Heaven forbid, he should give charity, and dedicate it in the memory of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess. He should then say “Elaka d’Meir aneni” – three times, which means, “G-d of Meir – answer me!”
Rebbe Meir’s yahrtzeit, the anniversary of his death, falls on Pesach Sheni, the 14th day of Iyar, which this year falls on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. This is a special day to give charity in the name of Rebbe Meir and to ask for all your heart’s wishes. Even better, try to visit Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s a special place where thousands flock to, for many have seen miracles in their own lives after visiting there.
May Rebbe Meir’s holy memory intercede in our behalf, amen!
Parshas Emor 5773-2013 from Rabbi Price This sicha shoud be in memory of my brother, Yerachmiel Yaacov Yoseph (Joel) ben Moishe Dovid, on his Yahrzeit this week, Wednesday,14 Iyar-Pesach Sheni-April 24
Rabbi Frand on Parshas Emor
Parshas Emor contains the portion of Priesthood, beginning with instructions to the Kohanim regarding their special laws. These laws include the fact that a Kohain is not allowed to have any direct contact with a dead body except for his immediate relatives. Even after a Kohain buries a close relative, Rachmana litzlan, he may not go back to the cemetery. This is a very difficult thing, but that is part of being a Kohain.
Kohanim have other restrictions, beyond that of normal Jews. They are not allowed to marry divorcees. They have to be careful in their consumption of Teruma and Kodshim. If it is “difficult to be a Jew,” as the world says, it is even harder to be a Kohain.
If that is the case, the choice of words that the Torah uses to begin this portion, seems strange. The verse begins “Vayomer Hashem el Moshe” (And G-d said to Moshe) [Vayikra 21:1]. We know that most chapters in the Torah begin with the words “Vayedaber Hashem el Moshe leimor” (And G-d spoke to Moshe saying).
Our Sages tell us that the difference between “Vayomer” and “Vayedaber” is that the latter is a harsher type of speech, the former is a much softer type of speech.
To give an example, when I want my children to make their beds and clean up before they leave the house in the morning, I say, “Will you PLEASE make your bed?” That is ‘Vayedaber.’ When I tell them “Go take a snack,” that is ‘Vayomer.’ They will readily take it.
If that is the case, what choice of words should the Torah have used over here? Obviously, since the Torah was giving restrictions — in terms of who they could marry, in terms of what they could eat, in terms of what type of funerals they could go to — we would have expected “Vayedaber Hashem!”
G-d is asking them to give up a lot. It should need a harsher type of language. Yet, the Torah employed the much softer expression, Vayomer.
Rav Moshe Feinstein says a beautiful thought [in Darash Moshe]: The role of the Kohanim was to be the spiritual mentors of the Jewish people. “They teach Thy Laws to Jacob and Thy Teachings to Israel” [Devorim 33:10]. In order for a person to be an effective leader and teacher, in order to for him to be an effective role model, he cannot feel that his life is a drag. He cannot feel that he has a difficult life and that his restrictions are a pain.
If the person, who is supposed to be the leader and teacher, feels that his lot is a tough lot, then he cannot be an effective Kohain. In order to give over a heritage to someone, one must feel privileged, rather than burdened. If the Kohain feels that all the things that the Torah put on him are a burden rather than a privilege, then he can’t be the spiritual leader that we want him to be.
That is why the Torah uses the language “Vayomer.” Even though it may seem hard, they must accept it and feel as if it is easy. Rav Moshe goes on to say, that the Ramba”m writes in Mishneh Torah, at the end of Hilchos Shmitah v’Yovel [13:13], a very famous passage. He says that this role of spiritual mentor is not restricted to the Tribe of Levi. Any person who accepts upon himself a life of Holy Service, anyone who decides to step into a role of Torah disseminator, anyone who decides to devote his life to the work of G-d, he too has the status of a Kohain or a Levi.
Rav Moshe says that this is an ethical lesson to be learned by those who enter the Holy Professions, the work of teachers, the work of Rabbis, the work of community professionals. Even though we all know the burdens that Torah teachers and Rabbis have to suffer, even though we all know that so many times they are treated without the proper respect they deserve, but if the Levi or the teacher or the Rebbe feels that it is a pain and he is constantly ‘kvetching’ about his situation, Rav Moshe says, he should get out. He cannot be an effective teacher.
The effective Rabbi, must feel that it is a ‘Vayomer.’ It is tough, but it is a privilege. Yes, we all may have our moments where we feel that it is too much, but they should only be moments. That must not be the way we always are.
If we feel that it is too difficult, we can’t give it over. If one can’t give it over, according to Rav Moshe then he should get out now.
That is why the Parsha of Kohanim is said with ‘Vayomer.’ [Till here from Rabbi Frand]
I saw somewhere else that Rav Moishe ztl. says that really every Jew should have this understanding that Judaism is not a burden. Of course , even more so, the Rebbeim.
On the Shabbos before Pesach we read a special Haftorah from the Prophet Malachi.
Rav Moshe Feinstein in the sefer, “Kol Rum,” compiled by Rabbi Avraham Fishelis, zl. Vol II, p.248, brings an important lesson from the Haftorah on how to serve Hashem.
The Prophet Malachi 3:13-14 rebukes the Jews telling them that Hashem says that you have said strong words against me. When the Jews asked, “What did we say?”, Hashem answers, “You said, ‘it isn’t worth to serve Hashem, what benefit do we get from keeping His Mitzvos?…the sinners were right…’ ”
Rav Moshe asks that if that’s what they said to Hashem, that it’s not worth it to keep Torah and Mitzvos, so how could they have the audacity to deny it and tell Hashem , “What did we say?”
Rav Moshe answers that in reality they kept Torah and Mitzvos and even instructed their children to do so. However they did it in such a way that showed that they felt that it’s not good to serve Hashem and keep Mitzvos. Despite this they keep it and they instruct their children to do the same, to keep the Torah even though it was hard and he lost a lot by doing it.
So, even though they didn’t actually say it outright, the way they kept it, was proclaiming that it was not worth it to serve Hashem. Consequently, other people, who were not on the level to keep Torah despite its hardship, learned from them to abandon it.
What they should have said was that Torah and Mitzvos are good and a great gift. Hashem chose us from all the nations and gave us the Torah and made us free people-“there is no free man only one who deals with Torah.” This is the greatest joy and there is no loss from keeping Torah and Mitzvos because everything is from Hashem and our whole life and everything we were given is dependent on Him. With this attitude he would be able to have a good influence on his children and students. Anyone who sees how happy he is by doing Torah and Mitzvos will want to emulate him.
In the book “City on Fire,” compiled by Sarah Shapiro, about the twin tower tragedy of September 11, they bring on p. 197, Rav Matisyahu Salomon who cites the Alter of Slabodka who explains the prophecy of Malachi like Rav Moshe and elaborates on this point. He says in part,
“If a Torah Jew, who represents Yiddishkeit [Judaism], walks down the street, mixes with people, and is obviously not a happy person, if he doesn’t show that his life has content, if he is not an example of refinement and fulfillment, then he is shouting to the world, ‘It isn’t worthwhile to serve Hashem.’
He is saying to everyone, ‘We didn’t make it, but you made it. You are happy people. You have your entertainment, your pleasures….and I go around with my long face.’ You are telling everyone, ‘What benefit do we have in keeping His mitzvos?…It isn’t pleasure. It isn’t life itself. It isn’t an achievement. I don’t feel fulfilled….’ Hashem seems to have pushed us away, and we seem to be affirming those who do what they want, who extract the pleasures of life and seem to get a better deal. And that’s an indictment of Torah observance.”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, in his sefer “Growth Through Torah,” p. 18-19, brings from Rav Yeruchem Levovitz that the very first verse in the Torah Genesis 1:1, makes us aware that Hashem is Creator and Ruler of the universe. This will make a major change in you for the rest of your life. You realize that there is a reason for everything. The world has meaning and purpose.
Rabbi Pliskin elaborates that without meaning in life even if one accomplishes a lot, has health and wealth, fame and fortune, there is a strong feeling that something is missing. It is. Without meaning, there is no real enjoyment and satisfaction. Yes, a person can have moments of excitement, joy, and even ecstasy. But they are short-lived. When the high feelings settle down, there is emptiness. Nothing seems to really matter.
Rabbi Pliskin (ibid.), continues to say that without meaning in life there is no real enjoyment, but once you internalize the awareness that there is a Creator of the universe, you see plan and purpose. There is an inner glow and a drive for spiritual growth. Those who lack this realization see only the external actions and behaviors of those who live with the reality of the Almighty. They are unaware of the rich inner life of such a person. The true believer in the Creator is a fortunate person. He sees divinity in every flower and tree and in every blade of grass. His life, regardless of how it unfolds, is full of purpose and meaning. While he appreciates this world as a gift of the Creator, he looks forward to an eternity of existence. This is the profound message of the first verse of the Torah.
Rabbi Pliskin concludes with a story of a certain well-known communal leader, who as a teenager saw Rabbi Moshe Feinstien for the first time. He remembered something that Rav Moshe said that made an indelible impression.
Rav Moshe was saying, “People destroy their children by always repeating [in Yiddish] ‘Es is shver tzu zein a Yid (It is hard to be a Jew).’ No, it is not hard to be a Jew. It is beautiful and joyous to be a Jew.”
Rav Moshe’s face glowed with pride and happiness when he said those simple words, and the young listener recalls that he too became suffused with pride in his Jewishness.
A Midnightrabbi inspires spiritual guide to make a practical difference!
We are almost by the climax of the year with Lag Bomer 2013 in less than a week, listen to how we planned this music mystic hour to go and click on the blogs to see how it all manifested thank G-d
Hey, this is Ari Goldwag! Thanks for coming to my Indiegogo page. I’m really excited to share this great album with the world! I’ve produced nine albums to date over the last 11 years, which brought to the world some amazing hits, including Kah Ribon, Ogil (Sheves Achim), Hashem Loves You (Sheves Chaverim), as well as collaborations with great artists like Benny Friedman on my song Yesh Tikvah, among many others, b’ezras Hashem.
You can listen to a sample of the twelve songs on the Gallery page of this campaign!
This campaign seeks to raise at least $35,000, which (as explained below), will cover the costs of completing the album and getting it out into the stores and making the world aware of it. With my previous experience in putting out albums, I know how important it is to have this kind of money to get the album out and pay for proper advertising, including the production of some great inspiring music videos.
With your help, we will get a truly exciting and spiritual message out there – Yiddiskhkeit (Judaism) is fun and there’s something real that we can hold on to! Yes, we can really connect to Hashem! Yes, He’s really in our lives! Yes, we can change! Yes, we’re imperfect! Yes, there is hope – Yesh Tikvah!
Kedushas Levi (16) Miracles Are Hidden In Nature from Rav Moshe Weinberger Shlita, the Mashpia of Y.U., Rav of Kehlios Hakodesh Aish Kodesh! The plagues inflicted on Egypt revealed the greatness of Hashem. What do the vowels underneath the hebrew words really mean? The way the righteous person lives is above all of creation. Hashem dresses up all the miracles within nature. Hashem will reveal himself in a way that even the wicked will see him. Why didn’t Moshe pray that Pharaoh should let the Jewish people go by the plague of hail?
A swarm of locusts that began in Egypt and has crossed the border into Israel is inviting comparison to one of the Biblical plagues of Exodus.
The New York Times says the swarms are “like a vivid enactment of the eighth plague visited upon the obdurate Pharaoh. etc..
“Locust clouds were darkening skies on Wednesday, three weeks before the Jewish Passover holiday that recalls 10 Biblical plagues, one of them locusts, that struck Egypt during the exodus of Israelite slaves,” The Guardian said.
According to Egypt’s Al-Ahram, at least 20 swarms of locusts, each comprising up to 80 million insects, have invaded Egypt over the past three months, and there are more believed to be waiting in the wings, so to speak, along the country’s southern border with Sudan.
“One swarm of locusts can gobble up 100,000 tons of crops, an amount sufficient to feed 500,000 people for a whole year,” Nader Noureddin, an agricultural expert, tells Al-Ahram.
The Guardian quoted officials as saying, “the insects covered nearly 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of desert overnight [Tuesday].”
Israel was put on “locust alert” on Monday, with the Ministry of Agriculture setting up a hotline to report swarms. By Tuesday “grasshoppers the size of small birds were reported on balconies and in gardens in central and northern Israel. But the largest concentration, an ominous black cloud of millions, settled for the night near the tiny rural village of Kmehin in Israel’s southern Negev desert, not far from the border with Egypt,” The Times reports.
Published on Mar 6, 2013
Israel has began battling a swarm of locusts from Egypt that threaten to destroy crops in the southern part of the country. The clouds of the insects have darkened skies some three weeks before the Jewish Passover holiday that recounts the Biblical 10 plagues, one of them, the 8th plague on the spiritual calendar = Binah = Understanding and is sourced in the world of Teshuvah repentance, locusts, that struck Egypt prior to the exodus of the Israelite slaves. We all need to return as there everywhere and so is G-d!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 7,600 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 13 years to get that many views.
Keep happy and living inspired Rabbi Shalom Arush explains the Mitzva of VeShinantam, teaching your children. For sure we recommend this book- Click here for more inspirations <- Unity with Chabad Chassidus this year Yud Tet - Rav Arush will speak in Jerusalem together with all the Chassidim, wishing us all a good yom-tov as the-light-shines-from-within-out!
The recent missile attacks on the Israeli population in Southern Israel have made it difficult for many parents to fully provide for their families. Many have had to be absent from work to be with their children in the bomb shelters while rockets hit the south and center of Israel.
To relieve the financial burden of these families and ensure a steady supply of nutritional food to families under fire, the Jaffa Institute’s Food Distribution Center targets food insecurity and malnutrition in the home by providing Israel’s most needy with nutritious food parcels.
The program uses the Jaffa Institute’s infrastructure of volunteers and supplies to identify instances of food insecurity in our community and provide the resources to temporarily eliminate food insecurity as a root of depression and cause for additional stress during these hard times.
The Jaffa Institute is working to send 1000 food packages per week to families under fire in Israel.
The cost of each food package is $60. The Jaffa Institute is trying the raise $60,000 a week to keep up with the demand for parcels.
There are many ways in which you help the cause. The idea is for this to be a grassroots campaign, where people give what they can and spread the word to their friends, family and co-workers (take a look at the tools in the Tell Your Friends section). Even better, you can easily set up your own branch campaign customized for your own network of contacts by hitting the Create a Branch Campaign button above. Click here to help NOW->http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/3036<-
Any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you on behalf of the people of Israel and the Midnightrabbi & Goldsmith family!
This special song is called “Eternal World” and was written with deep inspiration during the days leading to the festival of Shavout! An intense experience meeting a Rebbe and finding my wife led me to bring this into the world over 10 years ago
The goal is to be a giver and help us all enter the world of Eternity , as we all journey together to this holy happy blessed place
My goal is to inspire people to be givers like the Ultimate Giver as much as we can!
The Midnightrabbi lives near Jerusalem and is happy to see us safe and growing in this holy land! The Midnight rabbi works at the Jaffainstitute helping their amazing causes and building his family and friends towards a positive future for us all!
His request is “Can u guys help us thanks and may all the families find comfort and the injured be healed ! Shalom friends
hope you are all well
With the recent attacks on southern Israel, the Midnightrabbi and the Jaffa Institute decided to assist the families of the south who cannot leave their homes to work, go to school or even get groceries from fear of missile attacks. As long as the fire continues we will be sending food and aid packages to 1000 families in the south every week. I would like to invite you to make even a bigger impact this time.
We are looking for people who are willing to support the program and spread the word about it. You can assist by going to http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/3036 and giving a gift or sharing the address with your friends. Any help you can give us in getting the word out will be extremely appreciated!
Thank you again for your support. Especially during these difficult times we are encouraged by the amount of love and appreciation we receive from all around the world.
Sincerely,
Eli Goldsmith / Pmusic and JIM = Jaffa Institute & Midnightrabbi
please email umuse613@gmail.com ph. 00972-(0)573175856 and click our blog - http://midnightrabbi1eligoldsmith.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/eli-midnightrabbi-goldsmiths-campaign-for-food-packages-from-the-jaffa-institute-under-fire/“
A Letter from the Rebbe – dated 5th of Tevet, 5736-December 9, 1975
~ Free translation (original is printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 15 p. 555-557) ~
By the Grace of G-d
3rd Day of Week
5th of Teves, 5736
Brooklyn, N.Y
Greeting and Blessing
… In reply to your inquiry and request for instructions in connection with the forthcoming fast of Asoro b’Teves (10th of Teves), in view of the situation in and around Eretz Yisroel
…Since you have also approached me in this matter, I will set forth, at least, several suggestions – after the following introductory remarks:
Regrettably, there are people who claim that it is necessary to think and act “big,” in terms of global dimensions and stupendous undertakings, etc., etc. Surely they mean well; and to the extent that such resolutions are practical and are actually carried out – they are very helpful to improve the situation.
Yet, we must never overlook – indeed, rather greatly emphasize – the so-called “small and unsophisticated” things which each modest congregation, or even each individual, can and must do – beginning with the old, yet ever-new, Jewish way, collectively as one people and also as individuals. This is the action of hakol kol Yaakov (“the voice is the voice of Jacob”) – Torah and prayer – which G-d himself has shown us to be the first effective action to nullify the power of yedei Eisov (“the hands of Esau”) – in whatever shape or form they are raised against us.
A special effort should be made in the spirit of “Klal Yisrael” – in the areas of Torah study, Tefillah (prayer), and Tzedoko (charity),
Specifically: After the prayers (both in the morning and at Mincha) to learn (and where there already are daily study groups, to add) a subject in Torah, including a halacha pesuka (legal ruling),
Immediately following the prayers, even before learning, to say several chapters of Psalms (in addition to the regular portion); Before and after the prayers – to give charity (in addition to the regular donation), including charity for a sacred cause or institution in Eretz Yisroel, Eretz haChayim (“Land of the Living”). Needless to say, one who repeats the above again and again in the course of the day, is to be praised, And each time – the more one adds in these activities (in quantity and quality), is to be praised all the more. And, as in all matters of Kedusha (Holiness), it is desirable that all the above be done in a group (with at least a Minyan).
May HaShem accept the prayers and supplications of Jews wherever they are,
And soon, in our very own days, may the Promise be fulfilled that “These days will be transformed into days of rejoicing and gladness,” With the true and complete Geulah (Redemption) through our righteous Moshiach.
I wish instead of The Slow-Poke and Tag Me stuff , Facebook for Every Phone would make a Donate link to our great causes @Jaffa Institute or you could just make life simple and donate right now with the link posted thanks <- This is the link for Donations , please leave in comments “eli!” with sincere thanks Eliezer Goldsmith and friends Please feel free to contact Israel 00972-57-317-5856 Email - umuse613@gmail.com
As Long As A Pulse Is Still Beating… (Aish Kodesh Hilula 5773) Rav Weinberger’s drasha start around the 1 hour mark and runs for about 40 minutes. The rest of the file contains the Hilula’s singing and music from Yosef Karduner. <-(click here <-) Yaakov Avinu’s (our forefather) desire to be removed from Egypt and be buried in Eretz Yisrael. The neshamah (soul) of a tzaddik (righteous person) can be drawn to where ever people, who need and him and daven (pray) for his help, are. He is drawn like a magnet to to Jews who learn his Torah and who remember him. Why was the soul of the Ba’al Shem Tov sent into this world? To awaken those who are asleep, even though they appear to be fully “functioning” and observant Jews. Different types and levels of sleep. Barely alive, with a last, almost indiscernible pulse, we can still wake up. Dry, routine Yiddishkeit which contains no love for, awe of, or attachment to Hashem. Our task: reach out and touch the neshamos of tzaddikim.
Dear Rabbi Brody, am I allowed according to Halacha to marry my niece or my cousin? Would there be any medical or genetic dangers? Thank you, NK from the Great Neck area
Dear NK,
Your superb question is mentioned in the Gemara, tractate Yevamot, 62b, on the bottom of the page. Indeed, our sages both encourage and bless anyone that marries a niece. Rashi states that the Gemara is referring specifically to the daughter of a sister; since a man naturally loves his sister, says Rashi, he will have a special affection for a wife who is the daughter of his sister. The Tosephot argue as follows: Rabbenu Tam agrees with Rashi, and says that the mitzva is to marry the daughter of a sister specifically (more than a brother), because the daughter of a sister will bring her husband good fortune and sons who resemble the father. The Rashbam disagrees with Rashi and with Rabbenu Tam, and says that marrying the daughter of a brother is just as good a mitzva as marrying the daughter of a sister. The Rambam, in agreement with the rationale of the Rashbam stipulates (Hilchot Issure Beia, 2:14), that it’s a “mitzvat khakhamim”, a rabbinical ordnance, to marry a niece, whether she’s the daughter of a sister or a brother. As far as practical Halacha goes, The Rama rules that Ikar HaDin (Principle Halacha) is, “It’s a mitzva to marry the daughter of a sister”, then adds, “There are those who say that it is also a mitzva to marry the daughter of a brother. (See Shulkhan Oruch, Even Ezer 2:6).” In other words, the Rama tends to agree with Rashi and Rabbenu Tam, but doesn’t ignore the Rashbam.
As far as the second half of your question, the Melitzer Rebbe shlit’a in the name of his grandfather, the holy Shatzer Rov of blessed and saintly memory, that ever since Abraham married his niece Sarah, there has been a blessing among Jews for marrying nieces. Also, the Shatzer Rov wrote that the doctor’s warnings about hemophilia and other genetic or medical flaws as in the case of the European monarchies does not apply to a family that observes halacha, most specifically, family purity and refraining from forbidden relations. In short, if you have a worthy niece, whether the daughter of a brother or a sister, you are allowed to marry her; not only that, but you will merit the blessings of our sages from the Gemara. In any event, I strongly urge to test for Tay-Sach’s disease before you even begin approaching the prospective match.
As far as cousins go, the Shatzer Rov (see “Or Ganuz, parshat Mattot/Massaei) says that whenever the Torah says “good”, according to esoteric tradition and the Arizal, there is an eternal blessing. Hashem told Moshe Rabbenu to tell the daughters of Tslophkhod to marry their cousins (see Bamidbar 36: 5-13), and the Torah says “tov” about it (ibid, verse 6). From here, the Shatzer Rov zatza”l says it’s very good to marry a cousin. If it worked for Bnot Tslophkhod, it’ll work for you. It’s worth noting that quite a few of the Melitzer Rebbe’s 12 children are happily married to cousins. It saves a lot of headaches in shidduchim, because you already know the family, the prospective soul mate, and there’re much fewer surprises. Let me know the good news. With Blessings always, LB
Hunter S. Thompson said: “Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”
I also believe music is very special kind of energy. I still find it amazing how one song can transport me back in time to a certain moment in my life. Or how a certain song lyrics can make me smile or cry in an instant. Music is the soundtrack of our lives…and music is energy.
Important to remember the yahrzeit of a figure Rav Meir Shapiro Ztl’… who has inspired me much these years, with Daf Yomi! (<-click here for a link & explanation). Today is the 7th of Cheshvan, and we were going to pray for rain in Israel (Eretz Yisrael)! Every day the rain comes down for all the Jewish people in his merit with the Daf Yomi cycle, where the life giving rain is Torah, by learning the Talmud Bavli one page a day. This year was the finishing of a 7 year cycle which i personally have tried to stay part of, beginning the 13th cycle is keeping us growing! The rain this year will bring out those special fruits that we all pray and yearn for ! We recommend this special book! about Yehuda Meir Shapiro (or Shapira), (March 3, 1887 – October 27, 1934). He was a prominent Hasidic rabbi and rosh yeshiva, also known as the Lubliner Rav. He is noted for his promotion of the Daf Yomi study program in 1923, and establishing the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva in 1930. Yehudah Meir Shapiro was born in the city of Suczawa, Austria, in the recent territory of Romania, in 1887. He was a descendant of Rabbi Pinchas Shapiro of Korets. After cheder, Rabbi Shapiro began to study with his grandfather, the Minchas Shai. Another of his early teachers was Rabbi Shulem Moshkovitz (popularly known as the Sitzutzer Rebbe. He was also a well known kabbalist). Shapiro began to get a reputation, and became known as the Illui of Shatz. From an early age, he was known as an outstanding leader and gifted speaker.
He was soon ordained by many great scholars, including Rabbi Sholom Mordechai and the Cohen of Brezhin (the Maharsham). He was appointed Rabbi of Gliniany at the age of 24, founding a yeshiva there – a pattern he would repeat in Sanok and Petrakov.
Shapiro’s mentor, the Rebbe of Chortkov. His grandfather introduced him to the ChortkoverRebbe, and thus began his passion for chassidus, and the beginning of his relationship with the ChortkoverRebbe. Rav Meir Shapiro was a legend his entire life, from his early beginnings until the day he was sadly taken from the world only 47 years later. Rav Meir Shapiro was talented in every way. Born in Shotz, Romania in 1887, Rav Meir was a child prodigy. Exceeding the knowledge of all the Rebbeim in town, after his Bar Mitzva he went to learn with his grandfather, Rav Shmuel Yitzchok Schorr, the author of Minchas Shai on Tanach. Three years later, from his deathbed his grandfather told him that in any event he would not continue to learn with Rav Meir because he already surpassed his grandfather in learning.
The poseik of the generation, the Maharsham of Barzen was so impressed by Rav Meir during a visit through his town, that he wrote in a letter that he made a bracha on seeing this young talmid chochom. At age 17 on Lag BaOmer, Rav Meir gave an impromtu drasha tying together the sayings of Rav Shimon bar Yochai throughout Shas, at the behest of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe.
After his marriage Rav Meir sat and learned but his fame grew far and wide. Although only 19 years old, offers for Rabbinic positions started coming his way. He steadfastly refused until at the urging of his Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Friedman of Chortkov, at the tender age of 23, he finally relented and accepted the position of Rav of Galina, a town near Lemberg. Rav Meir was a lifelong Chosid of the Chortkover Rebbe, always humbling himself before him, to his dying day. It was said that Rav Meir’s awe for his Rebbe was the true model of Chassidus.
Rav Meir was fiery leader with a brilliant mind, clear vision, and a golden tongue that helped him along. In every position he took up, he reorganized and turned ailing towns and cities into a thriving community and a Makom Torah. His main priority always was staring yeshivos and organizing Chadarim for the children to learn. This was feat he accomplished in revitalizing Galina, Sanok, Pietrikov, and finally Lublin. Along the way he spent time in the Polish Parliament and was a chief spokesman for the newly formed Agudas Yisroel.
The two achievements that will forever be tied to his name are the Daf Yomi and Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. In 1923, at the second Knessia Gedola, Rav Meir introduced his idea of the Daf Yomi. Just imagine, he said, a Yid spends 2 weeks up on boat keeping up with Daf Yomi and after arriving in New York he can immediately join a group a Yidden holding in the same place he is! What was amazing was the quick start that it got off to. In Radin, when asked by the Chofetz Chaim, Rav Meir told him that over 150,000 people were learning Daf Yomi. The Chofetz Chaim expressed his jealousy.
The Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin was Rav Meir’s final jewel in his crown and took up every moment of his time for the last 12 or so years of his life. He dreamed of building a modern Yeshiva in Galicia for boy to sit and learn as kings. No more begging for a piece of bread or a bed to sleep in. All their needs would be provided under one roof and they would devote all their energies to Torah. On Lag Ba’Omer 1923 all of Galician Jewry had their eyes turned to the city of Lublin, where the cornerstone laying celebration took place for Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. Tzaddikim and baalei batim swarmed upon the city to witness this historic event. The Chortkover Rebbe had the honor of laying the first stone.
Once the celebration was over there was much work to do. For the next 7 years Rav Meir Shapiro did not rest as he worked on fulfilling his dream and the dream of Klal Yisroel. At times he almost gave up on raising the enormous funds needed. In 1930, after long and exhausting fund raising trips through Europe and then to America, after 800 drashos, 600 committees formed, and 35,000 tzedoka boxes distributed, Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin became a reality. The Chanukas HaBayis was a spectacle of Kavod HaTorah for the ages.
The Yeshiva itself had a high standard with entrance requirement of knowing 200 Daf by heart. Rav Meir tended to his boys with the utmost devotion. Recent luminaries who learned there include Rav Pinchos Hirshprung and Rav Chaim Kreiswirth zt”l as well as ybc”l Rav Shmuel Vosner.
His first rabbinical posting came at the age of 23, when he was appointed Rabbi of Galina. He spent ten years in the city, in which time he established a yeshiva called Bnei Torah. Construction commenced in 1920. The Yeshiva held a Talmud Torah, a place to train rabbis, and a kitchen to feed orphaned children. It ran at a budget of over half a million marks. This Yeshivah was served as a prototype for what was later to become Chachmei Lublin.
After leaving Galina, Rabbi Shapiro began serving as Rabbi of Sanok.
His next rabbinical position was in Petrakov.
On 14 June 1931, he was appointed Rabbi of Lubin in the old synagogue of the Maharshal.
Daf Yomi
Rabbi Shapiro founded the revolutionary idea of Daf Yomi (Heb.דף יומי ”page [of the] day” or “daily folio”), a daily regimen undertaken to study the Babylonian Talmud one folio (a daf consists of both sides of the page) each day. Under this regimen, the entire Talmud is completed, one day at a time, in a cycle of seven and a half years. Rabbi Shapiro introduced his idea Sunday 19 August 1923 during the Kenesia Gedola (Great Assembly) of the first international Aguda convention in Vienna. Daf Yomi has been taken up since by thousands of Jews worldwide.
Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin
Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva was, along with Daf Yomi, the largest achievement of Rabbi Shapiro. He conceived of a yeshiva for Chassidic Poland, modeled on Lithuanian yeshivahs such as Volozhin, Slaboidka and Novardok, but which would train Chassidic rabbis as the next generation to lead Polish Jewry. The Yeshiva was housed in a massive building, housed hundreds of students and had a vast library of over 100,000 books. On May 22–28, 1924, the cornerstone laying ceremony took place for the construction of the yeshiva building. Approximately 20,000 people participated in the event. The opening ceremony took place on June 24–25, 1930. Apart from thousands of local Jews, around 10,000 people arrived from all over Poland and abroad. Rabbi Shapiro served as the yeshiva’s teacher and rosh yeshiva until his death.
Łódź
In 1932 Shapiro was approached by leaders of the Jewish Community of Łódź, who wanted to offer him the position of Chief Rabbi of Łódź. Many people wanted to appoint Rabbi Mendel Alter of Kalish, (b. 1877, Ger) the brother to the Gerrer Rebbe (and youngest son of the Sfas Emes) to this position. Rabbi Shapiro negotiated that a large part of his wage would go to pay off the debts that Chachmei Lublin was still struggling to pay off. Eventually it was decided to give it to Rabbi Shapiro. After all the protracted negotiation that went on to get Rabbi Shapiro into this position, he died three days after being appointed Chief Rabbi.
Whilst serving in Galina, Rabbi Shapiro began his involvement with Agudat Israel. He was present at its founding conference in 1912. In 1914 he was appointed head of the Education Department of Agudas Yisrael in East Galicia, becoming president in 1922 of Agudas Yisrael in Poland. He played a role in the conference in the city of Lvov, which had the purpose of launching the Aguda in Galacia, some two years after its founding in Katovitz in 5672.
At the time, he was also added as a member to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Rabbi Shapiro was initially very doubtful as to whether he should become an MP for the party, but was encouraged to do so by his rebbe, the Chortkover.
Rabbi Shapiro, together with Aron Levine and Zalmen Sirtzokin, chaired the committee which as a part of the Polish Ministry for Religious Affairs, held responsibility for delegating Rabbinical positions throughout Poland. He was also part of the Vaad HaChinuch.
Beginning in 1922, Rabbi Shapiro served as a parliamentarian to the Polish Sejm. In 1928 he stepped down as a politician so that he could devote all his energies to Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva.
Death
Rabbi Shapiro became ill with typhus in 1933 and died within a month on 27 October 1933 at the age of 46. His death was marked by popular mourning across Jewish and non-Jewish Poland. Countless newspapers across the entire political spectrum, from Orthodox toYiddishist to socialist, featured front-page biographies of Rabbi Shapiro.
Rabbi Shapiro’s remains were reinterred in Israel in 1958, under the auspices of his brother. He was reburied in Har HaMenuchot with a full ceremony. Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Levin delivered a eulogy, as did those students of his who had survived the Holocaust.
Legacy
Rabbi Shapiro is widely revered throughout the Jewish world as the founder of Daf Yomi. An area of Bnei Brak called Zikron Meir was established by Yaakov Halperin in honor of Rabbi Shapiro. It is the area that hosts all the major yeshivas in Bnei Brak.
Works
Rabbi Shapiro is primarily remembered today as a leader, the founder of Daf Yomi, and founder of Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, he was aso considered a gaon in his lifetime. He studied Torah extensively and was a great scholar even by the high standards of the era he lived in. His two major works are Ohr HaMeir and Imrei Da’as.
Ohr HaMeir - It was in Petrakov that he printed his book of responsa entitled Ohr HaMeir in 1926. As a work it operates on many different subjects, from philosophy to halacha.
Imrei Daas - a compilation of Torah thoughts on Halacha and Aggada, which was lost in World War II. The book contained an approbation from The Gaon Rabbi Meir Arik of Meturnah.
Vortelach - Rabbi Shapiro was a quick and brilliant thinker, and his numerous vortelach (short responsa) have been collected in numerous volumes, and quoted in many books.
“A Blaze in the Darkening Gloom”
The life of Rav Meir Shapiro
Feldheim Publishers, 1994 (from p. 365)
The Yiddish manuscript upon which this book is based was written in 1934 by a student of Rav Shapiro’s, Rav Yehoshua Baumol, who was killed in the Holocaust. The manuscript was translated into English by Charles Wengrow for publication by Feldheim publishers.
The Great Rabbi Meir Shapiro’s Last Moments
The hour of night grew later and later. On a piece of paper he asked that he be shown all the prescriptions which the doctors had written. When they were handed him, he went through them and selected the one for a preparation to cleanse the throat and the respiratory organs and he asked that a new supply be gotten for him. Every few minutes he kept washing his hands while his mind was obviously immersed in distant thoughts. The evident struggle that he had to make to draw breath was heartbreaking. One could feel the frightul, racking agony that he had to undergo to try to get a bit of air into his lungs, and try as he would, he kept failing, because the channels were blocked.
On a piece of paper, her scrawled a request to be carried into another chamber that he designated by its number (“Room number so-and-so”). Interestingly, that room had two doors, each with the name of an organization that had contributed money toward its construction. One door bore the name of the Bikur Cholim society (for care of the sick) of Chicago; the other, of the Chesed Shel Emes Society (for proper Jewish burial) of St. Louis.
When the transfer was accomplished, he asked for a change into a clean shirt and a fresh Talit Katan (a four-cornered garment with Tzitzis, ritual fringes, at the corners). Needless to say, his wishes were carried out. But then his wife, the Rabanit, noticed a change in his countenance, and she began weeping emotionally. Rav Meir did his best to calm her, as he wrote the message, “Now the true Simcha begins”…
In a broken, barely legible scrawl he wrote, “Let everyone drink l’Chayim!” Some liquor was poured out into tiny glasses, and all who were there drank and wished him l’Chayim, “to life!” Then he shook hands with them all, one by one, holding each one’s hand in his for a long time. And now he gave his instruction, “Make a Rikud (a little Chassidic dance) to the words, ‘b’Cha Batchu Avoseinu’ (“In You our fathers trusted, and You rescued them”; Tehilim 22:5). His wishes were obeyed: they joined hands, put hands on shoulders, and lifted their feet in rhythm as they sang the holy words to the melody they knew so well – the melody which he himself had composed.
It was clear that the end was approaching. Into the great Shul (the Hall of Prayer) the young scholars came streaming now to say Tehilim, to implore Heaven’s mercy for him../.
[As he noticed some of the dancing students sobbing,] clearly and distinctly he pronounced two Yiddish words: “Nor b’Simcha” (“Only with joy!”); then he snapped his fingers — and expired. He passed over and away and out of his body. And he was gone from us.
“Zecher Tzazdik l’Vrachah” – May the memory of the righteous be a blessing to all of Israel, and may we see, in his merit, the final redemption arrive speedily in our days.
A young man from a secular background came before the Baba Sali, zl.
He was in a wheelchair, as a result of an injury sustained as a soldier in the Yom Kippur War. He had one leg that was mobile. The other leg was completely paralyzed, leaving him to rely on a wheelchair for mobility. He came before the sage to seek his blessing.
The Baba Sali asked him, “Do you put on Tefillin every day?” The young man replied that he did not.
“Do you observe Shabbos?” Once again, the answer was in the negative.”If this is the case, it is small wonder that you have the use of one leg. Consider it a gift from the Almighty.The strength we have to function originates from Hashem. If we do not carry out His will, how can we expect to exist?”When the young man heard these stern words, he began to weep uncontrollably. The Baba Sali looked at him and asked, “If I bless you with health, will you accept upon yourself the yoke of mitzvos?”"Yes! Yes!” replied the young man. “Hold onto my hands, and I will bless you.” the Baba Sali declared.The young man did as he was told, and then kissed the hands of the sage. “Rise up from your chair and walk across the room,” the Baba Sali instructed.To everyone’s surprise, and to the shock of the young man, he crossed the room on his own, as if he had never had an impediment.Afterwards, the Baba Sali remarked to his grandson that when a Jew accepts upon himself to correct his shortcomings, the force of the emunah exhibited by this acceptance will intercede before Hashem to grant a miracle in his behalf.True belief generates true response. Moshiach NOW!!!
This is very real cause that is close to my heart as a 7 and half years daily project, which was a and is a real life changer! Daf Yomi has been taken up since by hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide, including myself, which together keeps us together, and with millions of Jews united with Israel bringing Moshaich now!Before we begin i recommend a charity yomi/daily giving a small amount of time/money to help charitable causes!
Ari Lesser
We have posted our latest music on elyonsong and hope u all get inspired and sing inspired!
And Lazer Lloyd,
Eli played 
who has inspired me much these years, with 
After his marriage Rav Meir sat and learned but his fame grew far and wide. Although only 19 years old, offers for Rabbinic positions started coming his way. He steadfastly refused until at the urging of his Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Friedman of Chortkov, at the tender age of 23, he finally relented and accepted the position of Rav of Galina, a town near Lemberg. Rav Meir was a lifelong Chosid of the Chortkover Rebbe, always humbling himself before him, to his dying day. It was said that Rav Meir’s awe for his Rebbe was the true model of Chassidus.
Approximately 20,000 people participated in the event. The opening ceremony took place on June 24–25, 1930. Apart from thousands of local Jews, around 10,000 people arrived from all over Poland and abroad. Rabbi Shapiro served as the yeshiva’s teacher and rosh yeshiva until his death.
22 Apr
Wow your spoiling us with all these Midnightrabbi inspired revelations!
Posted by Midnightrabbi inspired in Uncategorized. Tagged: believers, charity, contribute, Donate a free tweet! u should donate and write, education, eli friends in comments! great bloggs old scool website lol To inspire us Thanks and see Eli Pmusic of facebook and our group-page JIM (4 short) = Jaffa Institute & @Midnightrabbi eli goldsmith Th, Emunah, Midnightrabbi inspires, tribute. 1 Comment
13 in 2013-bar-mitzvah-celebrations-is-in-your-hands!
So happy to get ready for Lag Bomer 2013 with Ari this year in top form
But before that The 14th day of Iyar – this coming Wednesday – is known as Pesach Sheni. Listen here ->www.rabbisitorsky.com/Chumash/Vayikra/Emor/emor_5770.MP3
It’s also the yahrtzeit of the holy Rebbe Meir baal Haness.
The Gemara (tractate Avoda Zara, 18a-b) tells us that Rabbi Meir was married to Bruria, a brilliant woman and the daughter of the holy Rabbi Chanina ben Tardion, one of the ten martyrs whom the Romans persecuted. The tyrannical Roman occupiers sentenced Rabbi Chanina and his wife to be executed for teaching Torah publicly. They sentenced his daughter – Bruria’s sister – to be placed in a brothel. Image, above: Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias
Bruria asked her husband to save her sister. Rabbi Meir took a bag of gold coins and said to himself, “If she has remained chaste, a miracle will occur for her, and if not, there won’t be a miracle.”
He then went to the brothel disguised as a Roman cavalryman, and asked her to sleep with him. She refused, claiming she was in the midst of her menstrual period. When he offered to wait until it was over, she said, “There are many other women here that are more beautiful than I.” He then realized that she used this tactic with everyone who sought her and concluded that she indeed maintained her chastity.
The disguised Rebbe Meir then he offered the gold coins as a bribe to the guard. The guard replied, “When my supervisor comes, he will notice one girl missing and he’ll kill me.”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Take half the money for yourself, and use the other half to bribe the officials.”
The guard argued, “And when there is no more money, and the supervisors come – then what will I do?”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Say, ‘elaka d’Meir, aneni - G-d of Meir – answer me!’ and you will be saved.”
The guard was not yet convinced: “How can I be sure that this will save me?”
Rabbi Meir replied, “Look – there are man-eating dogs over there. I will go to them and you will see for yourself.” Rabbi Meir walked over to the dogs, threw a clump of dirt at them, and they ran at him to tear him apart. He cried, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” and the dogs retreated. The guard was convinced, accepted the bribe and he gave Rebbe Meir Bruria’s sister.
The story’s not yet over: When the group of supervisors came, the guard bribed them with the money. Eventually, the money was used up, and it was publicized what had happened. They arrested the guard and sentenced him to death by hanging. They tied the rope around his neck and he said, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” The rope tore, much to everyone’s amazement. He confessed, so they put out a warrant for Rebbe Meir’s arrest. The guard was saved.
The Romans distributed an engraving with Rebbe Meir’s likeness on it and proclaimed that anyone seeing such a person resembling should turn him in to the authorities. One day, some people spotted him and ran after him, so he fled and entered a harlot’s house. They barged into the house in pursuit. Eliyahu HaNavi - Elijah the Prophet – appeared to them as a harlot who embraced Rebbe Meir. “If this was Rebbe Meir,” they said to each other, “he certainly would not have acted like this!” Rebbe Meir escaped and fled to Babylon.
* * *
Ever since, there is a surefire tradition in Judaism that when a person is in peril, Heaven forbid, he should give charity, and dedicate it in the memory of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess. He should then say “Elaka d’Meir aneni” – three times, which means, “G-d of Meir – answer me!”
Rebbe Meir’s yahrtzeit, the anniversary of his death, falls on Pesach Sheni, the 14th day of Iyar, which this year falls on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. This is a special day to give charity in the name of Rebbe Meir and to ask for all your heart’s wishes. Even better, try to visit Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s a special place where thousands flock to, for many have seen miracles in their own lives after visiting there.
May Rebbe Meir’s holy memory intercede in our behalf, amen!
Parshas Emor 5773-2013 from Rabbi Price
This sicha shoud be in memory of my brother, Yerachmiel Yaacov Yoseph (Joel) ben Moishe Dovid, on his Yahrzeit this week, Wednesday,14 Iyar-Pesach Sheni-April 24
Rabbi Frand on Parshas Emor
Parshas Emor contains the portion of Priesthood, beginning with instructions to the Kohanim regarding their special laws. These laws include the fact that a Kohain is not allowed to have any direct contact with a dead body except for his immediate relatives. Even after a Kohain buries a close relative, Rachmana litzlan, he may not go back to the cemetery. This is a very difficult thing, but that is part of being a Kohain.
Kohanim have other restrictions, beyond that of normal Jews. They are not allowed to marry divorcees. They have to be careful in their consumption of Teruma and Kodshim. If it is “difficult to be a Jew,” as the world says, it is even harder to be a Kohain.
If that is the case, the choice of words that the Torah uses to begin this portion, seems strange. The verse begins “Vayomer Hashem el Moshe” (And G-d said to Moshe) [Vayikra 21:1]. We know that most chapters in the Torah begin with the words “Vayedaber Hashem el Moshe leimor” (And G-d spoke to Moshe saying).
Our Sages tell us that the difference between “Vayomer” and “Vayedaber” is that the latter is a harsher type of speech, the former is a much softer type of speech.
To give an example, when I want my children to make their beds and clean up before they leave the house in the morning, I say, “Will you PLEASE make your bed?” That is ‘Vayedaber.’ When I tell them “Go take a snack,” that is ‘Vayomer.’ They will readily take it.
If that is the case, what choice of words should the Torah have used over here? Obviously, since the Torah was giving restrictions — in terms of who they could marry, in terms of what they could eat, in terms of what type of funerals they could go to — we would have expected “Vayedaber Hashem!”
G-d is asking them to give up a lot. It should need a harsher type of language. Yet, the Torah employed the much softer expression, Vayomer.
Rav Moshe Feinstein says a beautiful thought [in Darash Moshe]: The role of the Kohanim was to be the spiritual mentors of the Jewish people. “They teach Thy Laws to Jacob and Thy Teachings to Israel” [Devorim 33:10]. In order for a person to be an effective leader and teacher, in order to for him to be an effective role model, he cannot feel that his life is a drag. He cannot feel that he has a difficult life and that his restrictions are a pain.
If the person, who is supposed to be the leader and teacher, feels that his lot is a tough lot, then he cannot be an effective Kohain. In order to give over a heritage to someone, one must feel privileged, rather than burdened. If the Kohain feels that all the things that the Torah put on him are a burden rather than a privilege, then he can’t be the spiritual leader that we want him to be.
That is why the Torah uses the language “Vayomer.” Even though it may seem hard, they must accept it and feel as if it is easy. Rav Moshe goes on to say, that the Ramba”m writes in Mishneh Torah, at the end of Hilchos Shmitah v’Yovel [13:13], a very famous passage. He says that this role of spiritual mentor is not restricted to the Tribe of Levi. Any person who accepts upon himself a life of Holy Service, anyone who decides to step into a role of Torah disseminator, anyone who decides to devote his life to the work of G-d, he too has the status of a Kohain or a Levi.
Rav Moshe says that this is an ethical lesson to be learned by those who enter the Holy Professions, the work of teachers, the work of Rabbis, the work of community professionals. Even though we all know the burdens that Torah teachers and Rabbis have to suffer, even though we all know that so many times they are treated without the proper respect they deserve, but if the Levi or the teacher or the Rebbe feels that it is a pain and he is constantly ‘kvetching’ about his situation, Rav Moshe says, he should get out. He cannot be an effective teacher.
The effective Rabbi, must feel that it is a ‘Vayomer.’ It is tough, but it is a privilege. Yes, we all may have our moments where we feel that it is too much, but they should only be moments. That must not be the way we always are.
If we feel that it is too difficult, we can’t give it over. If one can’t give it over, according to Rav Moshe then he should get out now.
That is why the Parsha of Kohanim is said with ‘Vayomer.’ [Till here from Rabbi Frand]
I saw somewhere else that Rav Moishe ztl. says that really every Jew should have this understanding that Judaism is not a burden. Of course , even more so, the Rebbeim.
On the Shabbos before Pesach we read a special Haftorah from the Prophet Malachi.
Rav Moshe Feinstein in the sefer, “Kol Rum,” compiled by Rabbi Avraham Fishelis, zl. Vol II, p.248, brings an important lesson from the Haftorah on how to serve Hashem.
The Prophet Malachi 3:13-14 rebukes the Jews telling them that Hashem says that you have said strong words against me. When the Jews asked, “What did we say?”, Hashem answers, “You said, ‘it isn’t worth to serve Hashem, what benefit do we get from keeping His Mitzvos?…the sinners were right…’ ”
Rav Moshe asks that if that’s what they said to Hashem, that it’s not worth it to keep Torah and Mitzvos, so how could they have the audacity to deny it and tell Hashem , “What did we say?”
Rav Moshe answers that in reality they kept Torah and Mitzvos and even instructed their children to do so. However they did it in such a way that showed that they felt that it’s not good to serve Hashem and keep Mitzvos. Despite this they keep it and they instruct their children to do the same, to keep the Torah even though it was hard and he lost a lot by doing it.
So, even though they didn’t actually say it outright, the way they kept it, was proclaiming that it was not worth it to serve Hashem. Consequently, other people, who were not on the level to keep Torah despite its hardship, learned from them to abandon it.
What they should have said was that Torah and Mitzvos are good and a great gift. Hashem chose us from all the nations and gave us the Torah and made us free people-“there is no free man only one who deals with Torah.” This is the greatest joy and there is no loss from keeping Torah and Mitzvos because everything is from Hashem and our whole life and everything we were given is dependent on Him. With this attitude he would be able to have a good influence on his children and students. Anyone who sees how happy he is by doing Torah and Mitzvos will want to emulate him.
In the book “City on Fire,” compiled by Sarah Shapiro, about the twin tower tragedy of September 11, they bring on p. 197, Rav Matisyahu Salomon who cites the Alter of Slabodka who explains the prophecy of Malachi like Rav Moshe and elaborates on this point. He says in part,
“If a Torah Jew, who represents Yiddishkeit [Judaism], walks down the street, mixes with people, and is obviously not a happy person, if he doesn’t show that his life has content, if he is not an example of refinement and fulfillment, then he is shouting to the world, ‘It isn’t worthwhile to serve Hashem.’
He is saying to everyone, ‘We didn’t make it, but you made it. You are happy people. You have your entertainment, your pleasures….and I go around with my long face.’ You are telling everyone, ‘What benefit do we have in keeping His mitzvos?…It isn’t pleasure. It isn’t life itself. It isn’t an achievement. I don’t feel fulfilled….’ Hashem seems to have pushed us away, and we seem to be affirming those who do what they want, who extract the pleasures of life and seem to get a better deal. And that’s an indictment of Torah observance.”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, in his sefer “Growth Through Torah,” p. 18-19, brings from Rav Yeruchem Levovitz that the very first verse in the Torah Genesis 1:1, makes us aware that Hashem is Creator and Ruler of the universe. This will make a major change in you for the rest of your life. You realize that there is a reason for everything. The world has meaning and purpose.
Rabbi Pliskin elaborates that without meaning in life even if one accomplishes a lot, has health and wealth, fame and fortune, there is a strong feeling that something is missing. It is. Without meaning, there is no real enjoyment and satisfaction. Yes, a person can have moments of excitement, joy, and even ecstasy. But they are short-lived. When the high feelings settle down, there is emptiness. Nothing seems to really matter.
Rabbi Pliskin (ibid.), continues to say that without meaning in life there is no real enjoyment, but once you internalize the awareness that there is a Creator of the universe, you see plan and purpose. There is an inner glow and a drive for spiritual growth. Those who lack this realization see only the external actions and behaviors of those who live with the reality of the Almighty. They are unaware of the rich inner life of such a person. The true believer in the Creator is a fortunate person. He sees divinity in every flower and tree and in every blade of grass. His life, regardless of how it unfolds, is full of purpose and meaning. While he appreciates this world as a gift of the Creator, he looks forward to an eternity of existence. This is the profound message of the first verse of the Torah.
Rabbi Pliskin concludes with a story of a certain well-known communal leader, who as a teenager saw Rabbi Moshe Feinstien for the first time. He remembered something that Rav Moshe said that made an indelible impression.
Rav Moshe was saying, “People destroy their children by always repeating [in Yiddish] ‘Es is shver tzu zein a Yid (It is hard to be a Jew).’ No, it is not hard to be a Jew. It is beautiful and joyous to be a Jew.”
Rav Moshe’s face glowed with pride and happiness when he said those simple words, and the young listener recalls that he too became suffused with pride in his Jewishness.
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