This week's Haftara - a question

This week's haftara was from Ezekiel Chapter 37. Below is a portion of it that I found particularly moving:

21 And say unto them: Thus saythe L-rd G-d. Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, where they have gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all; 23 neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will save them out of all their dwelling-places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them; so shall they be My people, and I will be their God. 24 And My servant David shall be king over them, and they all shall have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My ordinances, and observe My statutes, and do them. 25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, and their children, and their children's children, for ever; and David My servant shall be their prince for ever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them--it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will establish them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for ever. 27 My dwelling-place also shall be over them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 28 And the nations shall know that I am the L-rd that sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for ever.'

There is a question that I have had for a long time but never thought to ask. If we believe, al pi Kabbalah and/or mesorah that there is a) reincarnation and/or b) Ressurection of the dead then why couldn't Mashiach actually be King David and not the son of David? Wouldn't the greatest king of Israel be the best leader for the Jewish people? It seems as if that is what Yechezkel is saying above. Are there any shailas or teshuvas on this matter? Just a random thought from me.

Another dream

I had a cool dream the other night. Someone showed me a new way to wrap tefillin which spelled another name of G-d. The name was not just on the hand but the entire arm.

Then I saw twelve fingers in a circle and was to wrap the shel yad tefillin around them to bind them together as the bracha was recited: I will betroth you to Me forever, and I will betroth you to Me with righteousness, justice, kindness, and mercy. I will betroth you to Me with faithfulness, and you shall know Hashem.

I then woke up.

Stop Muslim desecration of the Temple Mount!

Hundred of Artifacts Found in Temple Mount Rubble
(Arutz Sheva)

Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of coins and artifacts in Temple Mount rubble removed by Arabs who are building a huge underground mosque. Among the finds are a seal that was used to close sacks of silver at the time of the prophet Jeremiah, shortly before the destruction of the First Temple. The seal bears a name that suggest the owner may have been a brother of a priest named in Jeremiah's writings, according to Bar Ilan University Prof. Gabriel Barkai.

Also found was an iron arrowhead with a shaft used by the Romans in their attack on the Second Temple almost 2,000 years ago. Other finds date back to the Middle Ages and "testify to large attendance at the Temple Mount during the Christian conquest and rule during the 11th to 15th centuries," Prof. Barkai added.

Please see the following essay entitled: The Islamic claim to the Temple Mount is very recent from EretzYisroel.org

and The Greatest Lie Ever Told About Jerusalem from Gamla.org

I see a bad (cresent) moon risin'...

Secret services say Iran is trying to assemble a nuclear missile

The Iranian government has been successfully scouring Europe for the sophisticated equipment needed to develop a nuclear bomb, according to the latest western intelligence assessment of the country's weapons programmes.

Scientists in Tehran are also shopping for parts for a ballistic missile capable of reaching Europe, with "import requests and acquisitions ... registered almost daily", the report seen by the Guardian concludes.

The warning came as Iran raised the stakes in its dispute with the United States and the European Union yesterday by notifying the International Atomic Energy Authority that it intended to resume nuclear fuel research next week. Tehran has refused to rule out a return to attempts at uranium enrichment, the key to the development of a nuclear weapon.

Read the full article from the Guardian HERE

Me: Hey, I know... Let's continue sitting on our hands and see if the problem goes away. Rational Iran will see the errors in its ways. Gosh darnit, I'm just sure of it!

More Chutzpah

"The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it" -- Adolf Hitler

Moslem Inciters Accuse Israel of Undermining Al-Aksa

Moslem incitement on the Temple Mount has reached new depths, so to speak, as the chief cleric of the Al-Aksa mosque accuses Israel of building a synagogue under the mosque.

The cleric, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, said at a news conference on Tuesday that Israel was building the synagogue in order to cause the mosque to collapse.

Read the rest of the mishugas HERE

Happy last night of Chanukah

I just wanted to share my family's menorah with you.

May the light of all the menorahs of the Jewish people light up the world and bring people closer to the Truth of the ultimate Redemption.

So, how's that Peace Process coming along?

Suicide bomber was planning attack at kids' Hanukkah party
From Haaretz.com

The suicide bomber who killed an Israel Defense Forces officer and two Palestinians at an army checkpoint near Tul Karm yesterday was apparently planning to blow himself up at one of the many children's events taking place in Tel Aviv during this week's Hanukkah holiday, army sources said.

Had the bomber not been stopped at the checkpoint, the attack would have been far more deadly, said the sources.

Read the full article HERE

Baruch Hashem!

Religious Zionists Share Hanukkah Light with Secular Israelis

In the wake of the Disengagement, the religious Zionist population is taking a more active role in outreach activities directed at engaging the secular Israeli public in an open religious dialogue.

Click above for the Arutz Sheva article

To the world-wide Christian community

Will you not speak out against the injustices being done to you or the Jewish world?

BETHLEHEM CHRISTIANS TO PAY SPECIAL TAX

The general plan of Hamas also includes the imposition of a special tax, called al-jeziya, upon all of the non-Muslim residents in the Palestinian territories. This tax revives the one applied through all of Islamic history to the dhimmi, the second-class Jewish and Christian citizens.

Click above to read full story.

Let's play Card Sharks!

JIM PERRY: We polled 100 Palestinians and asked them: "Do you support Al-Qaeda terror attacks on the United States and Europe?" Charlene, how many Palestinians said they do indeed support terror against the US and Europe?

CHARLENE: Well Jim, I'm going to say that that number must be low, seeing as both the US and Europe are the PA Authority's biggest donors. I'm going to have to say thirty.

JIM PERRY: Ted?

TED: Well Jim, I'm going to have to agree with Charlene that the number must be low. I'll say it's even lower.

JIM PERRY: Out of one hundred Palestinians surveyed, the number who say they support terror against the US and Europe is SIXTY FIVE!

A poll carried out in the Palestinian Authority shows 65% support for Al Qaeda terror attacks on the United States and European countries - the biggest donors to the PA.

Read ariticle HERE

Calling all Jews age 18-26! Get a free trip to Israel!

From the Taglit-Birthright Israel web site:

Taglit-birthright israel provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26.

Taglit-birthright israel's founders created this program to send thousands of young Jewish adults from all over the world to Israel as a gift in order to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.

The gift of the 10-day trip is being provided by our partners: the people of Israel through the Government of Israel, North American Jewish Federations through the United Jewish Communities (UJC), and leading private philanthropists. Please take a few minutes to learn more about our partners, especially your local Jewish Federation, which is your gateway to community involvement, continued learning and leadership opportunities.Taglit-birthright israel operates on a belief that it is every Jewish person's birthright to visit Israel. To date, 88,000 young adults from 45 countries have traveled to Israel for the first time on Taglit-birthright israel trips. To learn more about signing up for a Taglit-birthright israel trip, click here. We are also available for questions via e-mail at information@birthrightisrael.com or via telephone at 1-888-99-ISRAEL. Information for parents can be found here. Registration for Spring/Summer 2006 trips will open on this site on February 8, 2006.

A special Chanukah shout out to my Kohanic brothers and sisters

"We kindle these lights for the saving acts, miracles and wonders which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy Kohanim. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvations."

What I am reading

SECRETS OF THE FUTURE TEMPLE "Mishkney Elyon"
by Rabbi Moshe Chaim LuzzattoTranslated by Avraham Greenbaum

The inner meaning and purpose of the Future Temple are explained in full in Mishkney Elyon, a priceless jewel from the legacy of towering 18th century mystical genius Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato ("Ramchal", 1707-47). The Temple is the center point where all the branches of the Tree of Life connect with their roots, channeling a flow of sustenance and blessing to the entire world.

Have a meaningful Chanukah

Chanukah means "dedication." Let's use this time to rededicate ourselves to Hashem and His Torah, Mitzvos, Ahavas Israel and our knowledge of the Holy Temple and its many mysteries.

Great Chanukah sites: (click titles)

The Chanukah Story (Ohr.edu)

The Laws of Chanukah (Ohr.edu)

The Secret of the Dreidel (Ohr.edu)

Chanukah: The Prequel - The astonishing connection between Alexander the Great and the Jewish high priest (Aish.com)

The Beauty Wars: The Chanukah battle isn't over yet (aish.com)

Chanukah: The Light of Miracles - Illuminated by the light of the Chanukah menorah, we see that anything is possible (Aish.com)

Me: The war is not over. Jerusalem is still under fire and Jews must not sit back and remain silent. Speak out for the honor of G-d and his Holy Temple.

Papal Official Wants to Divide Jerusalem

The Arab League and a Vatican official separately, but simultaneously, are campaigning for Israel to divide Jerusalem. (read the rest HERE)

This Chanukah as you are celebrating, ask yourself: If need be, would I be willing to fight for Jerusalem and the Holy Temple?

Parshas Vayeishev - Cool secret hidden within

Regarding Joseph's Dream:

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren; and they hated him yet the more. 6 And he said unto them: 'Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: 7 for, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves came round about, and bowed down to my sheaf.' 8 And his brethren said to him: 'Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?' And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. 9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said: 'Behold, I have dreamed yet a dream: and, behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me.' 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him: 'What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down to thee to the earth?' 11 And his brethren envied him; but his father kept the saying in mind.

ה וַיַּחֲלֹם יוֹסֵף חֲלוֹם, וַיַּגֵּד לְאֶחָיו; וַיּוֹסִפוּ עוֹד, שְׂנֹא אֹתוֹ. ו וַיֹּאמֶר, אֲלֵיהֶם: שִׁמְעוּ-נָא, הַחֲלוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר חָלָמְתִּי. ז וְהִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ מְאַלְּמִים אֲלֻמִּים, בְּתוֹךְ הַשָּׂדֶה, וְהִנֵּה קָמָה אֲלֻמָּתִי, וְגַם-נִצָּבָה; וְהִנֵּה תְסֻבֶּינָה אֲלֻמֹּתֵיכֶם, וַתִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶיןָ לַאֲלֻמָּתִי. ח וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ, אֶחָיו, הֲמָלֹךְ תִּמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ, אִם-מָשׁוֹל תִּמְשֹׁל בָּנוּ; וַיּוֹסִפוּ עוֹד שְׂנֹא אֹתוֹ, עַל-חֲלֹמֹתָיו וְעַל-דְּבָרָיו. ט וַיַּחֲלֹם עוֹד חֲלוֹם אַחֵר, וַיְסַפֵּר אֹתוֹ לְאֶחָיו; וַיֹּאמֶר, הִנֵּה חָלַמְתִּי חֲלוֹם עוֹד, וְהִנֵּה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְהַיָּרֵחַ וְאַחַד עָשָׂר כּוֹכָבִים, מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים לִי. י וַיְסַפֵּר אֶל-אָבִיו, וְאֶל-אֶחָיו, וַיִּגְעַר-בּוֹ אָבִיו, וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ מָה הַחֲלוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר חָלָמְתָּ: הֲבוֹא נָבוֹא, אֲנִי וְאִמְּךָ וְאַחֶיךָ, לְהִשְׁתַּחֲו‍ֹת לְךָ, אָרְצָה. יא וַיְקַנְאוּ-בוֹ, אֶחָיו; וְאָבִיו, שָׁמַר אֶת-הַדָּבָר

____________________________________________________

Question: If Yaakov was a Prophet, wouldn't he know that they would, in fact, bow to Joseph? Here's the thing... Yaakov was not chastizing Joseph for being haughty. He was questioning the accuracy of the dream. Why? Because Rachel is already dead! He says: "Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down to thee to the earth?" So how do we know Yaakov's true thoughts? Because it is hidden in the Hebrew. The above quote in Hebrew is: וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ מָה הַחֲלוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר חָלָמְתָּ: הֲבוֹא נָבוֹא, אֲנִי וְאִמְּךָ וְאַחֶיךָ, לְהִשְׁתַּחֲו‍ֹת לְךָ, אָרְצָה

If you take the words: אֲשֶׁר חָלָמְתָּ: הֲבוֹא and chop off the first two letters and the last three letters you get: ר חָלָמְתָּ: הֲ. Squeeze 'em together and it spells "Rachel Maetah" or "Rachel is [already] dead."

I had another amazing dream last night

I dreamed that Mashiach had come and all the Jews were back in rebuilt Jerusalem. I stood by the huge green doors of the Temple Mount and they swung open and I wept as I was welcomed on the Mount for the first time.

They don't want us there... they don't want us here...

Violence Against Jews Continues Worldwide

Read all about the incidents HERE

On a related note, please check out Rabbi Bar Tzadok's A LETTER TO MY HAREDI NEIGHBOR

More nutty nut nut-ness!

Israeli Government wants National Service for Hareidim, Arabs
(click above for article)

And I want manditory Kollel for all secular Israelis.

Next they'll allow anti-Zionist, anti-Semite Arabs in the Knesset.


Oh, wait...

Bishara, addressing an Arab audience in Lebanon late last week, asserted that Arabs were the original residents of the land and urged Israelis to leave and "take their democracy" with them. ”Israel is the 20th century's greatest robbery, carried out in broad daylight. I will never recognize Zionism even if all Arabs do. I will never concede Palestine. The battle is still long," Bishara stated at a Lebanese book fair in Beirut.

Who is Bishara? Oh, right... Israeli-Arab Knesset Member Azmi Bishara

Check it out.

Sorry for the digression, but this site ROCKS...

Radio Breslov
(click above)

High Priest Robe Produced for Use in the Third Temple

(IsraelNN.com) After much hard work and research, the techelet (azure blue) robe of the High Priest has been completed by the Temple Institute and it is hoped to be fit to be worn in the Third Temple. The blue coat, or me'il techelet as it is called in the Torah, sports 72 golden bells alternating with 72 pomegranates attached around its hem, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet wool.

The project was researched and undertaken by skilled artisans over the past three years. It will join the already completed ephod and choshen (breastplate), featuring the 12 precious stones associated with the 12 tribes of Israel. Master weaver Yehudit Avraham wove the robe using the Navajo "two-sided" weaving technique.

"This is the first robe woven entirely out of techelet in nearly 2,000 years," Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute told Arutz Sheva Radio.

Click HERE for the full story.

Visit the Temple Institute site HERE

The Priestly Garments site HERE