Sfas Emes - Chanukah

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Nosson Chayim Leff and Torah.org

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

 

Sfas Emes         by Nosson Chayim Leff         Print Version
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The weekly Sfas Emes is now available in a Sefer. The Seferis called Emes Ve'emunah : A Sfas Emes Companion. This Sefer contains all of the materials in the weekly emails, plus new insights. The Sefer also contains the text in lashon hakodesh on which the Sfas Emes worked to produce his ma'amar. Accessing the the Sfas Emes via the Sefer offers advantages. You have the week's Torah without having to print the email. You have the Sfas Emes' text--which could not be sent by email. Also many people who would enjoy the Sfas Emes do not have internet. You can purchase this Sefer at your favorite bokstore, or online, at the Targum or Feldheim websites. Emes Ve'Emunah will also be available for purchase or perusal at the SOY Seform Sale, January 15-January 24.   Chanukah Sfas Emes, Zechuso Tagein Aleinu, Chanuka, 5th Candle, 5631 The Sfas Emes begins this ma'amar with a quote from his Grandfather. The Chidushei HaRim, in turn, is commenting on a statement in the Gemara (Maseches Shabbos, 23b). As you will soon see, that statement cries out for explanation ' for it comes across as a total non-sequitur. Thus: 'Ha'ragil be'neir..." ("If a person takes the lighting of candles -- for Chanuka or for Shabbos -- as a regular feature of his life, his sons will be talmidei chachamin. "). To say the least, this statement is puzzling. Why? Because no connection is apparent between lighting candles regularly and having one's sons develop as talmidei chachamim. How did the Chidushei HaRim handle the puzzle? He pointed out that lighting candles in a context of mitzvos can convey a vital message to one's children (and to oneself!). That message is: even in a setting of hergeil (habait, routine), one can rise in one's Avoda. How? By bringing to bear the elucidation (he'ara) and freshness (hischadshus) that newly lit candles symbolize. Thus shielded from the deadening power of hergeil, a person (and his progeny) can reach higher levels of ruchniyus. As noted, the message can help the potential talmidei chachamim in two ways -- either via its impact on the sons directly. or indirectly, via its impact on the potential facilitators, the parents. Mention of the word "hergeil" leads the Sfas Emes to another phrase where - - if one looks with eyes inspired by the Sfas Emes -- one can also find the word "hergeil". But to understand what comes next, we must go back to first principles. The reason why we light candles on Chanuka is : 'pirsu'mei nisa'. (That is: to broadcast news of the miracle that we experienced on the first Chanuka). We attempt to achieve persumei nisa by lighting candles which passers-by can see, and remind themselves of the miracle. Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim, 672,b) tells us that Chanuka candles may be lit: "ad she'tikaleh ha'regel min ha'shuk". In a non-literal translation: "until traffic in the market-place stops". In a more-or-less literal translation: "until the feet [of passers-by] are no longer in the market-place". So much for the plain, simple meaning of the phrase: "ad she'tikahleh ha'regel". The Sfas Emes leads us forward now to another dimension of meaning. The word ha'regel means "the foot". But working with allusion (remez), the Sfas Emes reads the word as "hergeil" -- habit, routine. Thus the Sfas Emes is telling us that we light the Chanuka candles to bring renewal and remove habit from our Avodah. Doing mitzvos as a matter of unthinking routine is a constant threat to the active, conscious way in which we should strive to live our relationship with HaShem. The Sfas Emes is telling us to let the Chanuka candles remind us to focus our mind and our emotions on our actions when we do mitzvos. "Hergeil" (routine; habit) is the enemy We should be aware of what we are doing rather than live our Yiddishkeit as unthinking creatures of habit . Clearly, the Sfas Emes considered hergeil to be a very serious problem for our Avodah.. Thus,. he felt it necessary to add two more non-pshats that speak well of living on the edge , and speak ill of life submerged in habit. The Sfas Emes quotes the pasuk ( Bereishis, 42: 31 ) where the shevatim-- Yosef’s ten brothers—say : 'Keinim anachnu…" (. ArtScroll : :” We are truthful men…” ) By contrast, the Sfas Emes shows us another way to read the word “keinim” : namely, as coming from the same root as ":hachana"—preparation.. This reading shows us the shevatim as 'muchanim"--i,e., alert and ready to go forward in their Avodah., The same thought comes through when the shevatim end the sentence just quoted Thus, we hear: them saying :' Lo hayinu meRaGLim" That is, we do not do our Avodah in a mode of regilus ( habit, routine ). In deference to the Sfas Emes, who has called our attention.to a potential problem.that threatens every shomeir Torah u’mitzvos, we say once more : "Ad she'tikaleh hergeil min hashuk!"     Comments? Reactions ? Questions? Suggestions? Email them to to Dr. Leff at: leffjud@earthlink.net Selections based on the book Emes VeEmunah: A Sfas Emes Companion, by Nosson Chayim Leff, with permission from Targum Press. Available at www.targum.com. If you like the Sfas Emes emails, you'll love the Sfas Emes sefer. To subscribe to the Sfas Emes Weekly Email, send an email message to: sfas-emes-subscribe@torah.org. Questions or comments? Email feedback@torah.org. Join the Jewish Learning Revolution! Torah.org: The Judaism Site brings this and a host of other classes to you every week. Visit http://torah.org or email learn@torah.org to get your own free copy of this mailing. Need to change or stop your subscription? Please visit our subscription center, http://torah.org/subscribe/ -- see the links on that page. Permission is granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution and copyright to the author and Torah.org. Both the author and Torah.org reserve certain rights. Email copyrights@torah.org for full information.

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Dvar Torah - Chanukah

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Rabbi Label Lam and Torah.org

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

 

Dvar Torah         by Rabbi Label Lam         Print Version
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Chanukah Growing Forever The Mitzvah of Chanuka is: A candle for each man and his household! (Shabbos 21B) How many candles should you light? On the first night light one. From there on continue to add on one more on each night until the final night, there should be eight… (Shulchan Aruch 671:2) What should we be thinking about while observing night after night, how that single light grows gradually into a Menorah in full bloom in our windows? A few clues! 1) Chanuka the word “chanuka” means chinuch- education and also implies inauguration or initiation. 2) The Mitzvah of Chanuka has a strong publicity component but it is anchored in the home! 3) The number eight, according to the Maharal and others has the symbolic value of reaching beyond the realm of this world which was organized in seven. 4) King Solomon gives another hint, “A candle is a Mitzvah and Torah is light! (Mishlei)! All together now! My wife and I were strolling one Sunday in our rather modest block and we noticed that the neighbors around the corner had made extraordinary changes in the appearance of their house. There was this lovely bay window filled with ornaments and a Chinese garden with lollipop trees and a well manicured lawn that the husband was cutting with mustache scissors. My wife asked his wife who was standing out front surveying the progress, “Arlene, lovely improvements! What inspired all this?” She answered shyly, “Well, actually I just needed to replace two broken tiles in the bathroom.” She paused there and glared at us as if to say, “Don’t you get it?” We stared back at her curiously. So she continued.. “We couldn’t find the exact matching color so we redid all of them. Then the wallpaper looked ugly and old in contrast so we did that too. The medicine cabinet seemed decrepit in comparison and so we replaced it. The bathroom became the nicest room in the house but when we walked out into the hallway the rug looked so shoddy that we decided to pull- it up and polish the floors. Then the front window was a dull match for the shiny new floors. We decided to go deep pocket and install bay windows. When we looked out from the bay windows we noticed how unkempt the lawn had become so we called a Guido the gardener and he created this lovely designer garden!” I have dangerous hobby. Don’t you kids at home try this! I like to read bumper-stickers! Some of them boil my blood, a few make me chuckle, and once in a while I catch a glance at one that even agree with strongly. I don’t get it when I see on one side the phrase, “Pro-Choice” which promotes abortion and the other side of the same car, “Imagine World Peace!” What are thinking?! Then I saw one that states, rather sardonically, “Maybe the Hokey Pokey really is what it’s all about!” Finally, the one that resonates as an almost universal maxim, “Think Global! Act Local!” Maybe that’s what it’s all about. That’s how we can achieve world peace. It begins with a real soulful change, an improvement, an action of any size, from deep within. Then it continues to go from in to outward until it is more noticeable even from the outside. So is the nature of Mitzvos. They are doable deeds that lead to a designer garden.     DvarTorah, Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Label Lam and Torah.org. Questions or comments? Email feedback@torah.org. Join the Jewish Learning Revolution! Torah.org: The Judaism Site brings this and a host of other classes to you every week. Visit http://torah.org or email learn@torah.org to get your own free copy of this mailing. Permission is granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution and copyright to the author and Torah.org. Both the author and Torah.org reserve certain rights. Email copyrights@torah.org for full information.

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http://www.torah.org/ learn@torah.org (410) 602-1350 FAX: (410) 510-1053

 

Torah 2 The Nations, Tue, Nov 30, 2010

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Torah 2 The Nations

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

Torah Portion Round Table Mikketz Mon Nov 29

Kalev and the Round Table Crew (Jonah Freeman [and Susie], HezekiYah Haas, Doyle Stevenson, and Jeff Gilbert) midrash about this week’s Torah portion: Mikketz: Gen 41:1-44:17 Due to some technical difficulties, we supplemented the missing time with an after-show midrash with Jeff Gilbert, Kalev and Devorah about the upcoming tradition of Chanukah! Is Chanukah scriptural? Is it just a tradition of man? Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download... Read→

Manna from Heaven **Live** Signs of the End-Mon Nov 29

How do we know we are in the end days? David Mathews joins us live back from vacation and ready to tackle Torah! OK….maybe not tackled, but he sure gives us some great insight! As always, This is radio you can NOT get anywhere else, and we always love for you to call in on our live shows and raise questions at 503-316-1220 or send us and email at radio@t2tn.com Shalom! Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here.... Read→

Torah 2 The Nations

Watchman of Zion

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Eddie Chumney and Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l.

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

 

5 Minute Update – 11/27/10

November 27th, 2010

You may listen to the 5 minute update this week via audio:
1)  Listen to the audio
Also, be sure to check out our Facebook and see pictures from our recent Israel trip!  We continue to add more every few days!

 

TRUTH2U (podcast): Dr. David Perry – The Difference Between Statutes and Judgments & The Division Between Covenant and Law

Dr. David Perry – The Difference Between Statutes and Judgments & The Division Between Covenant and Law

by jono vandor

TRUTH2U

Podcast on Chanukkah!

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Double Portion Inheritance and Maria Merola

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

 

Chanukkah Podcast 2010

Dear Friends,

There will be no Podcast Tonight: Sunday November 28th 2010

Please go to this link in order to listen to podcasts from former episodes:

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/27750

On Thursday December 2^nd 2010 begins Chanukkah!

There is much controversy within the Messianic & Hebraic Roots Movement as to whether or not we should acknowledge Chanukkah, and if so, “how should we celebrate it?” There are those who believe that Chanukkah is pagan (which of course is totally false). But there are some Jews who attach pagan
Christmas Customs and merge them into Chanukkah now-a-days, making it “appear” pagan, but the origins of Chanukkah are the exact OPPOSITE of paganism. Chanukkah actually celebrates a “Departure from Paganism” and a “rededication of our Holy Temple” (our body) to YHWH Elohim!

Chanukkah commemorates a time when many Jewish families died for their faith in YHWH because they were zealous for keeping his Torah. Antiochus Ephiphanes was a Syrian-Greek Dictator who was a pagan sun god worshipper. He slaughtered thousands of Jewish children, and families who refused to bow to the Statue of Zeus in the Temple of YHWH on December 25^th (a precursor to the Abomination of Desolation).

On Thursday Night, December 2^nd 8:00 EST, join Maria Merola as she discusses Chanukkah and how to celebrate it without violating Torah and without all of the “pagan trappings” that many have tried to attach to it in an effort to compete with Christ-Mass.

Thursday Night, December 2^nd 8:00 EST

The Conception of Yahu'shua or the Reincarnation of Nimrod? Which One Should You Celebrate?

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/27750

(724) 444-7444

Call ID: # 27750

Please find attached the Notes that I will be using for Thursday Night’s Podcast.

Blessings in Messiah Yahu’shua & Happy Chanukkah!

Maria Merola

http://www.DoublePortionInheritance.com

 

Decoding the Priesthood

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Key of David - Zechariah's Patrol Report

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

 

Prophetic Insights: Seeing Events From Heaven's Throne Room

Decoding the Priesthood from the Jerusalem Report, May 1999 Shalom,     Last week's report, Genetic Memory Part I, provided a major step in explaining how DNA could give us a better understanding of our heritage. The Perdomo's are working on Genetic Memory Part II.     We will continue to keep you posted on the progress of the program that will not only allow Ephraimites to take a DNA test to see if they have the markers exhibited by a majority of the 165,000 people who took the test and felt that they were Jewish; but will also provide data to develop an Ephraimite database.     This database would be of those who feel they are of Ephraim, the other house of Israel. The goal will be to see if common markers are exhibited by the majority claiming Ephraimite heritage. Hopefully, the database would grow to the point where it could be possible to identify markers associated with each of Israel's tribes.     This current report Decoding the Priesthood discusses the research that was involved in the development of a genetic basis for the tradition of the Jewish priesthood that they have a common single ancestor - possiblily Aaron.     ______________________ Decoding the Priesthood     The following article appeared in the May 10, 1999 issue, of a magazine called The Jerusalem Report.  It was the cover story in the "Jewish World" section.  It's about "Levi and his genes."  And we were greatly encouraged when we read it, because, it doesn't talk about "denim pants," folks.  Instead, in many ways it confirms certain Scriptural truths that we have been teaching. For years now, we have taught that tribal descent is determined "patrilineally," and that "Israelites are forever Israelites."  This article affirms these important points and more.  You will be especially encouraged when you read the account at the end about "Christians" and "Jewish Genealogy." (Remember, the following article is from a Jewish magazine, and thus some statements will not be in accord with House of David teachings.) DECODING THE PRIESTHOOD     New genetic research shows the vast majority of 'kohanim,' the Jewish priestly class, to be descended from a single ancestor - scientific confirmation of an oral tradition passed down through 3,000 years.     Remarkably, the priestly 'gene' has also been found in high incidence among the Lemba, a Black southern African tribe that has long claimed a Jewish heritage. PASSOVER 5759:     Tens of thousands of Jews fill the wide Western Wall plaza. Close to the ancient stones, the crush of worshippers is suffocating. Men carry Torah scrolls aloft. The rasping, pained, voice of an elderly rabbi, leading prayers, echoes through a loudspeaker.         Suddenly, the rows of men closest to the wall lift their prayer shawls over their heads, creating a billowing canopy. These are the kohanim, descendants of the ancient priestly class. They're here to recite birkat hakohanim - "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you" - the words that, according to Numbers 6, the priests must use to bless the Jewish people. The benediction, recited by countless kohanim, is a highpoint of holiday worship at the Wall. It's also one of the last remnants of the multitude of tasks performed in the Temple by men who, according to the chain of tradition, were their fathers' fathers' fathers.         A few minutes later, in a corner of the plaza, about 150 meters from the Wall, that tradition is being put to the test of science.  In what looks like an oral hygiene course, a group of men - young and old, Ashkenazi and Sephardi, all Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox - are gathered around a table rubbing the insides of their mouths with long swabs. When they finish, a researcher snaps off the soggy tip and puts it in a small capsule with a transparent solution.         The samples being collected are part of a worldwide project using cutting-edge genetic technology to study the ancient linage of the Jewish priesthood. If tradition is accurate, all the men reciting the priestly blessing and their counterparts across the Jewish world are direct descendants of Aaron, anointed the first high priest by his brother Moses at least 3,000 years ago.     Under religious law, kohen status is obtained through patrilineal inheritance.  Since the Y chromosome is passed from father to son..Now, using the cells these men have scraped from the inside of their cheeks, along with those of kohanim in the U.S. and Britain, scientists are able to peer into their chromosomes. What they are seeing is staggering: At least 70 percent of kohanim, themselves about a twentieth of Jewish men, have a common set of markers on their Y chromosome, the chromosome every male receives almost unchanged from his father - and, in effect, from his father, and father's father before him.     The researchers' conclusion: The tradition of the Jewish priesthood, or kehunah, has a genetic basis that does point to a single ancestor - possibly Aaron. What's more, this priestly genetic marker may also be a signature of the ancient Hebrew population, preserved in the kehunah because it is a closed club: You can convert to Judaism, but you can't convert into the priesthood. The gene trail, in other words, may lead past Aaron to his great-great-grand-father, Jacob, a.k.a. Israel.     The ability to peek into this once shuttered past through the window of DNA research may vastly expand what we know about the communal history of Jacob's children. But that's only half the story. And the second half is potentially even more spectacular.     To read the full article go to DECODING THE PRIESTHOOD Your thoughts and comments.        This is a team effort and we would like to hear your thoughts and comments.  To share them go to ZechariahsPatrol.com. This report will be shown. Click on the title of the report you would like to comment on, then go to the end of the report. There you can post your comments, and review comments made by others We are engaged in a War of Words Be sure that you are well armed!      For Ephraim to once a again become a mighty man ready for YHVH's Whistle to return to the land and join with his brother  Judah, and together defeat their enemies, he must increase his numbers (Zech 10:7-12). This requires that lost sheep become found sheep. This transformation under the guidance of the Ruach Ha Kodesh can best be accomplished by providing appropriate verbal and written information, and fellowship to lost sheep.      Twenty thousand copies Ephraim and Judah - Israel Revealed which have been distributed in the past have been a key factor in turning lost sheep into found sheep. It has proven to be an excellent initial word weapon.            However, Batya's classic "handout book" Ephraim and Judah - Israel Revealed, is now out of print in paper, but it is available as a free eBook. Click here to download. Several people have asked for the eBook on a CD. So we have made it  available on a CD which is available at  Key of David Marketplace $4 (to cover shipping and handling costs).       The good news is that we will soon have a new and improved version of this classic book. It will be titled, Who Is Israel - Redeemed Israel - A Primer.   This exciting new overview will make an excellent and inexpensive handout book. It can now be pre-ordered at a very special price at Key of David Marketplace and is now due for delivery in late November or early December. For more information see the Challenges of Being A Watchman Previous Postings Zachariah's Patrol Reports in 2010 Genetic Memory Part IZionist Christians might be from Israel's "Ten Lost tribes" There is Another... Open Letter to Pope Benedict XVI Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right Fulfilling Your Destiny! Worldwide Response to the Letter to the Prime Minister Mr. Prime Minister, Help Ephraim and Bring Him Back to the Land Lord, Is It Now...? Running Israel's Restoration Marathom Battle for Israel 2010 - The Importance of Numbers Israeli-Palestinian Talks at an Impasse - Time for DecisionA Personal Visit to Heaven's Throne Room Why Does God Allow His People To Suffer? Approaching God - Terms and Consequences The Challenge of Being a Watchman The Story of the Rest of Your Life Zachariah's Vision and "The Quartet" Key of David of Publication Updates   Ephraim, My First Born, Can You Hear Me? Yom Teruah or Roah HaShanah? The End-time Call of Yom Teruah I Am YHVH    We encourage you to listen to a new song, written by Batya and recorded by our friend, Will Spires. The song is titled "I AM YHVH" and it is truly inspiring. You might want to listen to it before you pray. The song is about the Father's heart cry for His chosen people: Judah and Ephraim. You can hear it as you enter the Zachariah's Patrol website or Key of David Marketplace, and it can be downloaded for free at Key of David Marketplace.Several people have asked for the song on a cd so they can play it in their cars. So we have made available at Key of David Marketplace. a CD that has seven renditions of the song for $4 (to cover shipping and handling costs). Upcoming Events         The Messianic Israel Alliance  Feast of Dedication will be held in Watertown, Tennessee, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 3-5, 2010.     The Messianic Israel Alliance Southwest Regional Conference will be held in Henderson, Nevada, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 28-30, 2011.     For more information go to Upcoming Events Contact Information Key of David Publishing's Books are available at the Messianic Israel Alliance Marketplace (Phone 800-829-8777). They also are available at Key of David Publishing Marketplace, where Bookstores, Ministries, and Way Stations are eligible for a quantity discount.   Websites to visit:   Messianic Israel Alliance  The MIA will help you to understand the Hope of Messianic Israel plus Messianic Israel Inclusion Theology. You can become a Partner in restoring the Kingdom to Israel. Bnai' Ephraim International This is the premier online presence that advocates for this generation's sons and daughters of Ephraim.   Zechariah's Patrol Reports This exciting site offers an abundance of prophetic insights that will help you see how events on earth and in our own lives are viewed from Heaven's Throne Room.   You can support Key of David online. See the Key of David Marketplace and the Messianic Israel Alliance. Or send snail mail to Key of David, PO Box 700217, Saint Cloud, FL 34770. Or call us at 407-344-7700.