Yasher Koach to our Brother in Blogging - Yeranen Yaakov http://yeranenyaakov.blogspot.com for this cross post:
Ahdut Before Ge'ula
I've mentioned this idea before, but it bears repeating.The entire sefer Bereishit deals with infighting between brothers. It begins with Kayin against Hevel, Ham against Shem and Yafet, Yishmael against Yitzhak, Eisav against Yaakov, and finally, the brothers against Yosef.
As the verse says הנה מה טוב ומה נעים שבת אחים גם יחד. Why does it say "גם יחד"? This teaches you that it's a חידוש when brothers show togetherness.
Finally, in Vayigash, the brothers and Yosef make up with each other. But even more so, in Vayehi, we find 2 brothers that had no problems with each other at all - Ephraim and Menashe. Menashe was not jealous of Ephraim for getting the right-hand of Yaakov Avinu. This is why we bless our children with the verse that Yaakov Avinu uses: ישמך אלקים כאפרים וכמנשה.
And notice what comes right after he blesses Ephraim and Menashe:ויקרא יעקב אל בניו ויאמר האספו ואגידה לכם את אשר יקרא אתכם באחרית הימיםHe starts to want to talk about the End of Days.
The Ahdut of Ephraim and Menashe is the Ahdut we need during the time before the Final Redemption.
(See this video by R' Chaim Richman which also mentions this same concept.)
Notice that Akiva posted on how the whole of Israel is coming together during the war:
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Radio stations, secular radio stations (!!!), are saying tehillim (psalms) on the air. Holy congregations are praying for the soldiers welfare and success. Chesed organizations (charities) have swung into action - preparing care packages for soldiers, preparing relief options for shell shocked southern residents under constant bombardment. Internal divisions have fallen away, all are taking steps to support and prepare....
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Israel is standing together. Nervous, expectant, together. We may bicker and pick at each other. But like a family, it's all in the family and when in trouble we stand together.
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May this Ahdut continue so that we may merit the Final Redemption.
Understanding Mashiach ben Yosef
1 day ago
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William Dwek said:
ReplyDeleteIt is time we learned how to serve Hashem from our cousins, the Arabs. They are our brothers. They are the descendants of Yishmael. And they are the children of Avraham and Keturah (Hagar).
The deeds of Keturah were extremely pleasing, and she is to be praised. “Keturah” means “untouched.”
Keturah lived longer than Sarah. Sarah lived until 127 years. Keturah lived until 135 years approximately. When Avraham sent Keturah away, she did not allow herself to be touched by any other man. Why? Because she loved Avraham. She always remained loyal and true to Avraham. And because of that, Avraham came back to her, and re-married her.
(Note that the name, “Keturah” is also very similar to “Ketoret,” which is the sweetest and most holy of all the offerings. It is the incense offering of 11 spices. And it is only the Ketoret which is offered by the Kohen HaGadol on Yom Kippur in the Kodesh HaKadashim.)
The Arabs pray to Hashem. They have only ONE G-D. And they pray to Hashem no less than 5 TIMES a day.
Although they have twisted the Torah, they have taken to heart 2 basic principles from the Torah - “Truth” and “Emunah in Hashem”.
Their service of Hashem is far more pleasing than us – and they are putting us to very great shame. And that is why they are flourishing.
We are an utter disgrace – and worse. Worse than you can ever imagine. The Jewish People is steeped in idolatry. Idolatry of Money. That is their God.
We have dealt treacherously with Hashem, and we have become traitors to Hashem (Read the Parshiot of Nasso through to Haazinu). Our G-d, Hashem, is a “Jealous G-d,” and He will not tolerate this level of idolatry and immorality in the Jewish People.
Are we going to wake up or not?