Kuntres Etz HaChayim

Chapter XIII The Tree of Life — Kuntres Etz HaChayim by Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn of Lubavitch Translated by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger

A person who does not study P’nimiyus HaTorah is liable for his soul, for even if he occupies himself with Torah study, he will fall from his spiritual level as explained above. Not only will he not carry out the task of refinement, on the contrary, he will....

Certainly, this applies to someone who does not desire this study, but rather [to devote himself] solely to the study of Nigleh, the revealed, legal dimension of the Torah.

He attaches himself to the place of death, as stated in the passage from the Zohar, Parshas Vayechi, cited above. For it is through the study of [P’nimiyus HaTorah] alone that a person will merit the light of life.

[Indeed,] it is “the Tree of Life,” and the medium which will bring a person to the love and fear [of G-d]. And [then], he will “live in them,” i.e., his Torah study will enable him to carry out the task of refinement and elevate his soul — and even the source of his soul — and unite them in His oneness.

This is the intent of our Sages’ statement: “All of these [forms of disease] can be nullified by bread [dipped] in salt.” Salt, an analogy for the study of P’nimiyus HaTorah, is necessary, as stated in ch. 4. __________________
On the verse, “And the wise shall shine like the radiance of the firmament ["zohar harakiya"],” Ra’aya Mehemna [section of the Holy Zohar] on Parshat Nasso comments: “With this work of yours, [i.e., of R. Shimon bar Yochai], which is the Book of the Zohar [...] with those [who study this work] no trial is needed.

Because eventually the Jewish people will taste of the Tree of Life, which is this Book of the Zohar, they will go out of exile with it, in mercy. For them shall be fulfilled the verse, ‘G‑d alone will lead them, and there is no strange god with Him.’

In seeking their Redemption, they will not have to resort to the favors of the gentile nations, whose patron angels are known as “strange gods.” Rather, G‑d Himself will lead them out of exile and redeem them.

Persia

These are the days before the Moshiach. Now is the time to stop putting faith in the economy, and instead put it in Hashem, the Real Controller of all wealth.
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Studying the book of Daniel (2, 40-44) Rashi and Ibn Ezra, a'h, explain, that the last two exiles will be Ishmael (the Arab Kingdom), and Edom (today, America and Europe); which will end with the upcoming kingdom of the Moshiach.

The holy Zohar, zs'l explains, that in the merit of the Brit Mila of Ishmael, at the age of 13; for each year, his offspring will receive 100 years of power; beginning with the uprising of Muhammad; and ending 1300 years later; approximately now.
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http://thetruthaboutisrael.org/prophecies.htmlIn the future, seventy princes from all over the world will unite with the masses to attack Jerusalem, and plot against G-d. They will plan to battle Him, then fight over His people and Temple.

However, 'He who sits in Heaven laughs, the Lord will mock them'(Psalms 2:4). In His glory, G-d will wipe them from the face of the earth." Zohar Bashallach, 58b

He [Ishmael] will be a wild man. His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him. (Genesis 16:12 )

Why is he called Ishmael? Because in the future, G-d will listen to the cry of the [Jewish] nation, for what the children of Ishmael will do in the future, at the end of days.

As it says (Psalms 55:20) ‘G-d will listen and answer’ (Midrash Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer ch. 32. Yalkut Mechiri Psalms 177).

The King of Persia will bring destruction to the entire world, and all the nations will be outraged and confused… and Jews will be outraged and confused, and they will say: where shall we come and go, where shall we come and go?

G-d will answer them: My children, do not be afraid. Everything I have done, I have done for you . Why are you afraid. Do not fear, the time of your Redemption has arrived. (Midrash, Yalkut, Isaiah remez 499 )

Three chaotic wars will be perpetrated by the children of Ishmael at the end of days… one at sea… one on land… and one in a large city, which will be harder than the previous two…

And from there Moshiach will sprout, and we will witness their destruction. And from there we will go to Eretz Yisroel {the Land of Israel] (Midrash, Yalkut, Isaiah, remez 506 )

"Jews have been in four exiles; at the very end of time, there will be a fifth and last exile, which is called the Exile of Ishmael (lit., 'G-d will hear'); which will be the most terrible and difficult of all.

And because of the many afflictions, the Jews will suffer, they will cry to G-d, and He will hear their prayers (Yishma – keil / G-d will hear)." Etz Daas Tov by Rabbi Chaim Vital

In the future, G-d will revive (reincarnate) and reinstate all the kings who oppressed the Jewish people and ruled Jerusalem: Adrianus, Lupinus, Nevuchadnezzar, Sancheriv, and all the others who destroyed His house.

They will unite with other nations. The Lord will announce: 'And this will be the plague with which G-d will smite all the nations that mobilized against Jerusalem...' (Zechariah 14:12)." Zohar II, 58.

The Gerrer Rebbe

The Gerrer Rebbe, as reported by Rabbi Eliezer Brody on his website, which he heard directly from the Rebbe's son.

Rabbi Lazer Brody writes: "Yesterday, I met with Rabbi Shlomo Tzvi Alter - one of the Gerrer Rebbe's sons who, along with his brothers, heard the Rebbe say emphatically before Kiddush, 'Moshiach will come this year, or by the end of next year.

After the Seder, the Rebbe concluded by saying in Yiddish, 'We'll soon discover that the entire Golus was worth eating one little piece of meat', meaning that we have no idea of the value of Moshiach, the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, korbonos, and the spiritual treasures that are in store for us.

When one of his sons asked him to elaborate, the Rebbe refused, saying, 'Ich hob schoin gezugt tzu fil', 'I've already said too much.'"

Money and Redemption

February 25, 2009

It's all about money. It really feels like that now. The economy is not doing good. Neither are businesses. People are being laid-off. What's it all about?

Money. What's the news? Money.Money is now the spiritual target. It's been in the cross hairs for a while and it has suffered major setbacks. Apparently, it's losing the battle.Why is this so?Our Rabbis tell us, that prior to Moshiach’s arrival, money, and material value, will be all but destroyed;

Am Yisrael especially, would become poverty stricken (c"v);
and food shortages and hunger would abound.
All this, in order to bring about the redemption.

The Pasuk says "ki ata am ani toshiya" - for You (Hashem) will help (redeem) a poor nation.If we do not merit the redemption through our actions, through our trust in Hashem, through our realization, that He and only He is in charge of all matters; that there is no "nature"; there is no "normal"; everything is a complete miracle (Ramban on the Torah);

then, G-d forbid, we will be forced to come to that realization, when anything we previously relied upon, would be taken away from us.
Money is what we all have come to rely on. Someone is considered "set", if they have money.

The USA was considered the safest place physically, economically, politically. Yet all that has seemingly changed overnight.As we approach Purim, we are reminded that Hashem hides behind the "mask" of nature. And directs it all - to save us, and redeem us, from the hands of the wicked.

News Events

The significance of news events, as sign of Moshiach

The Gemorrah in Sota lists signs that precede Moshiach's coming:
Inflation will increase: A penny will not be able to be found in ones pocket.

The Alter Rebbe says: Money will only be found in the hands of a few, and the government.

The Rebbe quotes a Zohar, which states, that all the armies of the world will destroy each other, with only Israel remaining. (This can also mean economic destruction, and not loss of life.)
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This process is compared to birth-pangs, where the body (world) puts on tremendous pressure, in order to push the baby (Moshiach) out.

There is only one super power- G-d. We are gradually being weaned away from all the things that we rely upon, until we all look up and realize, that we can only rely on Hashem.
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All ism's have been show to be false: socialism, fascism, communism, etc. Now we are up to capitalism. No one wants to believe this, as it is human nature to want everything not to change, but when Russia fell, the people of Russia were shocked, as they thought that they had the best form of government.

I say this, so that people should realize, that Moshiach is not just something that we argue about in Shul and in newspapers, but it is a world event. Hashem wants Moshiach now, and that is the direction that the entire world is being pushed in.

Hold your breath!

Roosters and the Geula

There is story about Rav Yonason Eibshets. Once a non-Jew came to him and asked him: “How can it be that it is written in your Torah that the Jews will one day rule the world. The Jews are the smallest nation in the world, and there are over seventy nations that are much greater than the Jews.”

He answered: “Take seventy roosters and one hen, starve them for three days. Then put them all together in a chicken coop. In the middle of the chicken coop put a tray of food, then step back and watch what happens, then you will have your answer.”

He followed his instructions, and when the three days passed he placed the roosters and the hen together in the coop and placed the food in the middle, and stepped out to see what would happen.

Most people would think that the roosters upon seeing the food would immediately rush to grab the food and the poor hen being so small and weak would be left behind to starve.

But when one roster saw the other roosted rushing for the food they each got jealous of the other and started attacking each other. After a half an hour all the roosters were either dead or wounded.

The poor starving hen looked around and saw that no one was eating the food, so she sauntered over and had the entire plate for herself!

In other words the nations of the world are too ego oriented, to let any country but themselves rule the world; they would rather go down fighting, than let someone else take over. Only the humble Jews, are politely waiting on the sidelines, in order to let the dust settle.

The Zohar the End of Days

The Zohar (Balak 212b) writes about the End of Days:

The world, at the time that Moshiach will be revealed, will have been experiencing trouble after trouble; and the enemies of Israel will have been prevailing.

Then, the spirit of Moshiach will be aroused against them, and the evil Edom will be destroyed. The entire land of Seir, will be destroyed by fire.
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The dove's message to Noah was: Don't forget what led to the downfall of mankind, and brought on the Flood! It was man's insatiable need for physical pleasure; as if such pleasure was a goal unto itself.

The goal of creation is to be close to G-d, to be like Him, even if it means sacrificing physical comfort and pleasure. Physical pleasure is a wonderful by-product of living in this world, but not the goal.

Our attitude can determine, whether we bring Moshiach earlier and in peace; rather than, at the last possible moment, through war and suffering.