If a Jew is doing something that goes against Torah and the Law of the Land, it is every Jew’s job to stop them from commiting a chillul Hashem, which is a desecration of G-D’s name. Throught history, the non-Jewish world has at least had isolated incidents of accusations against Jews. In America, thank G-D, we live a life of full religious freedom and safety. With that said, it would be blind and foolish to think that this democratic country could be void of an isolated libel. The tragedy of the libel against Shlomo Rubashkin is not the accusations against him, but the fact the Jews, FRUM Jews at that, have gone so strongly against him. Speaking Lashon Hora about him, Lubavitch at large, and condeming him. Condemnation to the point that an “Orthodox Jewish Organization” could form based on “accusations” taken as fact! Monday, June 6th, Rubashkin, Baruch Hashem, was found not guilty on all 67 counts of child labor. Still I read on blogs like Vos Iz Neis comments that he “just wasn’t proven guilty, but still might not be innocent”. What more could be done to prove innocence? As Jews, we can not afford to publicly go against a Jew based on accusations MONTHS before his court case. This goes AGAINST the Torah and is also a chillul Hashem. It goes against the law of the land as well. No one will appologize to Rubashkin, especially the ones who gain success on his back. Vos Iz Neis has an amazing op-ed on the Rubashkin incident that is a great read. In Parshas Shalach we learn the damages of Lashon Hara against land. Kal Vachomer, how much more so against a Holy Jewish Soul! If he, Chas V’Shalom, he was convicted then fine, but the Lashon Hora spoken at Shabbos tables is disgusting. In this generation, achdus is VITAL and standing behind EVERY Jew is essential. We all must pray that Shlomo Rubashkin will be proven not guilty of the fraud charges and that Hashem should help him rebuild his life soon after. The Baal Shem Tov said others’ imperfections and flaws seen by us are simply a mirror of our own. We are quick to condemn a man who supplied the entire US and beyond with Glatt Kosher meat, but what about our own standard of Kashrus in and out of our home? What about our own bussiness ethics? Before we seek to judge a Jew we should judge ourselves. G-D willing in the coming months Rubashkin will be acquitted of all charges and when that day comes I hope he recieves an apology from all who criticized him.
Ever since Shavous we have been encountering the theme of Achdus in the weekly Torah Portion. When the nosim of the shvatim bring their offerings and gifts to the Mishkan they bring the EXACT same thing. Of course their kavanah was different but the outcome was the same. Torah is such a beautiful thing because Hashem in his infinite mercy gave us 70 paths to the Emes contained inside the Holy Torah. So sure some Jews are Chassidic, and Haredi, and Litvish, and more Modern, or Sefardi, or Persian but the end result is still the same. The result is a yearning to serve Hashem and connect to his Torah. When a Jew sees a Jew we automatically being to judge them. Oh this Jew looks like this so he must be like this and hold by this and use this heter and “OH! how can he do that!?” When the Jews are against eachother spiritually and physically it is a recipe for disaster.
We learn in the book of Bereshis that Shimon and Levi murder the men of Shchem after circumcising them and bringing them into the covenant of Avraham. Yaakov was terrified after this episode for fear that the surrounding nations would rise up and kill Yaakov and his entire family. Shimon and Levi assured their father that nothing would happen because the nations do not care if a Jew kills a Jew. When a Jew harms another Jew or criticizes a Jew publicly, embarrasses them, or speaks Lashon Horah about them, we think that the Non Jewish world doesn’t take notice.
In the 1240′s after the death of the RAMBAM HaKodesh, his books were publically burned by a group of Jews including some very prominent Rabbis. The goyim took note of this and rationalized that if the Jews have no respect for their own holy texts to the point of burning them, then we are allowed to do the same. The very next year was the Burning of the Talmud in Paris where cartloads of Gemaras were burned in public including many one of a kind copies with priceless commentaries from the Sages of the time.
We as a Jewish people must look past the Galus that has influenced us to look so different and realize that we all have Holy Neshamas and are rooted together in a way that makes us singular. One people, One nation, following One G-d.
Chassidus teaches us that EVERYTHING in this world is good and that you can take something good from all of creation.
The Nazi’s Yemach Shemo crippled Klal Yisroel mercilessly without any regard to who was secular, who was religious, or who was even Halachically Jewish (as they sought people who even had a Jewish Grandfather). If there is any possible way to take something positive from the atrocities commited by their barbaric animals masked as intellectual and civilized its that.
a Jew is a Jew and thats all there is to it.
A photograph is worth a thousand words…
With Hashems help, these photos will show the kedusha of a Nikolsburg Purim.
BS”D
Daled Iyaar 5770
April 18th, 2010
Purim in Nikolsburg
After attempting to make it to the Rebbe for Chanukah without success I begged Hashem to let me see the Rebbe. The Rebbe came to visit Los Angeles, Ca out of his normal traveling time of September or February. Our miracles are limited to splitting of seas and halting of suns but the fact that Hashem brought the Rebbe to me when he did is a miracle I was always cherish. Yechidus with the Rebbe has always been a two fold of emotion for me filled with joy and excitement that is never void of nervousness. The Rebbe can see right through me piercing my thoughts. This is most evident when I tell him something that is troubling me and he doesnt even need to say a word when I already realize how foolish it is that “this troubles me”.
The Rebbe brought my family to Monsey for Purim to spend two weeks with him. We stayed with his Gabbi Rabbi Moshe Friedman who is one of the most amazing, kind, and brilliant people and have been blessed to know. Although I have only known him personally for a short time it felt like we had been friends for years after our 2 week stay. If there is any advice I can give its that you should always try to stay with your Rebbe’s Gabbi when you visit because thats where all the action is. We arrived early Tuesday morning the week before Purim and the excitement was almost immediate. Bar Mitzvah, Upshernish, Wedding, Shabbos, Purim, and another Wedding.
Wherever the Rebbe goes he is greeting by a myriad of people, yet nothing would prepare me for how the Rebbe is received in his own court. The Tish of the Rebbe was full of energy from every side as the chassidim sung niggunim and the Rebbe filled our minds with Holy words of Torah. The Purim Tishim were the climax of our stay as the place filled to capacity with followers and admirers of the Holy Admor. Although my kesher with the Rebbe Shlit’a is strong I was nervous to be with his chassidim because most people say Baal Teshuvim are not welcomed in most Chassidic sects. I never believed this stereotype as I have felt welcome amongst many Chassidic groups but being with the Rebbe’s chassidim was something completely different. It doesnt matter to them that I don’t speak yiddish or that I am not a very learned Jew, the bond of the Rebbe and our commitment to the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov were enough. They made me feel welcomed and on personal levels I connected with many of the Rebbe’s chassidim. The ones that came with him to Los Angeles were thrilled to see me and I one even showed me a photo in the Nikolsburg Magazine in which the Rebbe was giving my son a bracha when he was in Los Angeles. They invited me over for meals and made sure that I was enjoying myself. The true test as someone said to me when I came home was if they would let my children marry into the group, and that is how I “know” I am accepted.
Purim was a great time of simcha in Monsey by the Rebbe and it has taken make over a month to finally write of my experience. I think it is important for everyone who reads this to go yourself and visit the Rebbe Shlit’a.
BS”D
Aleph Nissan 5770
March 16th, 2010
The purpose of Nissan is to build up to the full exposure of holy light on Shavuos in Sivan. I hope to have a very interactive site by then full of my artwork and design as well as my blog. I really hope that moving from blogspot to wordpress and having all these elements combined on one website will bring lots of people here to discuss and together look for a higher level of consciousness.
Just remember. Dont MESS with the BESHT.
Who is the BESHT anyway? Well if you havent got it yet, the slogan is a play on “Dont mess with the best” The BESHT is an acroynym for the Saintly Rebbe Reb Yisroel Baal Shem Tov who is the founder of Chassidic Judaism and the sole reason that Moshiach will arrive speedily in our Generation.
BS”D
With Hashem help, this website/blog/gallery will be up and running by the end of the week. Check back often and spread the word!
My blog has moved to www.michaelmordechai.com!
All of my writing, art, design, and photography will now be hosted there so please check it out and spread the word!
Even though I havent been actively writing on my blog I am still getting 200+ views a month. Hope to have a more active blog now with lots of you commenting on what I have to say.
Stay tuned.
I haven’t written an article since October. Baruch Hashem my son, wife, family, Torah learning, and Work have kept me very busy. Not that I haven’t had ideas that I wanted to expound upon here but I just have not had the time until now. I on Jury Duty right now so this will give me iy”H some free time.
Lots to talk about but first I must say it is AMAZING that even without writing in 3 months, my blog has had almost 1,000 hits.
The
Rebbe Shlit’a payed a visit to Los Angeles and it was such a blessing to daven with him, and speak with him privately more than a few occasions as well as getting the opportunity to hear amazing and uplifting words of Torah. His son is getting married iy”H July 26th but before that, my family and I are spending 2 weeks in Monsey (Feb 22nd – Mar 8th) with the Rebbe and his wonderful Gabbi R’ Moshe Berush Friedman & Family. As a Chassid of the Nikolsburger Rebbe it is very difficult in Los Angeles and having the Rebbe here really strengthens me. People are very curious of the minhagim, niggunim, and lifestyle of the Nikolsburg Chassidic Sect and I must say I dont know much except that I have a very strong Kesher with the Rebbe Shlit’a. 2 weeks in Monsey should help fix that.
As far as the pshat goes, the Rebbe was a chasid of the Divre Yoel of Satmar as was his father as well. The Rebbe even as a young bochur attracted yidden who sought advice, help, and even brachos. Today the Rebbe has built from the ground up a network of Torah learning through a Yeshiva, Kollel, Girls Seminary, and Cheder with a beautiful main shul and large social hall. The Chassidim number at around 500 family and growing with hopes to build a Kiryas Nikolsburg in Eretz Yisroel.
I will write much more about the Rebbe Shlit’a and Nikolsburg in general after my trip.
My Torah learning has been steady and I am learning some amazing things. I have a daily Gemara Chevrusa in the mornings learning Masketa Shabbos starting with 36a which begins the Chapter on Kirah’s and cooking before/on Shabbos. I also started Masketa Brachos with a friend in the evenings twice a week who is really helping me with vocab and grammar structure. Learning the daily Tanya, Rashi, Tehillim, but still missing the Rambam. I haven’t learned via Google Video with that chevrusa since my son was born but iy”H soon I will be able to start that up again. Learning the Chassidus of the Rebbe Shlit’a, Sfas Emes, & Noam Elimelech for the weekly Torah portion has also kept Torah on my mind during the week.
I have just been very busy lately with my Graphic Design business and haven’t even had time to go into the studio to work on art. Thank G-d though that in such an economic crisis I am working nonstop. That is really all that is going on right now so hopefully I will have time to focus on articles about Torah and Chassidus soon.
Kol Tov.
(courtesy of me )
Baruch Hashem, new beginnings seem to be a trend in my life at the moment. I thank HaKodesh Baruch Hu for blessing me with such a myriad of revealed Brachos for my entire family. My son was B”H born on the 10 of MarCheshvan and on the 17 of MarCheshvan (today) was his Bris. It was Baruch Hashem a beautiful event with a packed room. We named him Shmuel Elimelech in honor of some of the Chassidic Greats as well as my wife’s fathers’ father.
שמואל: Shmuel was named after my wifes grandfather Shmuel HaLevi ZT”L, the Rebbe Reb Shmuel Shmelke HaLevi of Nikolsburg ZT”L, and the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch ZT”L.
אלימלך: Elimelech was named after the Rebbe Reb HaGoan HaTzaddik HaRav Elimelech of Lizensk.
These Tzaddikim have had and continue to have a tremendous impact on my spirituality and learning of Torah and I pray that in their merit my wife and I will raise our son and the rest of our iy”H future children “LeTorah Ulchupah Ulmasim Tovim!!!”
B”SD
Something I noticed while learning this weeks Parsha was that starting a new cycle of Torah reading was not the only new beginning. As we read Parshas Bereishis we read how Hashem began to create the world starting on Day One which is Sunday. Last year we completed a Shmitah seven year cycle as well as participated in Birkas HaChamah which is when we bless the sun after it completes its twenty eight year rotation cycle. This year the Sun is back where it began when Hashem created the universe and our world inside it. Sunday during Simchas Torah we read Parshas Bereishis and thus begun a very amazing cycle that I am not sure how often happens or how long it continues. We are living each day of creation in line with the first week of Creation. This Shabbos will coincide with the very First Shabbos. May we all merit a truly elevated Shabbos and a truly elevated year of Torah and Mitzvos not only for ourselves but inspiring others to do the same. With this IY”H Moshiach will be here to end this bitter Galus.
My Mashpiah told me a story over Rosh Hashanah that really fused together a string of Torah concepts that I had been trying to connect.
Once, as the holy rabbi, Reb Aharon of Karlin (one of the great disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch), was about to recite [the prayer beginning with the word] “המלך ” — he fainted. Later, when he was asked what had happened, he replied that he had been meditating on the words in the Talmud [which were spoken by Vespasian, but which Reb Aharon of Karlin understood metaphorically as spoken by G-d]: “If I am the King, why did you not present yourself before me until now?” Now, what answer could we possibly give?
The week before Rosh Hashanah I had been learning three different dvar torahs/maamarim. One from my Rebbe, HaRav Yosef Lebovitz Shlit’a of Nikolsburg, another from the Sfas Emes ZT”L, and a third from the Pittsburgher Rebbe Shlit’a.
In Elul we proclaim that the King is in the field! We blow the Shofar from Rosh Chodesh Elul on to remind us that we must do Teshuva as Rosh Hashanah is on the horizon. In Elul we recite extra Tehillim, ask our fellow Jew for forgiveness, and try to perform mitzvos while strengthening the ones we perform routinely. The Chassidus from each Rebbe focuses on how Shabbos is a time for Teshuvah just as much as Elul, and the First 10 days of Tishre. I only speak for myself when I say that during Elul it is difficult to remember the lack of kavana in Adar, the wrong bracha in Kislev, and whatever else I do wrong throughout the year. Shabbos is the greatest time for teshuvah and we see this from Shabbos Rosh Hashanah itself which wont occur together again for another 11 years.
On Shabbos R.H. we do not blow the shofar and it is considered Muksa (Prohibited to use on Shabbos). When Shabbos coincides with Yom Tovim like Sukkos the symbols of that holiday are Muksa because Shabbos is a greater symbol. This is not the case with the Shofar as it is forbidden because one might be unsure how to properly blow the Shofar and carry it (an activity forbidden on Shabbos) to a Rabbi’s house to learn how to blow it. There is a deeper reason that is revealed by the Chassidic Rebbes who quote the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah that the purpose of the Shofar is to call the King of Kings HaKodesh Baruch Hu from the Throne of Din (Judgement) to the Throne of Rachamim (Mercy). On Shabbos Hashem is already on the throne of Mercy and this means that the effort put into calling Hashem from throne to throne can be used to beg for his forgiveness.
It wasnt until I heard this story of the Holy Rebbe of Karlin that everything connected and really put Teshuvah in perspective. We wait the whole year till Elul and spent 30 days contemplating Teshuvah and then use all our energy on Rosh Hashanah to beg Hashem for forgiveness for our sins. Hashem is asking us why have you not presented yourself until now? Why did you wait until Elul and Rosh Hashanah when you had every Shabbos to come to me? If we utilized every Shabbos to do teshuvah on a smaller scale we wouldnt have to take such a risk of a one time teshuvah deal on Rosh Hashanah.
We should all be blessed with a year full of revealed blessings that will help us build a life of Torah and Mitzvos and inspire the Yidden around us to do the same. We should merit to see Moshiach immediately and bring this Galus to an END!
Another thought is how we should be very thankful for America. Never in history have Jews had such freedom to follow Torah. We have more religious freedom the even Eretz Yisroel! When else in history could Jews parade down the street with a Torah and have the government block off the streets and have their police making sure everything goes smoothly? We must also NEVER forget Yerushalyaim and yearn for its return to her former glory with the Bais Hamikdash at the center. Still we must realize that Hashem gave our weak generation America so we could easily perform his mitzvos.
iy”H I plan to write more often especially once my blog moves over to my website at www.michaelmordechai.com which I hope everyone who looks here goes to. My art is for sale and you can email me at michael mordechai at gmail dot com for pricing and info.
Shana Tova U’Mesuka
Kisva V’Chasima Tova
A Git Gebentched Yoor
Zchuos Avos article on the Chozeh of Lublin
ח Av is the yahazeit of the Chozeh of Lublin
Reb Yaakov Yitzchok ben Avrohom Eliezer HaLevi Horowitz, known as the Chozeh of Lublin or the Rebbe of Lublin, who passed away in 1815. He was a talmid of the Magid of Mezritch, Magid of Zlotchov, Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev and the Rebbe Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg. His main Rebbe, of course, was the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk, the author of Noam Elimelech. He was one of the four top talmidim of the Noam Elimelech. (The other three were Reb Yisroel of Koznitz, Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel of Apta and Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov. There were, of course, many other great talmidim, but these four were singled out by the Noam Elimelech and he gave them each different spiritual gifts before his passing.)
His talmidim included Reb Dovid of Lelov, Reb Yissocher Dov of Radoshitz,
Meor VeShemesh, Reb Naftali of Ropshitz, Yid HaKodosh, Bnei Yisaschor, Yismach Moshe, Reb Meir of Apta, the Zhidichover and Komarna Rebbes, Sar Sholom of Belz and numerous other great tzadikim. He also wrote approbations for Sefer Likutei Mohoran and Siddur Tefila Yeshara (Berdichiver Siddur). His seforim include Divrei Emes, Zichron Zos, and Zos Zichron.
You Will Cry On the Day I Die
On Simchas Torah the Chozeh fell from a window and hurt himself very bad. Certain opponents of the Chozeh were openly happy about this. When the Chozeh heard about this, he said: “On the day I die they will be crying”. This statement was understood when the Chozeh passed away on the saddest day of the year, Tisha B’Av.
May the merit of this Holy Tzaddik keep Klal Yisroel safe and help bring Moshiach immediately AMEN!!!
I had a recent conversation with a friend of my wife and I. This friend who had recently become religious referred to my wife and I as “chill Jews”. Now such a statement has a forked road the size of Kentucky in the middle of it. Either we are chill Jews because we are welcoming and can make any Jew of any walk of life feel comfortable ooooooooooor…. we are chill because we are lenient in Halacha and are influenced by the modern excitement of Los Angeles and the world over. I didn’t give off the impression of being insulted because I didn’t want to argue with someone who I haven’t seen in at least 2 years and at that point they were most likely eating a cheeseburger on Shabbos. The question was part of a larger conversation based around them interested in a shidduch with someone who was a baal teshuvah as well and completely swore against going to the movies. This friend of ours still couldn’t shake the habit and this was really a pressing issue. I always laugh at such statements like hearing someone at Aish saying they don’t go to movies anymore after being “religious” for a summer. I just don’t understand how the baal teshuvah mind works sometimes. It could be because I lived in a frum house for 4 years with religious parents before I myself became religious, but I hold learning of Hilchos Shabbos higher than staying away from the movie theater. Well this potential shidduch had been religious for 3 years and was very shtark and isn’t in touch with the reality of the modern world “like my wife and i”. Whaaaaaa? 3 years and their mea sharim mindset is in full effect? Sounds like one holy person to me. My Rav once told me “We are more modern than someone in Borough Park, but we are not Modern Orthodox”. Its a powerful statement for me because although I work in the Ad Graphic Modern World, I do not indulge in it. I don’t own a TV and I have been to 1 movie in 2 years and I really wish I picked a better movie. (Do not see Indiana Jones it was bad.) Chumrahs and Minhagim aren’t going to bring Moshiach and I have yet to find in any seforim advice to focus on them more than Halacha. My writings are not a platform to brag about how religious I am but to comment on an important misconception in the Baal Teshuvah world and that is that going to the Movies will send you to gehenom but performing a malacha on Shabbos eh…B’Shogeg. Maybe when we invite this friend for Shabbos they will realize their err in judgement. It just goes to show you that you shouldn’t judge a Jew by their cover. Its the one criticism I have for the baal teshuvah yeshivas is that they don’t keep Baal Teshuvah Syndrome in check and make sure these Jews don’t think they are poskim for the masses or that going to the movies or not should be #2 on their shidduch qualification list.
G-d willing we will all including myself realize that we need to serve Hashem for his sake and inspire others to do so and with that bring Moshiach who will rebuild the Beis Hamikdash before tomorrow and we will dance in Yerushalayim AMEN!!!
I havent posted in awhile due to other priorities, but now will iy”H be posted as much as possible with hope of bringing the blog up to a level of daily postings. The blog should move to my website soon which I ask all who read to check out. www.michaelmordechai.com. My art and design is featured there and I can help you with any designing needs from Judaica Art, Kessubah Design, Wedding Invitation Monograms, to fine art and other graphic needs.
For now please read my blog about my time spent with the Pittsburgher Rebbe Shlit’a of Ashdod, Israel.
Grand Rabbi Mordechai Yisachar Ber Leifer of
Pittsburgh shlit’a
The Pittsburgher Rebbe comes every year to Los Angeles for a few weeks to spend time with his Chassidim there and fund raise for Pittsburgh Institutions. I met him last year at his Tish at Anshe Emes and was very excited to hear that he was coming during the Omer. My wife and I had yechidus with the Rebbe and gave us some good advice on where to move and how to go about getting to Israel to learn for a year. He told us to move to Los Angeles and when the time comes we will be able to go learn in Israel. I told him how I dont have a Rebbe and that I am teased by Chabad Chassidim because of this. Anytime I meet a new Chabad Chasid I am always asked what kind of Chasid I am, in case they forget that we were BOTH Jewish and that should be enough. The Rebbe smiled and told me that when I meet my Rebbe I will know and we will have a very deep connection and comfort with eachother, but I could borrow him for the time being. This left me with an amazing feeling of true Ahavas Yisroel from the Pittsburgher Rebbe.
The following Shabbos was his Tish which I unfortuantly missed but thought I could at least go late and wish the Rebbe Good Shabbos. When I got there I was told the Rebbe had just left and I was a little sad about it but was determined to spend Shabbos Day by the Rebbe. Before I left, I was given the a Nusach Sefard-Pittsburgh siddur by one of the Rebbe’s Chassidim. This siddur is one of the best versions of the Siddur I have come across. The layout is outstanding as you never have to turn a page to finish a blessing or section of prayer. There is kavana under the four letter name of Hashem and for me at least that helps me concentrate better on davening and makes Hashems name stand out more on the page above the words surrounding it. For me it is a more stable davening than using the Artscroll Nusach Sefard, so I was very happy with the gift.
I walked to the shul where the Rebbe would daven Shachris and apparently made a left where I should have made a right and got turned around. Out from around the corner comes the Rebbe and I felt such a feeling of relief and of joy as the Rebbe approached me. We davened at a Litvish shul and the speed was very fast and I realized as I was emersed in my davening that I was very far behind the Baal Korah. After davening the Rebbe told me to walk next to him and we spoke words of Torah and he gave me advice on moving to Los Angeles. The Rebbe made kiddush for us and I was so nervous I almost made Hamotzi on Cake. That made me realize how foolish I am with my brachas that I have such fear to falter in front of a Rebbe but not in front of the King of Kings who the bracha is directed too. We sung a niggun and then the Rebbe went to where he was staying. We joined again for Shalosh Seudah and were blessed with amazing Torah from the Rebbe and a niggun called “Kol Dodi” which was very uplifting. We finished with maariv and I told the Rebbe I would hope iy”H to be by him tomorrow for Rosh Chodesh.
The Davening was the best since davening at the Kotel. Perfect speed and hearing the Rebbe cry out to Hashem strengthened my own cry. The Rebbe layned Torah for us and once again we parted ways. Maariv was late and the Rebbe didnt have his siddur with him so I lent him mine and used idaven on my cellphone which was very difficult. We had the blessing to hear one of the most heart felt counting of the Omer that I had ever heard. I later said I never heard Sefiras HaOmer untill I heard it recited by the Pittsburgher Rebbe Shilit’a. When we were done I came to get back my siddur and when the Rebbe found out it was mine he grabbed my hand and said to me, “I bless you that ALL your teffilahs should be heard.” Speechless I struggled to get out an Amen and a Thank you and ran off with joy. The final night with the Rebbe concluded with a small tish with L’Chaims and singing with some Rabbonim from the La Brea area of Los Angeles. As the Rebbe walked out he shook my hand very tight and said to call him and to not give up if I cant get through because soon enough I will.
After reflecting on my time spent with the Rebbe I was very grateful for the experience. I learned some amazing Torah and Chassidus and was strengthened in my connection to Hashem and to Yiddishkite by having such an opportunity to be close to a Tzaddik. I hope to visit the Rebbe when I am in Eretz Yisroel soon either by opportunity, by Moshiach, or by both! I may not be a Pittsburgher Chasid but I feel I have a close relationship with the Rebbe that will help me grow closer to Hashem. We should all be blessed to interact with Tzaddikim and be inspired by them to do Teshuvah, perform Mitzvos, and bring Moshiach readily in our days Amen!
(www.michaelmoredchai.com)
It has been some time since I last posted on here. I have been very busy with my artwork. My show “Dont Mess With The BESHT” opened this past Sunday (April 5th) with great success thanks to Hashem. There were a lot of people and everyone was positive. It motivates me to continue my work and show again soon in the future. Im trying to get my new website finished and the blog working. My Art Exhibit was featured in the Long Beach Press Telegram as well as the
Los Angeles Jewish Journal’s Blog, so check it out.
Pesach and Birkas HaChamah are upon us and Baruch Hashem I feel that I am almost free from the chains of university and will be freed to fully consume myself with Torah like the Israelites did in the desert. Then, just as our ancestors did I must leave the Clouds of Glory and work the land. Hopefully my artwork with Hashems blessing will help bring parnasah to my family to feed them and educate them.
I wish everyone a Kosher and Joyous Pesach and iy”H will be writting again after the Chag.
While learning Mishneh Torah of the RAMBAM, we went over a very interesting concept involving the prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu as well as the prophecy of anyone after him. RAMBAM says that a Prophet who says that he comes in the name of Hashem is not required to perform miracles, and if he does this should not be the determining factor in his authenticity, because miracles can also be performed with sorcery and magic. Why then did Moshe Rabbeinu perform so many miracles before and during the Exodus from Egypt? The answer is that those miracles served a purpose. They were not to bring legitimacy to Moshe, but to accomplish something that could not be done by natural means. RAMBAM says that “one who believes in another person because of signs has apprehension in his heart [...] and doubt.”1
After learning this, I came home to read A Simple Jew‘s blog
“Even though the Jewish people had witnessed many wonders and miracles firsthand they still needed to have emuna. For emuna is on a higher level than sight; indeed, it enables a person to see more than the physical eye can ever observe.“
(Chidushei HaRim – First Gerer Rebbe)
In today’s day where Hashem is the most hidden and we must fully rely on Emuna it helps when the great Sages of our day help us relate to Hashem. May Hashem bring us to the final Exodus of this Galus to Geula, Moshiach, and the Revelation of the Emes of Hashem and his Torah.
