I had an Oldsmobile silhouette. One day I received a notice from the GM Corporation. The envelope said something like “Recall Information: Open Immediately.”

The letter said that due to malfunctioning inner door handle of the sliding door they were recalling vehicles from this and this date to the dealerships for a free replacement of the door handles.

Yes, like I have the time to leave my car at the dealership for a day for a door handle? I thought

In the end I let the car go with the old door handle.

Most probably tens of thousands of people who owned the same vehicle received the same letter.

But I don’t think anyone ever received a letter that said ” We are recalling your vehicle. We chose you to let everybody else who bought this car about the recall. please let all your friends know about the recall. Thanks.”

The Torah was given to the Jews at Sinai by G.d in front of millions of people. Many religions agree about that. They just say, but you know what G.d changed His mind about His laws and His people and sent one person to tell the world about it.”

If G.d wanted to recall His Torah , that was given in front of millions of people, He would have to “recall” His Torah in front of millions of people to tell them He “kind of changed His mind.”

G.d changing His mind also is unlikely due to the fact He is omniscient – knowing all in the past, present and future.

 The world follows religions, but many ignore this point – the “recall” never happened.

What’s a person to do? Learn the Noahide laws from the Torah

and learn the Laws G.d really gave for all the world to follow for a peaceful world.

A pessimist sees the glass half-empty. An optimist drinks it.

Torah is optimistic.

The reason – because G-d is overflowing with kindness all day. He does only good, even though we do not always see it.

If we counted our blessings and appreciated them, we would feel so indebted to G-d that we would serve Him by following the 7 Noahide Laws or 613 commandments for Jews all day.

But we tend to overlook, forget, ignore and lull-over all the goodness that we receive continuously on a daily basis.

One reason why we are commanded to honor our parents is due to the great self-less kindness they did for us for years – without expectation of compensation.

A cute story I read by Rabbi Jonathan Rietti (I don’t think it is true) is once a young boy left a note on the kitchen table before leaving to school. It said:

Mowing the lawn                        $5.00
Making My Bed                           $1.00
Playing with my Little Brother –    .75
Taking out trash             –             1.00
Good Report Card                       $5.00
Raking the Leaves                      $2.00

Total:                                  $14.75

The mother was aghast at the note. She decided to write her own note on the other side of his to her son and leave it on his bed. It read:

Carrying you inside me 9 months: No Charge
Staying up with you on many nights: No Charge
Praying for You : No Charge
The time and tears you caused me through the years: No Charge
The nights filled with dread and worries ahead: No Charge.
Sum total of all the love I showed you: No charge

When her son came home and read the note, his eyes welled up with tears. He turned over the note and wrote – “Paid in full” on his own note.*

People complain about their trials or others trials. Some think they are doing Hash-m a favor by coming to pray at the synagogue or doing a mitzvah. Some snub their nose at the prospect of Judaism in their lives – they say not interested.

To them Hash-m can answer: Giving you life : No Charge, Giving You Children: No Charge, Giving You health: No Charge. Giving You eyes: No Charge.

Instead of asking what G-d has done for me lately? one should appreciate the tremendous kindness G-d provides at every waking moment.

==
*From Living Emunah – Acheiving serenity through Faith, By R. David Ashear, Artscroll, Chapter 59 – Who Owes Whom? – p. 142

* to order a laminated copy of the above card with the “Thank You Hashem” Prayer – please email us with your coordinates. 

Walking down the road, a young man noticed a elderly gentleman sitting by a rolling walker. The man, elegantly dressed, was peering at his watch and looking down the street.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

The man was noticeably disturbed.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

“No. No, my ride is late”

“Do you live in the area”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I also live here and would like to know if you would like to know if you’d be interested in coming to our synagogue to learn about Judaism.”

“Not for me. I am not interested. I don’t agree with your kind of people and way of life. Judaism is antiquated.”

“Really? That’s interesting. How can you then explain why Jewish people survived all these thousands of years while the ancient Egyptian, the Greeks, the Romans and Babylonian disappeared? “

“A coincidence?.”

“Following these laws are one reason that we survived”

“And what is the other reason”

“G-d has protected us all these years.”

“Who says that G-d really exists? I don’t believe in anything I don’t see.”

“Do you believe in radio waves? You can’t see them but you know they exist because you can hear the radio. You know someone is behind the door if you hear someone knocking – even though you can’t see them yet.”

“If G-d exists, why does he allow such evil to happen in the world?”

“Let’s put that question aside for now. Do you believe that Picasso existed?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know?”

“There are paintings. There are newspapers and people who knew him.”

“Yes exactly how you know G-d exists. Just like when you see a painting you know there is a painter, when you see nature you know there is a creator. Take a chick – Do you think it was formed by random molecules flying around? Look at a tree. You are an intelligent person, Do you believe that all the cells, and branches and fruits of every single tree are produced by atoms randomly flying around?”

“It’s more complicated than that. I don’t want to shake your faith.”

“Don’t worry. My main concern is truth. I don’t want to follow a faith is not based upon truth or logic. Please Go ahead, how do you explain that there are billions of people in the world and they all look alike?”

“…excuse me I must call my lift company to find out where is my car.”

“Do you want me to drop you off, My car is parked down the block.”

“No thank you. Please excuse me as I must make a phone call.”

[after the phone call]

“If you want to know why bad things happen to good people…”

“Yes.”

“G-d gave people freedom of choice. If every person who wanted to strike someone else, their hand would freeze, there would not be freedom of choice. But just like their is a nature in the physical world there is a nature in the spiritual world. A person does bad, bad will come back to them. A person who does good, good will come back to them. And it is all calculated. If a man is insulted. It might mean that he insulted someone else previously. Thus his punishment is a result of his action. Like a person who drops a vase on the floor and it shatters into pieces – he should not complain that it broke – because the gravity pulled it down. A person who did bad should not complain that bad was done to them – it is the nature of the world – do good and get good. and the opposite.

But even in this there is a calculation.

Moses asked G-d to show him his ways.

G-d showed Moses a scene. The first man came to a well and forgot his purse. A second man came and took the purse. A third man came to take a drink. The first man came to retrieve his purse and accused the third man of taking it. The third man denied it and thus the first killed the third.
Moses saw this and was perplexed of the justice of what had transpired.

G-d explained:

The first man stole the purse from the second man. The second man finding his purse took it. The third man had killed the father of the first man. The first man thus killed the third man avenging the killing of his father by the third.”

“So why do people suffer unjustly?”

“I am sorry to assume you must have had a difficult life.”

“No. As a professor, My life was quite good.”

“So why do you look at the bad in life. Look at the good. A person can see life as half full or half empty. Or the completely full – like it says in Pirkei Avot – who is rich? the one who is content with his lot.”

“All faiths are the same, they are based upon – faith in the person who started the religion . It is belief not logic.”

“Not really. You are correct that most Faith’s are based upon the belief in the founders words that they spoke with G-d. Judaism is different in that it not just Moses, our teacher , heard the voice of G-d giving the commandments, but all of the Jewish people. Millions of people heard, G-d giving of the 10 commandments with Moses.”

This conversation is based upon a true story. The Professor was a former professor of Bio-Chemistry in Oxford university.

My Rebbe used to say an explanation on the verse – “How great are your wonders L-rd. All you made with wisdom.” He said that it is a wonder how both the highly educated and simple person have equal choice in believing in G-d. At times a Highly Educated University Professor will not believe and a simple person will believe in G-d.

Do You Believe

Many a time a person says they do not believe in G-d, but they really do. It is not that they explored the question on a philosophical level and came to a conclusion. It is that they first thought it is inconvenient to believe in G-d because belief entails acting in a certain manner. They would rather not conform to those restrictions. Rather than to be bound by them they say they don’t believe, but really they believe.

In Pirkei Avot it states “Know what to answer a non-believer  / heretic [in Torah].” This this doesn’t mean that you have to debate with them. It just means that you’ll know that which to answer a person who asks you questions regarding the Torah for your own sake. So that you will not have your faith in Judaism shaken by questions of heretics.

Some religions tell you to just believe and be saved. One must be very careful, because based upon one’s beliefs and actions will make the difference whether after life they will go up or down. The word “believe” lets you know this – in the word between the letters “be” and “ve” is the word “lie”.

Judaism – based upon Torah – is the only religion that millions of people heard G-d speaking to them to give a law – the Torah. G-d doesn’t change his mind. Most other religions were started by one man who said he had a prophesy from G-d. What do you believe more, if one person told you something or millions of people told you something?

The amount of current followers – as opposed to the amount of actual witnesses of the transmission of the law – is irrelevant to selecting the true belief system. Many people may chose to follow a religion because it is easier or more appealing to the eye.

Some religions say that “G-d changed His mind after the incident of the Golden Calf.” Obviously, He did not.
For three reasons

1. G-d did not change the Jews for another people because G-d knows all. He will not give a people a law if he knows they will not or cannot follow it.

2. After the incident of the Golden Calf – G-d instructs Moses to build a Mishkan / Tabernacle where He would dwell. If G-d did not forgive them – why would G-d dwell among the Jewish people?

3. G-d does not make up laws and then “change His mind.” G-d knows that the laws He gives are observable. If they weren’t he would not expect people to do them. The laws that G-d gave to the Jews are so fundamental – that He would not change them. Would any country do away with the law for cars to stop at a red light? G-d gave laws to the Jews rest on the Shabbat – to show the world G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Why would He want to nullify that?

The sin of the Golden Calf was the worst sin a person could commit – worshiping an object – whether living or not. Yet G-d forgave the Jewish people. So no other sin a nation or person could commit – would be as great. Meaning G-d would forgive any sin if the person does Teshuva / Repent sincerely.

After- Life

A person should clarify their beliefs. For in the end we will be held accountable. G-d gave us the tool to find the right faith – the honest and sincere pursuit of truth.

Kid: “Mr. Professor How are You today? Nice to see you. Did you happen to think about we spoke about the other day?”

Professor: “Yes and I think it is rubbish!”

Kid: “Really.”

Professor: “Yes. Prove to me that there is a G-d if bad things happen to good people.

Kid: “Well, the question of Why do bad things happen to good people was asked by Moses to G-d himself.”

Professor: “What did he say?”
 
Kid: “G-d said – paraphrasing – that during the course of one’s life a person does good and bad. At times a person is punished for the bad.

Torah Jews believe that people have a soul and it can be reincarnated into a new body, & that an afterlife exists. Transgressions done in a previous life – that a person did not repent for – are still in the account, and thus at times a person who did sins in a previous life may be cleansed from them in this life through suffering.

In any case the suffering serves as a triple purpose – one to cleanse a person from the bad they did in the past – be it in this life or a past life, it helps a person to reflect upon life in order to better himself and it is an opportunity for him or her to receive greater good in this world.

Once a man was to travel for business. He stepped on a rusty nail and the doctor said he couldn’t travel. He missed the ship he was to take – benefiting him. The ship he was to take eventually sunk. Had he not stepped on the nail – he would have been on the ship.

G-d sees the entire life span of a soul – from its inception – which was thousands of years ago. A person only sees – a span of a lifetime – at most 120 years, if he or she lives long.

 If you see a building – do you assume there is an architect and a builder – because there is plan and purpose and order. When one sees the world – the plan and purpose and order – we can similarly surmise that there is a creator.”

Professor: “So what do you say about the existence of bad? Why did G-d let the Holocaust happen? Doesn’t that disprove G-d’s existence?”

Kid: “No. Not at all. From the existence of a world of order – we learn that there is a creator – just like the existence of a building testifies that there is an architect.”

“If the architect burned down one of the floors of his building – would  you think that there was no architect. No. You would agree that there was an architect, but you wouldn’t understand the purpose of the architect in burning one of the floors of his building.”

“Now that you know there is an ‘architect’ in the world, you just would have to find out why he went ahead and burned the floor down.”

“Just like the holocaust or any bad thing – the bad that occured – does not disprove that there exists a world of order.”

“And to tell you the truth, there is much more good in the world than bad. Most of the people of the world survive every day. They are fed. They have clothes. They breath. They have money. They live decent lives.

Yes, we can try to understand why suffering exists, but it behooves us to recognize that there is much more good than bad in the world.”

You told me you had a rather good life. Why not look at the good that you had in your life and be thankful to G-d – rather than looking at the bad that occurs occasionally to others and think illogically that G-d doesn’t exist? You may look at the glass half empty. The Torah says to look at the Glass half- full.”

Walking down the road, a young man noticed a elderly gentleman sitting by a rolling walker. The man, elegantly dressed, was peering at his watch and looking down the street.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

The man was noticeably disturbed.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

“No. No, my ride is late”

“Do you live in the area”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I also live here and would like to know if you would like to know if you’d be interested in coming to our synagogue to learn about Judaism.”

“Not for me. I am not interested. I don’t agree with your kind of people and way of life. Judaism is antiquated.”

“Really? That’s interesting. How can you then explain why Jewish people survived all these thousands of years while the ancient Egyptian, the Greeks, the Romans and Babylonian disappeared? ”

“A coincidence?.”

“Following these laws are one reason that we survived”

“And what is the other reason”

“G-d has protected us all these years.”

“Who says that G-d really exists? I don’t believe in anything I don’t see.”

“Do you believe in radio waves? You can’t see them but you know they exist because you can hear the radio. You know someone is behind the door if you hear someone knocking – even though you can’t see them yet.”

“If G-d exists, why does he allow such evil to happen in the world?”

“Let’s put that question aside for now. Do you believe that Picasso existed?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know?”

“There are paintings. There are newspapers and people who knew him.”

“Yes exactly how you know G-d exists. Just like when you see a painting you know there is a painter, when you see nature you know there is a creator. Look at a tree. You are an intelligent person, Do you believe that all the cells, and branches and fruits of every single tree are produced by atoms randomly flying around?”

“It’s more complicated than that. I don’t want to shake your faith.”

“Don’t worry. My main concern is truth. I don’t want to follow a faith is not based upon truth or logic. Please Go ahead, how do you explain that there are billions of people in the world and they all look alike?”

“…excuse me I must call my lift company to find out where is my car.”

“Do you want me to drop you off, My car is parked down the block.”

“No thank you. Please excuse me as I must make a phone call.”

[after the phone call]

“If you want to know why bad things happen to good people…”

“Yes.”

“G-d gave people freedom of choice. If every person who wanted to strike someone else, their hand would freeze, there would not be freedom of choice. But just like their is a nature in the physical world there is a nature in the spiritual world. A person does bad, bad will come back to them. A person who does good, good will come back to them. And it is all calculated. If a man is insulted. It might mean that he insulted someone else previously. Thus his punishment is a result of his action. Like a person who drops a vase on the floor and it shatters into pieces – he should not complain that it broke – because the gravity pulled it down. A person who did bad should not complain that bad was done to them – it is the nature of the world – do good and get good. and the opposite.

But even in this there is a calculation.

Moses asked G-d to show him his ways.

G-d showed Moses a scene. The first man came to a well and forgot his purse. A second man came and took the purse. A third man came to take a drink. The first man came to retrieve his purse and accused the third man of taking it. The third man denied it and thus the first killed the third.
Moses saw this and was perplexed of the justice of what had transpired.

G-d explained:

The first man stole the purse from the second man. The second man finding his purse took it. The third man had killed the father of the first man. The first man thus killed the third man avenging the killing of his father by the third.”

“So why do people suffer unjustly?”

“I am sorry to assume you must have had a difficult life.”

“No. As a professor, My life was quite good.”

“So why do you look at the bad in life. Look at the good. A person can see life as half full or half empty. Or the completely full – like it says in Pirkei Avot – who is rich? the one who is content with his lot.”

“All faiths are the same, they are based upon – faith in the person who started the religion . It is belief not logic.”

“Not really. You are correct that most Faith’s are based upon the belief in the founders words that they spoke with G-d. Judaism is different in that it not just Moses, our teacher , heard the voice of G-d giving the commandments, but all of the Jewish people. Millions of people heard, G-d giving of the 10 commandments with Moses.”

This conversation is based upon a true story. The Professor was a former professor of Bio-Chemistry in Oxford university.

My Rebbe used to say an explanation on the verse – “How great are your wonders L-rd. All you made with wisdom.” He said that it is a wonder how both the highly educated and simple person have equal choice in believing in G-d. At times a Highly Educated University Professor will not believe and a simple person will believe in G-d.

Do You Believe

Many a time a person says they do not believe in G-d, but they really do. It is not that they explored the question on a philosophical level and came to a conclusion. It is that they first thought it is inconvenient to believe in G-d because belief entails acting in a certain manner. They would rather not conform to those restrictions. Rather than to be bound by them they say they don’t believe, but really they believe.

In Pirkei Avot it states “Know what to answer a non-believer / heretic [in Torah].” This this doesn’t mean that you have to debate with them. It just means that you’ll know that which to answer a person who asks you questions regarding the Torah for your own sake. So that you will not have your faith in Judaism shaken by questions of heretics.

Some religions tell you to just believe and be saved. One must be very careful, because based upon one’s beliefs and actions will make the difference whether after life they will go up or down. The word “believe” lets you know this – in the word between the letters “be” and “ve” is the word “lie”.

Judaism – based upon Torah – is the only religion that millions of people heard G-d speaking to them to give a law – the Torah. G-d doesn’t change his mind. Most other religions were started by one man who said he had a prophesy from G-d. What do you believe more, if one person told you something or millions of people told you something?

The amount of current followers – as opposed to the amount of actual witnesses of the transmission of the law – is irrelevant to selecting the true belief system. Many people may chose to follow a religion because it is easier or more appealing to the eye.

Some religions say that “G-d changed His mind after the incident of the Golden Calf.” Obviously, He did not.
For three reasons

1. G-d did not change the Jews for another people because G-d knows all. He will not give a people a law if he knows they will not or cannot follow it.

2. After the incident of the Golden Calf – G-d instructs Moses to build a Mishkan / Tabernacle where He would dwell. If G-d did not forgive them – why would G-d dwell among the Jewish people?

3. G-d does not make up laws and then “change His mind.” G-d knows that the laws He gives are observable. If they weren’t he would not expect people to do them. The laws that G-d gave to the Jews are so fundamental – that He would not change them. Would any country do away with the law for cars to stop at a red light? G-d gave laws to the Jews rest on the Shabbat – to show the world G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Why would He want to nullify that?

The sin of the Golden Calf was the worst sin a person could commit – worshiping an object – whether living or not. Yet G-d forgave the Jewish people. So no other sin a nation or person could commit – would be as great. Meaning G-d would forgive any sin if the person does Teshuva / Repent sincerely.

After- Life

A person should clarify their beliefs. For in the end we will be held accountable. G-d gave us the tool to find the right faith – the honest and sincere pursuit of truth.

In the first chapter of Pirkei Avot / Ethics of the Fathers (Mishna 14) we learn about Selflessness & Selfishness:

He [Hillel – a great Torah Sage] used to say: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am [only] for myself, who am I? If not now when?

Torah words are profound that through the accepted methods of derivation, we can learn many messages. He says “If I am only for myself who am I?” The phrase “Who am I?” can be interpreted – as “What kind of person am I” or as “I have lost my sense of identity.”

We would think the opposite – the person who acts only the way he feels – the way he likes, dresses what makes him feel popular – would be a very attuned to himself. Hillel says, the opposite is true. It behooves us to ask – With all our accessories that direly call to express our individuality that state: “I got to be me!” – Are we any any closer to our real self?

Hillel says – The more that a person reaches into himself to help others – even at the expense of his or her own personal comfort – becomes more close to his true self.

It is understandable. Man is called a “goer”. Going doesn’t just mean physically moving – it means rising up spiritually – by continuously becoming a better person.

The Creative Person
The creative person is not one that just creates new images or works – the ultimate creativity is re-creating oneself to become a better person. This may mean one must nullify his own personal desires for the good of others or the society. When he nullifies his own desires – he is able to help more people and thus become a greater individual.

Obviously, one must know what is good to help others properly. Thank-G-d, G-d outlined how to be good in the Torah. Many Mussar (Torah Self-Improvement) works exist to help a person reach a higher level of being.

That is the job of a parent to nullify one’s own interests at times to do what’s best for the child.

Most pleasures in the world are permitted according to Torah – Eating, Drinking, Enjoying Nature, Learning. The ones that are forbidden are usually those that have no other purpose than to gratify self-serving desires – that brings no good into the world.

The Creative Mindset – Creative vs Maintaining Work

A creative person sometimes looks at work as – “maintaining work” or “creative work”. Creative work – you add something new to the world, a new idea, a new business, a novel Torah thought. Maintaining work – is maintaining the status quo. Surely that work is necessary – but it is not the kind of work that the creative type likes to do.

Learning Torah is always creative – for we learn and bring out novel ideas and insights & better ourselves in the process.

A successful CEO once remarked to a business magazine his job was to make his job obsolete. He empowered others so he did not have to do the job himself.

Apparently his company was successful.

He hit upon a point – being great means nullifying your will to do good for others. Did he lose? Apparently not. His company was successful. One who empowers others is usually successful.

When one just absorbs info or “kills time” they are actually nullifying their potential to become a greater individual – because that time could have been used to become a greater being to help more people. I see people on the metro and on the bus tuned out of this world. Some with the phones. Others with the Ipad. They are cocooned in their world. Occasionally, It’s a ruse to confuse to divert one’s attention from self-improvement.

G-d created a beautiful world. He created it for man to enjoy – food, drink, family, nature, Torah. The difference between permitted Torah pleasures and the forbidden, may be explained as the permitted pleasures are those that serve to improve the world or the individual’s closeness to G-d. The forbidden ones do the opposite or have no other purpose than self-gratification.

In this week’s Torah reading, we learn about Donations for the building of the Mishkan / Tabernacle. The Parasha of the Week says – G-d asked the Jewish people to give a portion / “Teruma” of their wealth from their hearts. In the Parasha – the word Teruma is mentioned three times.

One was for the donation of the silver socket foundations that held the beams of the Mishkan.
Another donation was for the daily offerings.
The third donation was for the building.

Apparently all three donations are of importance – the start up funds for a Torah Institution. The contributions for the daily operations. And the Building Fund donations.

The Mishkan is also called the Mishkan Ha-Edut” / Tabernacle of Testimony. Why? Because it was a testimony to the world that G-d forgave the Jews of the Sin of the Golden calf and would live among us. It says “You shall build me a sanctuary and I will dwell among you.” G-d’s dwelling with the Jews demonstrated that he forgave them. It also showed that the road to self-improvement has ups and downs. One goes up and occasionally falls. Also it is a message that when one sanctifies himself, with Torah and Mitzvot – a person becomes a vessel to accept the Divine Presence among us.

When one gives of himself for Mitzvot, Torah or for doing acts of kindness – each one helps to build the world. Each one helps to build the individual.

Nibiru is a Planet that orbits around the sun. It was discovered recently by a team of astronomers – at the California Institute of Technology. They announced that they have found new evidence of an icy planet lurking in the darkness of our solar system. Far beyond the orbit of Pluto, “Planet Nine” is the name they gave it” Some Call Nibiru Planet X (X = 10 in Roman Numerals)- because previously Pluto was considered the 9th planet. Now that they demoted Poor Pluto from planet status – they call it Planet Nine.

Published in the Astronomical Journal, their paper, estimates the planet’s mass as five to 10 times that of the Earth. But the authors, astronomers Michael Brown and Konstantin Batygin, have not observed the planet directly. They derived it by observing discrepancies in other planets orbits. Some Estimate its orbit around the sun to be about 3,600 years, others say it may take 20,000 years.

I guess they are going to teach young kids – “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Me Nine Noodles” – for the Order of the planets.

The Cover-Up

Some claim this is planet the mysterious Nibiru, that is shrouded in secrecy. Apparently NASA has known about it for many years but has been denying the existence. They are afraid if people know about the negative effects it may cause, people may panic. Some important people in the government already prepared bunkers for the arrival. They say that if this planet gets too close to the earth the gravitational pull may cause massive flooding. In the worst case scenario – they say some of the states may be completely flooded. They say the safest place to be will be the Land of Israel.

In any case it would make sense to keep a two week supply of food in the house and make plans to follow the 7 Noahide laws and move to Israel – for at least the time that flooding will subside. Pure Speculation, but possible is that this is the star that passed by the earth in the time of Noah – that caused massive flooding. Possible? If this is the case the orbit will probably be around (Current Hebrew Year 5776 – Year of Flood 1696 = 4,080 years)

The Jewish Sources of Information

Once President George Bush asked the CIA how the Jews have access to top secret information before others. They answered, they go to the outside of the synagogue and talk about latest events. George Bush decided to disguise himself as a Hassidic Jew to verify this. Dressed with a beard and side locks he turned to a congregant and asked – “What is the latest news?” The man answered non chalantly “President Bush is among us.”

A person connected to Torah has access to information that the average person does not. Why? Because the Torah was written by G-d and contains all information. Like it says in Pirkei Avot “Turn it and Turn it, because all is in it [the Torah]”

Some say I believe what I see. That limits knowledge to things visible to the eye. Radio waves are not visible to the eye. Yet we know they exist.

The scope of Jewish knowledge is greater – for it takes into account – the spiritual dimension. It takes into account G-d’s total knowledge as written in Torah – which includes prophecy and Torah codes. Near-Death experiences & “Facilitated Communication” with Autists.

The Torah Itself
The Torah, – which includes the Tanach, Talmud, Midrashim, the Zohar – reveals secrets that are not known to or cannot be derived by man. Aish HaTorah – has a seminar – the Discovery Seminar – that shows how spies verify if a message they received is truth. They put a message through several tests. At Aish they put the Torah through those tests. One of the methods of verifying the Truth of a message is to show that the information contained therein is true. The Torah says that All Fish that have scales have fins. A scientist would never venture to say this – because if they found a fish with scales and no fins – he would lose his reputation. The Torah says it. Till today no one found a fish with scales and no fins.

Autists

A Book came out about 15 years ago called the “Secrets of the Soul.” It talks about a method of communication with autistic people – called Facilitated Communication – discovered by a university professor. When they used this form of communication – with certain autistic people – they discovered that they are highly intelligent and connected to the other world. There is a whole site on the messages that these people give. Recently, they gave a message about Nibiru. They say that it may cause great flooding – confirming what Nasa scientists have known about for years.

Torah Codes

The Torah Codes are encoded information found in the Torah. It works like this: Take a letter skip every certain number of letters – and you will find a word. This is called Equidistant Letter Skip (ELS). Using Torah Codes researchers found names of contemporary Rabbis next to their date of Birth or death. And many other recent events. Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson – Versed in Torah, Science and Codes- found codes of Nibiru and Elenin in the Torah. Elenin – is a comet. Some words close to it he found are “comet”, “star”. It is found near the the verse talking about “When it will be painful for you and all these things will occur at the end of time and you leave from the good path…”

Near-Death Experience
In Judaism we believe in the after-life. The soul comes to this earth in the clothes of a body – to acquire merit to be able to live a greater – eternal life as a soul. This is the world where one can inherit merits – only through the doing of the Mitzvot and good deeds. Gentiles do their 7 Noahide laws and Jewish people do the 613 commandments.

The next world is the world of truth – because it is clear there that Hash-m, the G-d that revealed himself in the national revelation to the Jews, is the true G-d.

Recently, a 15 Year old boy had a near death experience and tells of what he saw in heaven. He says that the world nations will come to Israel for some reason – and then they will try to take it over.

Prophesy
The Torah tells of what will happen in the future. These have been very accurate. They spoke about the Gulf War and missiles being shot against Israel and shot down – like in Operation Defensive Edge. One in the Zohar talks about the 9/11 Terrorist Attack against the US. One speaks of the war go Gog ou Magog – which is basically World War III.

Spirit of Holiness
Holy people, who guard their eyes and learn Torah – are sometimes privy to information that is not known to the public.

Once a man was driving in Lakewood, New Jersey. Two old men walked into the road in front of him. He killed them by a No-fault accident. He still felt guilty, so he wrote a letter to a great Rabbi in Israel asking what he can do to atone for this accidental killing. The rabbi wrote back one word. “Amalek” Amalek is the enemy of the Jews that wants to annihilate the Sonei Yisrael. He looked into the matter and found that those two people he killed were Nazis in Hiding.

Rabbis suggest that everyone has a one to two week supply of food at home just in case.

Apparently Nibiru could cause havoc. Apparently people can avoid its devastating effects. Just like in the flood of Noah, if people repented the last minute – G-d would have nullified the flood – apparently we too have a choice to avoid the effects of Nibiru by Repentance according to Torah and doing good deeds.

My uncle is a matchmaker in France. That’s HIS Mitzvah. Professionally, he works in computers. He made over 100 matches that resulted in marriage. Once he asked an older gentleman in his fifties – why he didn’t get married all these years. He answered “I Forgot to.”

Today people are getting married later. Why? One reason is they want to “enjoy life” or “have a good time” and one day they will settle down. Some are still in good time mode. Some never get out of it.

One big problem is is that the person who you might have a good time with may not be the person you want to marry. Generally, one wants a spouse that is responsible and wants to raise a family that has good values. A person who will give you a good time may be irresponsible, fickle but fun. Thus people don’t always find the mate that is a good marriage partner. About 50% of couples that do get married end up in divorce.

Getting into Marriage Mode – Talking on the Same wavelength

So how can a person find the right mate? Look for what qualities you want in your marriage partner – not a person that will give you a good time. A person that will make you happy is not the same person that will give you a good time.

The simple solution is put yourself in marriage mode – instead of party mode. A Jewish observant professor – asked her class – how many people have no intention to marry the person they are dating? Many of the men’s hands went up. One of the woman who was dating a man that raised his hand was sincerely vexed. They were on two different wavelengths.

Observant Jews date to find out if a partner has potential to be a spouse. Obviously, they also want someone with whom they can enjoy life, communicate and have mutual respect. Their mindset is on finding out if their date is a good prospect for marriage. They are celibate until marriage. This helps them make a more unbiased decision.

Do You Really Want to Tie the Knot or Not

My friend ran a singles event for Hanukah for people over 30. It was a success. When I asked how it went, One person at the party noticed people were kind of lost. He mentioned his take on the event. He said many people there seemed to be there just to go through the motions. There to not feel guilty that they didn’t make their effort.

Apparently, one should pinpoint what is stopping them.

That was a novel thought to me. I thought people were sincerely interested in marriage.

Reasons for Remaining Single

Apparently many have reasons for not getting married. For some it is the fear of commitment. Some are looking for perfection.

Some are reluctant because something bothers them about their partner.

Marriage is not necessarily for a person to find a mate that will fulfill their requirements to the tea.

Marriage is to help the individual reach a greater level of perfection.

Thus the people whose list of requirements are lengthy or one or two aspects bothers them about the other is not necessarily a reason to reject a mate.

If a wife angers her husband – it is not a reason for him to reject her. A woman just sometimes mirrors or latches on to character flaws that the husband is to correct. So, Instead of returning anger for anger, it behooves him to correct his faulty character trait. (Also woman are very good at winning an argument :))

What are the priorities

Once an older boy was searching to get married. He went on many dates to no avail. He went to ask the Steipler Gaon, a great Rabbi, why was G-d making it so difficult for him to find the right mate for him. He already went on many dates. The Steipler answered him back “The second girl you met was your bashert (destined mate).”

Apparently, he rejected her because his standards didn’t conform to what was good for him.

Someone asked me “Why did G-d not let the Jews stay in Egypt longer – in the desert they claimed that they longed to return to Egypt?” The Jews were to stay there 400 years but only stayed 210 years.

I answered “How long did it take the Jews to leave Egypt?” The boys knew it was 18 minutes. Why didn’t G-d leave them more time? Because if they did remain in Egypt longer – they would have been slaves till today. The commentators explain that – if the Jews had not left at that time – they would have remained with a slave mentality till today.

What is a slave mentality – “The world is against us. Why do we suffer? Why are we mistreated in society? …” G-d took us out just in time – so that we wouldn’t develop a slave mentality.

G-d does all for the good – so even though something may not suit you – G-d may do something to ultimately help you.

Thus if a person receives a proposal for a marriage minded date – a person should think twice before rejecting it. G-d sent this person into your path – the least one can do is to offer it the appropriate consideration.

I used to take dates proposed very seriously. Sometimes I would go out even if the woman was average and did not fit completely my preferences – because I knew if G-d didn’t want it to work out, He would arrange that this match would be broken off. Obviously, the minimum requirements must be there.

I heard of some requirements for mates – some reasonable some not – he has to be rich, she has to buy me a house, he has to be perfectly righteous and have never failed in his service to G-d.

My cousin gave me a list of priorities to search for in a mate – A Kind heart, Has proper Torah values, has a desire to grow in spirituality, responsibility, attractiveness.

It’s a Mitzvah to marry

One needs to know that his wife is an ezer kenegdo – literally – “a helpmate against him” – if he does good – she helps him – if he does wrong she goes against him. (Or that is the way it is supposed to be).

Some will be quick and careful for purchasing a proper Etrog for Sukkoth. Yet when it comes to marriage they push it off.

Once one realizes that marriage is a mitzvah – thus one should put aside some of their caprices for the priorities. A Rabbi once gave the following advice – write a list of 10 of the most important qualities you seek in a mate. If you find five out of the 10 – the are worthy marriage partner to seriously consider.

Marriage of the Same Religion and Similar Backgrounds

Some say opposites attract. But more commonality , common sense says will cause more common thoughts and feelings.

One reason for a Jew to marry Jewish, asides from the fact that it is prohibited for a Jew to marry out of Judaism, in the Torah is that – it it not fair to the resulting children. Psychologically, children from mixed marriage suffer from a lack of self-definition. They do not know if they belong in one camp or another. If they should celebrate this holiday or another. Should they believe A or B? What a great suffering to put children through for “love.” Love should be responsible and to build people and couples not just for one’s own selfish gratification.

The Levels of Marriage

Marriage is the ultimate conduit with which to serve G-d. There are several levels of marriage – like it says in the book of the River, the Kettle and the Bird.

One Level is where the couple – are like trading partners on a river. One does a and the other does b. they have different interests, but both gain.

A greater level is the kettle – where the fire and the kettle work in unison towards a particular goal – in this case to boil water.

A Higher level – is when the couple is like one, souring to spiritual heights like a bird.

Rabbi Aharon Kotler was one of the most influential Rabbis of the Torah World in the US. He came from Europe and reignited the embers of Torah that were extinguished in Europe during the Holocaust in the US.

He was burning with love for Torah and the Jewish people. He created the Yeshiva of Lakewood – one of the capitals of Torah learning in America.

He saved many Jews in the Holocaust through his meetings with Top people in politics, business and even the mafia.

In his quest to save Jews – he did not shy away from meeting even top mob figures.

From Emunah magazine:

This true story took place during World War II when twenty-four rabbis were being held in Italy and faced being returned to Nazi-occupied Europe and certain death.

Rav Aharon Kotler, founder and rosh yeshiva of the Lakewood Yeshiva,turned to the well-known askan and subsequent author of Ethics From Sinai, Irving Bunim, and asked him who could intercede on behalf of these 24 rabbonim. Irving Bunim suggested the Italian Mafia. Rav Kotler urged Mr. Bunim to contact them immediately.
After contacting them, he asked Rav Aharon, “Who are we sending to the meeting?”

Rav Aharon replied, “You and I are going.”

Off they went to meet the godfather of the Mafia, Joe Bonnano. Rav Aharon did not speak English, so it was Mr. Bunim who explained the problem of the 24 rabbonim trapped in Italy.

The Mafia chief asked Mr. Bunim, “Who is the elderly man sitting next to you?”

He told him, “He is the godfather of the Jewish people.”

“Really?” asked the Mafia chief.

“Yes!” replied Mr. Bunim emphatically.

“Tell him I want a blessing.”

So Mr. Irving Bunim turned to Rav Aharon and in Yiddish told him, “Ehr vill a bracha fun de rov. (He wants a blessing from the rov).”

“Zog eim ehr zol leiben lang un shtarben in bet.”

Irving Bunim turned back to the mafia chief Joe Bonnano and told him, “The rabbi blesses you with long life and you should die in bed.”

Upon hearing this, the mafia chief replied, “I like that,” and promised within 2 weeks to arrange the freedom of the 24 rabbonim stuck in Italy, which he did indeed accomplish.

Twenty-something years later, in 1964, a shiny black stretch limo pulls up in front of Lakewood Yeshiva in Lakewood, New Jersey. Two fancy-dressed men get out and walk up to the office. They say are looking for Rabbi Kotler. Out comes a man who introduces himself.

“No, not you,” say the two Italian guys. “We are looking for an older man.”

“That was my father,” says the rosh yeshiva, Rav Shneur Kotler, ”but he passed away a number of years ago.”
The Italian men explain that they are the Bonnano brothers, and that their father always “attributed his long life to your saintly father’s blessing. Now that he has just retired, we are taking over the business and we came here for the same blessing.”

“I’m sorry,” says Rav Shneur, “my father could do that, but I am not on that high level.”
Disappointed, but clearly understanding the concept of yeridas hadoros – the descent of the generations, the new Mafia chiefs bid farewell to Rav Shneur.

For saving 24 rabbonim from the Nazis, and with Rav Aharon Kotler’s bracha, Joe Bonnano – the Mafia godfather – lived to 97 years old.

And these are the Names of the the Children of Israel that are Coming to Egypt – Yaakov / Jacob, a man and his house came. (Shemot 1:1) Reuven, Shimon Levi and Yehuda. Yissachar, Zevulun, and Binyamin. Dan and Naftali, Gad and Asher. And all the souls that came out from the loins of Yaakov were seventy souls and Yosef was in Mitzrayim.

This week in the weekly Torah reading that we read in the Shabbat Morning Service – we start a new book in the Chumash / 5 Books of Moses – Shemot / Exodus. This book we are introduced to Moshe / Moses – who is born and eventually leads the Jewish nation out of Egypt as Free men. To Leave Egypt – we first learn how we got there.

Rashi – the classic commentator on the Torah – speaks on the first verse. Rashi usually explains the verses based upon the fact that he had an obvious question on the verse or verses. His implicit question on the first verse – Why do you need to tell me the names of the children of Yisrael (also known as Yaakov / Jacob) , entering Egypt. We know that the sons of Jacob entered into Egypt.

Rashi Answers – Even though (that G-d) counted them (the children of Israel) in their lifetime in their names – he returned and counted them after they died – to teach you of their being beloved (to G-d) – for they are like the stars – that go out and enter with their number and their names … all of them he called them in their name.

G-d loves his creatures. He loves people more than a parent can love their children. G-d has a special love for the Jewish people for they – followed him into the desert and traveled there for 40 years.

How are we to get close to G-d? A person asked a great sage, the H’azon Ish – how to achieve spirituality and closeness to G-d? He answered – G-d gave us laws called the Halacha – Jewish Law in the (work called) the Shulh’an Aruch (by Rabbi Yosef Karo). By following them we achieve closeness to G-d.

Basically spirituality is becoming close to G-d. G-d gave us the guide to become close to him. For Jews it is following the Halacha. For Gentiles – it is the 7 Noahide laws.

If one were to contemplate the unimaginable kindness that G-d provides for us every single second – and we would appreciate it – we would be tring to follow every single detail of the laws.

What does G-d do? He gives us life, makes every single cell of our body grow, gives us food – every single cell and molecule is being created for our good, he provides us with shelter, money… The list goes on.

Parallel to that is working on emulating G-d – by learning Jewish self-improvement works / Mussar – like Mesilat Yesharim / the Path of the Just, Orhot Tzadikim / the ways of the Righteous, Shaarei Teshuva / The Gates of Repentance, etc.

One more thing to become closer to G-d is to attach ourselves to the righteous Talmidei Hakhamim / Torah Scholars. The 20th of Tevet / the night of Dec 31 this year is the Yartzeit of the Rambam / Maimonides and Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira. Both tremendous sages. Both tremendous righteous people. Getting closer to and learning from the Righteous Torah Sages – in their lifetime or by attending Hilloula Celebrations for the Deceased Righteous Scholars – allows us to deepen our connection to G-d.

Light a candle in their memory and pray to Hash-m that in their merit your prayers will be answered.