Only by means of God's direction intervention

 "I looked and there was no one (among the nations) helping (the Jewish people)." Haftarah Nitzavim

"This verse teaches us that we must not make the mistake of hoping that any political, sociological, or other/natural human process per se will lead us to Redemption. The true Redemption can occur only by means of God's direction intervention, which we will elicit and hasten by fulfilling our Divine mission to make the world His home by by dissemination of Divine consciousness through prayer, the study of Torah, and the performance of the commandments. In the words of the sages of the Talmud, "We have no one to rely on save our Father in heaven."

Lubavitcher Rebbe, Hitva'aduyot 5722, Vol. 2, p. 289, Haftarah, parshas Nitzavim, Chayenu, 2019.

This is similar to this:

“When, during the reign of Hadrian, the uprising led by Bar Kochba proved a disastrous error, it became essential that the Jewish people be reminded for all times of another important fact; namely, that Israel must never again attempt to restore its national independence by its own power; it was to entrust its future as a nation solely to Divine Providence. Therefore when the nation, crushed by this new blow, had recovered its breath and hailed even the permission to give a decent burial to the hundreds of thousands who had fallen about Betar as the dawn of a better day, the sages who met at Yavneh added yet another blessing to the prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem. This fourth blessing is an acknowledgement that it has always been G-d and G-d alone Who has given us, and still gives us to this very day, that good in which we have had cause to rejoice; and that for future good, too, we may look to none other but G-d, and none besides Him." 

R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Commentary to the Prayer Book, p. 703

Yiras Shamayim Must Be Taught

A principal of a Lubavitch school was once asked to speak at the annual convention of Torah Umesorah. When he asked the Rebbe what to address in his talk, the Rebbe responded in a note: “It is imperative that you say – in my name or not, as you see fit – that it is absolutely necessary to teach the children yiras Shamayim. “All agree that one cannot be a doctor without studying medicine, so how could they expect the children to be yerei Shamayim without teaching it? “In days bygone, this was absorbed at home, and the children saw it on the street. But times have changed. The only source for yiras Shamayim is the school, therefore it must be taught. “And giving the children 15 minutes a day to learn a mussar sefer of their choice cannot suffice at all. In fact, it sends a negative message, because the child says to himself that every other subject has a mandatory timeframe, from a specific book, and a special teacher is hired – so this topic must be inferior!” The Rebbe concluded the note, “Say this with a full breitkait (confidence), without fear, with a great tumult, with force. And Hashem will grant you success.” (Simpson Teshurah, Cheshvan 5771) 

A Liturgy within a Liturgy: The German Torah Service in Past & Present.

Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz

503 South Broadway – Ste. 215

Yonkers, NY  10705

Ph:(914)423-6900   Fax:(914)963-3921

                               www.moreshesashkenaz.org    E-mail: aashkenaz@arnat.com

 

 

I would like to bring to your attention a webinar which will take place on Sunday, Nov-21-2021 at 11:00AM EST which is 6:00 PM in Israel.

This webinar will present an international open study session discussing:

 

A Liturgy within a Liturgy: The German Torah Service in Past & Present.

 

This webinar is presented by the European Center for Jewish Music, The Institute for Music, Theater and Media in Germany, and the Jewish Music Research Center at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

 

Sunday, November 21, 2021; 17 Kislev 5782 at 11am (USA, EST); 17:00 (CET); 18:00 (Israel) https://huji.zoom.us/j/81667736324?pwd=Z0JNTS9LdGQvc3l4V2hnY2MwK3dudz09

 

 

Rabbi Miller on knowledge of secular subjects

 Q:

Why do you oppose the study of secular subjects? Didn’t the Vilna Gaon study secular subjects?

A:

I didn’t mention secular subjects at all tonight. I did not mention it at all, so I’m innocent. However, on the question of secular subjects, there’s no question at all that knowledge of secular subjects comes in handy. No question at all; very handy. The problem however is where to get it from; that’s something else.

Rabbi Avigdor Miller, TAPE # 60

Mentors

The Machpeilah Cave is the burial site of Adam and Eve, the first human beings; as such, it originally belonged to all humanity. In purchasing it, Abraham articulated G‑d’s intention that the mission originally given to humanity as a whole now be passed on to the Jewish people. By accepting this task, the Jewish people were fundamentally separating themselves from the rest of humanity and assuming the role of its mentors. It is our challenge to recognize this destiny today, as well. (Lubavitcher Rebbe, Daily Wisdom, Chayei Sara, First Reading)