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He Needed A Sign: An Askmoses Story

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Rabbi Eliezer G: Welcome to the Rabbi's one on one chat room, how can I help you today? SoulOnFire: Is it true that before Moshiach comes, 4/5 of the Jews are going to die? Rabbi Eliezer G: no this is not true Rabbi Eliezer G: this happened before the liberation from Egypt but this will not be the case when moshaich comes Rabbi Eliezer G: We learn this from the hagaddah Rabbi Eliezer G: we tell the wicked son that if he were there he would not have been liberated Rabbi Eliezer G: we deduce that only if he had been there in Egypt before G-d gave us the Torah and made us responsible for each other and bound us into a single unit would it be possible that he might not be liberated Rabbi Eliezer G: but once the Torah was given, we are assured that in the future liberation - moshaich - "lo yidach mimenu nidach", no one will be left behind SoulOnFire: I heard this from a rabbi who quoted the Zohar SoulOnFire: he said there would be 15 days of darkness SoulOnFire: and during those 15 days, 4/5 of the Jews would die and those who remain alive will be burying the dead Rabbi Eliezer G: the Lubavitcher Rebbe has said, and the former rebbe before him, that whatever suffering the Jewish people had to endure before the coming of moshiach (for which reason the sages of the Talmud were glad not to live in the generation preceding moshiach), has already been experienced in the holicaust, may there never be such a tzoro [Ed. calamity] again SoulOnFire: I see SoulOnFire: so are we talking about different opinions within Judaism? Rabbi Eliezer G: as far as I know we are talking about a fact Rabbi Eliezer G: the zohar speaks in riddles and one must be a great kabalist to claim a full understanding that would be based on fact Rabbi Eliezer G: If the Lubavitcher Rebbe said that we have no worries about mass death then I have no worries SoulOnFire: well, the rabbi I mentioned was not a lubavicher Rabbi Eliezer G: I am not disparaging anyone Rabbi Eliezer G: But the Lubavitcher Rebbe can certainly be said to be a master in the concealed dimension of Torah SoulOnFire: I know... SoulOnFire: I'm just wondering whether it's just a different way of looking at things Rabbi Eliezer G: if he proclaimed that there is nothing to fear then I am comfortable with it and you may too SoulOnFire: I see Rabbi Eliezer G: The rebbe was very serious about this too SoulOnFire: I know, because what I heard was quite unsettling Rabbi Eliezer G: any time a rabbi would suggest that there might be punishment coming to Am Yisroel [the Jewish People] on account of our sins the rebbe would stand up and deny it loudly and emphatically Rabbi Eliezer G: he would say that the only one who can foretell a punishment is Hashem Rabbi Eliezer G: and through him a prophet SoulOnFire: that's comforting Rabbi Eliezer G: otherwise, no one can claim to know of a negaitve thing to happen to Jews Rabbi Eliezer G: because Hashem loves his children Rabbi Eliezer G: and even when he forcasts punishment in the torah we dont know precisely what form this might take, or precisely what kind of Teshuvah is sufficient to mitigate such punishment SoulOnFire: I see Rabbi Eliezer G: we also dont know whether this punishment forcasted in Torah already happened during the Churban Habayis [destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem] Rabbi Eliezer G: as such we have no right or standing on which to proclaim that a punishment is due the children that Hashem loves Rabbi Eliezer G: especially when each child in this generation is a sapling saved from the fires of the holocaust SoulOnFire: I understand Rabbi Eliezer G: every child is precious and beloved to Hashem Rabbi Eliezer G: this was the Rebbe's strongly held view Rabbi Eliezer G: he would say that Hashem is not vengeful but always seeks ways to be merciful SoulOnFire: I see

Rabbi Eliezer G: in fact I saw an interesting thought from the Rebbe today Rabbi Eliezer G: there is a discrepency among the Rishonim about the destruction of the first beis hamikdash whether the walls of Jerusalem fell on Tamuz 17 or (earlier, on) Tamuz 9 Rabbi Eliezer G: the rebbe resolved the question in the following way: Rabbi Eliezer G: there is a Midrash that hashem waited between the walls for seven days to see if the Jews would repent Rabbi Eliezer G: says the Rebbe, perhaps the Babylonians broke through the defenses of the first wall (Yerushalayim had three walls during the second beis hamikdash and perhaps more than one during the first - I don't know how many walls there were during the first) Rabbi Eliezer G: so perhaps the first wall was breached on Tamuz 9, then Hashem held them off from breaching the second wall for another seven days, till Tamuz 17 when they breached the second wall Rabbi Eliezer G: desperately hoping all the while that the Jews would yet return to the Torah and abandon their evil ways Rabbi Eliezer G: so is the love of G-d for His children Rabbi Eliezer G: so says a lover of Jews, an advocate for Bnei Yisroel - that was the Rebbe Rabbi Eliezer G: a man who was concerned with every Jew in every corner of the world SoulOnFire: so Hashem is waiting for us to repent? Rabbi Eliezer G: today? we don't know what is holding hashem up today Rabbi Eliezer G: the rebbe has said many times that we must look forward to the Geulah [Redemption] because it is going to arrive at anytime Rabbi Eliezer G: I was speaking of the destruction of the first Holy Temple; I was not reflecting on today SoulOnFire: oh, ok SoulOnFire: thank you very much Rabbi Gurkow Rabbi Eliezer G: you are entirely welcome SoulOnFire: you made me feel better Rabbi Eliezer G: Thank you for visiting Ask Moses today and I invite you to come back at any time Rabbi Eliezer G: I would like to tell you a short story Rabbi Eliezer G: if you have a moment SoulOnFire: please do SoulOnFire: I do Rabbi Eliezer G: ok Rabbi Eliezer G: Rabbi Yoself Weinburg was on his way to South Africa [from NY] Rabbi Eliezer G: as usual he went to the rebbe for a blessing before he left Rabbi Eliezer G: the rebbe, a manhig Yisroel [leader of the Jewish People], who worries for every Jew, sighed: it is a pity that we fly from one large Jewish community to another, flying over little Jewish communities on our way when we might be able to be of assistance to them Rabbi Eliezer G: Rabbi Wineburg thought norhing of it Rabbi Eliezer G: but when his plane got stopped in Dakar Africa for techinical reasons and they were told they would have to wait two days to continue their journey he felt that he has a mission from the rebbe to seek out Jews in this little far away backwater country in Africa Rabbi Eliezer G: he took his black coat and hat and bag found his way to the middle of the city and started to look around for signs of Judaism Rabbi Eliezer G: a man tapped him on the shoulder Rabbi Eliezer G: he turned around and saw a Jewish looking man Rabbi Eliezer G: Rabbi Wineburg, shocked, murmured, Shema Yisroel Rabbi Eliezer G: the man replied Hashem Echod Rabbi Eliezer G: they fell into each other's arms Rabbi Eliezer G: to make a long story short, the man was dating a non Jewish woman and felt really bad about the prospect of marrying outside his faith Rabbi Eliezer G: he was walking down the street at that moment saying to himself, if only hashem sends me a sign that I should remain strong in my Judaism Rabbi Eliezer G: when he saw Rabbi Weinburg! Rabbi Eliezer G: the man ended up marrying a Jew SoulOnFire: you mean marrying a non-Jewish woman?

Rabbi Eliezer G: no he married a Jewish woman Rabbi Eliezer G: and that's not all, he helped to organize the few Jews in Dakar into a cohesive community Rabbi Eliezer G: Rabbi Weinburg sent them Teffilin, taleisim [prayer shawls] and Siddurim Rabbi Eliezer G: he also sent matzos SoulOnFire: so the man was about to marry a non-Jewish woman, and when rabbi Weinburg got in touch with him he decided not to SoulOnFire: and eventually married a jewish woman? Rabbi Eliezer G: yes you understood it correctly Rabbi Eliezer G: the man thanked the rebbe, in a letter, for being the only Jew who cared enough to reach out and help forgotten Jews in far away Dakar Rabbi Eliezer G: that was the Rebbe Rabbi Eliezer G: the rebbe did not know if there were Jews in Dakar Rabbi Eliezer G: (unless he knew through mystical spiritual abilities) Rabbi Eliezer G: but when he heard that someone was going to Africa his first thought was, perhaps there are Jews in the forgotten places that no one thinks about Rabbi Eliezer G: and he never tired of seeking out Jews; this is just one such story of which there are many Rabbi Eliezer G: may we learn from this example and be inspired to reach out to every that we possibly can SoulOnFire: Rabbi, can I ask why you told me this story? SoulOnFire: I don't mean to be rude, but I am curious Rabbi Eliezer G: we were talking about the Rebbe's love for every Jew Rabbi Eliezer G: his aversion to the thought that harm would befall Jews Rabbi Eliezer G: I wanted to paint a picture that would help put it in perspective Rabbi Eliezer G: this story, which I recently read, inspired me greatly and I thought it would be inspirational to hear Rabbi Eliezer G: and I hope it was SoulOnFire: the reason I am asking is that I am thinking about dating a girl who isn't Halachically jewish SoulOnFire: her father is Jewish and her mother isn't Rabbi Eliezer G: wow, I had no idea.... SoulOnFire: and one of the things I told myself was... if only Hashem sent me a sign, then I would do the right thing Rabbi Eliezer G: can this possibly be a sign??? SoulOnFire: sure looks like one! SoulOnFire: you see, I met her a few years ago at Hillel SoulOnFire: the Jewish student organization SoulOnFire: I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time SoulOnFire: but I'd like to tell you about it Rabbi Eliezer G: I have all day SoulOnFire: thank you, I appreciate it SoulOnFire: both of my parents are Jewish SoulOnFire: it's funny, but I don't look Jewish at all SoulOnFire: and that girl looks VERY JEwish SoulOnFire: and when I met her... I thought... this is the girl for me SoulOnFire: and one day... she told me that her mother was Catholic Rabbi Eliezer G: tell me more about her SoulOnFire: well, she's very nice... she reminds me of my mother... SoulOnFire: in any event, I had to go through a harsh medical treatment a while ago SoulOnFire: about x xxxxx ago to be exact SoulOnFire: I just wanted everyone to leave me alone Rabbi Eliezer G: what happened? SoulOnFire: so we stopped dating SoulOnFire: and she found herself another guy Rabbi Eliezer G: how have you felt about her being with someone else? SoulOnFire: a bit angry... but then I didn't blame her for it, afterall, I couldn't give her the attention because I was sick SoulOnFire: but now I am all better SoulOnFire: and I found out that she broke up with her boyfriend SoulOnFire: so I thought we'd give it another shot Rabbi Eliezer G: hmm SoulOnFire: in fact, I saw her last wednesday SoulOnFire: but... SoulOnFire: I've been struggling with Judaism for a very long time SoulOnFire: I listened to the rabbi's class this morning and I heard him say the things I just told you SoulOnFire: and I thought to myself SoulOnFire: first of all... if that were to come true, then it's not the redemption I would look forward to

SoulOnFire: afterall, even if I were one of those Jews who would stay alive, I'd have to bury my friends and relatives

SoulOnFire: a really horrible thought

SoulOnFire: but at the same time

SoulOnFire: if he had been speaking the truth

SoulOnFire: then I must accept it

SoulOnFire: afterall, if G-d is real, then I must accept everything from Him

SoulOnFire: and I told myself, I am looking for a sign

SoulOnFire: I try to go to my local Chabad every week

SoulOnFire: and this morning I was actually thinking of quitting

SoulOnFire: but now that you've told me this story

SoulOnFire: it's going to definitely change things

SoulOnFire: in fact

SoulOnFire: one of the things you told me

SoulOnFire: let me scroll up

SoulOnFire: Rabbi Eliezer G : he was walking down the street at that moment saying to himself, if only hashem sends me a sign that I should remain strong in my Judaism

SoulOnFire: that describes exacly how I've been feeling

SoulOnFire: this is very powerful

Rabbi Eliezer G: wow

Rabbi Eliezer G: this is as inspiring to me as it is to you

SoulOnFire: I really don't see myself dating that girl

SoulOnFire: she's very nice, and she's going through a tough break-up from what I understand

SoulOnFire: I need to find a way to handle it

SoulOnFire: but you've really put things in perspective for me

SoulOnFire: when I saw that girl I made it clear to her that I wanted to start dating again

SoulOnFire: and now I need to let her know that it's not going to happen

Rabbi Eliezer G: Hashem brings us together in ways that we know not how

Rabbi Eliezer G: but in ways that are beneficial to us all

Rabbi Eliezer G: netier you or I knew that we would talk this morning

Rabbi Eliezer G: I had no idea that I would be inspired to tell you this story when you first came on

Rabbi Eliezer G: and here, we were brought together

Rabbi Eliezer G: my friend, hashem does not send signs every day

Rabbi Eliezer G: it is an incredible kindness that He has shown you and me today

Rabbi Eliezer G: let's not waste the message of this sign

Rabbi Eliezer G: take it to heart

Rabbi Eliezer G: and do me one favor please

Rabbi Eliezer G: I will make the same request of you that Rabbi Weinburg made to that Jew in Dakar

SoulOnFire: what kind?

Rabbi Eliezer G: send me an invitation to your wedding, whenever it happens, to the Jewish girl that you will choose

Rabbi Eliezer G: write down my address

Rabbi Eliezer G: 5xx Huxxx Street, Lxxxxx, XN x5xx6

Rabbi Eliezer G: this will be something tangible to remind you of the miracle we both wittnessed today over ask moses

Rabbi Eliezer G: and remember when the time comes send me an invitation please

SoulOnFire: I will

Rabbi Eliezer G: I will look forward to it

Rabbi Eliezer G: and wherever it may be, I will bli neder make an effort to attend

SoulOnFire: now I have to find her

SoulOnFire: not an easy task :)

Rabbi Eliezer G: with a miracle like the one we wittnessed today, there is no reason why you cant move forward with another miracle

Rabbi Eliezer G: this boy in Dakar found a Jewish girl in France

Rabbi Eliezer G: if he found one while living in Dakar you will find one from wherever you live

SoulOnFire: wow, you don't know how much this all means to me

SoulOnFire: I don't know how to express my gratitute

Rabbi Eliezer G: Your gratitude and mine belongs to Hashem who brought us together. It means so much to me too to be a part of this

SoulOnFire: I'm pretty speechless

SoulOnFire: I'll be thinking about this chat for months

SoulOnFire: years

SoulOnFire: probably my whole life

SoulOnFire: and it came so unexpectedly

Rabbi Eliezer G: may it be for a blessing to us both

SoulOnFire: thank you

SoulOnFire: and that's a huge thank you