The Klipah and the Shell, Satan's grip on our Jewish women

I was going to write an article about the "shell", in Hebrew it can be written as Klipah.  Let me find you quotes from Jewish sources about the definition of klipah, or klipot (in plural).

In Kabbalah, the forces of evil are referred to as Klipot. This is the Hebrew word for a shell or a husk. A Klipah encases that which is in it, in essence holding what is inside it prisoner. Yet, a Klipah is not a room like a jail cell. A Klipah is more like a second skin. Within a jail cell, there is room to maneuver. Within a Klipah, there is no room whatsoever. Source: http://www.koshertorah.com/exposing%20the%20face%20of%20evil.html

Google's web definition gives me this:

klipah  

Web definitions (li. "husk") the Kabbalistic term for evil, which is extraneous to, and concealing of, the kernel of good within. www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1847/jewish/…

 From Chabad.org, we have this:

Kelipah: (lit. “shell”) the outer covering which conceals the G-dly light within all creation; hence, the unholy side of the universe

A great article to read about this concept can be found here, http://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380687/jewish/The-Other-Side.htm

Evil and impurity are often referred to in the Zohar as "the other side" [sitra achra], meaning the side distinct from, and opposed to, holiness. Evil is also referred to askelipa, meaning literally "shell" or "bark". The kelipa conceals within it a spark of holiness, which is the vital force by virtue of which the kelipa exists, analogous to a fruit surrounded by a shell or peel. In order to release the holy spark the encumbering shell must be removed.The fourth level envelops the spark of holiness

The Zohar distinguishes among fourkelipot, three of which are entirely evil.

The fourth, kelipat noga, is the shell which actually envelops the spark of holiness. It thus has direct contact with holiness and is not entirely evil. The other three kelipot surround kelipat noga and are therefore further removed from holiness.

All matters pertaining to the prohibitions of the Torah (the forbidden objects, actions, utterances, thoughts, etc.) derive from the sitra achra, from the three impure kelipot. Those matters which are permitted by the Torah (but do not pertain in a direct manner to the commandments of the Torah) derive from kelipat noga.
[From the "Fiftieth Gate" edition of the Zohar, Introduction]

Now that you have probably understood the entire concept of evil, tumah and klipah, you will understand wny the Satan has grabbed our Jewish women so tightly in a shell (pardon my pun) with the ever so addictive "shell" piece of immodest clothing.

It is time the courageous women of our Am Yisrael speak out about this.  And I was going to write an article addressing just this prutzdik type of clothing, but alas, others have beaten me to it.  I thank these bloggers, for saving me time, and I applaud them for speaking up and speaking out about this.

Here are two articles that I can find in the blogosphere that support my humble opinion about the Jewish women's obsession with the klipah, aka shell.

First article, reposted here.  The authors of these articles have my utmost gratitude.

An Open Letter Concerning the Immodesty of Shells Worn as Outer Garments

My Dear Chaveirim,

The wearing of elastic, tightly fitted, and thin shells as outer garments by women in the Orthodox Jewish community is becoming widespread. In the view of numerous rabbanim with whom I have sought guidance, the shells worn as such often violate laws of tzniusas well as those prohibiting following in the ohudv ,ueuj. I am writing to you to direct your attention to the issue.

Shells originally entered the Orthodox Jewish world as a mechanism for countering mild transparency in women’s garments. Worn as an undergarment for blouses and dresses that were borderline modest, the shells added bulk to the materials to render them opaque. While not the pinnacle of modesty, this approach did help to achieve a basic modesty for women that struggled to find intrinsically modest garments in stores. It is important to note that the shells purchased for this purpose were sized to be tight-fitting so that they would fit under the outer garment. They were constructed of light and elastic material for the same purpose.

In recent months however, many women have taken to wearing the same tight-fitting shells with garments that are not themselves modest in any sense of the term. I refer to tank tops, vests, halter-tops, spaghetti string tops, short sleeve shirts, and sleeveless dresses. The idea seems to be that pairing a patently immodest garment with another patently immodest garment will somehow yield a modest one. However, the wearing of tight-fitting shells as an outer garment on the shoulders, back, arms, and, chest is immodest.

On the subject of tight-fitting clothing and shells, the distinguished posek HaRav Yaakov E. Forchheimer, t’’yhka, ofLakewood, New Jersey, writes as follows:

A woman’s clothing is not merely intended to cover the body, but to conceal its shape as well. For this reason, clothing should be loose-fitting, not snug. An outfit that covers as required yet shows one’s figure incites the yetzer hara and is therefore forbidden. In addition, an article of clothing can often fit so closely that one can make out the shape of the undergarments. This is also forbidden. Clothing made of certain materials (such as Spandex, Lycra, microfiber and the like) can be particularly problematic as they are stretchy and clingy and can make a garment too form-fitting even if the garment is the right size.

This is applicable to shells as well. A shell worn in a manner in which it is clearly visible (such as if the upper garment is left somewhat open or if the shell is worn under a lace top) must be loose, so as not to reveal the shape of the body. Recently many of the shells on the market have a very snug fit. These shells may not be worn in the above manner.

Many people have some difficulty in defining for themselves what falls into the category of tight or form-fitting. Unfortunately, today’s frame of reference has changed due to the fact that clothing is being manufactured in tighter styles than in the past. What used to be perceived as normal can mistakenly be seen as oversized by today’s norms. In addition, the manufacturers are deliberately mislabeling the garments leading customers to purchase clothes that are too tight for them (for example, a woman who knows her size to be a medium will buy a garment labeled “M”, which really should be labeled small). To help one make the proper judgment, it is strongly advisable for every woman to have someone reliable to whom she can show her clothes in order to determine what is appropriate and what is not. In addition, a woman should keep in mind when shopping that the labels are misleading, and that in order to find something appropriate for her true size she many need to purchase garments one or two sizes larger than usual. (kkv,, thv, A Practical Guide to Tznius, pp. 32-3, published by iuhkd, 62 Arosa Hill, Lakewood, NJ, 08701)

In personal communication with the writer of this letter, Rabbi Forchheimer stated that it is prohibited to wear tight clothing on the shoulders and “It is a proper and recommended practice to cover the upper arms with a loose garment.”

As HaRav Pesach Eliyahu Falk t’’yhka explains in his bookModesty – An Adornment for Life, p. 292, the power of the arms to attract is clearly noted in Torah literature. The Midrash (Bereishis80:5) tells us that the exposing of Dinah’s arms triggered the tragic incident with Shechem. Rabbi Falk points out that the Chofetz Chaimzt’l and the Gerer Rebbe zt’l wrote public letters that specifically mentioned the need to cover arms. Says Rabbi Falk, “This should strengthen our realization that a woman’s arms have a powerful effect of inviting undesirable attention.” It is the view of this writer that today’s skintight elastic garments produce an effect similar to that of exposing bare arms.

In addition to violations of tznius, the wearing of shells with intrinsically immodest garments involves a possible Torah prohibition against following in the ways of the gentiles. Rabbi Forchheimer writes as follows:

The ost ,nfj writes that one who wears non-Jewish styles of clothing transgresses the  t,hhruts ruxht of  ufk, tk ovh,ueujcu(among other ihutk), which is punishable in beis din with,uekn. This issur applies to any style of clothing which thegoyim manufacture for the sake of pritzus. (A Practical Guide to Tznius, p. 35)

There are options other than shells for women who seek a garment to supplement dresses and tops that do not fall under the category of ohudv ,ueuj. These options, which are widely available, are blouses and dress shirts. Made of a stiffer, thicker cotton or polyester, they do not cling to the skin and reveal body shape. These garments are in themselves modest or borderline modest such that pairing them with another garment will render a far more acceptable look than a shell with the same garment. Every school day Bais Yaakovgirls in uniforms wear modest dress shirts.

It should go without saying that this letter is not meant to minimize the general challenge faced by Jewish women in maintainingtznius in this deeply troubled era. It should also go without saying the tremendous importance, the centrality, of tznius within the community and in the religious service of Jewish women. As theMidrash says about Hashem’s formation of the first woman, “As He created each limb, He said to her, ‘Be a modest woman, a modest woman.’” (Midrash Rabbah, Bereishis 18:2)

With hopes for the speedy arrival of Moshiach,

A Concerned Member of the Community

Source: http://btinanewkey.blogspot.com/2013/05/an-open-letter-concerning-immodesty-of.html

Second article reposted here.

Are Layering Shells Kosher or even Modest?

According to the Gemara (Kesubos 72b), Chazal states that a woman violates Das Yehudis (Das Yehudis refers to laws of modesty based on convention (and enforced with rabbinic rulings)) if she spins in public and reveals her arms to people. The upper arm of a woman has a powerful potential to arouse unwanted attention of the opposite gender. The Midrash states that "Rav Shmuel Bar says that Shechem son of Chamor saw her (Deenah) and was attracted to her by procuring a glimpse of her arms and this aroused his distressing interest in her."


The elbow has the same halachos as the upper arm and must be completely covered since the upper arm occupies a substantial part of the elbow. The upper arms may not be visible through the sleeves and this includes see-through sleeves or tight-fitting sleeves. Rabbi Falk discusses this in "The Tznius Handbook" on pages 32 and 167.


How about layering shells? Layering shells that are so popular among the masses today are made with soft, thin, stretchy material that when worn, are very tight on the body, including the arms. These shells would not be appropriate for a Bas Yisrael. These shells can be worn underneath an opaque blouse that covers over the shell however, this then defeats the purpose of the shell. If the shell is worn underneath a very loose and open cardigan, that would expose the parts of the shell which exposes the shape of the wearer, then it would also not be kosher.

Popular mass-marketed layering shell, comes in different colors and sizes
As you can see, the shell hugs the wearer showing off the curves

When worn under another blouse of the this type also made of stretchy tight material,
reveals the shape of the wearer in a very  immodest way

It doesn't matter whether you are skinny or more endowed, the shell makes you immodest!
It's like you're wearing a leotard in public.

Don't throw away your layering shells yet. You can recycle them into modest headcoverings. Snoods, for example, are usually made with stretchy knits. ModestAnytime.com offers lots of snoods made with these stretchy knits that cover your head well.

Source: http://modestjewishclothing.blogspot.com/2011/12/are-layering-shells-kosher.html

I rest my case.  I wish you all a Chag Sameach and learn from our mother of Moshiach, mother of tznius, Ruth the Moabitess, her modest ways in order to bring Hashem into our midst, right now, and Moshiach will come sooner than later because of it!

Wig Obsession Continued

“You spend $5,000 on a wig — you don’t want to mess around with it,” Ms. Blum said. “We don’t have to wear a wig out of modesty. We do it because it’s what God wants us to do.”

Looking modest is not a strong suit here at the Julien Farel salon on Madison Avenue, where Ms. Tanaka works. A wash-cut-blow dry for a wig can take more than two hours, and her prices start at $450.

“They’re paying too much for modesty,” Ms. Tanaka said. “My clients want me to cover their head with something that looks better than their own hair.”   Source: NY Times

The above quote thinking that Hashem wants the Jewish women to cover their hair with wigs is totally preposterous!  That's one of the issues of the day that may be preventing Moshiach from coming sooner.

Lastly, from a current Breslov Rav:

A Haredi woman says (wearing her long Euro-Kastem $1600 wig and her long but quite-tight satin dress that accents every curve), "Do you expect me to dress like a yachna (Yiddish for 'old hag')? I wouldn't be caught dead like that!" Hey lady, if you continue dressing the way you do, you are creating the sword which will "catch you dead."

So maybe you're asking, "What can I do if the whole world is off its rocker and I guard my eyes?" Or, "What can I do if all the women are 'in style' and I dress like 'Little House on the Prairie?" Rav Shalom that you're doing a lot - you just might save the Jewish people.  

Brave Rabbi's Dialog with Iranian TV -- הדיאלוג של הרב אמיץ בטלביזיה איראנית

A Chassidic Rabbi out of Monsey, is doing his best to explain the Jewish view of the many aspects of Jews and Judaism on Iranian TV. His name is Rabbi David Eidensohn, who has acquired a huge number of following on YouTube.  As an attempt to clarify the Charedi position on Israel and Iran, he has done a good job, in my humble view.

Open dialog with mutual respect for each other, to demistify the myths of the Jews and explain it with sweetness according to Torah seems to be the trend nowadays.  YouTube is full of intellectual debates between atheists and clergy, and civilized enemies of different nations.  

I wish much success to Rabbi Eidonsohn and his "kiruv" work to the nations.  Maybe this will make our transition to Moshiach much easier, kein y'hi ratzon, without a nuclear war. 

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Amalek and Atheism in America, עמלק ואתאיזם באמריקה

Rabbi Mashiach Kelaty (the Rabbi's name is just amazing. I know of Israelis whose last name is Mashiach alone) points out that the mitzvah of eradicating the memory of Amalek is today targeted towards the Atheists, the enemy of Hashem.

He is not wrong.  It is not surprising that in a recent American debate held in intellectual circles, hosted by Intelligence Squared, the audience voted for the motion to get rid of religion.  59% supports the notion that the world is better off without religion, 31% against and 10% undecided.

Source: http://youtu.be/NNuJ6A6iGP4

Perhaps the audience has been contaminated with atheists supporters to begin with.   One atheist speaker is a descendant of Darwin himself.   However, unfortunately, one of the speakers for religion is represented by a Reform Rabbi, although he's really polished and brought forth empirical evidence that religious people do more good for the world through charities and undocumented chesed.

The world is going according to Hashem's plan.  The Jews are getting closer to fulfilling the mitzvah of eliminating the memory of Amalek, when Mashiach comes, please G-d, may this be now, we need it more than ever.

Listen to the shiur by clicking on the link:
Rabbi Mashiach Kelaty: Nemesis Rising The Terror Of Amalek

It is very important for a Jew to keep his EMUNA strong! -- Rabbi Kelaty

Related links:

Who Will Battle Amalek? מי ילחם עמלק?

Where can I be safe? איפה אני ניתן בטוח?

Best Tisha B'Av Message 2012 by Rabbi Bentzion Shafier, הודעה הכי טוב בתשעה באב ע"י רבי בנציון שפיר

On this past Tisha B'Av, I was watching a lot of live streaming from TorahAnytime.com and LearnTorah.com.  This segment by Rabbi Bentzion Shafier, IMHO, was the most significant.  I'm glad that TorahAnytime.com was able to capture it and uploaded it to their website (the reason for the Internet).

In this shiur, you'll learn about Dovid HaMelech and his quest for being on par with the Avos and his test that he failed with Bat Sheva, the difference between the Yetzer Hara of a Malach (angel) and of an Adam (man), the levels of modesty that has declined over the century, and what life will be like after Moshiach comes, according to the view of the Rambam.

It is a must watch for all Yidden (except children), it has parenting advice, marriage advice, self-growth advice, teshuva advice and the Internet!

To watch, go here:
We need Moshiach now, and let's do enough teshuva to merit him b'rachamim.

When will Moshiach come? מתי יבוא את המשיח?

 To listen to the shiur based on this document:
MP3

The Appointed Time, במועד שנקבע

This year the 9th of Av falls on Shabbos.  There are certain views in the Gemara that debate over whether Moshiach can come any day of the week, or is he prevented from coming on certain days or even certain months.

For example, the Gemara (Eruvin discusses someone who vows to be a nazir beginning on the day that Mashiach comes. Must he refrain from the activities prohibited to a nazir (e.g. drinking wine) immediately, in case Mashiach comes today? The Gemara rules that he may drink on Shabbos and holidays but not during the week -- because Eliyahu, who will precede Mashiach, will not disrupt our preparations for Shabbos and holidays by coming on the prior day. It seems clear from this Gemara that there are some days -- namely Shabbos and holidays -- on which Mashiach cannot come.

Similarly, the Gemara Rosh Hashanah 10b-11a) contains a debate between R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua over whether the ultimate redemption will happen in the month of Tishrei or the month of Nissan. Clearly, according to either sage, there are 11 months in the year during which Mashiach will not come. And there are other similar passages in the Talmud that limit the days on which Mashiach can come.

Source: Waiting for Moshiach

Since there has been a lot of hype that have probably gone viral, thanks to Mrs Iris Odani Elyashiv, that the appointed time for Moshiach is 9th of Av, 5772, I wonder if this is going to be a problem since 9th Av 5772 falls on Shabbos.  Nevertheless, Rambam seems to hold that Moshiach can come on any day.  We will see who's right.

Is 2012 the Year of Moshiach? האים שנת 5772 שנת את המשיח?

Got this viral video from a Geula-list. It sure is not a Hollywood movie, but a recap of 2012 activities worldwide and we are only in July. More and more world citizens are waking up to a G-d consciousness, thus making preparations for Moshiach easier.

It is time to recite Tehilim 117, the shortest tehila.

This chapter, the shortest of all the Psalms (spanning only two verses), is the fifth chapter in the series of Tehillim that comprise the Hallel service. The Psalmist here calls upon "all the nations" to join in giving praise to the Almighty, because of the immense kindness that He has bestowed upon Am Yisrael. The Radak explains this chapter as referring to the time of Mashiah, when Israel will be redeemed and all nations on earth will come to recognize God. Ibn Ezra, by contrast, maintains that David speaks here of the nations that came under his control during his reign.

Either way, this chapter expresses the notion that the redemption of Israel – either during the time of King David, or during the time of his descendant, the Mashiah – will be followed by the nations' praise of God. When Am Yisrael experiences exile and oppression, the other nations erroneously see our suffering as an indication of our abandonment by God, or of the falsehood of our beliefs. But once God's kindness towards us is clearly manifest, all nations will be compelled to recognize Him as Creator, and to recognize Am Yisrael as His treasured people.

And now, the video...

Do You Care If Moshiach Comes? אכפת לך אם המשיח מגיע?

"Do You Care if Moshiach Comes" is the title of the shiur given by Rabbi Joey Haber of LearnTorah.com. It is an excellent shiur.  The Rabbi tries to answer a series of questions he compiled from his followers in the past how many years ago and brings answers from different sources. The Rabbi quotes the Rambam that Moshiach doesn't have to prove himself by doing miracles, as well as quotes other sources that say otherwise. The Rabbi also covers a little bit of history on Bar Kochba, whom Rabbi Akiva himself was certain he was Moshiach. (In one of my earlier posts, I stated a source that Rabbi Akiva thought that BK was Moshiach ben Yosef, not MBD).

The Rabbi also states that throughout history false messiahs appear before the real Moshiach, so that it would rile up the Jews to think about redemption. The false messiahs include JC, Shabtai Tzvi, Bar Kochba and others.  Interestingly, the article that CNN published concerning Christopher Columbus on his yahrzeit was mentioned as well.  This article, probably written by non-Jews, brought proofs that Columbus was a secret Jew (maranos).  These proofs were based on his last will and testament as well as his correspondence to his son and his financiers as follows:

Two of his wishes -- tithe one-tenth of his income to the poor and provide an anonymous dowry for poor girls -- are part of Jewish customs. He also decreed to give money to a Jew who lived at the entrance of the Lisbon Jewish Quarter.

On those documents, Columbus used a triangular signature of dots and letters that resembled inscriptions found on gravestones of Jewish cemeteries in Spain. He ordered his heirs to use the signature in perpetuity.

 At the top left-hand corner of all but one of the 13 letters written by Columbus to his son Diego contained the handwritten Hebrew letters bet-hei, meaning b'ezrat Hashem (with God's help). Observant Jews have for centuries customarily added this blessing to their letters. No letters to outsiders bear this mark, and the one letter to Diego in which this was omitted was one meant for King Ferdinand.

Scholars point to the date on which Columbus set sail as further evidence of his true motives. He was originally going to sail on August 2, 1492, a day that happened to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, marking the destruction of the First and Second Holy Temples of Jerusalem. Columbus postponed this original sail date by one day to avoid embarking on the holiday, which would have been considered by Jews to be an unlucky day to set sail. (Coincidentally or significantly, the day he set forth was the very day that Jews were, by law, given the choice of converting, leaving Spain, or being killed.)

Columbus' voyage was not, as is commonly believed, funded by the deep pockets of Queen Isabella, but rather by two Jewish Conversos and another prominent Jew. Louis de Santangel and Gabriel Sanchez advanced an interest free loan of 17,000 ducats from their own pockets to help pay for the voyage, as did Don Isaac Abrabanel, rabbi and Jewish statesman.

Indeed, the first two letters Columbus sent back from his journey were not to Ferdinand and Isabella, but to Santangel and Sanchez, thanking them for their support and telling them what he had found.

 The Rabbi does mention the war of Gog uMagog and hopes that it has already occurred as in the 2nd World War, and that we will merit no more wars before Moshiach. The Rabbi also mentions the Internet Asifa and how we are all "lost" to this situation of controlling our access to it.  The whole world needs a wakeup call and we need Moshiach desperately to change our way of life and our way of connecting to Hashem. 

We are in the 49th level of impurity, אנחנו נמצאים ברמה 49 של טומאה

I've been listening to shiurim on torahanytime.com about Galus Yishmael, in which we're in right now, and hopefully the last one.

Rabbi Avraham ben Chaim quotes the Kabbalists that we have entered the 49th level of tuma'ah, and Moshiach should come soon so that Hashem can redeem us before we reach the 50th level, which is total lost of emunah (atheism). Just as our redemption from Mitzrayim was extremely hastened, because waiting one more minute would have brought us down to the 50th level and no hope for redemption, as the Jews would not have wanted to leave even the 20% of them who left (according to Rashi). The good news is that just as it only took us 49 days to climb from the 49th level to the 1st level which led to Matan Torah, it would also take us just as quick if not quicker to jump from the 49th level of tum'ah which we are in now, to the top level of purity during the days of Moshiach, and on that day, Hashem will be one and His name one.

Calculating the Final Redemptionת לחשוב על גאולת הסופי

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein gave a 2-part shiur on calculating the final redemption on TorahAnytime.com recently.

In short, unless you want to do teshuva now, don't bother with calculating the redemption.  "U'va l'tzion Goel l'pesha b'Yaakov, ne'um Hashem" -- The redeemer will come to Tzion to those who do teshuva among Yaakov, declared Hashem!

If you are already busy with Torah and mitzvos, stay on this track and don't bother with calculating the final redemption as it will take you away from your service to G-d.

When Moshiach comes, everyone will know.  Life still goes on except for the removal of the persecution by the goyim from upon us.

Shavuot Can We Determine the date of the Arrival of Mashiach Part 1
Shavuot: Can We Determine the date of the Arrival of Mashiach Part 2

Galut Yishmael and Moshiach, גלות ישמעאל ומושיח

A new mosque appeared in the heart of the Baltimore Jewish community, claiming that the Jewish community welcomes them. Nu?

Some neighborhoods — in Tennessee, Georgia and New York City — have reacted angrily to proposed mosques and Islamic centers. Ahmadi Muslims were blocked in 2008 from building a worship center in Frederick County after residents complained about crowded roads.

Jewish community leaders say they are trying to show the Ahmadi congregation that Pikesville will welcome them. After some people expressed fears about the mosque, neighbors reached out to the Muslim group and encouraged members to introduce themselves to people who live, work and worship nearby.

Traveling down Park Heights, people "see one synagogue after another, and now all of a sudden you will also see a mosque, which is surprising to some people," said Art Abramson, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. He said a "small segment" of the community has expressed fear about the mosque.

Source: Baltimore Sun (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-pikesville-mosque-20120530,0,1118559.story)

I guess the Jewish community is going to start getting used to the speaker-loud blasting of "Allah Hu Akhbar" five times a day, including Shabbos!  A free reminder to the Jews to daven three times a day and be more committed to Hashem -- a blessing in disguise?

Half way around the world in Rosh Pina, EY, the talmidim in AMIT are studying both Talmud and Quran in order to become more intelligent spies in the IDF.

They solve religious quandaries by referring to the Talmud while at the same time perusing the Quran. They study Rambam and watch Al-Jazeera. Welcome to the pre-military academy in Rosh Pina that is training the next generation of Israeli spies and intelligence officers.

Welcome to the pre-military AMIT academy in Rosh Pina, a unique institution that for the last 17 years has been educating and training yeshiva students for army service in intelligence units and for future stints in spy agencies. It is a factory for churning out spies. The unusual back and forth between prayer and intelligence duties will continue once these young men are recruited to units like the IDF's 8200 electronic surveillance unit which is responsible for cracking codes; 504, the Military Intelligence outfit; or the unit under the auspices of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. From there, they will move on to staff jobs and field positions in the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Mossad. 

source: Israel Hayom (http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=4524)

Rabbi Avraham ben Chaim has a series of lectures based on Galus Yishmael at TorahAnytime.com.

Yishmael, the last enemy of Israel

Yishmael Part 2: Our Generation vs The Past

Yishmael Part 3: Our Generation

Yishmael Part 4

Yishmael and Redemption Part 5

Yishmael Part 6

Yishmael and Mashiach Part 7

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein also covers a series on the same topic at TorahAnytime.com.

Galut: Yishmael: and Mashiach

Galut Yishmael and Mashiach Part 2

Galut Yishmael and Mashiach Part 3

I *love* TorahAnytime.com, it is such a blessing for the Internet!

Sarah Imenu, Ruth, and Pole Dancing? Rabbi Wallerstein speaks out against Zumba and Pole Dancing! שרה אמנו, רות, וריקודים הקוטב? הרב ולרשטיין מדבר נגד Zumba ורוקדים הקוטב!

This is an excellent shiur by Rabbi Wallerstein on the topic of Tznius (Modesty) among the righteous Jewish women we have had in our Jewish history.

He speaks out against the current trends among Jewish communities,  mainly America and Israel too, in popular olim-inhabited communities, where foreign dancing is introduced to innocent Jewish girls and women under the name of exercise.  Don't believe it?  Go visit any Anglo-popular community in Israel and see how many women exercise in womens-only studios dancing to this kind of tum'ah, or go check out the kiruv organizations in USA and see how they publicize this type of dancing in their kiruv events for girls and ladies.  Even the local teachers who teach at Charedi and Chardal schools teach this type of dancing in the studios.  No wonder even all the  Torah learning in Israel won't help keep the scuds away.  Jewish women, you have the power to bring Moshiach, wake up and do teshuva!  To listen to this shiur in full, click here.

Now, if only Rabbi Wallerstein were to talk about the immodest dress that Jewish women and girls are crazy about -- it's the skinny shells!  Read this article and this article to explain why it's not kosher.

Troubles before Moshiach,הצרות לפני משיח

It is with a heavy heart that while mourning for the loss of so many tzadikim this week alone, I try to gain chizuk from divrei Chazal.  The Rambam writes:

And now, brothers, you must pay attention and listen carefullly to what I am going to lay out before you. Teach it to children and women so that any questions of belief they may have will be answered, so that the truth will become so firmly lodged in their souls that they cannot budge from it. And you, brothers, be strong and courageous, and be supported by these true verses.

Let not the strength of the enemy's hand and our own nations' weakness frighten you. For this entire situation is no more than a trial and a test so that you can demonstrate your belief and your chosenness to the world.

The Chofetz Chaim elaborates on this point:

Before the coming of Moshiach, Hashem will act in a hurried manner so wondrous that even all who are wise of heart will be unable to fathom it. The troubles and persecutions [of the Jewish people] will follow each other so closely that there will be no space between them. Just as for an expectant woman who is about to give birth, the closer she comes to the moment of birth, the more intense her contractions and her pain, and this is her most reliable indication that the birth is nearing, so too, the wheels of the era will turn fast at the time of the birth pangs of Moshiach.  

Toward the end of the sixth millenium, the heavenly tribunal will wish to settle all accounts opened since the world's creation.  Hashem will want to prepare His world for its new state, the state of redemption.

Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman states:

Since the world will be in a perfected, flawless state during the time of Moshiach, it is necessary for all old accounts to be settled in the period that precedes it.  For piles of accounts have accumulated in heaven from the time of Creation to the present [ that is, sins that man has not yet rectified], and they must be put in order before Moshiach comes.  IT is therefore the duty of every individual to pay what he still owes to heaven -- Ikvesa di Meshicha 18.

The Chessed l'Avaraham expounds:

All those who are stubborn and do not repent will perish.  But anyone who bears the yoke of repentance and accepts the troubles without complaint, putting his shoulder to the task, will be purified and become worthy. HKBH, is an honest and perfectly just Judge, and there is no injustice.  Therefore, He will refine the person time and time again until he is pure and clean silver.  This process will be carried out by the strictest standards of judgment.  In those days, one nation will pulverize another. Israel will be among them in great suffering.  Each nation will want to shear this sheep and eat its meat.  But HKBH will have mercy on His people through the merit of the three Avos and they will become purified and cleansed as a result of these troubles and this judgment. 

Source: The Ishmaelite Exile

Rav Wolbe, zt"l in a dream about Moshiach, הרב וולבה, זצ"ל בתוך חלום על המשיח

Just got this from an anonymous Israeli grapevine, if you are interested.

The following was related to Rabbi Uri Silver (my close friend and a rebbi at Rabbi Senter’s yeshiva) by Rebbitzin Wolbe on February 29th 2012.

Three months earlier Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (author of the Alei Shor and the leading Mashgiach of the last generation) appeared in a dream to his granddaughter. He was very excited and animated - which she mentioned was uncharacteristic for Rav Wolbe who always spoke in a very controlled and measured manner. He was speaking very quickly and was looking upwards (also uncharacteristic) and he said that Mashiach is ready to come, if people would be “concerned for their friends like they are concerned for themselves” then Mashiach will come immediately.

Rebbetizin Wolbe mentioned that it is a mitzva to publicize this dream!

Moshiach ben Yosef, מושיח בן יוסף

My  understanding of Moshiach ben David is that he comes during a time of peace.  So, after listening to the shiur by Mrs Iris Elyashiv, I was very bothered by the fact that according to her MBD will be here to fight all the wars of Gog uMagog for 27 years.

I did my usual research that makes more sense to me.  According to the sefer, On Eagles Wings, by Hershel Brand, (published in 2002), Moshiach ben Yosef has one primary task to perform -- he will lead the Jewish nation in the wars that accompany the birth pangs of MBD, including the war of Gog uMagog.  According to AbarBanel, Rabbi Akiva believed Bar Kochba was the Moshiach only because he thought he was Moshiach ben Yosef.

Because it was an accepted tradition among the Jewish nation that Moshiach ben Yosef will precede Moshiach ben David. He will not come to perform justice and charity, but solely to fight the wars of G-d and to take vengeance on their oppressors. (Abarbanel, Yeshuos Meshicho 1:4)

As Bava Basra 123b states that "Yaakov saw that Esav's descendants could be defeated only by Yosef's descendants," and Bereishis Rabbah 99:2 supports, "In whose hands shall Edom fall? Those of the "Moshiach of war," who descends from Yosef."  The era of MBY will be a time of great distress and persecution for the Jewish nation, culminating in the death of MBY during the battle against Gog uMagog.

Sukkah 52a states the following:

They will look toward Me because of those who they have stabbed; they will mourn him as one mourns an only child" (Zechariah 12:10).  Why is there a eulogy?  There was a disagreement between Rabbi Dosa and the Rabbis.  One said [the prophecy refers to the eulogy that will take place] upon MBY's death.

Rav Sa'adiah Gaon, in Emunos V'Deos 8:5 writes:

They also said that the catalyst for this will be the rise of a man who is a descendant of Yosef in Har HaGalil.  He will gather the remnants of the Jewish nation and turn his attention to the Holy Temple, since Edom has taken hold of it.  He will live there for a while, and afterward a man named Armelius will fight them and conquer the city, kill and take captives, and the man from Yosef will be slain. The nation will be beset by great troubles at that time, the harshest of which willb e the breakdown of relations between the Jewish people and all the nations [ to the point that the nations] will banish them to the desert ....

The banishment to the desert may have been described in my post earlier here, which would be consistent with the quote above.  The question arises "Why do we need two Moshiachs?"  The answer is if the Jewish nation does teshuva, we don't need to go through the path of MBY, and will merit MBD immediately.  However, if we haven't been doing teshuvah (just take a look around), the events of MBY will occur, and it looks to me like we have been heading towards this direction.  Mrs Elyashiv's shiur only supports this belief of mine, with the exception that she believes MBD will arrive this year and fight Gog uMagog, which is inconsistent with the facts above.

Ultimately, Gog uMagog will be defeated in a miraculous way by Hashem Himself, as is explained in Zechariah 14. MBD is attributed by our Sages to fight his wars (againts the wicked among the Jews and the nations) without  exertion, sword or spear.  "He will strike [the wicked] of the world with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked" (Yeshayahu 11:4).

Now, I want to make a very "bold" prediction, based on women's intuition, which might be very wrong, but I'm going to say it nonetheless.  I've been following Moshe Feiglin for a while.  I do admire his courage in the past, speaking out against unjust policies set out by US pressures and against past US presidents.  Amazingly, Moshe Feiglin was born in Haifa, and Haifa, is a city built on top of Har Carmel, part of the Western Galil.  I think of all Jews, Mr. Feiglin, if he wins over the Likud leadership, is compatible with the role of MBY.  Call me crazy, but it's just a woman's intuition.  I do not necessarily support his views on everything, because I'm human and am faulty in every which way, but I think if given the opportunity to fight our battles against the nations, he will fit the role of MBY well.

Moshiach, Tisha B'Av 5772, מושיח תשעה באב 5772

Moriya's Place is pleased to post about this shiur before anyone else in blogo sphere.

This shiur is for ladies but is applicable to every Jew, I believe. Mrs Iris Odani Elyashiv speaks about Moshiach coming this Tisha B'Av 5772 and quotes many, many sources, previously hidden from us because we were not ready. Now, grab your seat belt, and listen to the shiur, and be inspired to do teshuva to be ready for Moshiach when he comes. Because, after he comes, there is no more chance to do teshuva. Mrs. Elyashiv also speaks about the upcoming war of Gog u'Magog and according to her will continue for 27 years. I don't understand that part.

UPDATE  -- Thanks to Google, and Yeranen Yaakov (who also links to this post) has a 2011 article explaining the 27 years:

Here, the Zohar speaks about the 27 years until the end of the century, that in the 73rd year, the war against Yerushalayim will begin, and HKB"H will rain down great hailstones upon the nations of the world, and the period of Mashiah Ben David will begin - that he will be energized to fight the wars of Hashem, and these wars will last 27 years until the end of the century, and then will be the complete unification [of Hashem's Name] and the complete ingathering of the exiles.

So, it seems to me that if MBD comes first before Gog uMagog, there is going to be a lot of war going on which, chas v'shalom, will result in 2/3 of the world being destroyed.  If Gog UMagog comes first before MBD, then the war will only last a few minutes.  Hmm... which one would I prefer?  I would prefer the latter path, of course!  I guess, the excitement about Moshiach coming and having to go through 27 years of war and suffering is not the ideal situation.  But since we have lost our merits of deserving MBD achishenah, we will now have to pay the price for it, suffering with Moshiach.

 If you would like to continue learning with her on teshuva by studying the book of Tomer Devorah (not the blogger!), you can do so at TorahAnytime.com, search for Mrs Elyashiv. Her lectures are for women only!

The most important thing is teshuva.  Rabbi Shimon b. Pazzi said: R. Yehoshua b. Levi said in the name of Bar Kappara: "All who observe the three meals of the Sabbath are spared three calamities: the pangs of the Moshiach, the judgment of Gehinnom, and the war of Gog uMagog. 

Maybe some of you will be distracted by the idea of packing up to go to EY.  Well, do not be distracted and just narrowly-focus on this goal.  Returning to EY without teshuva is not going to save you.  Being in EY is not going to save you. In fact, that is where the brunt of the war of Gog uMagog is going to take place. It has its effects all over the world, I'm sure.  The most important thing is teshuva!  For the men, you must focus on Torah learning, the women, you must focus on the mitzvah of tznius, and encouraging your men (husband and sons) to learn Torah.  Even Mrs Elyashiv is not hurrying up to go back to EY, she is spending the rest of the time teaching Tomer Devorah to encourage us to do teshuva.  Yes, we must have in our minds , preparing to return to EY.  But, let Moshiach lead us to EY, not NBN.

Torah Anytime is not really publicizing this shiur as they would other shiurim, in fact, they are keeping a low profile about it and are not explaining themselves why they are keeping quiet.