Call of Moshiach 3 - The Time is Now

In this podcast, we continue our discussion with the precedent for Am Yisrael to be saved by someone who does not seem to be a righteous individual, as represented by Yiftach HaGiladi. We also explore the idea of the call of Ezra and Nechemia who called the Jews back from their 70 year exile in Babylon, and the very few who heeded the call, although the 2nd Beis Hamikdash (Temple) was already rebuilt. We are charged not to make the same mistake.

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Running time: 19:30

Call of Moshiach 2 - Moshiach is Happening

In this second episode of the Call of Moshiach podcast, we continue discussing the description from the passuk in Yeshaya which tells of Hashem's 'whistling' to Am Yisrael - hinting to us to initiate the ingathering of the exiles - and how the Moshiach comes through the leadership of 'impure birds.'

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Running time: 15:58

Ki Seitze - Moshiach Comes When We Go To The Root

What is the depth of the mitzvah of the sending away the mother bird if one wants to take the chicks or the eggs? Why do we 'honor' the mother bird in 'the merit' of her children? How is the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird related to respecting one's father and mother? Why does the Midrash state that fulfilling this mitzvah leads to the coming of Moshiach? What is the idea of 'sending' that is found both in the context of the mother bird as well as Moshiach? Why does Yaakov talk so much about his future offspring when he returns to Israel and encounters Esav? How does Yaakov counter Esav's claim of having respected his father by talking about his offspring? Why does the mitzvah of honoring one's parents come in the context of keeping Shabbos?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 33:52

Moshiach Comes With Tears

Why were Yitzchak's eyes clouded over? What was the evil of Esav that he was not meant to see? Why were the angels crying at the binding of Yitzchak? Why did it take almost 80 years for those tears to have an effect and cloud his vision? What is the connection between the Akeida (binding) and Yaakov stealing the blesings? Why do the righteous people cry at the advent of Moshiach, as the ego-Evil Inclination is slaughtered? What do those tears have to do with the tears of the angels?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:53

Moshiach, Tisha B'av and the Fall of Persia (Iran) - Moshiach Podcast 16

Why did Reish Lakish - who lived in Israel - get upset at the Babylonian Rabba bar Bar Chana? Would the Beis Hamikdash have been destroyed if all the Jews returned from Bavel when it was built? What is the prerequisite for the Divine Presence to dwell upon the Holy Temple? Why can't the third Beis Hamikdash be built with the permission of the nations of the world? Why will the Persians be destroyed if they were the ones who allowed the second Temple to be built? Why does the Moshiach ben Yosef process begin with the permission of the Nations, which is not the case with Moshiach ben Dovid? Why did we rebuild in 1948 with the permission of Harry Truman, but in 1967 - we received Judea and Samaria, and the Har Habayis and Jerusalem against the will of the Nations?

We discuss all these things and more in the 16th Moshiach Podcast.

Gog Umagog Part 3 (World War III) - Moshiach Podcast 15

What is the idea behind the three wars of Gog Umagog? Why is there a gap of 70 years from the first two until the third one? Why hasn't this third war happened yet if the 70 years have already elapsed? What does the initial restored kingdom of the Jewish people look like? Why does the process begin in a natural way (Moshiach ben Yosef) and then switch to the supernatural (Moshiach ben Dovid)? Why does it seem like the Ashkenazic world has taken a stronger leadership role in the Land of Israel in contrast to the Sefardic world? Could this have been foretold by the prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel)? What is the meaning of the prophecy that Persia-Iran will face of with Edom-The West? Who will be the ultimate victor in that final war? Who is "Aram" in today's world?

Find out in this eye-opening edition of the Moshiach Podcast.

Moshiach Process Coming to a Close - Moshiach Podcast 14

We explore the Yalkut Shimoni in Yeshaya 60 which describes how Moshiach (ben Yosef) stands on the Beis Hamikdash and heralds the redemption, saying, "If you don't believe it, see the light that's shone." One of the main aspects of Moshiach ben Yosef is that the process unfolds before us, and it is almost impossible to discern, much like the story of Yosef with his brothers, where they were unable to recognize him. We explore the statement of the Gra (Vilna Gaon), which places Moshiach ben Yosef corresponding to the world of Esav/The West; and Moshiach ben Dovid corresponding to the world of Yishmael/Arab World. We explore the ramifications of that insofar as the Sefardic and Ashkenazic communities. We also touch on the Chofetz Chaim's prophetic prediction during World War I of a second, more serious war to come 25 years later, and the third one, that is yet to come.

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For Previous Moshiach Podcasts, Please visit this page: https://arigoldwag.com/understanding-moshiach/

Tzav - Expansion within Corona's Constriction

How were all of the Jewish people able to fit in the small space in front of the entrance of the Mishkan-Tabernacle? Why specifically at this moment in time was this miraculous experience shown to them? What did Hashem want to teach His people as he did this again when they were entering the land and the entire nation fit between the staves of the ark? How will all the nations of the world gather in the times of the Moshiach to the Throne of Hashem in Jerusalem - where will they fit? What is the depth of the concept that in the spiritual realms something expansive can fit into a constricted place?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Moshiach, Return to Adam Harishon, and Rosh Hashana 5780

What is the meaning of the verse that Hashem will remove the walls around our hearts in the times of Moshiach? What does this have to do with Rosh Hashana? How does this connect to Shavuos and the receiving of the Torah? What happened when Hashem placed the mountain over heads? What is the central theme of Rosh Hashana? How are we to relate to crowning Hashem our King? How can we trust that we will be blessed with a sweet new year? What are we to expect for the year 5780?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 26:42

Ki Seitze - Avoiding Gossip

What does the midrash mean when it says that 'a person can not see their own blemish?' What are the primary causes of the tzora'as affliction? How does the negativity embodied in speaking gossip spread? How does speaking gossip lead to denying Hashem's existence? What is the rectification of this, and how does it lead us to the times of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:24

MBD vs. Yishmael & MBY vs. Edom (part 2)

Here are a few more questions that I've been wondering about lately.

Why did Hashem decide that in 1948 we would lose the old city of Jerusalem and access to the Har Habayis? Why did we have to experience such an unbelievable miracle in 1967 with the re-unification? Why couldn't we just get it all at once?

There is a famous story quoted by the sefer Lev Eliyahu (Volume Shemos - Parshas Yisro p. 172) about the Chofetz Chaim. I'm now quoting directly from the sefer, which is a quote of the words of R' Elya Lopian (my own translation from the original Hebrew):

"I heard in London from the holy mouth of R. Elchanan Wasserman Zt'l, who said it in the name of the Chofetz Chaim ztvk'l, that our sages say that the war of Gog and Magog will be three times. At the time, it was after the first world war, and the Chofetz Chaim said that this war [that had just occurred] was the first Gog Umagog war. [He said that] in another approximately 25 years there would be another world war, which would make the first one look like nothing. Afterwards there will be a third Gog Umagog war - 'a time of trouble for Jacob, from which they will be saved.'"

I've always wondered - what is the idea of three wars? Obviously the first two have already passed. Is it possible that the first two had to do with MBY and therefore took place in the lands of Edom, affecting mostly Ashkenazic Jewry? Is it possible that we are witnessing currently the the third Gog Umagog war already - and it is connected to MBD and the world of Yishmael; hence the tremendous upheavals in the Arab world?

And how does Eretz Yisroel play into all this - it was spared from Hitler's wrath in WWII - and yet it seems to be center stage right now.

Other questions to ponder:

Why did the Ashkenazic world experience such religious devastation - being ravaged by the reform and conservative movements? Why did the Sephardic world not have so much infiltration - and largely remained either religious or traditional?

Why has Israel seemed to almost completely keep out the elements of the reform and conservative movements? And yet, why has Israel for the most part been ruled by Ashkenazic leaders who are irreligious?

Could there be a radical difference between what an MBY war of Gog Umagog looks like and an MBD war of Gog Umagog looks like? Is there any precedent for such a difference in previous examples of geulah/redemption? Are there any sources in the gemara for such a difference?

Behar-Bechukosai - Facing Redemption with Faith

What is the concept of faith as opposed to 'keri' - happenstance? How does the challenge of faith apply someone who already has faith in Hashem? Why is the punishment for lack of faith worse than just not doing Hashem's will? What is the unique challenge of our times - the lead up to the Messianic age?

 

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 

Running time: 27:11

Acharei-Kedoshim - Holy Extremes

Why are the countries of Egypt and Canaan pointed out for their moral decadence in regards to forbidden marital relationships? Why does the Torah seem to indicate that this is true because the Jewish people were there? Why must the Jewish people encounter such moral impurity? What is the net effect on each of the sides - holiness and impurity? What is the lesson for ourselves in the times before Moshiach? How can we defend ourselves from the decadence of our current society?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:38

Vayigash - Times of Redemption

Why does the midrash quote verses which are references to the final redemption in speaking of the resolution of the story of Yosef? What are the characteristics of the Messianic age? Why are people going to be brought back to life first with their imperfections, and only then be healed by Hashem? What is the depth of the concept of redemption, and the Hebrew word Geulah?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:26

Nitsavim-Vayelech - Return to Paradise

Why does the Torah preface the commandment to repent (Teshuva) with a description of what life will be like after the Messiah's arrival? What is the difference between our state at present, and the way it will be when the Messiah arrives? What is the concept of the orlas halev (barier on the heart)? How does one do Teshuva? What is the effect of doing Teshuva (repenting)?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:58

Ki Seitze - Compassion and Fellowship

What is the depth of the idea of sending away the mother bird when taking the chicks? Why does the Gemara say that it is improper to say that this mitzvah indicates that Hashem has compassion upon the animals? Why does our midrash indicate the opposite? How does fulfilment of this commandment bring closer the days of Moshiach? What is the connection to the mitzvah of steering away from gossip? Why does the midrash conclude in that context, as well, with the concept of the coming of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 27:05

Chukas - Serving with Awe and Love

What was the depth of the sin of Moshe in hitting the rock instead of speaking to it? What would have happened had he not done so? How does this idea parallel the way we learn Torah? Why is the study Torah analogous to water? What is the difference between a relationship of awe and a relationship of love? What will our relationship with Hashem look like in the times of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:21

Tazria-Metzora - Winds of Changw

What are the causes of the spiritual disease of Tzara'as-Leprosy? Why is the person who contracts it referred to as Adam? What are the 'measures of the winds' referred to in the verse in Job? What is the concept of the winds of destruction that threatened the world in the time of Job, Jonah and Elijah? Why is the Messiah referred to as the 'wind of our nose?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:13

Vayigash - Exile and Redemption

What is the significance of Chushim ben Dan's arrival on the scene in Egypt as Yosef was about to reveal himself to his brothers? Why does he also play a significant role as Yakov is about to be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs? How does this parallel what will happen in the future in the war of Gog and Magog, when Sherya, a great-grandson of Dan will fight side by side with Moshiach ben Dovid? Why does Yosef have his dreams twice, but they do not seem to be fulfilled immediately - as opposed to Pharaoh who had his dream repeated, and Yosef interpreted this to mean it would occur immediately?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:39

Devarim-Tisha B'av - Unifying Duality

Why is the lesson of Devarim before Tisha B'av? How did Moshe become able to speak so eloquently when he originally categorized himself as 'heavy of tongue?' What does it mean that the Torah 'cures the tongue?' What is the significance of the teaching that a sefer Torah can be written in any language, or at least in Greek? What is the idea of the description of the tablets as being written 'on both sides?' Why is 'both sides' also the description of the fruit trees that grow from the river that flows from the Holy Temple of the future?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:50