Hashem's Magnificent Yom Kippur Miracle

Quoted from http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/

Our sages say that those who enjoy the benefits of miracles have no idea that those miracles have been taking place. Nothing could be truer.

The blogosphere has been buzzing about an Iranian plot to destroy Israel, G-d forbid, this past Yom Kippur. When I first heard the story, I had serious doubts about its veracity. But, with more and more proof piling up, it looks like the real deal.

Hashem foiled an Iranian effort to contaminate Israel with over 40,ooo metric tons (100 million pounds) of radioactive nuclear-contaminated sand. The Iranians had planned to take advantage of the prevailing winds that blow off the Meditteranean to spread the deadly sand all over Israel, Heaven forbid.

The story makes James Bond look like Captain Kangaroo:

On August 21st, 2008, the MV Iran Deyanat (photo, left), an Iranian civilian merchant ship carrying 44,458 dead weight was heading towards the Suez Canal. As it was passing the Horn of Africa, about 80 miles southeast of al-Makalla in Yemen, the ship was surrounded by speedboats filled with members of a gang of Somalian pirates who grab suitable commercial ships and hold them and their cargos and crews for ransom. The captain was defenseless against the 40 pirates armed with AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades blocking his passage. He had little choice other than to turn his ship over to them. What the pirates were not banking on, however, was that this was no ordinary ship.

Within a period of three days, those pirates who had boarded the ship and opened the cargo container with its gritty sand-like contents, all developed strange health complications, to include serious skin burns and loss of hair. And within two weeks, sixteen of the pirates subsequently died, either on the ship or on shore.

At this writing, the MV Iran Deyanat is at anchor, watched closely by American, French and Russian naval units.

Although American intelligence and government sources are maintaining a strictly observed silence, the same does not apply to the Russians and so it is that we learn the real story of the MV Iran Deyanat. She was an enormous floating dirty bomb, intended to detonate after exiting the Suez Canal at the eastern end of the Mediterranean and in proximity to the coastal cities of Israel. The entire cargo of radioactive sand, obtained by Iran from China (the latter buys desperately needed oil from the former) and sealed in containers which, when the charges on the ship are set off after the crew took to the boats, will be blasted high into the air where prevailing winds will push the highly dangerous and radioactive cloud ashore.

Given the large number of deaths from the questing Somali pirates, it should be obvious that when the contents of the ship’s locked cargo containers finally descended onto the land, the death toll would be enormous. This ship was nothing more nor less than the long-anticipated Iranian attack on Israel. Not the expected rocket attacks (which could be intercepted by the Israelis) but an even more deadly and unexpected attack by sea. It is very interesting to note that the Israeli government has in the past few weeks, been loudly demanding that the United States establish a naval blockade of Iran.

The reason for this blockade would be to prevent any more Iranian ships with deadly cargos from attacking either Israel or other targets from the sea.

Conclusion: We should be singing praise to Hashem nonstop day and night. Like we've said here repeatedly, our job is to strengthen emuna, Torah study, and mitzva observance. Hashem will fight our battles for us.

Help Yaakov (Jamey) and Rachel (Tate) Welfeld adopt a baby!!!!

Dear Friends,
We have been married for 15 years. From the very beginning of our marriage, our deepest desire has been to experience the joys of parenthood. Having done everything in our power to achieve this dream biologically, we have now decided that it is time to fulfill our dream of having a family through adoption
While the road towards becoming parents is very exciting for us, it is also a costly one. We find ourselves in the position of needing an extraordinary sum. We need to raise $40,000.00. We are turning to you in the hopes that you may be able to help us achieve our dream.

Donations can be made out to ATIME with #43RW (Welfeld) in the memo.
Our address is
1540 Mason Mill Rd
Atlanta Ga 30329

Thank you and be blessed
Yaakov and Rachel Welfeld

Mee L'Hashem eilai!!!!!! 1st Annual Family Jewels campaign!!!!

Uman Uman Rosh Hashana!!!!
Yishuv Eretz Yisroel!!!!
Pidyon Nefesh!!!!
Beis Mikdash Mi-at!!! The Shul!!!!!
And more....
And more........
More info to come. Any questions, comments, suggestions, or even donation information, ogozwrld - aol.com
tizku l'mitzvos......
Etan

And back to Beha'aloscha!!! Lighting the light of Simcha!!!Joy!!! Roanee V'Simchee bas Tzion...Sing and be glad, O daughter of Tzion.....

This past weeks haftorah; Roanee v"simchee (Zechariah 2:14-4:7), which is also read on Shabbos Chanukah, tells us the story of when Zechariah the prophet had a vision of the Menorah.

4: The angel who spoke with me returned and woke me, as a man is awakened from his sleep. He said to me , "What did you see?" I said, " I see, and behold! - there is a Menorah made entirely of gold with its bowl on its top, and its seven lamps are upon it and there are seven tubes to each of the lamps that are on its top. And two olive trees are near it, one to the right of the bowel and one to its left". And I spoke up and said to the angel that was speaking to me, saying "What are these, my lord?" The angel who was speaking to me spoke up and said "Do you not know what they are?" I said "No, my lord."

So we see from this that Zechariah just like Moshe rabeinu had trouble understanding the Menorah. What made it hard to understand were the two olive trees which represent the tree of life and the tree of death, which represent the side of holiness and the "other" side which opposes the side of holiness. Its a constant battle and there are more than a few times that the other side overpowers the holy side. That's what Moshe rabeinu and Zecharya the navi couldn't understand. How could we win this war if the other side wins so many battles, and resembles such a great huge mountain? What is the answer? How do we win one battle at a time and win the war at the end? The navi tells us...

He spoke up and said to me, saying, "This is the word of Hashem to Zerubbabel, asying, "Not through armies and not through might, but through My spirit, says Hashem , Master of Legions. Who are you, O great mountain - before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!!!

What's this got to do with simcha/joy? Because the spirit of Hashem which we are meant to emulate, is joy. With joy we can not only move mountains, we can even obliterate them!!!!

The author of Shmuot Tovot reports that the following was said by
"the great luminary," Reb Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch, of blessed
memory, to the holy master, Reb Meshulam Zushia [aka the Rebbe, Reb
Zushia] of Anipoli, when the latter drew himself close to the path of
Reb Dov Ber.

In the service of the Creator, you should teach yourself three things
from a child:
1)Always be happy;
2)Don't be idle;
3)Cry for what you want.

And seven things from a thief:
1)He works at night,if he doesn't get what he wants the first night, he works for it a second night
2)They all love each other
3)He'll work hard for something small
4)Even though he worked hard to get it,it's not worth a lot to him
5)He'll sell a $5 item for pennies
6)Even if he gets pummeled and tortured, he remains firm
in his conviction;
7)He loves his craft and wouldn't trade it or exchange it for anything.

The Shmuot Tovot concludes: Dear reader -- reflect and consider the
profundity of these words and the advice for serving God they
contain.

(c) Copyright 2008 Breslov Research Institute

Have a great day!!! And a great week!!!
Etan

Behaloscha! Light the light!!!!

Coming soon, bli neder!!!! :>)

Never enough blessing!!! Birkas Kohanim - Parashas Nasso/Shavuos/Kabalas Ha'Torah!!!

We find in yesterdays parasha, Nasso, Birkas Kohanim / The Priestly Blessing. To see a nice peirush on the brachos that we've quoted a few times see here.

The following is quoted from The Midrash Says. If we knew this book cold we'd be doing ok.

The kohanim are commanded to bless the Jewish people every day during the morning prayers(Which is what we kohanim do here in Israel). The priestly blessing is recited in the last blessing of the shmona esrai prayer.
Hashem told Moshe to command the kohanim, "Thus (Koh) shall you bless the Bnai Yisroel...." "Thus" denotes that the kohanim are required to bestow the blessing in the following manner:
Standing
Raising their hands
Facing the community
Saying the blessing in lashon hakodesh
In the Beis Ha'Mikdash, enunciating Hashem's Four-Letter-Name as it is written.

The lashon of Koh (Thus) is an allusion to Avraham Avinu whom Hashem blessed, "Koh tehiu zarecha/Thus shall your seed/offspring be" (Beraishis 15:5).

Prior to birkas kohanim, the kohanim recite the blessing "Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with Aharon's kedusha/holiness and commanded us to bless His people Yisroel with love.
Why is Aharon in this blessing? Aharon's descendants, the kohanim, were accorded the honor of bestowing the blessing of peace on K'lal Yisroel in the merit of Aharon who loved peace and brought peace wherever he noticed discord or strife.

Birkas kohanim consists of three verses.
1:"יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶך/Yivarechicha Hashem Vyishmerecha/ May Hashem bless you and protect you (from thieves)." - This verse promises material riches and success. This verse contains 3 words corresponding to the three forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yackov.
יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיך וִיחֻנֶּךָָּ":2/Yaer Hashem Panav eilecha v'yeechooneka /May cause his Shechina to shine upon you, and may He grace you with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of His Torah." - The Word Cheinָ/Grace denotes an attachment not derived logically or rationally. We ask Hashem to bestow His blessings upon us even if we are undeserving. We request to be blessed as a gift of grace, because of Hashem's love for us. This verse contains five words, corresponding to the five Books of the Torah. The Torah was given in the merit of the three forefathers.
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם" :3/Yisah Hashem Panav eilecha va'yasem lecha Shalom/May Hashem lift up His face to you, and give you peace." - This third verse is a culmination of the previous two. We desire the material and the spiritual blessings only in order to achieve the ultimate blessing of closeness to Hashem, which translates as goodness and peace. "May Hashem lift up His face to you.." denotes Hashem's full personal concern for each Jew, the closest type of relationship, which the Jewish people
are ultimately promise.The blessings conclude with peace, for there is no enjoyment of any other blessing unless a person is at peace.
This third verse contains seven words, suggesting the seven heavens, in allusion to the kohanim's wish to the Jewish people"May He Who dwells in the seven heavens bless you".

When the kohanim raise their hands, the community should listen attentively and in awe. It is a time of Heavenly good will, when the upper and lower spheres are showered with blessings.

How is birkas kohanim different from all other Torah blessings? The other promised blessings come true if the Jewish people achieve perfection in Torah study and the fulfillment of mitzvos. Birkas kohhanim, however, is bestowed upon the Jewish people unconditionally.


May we all merit to recieve all of the blessings of the Torah and accept the Torah once again as if we are standing now at Mount Siani!!!

Bamidbar - In the Desert.....

"Vayidaber Hashem el Moshe Bamidbar Sinai...../And Hashem spoke to Moshe in the Sinai desert...(Bamidbar 1:1).

Its the 40th day of the Omer, just a bit over a week away from Shavuos, Kabalas Ha'Torah, when we as the Jewish people received the Torah from Hashem. At this point in our lives we have matured enough to know that the Torah is the central point in our lives, our instruction book, our history book, the book of our future, and everything else in between.

We read the parasha of Bamidbar every year before Shavuos and the reason can be given when we understand why the Torah had to be given in the desert. We know that there are no coincidences, and no happenstances. If the Torah was given in the desert, then there must be a lesson for us to learn. Reb Nosson teaches us in the name of Reb Nachman z"ya, that this comes to teach us that both on a national and on a personal level, if we dont accept the Torah upon ourselves then we become "hefker/owner less". Owner less at first sounds appealing, we could do what we want, when we want, how we want, with who we want, etc... In short ,the good life. But many of us can hopefully contest that, and say that hefker/ owner less really isn't that great. No point, no purpose, no real goals, no fulfilment. In short, not such a great life. What's more hefker/ owner less than the desert.
One of Reb Nachman's greatest teachings is "Ayeh?/ Where is the place of Hashems honor?" We find Hashem in the place when we feel the most lost, the most hefker. The desert again. Ok, so what do we do? Do we give up all of our worldly posessions and take a 40 year trek in the desert? Accept the Torah again? That would be nice, but thats not the lesson. We were put into this world to live, with everything that we have. To raise the sparks! The lesson is to make ourselves like a desert, hefker / owner less to all and everything but Hashem. The we can really accept the Torah on ourselves and really start living "the good life"!!!

Have a great Shabbos!!! And remember "There is no despair in this world at all!!!!!"

Lag BaOmer - The day we've all been waiting for

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai alone was given permission to reveal the great mysteries contained in the Hidden Teachings. (Zohar III:124b)

Prior to Rabbi Akiva's passing, this great teacher of the Jewsih people summoned his two beloved disciples, Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Meir. They asked Rabbi Akiva which of them would be replacing him. Rabbi Akiva said "Rabbi Meir shall take over the position as head of the Yeshiva." Then, turning to Rabbi Shimon he said, "It is sufficient that your Creator and I knopw the level of your greatness" (Yerushalmi, Sanhedrin 2).

Rabbi Shimon said, "I have the power to correct the entire world; I can exempt the whole world from judgment" (Sukkah 45b).

Rabbi Shimon was leaving the cave where he and his son Rabbi Elazar had been hiding from the Romans for thirteen years. They were talking about the righteousness which exists in the world when Rabbi Shimon said, "It is enough that you and I are in the world." Another time he said, "I myself have sufficient merit for the entire world" (Shabbos 33b, Sukkah 45b).

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was the Foundation of the world, the True Tzaddik.

These teachings reveal only a small degree of Rabbi Shimon's greatness and give only a partial glimpse of the true benefit that he brought to the world. This being the case, Reb Nosson asks the following question: On the 33rd day of the Omer Counting we celebrate the passing of the True Tzaddik, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. This in itself is a great wonder, and obvious contradiction. How can we celebrate and enjoy Lag BaOmer, when it recalls the day when such great good and benefit was taken from the world? What kind of celebration is this? On the contrary, we should rend our garments, as for the destruction of the Beis Ha'Mikdash; as our sages taught, "The passing of a Tzadik is more severe than the Beis Ha'Mikdash's destruction!
To answer this, Reb Nosson quotes the passuk, "The Tzaddik is lost; yet nobody bothers to note what has happened. People of kindness are taken away; yet no one understands. It is because of the evil that approaches, that the Tzaddik is lost" (Isaiah 57:1). Our sages teach that the very great Tzaddikim pass away prior to the onset of terrible evil in the world. For them, this is a blessing; so that they should not have to witness the great suffering which Heaven has decreed, so that their eyes should not have to see all the multitude of troubles that is about to befall the Jewish people (Sanhedrin 113b).
Reb Nosson then goes on to explain that the powers of the "Tzaddikim are greater after their passsing then when they were alive" (Brachos 18a). If we examine the Tzaddik's main purpose in life, we see that all of his efforts are devoted to rectifying the Jews and bringing about goodness, both physical and spiritual. Through the Tzaddik comes an abundance of wealth and livelihood, an abundance of Torah and repentance. However, as long as the Tzaddik's sould is housed in a body, he is restricted. This is because the body, by defenition, is a physical limitation. The Tzaddik is therefore prevented from rising to the greatest heights, and even the abundance which he does bring is governed by thsi restriction. His influence can only go so far, until such a time that his soul is divested of its bodily enclosure.
This why there is cause for celebration on Lag Ba'Omer. True, it is the day that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai passed away from this world. But, Rabbi Shimon is in heaven; Rabbi Shimon is spiritual. if during his lifetime he had sufficient merit to keep the world in existence, how much more so now that he is no longer restricted by the physical! His powers can now reach such incomprehensible heights and levels that the abundance and benefit he can now bring to the world far surpass whatever had been possible while he was alive.
This is the explanation of the passuk, "The Tzaddik is lost...because of the evil that approaches..." The Tzaddik's entire being is devoted to combating and destroying evil. However, his ability to do so is limited by his physical body. Therefore, Hashem removes this Tzaddik from the world prior to the evils coming. thsi is so that the Tzaddik's body will no longer restrict his efforts to help the Jews. In heaven he is free to mitigate the harsh decree. And this is the true reason for celebration on Lag Ba'Omer. On the 33rd day of the Omer, many many years ago, Rabbis Shimon bar Yochai's powers to bring help and salvation to all of Israel increased manifold (Likutey Halachos, Hechsher Keilim 4).

The gretaness of Lag Ba'Omer is that it represents the conclusion of the period of mourning for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva. Through the spiritual strength and power of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and through the unity and peace between all Jews, it is possible to rectify even the greatest losses and tragedies that befall the Jewish people (Likutey Halachos, Rosh Chodesh 6).

That's all for now. If I don't get back here before Shabbos , that have a great one . Till next time.....

16th of Iyar-Ma,Man,Manna....

The 16th of Iyar (today) was the day on which the Jews began to receive the miraculous Manna from the heavens. We will leave the in depth study for another time, I just wanted to point out the date and a few quick points.

(Taken from the book Let My Nation Serve Me by Yosef Deutsch)
The manna did far more than sustain the Jewish people physically in the desert. It also had a profound impact on their spiritual condition. It provided food for their bodies so that they would not die of starvation, but it also provided food for their souls, so that they would grow in stature and come closer to Hashem.

The manna established the singular relationship between Hashem and His chosen people. Ordinarily, one would expect the servant to procure food and prepare it for his master. Yet Hashem said, "I took the Jewish people out of Egypt so that they should serve Me. Nevertheless, even though I am the Master and they are the servants, I will tend to them. I will prepare the food and serve it to them.


Hashem also showed His love for the Jewish people by reversing for them the manner in which food is produced. Ordinarily, food grows from the ground, and the dew that falls from the sky covers it. With the manna, Hashem brought forth food from the sky and placed dew on the ground underneath it.

The manna also provided the first opportunity for the first blessing related to food, the Bircas HaMazon, the Grace after Meals.

The many phenomena of the manna were also a metaphor for life itself. Regardless of how much a person gathered, be it a lot or a little, in the end everyone was left with the same amount, an omer measure per person; no matter if he was rich or poor; he was left with the same omer measure. In life as well, people may exert huge efforts to accumulate much wealth, but in the end, all die and leave the world with the same amount. Only the accumulation of spiritual wealth is lasting.

The Many Miracles of the Manna:
The very fact that the manna fell.
The manna fell from the sky even though food is normally derived from the ground.
The manna's two major tastes of oil and honey depended on the individual.
Manna left from one day to the next rotted and filled with worms.
The manna had numerous interchangeable tastes.
The manna was completely absorbed into a persons body, producing no waste products.
The spiritual essence of the manna prepared the Jewish people to receive the Torah.
The spiritual nature of the manna shielded the Jewish people from evil thoughts.
A vast amount of manna fell every day.
The manna only fell near the Jewish encampment.
The manna accompanied the Jewish encampment on all its travels.
After the morning gathering, the remaining manna melted into a stream of liquid from the heat of the sun.
The manna never spoiled before it liquefied.
Regardless of how much or how little one gathered, the final amount was always one omer measure per person.
A double portion fell on Friday, one for that day, the other for Shabbos; it was as though the manna itself kept Shabbos.
Unlike the rest of the week, no manna fell on Shabbos.
Manna left over from Friday to Shabbos did not rot.
The manna of Shabbos had a distinct taste.
The manna was able to adjudicate disputes.
For 900 years, the manna remained fresh in the Ark.

Pesach Sheini!!! Theres always a second chance!

Hashem told the the Jews to prepare for the Pesach Festival. There were Jews who were tamei (impure) and were not ready in time. They came to Moshe and asked, 'How can we still partake of Pesach, when it was too late for us to purify ourselves?' Moshe asked Hashem and He replied, 'They can have a second chance. Let them celebrate the holiday of Pesach Shaynei, one month later, on the fourteenth day of the second month the month of Iyar'(Bamidbar 9)."How great these impure people must have been! they were able to initiate the revelation of a new law of Torah" (Rashi).

Reb Noson explains that this came about specifically because of their great desire to partake of the Mitzvah. These people were impure. It was their own negligence that brought them to be distanced from the rest of the Jews on Pesach and thus not being able to participate in the Paschal lamb. Still, they never gave up hope. They came Before the Tzaddik, Moshe, pleading, "We are impure, we know we are impure, but we do not want to fail to be included in the sacrifice to Hashem."Similarly, continues Reb Noson, every Jew should come to the Tzaddik and say, "I'm impure. I know I'm impure. Still why should I be held back? Why should i not come close to Hashem, to learn Torah, to pray, to do t'suvah? Is it because I am to distant that there is Hashem forbid no hope for me whatsoever? Hashem can always help, even those who are very distant from Him." A person must know that if he always turns to Hashem and constantly searches for the true Tzaddik who can show him the right path, he will definitely come true repentance (Likutey Halakhot, Birkhat HaPeirot 5:15, G'viat Chov M'Yetomim 3).

Shevi'i Shel Pesach - The Splitting of the Red Sea

Rebbe Nachman taught:
Even if a person should fall to the lowest level, he must never assume that he is beyond hope. Our forefathers found themselves in similar circumstances on the shores of the Red Sea. Before them, the sea, behind them, the Egyptians; wild animals and wilderness on either side. In the worst of possible situations they did not give up hope. They cried out to G-d and were heard. Similarly, no matter how far one is from G-d, there is always hope. Atik is the highest, most lofty spiritual level in existence. It is from there that assistance comes to a person, even if he is to be found in the lowest levels. Thus, the miracle of the Splitting of the Red Sea can be summed up this way: Even though all seems lost, there is still hope for a redemption. (Likutey Mohoran 1:21)

Reb Nosson teaches that a further concept tied in with the Splitting of the Red Sea is the braking of haughtiness. Pharaoh said "Who is G-d that I should listen to Him!" During the entire episode, Moshe Rabeinu tried to convince Pharaoh that G-d rules the world and that He could destroy Pharaoh completely. However, the Egyptian ruler had declared himself a deity. Thus Pharaoh, like most people in a position of power, is characterized by arrogance and haughtiness. The Splitting of the Red Sea demonstrated how this arrogance could be completely broken. Moshe turned the seabed into dry land. Earth is associated with the concept of modesty. Great rushing water, with its powerful waves - sure of its strength and unchallenged power - is everything that a person views as the epitome of greatness. Yet, within a short period of time, G-d destroyed the waters arrogance by changing it into dry earth. Thus, the song that Moshe and the Jews sang when the Red Sea split was one of praise to G-d, for He is great and rules over all those who are arrogant and haughty. (Likutey Halachos, Orlah 4)

When the Jews left Egypt and came close to G-d, they received great wealth. This is because wealth is rooted in the same source of holiness as the soul. However, there is one bad trait through which it is possible for a person to lose all of his wealth. This trait is anger. When the opposing forces see that a person is about to receive wealth and blessings, they try to bring him to anger, CHeMaH, anger, creates a breach in his CHoMaH, his protective wall, which is also his wealth. (see Likutey Mohoran 1:68)

It is forbidden to eat Chametz on Pesach, for Chametz is the concept of anger. Chametz rises. Like arrogance and anger, it is blown up. Likewise, we must avoid exaggeration in our lifestyles. The way we live should also not be arrogant and blown up. When the Red Sea split, the waters stood like a wall (chomah) for the Jews. Afterwards, the Jews were able to withstand any anger (chemah) and were permitted to have Chametz. This is why after the Seventh day of Pesach, Chametz is permitted. (Likutey Halachos, Harsha'h 4)

A great Shabbos and Yuntif to one and all!!!
Etan

Parashas Metzora - Watch your tongue!

"Maves v'chaim byad halashon./Death and life are in the hands of the tongue" Mishlai 18:21

If a Jew sinned and was punished with tzara'as, the symptoms of the disease usually required that he be quarantined and later reinspected, a rather drawn out procedure. Only for one sin did Hashem immediately strike the transgressor with the symptoms of the definitive leper who was immediately isolated. That sin was not, as we might believe, murder, idolatry, or immorality. Rather it was lashon harah ,evil speech about a fellow man.

Once a Persian king fell ill and, as a result, lost weight and became weak. His physician's suggested that the only cure to invigorate and restore his waning strength was to imbibe the milk of a lioness. At a loss to know how to obtain milk from a lioness, the king dispatched messengers and money to King Shlomo in Yerushalayim who was world renowned for his wisdom, begging him to contrive a plan whereby such milk might be gotten. Shlomo entrusted his advisor Benayahu ben Yehodaya with that task.
"I want ten goats to be given to me," ordered Benayahu. Then he requested one of Shlomo's servants to search the forest for a lion's den. The servant wandered deep into the thicket and finally discovered a den in which a lioness was suckling her cubs. Benayahu ordered the servant to show him the way and brought along a goat. Standing at a safe distance from the den, Benayahu threw in the goat which was immediately seized and devoured by the lioness. Each day he went a few steps closer and threw another goat, drawing progressively neared to the den until the lioness was used to his presence. Eventually, she allowed him to touch her without harming him. she abandoned all suspicion, and Benayahu was able to milk her.
As soon as Shlomo received the milk, he sent his servant to bring it to the Persian king.
While on the road the messenger's limbs began to argue with each other as to who deserved the credit for having accomplished such an amazing feat.
"We are wonderful," boasted the feet. "We are superior to all the other limbs for had we not walked to the den, the milk could not have been obtained."
"Not true," objected the hands. "We were instrumental in the task. Had we not milked the lioness, the milk would not be ours now.
"What about us?" exclaimed the eyes. "Did we not discover the path to the den? Without us the entire plan could not have been accomplished.
"You ignore me," complained the heart. "I was the one which thought of the brilliant idea in the first place!"
The general uproar was interrupted by the high-pitched sound of the tongue which broke in vociferously, "You are all worth nothing, if not for me, where would you be?
After this, all the limbs cried out in protest, "How dare you compare yourself to us? You possess no bones as we do, you are merely a soft lump confined to a dark cave!" Insulted, the tongue responded, "Just wait and see that I am master of you all!"
The messenger arrived at the Persian king's court and was hurried to the throne. He presented the milk and wanted to deliver a message from King Shlomo, but instead, the words tumbling from his tongue were " I present to you, O Majesty, the dogs milk which you requested!"
The king though that he was being ridiculed and, flying into a rage, gave orders that the messenger be hung immediately. The poor man was led away to the gallows, all of his limbs in a state of tremor. "Do you now see that , compared to me, you all matter nothing?" declared the tongue triumphantly. "We confess it," all the organs cried out in unison. You command life and death!" The tongue was satisfied and cried out, "I have an important message for the king, please take me back to him for one moment."
"Why should I be executed?" asked the messenger.
"You brought me dogs milk!" shouted the king.
"I assure you," said the messenger, "that this milk will cure you. My words were only the slip of a tongue since in the language of our country, the same word is used for both a dog and a lion." The king believed him. He drank the milk and recuperated. He then pardoned the messenger and let him return home. (Midrash Shochar Tov)

This midrash is one of many that show us the power of the tongue, the power of speech. The tongue is the organ which, of all the limbs and organs moves with the least difficulty and greatest speed. Consequently, lashon harah is one of the sins committed most frequently. On the other hand the Chofetz Chaim explains that the reason the tongue was created with the ability to move more swiflty than all the other organs is a special kindness of Hashem. The rewards for every word of Torah surpasses that of all other mitzvos. Therefore, Hashem, in His kindness, enabled a person to speak thousands of words within minutes in order to ensure that he would gain the greatest possible reward.

We need not look far to find people who dislike us, the Jewish people. What we do need is to stop slandering ourselves, and to come together to greet the Mashiach, speedily! In our days! Amen!

Have a wonderful Shabbos, It's good to be back!!!
Etan