5773 Warning

B"SD

החשבים להשכיח את-עמי שמי בחלומתם אשר יספרו איש לרעהו כאשר שכחו אבותם את-שמי בבעל

I have found that this pasuk (Yirmiyahu 23:27) has the same exact gematria as 5773!

It says: "Who think to make My people forget My Name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Ba'al".

Heaven is warning the Jewish Nation to return to simple and direct contact with YKVK. To abandon its divisive ways and do teshuvah. We all need achdut ("union") with kedusha ("holiness"). As if the general chilonin and the reform and conservative heretical growth wasn't sufficient to stain the Bnei Israel, we have Erev Rav (true presence, as the Ari"zal said it would happen and thus) "mentalities" ever more influencing the orthodox/chareidim community and "leaders". A plague of shitot (separatism in groups) brings anguish to Heaven and delays Mashiach. If Mashiach were to reveal himself now, there would be almost no one to greet him! Because for some, he must be Satmar, other want a Chabad Mashiach, others yet want a very Litvish "pshat-like" Mashiach. Yet, most Orthodox/Chareidim are not even doing real tikkun hamidot and as such, studying Sod to hasten his arrival (as explained in the holy Zohar and the sages, of blessed memory). The Ari”zal explains in the daf alef of Sha’ar HaMitzvot that if a yehudi does not study Sod, he will have to suffer gilgul to complete the missing parts of his studies, of their tikkun. There is so much written on this. The GR’A says that a yehudi that does not study Sod does not even understand the Pshat. I am not speaking to the philosophical Sod studies of Chabad etc., the so called Kabbalah Iyyunit etc. All of the sudden, an increasing number of Chabad rabbis think there are mekubalim (kabbalists). Anyone offers a Kabbalah "course". Alevai this was true! Mystical knowledge is not about reading from books and regurgitating its contents. It is so much more, from new Torah insights and living spiritual experiences, contacts with higher domains etc. I will not explain this here, however it must be said that everything I teach and write is focused on teaching holiness and righteousness and to get my students and readers back in touch with G-d, personally and directly. I have no time or room for nonsense. I am not interested is distracting my readers with "mystical mumbo-jumbo" (maybe it is good and interesting - even entertaining - for the aspiring and beginner ba'al teshuva who does not know any better), make-believe stories about Rabbis and other unrealistic, misguiding lessons. The problem is that mysticism creates these types of illusions of grandeur. Life is not about being fake. Life is not about fantasy. Life is not about make-believe. Life is about being real. Life is about harsh realities. Life is about hard work and strenuous effort: Lefum tza'arah agra ("according to the effort will be the reward"). This, more than anything else, sums up the the message of the entire genre of classical mystical literature. Moreover, the non-Jews are making a tremendous mess with their infantile fantasies of so called Kabbalah. The blind leading the blind, it is uncanny. Their arrogant tumah ("impurity") is mixed with half-truths forming totally incoherent systems with the authentic Torah-Kabbalah. They may call it whatever they wish, but it is never, ever anything remotely related to with the holy Kabbalah. Misguided fools, they know nothing at all and never will if they don’t work very hard on their "path of righteous gentiles" (the Sheva Mitzvot). It is all just a big ego trip, a self-delusional thing, with horrible effects on reality here on up on High. They are so incredibly arrogant and dense. In fact, most do not accept any correction from those who can correct them. It is insane, totally. This is caused by the Jews who disdain true Chochmat HaEmet (Kabbalah), by our sins (the Ari"zal spoke of that on the formation of cults). So many of our frum brothers are only focused on pshat and poskim, on ritual, and political rivalry that they are incapable of connecting Torah with reality. Some have asked me: “Is it just you who thinks there is a correlation between Torah and science or is there anybody else?”. There are other questions like this one I hear all the time. All they see is the body, not the soul of Torah, the true Sod. I am speaking of a path of purity and righteousness leading to the kabbalat hasagat ruach hakodesh ("to receive holy inspiration"). I am speaking of plain Rak Torah, not shitot. The Ba’al Shem Tov explained clearly (Sefer Ba’al Shem Tov, parashat Shemot, alef) that religious rite done by rote, if devoid of kavanah, bittul and devekut, all goes to the klipah. It is a tragedy how secular values have penetrated chareidim mindset, and the less observant are even much more contaminated it is hard to even begin speaking of this. So much gashmiyut is sickening. Also, there is such lack of derech eretz and of basic understanding of emotions, subtle and sensitive things. This is because there is no Sod/Feminine side being developed, which can only come through Sod-thinking. When close to many chareidim I feel I have step into a "parallel reality", in many cases, psychologically retarded. They just don’t understand subtle spiritual thinking, "lateral-thinking", "deep thinking", connections and connections and connections and them more connections to reality, most at least. Name it whatever you desire, words do not matter. Now, there are good and wonderful people of course. Some are so special and sweet, elevated. Still, there is so much religious talk today with so very little actually being said. It seems that everyone has something to say, each one louder than the next, each one trying to prove himself the intellectual superior over the other guy. Yet, with all the talk, nothing of true value gets said and even worse, nothing at all of any real significance ever gets done. Talk is cheap and cheap talk is ever cheaper. I am speaking of the supreme need for righteous actions only and the understanding of YKVK's message pouring down from shamayim all the time and directly into the heart of all who desire His closeness. You must learn to hear your heart and become a kli d'kedusha ("a holy recipient") to His words. Teshuvah brings this power, for it is His voice speaking. To hear His voice one must really develop his character traits and the intuitive/psychic strength (the right-brain activity part of the mind), fulfilling Torah and mitzvot with great joy, always. The academic, cold “learning” is not enough even with great Torah religious observance. One cannot be a talmid chacham without Sod, because Chochmat HaEmet is Sod. Such true chacham is a master of spiritual realities or at least a sincere student of it. All the religious babble has degenerated into being entertainment. "The chachamim are chachamim in name only (says the Ari"zal on Yeshayahu 29). We don't even need to Ari"zal telling us, just pay attention and feel things with your heart. Learn urgently to be intuitive, not merely rational, for that is Torat HaAtzilut, the Torah of Mashiach to be revealed soon, as it is written: "A new Torah will come forth from Me" (Yeshayahu 51:4). And it is written: "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit inside you; and I will take the stony heart from their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh" (Yechezkiel 11:19). This can be a reality now, but you must crave intensely to rescue the Shechinah with all of your deeds. It is a time of pidyon shvuyim ("redemption of captives"). The holy Sefer HaBrit (Rabi Pinchas Eliyahu of Vilna a"h) brings this as the way to hastening the Geulah ("Redemption"). Now, back to the pshat "mindset". Learning Torah has become some perverted form of intellectual pride in one being able to memorize and appear smarter than another. This is not what religion is supposed to be about. We are not supposed to be impressing others with our words. My computer is smarter than any of these pshutim minds, for it has thousand of pages of Torah "memorized" and it can recall it in a flash. The prophet’s warning, which I found relating to the upcoming year of 5773 could not be more perfectly accurate and in total sync with the times. Everyone - Jew and Righteous Gentiles - must be completely careful not to exchange YKVK for a Ba’al, an idolatry: be it money, power, lust, gluttony, lashon hara, sinat chinam, bittul Torah, frivolous behaviors, ga'avah ("pride"), lesser tziniyut, lesser kashrut, secular thinking and focus, kullot upon kullot, or whatever idol you have become linked up to, chaz v’shalom. This is the wrong direction: "A person who observes the mitzvot with all their stringencies is confronted by tests all the time; it is a constant battle for him, and it is easy for him to practice stirring up his good inclination in order to overcome the bad one. Having so many opportunities to be tested every hour of the day, his ascendancy is assured and his improvement secured" (Chazon Ish, Emunah V'Bitachon, Torat HaMiddot, Tet). The time now is most urgent, because as the revelation of the true Mashiach does in fact approach, Heaven is guiding the world ever more rapidly and intensely towards the purging of evil as Zechariah 13:2 promises. There will be no place for “half” orthodox life-styles, half-truths, half-commitments to a halachic life. Mashiach will come to rule by the Mishpat, the Law. The time of “more or less” religious practices so shamelessly common, or the leaning on minhagim to avoid stricter levels of halacha or any and all form of rebellion against YKVK's laws, this will end soon, amen. So much more to say, but still, this is just a short message to speak about matters deeply set in my heart. Heed to the message and take advantage of teshuvah. Evolution is a real possibility. Reevaluate your current frumkait ("religious standards"). I know you are very "comfortable". However soon, you won't be able to and you won't be prepared. There is a powerful storm coming, as never seen it before. It will destroy all idols and all those linked to them. It is real time to prepare for what is coming, as only those who remember how to call YKVK's Name will be part of the "Remnant Community" (Micah HaNavi 5:6, Haftarah of Balak).

Rosh Chodesh Elul 5772
Rabbi Avraham Chachamovits

ETZ L'SHLIACH - Rabbi Avraham Chachamovits's new book in English

Today, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, is the Yarzheit of Rabbi Chayim Vital zt"l, the greatest talmid of the Ari"zal our holy teacher, and my spiritual guide.

Exactly today, my first English book was unveiled in the Unites States, at the site www.seforimcenter.com, under Kabbalah books. 

I am truly, very pleased with this, baruch Hashem.

It is forbidden for a Jew to work on Shabbat. What is the esoteric reason for this prohibition?

It is important to understand that working on Shabbat implies on a “decree of death” (Shemot 31:15), chaz v’shalom. The Sod or mystical aspect of this subject is extraordinary, and I shall reveal only a small degree while hiding much more, merely summarizing in a simple form, all based on the Kabbalah of the Ari”zal (Sefer HaLikutim, Parashat Behar, et. al.). Although it is not ideal to reveal such things to such unprepared recipients, here follows my kavanah, may the Heavens witness this, to help those that still have any doubts regarding the prohibitions of work on Shabbat, so they may quickly do teshuvah and receive the kabbalat ol. As the Talmud says, “the person should do teshuvah one day before his death, e since we do not know when is this day, it is vital do be always doing teshuvah” (alluding to Shabbat 153a).

During the regular weekdays, there are spiritual forces that descend to our world’s level of reality in order to allow that tikkunim (“rectifications”) be made into effect through the permitted works to a Jew. In a more specific manner, every permitted work done during the week serves, in a way or another, to raise netzuzin kedoshim (“Divine sparks”) fallen in the physical level when the order of reality was not our current order of rectification, the Olam HaTikkun, but rather, the preceding order of the Olam HaTohu (“World of Chaos”). The order of the Olam HaTohu was broken apart, so to speak, through a deep and fundamental process of the Divine plan for the revelation and  ultimate evolution of Creation, particularly man, as it is taught by the Ari”zal. These spiritual forces that are the vehicle, through which all of these spark-elevations occur, return to their spiritual degree and level on Shabbat. On Shabbat, all is new, signifying that there is no need for spiritually elevate anything that has fallen from the destroyed primordial world of Tohu. Hence, there is no need for tikkunim on Shabbat. All is in order, truly perfect on Shabbat. Not even the work of boreh (“separation of food”) is allowed, for separating that which is not good in the food from the good part in it of itself implies in a removal of a negative element from a positive one, and that does not exist on Shabbat when after all, everything is in the category of the desired and rectified. Now, when the Jew performs a melachah (“forbidden work”) on Shabbat, chaz v’shalom, he elicits these spiritual forces that normally should operate only on weekdays to descend to the physical world in order to make into effect the appropriate spark-elevations.

However, as nothing can be elevated on Shabbat, these forces become as ‘forces in vain’, chaz v’shalom. Through this, the klipot, the negative forces that block the revelation of Divinity in the material world, can steal these spiritual powers, this holy light, and make use of them for its own negative uses, chaz v’shalom. Moreover, the klipot are called the “power of death”, and when the Jew profanes the Shabbat through some forbidden work, he receives the celestial decree of punishment through death, chaz v’shalom, since, worse than not using these forces for the elevation of fallen sparks, is the fact that they may fall under the domain and “clutches” of the klipot. This has the effect of literally nourish the klipot and sitra achra, the person then becoming a “partner of evil”, may Hashem have mercy on his soul. This nourishment has the additional effect of blocking the benefiting purpose of the Or Ayin Sof, thus causing a diminution of spiritual shefa (“flux of blessings”) to the world at large. This has the further effect of causing severe decrees (in the form of afflictions) to befall the person (and those close to him) who performed the transgression, the community, and the whole world, chaz v’shalom.

What is the spiritual origin of diseases in man?

Why are the Jews called Yehudim in Hebrew? As it is written in reference to the matriarch Leah when she went to name her son Yehudah, “This time I ‘thank’ Hashem” (Bereshit 29:35). The name Yehudah as well as the word Yehudi, both have their origin in the word Hoda’ah, which means ‘recognition’, thus ‘thanksgiving’ as well. This is an essential characteristic of bittul (the process by which a person’s sense of his independent existence is subsumed within and elevated to an awareness of a greater, more inclusive existence, the existence of G-d), to wit, the recognition and sincere thanksgiving that Hashem is Who truly and only exists, and the world and all of us are nothing and nill before Him. Hence, the word Yehudim is applied to the Jews for it summarizes this essential quality of bittul before G-d (a quality that must be emulated by the Nations). The Jews are literally the nation of those who recognize and admit the greater reality of unicity and omnipresence of G-d, while keenly aware of its own particular reality of “dust and ashes” (Bereshit 18:27).

Now, while there is such singular and intrinsic attribute in the B’nei Israel (called Hod in Kabbalah), and its cosmological potential that needs to be revealed throughout the nations of the world, there is also a possibility of alienation from the attribute. In its physical expression, literally in the material life of man, the manifested phenomenon of this alienation or separation is the disease. Alienation from G-d reflects a “blemished” (i.e., corrupted) state of the attribute of Hod. This is so in the manner in which this attribute corresponds to the spiritual structure of the soul (which is in fact configured by various others attributes and powers, Hod being only one of them). The fact that the attribute of Hod is corrupted – characterized by the insensibility to the spiritual realities – results in ‘spiritual confusion’, a true chaos that can progressively spread through the individual’s normative consciousness and physiology. This implies in the person’s inability to distinguish “friend from foe”, or the ‘I’ e the ‘not I’, so to speak. Moreover, this confusion leads to spiritual blindness resulting even in the insensibility towards other people, to wit, in the inability to perceive and recognize the truth in the words of others, failing thus to thanks then for their acts of kindness. Therefore, the blemish in the attribute of Hod brings the person to a state of alienation both with (the benevolent) others and with G-d. In the human physiology this is expressed in the immunological system’s mistakes, that is, in its confusion of “invaders from allies” resulting in the generation of various types of health problems. As such, failing to perceive that all we have comes form G-d – as undeserved and unexpected gifts – implicates in the possibility of this misalignment to manifest as a disease, chaz v'shalom. After all, the disease is the actual physical expression of the spiritual unbalance in its ‘final stage’! This is paramount to understanding the spiritual causes of diseases, for it means that, by the time the problem has become physical, it is already in its final level (and not initial) – and if a disease has a spiritual cause, its cure must come spiritually as well in the form of a ‘realignment’. And the most important manner to maintain the person’s Hod aligned, his immune system healthy, is to strengthen his bittul in order to have a true kabbalat ol, meaning that, nothing is more powerful in the whole universe than the acceptance of the Divine Ordinance. For the Nations, it is imperative to fulfill the Shevah Mitzvot Shel B’nei Noach, which bring a great light to the world and to each one who is bound by these Divine Ordinances. Now, for the Jews, 'all' mizvot are vital, and noteworhty, the mitzvah (of the fulfillment of) Shabbat even brings the promise of refuah (cure)! In fact, Kabbalah explains that, due to the chet ha-egel ("the sin of the golden calf"), “The extraordinary spiritual state that Moshe had attained when he ascended Mt. Sinai was reduced a thousand degrees” (the Ari”zal, Sha’ar Maamarei Rashbi, daf 212). Essentially, Moshe had become “diseased” from the sin of his people, even though he obviously did not participate in this most blatant act of opposition to G-d. However, in the Shabbat, these ‘spiritual lights’ were restored for him, and he was truly and completely cured! And as it is written, “The gematria of Vayikra El Moshe [Vayikra 1:1] is equal to 693, together with the number of letters [which total 10], it is equal to the word Shabbat plus the kolel [702+1 = 703]. This is a hint that the lights were restored for Moshe on Shabbat” (R’ Ya’acov Abuchatzera zt”l, Pituchei Chotam al HaTorah, Vayikra). Finally, it is necessary to understand that in view of all that occurs in the person’s life, he should truly assume an existential attitude exactly as taught by the matriarch Leah: to recognize and affirm on all that comes to him that, ‘This time I will thank Hashem’. Know this lesson well.

So what is the severity of the sin of Mishkav Zachur (homossexualism)?

It is written regarding the creation of Adam and Chava: Vayeva­rech otam vayikra et shemam Adam, “He blessed them, and called their name Adam [man]” (Bereshit 5:2). Torah is very clear to reveal that G-d called them ‘both’ Adam. In this way, He established that the spiritual nature of a human being is only completed in the world through the union of the ‘two distinct human aspects’, to wit, the masculine (corresponding to the active spiritual force and of expansion), and the feminine (corresponding to the passive spiritual force and of restriction). These spiritual forces embodied in the human being – and that exhibit such opposing functions – when united in the sanctified manner, form a ‘well balanced physical-spiritual pair’. This means a single being mirroring his origen in one common soul before its descent to this world and division into sexes. In fact, through this balance, flow all Divine blessings to the couple; and the whole world benefits from this most pleasing of unions in Shamayin. And as it is written, “When a couple lives in accordance to Torah law, the forces of Creation – the letters Yud and Hei from the holy Tetragram – reside with them. Then, in time, they become the image of the holy forces of Creation” (Tikunei Zohar, Tikun 10b). And it is also written that, “Who is incomplete below [i.e., not married] remains incomplete on high [i.e., spiritually]… And Ya’acov [the perfect patriarch]...alo, until his marriage was not complete” (Zohar I:150a, Vayetze).

Now, our Sages, all of blessed memory, have openly cautioned us: Kedoshim tihiyu hevu persuhim min ha-arayot u-min ha-evera, “Distance yourself from the illicit relations and from sin” (Rashi at the beginning of Parashat Kedoshim). And “of all isurei ha’arayot, only regarding the avon [sin] of Mishkav Zachur the Torah uses twice the word Toeva [Vayikra 18:22]. The Talmud explains that Toeva is Toe Hu Ba, which means that ‘he is making a mistake in this’… That is, ‘this’ is against human nature! It is the type of avon that exists only to challenge G-d. It is something that comes from the anger which feeds this abominable rebelliousness” (R’ Moshe Feinstein z”l, Teshuvah, Chelek 4 siman 115). And the Torah is also quite clear regarding the grave punishments of these forbidden unions, including that which occurs to the person committing these transgressions after he dies. The mekubal, HaRav Yehudah Fatiyah zt”l, the greatest student of the Ben Ish Hai, in his Sefer Minchat Yehudah describes his many conversations with tormented ruchot (spirits) which commited these abominations in life. They relate with terror the severity of their spiritual punishments! After all, not only from this transgression’s zera levatalah the sitra achra gets nourished and demoniacal beings are brought to life, but also each drop of semen spilled in vain implicates on the destruction of potential (unborn) children, which become imprisoned in the clutches of the klipot. Moreover, the ejaculated semen in a domain ‘absolutely improper’ deflowers these poor souls in a most perverse and horrible manner! Contrary to an union between man and wife which fulfills the mitzvah of procreation and gives the fruits of children y”h, if oral sex occurs in this sin, chaz v’shalom, then the only thing fulfilled are the spiritual deaths of the children which are as if “swallowed” in this most merciless abomination! Yet, regarding these rebellious ones, all members of the Erev Rav, it is written: “They all alike have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds… a wolf… shall destroy them… because their transgressions are many, and their apostasies are great” (Yermiyah HaNavi 5:5-6). Additionally: “The wicked with their sins pollute both themselves and the Sanctuary [i.e., they contaminate the earth], and bring a ruach rah [an unclean spirit] upon themselves; but in time to come G-d will purify Israel and remove from them the unclean spirit” (Zohar III:54a, Metzora). This ruach rah is the wicked Nebuchanetser, “who was deprived of his kingdom and he dwelt with the beasts of the field, his human countenance was taken away from him and from that day he did not bear the impress of a man” (Zohar II:125b, Mishpatim) – and was only to bear the image of a wolf! And as it is known, “Nebuchanetser used to tear the flesh of a live rabbit and eat it” (Eicha Rabah 2:14), and Kabbalah says that, “He who has homosexual relations is reincarnated as a rabbit” (the Ari”zal, Sha’ar HaGilgulim, Hakdamah 22, end).

Each and everyone who is involved in this most grievous of sins must use all of his kochot ha-nefesh (spiritual forces) to do teshuvah and implore Hashem’s mercy.