Hide and Seek

According to Jewish law, on Purim, we begin to learn the laws of Pesach. Indeed, Rebbe Nachman teaches that Pesach begins with Purim.

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We live in exciting times – awesome, sometimes frightening for the faint of heart, but nonetheless exciting. Just as the rumbling of thunder precedes the big storm, the tumult of current events is preceding the biggest event of history: the full redemption of our people and the coming of Moshiach, speedily and in our days, amen.

We do strange things at the Seder table on Passover to arouse our children's interest. We don't eat bread, only matza; we dip vegetables in salt water before we eat them; we recline on pillows like desert sheiks, and we eat bitter herbs. Our children then ask why, and we answer them. In that way, our children are aroused to ask us the meaning of Passover and readily listen to our answer.

So what's the meaning of one earthquake after another in recent weeks? And why are volcanoes erupting, suddenly expectorating fire and lava high in the sky? And why is the entire Arab world in an uproar all at once? And why is the world economy about to crash? And why is Israel surrounded by increasingly radical neighbors?

We are Hashem's beloved children and He is doing strange things to make us wake up and ask why. He wants us to ask, "Hashem, beloved Father in Heaven! What's going on here? Why is there so much trouble in the world?"

Once we ask, Hashem – like a loving Father – answers (Isaiah 50:1-2):
 
"Because of your crimes, I have exiled your mother. Why did I come and there is no one? I called and no one answers! Is My Hand not capable of redeeming you?"

Hashem is reminding us that as long as we don't have a Holy Temple in a reunited Jerusalem, The Shechina, The Divine Presence which is allegorically known as "Our Mother," has no resting place and is still in exile. As long as The Shechina remains in exile, we do to. That's the hard fact that many have had difficulty in accepting. Sure, we have an army, a navy and an air force, but our elected leaders won't let us build homes on our own land if the foreign overloads object. Don't be angry because that's from Hashem too.

So why is Hashem squeezing us with political and security problems in Israel and with economic difficulties and increasing anti-Semitism abroad?

Continue reading Hide and Seek in this week's edition of Breslev Israel web magazine.

My beloved teacher and spiritual guide Rav Shalom Arush shlit'a gives the real meaning of Purim in Joy with Awe.

Breslev Israel is proud to present a new column of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach's writings about Rebbe Nachman's teachings, compiled and edited by our dear friend Ziv Ritchie. You'll love this week's The Holy Drunkard.

Zev Ballen has some important observations about Aliya in Fear of the Sabra. Racheli Reckles tells all about the importance of One Word: Amen. Rivka Levy says that if you talk the talk, you certainly must Walk the Walk. Chaya Ovadia relates a wonderful story about The Cane. Dovber Halevi rechannels anger in From Emotion to Action.

This week's Torah portion is Shmini. Have a continued joyful Purim and a wonderful week!

Two Crowns is part 59 of Rabbi Erez Moshe Doron's Warriors of Transcendence.