The Light of Chanukah will Triumph over the Forces of Darkness

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Maccabees

For an entire generation, the ancient Judeans waged a struggle for freedom, which, in terms of intensity, has almost no parallel in human history. It was among the first recorded wars of liberation and it laid a model for nearly every revolution that followed. With an unbreakable faith and willingness to sacrifice, a handful of valiant Hebrew fighters forged the eternal covenant that resistance to tyranny is the highest and truest service to HaShem.

In those years, the cultural imperialism to which the Seleucid Empire aspired was at its peak. Hellenist values and practices were imposed on the native Hebrews by means of harsh edicts and the swords of foreign soldiers. The victimization of the weak, rampant debauchery and the desecration of the Temple were pinnacles of the Greek culture bestowed upon Judea. In Jerusalem, the urban upper class yearned to be citizens of Antioch and to transform their ancient city into an “enlightened” Greek Polis.

Rav Kaplan: Redemption of the Land

by Rav Moshe Kaplan, meirtv.com/en

Rav Moshe Kaplan discusses how the Land of Israel remains desolate until "its chicks," i.e., the Jewish people, come back to it as has been prophesied and promised by Hashem thousands of years ago.

[5-minute video]

Parshat Miketz: Mashiach ben Yosef

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Israeli Flag

“Yosef recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” (B’reishit 42:8)

On this verse, the Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna explains:

“This is one of Yosef’s attributes. Not just in his generation but in every generation, Mashiaḥ ben Yosef recognizes his brothers and they do not recognize him. It is an act of Satan, which conceals Mashiaḥ ben Yosef’s attributes such that the Jews unfortunately do not recognize his footsteps and in fact even scoff at them… If not for this, our troubles would already be over. If Israel recognized Yosef, Mashiaḥ ben Yosef’s footsteps comprising the ingathering of the exiles, etc., we would already be completely redeemed” (Kol HaTor 2:39).

Rav Kaplan: Restoring the Sanhedrin

by Rav Moshe Kaplan, meirtv.com/en

Rav Moshe Kaplan discusses how the return of the Jewish people to Israel will ultimately reveal the supernal, divine, transcending aspect of Hashem being one in His land, and that this is what will bring the restoration of the Sanhedrin (the Great Assembly of 71 sages).

[10-minute video]

Parshat Vayeishev: How the Story of Yehuda & Tamar Sheds Light on the Ultimate Redemption

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Yehuda and Tamar

Our Sages explain human history to be characterized by the incessant struggle between good and evil. The Kadosh Barukh Hu places forces of darkness into our world as an essential ingredient to enable free will and human growth. This evil has been Divinely tasked with attempting to prevent the Children of Israel from fulfilling our national mission of bringing mankind to the awareness of HaShem as the timeless ultimate Reality without end that creates all, sustains all, empowers all and loves all.

As any good story requires a formidable antagonist, these forces of darkness are placed into the system of Creation in order to ultimately be defeated by Israel, who must struggle to overcome the earthly manifestations of this evil – whether in the form of enemy nations or in the form of our own destructive inclinations – on the path to revealing HaShem’s Oneness to humankind.

Rav Kaplan: The First Light of Redemption

by Rav Moshe Kaplan, meirtv.com/en

Rav Moshe Kaplan discusses the gradual, tiny first light of the Redemption, and how "it's darkest before the dawn." Can we be aware enough to notice the subtle beginning that 99% of people won't even see? 

[3-minute video]

Parshat Vayishlach: Yaakov's Transformation & Shimon and Levi's Confrontation

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Tribe of Shimon

In the course of his life, our father Yaakov faced many great hardships. Again and again, he encountered difficult hurdles as a behavioral pattern emerged for how he learned to deal with adversity. A careful analysis of Yaakov’s life reveals that from an early age he coped with challenges – not by confronting them head on – but by utilizing his wits in order to circumvent them.

Although Yaakov had been conceived before Esav, he did not fight to be born first. He instead grabbed hold of Esav’s heel and followed him out from their mother’s womb. As they grew older, he never once outright demanded the birthright but instead duped his brother into exchanging it for some stew. Due to Esav’s ferocious reputation, this likely seemed the most sensible strategy. And when it finally came time to secure the patriarchal blessing from Yitzḥak, Yaakov did not proclaim that it was rightfully his but instead disguised himself as his brother in order to successfully obtain the brakha through deceit.

Q&A: Black Friday: Supporting Paganism?

Translated by Hillel Fendel

Black Friday Sale

Q. Shalom! I read that the discounts offered on Black Friday are connected somehow with the pagan-rooted holiday of Christmas. Are we permitted to benefit from these discounts, despite their positive association with paganism and possibly even idol-worship? 

Why Learn about Redemption?

by Rav Moshe Kaplan, meirtv.com/en

Rav Moshe Kaplan discusses the need to study about the ultimate Redemption. Whereas before maybe it was a luxury to study topics related to the Beit Hamikdash because it wasn't relevant, today it actually is relevant. We must be ready with knowledge of sacrifices and how to build the Holy Temple, so that when the time does come, we know what to do. 

[10-minute video]

Vayetzei: The Lesson of Speaking with Sensitivity

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Shalom Bayit

“Raḥel saw that she had not borne children to Yaakov, so Raḥel became envious of her sister; she said to Yaakov, ‘Give me children – otherwise I am dead.’ Yaakov’s anger flared up at Raḥel, and he said, ‘Am I instead of G-D who has withheld from you fruit of the womb?’” (B’reishit 30:1-2).

These verses illustrate a major distinction between the personalities of Rivka and Raḥel. Throughout twenty years of infertility, Rivka never once complained to Yitzḥak. Even during the troubles with her eventual pregnancy, she took her concerns not to her husband but to HaShem.

Raḥel, on the other hand, appears to have taken her grievances to Yaakov, who in turn responded harshly.