Word from the Rabbi -
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Meshugah for Moshiach
25 June 2011 - 23 Sivan 5771 Enough Kvetching! Do Something!.
Well, unfortunately, some people just don't seem to get it.
After the "spies" return with a report that caused devastation to the Jewish people, Korach took his turn.
Korach didn't just complain, he was a wealthy, learned and intelligent man, so he did it with style and conviction. It almost sounded as if he was championing the cause of righteousness and justice. Korach claimed that Mosheh Rabeinu (Moses) was appointing people to positions incorrectly and not at the direction of G-d. It just so happened, Korach would be a beneficiary of these claims.
The conclusion was dramatic; the earth consumed Korach and his entourage.
We each have our Korach, that part of us which is not happy with his/her lot in life, the part of us that challenges G-dly guidance. Yes, we may have a legitimate question, yet when we look deeper, we find our real issue is egotism.
Moshiach is coming! Let us lighten up, liven up, and ensure to be involved with something positive in preparation for greeting Moshiach, Now!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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18 June 2011 - 16 Sivan 5771 Kvetching for Moshiach.
Kvetch, Kvetch, Kvetch. Whining and complaining, wanting more and more. These are some of the elements in this weeks parasha.
Ten times the Jewish people tested G-d (kvetching and complaining) in just over one year from the Exodus.
There is much to be learned from these episodes, some of them may be;
1) G-d has patience for our selfishness and short sightedness. Please also be patient with such behaviours from others.
2) There does come a tipping point.
3) We still get our inheritance. Only we need to sweat it out a bit.
However, if you do need to kvetch and complain;
1) don't be so self centered, and most importantly,
2) ensure it is positive and constructive.
As for this moment, my kvetch is to G-d, that we have suffered enough, even if it is our own making. Yes, also the suffering of not being of sound mind and action to get us out of a collective and personal mind set. Yes, we continue to increase in acts of goodness and kindness. And, Yes, we eagerly anticipate the complete fulfilment of Your promises to our forefathers and to us, with the final revelation of Moshiach, NOW!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
4 June 2011 - 2 Sivan 5771
Each year we receive the Torah to "Act and (also) to Understand".
G-d gave the Torah to humans living in a material, seductive environment. A physical world, full of non G-dly desires and enticements.
No! not to angles or heavenly creatures.
No! not in a spiritual oasis.
Yes! G-d specifically gave the Torah to earthly, ego centric, human beings who are inclined to act according to their own will and understanding.
G-d wants us to challenge our perspectiv and behaviour. Therefore, we have been provided with a guide, by The Maker/Creator - Gd, that assists us in fulfilling our purpose here on earth.
The ultimate revelation, of the greatness of what we do now, will be evident with the complete redemption through our righteous Moshiach, NOW!!!
See you soon!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
28 May 2011 - 24 Iyar 5771 Position - Position - Position.
Each tribe had a specific position in the travels of the Jewish people.
Indeed, each position held a purpose and unique task.
When each one fulfilled their unique task, the Jewish people were whole - complete.
Such is our preparation for welcoming Moshiach, who will also bring true and lasting peace to each individual and the entire world.
We are to realise our individual purpose and how each person and detail in this world is for a G-dly purpose. The ultimate realisation will come through the teachings of Moshiach, Now!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
14 May 2011 - 10 Iyar 5771 The Ultimate Land Owner.
This weeks parasha relates the details of shemitah (seventh year not working the land in the Holy Land) and Yovel (the Jubilee year, with many of it's details).
A fundamental premise stated explicitly is; all land, produce, indeed everything, belongs to its Creator and source of continued existence. Thus, when concerned about what will be when I follow the G-d given laws of shemitta and Yovel, G-d promises that the land will yield plenty for those that adhere to these laws.
Land is also translated to mean will/want/desire. A lesson for us as stated in Pirkei Avoth - Ethics of the Fathers; submit your will to G-d and G-d will submit the will of others to yours.
Such is the ultimate days of Moshiach, when we are totally submit to the Will of Gd, all nature will yield produce with all our needs and wants, rejoicing in helping us serve The Maker. We await all to be in such a state, each person can begin in their own lives to live with Moshiach, Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
The Corners of your Fields.
In this weeks parashah HaShem instructs us concerning leaving over parts of our crops for the poor. These are fields which a person puts in a lot of effort to yield produce. Yet G-d lets it be known that no matter how much one toils it is not on his strength alone the success, rather it is a blessing from G-d. In order for a person to acknowledge this, he/she is commanded to share the fruits of the labour with poor people.
Indeed, the entire earth belongs to G-d, yet we are allowed to benefit from it.
Soon we will merit the era when "when the entire earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d" through the greatest teacher of all, Moshiach, Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
16 April 2011 - 12 Nisan 5771 From Slavery to Freedom.
What is slavery and what is freedom?
Slavery is generally viewed as being subservient to another. Freedom is generally viewed as being able to do what one wishes.
Pesach teaches us to challenge this notion.
In Pesach terms, slavery means being held captive to ones desires and delights, or to a persons personality and expressions. Freedom means to be free from ones own captivity.
Thus, once we left Mitzrayim (which also means constraints), we became free and were given the ability to be personally free regardless of external factors.
However, when we celebrate Pesach we also ask of HaShem to free from ALL constraints, both personal and external.
We not only ask, but we demand of HaShem to free us from this exile completely and eternally, and to bring us to the true and lasting freedom for everything, with Moshiach, NOW!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
9 April 2011 - 5 Nisan 5771 From Simcha to Geulah.
Adar is a month of Joy, Nissan is the month of Redemption/Freedom.
Joy is also one of the conditions of prophecy.
During the crossing of the Reed Sea, every single person present, witnessed matters that even the greatest prophets of later generations did not. As such, it is understood the great joy and jubilation that took place.
Now that we are coming from 60 days of Joy and Jubilation, it is a most auspicious time, to prepare for and experience, the greatest celebration and revelation of all time. The party to welcome Moshiach, Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
26 March 2011 - 20 Adar 2 5771 Total Joy - Total Submission to HaShem.
King David celebrated with unbounded joy in front of the Holy Ark on its way up to Yerushalayim.
His wife Michal, daughter of King Saul, confronted his behaviour as unfitting for a king.
King David rebuked her, for given the elevated status of the king, he is to have an even greater submission to G-d.
Thus, when celebrating a G-dly occasion, there are no bounds even and especially for a king.
Since the greater the esteem one is held by others, the more she/he is to be humble before G-d and humans.
Such is the nature of true G-dly joy, it uplifts a person to a realm where her/his entire being is totally consumed with HaShem.
Such joy and submission will be complete with the revelation, to the entire universe, of Moshiach, Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
19 March 2011 - 13 Adar 2 5771 Crushed for Moshiach with Joy & Abundance.
Purim is a time of joy that came from a great darkness.
An atmosphere of annihalition hung in the air.
Haman sealed a decree of total and absolute death, for every single Jewish person in the world, both young and old.
The Jewish people had a choice, retain their Jewish identity and face certain death or adopt a new identity.
To live as a Jew was their only choice. They dug deep down into their souls and called out to HaShem to save them.
Thus, the miracle of purim happened, when we were totally crushed, this revealed our innermost acceptance of HaShem's torah and mitzvoth.
The Rebbe says, that in our days, leading up to the true and complete geulah, we are to reach the aformentioned level through joy and abundance.
Such, that we greet Moshiach in Joy and Abundance, NOW!!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
12 March 2011 - 6 Adar 2 5771 Happiness into Beyond - the Unknown – Ahd d’Lo Yoda.
How can I be happy when I’m not?
It’s Adar, a month of Joy. Even more so, it is a month wherein sadness is transformed into joy. Not only to eliminate the negative, but to utilise it for an increase in the positive.
Thus, in each situation there is a feeling which, when guided appropriately, can be transformed into a positive force.
To constantly be in a state of joy, we are to change or refine our self serving tendencies, we need to make a "sacrifice".
The word for sacrifice is "korbon" which actually is the same root as "korev", meaning to come close. Torah guides us how to come close to G-d, and subsequently a state of constant happiness. There are two factors deeply intertwined in accomplishing this.
Coming closer to G-d is one factor. However, one must also leave themselves. One is to "sacrifice" their self serving desires no matter how lofty they may be. Only then can a person truly draw near to HaShem – a place beyond oneself, a state of unknown, where true joy is complete.
The ultimate state of the world will be such, that this "closeness" is evident in all, with the true and complete Geulah through Moshiach, Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
5 March 2011 - 29 Adar 1 5771 Culmination of the Exodus - Moshiach.
Life can be compared to a roller coaster ride, or as a personal preference, Living Life is like Surfing. There are downs and ups, yet it's all part of the fun.
This week we conclude reading the book known as "Exodus" or Shemos. It begins with the decent of the Jewish people to Egypt, their slavery, exodus, receiving the Torah, sin of golden calf and concludes with the completion of the Mishkan - a place where the presence of HaShem is open for all to experience and connect with.
The Torah is a lesson for living our lives.
What then is the connection with all of the above and what is the lesson for a person who seeks guidance from the Torah?
Perhaps, one can look at a theme which is present when we are down, and when we are up, as per the book of Exodus - Shemoth.
A common factor, consistent in all circumstances, and is inherent within every portion and situation, is Mosheh our Teacher and leader.
A great characteristic of his was - humility. He recognised his strengths, yet he was humble before all, since the presence of HaShem superseded any sense of self, every moment. This also leads perpetual inner joy.
So too, it says regarding Moshiach, who will be the final redeemer, that he will have a great level of humility and inner joy.
Thus, is a lesson for each and every person.
When a person wants to connect with HaShem and reveal her/his inner essence, it can only be done with a heightened level of humility and joy.
Indeed, as we approach the final redemption through Moshiach, we are to live Moshiach in our every day life. Certainly an increase in humility and joy can be a worthy part of our readiness for Moshiach Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
26 February 2011 - 22 Adar 1 5771 Gathering Together in Holiness
The Jewish people gathered together as one, on the morning after forgiveness was granted, the first Yom Kippur. We also learn about Shabbat, a time for gathering and learning the Torah. The task we face is to infuse our weekday lives with Shabbat and Yom Kippur, which is called the shab-bat of shabbatot.
We learn from this weeks parasha that the 39 categories of work used to create the mishkan, are forbidden on Shabbat. However, we also learn that on weekdays one should be working within the frame-work of these 39 activities.
The purpose of working during the six days and not working on the seventh day, are the same. They are all part of making the world a place where the presence of G-d is recognisable and felt in everything, eve-rywhere and all the time. Thus, the world will also be peace-ful .... with the true and com-plete geulah through moshiach, now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
19 February 2011 - 15 Adar 1 5771 Enthusiastic Transformation
A Fiery Coin was shown to Mosheh Rabeinu by G-d, as an expression of how the Jewish people can atone for the sin of the golden calf.
The Jewish people (most of them) were either directly involved in, or did not object to, the golden calf and the atmosphere of frivolity and bloodshed that surrounded it.
We are taught that atonement for an act is to counter the essence of the transgression.
A Fiery Coin reflects the half shekel in particular and the giving of money to holy matters in general.
The Jewish people threw their material wealth, coins and jewellery into a fire from which the golden calf emerged. They then rejoiced with their creation enthusiastically and proclaimed it as their god.
The antidote for such actions is a "Fiery Coin". To "throw" ones money and materialism into holy, G-dly matters. One is not just to do it, but a person is to do it with enthusiasm.
Indeed, this is the ultimate stage of redemption, when all our materialism is transformed into a purely G-dly usage. This is to be done enthusiastically and with joy. Thus, when each one does her/his part, together we create the reality of Moshiach, Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
12 February 2011 - 8 Adar 1 5771 Revealing the Essence - With Joy
Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring out the best of people, the essence that lays dormant.
In this week’s parshah, it relates about oil that comes from crushed olives to be used when kindling the menorah.
So too, there are situations in which a person’s exterior is "crushed" and the inner essence revealed.
However, at the outset of the parshah, HaShem lets us know that we can achieve this level of being "crushed" through self submission to HaShem like Mosheh Rabeinu. This is accomplished by making ourselves "crushed" in the manner that Mosheh our teacher taught. Through him, and connecting to subsequent leaders like him, we can reveal our essence in a positive and joyful manner and not necessitate external forces to bring this out.
This is one of the tasks of Moshiach to show people how to bring out their own essence and that of the world around them in a positive manner.
Thus, we will merit to experience how the entire universe is filled with the knowledge of G-d through the revelation to all, of Moshiach, NOW!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
Hey! Have a happier day!
"Serve HaShem with joy" "...serve HaShem with joy and gladness of the heart" One is always to be happy - glad, for every-thing is from HaShem and is therefore all good.
However, "When the month of Adar en-ters (commences) we increase joy", to the degree that it becomes a month "that trans-forms negative into positive"
There are two forms of joy; one which comes from being "happy with ones lot - por-tion in life" and one which results from a seeming negative situation transformed into an even better than before scenario. In gen-eral, the joy that comes from the later is a greater joy than one which is an "every day" type.
This is connected with this weeks parasha of Terumah, giving "gold, silver and copper" to the construction of the mishkan, a "dwelling place for G-d" in this world. The Mishkan is the embodiment of what our lives are to be consumed with. We are to take the physical and material element of this world, including all our nuances, and utilise it (them) in a G-dly manner. In other words, we take that which may seem a contradiction to G-d and transform it into a G-dly vehicle. Thereby, bringing an ever increasing amount of joy to human and to G-d.
The ultimate state of this transformation, and the ensuing joy, will be completely realised with the complete Geulah through Moshiach, Now!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
29 January 2011 - 24 Shevat 5771 Mishpatim - Detailed Societal Laws.
So many details in this weeks parasha! Why? Does G-d want us to be consumed with details?
The same may be said of building a home. So many details are needed to build a lasting edifice? the short answer is, yes! One can build a home without as many de-tails, however, it will be greatly lacking in completeness and endurance.
Thus, HaShem wants us to create a complete and enduring society and world, both personally and communally. Therefore HaShem has provided for us with a detailed guide (the Torah) how to achieve this/these task/s successfully.
As such, the query remains; am I ready (interested) in doing my part to make the world G-d creates into a 'home' where the presence of its Master, HaShem, is evident?
Indeed, when each person does her/his detailed share, the world will reach its completeness with the advent of Moshiach, Now!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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Meshugah for Moshiach
15 January 2011 - 9 Shevat 5771 Singing Praise to HaShem.
In QLD and Northern NSW we are cur-rently experiencing record weather disasters, referred to as "an act of G-d". Indeed, everything that happens is an "act of G-d" even the minutest detail. Our sages have stated that we are to praise HaShem for the good and the (perceivable) bad. Currently, we are go-ing through a crisis and extending ourselves to assist one another in this time of need. While seas and riv-ers are not parting, as in this weeks parasha, the over-flowing waters are bringing people together. There is a heightened sense of care and concern for everything that has been affected by these waters.
Thus, as we wade through our predicament, we are to keep in mind that the true blessings come when this concern and care for one another flows over into our day to day life after the waters subside. With this in mind, we read this weeks parasha of the eternal praise one is to give G-d and how we eagerly antici-pate the imminence of Moshiach bringing about the resurrection of the dead and herald in the era when tears will be no more. "For the earth will be full with the knowledge of G-d, as the waters cover the ocean" with Moshiach Now!!!
~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski
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