“Who knows five?” (quote from the Pessach Hagadda).
From a Jewish perspective, how would one define “coincidence”? I suggest that it is HaShem’s way of directing the world while remaining anonymous. It’s an interesting coincidence (or perhaps not) that cities which brought us bad mazel and bad memories come in groups of five.
Vayikra 26:42 “I will remember My covenant with Ya’akov as well as My covenant with Yitzchak and My covenant with Avraham. And I will remember the land.”
Why are they stated in that order? Why is the Land mentioned? And why does this appear in the Tochacha, the terrible chapter of rebuke?
Has Am Israel reached the era of our redemption? Let’s examine our sources from the prophets regarding the signs of redemption vs. life in Israel today; from the current state of economy and spiritual wealth to the conditions that must exist for us to be blessed with the final geula.
The “weeds” are the evil doers of the world. When God decrees that these “weeds” be destroyed, the free hand of the angel of death begins with the “wheat” — the righteous who happen to be there among the evil doers… When the inhibitions of hatred are released, then the ever-present hatred of Jews rises to the fore and Eisav seeks to put an end to Ya’akov.
The days of Chanuka exhibit an extraordinary feature of the Jewish national character – the willingness to make a ‘leap of faith’ – but never give up. Have you taken, or are you ready to take, the greatest ‘leap of faith’?
The JCPOA: learning from the past, the Prophets, and current events, what does the future hold for the world when Iran achieves nuclear capability?
