Why the Earthquake and How it's Connected to Galut and Geulah

Some informative info from Hakhel today:

Special Note Two: Many along the eastern coast of the United States experienced the awe of a relatively gentle earthquake yesterday. What was all the quaking about? We remind ourselves of Chazal (Brachos 59A), who teach that an earthquake is Hashem’s expression of Tza’ar over our continued Galus, and the troubles and distresses we must endure in exile. The Gemara there explains that the earthquake occurs as a result of one of several possibilities: either Hashem’s ‘two tears’ that He sheds (over our physical and spiritual suffering), or His ‘hands clapping’ over our frustration, or His ‘sighing’, or His ‘kicking’ the rokia, or ‘His forcing his feet’ under the Kisei HaKavod--each being different expressions of love and concern that Hashem has for us in this Galus--and intended to remind us that there is an END to this GALUS--as although Hashem finds this journey absolutely necessary for us--it is nevertheless both disappointing and reprehensible to Him--so much so as to warrant an earthquake to the world at large. With this in mind, we now continue with our focus on the Fourteenth Bracha of Shemone Esrei--Binyan Yerushalayim. In the Bracha, we first ask that Hashem bring his Shechinah back to Yerushalayim. Only then, do we continue with the next step of our plea--U’Vnei Osah BiKarov BiYameinu Binyan Olam. With these words, we ask that it be Hashem Himself who rebuilds Yerushalayim--so that it stand permanently (unlike the first and second Bais Hamikdash eras, when human were involved in the building and which were only temporary). Fascinatingly, HaRav Chaim Friedlander, Z’tl, points to the words in Nacheim --Ki Atta Hashem BaAish Hitzata U’VaAish Atta Asid Levnosa…Hashem You destroyed it in fire and with fire You will build it, as well. We don’t know very well how to build a city with fire--Hashem does. The Ramchal actually explains that there is a deeper concept that lies here as well: It is not only that there will be a Yerushalayim above and a Yerushalayim below, but that the new ‘rebuilding’ will include Ruchniyus from above coming down to connect to the Ruchniyus below. Thus, although there will be a semblance of physical walls around, the Ruchniyus of the heavens above will actually have a place in this world. We then specifically ask that this incomparable and eternal rebuilding occur B’Karov B’Yameinu. HaRav Friedlander notes that there are two concepts here. First, we would like it to happen B’Karov--in the immediate future. Even, however, if it does not occur this hour or this day, we still plea that it happen B’Yameinu--in our days while in Olam Hazeh!

New Zealand Earthquakes After-effects for us

From today's Hakhel email:

Special Note One: As the Arab world continues to totter, as the after-effects of the earthquake in New Zealand shockingly appear, and the Western World is reminded of all of the world turmoil with drastically increasing oil prices--where does this leave the Torah Jew? Let us look for a moment at Tehillim Kepitel 99 (to be the Chapter of the day in Nach Yomi later this week!). There, Dovid HaMelech states: “Hashem Malach Yirgezu Amim Yosheiv Keruvim Tanut HaAretz--Hashem has reigned: let peoples tremble; before Him who is enthroned on Keruvim, let the earth quake” (Tehillim 99:1). Our relationship with Hashem is symbolized by Keruvim as well--the Keruvim on top of the Aron described in last week’s Parsha (Shemos 37:7-9). The Keruvim teach us that our lives are to be focused at Hashem and what Hashem wants of us in this world. By focusing on Hashem, we are constantly reminded that our goal in life is to constantly elevate ourselves spiritually--to gradually be better--to steadily attain new gains and set new goals. This, of course, brings us to our daily aspiration, our daily ambition--Teshuva BeChol Yom!

In order to help us accomplish this task, the Sefer Orchos Tzadikim (in the Sha’ar HaZechira--which contains 30 items that we should Always Remember) provides the following potent one-sentence instruction: IN HEBREW: “Veyishal MeiElokim Aizer Sheya’azreihu Veyodiahu Chochma, VeYechazek Aivarav Lisbol Mitzvosav VeLa’alos Madreiha Achar Madreiga.” IN ENGLISH: One should remember to ask Hashem (Hakhel Note: We believe the intent is at least daily) for His Help in teaching him wisdom and its ways, and in strengthening his body to perform the Mitzvos so that he can continuously raise himself to higher levels in life. Perhaps one can write this thought in his Siddur after Elokai Netzor. Please recall the words of the Ramban in Parshas Shemos (which we had previously published) in which the Ramban writes that the reason Moshe Rabbeinu was not healed form his speech impediment at the Burning Bush was that he had not asked to be healed--and that if had asked for it, it would have been answered! Let us make sure that, daily, we make sincere and appropriate requests for Hashem’s assistance in helping us focus--and Hashem, represented by the Keruv facing us--will have something very important and very worthwhile to answer!