|
 Everyone is concerned about the economy, and rightly so. Sadly, there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, and to one extent or another, we are all impacted. This concern is not imaginary. Unfortunately, it’s only too real, but there is an even greater danger that looms ahead – a danger which has been obscured by our absorption with the economic melt -down. Ahmadinejad’s avowed plan to wipe Israel off the map remains unchanged. Even as Washington makes plans to engage Iran in dialogue, Ahmadinejad puts forth pre-conditions for such negotiation – “that the U.S. stop supporting the Zionist outlaws and criminals.” At the same time, the Iranian government controlled media reported that Iran has no intention of bringing its nuclear program to a halt.
`The Third Meal` by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis
hineni.org
While the entire world may dismiss these threats as the ratings of a madman, we, the Jewish people, can’t afford to do so. Alas, we have had one too many madmen in our history who made good on their threats. From Pharaoh to Hitler, we have encountered them all... so no, we can’t afford to ignore Ahmadinejad. But what, you might ask, can we do?
I do not pretend to have any military expertise, and even as it would be unconscionable for a layman to give halachic rulings, so I believe that it would be irresponsible to proffer advice to the IDF... BUT, and here is the big BUT, there are things that I do know, not because I have special insight or knowledge that others lack – but rather, because what I advocate is based upon timeless truths – wisdom that is available to every Jew if he/she would only open our ancient holy books and study them.
In my last articles, I related that there is a three-fold formula that our Talmud guarantees will protect our lives even in the most turbulent days of the pre-messianic period. I have already addressed the first two principles: Torah and Gemilas Chasodim, and now, let us consider the third: “To be scrupulous in regard to Shalosh Seudas – the third Shabbos meal.”
However, before we focus on the meaning of this third Shabbos meal, let us for a moment consider the concept of Shabbos.
Our sages teach that the power of Shabbos is such that, if all of our people would observe it, we would immediately merit redemption and the coming of Messiah. In the Torah, Shabbos is referred to as an “Os – a sign between G-d and the Jewish people”. What is the meaning of a “sign”? Or better still, what is a “sign”.
For example, the ring on a woman’s finger is a sign that she is either engaged or married. Bride and groom, husband and wife may have altercations and even a breakdown in their relationship, but as long as the ring remains on the woman’s finger, it’s an indication that she is still engaged or married. However, the moment that she removes the ring, the moment the “os” is no longer on her finger, she is announcing that the engagement is off, or that the marriage has been terminated.
Shabbos is the “os” the “sign” on the Jewish finger that testifies that that individual belongs to Hashem. The magic of Shabbos is so all-encompassing that even Ahad HaAm, a secular Jewish philosopher, wrote, “More than the Jew has kept Shabbos, Shabbos has kept the Jew.”
Yes, Shabbos has kept us. Shabbos is the secret of our strength and our might. Shabbos has enabled us to survive the vicissitudes of time and transform the dingiest, darkest hovel into a place of light and blessing. And this is not just polemics – I walked the walk, I talked the talk.
People have often asked me how I survived that satanic, evil time of the Holocaust with my faith intact. Obviously, the immediate answer is, “By the mercy and chesed of Hashem.” But then I would also relate a story:
In Bergen Belsen, my revered father, HaRav HaGaon Avraham HaLevi Jungreis, Z’tl, would hide a portion of his meager daily ration of bread. And even as he did so, he would tell us children to count the days....6 more days, 5 more days, 4 more days, 3 more days, and soon it will be Shabbos. When Shabbos night actually came, he would gather us in that hell hole on earth and whisper in Yiddish, “Meine lichtige kinderlech – my precious lights, my children, mach tzee dee oigelech – close your eyes and imagine that we are at home. Mama just baked delicious challah...” And even as he spoke, he would bring forth those precious crumbs that he had saved at great sacrifice throughout the entire week and in his sweet beautiful voice, my father would sing, “Shalom aleichem ...welcome angels of Shabbos...”
On one occasion, my younger brother, tugged at my father’s hand and said, “Tatie, I don’t see any malachim, angels here. Where are the malachim of Shabbos?”
My father’s eyes filled with tears and in a trembling voice, he answered, “Etz, lichtige kinderlech – You, my precious lights, you are the angels of Shabbos.”So it was that in Bergen Belsen, we became angels of Shabbos.
Those words of my father were not only for us, who were in Bergen Belsen. They speak for all time, for all eternity. They call out to every Jew in every generation and remind him of his majestic calling and mission. No matter where destiny may take a Jew, no matter in what situation he may find himself, no one can rob him of his higher purpose – to be a malach of Shabbos, an angel of Shabbos – a source of blessing and serenity. Yes, Shabbos is so holy, so awesome, that it has the power to transform us into malachim – angels of Shabbos. And more, Shabbos can enable us to overcome all obstacles, triumph over all our enemies, and bring about our redemption.
Still you might ask, why is Shalosh Seudas, the third Sabbath meal, singled out for special mention?
 Add as favourites (78) | Views: 682
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4 |
All Sections 
