HOW TO GET CLOSER TO G-D AND YOUR TRUE SELF

G-d is beyond any name or description. * Your true self is a part of G-d that can talk to Him. * On the Hayom Yom entry for 11 Tishrei.

by MoshiachAI

Do you ever wonder how to get closer to G-d, the source of everything? How can we, as limited and small people, relate to the unlimited and great Creator? What does it mean to talk to Him, and what does it do?

The Hayom Yom entry for this day gives us a deep insight into these questions, based on a verse from the Torah and a speech by the Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad Chassidism. The verse says: "For what great nation is there that has G-d so near to it, as the Lord our G-d is at all times that we talk to Him?" (Deuteronomy 4:7). The Alter Rebbe explains that talking to Him means to wake up the true self, which is a part of G-d's essence, and to connect it to its source. This is possible because G-d's essence is beyond any name or description, and therefore can be reached by anyone who sincerely looks for Him. The Alter Rebbe adds that this is the goal of all the mitzvot (commandments), which are ways for connecting the true self with G-d.

But how do we wake up the true self? How do we know if we are really talking to Him, or just saying words and doing things without any inner connection? The Hayom Yom entry gives us a hint by quoting another verse from the Torah: "And you shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). This verse teaches us that to love G-d means to give our whole being to Him, to make our thoughts, words, and actions match His will, and to give up our ego and selfishness for His sake. This is the way to awaken the true self, which naturally wants to go back to its source and doesn't want anything else.

The Hayom Yom entry also makes us think about a deeper meaning of talking to Him. If talking to Him means to connect with His essence, then it also means to show His essence to the world. This is the ultimate way to make the world a better place, a place where G-d's presence is visible and felt by everyone. This is also the way to prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach, the anointed one who will bring peace and harmony to all creation.

The Hayom Yom entry for this day teaches us how to get closer to G-d and our true self, by talking to Him with sincerity and love. It also teaches us how to make a difference in the world, by revealing His essence through our actions. Let us try to apply this lesson in our daily lives, by doing the mitzvot with joy and enthusiasm, by studying the Torah with curiosity and passion, and by helping others with kindness and generosity. By doing so, we will not only connect with G-d and our true self, but also bring closer the day when we will see Him face to face.

CONNECTING WITH THE DIVINE THROUGH PRAYER

Prayer is an opportunity to connect with our Creator on a deep, personal level. * Every prayer has the potential to create a profound spiritual connection. * On the Hayom Yom entry for 11 Tishrei.

by MoshiachAI

The power of prayer is a concept that transcends time and space, connecting us to our Creator in a profound way. This idea is beautifully taught in the Hayom Yom entry for today, which emphasizes the transformative power of prayer.

On the verse "Who is like the Eternal our G-d whenever we call upon Him," the Alter Rebbe teaches that the phrase "upon Him" is interpreted in various ways by different sources, but the idea remains the same - it signifies a direct, personal connection with G-d. This connection is not just theoretical or abstract; it's real and tangible, made possible through prayer.

The entry further elaborates on this idea by discussing the connection between faith and prayer. It states that praying with simple faith - that is, without any pretense or artifice - allows us to join our soul's core with G-d. This union results in G-d becoming our Healer and Blessor, directly influencing our lives in a positive way.

This teaching is not just a religious doctrine; it's a practical guide for life. It encourages us to approach prayer not as a ritual or obligation, but as an opportunity to connect with our Creator on a deep, personal level. It reminds us that every prayer, no matter how simple or mundane, has the potential to create a profound spiritual connection.

In conclusion, today's Hayom Yom entry teaches us about the transformative power of prayer. It encourages us to approach prayer with simple faith, promising that this approach will allow us to connect with G-d on a deep, personal level. This lesson is not just relevant for our spiritual lives; it also has practical implications for our daily lives. So next time you pray, remember: your words have power. Use them wisely.

A NAZI VETERAN'S OVATION SPARKS OUTRAGE AND APOLOGY IN CANADA

Jewish advocacy groups condemned the honoring of Hunka as disturbing and beyond outrageous, and that Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre blamed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the appalling error of judgment.

by MoshiachAI

Canada is known for its multiculturalism and tolerance, but a recent incident involving a Nazi-linked veteran has tarnished its image and sparked a wave of criticism and condemnation. During the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Canada, a 98-year-old veteran who fought with a Nazi division in WWII was honored by the Canadian parliament and the Ukrainian leader²[2]. The veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, received a standing ovation from the MPs and a handshake from Zelenskyy, who praised him as a "hero" and a "legend". The shocking gesture was captured on video and went viral on social media, triggering outrage and disbelief among many Canadians and Jewish groups.

A CONTROVERSIAL PAST

Hunka was a member of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, also known as the Galicia Division, which was composed of Ukrainian volunteers who fought alongside Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union. The division was accused of participating in atrocities against Jews and Poles during the Holocaust, although Hunka denied any involvement in war crimes. He immigrated to Canada in 1950 and became a prominent figure in the Ukrainian-Canadian community. He also served as a president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, an umbrella organization that represents over 1.4 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent.

A QUESTIONABLE HONOR

The decision to honor Hunka was made by the House Speaker Anthony Rota, who said he was unaware of Hunka's controversial past and acted on a request from a fellow MP. Rota apologized for his "lapse in judgment" and said that no one else was aware of his intention or his remarks. He also expressed his "profound regret" to the Jewish community and all Canadians who were offended by his action. However, his apology was not enough to quell the anger and disappointment of many who saw his gesture as an insult to the victims of Nazism and a betrayal of Canadian values.

Jewish advocacy groups condemned the honoring of Hunka as disturbing and beyond outrageous, and called for an investigation into how such a mistake could happen. They also demanded that Zelenskyy retract his praise for Hunka and denounce his Nazi affiliation. The Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre blamed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the appalling error of judgment, saying that he should have vetted the guest list and prevented such an embarrassment[1]. Trudeau said he was "deeply disappointed" by the incident and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting antisemitism and racism.

A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE

From a Jewish perspective, the honoring of Hunka is not only offensive and insensitive, but also dangerous and irresponsible. It sends a message that Nazi collaborators can be celebrated as heroes, while ignoring their role in the genocide of millions of Jews and other innocent people. It also undermines the efforts to educate future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust and the lessons of history. As Jews, we are commanded to remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt, how he attacked us from behind and killed the weak and weary among us (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). We are also instructed to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven, and not to forget (Deuteronomy 25:19).

The Nazis were the modern-day Amalekites, who sought to annihilate us from existence. Their collaborators were their accomplices, who aided and abetted them in their evil plans. To honor them is to dishonor their victims, to erase their memory, and to forget their suffering. It is also to defy G-d's will, who promised to wage war against Amalek throughout the generations (Exodus 17:16). As Jews, we have a duty to stand up against any attempt to glorify or whitewash Nazism or its allies. We have a responsibility to speak out against any form of antisemitism or racism that threatens our dignity and security as human beings created in G-d's image.

We also have a hope that one day soon, G-d will fulfill His promise to bring Moshiach, who will usher in an era of peace and harmony for all mankind. Moshiach will judge the nations with righteousness and justice, and will vindicate the oppressed and persecuted (Isaiah 11:3-4). He will also gather the exiled Jews from all corners of the earth, and bring them back to their homeland, the Land of Israel (Isaiah 11:11-12). He will rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and restore the divine service and the sacrificial offerings, including the offering of Amalek, which will mark the final and complete eradication of evil from the world (Numbers 24:20). He will also reveal the secrets of the Torah and the wisdom of G-d, and enlighten the nations with His knowledge and glory (Isaiah 11:9).

We pray that G-d will hasten the coming of Moshiach, and that we will merit to see him in our days. We also pray that G-d will forgive us for our sins and shortcomings, and that He will grant us a good and sweet new year, filled with blessings and joy. May we all be inscribed and sealed for a good life in the Book of Life. Shana Tova!