Back from Sabbatical

I havent posted in awhile due to other priorities, but now will iy"H be posted as much as possible with hope of bringing the blog up to a level of daily postings. The blog should move to my website soon which I ask all who read to check out. www.michaelmordechai.com. My art and design is featured there and I can help you with any designing needs from Judaica Art, Kessubah Design, Wedding Invitation Monograms, to fine art and other graphic needs.

For now please read my blog about my time spent with the Pittsburgher Rebbe Shlit'a of Ashdod, Israel.

My days with the Pittsburgher Rebbe Shlit'a

Grand Rabbi Mordechai Yisachar Ber Leifer of Pittsburgh shlit'a

The Pittsburgher Rebbe comes every year to Los Angeles for a few weeks to spend time with his Chassidim there and fund raise for Pittsburgh Institutions. I met him last year at his Tish at Anshe Emes and was very excited to hear that he was coming during the Omer. My wife and I had yechidus with the Rebbe and gave us some good advice on where to move and how to go about getting to Israel to learn for a year. He told us to move to Los Angeles and when the time comes we will be able to go learn in Israel. I told him how I dont have a Rebbe and that I am teased by Chabad Chassidim because of this. Anytime I meet a new Chabad Chasid I am always asked what kind of Chasid I am, in case they forget that we were BOTH Jewish and that should be enough. The Rebbe smiled and told me that when I meet my Rebbe I will know and we will have a very deep connection and comfort with eachother, but I could borrow him for the time being. This left me with an amazing feeling of true Ahavas Yisroel from the Pittsburgher Rebbe.

The following Shabbos was his Tish which I unfortuantly missed but thought I could at least go late and wish the Rebbe Good Shabbos. When I got there I was told the Rebbe had just left and I was a little sad about it but was determined to spend Shabbos Day by the Rebbe. Before I left, I was given the a Nusach Sefard-Pittsburgh siddur by one of the Rebbe's Chassidim. This siddur is one of the best versions of the Siddur I have come across. The layout is outstanding as you never have to turn a page to finish a blessing or section of prayer. There is kavana under the four letter name of Hashem and for me at least that helps me concentrate better on davening and makes Hashems name stand out more on the page above the words surrounding it. For me it is a more stable davening than using the Artscroll Nusach Sefard, so I was very happy with the gift.

I walked to the shul where the Rebbe would daven Shachris and apparently made a left where I should have made a right and got turned around. Out from around the corner comes the Rebbe and I felt such a feeling of relief and of joy as the Rebbe approached me. We davened at a Litvish shul and the speed was very fast and I realized as I was emersed in my davening that I was very far behind the Baal Korah. After davening the Rebbe told me to walk next to him and we spoke words of Torah and he gave me advice on moving to Los Angeles. The Rebbe made kiddush for us and I was so nervous I almost made Hamotzi on Cake. That made me realize how foolish I am with my brachas that I have such fear to falter in front of a Rebbe but not in front of the King of Kings who the bracha is directed too. We sung a niggun and then the Rebbe went to where he was staying. We joined again for Shalosh Seudah and were blessed with amazing Torah from the Rebbe and a niggun called "Kol Dodi" which was very uplifting. We finished with maariv and I told the Rebbe I would hope iy"H to be by him tomorrow for Rosh Chodesh.

The Davening was the best since davening at the Kotel. Perfect speed and hearing the Rebbe cry out to Hashem strengthened my own cry. The Rebbe layned Torah for us and once again we parted ways. Maariv was late and the Rebbe didnt have his siddur with him so I lent him mine and used idaven on my cellphone which was very difficult. We had the blessing to hear one of the most heart felt counting of the Omer that I had ever heard. I later said I never heard Sefiras HaOmer untill I heard it recited by the Pittsburgher Rebbe Shilit'a. When we were done I came to get back my siddur and when the Rebbe found out it was mine he grabbed my hand and said to me, "I bless you that ALL your teffilahs should be heard." Speechless I struggled to get out an Amen and a Thank you and ran off with joy. The final night with the Rebbe concluded with a small tish with L'Chaims and singing with some Rabbonim from the La Brea area of Los Angeles. As the Rebbe walked out he shook my hand very tight and said to call him and to not give up if I cant get through because soon enough I will.

After reflecting on my time spent with the Rebbe I was very grateful for the experience. I learned some amazing Torah and Chassidus and was strengthened in my connection to Hashem and to Yiddishkite by having such an opportunity to be close to a Tzaddik. I hope to visit the Rebbe when I am in Eretz Yisroel soon either by opportunity, by Moshiach, or by both! I may not be a Pittsburgher Chasid but I feel I have a close relationship with the Rebbe that will help me grow closer to Hashem. We should all be blessed to interact with Tzaddikim and be inspired by them to do Teshuvah, perform Mitzvos, and bring Moshiach readily in our days Amen!

"Dont Mess With The BESHT"

(www.michaelmoredchai.com)

It has been some time since I last posted on here. I have been very busy with my artwork. My show "Dont Mess With The BESHT" opened this past Sunday (April 5th) with great success thanks to Hashem. There were a lot of people and everyone was positive. It motivates me to continue my work and show again soon in the future. Im trying to get my new website finished and the blog working. My Art Exhibit was featured in the Long Beach Press Telegram as well as the Los Angeles Jewish Journal's Blog, so check it out.

Pesach and Birkas HaChamah are upon us and Baruch Hashem I feel that I am almost free from the chains of university and will be freed to fully consume myself with Torah like the Israelites did in the desert. Then, just as our ancestors did I must leave the Clouds of Glory and work the land. Hopefully my artwork with Hashems blessing will help bring parnasah to my family to feed them and educate them.

I wish everyone a Kosher and Joyous Pesach and iy"H will be writting again after the Chag.

Emuna Goes Beyond Miracles

While learning Mishneh Torah of the RAMBAM, we went over a very interesting concept involving the prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu as well as the prophecy of anyone after him. RAMBAM says that a Prophet who says that he comes in the name of Hashem is not required to perform miracles, and if he does this should not be the determining factor in his authenticity, because miracles can also be performed with sorcery and magic. Why then did Moshe Rabbeinu perform so many miracles before and during the Exodus from Egypt? The answer is that those miracles served a purpose. They were not to bring legitimacy to Moshe, but to accomplish something that could not be done by natural means. RAMBAM says that "one who believes in another person because of signs has apprehension in his heart [...] and doubt."1

After learning this, I came home to read A Simple Jew's blog

"Even though the Jewish people had witnessed many wonders and miracles firsthand they still needed to have emuna. For emuna is on a higher level than sight; indeed, it enables a person to see more than the physical eye can ever observe."

(Chidushei HaRim - First Gerer Rebbe)

In today's day where Hashem is the most hidden and we must fully rely on Emuna it helps when the great Sages of our day help us relate to Hashem. May Hashem bring us to the final Exodus of this Galus to Geula, Moshiach, and the Revelation of the Emes of Hashem and his Torah.

Yechidus with the Nikolsburg Rebbe

(Rabbi Mechel Lebowits Shlit"a the Nikolsburger Rebbe)

When my wife and I were visiting New York, we tried to meet with the Nikolsburger Rebbe but were not able to get a hold of the Rebbe's Gabbi. I had read many amazing things about the Rebbe and his perfection of the mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel. The Rebbe was an inner-circle student of Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, zt"l, and some say was a potential candidate to become Rebbe after his passing. Nikolsburg isn’t a dynasty, but was the city where Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz was the chief Rabbi. The first Nikolsburger Rebbe was a student of the Maggid of Mezeritch. He was the teacher to many students who became Chassidic Rebbes in their own rite, such as the Chozeh of Lublin, R' Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, and the Koznitzer Maggid. The current Nikolsburger Rebbe's father was the son-in-law of a 7th descendent of the first Nikolsburger Rebbe. The Vizhntiz Rebbe of Monsey gave him the title of Nikolsburger Rebbe after this lineage, but he had already begun to form a following of thousands of Chasidim.

My father spoke to me earlier this week and told me that he took my mother with him to go see the Nikolsburger Rebbe to speak with him and ask for a Bracha. He told me that the Rebbe was in Los Angeles only for a short while longer and I should try to meet with him as well. I asked for the number to call and told myself I wasn't going to miss out on this for anything. I called the Gabbi and he told me to come Thursday night around 7:30pm.

When we arrived we filled out a kvitel and waited for our turn with the Rebbe. There were quite a few people in line ahead of us but most only took 5 or 10 minutes with the Rebbe. After about an hour we were told to go inside the Rebbe's room. He greeted us and the first thing he told us was how to keep Shalom Bayis in the home. He told me to compliment my wife more and criticize less, and that I should share the Torah I learn with her. I’m sure he tells this to every married couple that comes in but it hit close to home. Shalom Bayis is something I hold very high and many something I try to work very hard to keep. He asked us if any one was sick and we told him about our Rav's Rebbe HaRav Chaskel Besser and my Aunt who both need a Refuah Shelemah.

He then asked me about where I went to yeshiva and what learning I do. I told him about my learning chevrusim and he commented to me about my learning of Masekta Makkos. He went over one of the daf with me that I had trouble not understanding but agreeing with. He quoted Rashi beautifully and used a Kal Vachomer to explain why both this case and another case were both Hashem bringing justice to the world. He then told me, I tell you this because I know you were having trouble with that. I understand that he could have said any halacha from a masekta and told me that I was having trouble with that. My Chevrusa and I struggled with this halacha for some time, even with the Rashi and other commentary I just couldn't move forward. This made his words really hit me, in a way that felt like he could see right through me. The Halacha was when Edim Zomemin successfully have someone executed for a murder and are found out to be Zomemin (False) witnesses, they are not executed. After he explained it I felt a sense of relief as if I now truly understand the Pshat of that Gemara.

He asked us about our names and where our families came from. He told us that our ancestors in Europe were big Talmid Chachamim and were very proud that we have chosen a path back to Torah. We spoke about our plans to learn in Eretz Yisroel for the next year or so and he blessed us that this should happen. My Rav told me to buy my wife a bracelet and have him bless it. This was the point that shook me down to my Nefesh and Ruach. I told him that I bought a bracelet for him to bless, and He asked for it. I put it on the table and he took it. He held it tight and blessed us to learn in Israel, to build a Torah him, and have healthy children. As he blessed us every thought left my mind, my yetzer harah with knocked unconscious and my wife told me after that the back of her chair moved. It was such a good feeling to be by such a Tzaddik and to have spent almost 30 minutes with him, which felt like hours. All I could think about was Hashem and his Torah and how badly I wanted a Rebbe. He told us to come to him for Shabbos when we are in New York this summer and we were very honored and iy"H well be by him. He refused my tzedakah and told me to save for Israel and when I become a rich man to come back to him.

We spoke to the Gabbi outside and he told us to come for Shabbos to be by them. They were all very nice and asked me if I wear a streimel for Shabbos v'Yom Tov. I told him no, a little embarrassed, as I still don’t feel I am worthy to don such a garment. They asked my wife what she think, and to listen to what she says. I told them they were right cause she is the boss. Right now I need to save up for Yeshiva, then next its some sort of fur hat. The Nikolsburger Rebbe is truly an amazing and special Rebbe and I hope this meeting was the beginning of a special relationship.

5th of Shvat: Sfas Emes Yaharzeit

(Courtesy of mysefer.com)

Tonight begins the 5th of Shvat which is the Yaharzeit of the Heiliga Rebbe Reb Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger better known by his magnum opus Sfas Emes. He is one of my Rebbes and is the reason for my closeness to Gerrer Chassidus. His Maamarim on Chumash used sources from Gemara, Midrash, and Zohar to get a deeper understanding of each Torah portion.

He was one of the greatest Torah scholars of his generation and it is said that the Sochatchover Rebbe maintained two bookcases — one for Rishonim (earlier commentators) and another for Acharonim (later commentators). The volumes of the Sfas Emes, written in the late 1800s, were to be found in his bookcase containing the Rishonim. He said "to study some portions of the Talmud without the Sfas Emes is unthinkable to the modern-day scholar."1.

Shabbos evening we should celebrate by giving over Torah of the Sfas Emes and saying L'Chaim that in his merit Klal Yisroel should be protected and that we should continue to learn Torah to bring the Redemtion early with the coming of Moshiach ben David, Now! Amen.

Here are recommended resources to learn Sfas Emes.

Torah.org presents Dr. Nosson Chayim Leff's commentary on Sfas Emes

http://sfasemes.blogspot.com/

Targum.com selling Sfas Emes Companion in English


1. Rabbi Menachem Lubinsky, in the Jewish Observer

Machmer & Makel

(courtesy of Heinz.com)

When Hashem decided to have a Holy nation come from Avraham, he didn’t make a stale carbon copy Jew that lacks beauty and uniqueness. Yaakov had 2 wives and 2 concubines. 4 different women who in turn begot 12 different unique and beautiful sons. Our people come from this beauty and uniqueness. Judaism has 12 gates of prayer (as well as a 13 gate revealed by the Holy Ari'zal) as well as 13 ways of living life. Hashem gave us the Torah and gave the Rabbi's the authority and ability to understand what is expected of us as Jews.

Many FFBs as well as BT's are taught a certain way and this way is Emes of course and might work for them, but they fail to realize for one reason or another that this is not the only way. Anyone who learns Gemara knows that you can get through one daf of any masekta without 3 of our Sages disagreeing with each other, bring up a Barisa here and there and showing each other that R' so in so actually meant this when he said that. There are no superflous words in the written or oral Torah, and there is an important reason why the Gemara is written the way it is. I once ate by a Talmid Chacham of a Chasid for Shabbos in Jerusalem. He told me in Kollel they are learning the non-Pshat of the Gemara and this is showing them that they didn’t even know the Pshat to begin with. Another brilliant Chasid who was my Chevrusa in yeshiva said, "The easiest thing to understand is why the Rabbi who is right is right, the real point of the Gemara is to understand why the one who is wrong is actually right!"

*Note: This blog is a response to statements made to me and these statements are italicized in orange like this. These statements were made to be my Torah Jews searching for Emes and my responses are meant to show a bigger picture and not show them they are wrong and I am right.


There are many different ways in Torah Judaism and they all are Emes, they all keep in Halacha and they all are devoted to HaKodesh Baruch Hu. With that said, it is said by many great tzaddikim that just as it is bad to always be Makel on Halacha, it is just as harmful to always be Machmer on Halacha.

Haredi Judaism, especially Chassidus focuses at great length on the idea of "kadesh et atzmecha b'mutar lach" meaning that you can attain holiness by holding back from permitted things.

I was told a story of a Chabad Rav who said once in a shiur, "Just because there's Kosher L'Pesach ketchup doesn't mean you have to have ketchup on Pesach!" Meaning that, just because it's permitted doesn't mean it's something you "should do".

There are people that take issue with this idea. I mean if its Kosher than its ok, right? Wrong. I wish that in illustrating this issue they chose an example other than Pesach because this one my biggest issue in Torah Judaism. The Jews left Egypt with flat bread because they had to leave immediately. Do you think they had Kosher for Passover Ketchup? Or Kosher for Passover Cake mix? I hear people complain every year of how expensive Kosher for Pesach food has become and how the price raises every year. Newsflash!!! It’s Hashem raising the prices!! For one week would it be so bad to not eat processed food? Maybe eat fruit and vegetables for a change? All I ate for Pesach last year was raw foods. It was amazing, and when I saw that there are people whose daily living is eating raw foods, I figured for a week I could live. To be Machmer for a week, oy so difficult.

But this doesn’t really answer the question. Internet, Movies, TV, Concerts, these are what kadesh et atzmecha b'mutar lach is talking about. Each way of Torah Judaism is Emes, and I can’t stress that enough. Chassidic, Litvish, Sephardic, Modern Orthodox, Mizrach, Whatever you are, we all have one thing in common. We praise Hashem and we keep Halacha. Still different groups choose to hold different levels on different things and just because that isn't right for you doesn’t mean its not right for someone else. There is no internet connection in New Square and using the internet is Assur. Why? Because 80% of the internet is a Chillul Hashem of Sex, Murder, and Avodah Zara. The internet is a storage space for the 3 cardinal sins of Judaism. Now the other 20% what about that? Well the Internet is what Tanya would called a Klippas Nogah. Something that although can be used for evil can also be transformed into Holiness. That’s why the internet has been used by Chabad to bring thousands of Jews back to Yiddishkite in a way that without internet would not be possible.

Someone told me imagine you and 3 other people are walking and you see on the ground an object which has materialized from space. You have no idea what this object is but it seems to have some function. It's ownerless. What would one's gut reaction be before knowing anything: is this (brand new, never existed before) object mutar/permitted or assur? You have two ways to go about the research after this point, "It's mutar, of course, why should it be assur?" or "It's assur! Show me why it's mutar!" I started seeing far more of the latter in the Chassidish world than the former.

I’m not exactly sure what the former is, if this is the former Chassidic generation, then the answer is that there was less unknown things then than now. The Industrial Revolution has in 200 years accomplished more than it did the prior 5569. A Jews mission here on earth is to bring Holiness into the world by performing his Mitzvos. The question arises in regards to something being assur or mutar is, how will this help me reveal Hashem into the world and connect to him. Does watching TV do this? Going to a concert? Eating Kosher L'Pesach Ketchup? I’m not here to give my own opinion, in as much as I want people to get thinking and knowing that Yes, or No, neither violates Halacha but some people choose to go above the letter of the law.

Another person said to me:
Is abortion assur? I got shut down at a Chabad before even bringing up pro-choice opinions. Ask in the Chassidish velt if America should have gay marriage - who will mention Leviticus and who will mention the Gemara in Chullin, the source of the issur (for goyim, for Jews its the Sifri)?

This was kind of left field for me, because the discussion was about Chassidus and Modern Orthodox, and I was unaware that the Rabbinic leadership of Modern Orthodoxy said that Abortion and Gay marriage is mutar. I’m not really looking to discuss that as I don’t see a point, and this itself deserves its own blog and I’m not willing to waste time with such.

This was a rather surprising statement also said to me and I was very shocked to say the least. More so because I feel this person knows what he’s talking about and I cant image what less uneducated people might make of these types of experiences.

"Chassidus" is given as the reason "why" something is done I get furious. We do NOT pasken from Tanya. Or from the Kedushas Levi or any sayings of any other Rebbe except when said in a halachic context. Period.

First of all Chas V'Shalom we should ever be angry, because anger the sages say is equal to Idoletry. Secondly I can for a moment relate to this, but once its explained I can not relate to it. Something that used to bother me specificly in respect to Chabad is that they always say "The Rebbe said" and rarely sight an actual source. Then it hit me one Shabbos and I understood. I was learning Chumash with the Baal HaTurim's commentary and that same Shabbos someone said "The Rebbe said" and said exactly what I learned. I wanted to yell out actually the Tur says that and he is quoting Rashi, but G-d forbid I would embarrass a Jew publicly. A Rebbe and I mean any Rebbe of a Chassidic dynasty is a huge tzaddik and its safe to say they know the whole written and oral Torah by heart. Its also safe to say that the only thing that comes out of a Rebbe's mouth is Emes Torah. So most people arent learned enough to remember the sources the Rebbe used but if you ever watch videos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe its always "Its says in this Gemara this and it says in Shulchan Aruch that" and all of his Sichos have sources cited. So to say that you cant learn Torah unless you are reading straight Shulachan Aruch is absurd. As for saying you cant Paskin from the Tanya, this is true you cant. However the person that wrote the Tanya the Baal HaTanya was a Posek and codified his own Shulchan Aruch that many Chassidim hold by. It also is written in the beginning of Tanya that nothing the Alter Rebbe writes is new. Its all sourced and every other line is straight from the Gemara. I took the liberty of providing the sources for the 1st chapter of Tanya to prove this point. Every source on the 1st Chapter is from the Gemara. Niddah 30b, Berachos 7a, Bava Batra 16a, Bava Metzia 86a, Sanhedrin 99a. So you cant "poskin" a Shilah from the Tanya, but you can sure use it as a map to live ones life as a Torah Jew. I personally have never heard anyone poskin from Tanya because unless you are a Posek you cant poskin and some random Yid or even a Rabbi isn’t a Posek even if they try to derive Halacha from the Tanya.

Or when "Israel are compared to the stars of the sky" is given as the reason for why a Chabad Sukkah doesn't need to have the stars visible (real reason: multiway machlokes in the Shulchan Aruch, Alter Rebbe going in his usual derech of paskening, down w/the Magen Avraham )

I would just like to clarify if it isnt clear, that Chabad is a Chassidic sect but does not represent all Chassidim, so it makes me a little said when all Chassidim are judged on account of how Chabad holds (which is in most cases the opposite of general Chassidus). Regardless my reoccurring theme still stands, and that is that it’s ALL EMES and I pray my words arent taken as criticism of Chabad. With that said, the Alter Rebbe is quoted as saying "His only regret is that he didn’t poskin more like the Magen Avraham." The Magen Avraham was Polish and many Polish, Galicia, Ukranian Chassidim hold by him while Russian, White Russia, Luthuanian Chassidim (such as Chabad) don’t. I’m not familiar with this Chabad Minhag and my parents (who are Lubavitchers) have a sukkah that I see the stars just fine in. Regardless you said it yourself. Its a Machlokes in the Shulchan Aruch so that means more than one opinion and that doesn’t violate the Halacha.


One of the reasons I'm feeling myself drawn to the Modern Orthodox world is davka for this reason. Looking at halacha and seeing endless cases of "hey, you mean I could have been doing this the whole time?". Halacha based on people not seforim is the opposite of what I see in Brooklyn shtetlach based on my interactions with Chassidish Rebbeim.

As a Jew it is YOUR Job to learn Torah. It isn’t the job of any Rabbi to sit there and give you the 10 opinions brought down from the Shulchan Aruch. Its a big problem for people that become religious later in life, who go to Yeshivas like Mayanot, Aish, Ohr Somayach and they learn the way that group holds and they think that is the halacha without actually taking time to learn out the halacha from the Gemara or the Shulchan Aruch where they see that almost all Halacha has more than 2 opinions. They arent told that "This is how we hold, but there are other opinions" because that will confuse people and cause problems. If you hold by one Rav for one thing and another Rav for another thing what happens when you hold by something that goes against that Rav. That doesnt make sense. You are supposed to find yourself a Rav. It says it in Pirke Avos to make yourself a Rav. What does that mean? It means you must search to see which Rav's way of holding Torah suits you best. Whether its Modern Orthodox, Ultra Haredi Orthodox or something in between, you have to find a Rav and stick with what he says. You can play picksies and choosies when you don’t like how a Rabbi rules and find someone who rules like you want. That’s not how it works. You need to find a Rav and stick with him. If you want to find a Rav that is makel on most things that is fine, but you cant criticize someone who decides to be machmer and go above the letter of the law.

Conclusion:

The reason that there are so many ways of Judaism is because there is not just one way for Jews to reach their full potential. Not everyone should adhere to an Ultra Orthodox Standard of life, and some people should raise themselves up above an "Always Makel Stance" on Torah. Hashem knows where we should be so if we all learn Torah and search out for the Emes then we will all be put in the place we belong.

To say that Chassidim don’t follow Halacha is not only inaccurate but it is the anti of Emes. Not everyone is perfect but you judge a group of hundreds of thousands of Yidden on your or mine or anyones limited experiences is unfair and wrong.

Remember the Heilega Baal Shem Tov said, "When you see a fault in someone, its really a fault in yourself."

We should all merit bringing Emes into the world through our holy study of Torah and with that bringing Moshiach ben David through peace and not war, NOW. Amen.

Chassidic Art

My art has made as much of a transition towards Emes and Kedushah as my Ruach and Nefesh. It has been a great struggle to completely remake myself as an artist, sometimes even more so than remaking myself as a Jew. In the beginning my art was very forced and screamed "Look Im Jewish and I make Jewish art, see how Jewish it is!" I thank Ribono Shel Olam and his holy land of Eretz Yisroel for helping me find my place not just as a Chassidishe Yid, but as a Chassidishe Artist. Tomorrow I start my last semester of university. I will iy"H graduate with a B.F.A. in Printmaking. Ironically enough I graduate on Shavuos. After that my wife and I will Hashems blessing will go to Eretz Yisroel for an undetermined amount of time to fully submerge ourself in Torah Learning at Yeshiva Darche Noam and Midrashet Rachel V'Chaya. I have my first gallery open on April 5th, 2009 iy"H. I have a website that will be up iy"H soon which my blog will also be moving too. I can now say that which is something I rarely admit but I am finally now making conscience art and not ust pretty pictures. Stay tuned and check out.

http://michaelmordechai.com/2/

Chassidic Cyclers
Silkscreen and Monoprint 2008

Chassidic Cycler
Silkscreen Spoke Card 2008

The Alter Vilna
Lithography before Color 2008

The Lubavitcher Rebbe
Silkscreen on Monoprint 2008

Long Beach Fixed
Lithography 2008

Rosh Hashana
Lithography 2008

Long Beach Chasid is Moving

I'm still in Long Beach for now, but I am moving my blog. Ive registered the domain name

www.MichaelMordechai.com

This website will host my artwork as well as whatever future Long Beach Chasid has.

Stay tuned for pretty pictures and shiny objects.

Good Shabbos!

Birthpangs of Moshiach

A Chasid told me a story about the Baba Sali

Before he died he gave a letter to his Shamesh telling him not to open it until Sept 11, 2001. The Shamesh opened the letter on the 11th of September like the Baba Sali had instructed him. Now keep in mind, his Shamesh doesn't use internet or watch TV so there is no way he knows what is happening on the other side of the world when he opens the letter and reads the following.

"Today two buildings will fall. When the third building falls, Moshiach will come."

The story was quite a shock to me and I tried to search the internet to verify such a story. I didnt find it, but what I did find was this website.

Pure Torah Amazing Torah website.

Bircat Ha'Chamah - The Blessing on the Sun - Once every 28 years Since creation, there was only two times that the year we say Birkat HaHamah fell out on the 1st Day of Passover.The first was the year Hashem redeemed Israel from Egypt.The second was the year of Purim, when Hashem saved the Jews from the evil Haman, who wanted to kill and destroy all Jews.This year Birkat HaHamah falls out on the 1st Day of Passover (which will be the 3rd time in history) When it was told to Hacham Ovadia Yosef, that this year Birkat HaHamah falls out on the 1st Day of Passover, he started crying.

*Edit: A commenter on my blog showed me that this is not true. Birkas Ha'Chammah fell on the 1st day of Pesach on April 8th 1925.

Some really amazing stories.

Stories are stories though. We need to do Teshuvah, get others to do Teshuvah and perform Mitzvos with Love and Joy!

Lets bring Moshiach now!!! Amen!