The newly released book “Unbelievable Insights about Moshiach and the Final Redemption” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D14Z6283 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This comprehensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and numerous others, providing enlightening insights. Featuring a compilation of more than 50 meticulously constructed essays, it skillfully communicates the Torah's perspective regarding Moshiach and the final redemption. Serving as an indispensable guide, this work assists readers in gaining a deeper understanding of this crucial topic. It makes a great gift for friends, relatives, business associates and learning partners. Purchase it at https://amzn.to/3eyh5xP.
Some of the questions discussed in this book are the following.
What is the correlation between the rapid advancement of technology and Moshiach coming?
What concrete actions can we take to express our anticipation of Moshiach?
In what ways can we accelerate Moshiach’s arrival?
What will the future redemption look like?
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לעילוי נשמת שמואל אביגדור בן יצחק מאיר
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A Haircut in Meiron
The custom among many is to give a child his first haircut at the age of three. Many go to Meiron to the grave of R’ Shimon Bar Yochai to do this. In fact, the Arizal[1] took his young son with his family to the grave of R’ Shimon Bar Yochai and gave him a haircut (upsherin[2]) there on Lag Ba’omer, followed by a celebration.
The Ateres Yeshua[3] shows us an allusion to this custom. The word והתגלח, which is written with a peculiarly large ג,[4] alludes to that at age three (as ג has a gematria of 3), we do והתגלח, give a haircut. Additionally, this word, והתגלח, is found in the 33rd pasuk in that chapter, which hints to performing the upsherin on Lag Ba’omer, the 33rd day of the Omer.
R' Ovadia Yosef[5] remarks that some are accustomed to perform an upsherin on Lag Ba’omer in Meiron. However, nowadays where there is a breach in tznius there on Lag Ba’omer, it is better not to go (Shev V’al Taaseh Adif).
This first haircut is called a חאלאקע (chalaka), from the term[6] איש חלק, smooth-skinned man, since when one has an upsherin, he now has a smooth head.
We have a principle known as a [7]ערלה, the first three years of a newly planted tree or its grafted shoots, is forbidden for use. Since man is compared to the tree of the field ([8]כי האדם עץ השדה), we therefore don’t touch his hair for the first three years. In the fourth year all its fruit is קדש הלולים לה', sanctified to laud Hashem. So too, on the beginning of the fourth year of a child, he is dedicated to Hashem as we introduce him to the Torah.[9] Indeed, this is why we have a celebration by an upsherin.
[1] Shaar Hakavonos, Shaar Sefiras Ha’omer. Also cited in the Shaarei Teshuva, 531:7.
[2] Referring to the first haircut of a child.
[3] Ateres Yeshua, Moadim.
[4] Vayikra 13:33.
[5] Chazon Ovadia, Hilchos Sefiras Ha’omer Vi’mei Ha’sefira, 43.
[6] Breishis 27:11. Taamai Haminhagim, p. 269.
[7] Vayikra 19:23-5.
[8] Devarim 20:19.
[9] See Rema in Yoreh Deah 245:8 that we teach him the letters of the Torah so he can be accustomed to read in Torah (See Midrash Tanchuma in Kedoshim 14). This is also when we train him in mitzvos such as payos and tzitzis. The Klausenberger Rebbe (Shu”t Divrei Yatziv, Yoreh Deah 133:3, s.v. V’haminhag. יציב is an acronym for the author’s name: יקותיאל יהודה בן צבי) writes that he remembers when he turned three his father covered him in a tallis and carried him to cheder to learn. His father put honey on the letters his son would lick. Also, he was prevented from seeing a non-Jew or anything impure the entire day.
Writer of the weekly Fascinating Insights Torah sheet in English, עברית ,אידיש and français
Author of Eight Books including the recently released "Unbelievable Insights about Moshiach and the Final Redemption"
