Tefillin Scare on flight ....

Interesting what Rabbi Eliezer the Great Said over apprx 2000 years ago [...'All the nations of the world will see that the People of Israel are called by G-d's Name and THEY WILL BE IN AWE OF YOU' (Deuteronomy 28:10). Rav Eliezer the Great taught: this verse refers specifically to the tefillin worn on the head..]
(excerpt from HaSofer)

Protection from birth pangs of Moshiach and the War of Gog and Magog

The war of Gog and Magog is said to take place just before the final redemption and it will be a war in which Yishmael and Esav will get the best of each other. Yishmael is the representation of Ta'ava in the world, which means desires and lust. While Esav is the representation of Ga'ava , which means conceit & haughtiness.

What can a Jew do to be protected from harm during such times of war? Our Sages teach us that the way is through our actions, specifically through that of Talmud Torah (Torah study) and Gemilut Hassadim (Bestowing kindness to another).

Torah Study to counter attack lusts and desires

and bestowing kindness to counter attack conceit & haughtiness.

An action which is also said to be a protective measure for the war of Gog and Magog is making sure to eat a "Seudah Shelishit" (3rd meal) on Shabbat.

Now here is another practical application of the above concept: if you notice yourself falling into the depths of any of those negative character traits (i.e., lusts, desires, conceit and/or haughtiness) then try to work on on the corresponding "counter attack" to lift yourself back up.

Always remember: Only Hashem can watch over us and protect us. Ain Od Milvado!

Ketiva, Vechatima Tova.

Senator Menendez - floor speech - Acknowledging Israel's History

A speech given on June 16th 2009 - Senator Menendez NJ tells it as he sees it