Prophecy School by the name of Cain and Abel

23/08/2019

BAT KOL - The Prophecy that never ended

In many stories about our righteous sages, we meet some "BAT KOL". In some cases BAT KOL reveal the correct decision from Above, or voicing out certain global messages to the righteous ones. But, those mentiones are not accompanied by any explanation - and are only used as term, describing some messages from Above.

Let's see what we can find about this phenomenon in the our holy books ...

The writings of the first Kabbalists mention that the ability to perceive the messages of BAT KOL - is one of the initial stages on the path of the prophet. BAT KOL actually is a "mini-prophecy."

Our sages explain: one of the reasons to the name "BAT KOL" is that this is a daughter (bat) of an echo (kol). That means, that the messages from Above, voiced out through Bat Kol - are not coming in a direct maner, but rather from one (essay) - you hear another. [Tosfot in Sanhedrin page 11, Shmot Raba 28-29, Shir aShirim Raba]

One more reason to the name of this phenomenon was that the messages of BAT KOL are actually - mini-prophecy. Bat (daughter) when compated to the Kol (the Voice Of G-d, a true prophecy).

Some sages relate the word “Bat” to the Hebrew root of “Beat”, because the Messages of the Bat Kol are flowing in a harmonious rhythm. (Hamra veHei Sanhedrin page 11). When used with this meaning - the name "Bat Kol" related as a male gender.

When Rabbi Yosef Pinto was asked why Bat (daughter) Kol and not Ben (son) - he replied that he did not hear the reason, but the fact is that this is a tradition (coming from Moses). At the same time, he mentioned that he met the use of the concept “Bat Kol” in both masculine and feminine gender. (SHUT RIF, at the beginning)

In Kabbalah, the distinction between the male and female gender of Bat Kol is explained by its kind of an activity. Masculine activity: The message is involuntarily imposed to the listener. Feminine activity (passive message): The message is audible only to someone who intentionally wanted to hear and listened.

Messages Bat Kohl - are always heard by a person in his native (understandable) language. (RASHI on Sota page 33, Eruvin Page 54b, RASHI on Taanit page 21b)

An example of one of the varieties of Bat Kol could be clearly heard phrase (for example, from the street), said (shouted) as if by a person, but the person himself is not seen. (RASHI on Mishnu in Yabamot 122)

Our sages allow practical usage of Bat Kol (Megila page 32, Talmud Yerushalmi Shabbat section 6 halacha 9): If in his mind a person decided to start some business and heard a voice (from somewhere): Do it! or Don’t do it! - he can safely follow the advice. And such behavior does not fall under the restrict of "nihush" (the prohibition of fortune-telling) (RASHI and Tosphot, Megilah 32)

As an illustration, the following story from the Talmud can be cited:
Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon Ben Lakish wished to go to Shmuel in Babylon. They said to themselves: we’ll listen to the advice of Bat Kol. When they walked near the school, they heard from the windows the voice of students learning the words from the book of the prophet Shmuel (Shmuel 1 28: 3): "And Shmuel died ..." The sages took this as a sign and canceled the trip to Babylon. Later it turned out that they weren't wrong. (Talmud Yerushalmi Shabbat section 6 halacha 9)

However, in everything that concerns Halacha (The Jewish Law), one could not rely on Bat Kol! The privilege to enact Torah's Law was given to the sages, by the will of the Creator Himself, who lowered the Torah from Heaven to Earth. And on earth it should be. "Lo beshamaim hi" - The Torah is not in the skies.

25/09/2015

http://youtu.be/soIH9oEbKJQ

11/09/2013

From Baal Shem Tov ( Keter Shem Tov Part 2, Section 312) : In one place it is said ( Yishaya 55:6 ) , "seek out G-d when He is present ; Cry out to Him when He is near ." Our sages attributed these words to ten days of repentance . In another place it is said ( Vaethanan 4:29 ) : " From there, you will ask G-d Almighty thee, and thou shalt find him, since you seek" , ie, - you will find Him at any time, when only you're looking for Him - as it is said ( Vaethanan 4:7 ) : "Who is a great nation whose gods were close to it, as close our G-d Almighty whenever we appeal to Him? ' " . This means, that today, in exile , it is easier to get an answer to a prayer, and achieve the Holy Spirit, than it is in days of Temple. It can be compared to a king: when he stays in his royal palace, it is not easy to achieve him. However, when he is out on his way - anyone can come close to him. And even a country boy, who is not worthy to enter the king's palace, - can come to him when he stays in the inn on his way, and talk to him . And so it is today , in exile - when a man earnestly reflects on the Supreme G-d ( blessed He ! ), then [ immediately ] He condescends and is present with him . Therefore , a person should keep away from lust and evil thoughts , in order not to be separated from Him , blessed , and should make all his actions just for the sake of His Name , blessed . And this is a fulfilment of ( Avot 1:7) : "Keep far from an evil neighbor" ( in holy language , it can be read as "keep far the evil from a neighbor " ) , which means that - from a Neighbor ( the Creator, who is neighboring you ), keep far the evil.

29/01/2013

Amazing and inspiring story from first person, recovered after stroke

TED Talks Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions -- motion, speech, self-awareness -- shut down one by one. An astonishing story.

29/12/2012

Associated Press about us

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) -- Instead of long beards and robes, they wear track suits and T-shirts. Their tablets are electronic, not hewn of stone, and they hold smartphones, not staffs. They may not look the part, but this ragtag group of Israelis is training to become the next generation of prophets.

27/12/2012

NPR American Radio about our School

The "Cain and Able" School for Prophets is opening in Tel Aviv. According to the course's syllabus, the future prophets will learn about face reading, dream interpretation and ways to achieve divine spirit. Rabbi Shmuel Fortman Hapartzi, founder of the school of prophets, who says he is affiliated w...

22/02/2012

WHO IS "TAHASH"?

At the beginning of a weekly Torah portion, "Terumah", Israel receives instructions how to setup a House for G-d, The Sanctuary. Moses, our Teacher, receives detailed instruction on how to build the Tabernacle, Tent of Revelation. Among the instructions, there was special warning to cover the tent with skins of specific species.

The Torah says (Exodus 26:14): "And thou shalt make the tent cover - purple deer skins, and cover with Tahash skins on top." About purple deer skins, Rashi quotes the opinion that it means - skins, painted in red. Perhaps, too, those were species called "Red Deer" - that widely populated Eretz Yisrael and surrounds those times. And even today, some of those species retain in the wild life of Israel, but civilization almost entirely supplanted them.

The name of the next animal in Torah, is given only as a transliteration in all modern translations - "Tahash." The reason for that is: while wanderings and persecution of the Jewish people through the times, our tradition has lost detailed description of that animal. And the remaining meager details, did not help our wise men to determine exactly the type of that specie. Among all the animals known to them those times - there were no one, who would come on all the described attributes. It should be noted that our sages had a very large reserve of natural science at their time.

The descriptions, remained in our tradition, are so rare in nature, that it made almost impossible to imagine the existence of such an animal. Some even assumed that this specie appeared miraculously only while building the Tent of Revelation, and then miraculously disappeared. Let's mention some of what being told about that animal in our sources.

Most of the Torah commentators, refer to the Aramaic Onkolus translation, compiled under the personal supervision of last prophets. Onkolus translated the name "Tahash" as "sasgon", which literally means "colorful." Thus, one of the attributes of our animal - dotted-fill, patchiness. A lot of animals are dotted in the world - but not so much in the wilderness of Sinai. Baal-Turim present us another hint: "sasgon" - we should understand as "Shesh Gavan" - "six-shaded". Six shades of dots found event more rarely in nature.

Sages did not stop their attemps to determine what exactly was the specie of that animal. In tractate Shabbat ( 28 page 1), they asked a question - whether that animal is kosher, or unclean. In response, Rabbi Nachman reminds what he received from the previous generation: it was an unclean animal, covered with patches of different colors (Rashi there). Also (page 2) Talmud mentions an opinion of Rabbi Elaa, that the animal was kosher, and his following words: "that animal had one horn on his forehead, and on his skin - there were six shades. Sages did not decide whenether that animal was an animal or a beast." In Jerusalem Talmud (Tractate Shabbat 2:3) it state: "Said Rabbi Avon: (that animal was also) called as "The beam"("Keresh"). Rabbi Hoshaya taught: He had one horn." In addition, in Midrash Tanhuma (Terumah 6) astonished Rabbi Nehemiah, "it is said in the Torah," the length of coverage - thirty cubits, "Is there such an animal? Forsure that animal miraculously came to Moses, and then disappeared." Also, it should be mentioned that the literal translation of the word "Tahash" - "flat" or "grounded", "lowlanded".

You could easily agree, that mentioned attributes, probably could amaze. Although, among the species known today - there is an animal, which suits them! This mammal lives under the sea. His name is - Narwhal. He has a white-yellow skin covered with blotches of different shades of brown, gray and even light-green. Some of them reach six meters in length (excluding horn). Weigh about one and a half tons. In the manufacture it is valued for meat, fat and it's skin. And - it has one horn, reaching lengths up to three meters.

In modern Hebrew, the name "Tahash" was givven to another water animals, populating today the Red Sea - Dugong, also known as "sea cow". The sizes of those animals are similar. But, dugong has no horn and its skin is not so rich in shades.

Above that interesting fact - what we could more learn from this for ourself?

In order to successfully build personal tent of Revelation, in our soul - we have to conform to instructions, givven in the Torah. The skins of animals symbolize the entire animal species. In the our soul, the animal layer - is a level called "Ruach", ie emotional and spiritual state of human. While building Tent of Revelation, we should strive to completely focus on it, put absolutely all skills of our soul into it. Therefore, the level of Ruach, the emotions - should fully devote to the Creator.

Perhaps the purple deers, living higher than other animals - is hint to an imagination, that is, more internal, "intellectual" emotion. And the skin of the narwhal, living in the water - a hint to sensual emotions, associated with the outside world. Either way, the inner and outer covers of Tent, symbolize these two types of emotions. In accordance with Chassidut, all of his skills, a chassid must implement in his Service for G-d. Working on his feelings and imagination, we should remember - it is not enough only to use those emotions that could be "managed" and are subject to intelligence (imagination). We should not leave the other emotions, treating thair influence from this world as objectionable, G-d forbid. That way our inner Tent will have only one surface. At perfect Tabernacle of Revelation should be both covers - the internal and the external. Although, we should develop self-abstract skills in order to judge the reality in the more true way. Yet, the real chassid should not ignore no one from the experiences of his own heart. On the contrary, only the removal of "stupefying" heart, with a respective intellectual attitude, focusing on the Creator - is the only way to give perfect service! The result of this commitment - will be a full implementation of all levels of the Ruach, which means receiving joiness, what is called in Kabbalah "love in pleasure" - ie full satisfaction and sensual pleasure from serving the Creator.