Korean Schools Teach Talmud to Children.

Korean-translated Talmud

Koreans call the Talmud the "Light of Knowledge." The Korean-Talmud Love Affair

Submitted by R. Schwei and S.Y. Gutfreund

by Hillel Fendel
Israel National News

Reports of the Talmud being a national classic in South Korea have been floating around for several years, but it’s now official: The country’s ambassador to Israel, Ma Young-Sam, told the “Culture Today” TV show that Talmud study is now a mandatory part of the country’s school curriculum.

In addition, it is said, almost every home in South Korea boasts a Korean version of the Talmud, and mothers commonly teach it to their children, who call it the "Light of Knowledge."

Why? "We were very curious about the high academic achievements of the Jews," Young-Sam explained, according to a Ynet report. "Jews have a high percentage of Nobel laureates in all fields - literature, science and economics. This is a remarkable achievement. We tried to understand: What is the secret of the Jewish people? How are they, more than other people, able to reach those impressive accomplishments? Why are Jews so intelligent? The conclusion we arrived at is that one of your secrets is that you study the Talmud… We believe that if we teach our children Talmud, they will also become geniuses. This is what stands behind the rationale of introducing Talmud study to our school curriculum."

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Moshiach's Coming Hailed with Song in the Kremlin

Mikhail Turetsky

In the 6000 seat hall of the formidable Kremlin in Moscow, a building complex associated with totalitarian regimes,  the Turetsky choir recently performed a medly of traditional Jewish songs to a full house. Included in this medly was one up-to-the-minute song of our time, popularized by Chassidic singing star Mordechai Ben David, named simply "Moshiach, Moshiach, Moshiach," about the coming of the Messiah
(the real one).  The all show-biz, all-male group sing their hearts out to a seemingly appreciative audience.
My, how times have changed.

To see video of "Moshiach, Moshiach, Moshiach," please click here:

Appreciating the Wonders which G-d is Revealing

An ancient prophecy written in the Yalkut Shimoni (14th century anthology) describes the Persian Gulf War of 1991. The prophecy is significant because it says that at the time of this conflict, Moshiach (the Messiah) will be revealed. At the time of the Gulf War, the Rebbe made many public statements, among them outright prophecies that were immediately confirmed in a wondrous way. For example, while Israel was gearing up for attacks by Saddam Hussein, the Rebbe was saying "Israel is the safest place in the world." This  was hard to understand when the news began reporting scud missile attacks. Yet, wonder of wonders, not one of these missiles launched against Israel exploded. As if to underscore the miracle, a scud fired into an American army barrack in Saudi Arabia killed 28 and wounded 100. Further when a Jewish army chaplin came before the Rebbe to ask for a blessing to bring a Megillah to the coalition forces in Iraq, the Rebbe told him there was no need for it. Indeed, as the Rebbe foresaw, the war was over by Purim. 


Later that year, during the Jewish holidays (Sukkos,1991) the Rebbe made the following remarks which are relevant today:


'In the present year, we have already begun to see the first stages of - and surely, the climate is set for - even greater wonders. The entire world is gripped with pregnant anticipation of the future. Our Sages spoke clearly of such an era. To quote Yalkut Shimoni:[5]

In the year that Mashiach will be revealed, nations will challenge one another. The King of Paras will challenge an Arab king... and the entire world will panic and will be stricken with consternation.... Israel will also panic and will be confounded.

This ominous situation, however, contains the potential for good, indeed, the ultimate good, as the Midrash continues:

[G-d] will tell them: "My children, have no fear. Whatever I have done, I have done only for your sake. Why are you afraid? Have no fear; the time for your redemption has arrived!" Mashiach will stand on the roof of the Beis HaMikdash* and proclaim, "Humble ones: The time for your redemption has arrived!"**

* The Rebbe explains that the "roof of the Beis Hamikdosh (Holy Temple)," does not have the sanctity of the Temple itself. Thus this is telling us that Moshiach will announce the Redemption from a place of lesser sanctity, outside the land of Israel, from Moshiach's place in the diaspora.

** In 1991 the Rebbe announced that the time of the Redemption has arrived. (Public address on the Torah portion, "Judges," Deuteronomy, August 25, 1991.

Scientific breakthrough: new non-invasive imaging system

When the gates of wisdom above open up (mystical secrets of the Torah), and the gates below open up (science/technology), this heralds the Messianic Era. - Kabbalah

As the wellsprings of Chassidus spread via Chabad-Lubavitch centers throughout the world, technology keeps pace with remarkable new inventions. Now we can look into the body without hurting it in any way, not even via radiation. Israeli scientists use vibrations to record accurate and detailed images of the lung. Heart is next.

The FDA recently approved a groundbreaking new non-invasive, radiation-free lung imaging system created by Deep Breeze, Ltd, an Israeli company in Or Akiva. It is viewed by some as a most important breakthrough innovation.

Please click here for 2 minute video:

House of Dior Condemns Anti-Semitism and Dumps Jew-Baiting Designer (suggested by S.A. Stern)

Famous haute couture designer, John Galliano, of the House of Dior, was fired and publicly disgraced for a barrage of anti-semitic remarks he made in a Paris cafe. Ironically, the couple he attacked wasn't even Jewish.  A smartphone video of the designer's rant aired on the internet,  prompting Dior executives to act swiftly to ax the designer from his $6.5 million a year job.  Jewish actress Natalie Portman, featured in Dior advertising,  stated she was disgusted with the designer's remarks and disassociated herself from him. The crisis happened days before the debut of Galliano's Fall 2011 Collection. At the opening, (where many of the fashion press protested by staying away), the head of Dior, Sidney Toledano, spoke of Galliano's "deeply disgraceful" statements and said, "Such statements are intolerable because of our collective duty to never forget the Holocaust and its victims, and because of the respect for human dignity that is owed to each person and to all peoples."

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