Accelerating Geula in Hard Times + Technology

"The Zohar indicates that the mitzvah of shiluach hakain is instrumental in bringing about the ultimate geulah. When a mother bird is pained by being chased away from its nest, the angel in charge of the birds intercedes on its behalf and asks hashem to have pity on it. As a result, hashem has pity on his “nest”(Yerushalayim) that was destroyed, and his “children”(klal yisrael) who were exiled" or indicted on a number of charges and denied bail like Sholom Rubashkin.

There is some disagreement about an appropriate way to do this mitzva. Some say that it must be done regardless of one's desire to eat eggs some say the opposite. Perhaps this was a motivation that caused Sholom Rubashkin to have two birdhouses (see picture), so he could be Yotzi b-kol schitas and secure speedy release from federal authorities.

I downloaded the picture from an article on the shturem site that calls for Monday 01/26/2009 to be a day filled with tefila and tehilim on behalf of Sholom Rubashkin. This popular Lubavicth site proclaims 01/26/2009 as a day of fasting and tefila. This proclamation is concrete step to alliviate a shortage of celebrated dates in Chabad organization. The storm of heavens is supposed to start in NY at the Rabbi's Ohel. Sholom Rubashkin has done an outstanding service to Jewish Community alledgedly not letting even American Law to stand in the way of helping Jews to achieve greater financial independece.

Some of the persecution arguments for denying bail have been a focus of criticism. Specifically Israel's "Law of Return" that gives citizenship to any Jew making aliya was sited as a reason to deny bail. If this argument stands than all Jews would become a subject to a tougher bail requirements in US. On the other hand, a couple of Rubashkin's partners have already fled to Israel to avoid persecution in US because of the dubious extradition rules in Israel. Persecutors also alledge that Rubashkin was "ready to flee" when apprehended, which they gathered from the fact that Rubashkins had $17,000 in cash on hand and family documents and heirlooms packaged in a bag. While situation is complicated, it is unfortunate that the father of 10 is kept away from his family during preparation for the trial.

Not to finish on the sad note, technology desk of shturem reports new advances in remote farbrengen that are poised to open up new telecommuting opportunities for Rabbis and Jews across the globe. Virtual farbrengen is here to save the day. One on one with a bottle of mashke can make for a depressing evening; not so when you can join thousands of like-minded Lubavitchers around the world.

This post is dedicated to the Zchus and Aliya of neshama of Benjamin (Bugsy) Seagal zt"l whos untimely passing did not allow him to see creation and development of the thriving Las Vegas jewish community.