Reply To: Going off the Derech

Imaofthree-I know it’s all of us, and it must be a sign that Mashiach is very close. I do try not to take it personally, but somehow, I can’t seem to find any other way to take it. But I’m working on it. Thanks for your support…and hatzlacha to you too!

crisisoftheweek-Maybe you are being a realist, but when you say, “Mi k’amcha Yisrael”, people like this RY don’t even come to mind. I can think only of those who are getting it right, and there are MANY. (And they are not only Haredim). I’ll just give you a tiny example. When I first moved to Israel, I was at the supermarket one day, when some obviously secular Israeli woman walked in. In my mind, I always believed that either you are observant or non-observant. So seeing this woman dressed severely inappropriately, I already formed an opinion about her (that she has no connection to religion). So when she kissed the mezzuzah as she walked into the store, I was shocked. That’s when I said, “Mi k’amcha Yisrael”. Even the rechok are karov in some way, and have the potential to come closer to Hashem.

I just heard something that connects to what you said, “it’s just getting more and more exclusive”. As we get closer and closer to Mashiach, Hashem is making His selection (perhaps symbolically similar to the Yeshivos making their selection). He is squeezing us with nisayonos, so that the truly faithful who hold on, will earn and deserve their rightful reward. And those of us with weak or empty emunah will let go, chas v’Shalom. Yes, things are becoming more and more exclusive……

aries2756-point taken.