Pnina Souid

The Mitzvah Man organization is known as the place to call for those in need of hesed. During the extra challenge presented by COVID-19, their thousands of volunteers stepped up to the plate, and provided even more help than usual.

Fallout from Quarantine

The quarantine was difficult for everyone, but those most affected were the homebound. Living by themselves, they felt even more isolated, which led many into serious depression. Holocaust survivors with no local family members always knew that visits from the Mitzvah Man volunteers would be the highlight of their week. They worried what would happen during quarantine.

Even those young and healthy members of the community were caught unprepared for the economic fallout from COVID-19. Small  businesses were collapsing because of forced closures.

Imagine the trauma felt by family members of patients who succumbed to the Coronavirus. We had an unprecedented number of funerals and families having to sit shiva without the moral support of other family members. To comfort a mourner one had to pick up the telephone to call, even if the mourner was the neighbor down the block.

Mitzvah Man Volunteers – Team Players

The Mitzvah Man compares his volunteers to a baseball team. Every player is valuable and has a role to play. The catcher, the first baseman, and the pinch hitter work together. Every member is important and is needed in order to provide the hesed that is the Mitzvah Man’s trademark.

From March 18 to mid-May the pandemic was rampant, and the Mitzvah Man volunteers found themselves busier than ever before.

“What we did is what we are geared up for,” the Mitzvah Man explained. “We have over 3,000 volunteers and a system to reach out to them from 8am in the morning until 10pm at night. We assisted over 1,000 people weekly with their needs during the heart of COVID-19.

“We have groups of women who take turns cooking hot meals. Hundreds of families had no way of getting their meals. We had drivers to deliver meals and medications.”

“Our phones were ringing off the hook, and within 20 minutes of every call our volunteers were out there filling the needs of the caller. Calls were coming in from the those who ordinarily have nurses or aides but because of the pandemic they could not get to work. People were alone and scared but we were able to reassure them.”

The Mitzvah Man organization was critical in helping people cope who were hit hard economically due to COVID-19. He arranged for store owners to provide merchandise on credit for those in dire need.

Volunteers delivered supplies to nursing homes and brought strong gloves and special protective masks to emergency personnel. Volunteers unloaded truckloads of food delivered to Brooklyn to be distributed to those in need.  Mitzvah Man drivers made deliveries from restaurants and pizza shops straight to the doctors and nurses at Maimonides and NYU Medical Center.

The organization has a list of repairmen for appliances (such as ovens and freezers) who volunteer their services or charge a nominal fee that the organization covers. In cases where a new appliance was needed, the Mitzvah Man was able to provide these as well.

Focus on the Elderly

Mitzvah Man volunteers regularly assist the elderly, particularly Holocaust survivors. Many are alone and homebound. Home visitations were replaced by phone calls. However, if there was a fear that something was wrong that a phone call could not help, the Mitzvah Man arranged whatever help was needed, of course taking all the precautions necessary.

One man called, panic-stricken. “What’s going to happen to me?” he cried. The Mitzvah Man reassured him, “Don’t worry. We will get whatever you need. Just relax. We are here for you. It might not be a good idea to watch Television during this time of the pandemic. We will make calls to you on a regular basis.”

Later, the man called back, saying that each one of the volunteers is an angel. “All my life I had Hashem, but I never had people. Now I have people” he said thankfully.

The Mitzvah Man states with pride, “I am the manager of a huge team. The COVID-19 pandemic brought out the best in my volunteers, and we were able to accomplish even more than we usually do.”

Tradition teaches that the Messianic era won’t come easily. We have all heard of the harsh “Gog Umagog” wars that will rage just prior to the arrival of Mashiah and the final redemption.  This installment of our series will explore this fascinating aspect of Mashiah and attempt to explain more fully what kind of wars will be waged, by whom, and how exactly these frightening events will unfold.

Defining “Gog Umagog”

Contrary to the common misconception that the terms “Gog” and “Magog” refer to two warring states, most commentaries assume that Magog is the name of a country which is led by a ruler named Gog.[1] Others explain that Gog is the name of a country, and Magog is one of its provinces.[2] Thus, “Gog Umagog” refers to a single nation, and not to two countries at war with each other.

The Book of Beresheet (10:2) makes reference to a grandson of Noah named Magog, and it is widely assumed that the nation of Gog Umagog will descend from that individual.[3] The commentators disagree, however, as to whether this nation will be Muslim or Christian.[4] The Malbim[5] comments that the identity of Gog Umagog may remain unknown until the war actually occurs.

Three Wars of Gog Umagog

The wars of Gog Umagog will take place in three stages over the course of our present exile.[6] The Abarbenel[7] writes that the three wars will be fought between the Muslims and Christians, adding that the first two of these wars have already taken place. The first Abarbanel claims, was the Muslim conquest of the Middle East from the Christian Roman Empire in the seventh century C.E., and the second was the thirteenth-century onslaught of the Crusaders against the Arabs who controlled Eress Yisrael. The third war, he writes, will erupt just prior to the arrival of Mashiah and will usher the final redemption.

According to others, the three wars have yet to be fought, and they will all take place in the period just before the redemption.[8]

In the midst of World War I (1913-1917), the Hafess Haim z”l (1838-1933) was asked if that war was the battle of Gog Umagog, heralding Mashiah’s arrival. The Hafess Haim responded in affirmative.

“This war,” he foresaw, “is only the first stage. It will be continued in some twenty-five years with another world war that will make this first war look like child’s play in comparison. That war, too, will end, but eventually a third world war will take place, which will be a time of terrible suffering for the Jewish nation, much worse than ever before, and from there we will be redeemed.”[9]

When Will the Final War Take Place?

It is clear from the prophet Yehezkel that the war of Gog Umagog will occur after the Jews return to and resettle Eress Yisrael.[10] While many commentaries understood that the war will be waged only after Mashiah’s arrival, during the Messianic Era[11], most later commentaries dismiss such a notion. It is inconceivable, they contend, that the gentile nations will wage war against the Jews after witnessing the miraculous events accompanying Mashiah’s arrival, which will irrefutably demonstrate Hashem’s supremacy and the Jews’ stature as His Chosen Nation. This war must therefore take place before Mashiah’s arrival, but after the Jews return and resettle Eress Yisrael. This position has been affirmed by our relatively recent resettlement of our homeland.[12] Further evidence may be drawn from the Amida prayer, which arranges the blessing “Teka Beshofar,” which discusses the Jews’ return from exile, before the blessings of “Hashivah Shoftenu,” which asks that our judges be restored to their posts and “Laminim Velamalshinim,” which speak of punishments befalling the wicked. These two blessings allude to the punishment Hashem will bring upon the nation of Gog Umagog, which will occur after the Jews’ return to their land. These blessings are then followed by the blessings of “Boneh Yerushalayim” and “Et Semah” which discuss the arrival of Mashiah.[13]

However, while it is assumed that this war will transpire before the onset of the Messianic era, the Malbim writes that the exact date of this third war was never recorded and will not be revealed before Mashiah’s arrival.[14]

The Outbreak of the Final War

How will this war begin, and which nations will it involve?

The Talmud[15] cites Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi as predicting that Rome, the world power in his time, will eventually be conquered by Persia. Rav, a third-century Talmudic scholar, predicted that to the contrary, the Persians will ultimately fall into the hands of the Romans. Our sages explain[16] that in truth, both views are correct. The Talmud speaks here not specifically of the Roman Empire, but rather of Christendom generally. The Christian world is called “Rome” because the Roman Empire formally adopted Christianity in the fourth century, making it the world’s dominant religion. Furthermore, the Christian leadership resided and still resides in the Vatican, in the ancient city of Rome. According to both Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi and Rav, Rome will wage war against the Muslim countries, led by Persia, and they will both destroy each other just prior to Mashiah’s arrival.

Thus, the battle of Gog Umagog will entail a fierce, bloody confrontation between the Christian and Muslim worlds.

According to most views, this confrontation will begin when all the leading nations of the world, Christians and Muslims alike, will unite to fight the Jews who had resettled Eress Yisrael. The nation of Gog Umagog will instigate the world’s other nations to join this campaign, which will at first meet with success. The axis of nations will conquer Jerusalem, but will then be torn asunder by internal conflict. The Christian and Muslim nations will fight for their individual beliefs and interests, resulting in a deadly battle over Eress Yisrael.[17]

The Abarbanel[18] foresees a different sequence of events, claiming that the world’s leading Christian countries will join forces in an attempt to seize Eress Yisrael from the Jews. Their efforts will initially succeed, and these nations will take control of the land for a period of nine months, during which time they will oppress the Jews and cause havoc to the Arabs living in Eress Yisrael and in the neighboring Muslim countries. Thereupon, the nation Gog Umagog will unite with other Muslim countries to defend themselves from the Christians, avenge the blood of their Muslim brothers, and wrestle control of Eress Yisrael away from their oppressors.

This final war, as the Midrash tells, will take place in three stages. The first two stages will take place in Eress Yisrael – one on the ground and one at sea[19] – while the third and harshest confrontation will occur in the city of Rome, where the Muslims will attempt to destroy the Christian stronghold there. Our sages explain[20] that after the first two deadly battles, which will result in numerous casualties on both sides, the Muslims will triumph over the Christians and then attempt to achieve world domination by destroying the Christians’ ancient city of Rome. But then Mashiah ben David will emerge on the scene, defeating the enemies of the Jewish people and leading the entire nation to Eress Yisrael, thereby ushering in the period of our final redemption[21].

A Time of Bitter Suffering

 The prophets[22] describe the unparalleled suffering the Jewish nation will endure during the time of God Umagog, which will surpass even the worst periods of persecution in our nation’s history. Both Christians and Muslims alike will oppress the Jews, resulting in tens of thousands of Jewish deaths.[23] No country will offer the Jews refuge[24], and they will find themselves helplessly persecuted for a period of nine months.[25] At that point, a wise, courageous leader from the tribe Efraim – Mashiah ben Yosef – will assemble an army of righteous Jews to wage war against the invading gentile nations.[26] Mashiah ben Yosef will fall in battle, resulting in a renewal of the oppression against the Jews. The Midrash describes how during this period the Jews will flee the cities to the deserts in an attempt to save themselves, subsisting on whatever plants and vegetation they find. Many will perish simply from malnutrition and starvation. Forty-five days later, Hashem, in response to the people’s heartfelt prayers and cries, will sound a powerful shofar blast that will be heard throughout the world. Mashiah Ben David will then be sent forth to destroy the attacking gentile nations and redeem the Jewish nation from exile.[27]

The Wicked Armelous

Many sources depict a frightening figure named Armelous who will step onto the scene during this war and cause devastating harm to the Jews, including the murder of Mashiah Ben Yosef during battle.[28] Different sources describe Armelous as either a Christian or Muslim.[29] Many commentaries identify Armelous as the ruler Gog, while others claim that Armelous will be Gog’s twin brother.[30]

Armelous, as the Midrash describes, will be born with a full, adult frame, and then grow to a size of nearly four feet wide and twenty feet tall. He will feature blazing red eyes, and, possessing the soul of Satan himself, will never fear any human being. According to the Midrash, he will make his appearance following the major successes of Mashiah ben Yosef in his battles against the Christians and claim to be a God. Armelous will kill all who oppose him and, according to some sources, will seize control over the entire world. Although Armelous will succeed in killing Mashiah ben Yosef, he will eventually meet his fate at the hands of Mashiah ben David, who will kill him with the mere utterance of words.[31]

Today’s Current Events

Today’s world finds itself in the midst of an intensifying conflict between the Western world and radical Muslim leaders, as manifest most clearly in the emergence of international Islamist terror networks, such as that which perpetrated the deadly 9/11 attacks. A closer examination of these developments, along with expert analysts’ assessments of these events, leads us to the frightening realization that the world is likely headed toward another world war between radical Muslims and the Western world.

This progression, in all likelihood, is leading toward the war of Gog Umagog predicted by the prophets, and serves as yet another indication of how close we are to the coming of Mashiah and the final redemption.

Next Issue: Gog Umagog in Detail

[1] See Rashi and other commentaries to Yehezkel 38:2.

[2] Abarbanel to Yehezkel 38:1.

[3] See commentaries to Yehezkel 38:2.

[4] See Abarbanel to Zecharia 14:1 and Malbim to Yehezkel 38:3.

[5] Commentary to Yehezkel 38:2.

[6] Yalkut Shimoni, Zecharia, chapter 12.

[7]Commentary to Zecharia 14:1.

[8] See Malbim to Yehezkel, chapters 38 and 39.

[9]Sefer Lev Eliyahu, Parashat Yitro, p. 172.

[10] See Yehezkel 38:7-8.

[11] See Rambam, Hilchot Melachim chapter 12; Radak to Yehezkel 38:7 and Zecharia 12:2.

[12] See Abarbanel’s introduction to Yehezkel 38, Malbim to Yehezkel 38:1, and Maharsha to Masechet Succah 52a.

[13] See Yefeh To’ar to Midrash Rabba, Parashat Sav 9:6.

[14] Malbim, Yehezkel 39:9.

[15]Masechet Yuma 10a.

[16]Malbim to Yehezkel 32:25.

[17]See Zohar Hakadosh, Parashat Vayera, p. 118a, and Malbim to Yehezkel, chapter 38.

[18] Introduction to Yehezkel chapter 38.

[19] Pirke Derabbi Eliezer, chapter 30.

[20] Abarbanel to Yehezkel 32:32.

[21] Ibid.

[22]See Daniel 12:1 (and commentaries).

[23] See Masechet Sanhedrin 98b and 111a, Messudat David to Daniel 12:1, and Sefer Ess Hada’at Tov to Tehilim 124.

[24] Maharsha to Sanhedrin 98b.

[25] Ibid.

[26] See Zeharia 12:5-10 (and commentaries).

[27] See Osserot Aharit Hayamim, pp.156-176.

[28] See Yonatan Ben Uziel, Parashat Vzot Haberachah 34:2, Shivhei Ha’ari, p. 119.

[29] See Osserot Aharit Hayamim, pp.156-176.

[30] Ibid. page 45; Sefer Zichron Mashiah, pp.12-13.

[31] Ibid. pp. 156-176.

Sam Sutton

The 2020 regular season has come to an end, and now is when the fun begins. The chase for the M&S Cup is on!

WWG1WGA finished the season with a dominating 10-2 record and earned to the right to select their opponent (more on that later). Coming into the season, nobody questioned this team’s talent or depth, but to say they were all on the same page would be a lie. Credit the “Yin and Yang”  leadership approach of Teddy Ishak and Sammy Esses. They held this team together in all aspects, which led to its success.

Number Two and Number Three Seed – Spindrift and G.O.A.T

Spindrift finished out the season with one of the quietest 8-4 records you will ever see. The tandem of Steven J. Gindi and Joe Sepharadi enjoyed a stellar season from rookie SP Joey Cohen and got contributions throughout. As the number two seed, this team is calm, cool, and confident and fully expects to be in position to win it all.

At 6-5 the G.O.A.T. grabbed the three seed and avoided the one game wild card between the four and the five. With one of the premier pitchers in the community on the mound, Max Yedid, and with the fire and passion of newly appointed Jon Eliezer at shortstop, G.O.A.T. is one of the most dangerous teams to face in the postseason. As their season came to a conclusion, it became abundantly clear that this team is built on great pitching, rock solid defense, and timely hitting. With the reigning Cy Young and World Series winner as captain, it’s possible that G.O.A.T. has been coasting and will finally turn it on come post season time.

Punishers and Supreme Take Fourth and Fifth Seed

The Punishers at 6-6 and Supreme at 5-7 rounded out the last two playoff spots as the fourth and fifth seed respectively, which has them pitted against each other in a do or die one game, nine inning wildcard match-up. The winner advances to the semifinals.

The Punishers lead by Mike Melech Solomon have arguably one of the most dangerous lineups in the league, featuring the likes of perennial sluggers Saul Cohen, Archie Eichorn, and Elliot Saka, along with Shimmy Cohen and Ralph Wamma Shammah. Plus they have country-strong Ralph Hanan on the mound.

Supreme, led by first ballot HOF Michael Salomon, has had a disappointing regular season but can make that all go away with just one win. This team has Abe Saka on the hill, who is no stranger to the World Series, along with JoJo Seruya, Natan Safdieh, and Avi Dwek.

WWG1WGA Takes On G.O.A.T.

As mentioned earlier, WWG1WGA as the number one seed earned the right to select their semifinals opponent. In a shocking selection, captains T.I. and Sammy E. selected G.O.A.T., who they handled easily in their regular season matchup. Even so, picking G.O.A.T. was an extremely dangerous move and did not provide the easiest route to the world series.

The series began with a fired-up G.O.A.T. squad. With this newfound fire they went on and routed WWG1WGA by a final score of 14-2. How could G.O.A.T. go wrong, paced by Butchy “The Butcher” Cohen, Nay Kush, and a calm, cool, and collected Max Yedid. With an opportunity to send the number one seed packing, they headed into Game Two.

In Game Two of the semis, WWG1WGA regained its composure and was deadlocked in a scoreless tie. But unheralded catcher David “Coney” Cohen hit a line drive to RCF to go ahead 1-0 in a game that ended with a final score of 5-0. The series is knotted at one game apiece as they head to a decisive Game 3.

The postseason is just underway. Upcoming is the aforementioned wildcard game. The winner is set to go up against Spindrift, who has been patiently waiting.

Follow M&S Softball

 As usual, each game is streamed live on the league’s YouTube channel, plus state-of- the-art highlights and league updates can be found on the league’s website (www.Mandsbaseball.com).  Check out the league’s ever so popular Instagram feed (@Mands_Baseball).

Be sure to check next month’s edition of the M&S Monthly Report to find out who took home the cup and will forever be etched in the history books as champion.

Sarina Roffé

Portugal’s two recognized Jewish communities, Oporto and Lisboa, have been flooded during the past few months with applications for a Jewish Certificate from Sephardic descendants around the world.

The certificate is a mandatory requirement for citizenship applications available to Sephardic Jews under a nationality law dated from 2015. Another requirement for the application process is a family tree prepared by a genealogist. The government has a specified format. Sephardic applicants need the family tree to go back four generations.

During the past few months, the number of American applications has swelled. Previously, most applicants were from Turkey, Brazil, Israel, Cape Verde, and Venezuela. There were over 41,000 applications in 2018 and nearly 80,000 in 2019. The exact number of American applicants is not yet known.

As a professional genealogist, our genealogy company, Sephardic Genealogical Journeys (www.sephardicgenjourneys.com),  has been handling applications for people in the community. Due to our attention to detail, the family trees our company has prepared have contributed to 100 percent approval of all applications our clients have submitted.

Many of the applicants want dual citizenship. And since you do not need to live in Portugal after receiving citizenship many people are applying. Some applicants also are interested in investing in the Portuguese economy. Medical cannabis is an especially popular area for Israelis who want to invest in Portugal. Many are drawn to the cheap land prices and off-grid living, with hundreds of Israelis buying small farms in areas around Coimbra and the Alentejo region.

Background

 Both Spain and Portugal passed legislation in 2015 to grant citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 and those forcibly converted in Portugal in 1497. Since Spain’s three-year legislation expired in October 2019, applicants are turning to Portugal. Jewish applicants do not have to prove they ever lived in Spain or Portugal, only that they are descendants of Sephardic Jews.

There were about 300,000 Jews who lived in Spain before 1492. As a result of the Spanish Expulsion in 1492 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, it is estimated that about 90,000 Jews expelled from Spain ended up in Portugal.

More than 500 years later, both Spain and Portugal attempted to correct a moral wrong by allowing descendants to apply for citizenship. Citizenship in either country allows for access to the entire European Union, and a coveted passport.

Qualifications

The Jewish communities of both countries have guidelines for applicants. To obtain the Jewish Certificate, applicants need to provide proof of being Sephardic, have a family tree that goes back at least four generations to a Sephardic ancestor, some Jewish documentation (such as a ketubah), and a good letter from an Orthodox rabbi. The letter must be on letterhead and needs to provide the rabbi’s training and background, how he knows the applicants, and it must certify the applicant is a Sephardic Jew.

As a Portuguese citizen, you do not have to live or work in Portugal. You only need to pay taxes if you actually earn income in Portugal. Only those over 18 may apply, but children under 18 can apply when their parents become citizens.

The nationality law allows applicants to obtain a Portuguese passport and health insurance, open a local bank account, and study, live, and work anywhere in the European Union. A similar law was in effect in Spain from 2015 to 2019, but with much stricter requirements for residency and language, and with a clear end date. There is no end date for the Portuguese nationality law.

Three Steps to Obtain Portuguese Citizenship

1. Obtain a Jewish Certificate by providing evidence you are Sephardic.
2. Civil Application for Portuguese Nationality – a Portuguese immigration attorney must be hired for this step. Once the citizenship is approved, the government will issue you a Portuguese birth certificate.
3. Apply for a passport – use the birth certificate issued by the Portuguese government to obtain a passport from the Portuguese Consulate.

Sarina Roffé is president of Sephardic Genealogical Journeys (www.sephardicgenjourneys.com). She is a professional genealogist and has worked on over 100 applications for community members applying for citizenship in Portugal. She has completed dozens of Sephardic genealogies. Sarina can be reached at sarina@roffe.com.