Dear Klal Yisroel,

There is much excitement and anticipation in the air, as we are about to
experience an almost total solar eclipse.

It is one of the hot discussions, and people are purchasing the special glasses to
be able to view it. There are even sky divers getting ready to get an even closer
view of this event.

I believe that there is reason for excitement. However, all this is just the
introduction to the deeper meaning of the eclipse. Allow me to explain.
First, an eclipse would seem to be a good sign for the Yidden. The moon represents Klal Yisroel, while the sun represents the umos haolam, and chazal say it is a siman ra for the
Akum (Tana D’bei Eliyahu Zuta 16, Rebbi Eliezer.., and Bavli Succa 29a).

At this time, the moon will almost fully block the sun’s rays. What makes this
event even more intriguing and fascinating, is the timing. The eclipse is supposed
to take place on Erev rosh chodesh Nissan – several hours before Rosh
Chodesh.

This is not just any Rosh Chodesh, it is the month of ‘Hachodesh Hazeh
Lachem’, the month that we were created as a Nation. It’s the time that Hashem gave us the shlita over the world. All this is amazingly symbolic.

However, it goes even further. This month is also known as the chodesh of geula,
and everyone with a neshama can feel and hear the footsteps of mashiach. The
entire world is in turmoil as never before. All the world powers are facing each
other with menace, ready for war. Eretz Yisroel is storming away. Whether it
is the spiritual danger to the frum yidden as never before, or the physical danger
that lurks, r”l.

Iran is planning an attack on Eretz Yisroel and the whole world has turned against Eretz Yisroel. There is so much going on from the little that we do know, as the danger intensifies.

All this is part of the shofar of Mashiach that is getting louder and louder – calling
out to us to repent and to begin preparing to greet and reunite with our loving
Father, Hashem Yisbarach.

In the Navi Yoel [3:4], it would seem seem pretty clear we that before the geula comes, there will be an eclipse [look in the Ibn Ezra]. It’s simply fascinating, and it should get us motivated to prepare ourselves.

The bottom line is that all the major events that are transpiring in the world –
including the eclipse, need to be looked at through “special glasses”! The type
that are necessary are the type to see the world with a GEULA look!

We need to connect the dots! Hashem gave us the brains to understand and the Heart to feel the truth in this. It is time to finally wake up. It is time to make a serious cheshbon hanefesh.

It is time to begin davening for the geula with all our heart and soul. Moreover, it
is time to get rid of the avoda zara among us. Every person knows where he can
do better in his Emunah. We just need serious, unbiased introspection.

We need to ask ourselves the following: What in my life is dampening my
connection with my Creator? What character trait or device do I have that will make me
feel embarrassed when Mashiach comes? This is what Hashem wants from
us now on a basic level.

Hashem wants our mesiras nefesh at this point. We need to show Hashem that we care, and that we want Him to return to our midst.

Therefore this year 5784, chodesh Nissan we will have a dual preparation.
Obviously, we will be cleaning, scrubbing as every year. However, this year we
will have a new dimension to our preparation. We will be prepping ourselves for
the geula.

We will be anticipating that this year 5784 we will be eating from the Korban Pesach with Hashem’s help and with our strong desire. We should start learning the Halachos of the Korban Pesach [You can hear the shiurim 848-777-(GROW) ext. 23 or 24]. Then we will be zoche to the unimaginable simcha of the time of geulah, as the seforim say.

Therefore, if we get together to view the eclipse we should make use of this event. Instead of just looking and saying wow, it’s fascinating, we should become unified with love for our fellow Jew and to cry out to Hashem – even before the Seder night! [We should say Tehillim together and the three bakashos together]

Let us plead with Hashem that just like the moon triumphed over the sun [so to speak] we should be triumphant over the umos haolam, and He should take us out of this bitter exile. Please take us back to You – to the third and Final Bais Hamikdash very soon, so that we can spend this Pesach in Your Home like princes in the palace. Please take us home! Please take us home!

Pinchas Halevi Doppelt