Lazer Brody talks w/ Morrocan Kabbalist

From Lazer Beams:

Ashdod is blessed with tzaddikim (exceptionally pious) and talmidei chachomim (scholars). Rabbi BT is both a tzaddik and a talmid chochom, who stays far away from the public eye. 70 years old and Moroccan born, Rabbi BT is a genius in Kabbala who devotes 20 hours a day to prayer and Torah study, yet looks like the simplest human on earth. He barely speaks, but when he does, he's quoting Talmud or Zohar. With Hashem's help, I was able to able to exchange a few words with Rabbi BT earlier today.

Lazer: Rabbi BT, what's the spiritual message behind the government's disengagement plan?

Rabbi BT: This is a terrible decree against all the entire people of Israel. Gush Katif is the sacrificial lamb (kapara, in original Hebrew). All the great rabbinical sages of the generation - Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rabbi Elyashiv - all have forbidden the destruction of Jewish settlements, yeshivot, mikvas, and synagogues.

Lazer: Why doesn't Sharon listen to them?

Rabbi BT: He can't; he no longer possesses free will. The situation resembles that of Pharoah. But, Hashem will utilize Sharon to implement Divine will.

Lazer: Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu Shlit'a has said repeatedly that there won't be a disengagement. On the other hand, one of Rabbi Levi Nachmani's (of blessed memory, a pious and scholarly Kabbalist from Ramot, Jerusalem who passed away several years ago) leading pupils has said that there will be a disengagement in Gaza, and that the real fight will be for Jerusalem.

Rabbi BT: I am nothing but dust of the earth, and I certainly cannot contradict a single word that comes out of Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu's holy mouth, but the Zohar says emphatically that the moment of truth for the Jewish people will be Jerusalem. In my humble opinion, the settlements of Gush Katif and the exile of the thousands of righteous brave families that live there is only a tactic of diversion to conceal the real designs of the weak leaders who, rather than fearing the Lord, fear the foreign leaders who are plotting against the Jewish people. Even though I pray that the decree against Gush Katif will be rescinded, I think it will happen. Gush Katif is miniature compared to the test of faith that awaits us.

Lazer: You mean Jerusalem, Rabbi BT?

Rabbi BT: Yes. The world will try to take it from us. Few Jews will remain loyal and steadfast in their belief (emuna, in the original Hebrew). Many will think Hashem has forsaken us, G-d forbid. But, by virtue of those loyal few who unshakingly cling to their faith in Hashem, Moshiach will come and evil will be destroyed, G-d willing. The test of faith is only beginning...

Lazer: Rabbi BT, a lot of people have agreed to say Perek Shira for 40 days straight in behalf of Gush Katif. If the disengagement does materialize, they'll be sorely disappointed. How can I encourage them?

Rabbi BT: When a child asks a father for something, the father is allowed to say no. Our Holy Father in Heaven is no different. We must strengthen ourselves with the firm belief that everything He does is for the ultimate best. As for prayer, 40 consecutive days of Perek Shira is a powerful spiritual weapon. Prayer never goes to waste. If Hashem decides not to use those prayers to save Gush Katif, He may very well use them to save Jerusalem. Lazer, urge anyone who heeds your voice to keep on praying. My own wife was up until 4 a.m. this morning saying the entire Tehillim (Book of Psalms) in behalf of the Jewish settlers, both in Gaza and in the Shomron. Don't ever give up hope. Pray and Torah are the lamb's only answers to the seventy wolves (lamb is allegorical for Israel, the seventy wolves symbolize the nations of the world - LB).

Lazer (now on Rabbi BT's front doorstep in a dilapidated apartment building filled mostly with low-income immigrant families): Thank you, Rabbi, and may Hashem keep you strong!

Rabbi BT: Together with you and all the people of Israel, amen!

R' Dov Bar Leib explains the Mahloket of Kabbalists in a bit more depth:

To all questioners with regards to Lazer Brody's interview with a mekubal. There are obviously two legitimate schools of thought: The students of Eliyahu and the students of Elisha. See all the letters from the previous blog entry.

The students of Eliyahu think that the big battle is Yerushaliyim. The students of Elisha can see the yeshua in Gush Katif. Eliyahu heralds Mashiach ben David not Mashiach ben Yosef. M. ben Yosef comes with the Vav in Hashem's name. M. ben David comes with the final Hey in his name. This is why at the Pesach seder when Eliyahu finally shows up, the third cup representing the Vav in HaShem's name has already been drunk.

See you in S'derot, or at least pray that the students of Elisha are right. Pray hard!

He is referring to the Targum Yonatan on Devarim 34:3, which talks about the students of Eliyahu and of Elisha. Ayin Sham.