"The Sun Rises in the East."

JERU THE DAMAJA

"to the east of Eden: There his father was exiled when he was driven out of the Garden of Eden, as it is said (3:24) 'and He stationed at the east of the Garden of Eden, etc., to guard' the way of approach to the Garden, from which we can learn that Adam was there. And we find that the easterly direction always offers asylum for murderers, as it is said (Deut. 4:41): 'Then Moses separated, etc. [three cities of refuge] in the direction of the sunrise' - [Mid. Devarim Rabbah, Lieberman, p.60; Tan. Buber ad loc.]. Another explanation: בְּאֶרֶץ נוֹד means that wherever he went, the earth would quake beneath him, and the people would say, 'Go away from him; this is the one who killed his brother' [Mid. Tan., Bereishith 9]." ~ Rashi

"Paragraph C: The Rise of Asia"

"And tidings will terrify him from the east" ~ Daniyel

"Daniel and Revelation talk about Asia. Actually, you have to read it clearly and I’m not gonna take time on it to break it down, but it’s a quite fascinating subject. Asia will resist the Anti-Christ, literally, ‘til the last few weeks and days. There will be a political, economic, spiritual dynamic that will cause them to push back, and, actually, resist the Anti-Christ; he will be so angry at Asia ‘cause they won’t submit. [Witnesses erupt in applause and cheers.] It’ll be Asia praying behind the whole thing. They make it to The End. My question is why? How? I believe the strongest force in the spirit of the earth will be in Asia. Well, we’re watching the rise of Asia, right now, but Asia wasn’t so advanced 50 or 100 years ago. You couldn’t have guessed they would be the last coalition holdout against Evil in natural history, but they will be because they will be the strongest. Nobody could have guessed that 50 or 100 years ago. I mean, nobody could have. It’s pretty easy to see it now, but I don’t believe it’s just all about their political, economic, and military force. I believe there’s a spiritual force in Asia. Again, I believe it will be the strongest force, most powerful prayer movement in human history coming out of Asia. You know, I can go on and on because I love this subject." ~ Mike

"Nomadic Steppe Jews"

EAST

"From which emanates light, since the sun rises in that direction. It is also the source of the East Wind, which is the most harmful of all the winds."

"Mistakes the West Has Made with the East"

INN AUDIO

"East, Go East!"

"Someday... changes will come to the Middle East. But until they do, for Israel, Asia is the new frontier... For the Israelis, it's very clear: Go East! And that's where the future is..." ~ Professor Jonathan Adelman

"The West is the past. The East is the future..." ~ Eric Kraus

"With economic growth in the Asia-Pacific, Russia's trade with this region will increase. How? We're expanding infrastructure capabilities..." ~ President Vladimir Putin

"Asia-Pacific companies have all ready penetrated the Russian economy and their products and services are in high demand..." ~ Daria Chernyshova 

"There is a huge demand in Russia for Japanese solutions..." ~ Irina Bautdinova 

"It's the synergy Made in Heaven between Russia and China..." ~ Ben Aris

"The Chinese growth is phenomenal..." ~ Simon Fentham-Fletcher

"Russia can feed itself; it can feed Asia..." ~ Eric Kraus

"Russia Looks East"

"Unclean Names (Evil Powers)"

"the gifts that Avraham gave to those sons were actually 'unclean names' (evil powers)" ~ Genesis 25:6 Rashi

"Avraham knew that these powers already existed in the East. If his sons would have gone there without knowing these powers they would have become subservient to those with the powers. But since they too could wield such things they were able to push off that influence." ~ Reb Gutman

Shirat Devorah: The Fall of the King of the East [Damascus] - Tora...

Shirat Devorah: The Fall of the King of the East [Damascus] - Tora...: This is the sign [that the redemption is imminent]: When you see the fall of the King of the East in Damascus, the Eastern Kingdom will fall...

New IDF military college to move to east...

New IDF military college to move to east... JPost - National News: "Interior Ministry gives initial approval for National Defense College to build structure on Mount of Olives"

Jews of The East

"Many of the Ten Lost Tribes were scattered to The East. They might travel through China, Korea, and Japan" (Rabbi Eliyahu Amishav).

"From The East to the West."

"Frum The East!"

EAST

Do not stare:

At the clock's faces

It is currently 6772

East Asean Standard

Thyme

The Flaming Star of The East

Vision of Geulah 

Shemos 7a 

A pillar of fire will be seen standing from above to below 40 days. All the nations will see it. At that time Melech Hamoshiach will awakedn and go out from Gan Eden, from the place called Kan Tzippor (Bird's Nest), and will be revealed in the Galil. On that day that Moshiach goes out from there, the entire world will shake and all world will hide themselves in caves and clefts in the rocks, and they won’t think to be saved. [...] After 40 days that the pillar will stand from the earth to the heavens in the eys of all the world the Moshiach will be revealed. A star will arise from the East side, flaming with all colors, and 7 other stars will go around this star and make a war with it on all sides 3 times a day for 70 days, and all the people of the world will see. 

That same star will make war with them with blazes of fire and flaming and sparking on each side, and it will hit them until it swallows them each and every night, and then in the day it returns and expels them, and they make war in the eyes of the whole world. 

After 70 days, that star will be concealed and Moshiach will be concealed for 12 months and the pillar of fire will return to the way it was before and in it Moshiach will be concealed and that pillar will not be seen. 

Shemos 8a 

[...] one awesome star will awaken in the middle of the firmament like Argaman flaming and sparking in the day in the eyes of the whole world. A flame of fire will arise on the North side in the midst of the firmament and these will stand one opposed to the other for 40 days and the star and the flame will make war in the eyes of all, and the flame will spread out with a burning of fire amidst the rakia from the North side. Numerous rulers and kings and nations and peoples will be terrified of this. Then a star will arise from the South side and will take control of the flame and the flame will be consumed slowly in the firmament, in front of that star, until it won’t be seen at all. Then the star will paths in the firmament in 12 directions. These lights will stand in the firmamanet for 12 days. After 12 days all the people of the world will tremble and the sun will go dark for half a day, like it went dark on the day the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed, until the heavens and the earth won’t be seen. 

Balak 212b 

We have learned that in the future the Holy One will rebuild Yerushalyim and show one steady star, flashing with 70 pillars of fire, and with 70 sparks which illuminate (receive light) from it in the middle of the sky. There will be 70 other stars which are commanded and controlled from it, and they will illuminate and flame in the sky for 70 days. 

On the 6th day, the 25th day of the 6th month, the star will appear. It will be gathered on the 7th day, at the end of 70 days. On the first day it will be seen in the city of Rome. On the same day, 3 supernal walls of that city of Rome will fall and a great heichal will fall. The ruler of that city will die. Then the star will spread out to be seen in the world. In that time strong wars [among the goyim] will awaken in the world on all 4 sides and emunah will not be found among them. 

In the middle of the world, when that star will shine in the middle of the sky, a great king will arise and rule the world, and his spirit will gain pride over all the kings and he will awaken a war on 2 sides, and he will become strong against them. 

On the day that the star will be concealed, the Holy Land will quake 45 miles around the place of the Bais Hamikdash, and one cave under the ground will be revealed. From this cave will come out a strong fire to burn the world. From this cave a supernal branch will grow and it will rule over the whole world, and to it will be given the malchus. The supernal holy ones will gather to it. Then Moshiach will be revealed in the entire world and malchus will be given to him. 

Vayera 119a 

At 66 years Melech Hamoshiach will be revealed in the land of the Galil and when a star on the East side will swallow seven stars on the North side, and a flame of black fire will be hanging in the firmament 60 days, and wars will be awakened in the world on the North side, and two kings will fall in these wars, and the entire world will come together against Bas Yaakov [the Jewish nation] to push her from the world. Of this time it is written “and it is a time of trouble for Yaakov and from it he will be saved”. At that time all the souls in the treasury of souls [guf] will be finished and needing to return to be renewed, and the sign for you is all the souls that came to Yaakov from mitzrayim, etc., 66 souls. 

Terumah 172b 

Then the 7th window will open in the entire world, and it’s star is “kochav Yaakov”, and this is the one about which Bilaam said “a star shoots forth from Yaakov”, and this star will be luminous for 40 days and 40 nights. When Melech Hamoshiach will be revealed, and all the people’s of the world will be gathered to him, then the verse will be fulfilled which states (Yeshaya 11:10): "the root of Yishai, which stands as a banner for peoples, to him shall the nations inquire, and his peace shall be [with] honor."

Related:

The Plumed Serpent 

"Which is further, from heaven to earth or from east to west? They replied: From east to west. He said to them: Were heavens created first or the earth? They replied: The heavens were created first. He said to them: Who is called wise? They replied: Who is wise? He who discerns what is about to come to pass. He said to them: Was light created first, or darkness? They replied: This question cannot be solved." ~ Talmud - Mas. Tamid 32

"The morning daily sacrifice was killed by the North-Western corner by the second ring, and the evening daily sacrifice by the North-Eastern corner by the second ring." ~ Talmud - Mas. Tamid 31:22

The Torah does not state that there were people who did not believe that Moshe's warnings were true. Rather, the Torah states that they did not pay attention. From here we see that the opposite of fearing the Almighty is not paying attention. The Talmud (Tamid 32a) teaches that the wise man is one who sees the future consequences of his behavior. The Chofetz Chaim (Introduction to Chovas HaShmirah) writes that the Sages used the term "seeing" to tell us a means of making future events real. One should use one's power of imagination to see the future as if it is actually occurring in the present. When you see something before your eyes, it has a much stronger effect than just hearing about it.

‎"Those who feared the word of the Almighty from the servants of Pharaoh brought his servants and his cattle into the houses. And those who did not pay attention to the word of the Almighty left their servants and cattle in the field" (Exodus 9:20-21).

Machal Kita

Arrived a week early for Great Syrian Rabbi's of the 20th Century, so ended up attending the launch of From Kabul to Queens: The Jews of Afghanistan and Their Move to the United States on the same block. Strictly no video or photography permitted (although a smattering of mobile phones flashed), as well as tight security, so jotted down notes, instead:

• Apparently, there is a consensus among Afghani Jews linking Bani Israel (which also includes Jews of Pakistan) specifically to Shevet Benyamin (partly due to a Sunni connection as opposed to Shi'ite), besides other Northern Kingdom Tribal Exiles, which sorta makes sense, considering B'nei Menashe and Bene Ephraim are neighbors from nearby India and thereabouts (citing Melakhim 2 Chapter 17:6 which mentions the Ghozan River located in Afghanistan).
• B&W photos of Bani Israel mingling with Persian Jews and Bukharim back in the day.
• Pashtun-Taliban are proud of their Jewish heritage, while harboring a longstanding grudge against Iran.
• "Rashi" is a Judeo-Persian script, besides a revered commentator.
• "Mulla" is Pashto for "Wise Man"
• The author, Sara Y. Aharon pronounced "alliance" "aliyahance"
• The Mongols decimated Afghanistan, as well as the European continent.
• Someone made a lighthearted request during the Q&A, but Sara would not allow a show of hands identifying Afghani Jews in the audience.

During the reception, I was less interested in the complimentary delicacies and headed directly to the book table, when Center for Jewish History's timely exhibit chronicling Heroes from Abroad: The Machal/Aliyah Bet Legacy caught my eye in the background: ‎

"They came to us when we most needed them, during those difficult, uncertain days of our War of Independence in 1948" - Yitzchak Rabin 

A pair of volunteers from abroad stood out:

"To The East"

"Ira Feinberg, 18, of Brooklyn, was a machinegunner in the Palmach's Yiftach Brigade, which faced the Trans-Jordan Arab Legion on the Jerusalem front. He was among the forces that successfully opened 'The Burma Road,' a new passage through the mountains, that broke the Arab blockade of Jerusalem."

"Only Native-American"

"Jesse Slade, from Oklahoma, was the only Native-American to serve with Machal. A member of the 4th Troop, 1st Anti-Tank, 421st Artillery Regiment, Negev Brigade, he said he joined because of his respect for a Jewish officer during World War II. 'He was the first guy to treat me like a white man.'"

Machal is still active as Mahal, also a Tagalog word.

Until next week (when I will be absent from a second weekly class on Ramhal in a row with R' Greg (Yosef) Wall aka The Jazz Rabbi:

NYSYRIAN "DESPERATION"

Thought I hit the jackpot, finding a spot on the same block as the book launch, only to discover after the event a ticket on my windshield (inspection sticker expired Halloween). Discovered Metatheses by 高橋 悠治 on the radio while On the Silk Road and made mental notes: To contribute again, as per Literary Editor's invitation, to {m}aganda magazine (who published LⒶW OF THE JUNGLIST in a previous incarnation); Journey to the Stars for Stella and Yarden; watch Shia LaBeouf's Maniac, as well as keep Harold and Kumar on my radar, so I didn't come away that derisive, although slightly melancholic on my way back toward Bear Mountain. oh. and earlier purchased a rainbow umbrella on a whim.

The Northeast Wind

"And tidings will terrify him from the east and from the north, and he will go forth in great wrath to destroy and to exterminate many" (Daniyel 11:44).

Related:

The East Wind

Moshiakh ben Kedem

The North-Eastern Messiah

"I have aroused from the north and he came; from the rising of the sun he shall call in My name. And he shall come [upon] princes like mortar and as the potter treads clay." ~ Yeshayahu 41:25

Translates Yonatan ben Uziel ~ "I brought speedily a king, strong as the north wind, and he will come as the sun comes out with its might from the east; I will strengthen him with My name."

Comments Radak ~ "My father said this is Mashiach and this is correct."

Comments the Malbim ~ "This is Gog who will come from the North. From the East is Melech Hamashiach."

The identities of The North-East Messiah and his adversary will be closely intertwined, since Gog will assemble armies of European and Arab extraction in opposition to the Eastern King:

"And tidings will terrify him from the east and from the north, and he will go forth in great wrath to destroy and to exterminate many." ~ Daniyel 11:44

The North-East Gate

"I would like to thank the Chinese people for their hospitality and I am pleased to welcome you to this conference. Your interest in The Philippine economy goes to show that my people's newfound optimism spills over to our neighbors, here, in China. These projects are examples of the enthusiasm that results from partnerships between China and The Philippines. We want even more of our people to work with you towards partnerships that our mutually beneficial. After all, with the formation of the ASEAN economic community, The Philippines will be THE northern gateway to the region. The time to open that gateway together is definitely now. As I've been saying this past year, The Philippines is in deed open for business. The atmosphere has not been this conducive for business in a long time. [Not since Ma-Yi, "the term used by ancient Chinese traders to refer to a group of islands that is known today as the Philippines."] The rules will not be circumvented and The Law [of The Jungle or of Torah, teehee] will be followed, creating an environment that is both stable and predictable, one that is conducive to prophet. We will not take short cuts. We will follow the correct procedures. We will always take the long view, in order to achieve lasting progress for our country. The Chinese, perhaps among all the peoples of the world, know the value of taking the long view: you appreciate the point of thinking, not only about the next step, the next day, or the next deal; you think years, even decades and generations into the future, strategizing your every move. To this end, my country is taking a clear direction. As you can see from this strategy, we are taking a holistic approach: one that anticipates problems and addresses their different aspects. I encourage you to ride on this Wave of Optimism. You can seize these opportunities. The ties between The Philippines and China go back centuries and I'm hoping that our continued partnership will become stronger than Ever. In the past, our commercial relations have been more beneficial to you than to us. Now, we have come here to try and balance the equation {wide smile}. Together, we can achieve mutual growth of mutual benefit to our peoples. China is an economic powerhouse. My father taught me a very important lesson: he said, 'The very first freedom that has to be gained has to be freedom from hunger.' With increased trade between China and The Philippines, that dream to be realized by our people will happen sooner rather than later {resounding applause from Chinese audience}." ~ Intisk President, Benigno Aquino's Speech at Filipinim-Sinim Economic and Trade Forum

Related:

The Siamese Gate

"2012, 2013 declared friendship years for Philippines, China"