The ninth day of the ninth month in the 2729th year of our dispersion.

The Torah has some great benefit passages. If you keep the Law you will reap great rewards. You won't get sick, your wives and cattle won't miscarry, you will experience increase. However, during times of great turmoil, when the nation finds itself under the Penalty Clause, those who still fear YHWH are not always subject to great increase and prosperity. For example: Baruch, in Jeremiah chapter 45. "Thus says the LORD the God of Israel to you, O Baruch: You said, 'Ah, woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.' Thus you are to say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, what I have built I am about to tear down, and what I have planted I am about to uproot, that is, the whole land. But you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh," declares the LORD, "but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go."'"

This is a historical truth, but I believe it also to be a parable for our time, for "Baruch" is the man who delights in the Law of YHWH, and "Baruch" is the man who fears YHWH according to Psalms 1 and 128. So those who fear YHWH in these apocalyptic times may not find themselves like Abraham was, a patriarch with scores of cattle and tents and loads of silver and gold. They may find themselves like Baruch - just getting by, but surviving. This also confirms what the Messiah said, when he spoke to his disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Consider the tumultuous times the disciples were about to face - the persecution of the Nezarim, and the failed revolt against Rome. We, too, are coming upon tumultuous times and I think these words are for us as well. Do not worry about where your next meal will come from, even as the economy collapses and men and women are tortured for speaking out against tyranny. Do not worry about what you will wear, as the dollar's value withers and the basic needs of life become scarce. For if we are Baruch - blessed - because we fear YHWH and obey His commandments, we will have our lives as our reward in all the places we may go. And even if not - if we should not be spared - we have treasure in Heaven which will be given us in the Resurrection.