BESURAS HAGEULO
The Announcement of the Redemption:
Chapter 4
In our times, miracles and wonders are happening throughout the world. These
include "great wonders,"[1] beyond those miracles discernable
to G-d "Who alone performs great wonders," but where "the beneficiary
does not recognize the miracle."[2] Rather, the miracles we experience
now include wonders obvious and revealed to all; they are thus representative
of, analogous to and a prelude for the miracles and wonders of the future
Redemption, which shall arrive imminently. About this imminent Redemption,
it is said:[3] "As in the days of your departure from Egypt, I
will show him wonders."
To illustrate:
a) Several major and powerful regimes are undergoing progressive, positive
developments and changing for the better - in the spheres of goodness,
righteousness and justice.[4] These transformations are representative
of, analogous to and a prelude for the correction and perfection of the
world in the days of Moshiach.[5] Further, by affecting the
Jewish people, granting them freedom in all matters associated with Judaism,
Torah and Mitzvot, even permitting the exodus of hundreds of thousands of
Jews to freedom [from the former Soviet Union, etc.], these changes are also
representative of, analogous to and a prelude for the ingathering of the
exiles[6] which will transpire in the days of Moshiach.
b) The events which occurred in the Persian Gulf - are among the signs
of the Redemption, based on the saying of our sages that when "nations
provoke one another..."[7] it portends the coming of
Moshiach. More specifically, our sages in the Midrash present
the following scenario as an indication of the arrival of the Era of Redemption:
"The king of Persia (obviously referring to the entire geographic area comprising
Iraq) will provoke the Arabian king... and all the nations of the world will
be in turmoil and terror... and (G-d) says to them (Israel)... "Do not fear,
the time for your Redemption has arrived."[8] The Midrash
continues and concludes: "When the King Moshiach comes, he will stand
on the roof of the Beis HaMikdash [Holy Temple] and proclaim
to Israel: "Humble ones, the time for your Redemption has arrived."
Ironically, in recent days the (seventy) nations of the world gathered, in
a way reminiscent of "The nations are in an uproar and the peoples
mutter,"[9] in order to accuse Israel: "You are thieves for having
conquered the land of Israel," They refer not just to Gaza or Samaria, but
also (and primarily) to Judea which includes Jerusalem, the capital
of the Land of Israel, "The city where David encamped."[10] This
accusation comes at a time when everyone knows the refutation, as clearly
enunciated by Rashi at the very beginning of his commentary to the Torah:
"All of the earth is G-d's, He is the one who created it and gave it to whomever
was just in His eyes... He gave it to us."
(And, incredibly, this cacophony of nations accusing Israel includes even
those who have traditionally endeavored to further the cause of righteousness
and justice in the world, as seen by their reaction to the events of the
Persian Gulf; there, they based their behavior on righteousness and justice,
(that is, to prevent a state of theft of one individual from another, of
country from country, etc.). However, in this matter, they too have conducted
themselves improperly towards the Children of Israel.)
One might suggest the following explanation for this paradoxical phenomenon
(that such an undesirable situation occurred in this era of open miracles):
As mentioned earlier [in the full text of the Sicha], in the Divinely
ordained system for this world, concealment and darkness precede the revelation
of light. Thus, we should not be dismayed by the "Nations raising an uproar
and the peoples muttering," since it is - as the verse concludes - "In vain."
As the Midrash comments: "All of their uproar is... in vain,"[11]
because "the One who dwells in Heaven will laugh, G-d will mock
them."[12] Therefore, the Jewish people stand firm in all matters
relating to the integrity of the Land of Israel (particularly Jerusalem),
knowing that "All of the earth is G-d's, He created it... and gave it to
us."
Moreover, the phenomenon of "the nation raising an uproar and the peoples
muttering" is, in and of itself, one of the signs of Redemption, as
Rashi observes that: "Our sages interpreted the entire verse of the "nations
raising an uproar..." as a reference to the King Moshiach."
(From the talk of Shabbos Bereishis (Isru Chag of
Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah) 5751)
__________
1. Tehillim, 136:4.
2. Niddah, 31a.
3. Micha, 7:15.
4. See also Sefer HaSichos 5750, vol. I, p. 152 ff.
5. See Rambam, Hilchos Melachim, end of ch. 11: "And he will perfect
the world."
6. In the spirit of "those who savor it will merit eternal life." See
Likkutei Sichos, vol. XX, p. 173. See there for cross references.
7. Bereishit Rabbah, 42:4. Midrash Lekach Tov, Lech Lecha,
14:1.
8. Yalkut Shimoni, Yeshayahu, remez 499.
9. Tehillim, 2:1.
10. Yeshayahu, 29:1.
11. Midrash Tehillim and Yalkut Shimoni loc cit.
12. Ibid 4.
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