Do you know the literal meaning of the word “corona?”
“Corona” means “crown.” The word is derived from Latin, the language of Edom/Esav, the language of the Roman Empire. This is Edom who destroyed the Second Temple. The Torah lists among the descendants of Esav, “the Tribal Chief Magdiel,” about whom Rashi comments, “Magdiel is Rome.” (Genesis 36:43)
The symbol of Edom is the chazir, the pig. (Vayikra Rabbah, Parshas Shemini) Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler explains why the “chazir” is so named, and this – my friends – is breathtaking. The word “chazir” is related to “chazzara… to bring back.” Rav Dessler explains that the Exile of Edom (our current Exile) will end with the restoration of the crown to its Owner, the Owner of the world, the Ribono shel Olam! (Rabbi Shaul Geller brought this to my attention.)
We are at the threshold of Passover. We Jews are constantly mentioning Passover in our prayers. Every day we mention the Exodus from Egypt in the Shema. We cannot begin Shabbos without mentioning the Exodus. What is it about the Exodus from Egypt that is so fundamental to our lives?
My friends, the Exodus is going to repeat itself at the end of history.
“Several times I heard from the holy Chofetz Chaim that we can learn about the end of our exile from what happened at the end of our exile in Egypt, as it says (Micha 7:15), ‘As in the days of your leaving Egypt, I will show wonders [in the final redemption].’” (Rabbi Elchonen Wasserman, quoted in Redemption Unfolding, page 78)
We have to understand what is happening in our own days. The Ten Plagues came to free us, not to enslave us. In Ancient Egypt, Hashem overturned an entire civilization to free our ancestors from enslavement to a corrupt and idolatrous culture.
Please hear the words of the Prophet: “Is there any doubt that on that day – the words of Hashem – I will cause the wise men of Edom to be lost and discernment from the mountain of Esav? Your mighty ones to the south will be smashed so that every man from Esau’s mountain will be cut down through the slaughter. For your violence to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you and you will be cut down forever…. The day of Hashem upon all the nations is near… for you have drunk on My holy mountain. So shall all the nations always drink; they shall drink and swallow and become as if they had never been.… The House of Jacob will be as fire and the House of Yosef a flame … and the House of Esav like straw. They will kindle among them and consume them and there will be no survivor of the House of Esav, for Hashem has spoken…. Then saviors will ascend Mount Zion to judge Esav’s mountain and the kingdom will be Hashem’s.” (Ovadiah 1:8ff, Haftaras Vayishlach)
My friends, Passover is coming, the days when we were freed from Ancient Egypt and the days when we will be freed from our current bondage. The entire world is shaking. May we soon greet the Righteous Redeemer! And the crown will be restored to the King!
