This week we say Selichos with the advent of B”HAB.
“Hoshia … Save [us], Hashem … for the faithful have vanished from mankind. Had not Hashem been with us when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us alive ….”
Here in Yerushalayim, every few minutes we hear the roar of military planes overhead. The nations are encircling us, not only the Moslems, but all nations. Events are making it totally clear that we have no hope for survival and redemption unless we place our trust completely in the Master of the Universe.
“Ain Od Milvado … there is none but He!”
King David says, “All the nations surround me; in the Name of Hashem I cut them down. They encircle me, they also surround me; in the Name of Hashem I cut them down. They encircle me like bees, but they are extinguished as fire does thorns; in the Name of Hashem I cut them down.” (Tehillim 118)
Our Rabbis explain that this three-time repetition of “surround me/encircle me” refers to the three-stage war of Gog and Magog. (See Redemption Unfolding) The Chofetz Chaim stated that the War of Gog and Magog would be divided into three parts: the First World War, the Second World War and the Final War.
According to the Malbim, “The combined attack of Yishmoel and Esav would be directed not only upon the Jews of Israel but Jews worldwide, and this would be the culmination of our long Exile. Each time, the intensity of the attack … becomes more focused and severe until it is clear that the hatred of the entire world is directed against us.” (From my books 2020 Vision and Hold On: Surviving the Days Before Moshiach)
The famous Rashi: “If the nations of the world say to Israel, ‘You are bandits, for you conquered the land [of Israel and took it from the seven nations who inhabited it,’ Israel] will say to them, ‘The whole earth belongs to the Holy One, Blessed is He. He created it and He gave it to the one found proper in His eyes. By His wish He gave it to them and by His wish He took it from them and gave it to us.’” (Rashi on Beraishis 1:1)
So now, my friends, where are we?
Every Friday evening, we say the words, “Hisorari hisorari … Wake up! Wake up!” It is time to wake up. It seems to me that the great mass of our brethren – let alone the world at large -- is simply not getting this message. I do not know how one can escape the conclusion that we are approaching the end … and the Great Beginning … the day we have awaited since the beginning of our history.
This is not “business as usual.” This is not just another event in the long history of battles and “final solutions.” I believe that we are on the doorstep of the cosmic events which will change the face of the world forever. I will remind you again of a breathtaking quote from Yalkut Shimoni: “Rabbi Yitzchak taught: in the year in which Moshiach will be revealed all the nations of the world will be in conflict. The King of Persia will quarrel with the King of Arabia… and the King of Persia will destroy the entire world. The nations will be confused and agitated and will be seized with fear and pains like the pangs of birth.”
Years ago, I remember hearing Rabbi Moshe Shapiro zt”l say something to this effect: “people want to pretend that things are normal. Businessman are calculating the profits and losses they expect for their company over the next five years, but who says they will be in existence tomorrow?”
“Yeshuas Hashem k’heref ayin … the salvation of Hashem comes in the blink of an eye.” We do not know when Moshiach will come. We do not know when the Bais Hamikdosh will be revealed, but when Hashem carries out His decrees, He carries them out so swiftly that there is no time to prepare. One must prepare in advance.
At the moment I wrote these words, someone sent articles saying that the United States is abandoning Israel and taking the side of our enemies. From my heart, I want to say that – as difficult as this is – I believe this is good news, because our only path to salvation is that we should rely completely on Hashem. “Ain od milvado … there is nothing but Hashem.”
“Guardian of Israel, protect the remnant of Israel [and] let not Israel be destroyed, those who proclaim, ‘Hear Oh Israel.’” If we believe that our salvation comes from America or any earthly power, then we cannot expect Hashem to save us. Believe me, if America abandons Israel, it will be the end of America, but it will save us.
“I shall go through the land of Egypt on this night and I shall strike every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from man to beast and against all the gods of Egypt I shall mete out punishment… and I shall pass over you.” (Shemos 12:12)
Stay inside your houses, says Hashem! Stay within your daled amos of Torah! That is your only protection on the night on which Hashem destroys your enemies. Enwrap yourself in the “shadow of the Al-Mighty…. Hashem … is my refuge and my fortress, my G-d and I will trust in Him.” (Tehillim 91)
My friends, I believe we are very close to the Great Day. The entire world is abandoning us and we have only One Place to turn. “Nafshi l’Hashem … My soul yearns for Hashem, among those longing for the dawn … longing for the dawn.” (Tehillim 130) The morning star has risen and the great sunrise is just over the horizon.
GLOSSARY
Bais Hamikdosh: The Holy Temple
Esav: The father of the Western Nations
Selichos: Penitential prayers
Tehillim: Psalms
Yishmoel: The father of the Arab Nations
