I get like this.
I've had many intellectual obsessions before, so I recognize the symptoms. I get an itch, an idea, and I spend hours, days, weeks, months, sometimes years, learning all I can about it. I've spent months reading one Holocaust memoir after another. I spent years trying to unravel why Judaism has such trouble with the whole gender thing. I know WAY more about Israel than I did just a few years ago.
You get the idea.
And now, I can't stop thinking about geula. Number 12 of Rambam's Thirteen Principles of Faith, is:
I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. No matter how long it takes, I will await His coming every day.
I'm really, really, REALLY good with that one.
Here are some of the specific things I'm thinking about:
- Russia is the force behind Iran. Russia and Iran and their allies will invade Israel soon and America will not be able to stop it. Europe will be equally powerless or equally unwilling to get involved. God, on the other hand, will be on Israel's side and something very dramatic will happen to put an end to the enemies of Israel.
- There is no human way to solve the conflict with Muslim Arabs. There is absolutely no possibility of "peaceful coexistance". Their goal is to establish worldwide Islamic rule, both governmentally and religiously. Anyone who does not conform to their worldview is an infidel and must be killed. Only God can get us out of this one.
- The Chofetz Chaim zt"l recently appeared in a dream to his oldest living Talmid and told him that Moshiach is on his way. One version of the story I read claimed that Moshiach will arrive before Rosh Hashana. Assuming that means this Rosh Hashana, we're talking a matter of weeks. Even for the skeptics, it's mind-blowing to think that it could happen so suddenly... and so soon.
- Most people are planning for the future as if the current list of social problems - economic downturns, the high incidence of natural disasters, environmental crises, Islamic fanaticism, widespread health issues, the tragedy of the secular government in Israel, etc., are cyclical. What goes down must come up. Barack Obama will secure America at home and restore our reputation abroad. Blah, blah blah. But when Moshiach comes, these problems will be solved for us.
- Jews throughout history have been forced to leave their homes in the Diaspora at a moment's notice, with nothing more than whatever they could carry, but American Jews think we are immune from this sudden change in fortunes. Most of us didn't even notice that it just happened to Georgian Jews (there's that Russian aggression again) a few weeks ago.
1 comment:
It is amazing that so much upheaval -- or perhaps it's just the awareness of it? -- can also be so comforting.
The fact that you are waiting for it means that you won't be swept up in doubt and confusion. You don't have to wait on the edge of your seat to see if you put your money on the right team. You've already heard the results...
Now you'll just keep anticipating, in that breathless way that Hashem must surely love. You'll keep readying yourself spiritually, and publicizing the miracle to come, and gaining strength from others who know.
Looking forward with you, my dear friend, to a complete and speedy redemption.
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