Need for Messiah in Trying Times

Copyright Rabbi Eli Hecht
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"As the light increases, so do the other forces of evil," say our teachers. "As the era of uncertainty appears, the more certain the Lubavitcher movement becomes." Those who think that Israel is entering a peaceful time must realize that the violence is increasing and that Moshiach has not yet come. There are those who feel that with Russia changing and an American presence in the Middle East, we are in an era of the Messiah. However, facts show otherwise.

In an interview being printed in the Biblical Archaeological Review John Strugnell, a bible scholar who has worked on the Dead Sea scrolls, "dismissed Judaism as a horrible religion and a Christian heresy." He also said Judaism survived when it should have disappeared and the only solution for Judaism, he said, was mass conversion."

When Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir was meeting with President Bush, the president assured Shamir that he and the American people stand behind Israel and will do everything in their power to ensure the state's peace and safety.

However, it was with total disbelief that we heard this past week that the United States joined in a United Nations resolution condemning Israel for deporting radical Arab leaders from the Jerusalem area.

What made the action so hard to understand was that Israel chose the calmer and more peaceful means to end the ever-growing violence taking place in the Holy City.

Instead of following the example set by Iraq, Libya or some other country in shooting and killing the leaders, Israel thought it more proper to accommodate world sensitivities by deporting the troublemakers. Not only wasn't Israel thanked for its sacrifice and restraint, it was condemned by the United Nations.

Simultaneously, there was a shocking announcement in the Soviet Union that the great leader Edward Shevardnadze, an individual who, together with Mikhail Gorbechev, revolutionized the peace accords between the Eastern Bloc countries and NATO, had abruptly resigned. Shevardnadze said he feared dictatorship arising in the Soviet Union.

It's impossible to find a rational explanation for world events. It was an embarrassment to the United States when one of their leading officers said that the troops deployed in Saudi Arabia are not ready for an offensive battle and we definitely should not begin a war at this time. To our consternation the Iraqi leader has been able to find time to meet everybody on his schedule but has no time for the important ones, Baker and our President. So, all in all, we see much turmoil and confusion for the present, and definitely for the future.

Rabbis state that the Moshiach has not yet come nor is it the beginning of the era; it is perhaps only signs of the era. Some 200 years ago, the Magid of Dubno told a story in relation to the question of Moshiach. The Magid said that the nations were awakening but the dark ages were not over. For those who thought we were living in the best of all possible worlds, he stated that the facts proved differently. He gave a parable:

It seemed that a fox passing through a forest saw a raven perched in the branches of a tree. The cunning fox tried every trick to entice the bird to come down but to no avail. Finally, he called out, "My dear raven, will you not come down and join me? It is only proper that we should be friends."

The bird answered, "How could we ever live in friendship for are we not of two different worlds?" The fox replied, "Why, do you not know that the Moshiach has come? At long last the time has arrived when the world shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. Why shouldnt the fox and the raven be friends?"

At that very moment the silence of the forest was cursed with the loud barking of dogs. The fox quickly dashed off leaving the raven behind.

The raven cried out, "Master fox, did you not tell me that the Messiah is here and that all living things are now brothers? Why then should you run away from the hunting dogs?"

The fox never ceased running and did not even turn around as he shouted in reply to the raven, "What else can I do? Those dogs are an ignorant lot. They dont know yet that the Moshiach has come."

The Magid's parable reminds us that those who think that there is peace in Israel and that Jerusalem is a quiet little city of peace have to realize that "the dogs are an ignorant lot." Throughout the Arab world and among Arabs in the state of Israel, nothing can be finer for the Arab Jew haters than to see Israel at war.

This past month, New York's ex-mayor Koch traveled to Jerusalem to have a first-hand observation of what was taking place. It seems that the ex-mayor thought that Israel was a peaceful country and was showing his solidarity by strolling in Jerusalem with Mayor Ted Kollek. Out of nowhere, a stone was thrown gashing former New York Mayor Kochs head which required nine stitches. The ex-ayor was quite upset and was quoted saying, I' liked by everyone. Why did they do this? It must be a mistake."But it was no mistake. It was intentional!

Once again, we are seeing those who wish to deny reality. Confusing times, it seems, but not for the movement of Lubavitch. The Rebbe continues to send his emissaries all over the world urging them to open more houses of prayer and Torah so that Jews will be ready the moment the Moshiach arrives.

What did the great Jewish Chasidic leader of the Lubavitch movement, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, Shlita, say about the world events? He said, "he Moshiach is soon to be revealed."The Rebbe' followers (Chasidim), under the leadership of world-ide emissaries, decided to show their solidarity to the Rebbes message.

In the spirit of Chanukah an unbelievable international Chanukah festival hookup was presented. In Moscow a 35 foot menorah was set up and an auditorium with thousands of people attended a Chanukah festival. In Israel the Chief Rabbi went to the Holy Wall in Jerusalem and gave a speech, lit the menorah and joined the festive events. In Argentina, Australia, England, France, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and elsewhere hundreds of thousands gathered to light the menorah, sing Chanukah celebration songs, listen to and see a live broadcast of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in the world headquarters of New York City.

Their celebration was beamed back to New York. It was a sight to see how, in Russia where for 50 years no organized Jewish religion was allowed to practice, there was a menorah in public and full orchestra playing the hanarus Halelu," the Chanukah light song.

This phenomenal, unprecedented hookup linking countries from all the continents gives us something to think about. Never in recent world history has a Jewish leader been so revered as the Lubavitcher Rebbe. His words reach millions and his advice is respected. During this historical hookup, taped messages from the Canadian prime minister, Israeli prime minister and other dignitaries were broadcast. The messages were of great appreciation to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his movement.

The need for world Moshiach has never been felt so strongly. We are living in confusing times. Let's hope he comes now!