Living in Confusing Times

This month has been a month of great excitement. As we celebrated Chanukah marking thousands of years of proving that right wins over might, many things took place. In the religious world the very famous John Strugnell, biblical scholar, gave an interview which was printed in the Biblical Archaeological Review. Strugnell, who has been an Oxford bible scholar and has worked on the Dead Sea scrolls for many, many years, came up with the following observations. He "dismissed Judaism as a horrible religion and a Christian heresy." He also said Judaism has survived when it should have disappeared and the only solution for Judaism, he said, was "mass conversion."

It's interesting to note that during the release of the publication Prime Minister Shamir was meeting with none other than the President himself. The President assured Prime Minister Shamir that, on the last days of Chanukah, he and the American people stand behind Israel and will do everything in their power to make sure that the state has peace and safety.

However, it was with total disbelief to hear that this past week the United Nations passed a resolution condemning Israel for deporting radical Arab leaders from the Jerusalem area. What made it so outstandingly problematic was that Israel chose the calmer and more peaceful means to end the ever-growing violence taking place in the holy city, the city of peace. Instead of following the example set by South Africa or some other country in shooting and killing the leaders, Israel thought it more proper to accommodate the sensitivities of the enlightened government by exporting the troublemakers. Lo and behold, not only wasn't Israel thanked for its sacrifice and restraint, they were condemned by the United Nations.

Simultaneously, there was an announcement in Russia that the great Soviet leader Shevardnadze, an individual who, together with Gorbechev, revolutionized the peace accords between the Eastern bloc countries and NATO, has abruptly resigned stating the reason is fear of a dictatorship taking place in Russia.

  It's inconceivable to even begin to find a rational explanation to world events. The United States has been embarrassed when their leading officer said that the troops deployed in Saudi Arabia are not really 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 lots of turmoil and unclarity for the present and definitely for the future.

On the other hand, we look at the great Jewish Chassidic leader of the Lubavitch movement, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, Shlita. The Rebbe's followers (Chassidim), under the leadership of the emissaries, decided to show their solidarity and spirit of Chanukah by having an unbelievable international Chanukah festival hookup. In Moscow a 35 foot menorah was set up and an auditorium with thousands of people attending a Chanukah festival. In Israel the chief rabbi wen to the Holy Wall in Jerusalem and gave a speech, lit the menorah and joined the festive events. In Argentina, Australia, England, France and Johannesburg 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 practiced, there was a menorah in the public and a full orchestra playing the Ha Narus Halelu, the Chanukah light song.

This phenomenal, unprecedented hookup linking countries from all the continents gives us something to think about. Never in the worlds 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.

"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." For those who think that Israel is entering a peaceful time, they must realize that the violence is increasing and the Moshiach has not yet come. There are those who feel that with Russia changing and with an American presence in the Middle East, we are in an era of the Messiah.

The rabbis question and 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 there lived the Magid of Duvno who tells a story in relation to the question of Moshiach. The Magid said that the nations are awakening but the dark ages are not over. For those who think we are living in the best of all possible worlds, he stated that the facts show differently. He gave a moshol, 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 wolf shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. Why shouldn't 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 don't 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 in the state of Israel Arab Jew haters live, for them nothing can be finer than to see Israel at war.

This week New York's ex-mayor Koch traveled to Jerusalem to have first-hand observation of what was taking place. It seems that the exâ¬mayor thought that Israel was a peaceful country and was showing his solidarity by strolling in Jerusalem with Mayor Ted Kolleck. Out of nowhere a stone was thrown gashing former New York Mayor Koch's head and requiring nine stitches. The ex-mayor was quite upset and was quoted saying, "I'm 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 the reality. Confusing times, it seems, but not for the movement of the Lubavitch. The Rebbe continues to send his emissaries all over the world urging them to open more houses of prayer and Torah so that we will be ready the moment the Moshiach arrives.