going home ... to yerushalayim: Reb Neuberger

14 March 2024

Reb Neuberger – Pekudai

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING

Now we enter the momentous month of Adar Shaini.

During Chodesh Adar, we increase simcha, but -- in this dangerous, churning world -- where is the simcha? Every thoughtful person is trembling. The world is filled with anxiety.

Rabbi Eliahu Eliezer Dessler zt”l writes: “The destruction of Edom will come only through the destruction of this world [as we know it]. Hashem will cause the very foundations of life on earth to collapse. Tranquility will be disrupted, personal lives will be filled with worry, fear and yissurim and the entire world will cower in dread of destruction and devastation. Only then will the light of Moshiach be revealed….” (Michtav m’Eliahu, as quoted in Redemption Unfolding)

I do not want to be irresponsible. I am not predicting anything, but I see a pattern in world events which I feel impelled to discuss.

There is a machlokes in the Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 11a/b) concerning the month in which the Final Redemption will occur. Rabbi Eliezer holds that it will occur in the month of Tishrai; Rabbi Yehoshua holds it will occur during Nissan. I believe it is of monumental importance for us to understand this, especially since, at this very moment, we are only weeks away from the Month of Nissan.

How does this machlokes affect us?

We have to understand what is happening in our world. In Mitzraim, most of Bnai Yisroel did not understand what was happening. As a tragic result, the vast majority did not leave with Moshe Rabbeinu. They never stood at Har Sinai! They never received the Torah!

They did not survive!

What is the basis of this machlokes?

Rabbi Eliezer bases his opinion on the repetition of the word “shofar,” which occurs in reference to Rosh Hashanah (Tehillim 81:4) and also in reference to the Final Redemption (Yeshiah 17:13).

Rabbi Yehoshua bases his opinion on the repetition of the phrase “lail shimurim … a night of anticipation,” which occurs twice in the possuk regarding the Exodus from Mitzraim (Shemos 12:42). This repetition implies that another “anticipated event” -- the Final Redemption -- will also occur in the month of Nissan.

I want to raise the possibility of the Final Redemption occurring this year. Again, I am not predicting anything, but I am simply stating a possible logical scenario.

During Sukkos we read two Haftaras depicting Milchemes Gog Umagog, the final war before Moshiach. This year, on the last day of Sukkos, a war broke out which could certainly be regarded as the advent of the War of Gog Umagog.

However, Moshiach ben Dovid was not revealed during the month of Tishrai.

Significantly, the reasoning of Rabbi Eliezer may not have applied this year because there was, in fact, no shofar sounded on the first day of Sukkos! This is vital to understand.

If Milchemes Gog Umagog began during Tishrai, then when will Moshiach ben Dovid be revealed? This leaves us with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua, who holds that Moshiach ben Dovid will be revealed during the month of Nissan.

Regarding Rabbi Yehoshua’s position and bearing in mind the chaotic state of the world and the fervor with which our enemies are “anticipating” our destruction – G-d forbid – it would not be surprising if Moshiach were to be revealed during the Month of Nissan. We must also keep in mind Rabbi Dessler’s words (quoted above), that “the destruction of this world [as we know it]” will occur before Moshiach is revealed, just as the destruction of Mitzraim occurred before the Exodus from Egypt.

Dovid Hamelech 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 a fire does thorns. In the Name of Hashem I cut them down!” (Tehillim 118)

The three-time repetition of this phrase reminds one of the words of the Chofetz Chaim, who predicted three wars directly before Moshiach (see my book, “Hold On: Surviving the Days Before Moshiach”). Please note that Dovid Hamelech states only one formula for saving ourselves during the ferment before Moshiach, and that is: invoking the Name of Hashem. We cannot trust in “chariots” or “horses!” The might of armies or the creations of technology cannot save us against an entire world which wants to swallow us alive!

Only one thing can save us! “Shaim Hashem” … invoking the Name of Hashem!

If we speak in the Name of G-d and we live by the laws of G-d, then there is reason to believe that Hashem will save us – perhaps during Chodesh Nissan! -- and we will see a renewed world filled with His Spirit and ruled by His Torah, soon in our days!

“Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha!”