The Announcement Of The Redemption
The Announcement Of The Redemption
PESACHIM 106, end of side a.
The appointment of David, the King Moshiach, has already occurred, as it says, "I have found David My servant, with My holy oil I have anointed him." It requires only an acceptance of his kingship by the people and a complete revelation of the attachment between the king and the people - in the true and perfect Redemption.
(From the talk of Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, Parshas Shekalim, Mevorchim HaChodesh Adar, 5751)
TEHILLIM (Psalms) 89:21.
In regard to recent events: First of all, it occurred that on the eve of this Shabbos, the heads of the great and important countries of the world, and at their head the leaders of the two superpowers, convened together. They resolved and announced a new era in the relationship between the countries of the world. The status of war between the nations of the world was nullified, to be expressed in a reduction and elimination of weapons of destruction until there is peace and unity, a working partnership and strong cooperation between nations for the good of all mankind.
Prior to this event (by Divine Providence) the President of this country declared to all his people (on Wednesday, "the preparation for Shabbos," the beginning of the eve of this Shabbos) that he would announce and publicize a reduction and elimination of weapons of destruction, utilizing the money that was not spent to procure weapons to expand economic programs that provide for the citizenry. The announcement was confirmed by Congress, wherein the laws of the country are established and which have the force of law according to Torah ("the law of the government is the law").
One has to consider the lesson as well as the details of the event - its place and time, including its connection to the contents of the time in the Torah, the Parsha of the week, as will be explained.
The lesson of this event is a general and fundamental aspect of the Divine service of the Jewish people ("our work and Divine service while in exile") - to bring the coming of Moshiach:
One of the promises of the true and final Redemption through our righteous Moshiach is connected to the conduct of the nations of the world: "they shall beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
Furthermore, this will occur through the activity of our righteous Moshiach himself, as stated at the beginning of the verse, "He will judge among the nations and reprove many peoples" ("The judge is king Moshiach... for he is the master of all the peoples, and he reproves them; he says to whoever in whom is found sin, let the crooked be made straight... and because of this there will not be war between one nation and another because he will make peace between them, and they will not need weapons of war, and they will beat them to make of them utensils for working the ground"). For then also will the promise be fulfilled that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares."
The Meaning of This Concept
"At the end of days the mount of the House of the L-rd will be mended... and all the nations will flow to it, and many peoples will go and they will say let us go up to the mount of G-d, to the House of the G-d of Yaakov and learn from his way and go in his paths, because Torah goes forth from Tzion and the word of G-d from Jerusalem," and "the one who will teach them is the king Moshiach, about whom it is said, and he will judge."
The heads of the nations of the world are resolving and announcing the reduction and elimination of weapons of destruction and an expansion of programs that provide sustenance for the country and the world as a whole. This is the content of the promise that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares," breaking weapons of war to make them vessels for working the ground, "ground from which comes bread."
[Since they are currently making this resolution,] this is a clear sign concerning the beginning of the fulfillment of this promise of the true and complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach.
A Further Clarification
Since we find ourselves in the "highest time" of the coming of our righteous Moshiach, "Behold he (the king Moshiach) comes," we already see (an example) and the beginning of the effect of the king Moshiach on the nations - "and he judges between the nations and reproves many peoples and they shall beat their swords to plowshares..." Essentially, G-d is inspiring the rulers of the world ("the heart of kings and princes is in the hand of G-d") to resolve and announce together concerning the position and situation of "they shall beat their swords into plowshares."
The resolution and announcement occurred specifically at this time, because of its special connection with the true and complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach.
It may be added, that the connection of the event to the beginning of the activities of our righteous Moshiach is also emphasized in the details of the event - the time and place wherein the heads of state made the resolution and announcement concerning the position and situation of "they shall beat their swords into plowshares":
The place wherein this event occurred (a place designated for representatives of the nations of the world to gather to deliberate among themselves in a courteous and peaceful manner) is in this country and this city. In the country and city wherein is "Beis Rabbeinu Sh'B'Bavel" [The House of our Rebbe in Babel], "Beis Chayeinu" [The House of our Life], the synagogue and study hall, the house of Torah, Prayer and acts of loving-kindness, [all creations] of my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation. He chose [this place] and established here the headquarters from which "Torah will go forth," the dissemination outward of Torah and the wellsprings into all corners of the world until the coming of our righteous Moshiach (when your wellsprings extend outward).
For then also will the promise be fulfilled that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares."
