17 Oct INTERPRETING RECENT EVENTS: THE PROPHETIC CONNECTION:

There are a few
passages in the Torah
and other sources that
deal with prophecies
regarding the time of
Mashiach’s arrival.
Never before in
history have these prophecies appeared so
relevant to current events. These sources are
truly fascinating, and when you read them,
it feels as if you are perusing today’s news.
I would like to explore some of these
prophecies to illustrate this point. The first
prophecy of the Geulah (redemption) is
mentioned in the words of the prophet
Bilaam. Bilaam speaks in Hashem’s name
three times, and in his final prophecy, he
describes what will happen before Mashiach
arrives.
Bilaam Prophecy:
To understand Bilaam’s divine words, we
must identify the key players he mentions.
Here are the nations mentioned in his
prophecy: Kayin represents Ishmael- the
Muslims (Rabenu Bechayey, Bamidbar 24,
23), Kitim refers to the descendants of the
Roman Empire (Ramban 24,22), who
represent the Christians, and Ever signifies
the Jewish people. Now, let’s delve into the
meanings of these verses: Bilaam starts,
“עתה ולא אראנו, “which means “I see him, but
not now”, The Ramban and Rabenu
Bechayey explain that this is a prophecy
regarding the arrival of the Mashiach which
will take place in the distance future.
The passage continues with the line “דרך
מיעקב כוכב, “signifying the Mashiach, who
will unify all Jewish people in the Land of
Israel (according to Ramban). Additionally,
“שת בני כל וקרקר “alludes to the Mashiach’s
dominion over the entire world, as
interpreted by Unkelus.
Recognizing that this is a prophecy about
the end of days, let’s now delve into the
events that are anticipated to unfold.
The following verse addresses Kayin, who
represents Ishmael, with the phrase “איתן
מושבך, “signifying “strong is your dwelling.”
Rashi, Ramban, and Sforno elucidate that,
during this period, Ishmael will coexist in
the Land of Israel alongside the Jewish
people.
It is in this context that Bilaam exclaims,
he when wept Bilaam -” אוי מי יחיה משמו אל”
foresaw how Ishmael would cause great
destruction while burning things, possibly
meaning burning people alive. He
questioned who would be able to survive
such harsh and cruel events. (Rabenu
Bechayey)
Consistent with this interpretation, Chazal

(ב,צח סנהדרין (expressed their longing for the
arrival of the Mashiach while also
acknowledging their hesitancy to live in that
generation due to the extraordinary suffering
it would bring.
The passage continues כיתים מיד וצים, and
Rashi explains that the word “צים “means a
ספינה גדולה-כדכתיב וציר אדיר ship massive
which come to the battle on the shore of the
land of Israel.
This ship most probably is the Aircraft
carriers which is the largest warship in the
world, with a length of 333 meters, a width
of 78 meters, and a height of 76 meters, of
which 40 are submerged in the water.
The USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier, is
accompanied by a missile cruiser and four
missile destroyers. This fleet, along with the
aircraft carrier, represents the United States’
immense naval power.
The carrier’s impressive size enables it to
accommodate a versatile aircraft fleet of up
to 90 units, encompassing fifth-generation
F-35s, F/A-18 Super Hornets, E-2D
Advanced Hawkeyes, EA-18G Growler
electronic attack aircraft, MH-60R/S
helicopters, and a variety of UAVs. To
effectively execute all operations on board
the carrier, it requires a dedicated crew of
over 4,500 personnel. Additionally, this
carrier is powered by two nuclear reactors
and features four shafts for propulsion.
Aircraft carriers continue to be the
centerpiece of the forces necessary for
operating forward. In times of crisis, the
first question leaders ask is: “Where are the
carriers?”
Thus often the presence of an aircraft carrier
has deterred potential adversaries from
striking against U.S. interests.
The verse states that the ship will come, “מיד
כיתים. “As we’ve mentioned before, “Kitim”
is associated with the Christian force,
resembling the contemporary empire, which
is reminiscent of America in our era. Targum
Yonatan Ben Uziel proposes that this
formidable ship will embark from Italy. But
the question arises: why would an American
ship set sail from Italy?
It’s remarkably intriguing that the carrier
made a scheduled port visit to Trieste, Italy
just a month ago. It almost seems divinely
orchestrated to fulfill Bilaam’s prophecy.
Unveiling Gemara’s Prophetic Insights: The
Future of Rome, Edom, and Ishmael:
It is noteworthy that among all the nations
in the world, the Gemara highlights two
rival forces that will emerge as dominant
empires in the end of days: America (which
are Rome, as previously explained), and its
allies, and Persia (Iran) and its allies.

Let’s explore how the Gemara understands
the events of the end of days. Within the
Gemara (א,י יומא(, two differing opinions
emerge regarding the ultimate fate of the
Romans. Some suggest that in the end of
days, the Romans will fall under the
control of the Iranians (Persians), while
others argue the opposite. The Gemara
ultimately concludes that it will be the
Iranians who will succumb to the Romans,
leading to Roman dominion over the world
for a period of 9 months.
further provide) עבודה זרה ג,א) Tosafot
insight, explaining that the Persians will
maintain their own empire until just before
the appearance of the Mashiach. At that
point, Rome will conquer them.
The Zohar Prophecy:
The following holy words from the Zohar
the depict vividly) סוף פרשת וארא דף לב,א)
events unfolding in our time: “And in the
future, the descendants of Ishmael will
incite great wars in the world. The
descendants of Edom will gather against
them, and they will wage three battles: one
at sea, one on land, and one near Jerusalem.
They will rule over each other, but the Holy
Land will not be handed over to the
descendants of Edom.
At that time, a great nation will arise from
the ends of the world against Rome. They
will engage in battle for three months, and
many nations will gather with them. They
will defeat them until all the descendants of
Edom from all corners of the world are
assembled against them. Then Hashem will
rise against them, as it is written, ‘For He
has a sacrifice in Bozrah.’ Afterward, He
will seize the wings of the earth and
eliminate the descendants of Ishmael from
the land.”
Gog U’Magog. The final war:
Finally, let’s explore how Yechezkl’s(פרק
לח (famous prophecy of Gog and Magog
unfolds.
The Malbim explains that Gog and Magog
represent two global coalitions that will
emerge in the end of days. One coalition
comprises the descendants of Ishmael,
while the other is the Rome coalition. Both
will eventually find themselves in conflict
on the shores of the Land of Israel.
According to the Malbim’s interpretation,
the verse (ה פסוק (suggests that the leader of
one coalition would be Iran, guiding the
Ishmael’s coalition, with other nations
joining them. The Malbim refers to them as
the “מהול, “circumcised like the Muslims,
while the other coalition comprises those
who are not “מהולים, “uncircumcised, akin
to the Christians.

The verses continue (במלבים‘ ז פסוק (to
suggest that when the Muslims instigate a
major terrorist attack, Edom (referring to
America) will intervene to aid and subdue
the Arabs. However, the situation will
escalate as the Arabs turn against Edom in
retaliation. Ultimately, Hashem’s
intervention will be provoked. This will
result in a cataclysmic event, described as
reaching far and affecting even the birds and
the fish, possibly signifying an
unconventional and highly destructive form
of warfare.
A Beacon of Hope, Israel’s Unshaken
Destiny:
The Yalkut Shimoni (תצט רמז ישעיהו (reveals
the fate of the nation of Israel during a time
when all other empires are embroiled in a
global conflict:
Rabbi Yitzhak said, “In the year when the
King Messiah reveals himself, all the kings
of the world are in conflict with one another.
The king of Persia (Iran) provokes the king
of Arabia, and the king of Arabia goes to
Edom (Rome) for advice. The king of Persia
returns and destroys the entire world. All the
nations of the world are in turmoil and
distress. Israel is in turmoil and distress and
asks, ‘Where shall we go? Where shall we
go?’ And He says to them, ‘My children, do
not fear. All that I have done, I have done
only for your sake. Why are you afraid? The
time for your redemption has come. And
there is no need to fear. In that time, Hashem
will reveal the light of the Messiah and the
light of Israel, as it is said, ‘Arise, shine, for
your light has come, and the glory of God
has shone upon you’ (Isaiah 60:1).
“And the rest of the world will be in
darkness, and they will go to the light of the
Messiah and Israel, as it is said, ‘And
nations will go by your light’ (Isaiah 60:3).
And they will fall on their faces before the
Messiah and Israel, and they will say to
them, ‘We will be slaves to you. Each one of
you will have two thousand eight hundred
slaves,’ as it is said, ‘And it shall come to
pass that when the Lord shall have mercy on
you, He will say, “Set up road markers for
yourself” (Zechariah 8:23).