03 Feb 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.
The first prophecy of the Geulah 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 “כוכב דרך
מיעקב, “signifying the Mashiach, who will
unify all Jewish people in the Land of Israel
(according to Ramban). Additionally, “כל וקרקר
שת בני “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 pasuk 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, “מי אוי
אל משמו יחיה “- Bilaam wept when he 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)
Moreover, when you split the name Ishmael, it
means “Hashem will hear.” According to Rabbi
a to refers this ,) פרקי דרבי אליעזר פרק לב)Eliezer
prophecy that in the end of days, we will cry
out so much to Hashem about the harassment
from Ishmael, until Hashem will hear us and
save us from them.
The Zohar(בלק (also writes that at the end of
time, our nation will scream and cry repeatedly
due to the oppression of Ishmael. Rabbi Chaim
Vital writes(קכד תהלים (that the fifth galut is the
galut of Ishmael, which is worse than all the
other four.
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 massive
to come which ספינה גדולה-כדכתיב וציר אדיר ships
the battle.
In today’s world, ships aren’t used as much in
warfare the way airplanes and tanks are. And at
sea, the main focus is often submarines. So
what does a ship have to do with this here?
These ships most probably are the Aircraft
carriers which are the largest warship in the
world.
As of late January 2026, the United States has
deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups,
specifically the USS Abraham Lincoln and
potentially the USS Nimitz, to the Middle East.
This deployment is part of a strategic buildup to
bolster regional security and maintain a strong
military presence.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is a nuclear-
powered aircraft carrier and the fifth ship in its

class, serving as a cornerstone of U.S. naval
power. It operates with a crew of 5,000, carries
over 75 aircraft, with nuclear reactors allowing
for extended operations without refueling.
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: Rome (which is America, as
previously explained), and its allies, and Persia
(Iran) and its allies. Tosafot Rid(א,ג זרה עבודה (
explains that Persia represents the Muslim
forces.
Let’s explore how Chazal understand 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.
,insight further provide) עבודה זרה ג,א) Tosfot
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 (זוהר
vividly) חדש בלק סט ,סוף פרשת וארא דף לב,א
depict the 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 Botsrah.’
Afterward, He will seize the wings of the earth
and eliminate the descendants of Ishmael from
the land.”
We don’t know which great nation is referred to
since the Zohar didn’t specify, but it’s very
possible to be China, North Korea, or Russia.
Any of these nations is a significant power with
nuclear and unconventional capabilities that
pose a threat to the world.
also’) פרקי דרבי אליעזר פרק ל)Eliezer Rabbi
writes that in the final war, the Ishmaelites will
fight on three fronts: in the desert, at the sea,
and in a major city. The battle in the major city
will be the strongest of the three. After this
decisive battle, the Messiah will arrive and
defeat them. He will then travel from there to
Israel. We can infer from these words that the
major wars will not occur in Israel, as the
Messiah will need to travel there after the
significant battle.
In the above words of the Zohar, it seems like
the war of the nations will be close to
Yerushalayim but not in the city itself, rather in
a different segment. However, in another
segment of the Zohar(קיט וירא (, we learn that
the Arabs will convene all the nations of the
world to come fight Yerushalayim (it’s very
likely that Yerushalayim represents Israel at
large and not only the city). The main battle
will be outside Yerushalayim. The Zohar says:
“At that time the children of Ishmael will come
with all the nations of the world to fight
Yerushalayim,” as the verse says: “I will gather
all the nations to Yerushalayim” (ב ,יד זכריה(. In
Tehilim it is written: “Kings of the earth take
their stand, and regents intrigue together
against Hashem and against His anointed”
(ב ,ב תהלים(. But the verse continues, saying:
“He who is enthroned in heaven laughs; the
Hashem mocks at them” (ד ,ב תהלים(. Since
Hashem causes them to gather there, His
enemies can be destroyed at once.
Gog U’Magog. The final war:
Finally, let’s explore how Yechezkl’s(לח פרק (
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
pasuk (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 prophecy continues (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 Hashem
has shone upon you’ (א ,ס ישעיה(.
“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’ (ג ,ס ישעיה(. 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
.(זכריה ח, כג) “yourself