Question: I am so upset by the situation in Israel. After eight months of fighting Hamas, may their name be erased, they are not defeated. Hezbollah, may their name be erased, is continuing their attacks. The government seems more concerned about what the world will say than using immense force to destroy the enemy once and for all. It is just so deeply frustrating. The Rebbe said this is the last generation of galut (exile) and the first generation of Moshiach—Moshiach will come in this generation. But, it just feels so far away.
Answer: During the times of the Purim miracle, things were bleak. It was hard to see how each event was leading to the ultimate salvation. Yet, each event was Divinely interwoven. So too, we are living in a “megillah”. We do not know how each event is connected. Yet, we do know the outcome— the coming of Moshiach.
Regarding your letter, your frustration is understandable. There is an internal galut, wherein some leaders in Israel worry first about what the world will say, and secondly what is best for their own people. This is expressed in many ways, be it war or diplomacy. Along these lines, there is a fundamental issue that lies at the core. The Arabs, and much of the world, claim that we are occupying Arab land. As a result, it becomes a philosophical discussion as to what means are permissible to banish the “occupiers”. All of a sudden, “from the river to the sea” - a call for the genocide of the Jewish people - becomes an accepted slogan in many circles.
Rabbi Manis Friedman recently spoke to 250 people in Beit Shemesh. He stated that before the U.S. embassy was moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, people were fearful of the violence and killing that was “sure” to result. But what happened? Nothing! When we act with the conviction that Eretz Yisrael is our land; when we proclaim it for all to hear; when we settle the entire land (including Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan); when we put the lives of our soldiers and people before the lives of the enemy; when we project confidence and self-esteem; we will be successful. When we act otherwise, we invite opposition and war. Each individual plays an important role in spreading this message.
In regards your feeling that Moshiach “feels so far away”, we all have thought patterns that prevent us from attaining our greatest potential. A common pattern is “emotional reasoning” - we reason based on our feelings. Yet, our feelings do not necessarily reflect reality. The Rebbe, the Previous Rebbe and many leaders of the Jewish people have stated that we are at the threshold of Moshiach—the more we expect Moshiach’s imminent arrival, the quicker Moshiach will come.
Aharon Schmidt, marriage & individual counseling, [email protected]
