(XY:XL LAQZXY) „...LARsY TMDA LE GWG AWB OWYB AWHH OWYB HYHW‰
“It will be on that day, when Gog sets foot of the land of Israel...” (Yechezkel 38:18)
The haftarah of Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkos, is the prophecy of how Hashem will destroy the foreign invaders of Eretz Yisrael. Though they come from all over the world, they will fall in our land. In Hashem’s kindness, He will allow them to be buried there, and through this, the land will be purified from its taint.
There is a tradition that Techiyas HaMaisim, the resurrection, will take place on Pesach, hence the prophecy of the dry bones is read, and on Sukkos, the war of Gog and Magog will take place, so this haftarah is read. As time goes on, these prophecies seem to hit home more closely, as we feel surrounded on all sides by our enemies.
It is key for us to remember that the war to end all wars will not be won by people, but waged by Hashem, Himself, and it is He who will bring us salvation. One day the dead will be brought back to life, and the enemies of our people silenced. Everything we thought we knew will be turned on its head, and the clarity of Hashem’s mastery will fill the earth. On the holiday when we are to be “just happy,” the way to achieve this is by focusing on Hashem’s promise that He will take care of everything, just wait and see.
