Evil has a use by date!
Aron Moss
Question: I can't help feeling that we are living a big historical moment. People are even saying that Moshiach is about to arrive and the final redemption is here. But how can that be? There is so much bad stuff in the world right now, not just the terrorists, but the anti-semites and the haters everywhere. Yes, a lot of good is happening, but it seems the bad side is stronger and bolder than ever. And it's everywhere - even the usually quiet Australia. So how can we be sure that things will get better, and not worse?
Response: Indeed, we are witnessing a major moment in history, perhaps even the culmination of history. Our world is the arena of a great battle, the battle between good and evil. We know the end of that battle is the victory of good, and the vanquishing of evil. And we are now seeing the signs that victory is near.
The force of evil is known by many names in Jewish writings: Satan (the Accuser), Yetzer Hara (the Evil Urge), Klipah (the Husk), Sitra Achra (the Other Side). Whatever we call it, evil is the force of darkness that has haunted humankind from the very beginning of time.
When the primordial snake enticed Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, the battle of good versus evil began. And it goes on to this day. The terrorists who commit atrocities, as well as those who support, celebrate and justify them, are all accomplices to evil. They have aligned themselves with all the infamous villains of history, right back to the snake.
Every good person has the duty to fight this evil. By doing so we align with all the righteous people of all generations who stood for light and truth and hope. And we will win. Because goodness is accumulative, while evil is not. All the good deeds of all time, and all good people around the world, add up to a massive force of light. Evil doesn't have that ability. Goodness unites. Evil divides. Goodness builds. Evil destroys. Goodness is everlasting. Evil is temporary. Good has real friends. Evil is always lonely.
And evil has a use by date. That date seems to be very soon.
There is a kabbalistic teaching about the end of evil. When the time comes for evil to be eradicated forever, it will go into panic mode. It will make one last hurrah before it is gone forever. And that is what we are seeing now.
Evil knows that its time is up, its day of reckoning has come. And so it puts up its final fight, and goes wild. This is evil in its death throes. Like an old car on its last legs, spluttering and coughing before it finally conks out, evil is making a lot of noise now, because its end is near.
We can bring this battle to a happy ending, if we all do our part. Our beloved soldiers in the Israel Defence Forces are waging the military war to eliminate the terrorists. We must pray for their safety and success. And we need to fight the evil closer to home, by calling it for what it is - hatred, falsehood and moral blindness.
But more than anything, to win this battle, we need to increase light, love and goodness. Every mitzvah we do adds power to the forces of truth in the world. Every good deed increases light. The old car of evil is about to break down once and for all. Let's not be scared, but be confident that goodness will prevail. In the words of the Al Tirah prayer with which we end every service:
“Do not fear sudden terror, nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes. They will conspire a scheme, but it will be foiled, conspire a plot and it will not materialise, for G-d is with us!”
