War and Redemption: Rabbi Dovid Goldstein

“War is also the beginning of Redemption”

(Megilla 17B)

The Rebbe expounded on the idea of war and redemption during the Gulf War 1991

“The leader of Persia,” states the Midrash, “will attack an Arab nation and the Arab king will go to Aram for advice. The leader of Persia will bring destruction to the entire world, and all of the nations will be struck by panic and fear … Israel will also be overtaken by panic and fear, and they will cry, ‘Where shall we go? Where shall we go‘?

“Moshiach will then tell them: ‘My children, fear not. Everything I have done, I have done for you. Why are you afraid? Do not fear! The time of your liberation has arrived.'”

“Despite the ominous situation,” the Rebbe declared, “there was no reason to become confounded or fearful.” On the contrary, this confrontation was heralding the time of our redemption, that moment in history when the authentic spiritual and moral core of humanity will emerge in its full splendor and heaven will become one with earth.

During the next months, the Lubavitcher Rebbe reiterated these Midrashic words numerous times, as he called on the Jewish people and the world to replace fear with courage and confusion with determination. We ought to prepare ourselves and the world at large, the Rebbe said, for the great spiritual revolution that will engulf the globe, by increasing in the study of Torah, the observance of mitzvos, and acts of goodness and kindness. Each and every one of us, the Rebbe suggested, should be teaching himself and the surrounding world about a higher way of living — a life of ethics, honesty, goodness and peace. A life of Moshiach.