Follow-up to "The King of Persia"

This post is written in response to one at Mystical Paths today. You'll have to read it first in order to follow this one.

For sure Ahmadinejad has already made three trips to the US as it states in the following article:

Ahmadinejad's New York state of mind
By Hooman Majd

Sept. 26, 2007 | NEW YORK -- ...I've had the opportunity to attend events with President Ahmadinejad on his three trips to the U.S. (including serving as the interpreter for his U.N. speeches for the last two), and have spent time with his aides and Iranian diplomats during the New York visits. This visit felt perhaps the most politically charged yet, and was certainly the most controversial, even for the Iranians. But amid all the theatrics, Ahmadinejad's political savvy and strategic intentions in New York should not be underestimated.

He came for the opening of the UN General Assembly, sessions 60, 61, and 62. The first was mere weeks after he became president of Iran on 6 August 2005. I find it ironic that this was not only the 60th session of the UN/GA but Ahmadinejad, currently the world's greatest nuclear threat, took his office on the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the US. (You knew there had to be a payday for that sometime didn't you?)

Anyway, this post referencing the Midrash Sefer Eliyahu reminded me of Reb Dov bar Lev's work on it and the fact that he has a link to the full text. After re-reading them, I have some ideas that I'd like to share here.

I agree with Reb Dov that this pasuk from Sefer Eliyahu <<‘The appointed time for the End of Days will occur during the reign of a king who will be named Hrmlt. There are some that say that Trmyl’ will be his name.’>> along with the physical description <<his face will be long, there will be a bald patch between his eyes, he will be very tall, ....>> applies without doubt to Ehud Olmert.

It says further about him <<the lowliest of the kings, the son of a slave woman and whose name is Gīgīt, will confront him from the west.>>

1. Can there will be any doubt in anyone's mind that the leader of Israel is the "lowliest" of all western leaders? (Though not technically in the West, Israel is very attached to the West as the Maharal teaches.)

2. Israel's leadership is made up of the souls of the Erev Rav who were slaves in Egypt, hence "the son of a slave woman."

3. I haven't quite worked out the "gigit" part,. but it can't be an accident that it is so reminiscent of gog.

4. Israel is not only aligned with the west against Iran, but physically it lies west of it as well. I have been stating already in previous blogs that I believe this regime will attempt an attack on Iran that will fail miserably. I think there are those in Washington who want it and are encouraging it behind the scenes.

About the Persian king, it says <<The last king who rules Persia shall come up against the Romans three successive years until he expands (his gains) against them for twelve months.>>

Thanks to Reb Akiva, we have the proof that the current King of Persia has made three successive visits over three successive years (2005, 2006, 2007) to the modern equivalent of Rome---the UN in NYC. I think we can safely say that he has been "expanding his gains" over the course of the past 10 months since his third visit, what with bringing ever more centrifuges online, carrying out war maneuvers, conducting missile tests, and all without any real reaction from the rest of the world.

And the end of 12 months will bring us back again to the same time of year. The GA closes it's old session and opens the new one in September, usually ELUL on the Hebrew calendar---the month of repentance.

Ahmadinejad to attend U.N. summit

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans again to attend this year's summit at the United Nations in New York.

The Iranian president told state television Monday he will fly to New York in September for the annual gathering of international leaders at the U.N. General Assembly.

His speech, Ahmadinejad said, will discuss "ruling the world based on justice."

Ahmadinejad's attendance at the U.N. last year drew fierce protests over his statements against Israel and in denial of the Holocaust.

The Iranian president used that visit to appear at Columbia University. A year before that, he took time out from the U.N. summit to address the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

It's quite interesting that this subject has arisen anew at this particular time since we are right before Parashat Pinchas, who became Eliyahu HaNavi. Also, that unlike in most years, we read as the Haftorah the very events which begins the Sefer Eliyahu. (Do NOT miss Rabbi Sitorsky's commentary this week! Wonderful insights!)

And remember: NOTHING is a coincidence!!