Part 1: A Very Special Week Ahead

5 Tevet 5785

[In recognition of the 25th yahrtzeit of Rav Binyamin and Rabbanit Talya Kahane, may HKB"H avenge their blood and may their memories always be a blessing.]

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Thursday night, January 2, 2025 - the end of Zot Hanukkah - officially closed out the judgment period for Rosh Hashanah 5785.  No more waiting.

Rabbi Yehudah Richter in recent lectures advised us to watch for the downfall of Eisav starting on Rosh Chodesh Tevet (traditionally a month when Eisav is strongest).  That so happened to coincide this year with Eisav's "New Year" and it was celebrated with a different kind of fireworks.

What will be next?

D.C. on high alert going into unprecedented period of prominent events

Local and federal law enforcement leaders in Washington said Friday they are on high alert heading into an unprecedented series of prominent events in D.C., after the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans and a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas rattled the nation.

The city will see a heightened security posture as residents brace for a month packed with high-profile national events and the road closures, parking restrictions and potential protests that come with them.

In a span of 15 days, law enforcement will be providing security for three “national special security events,” the highest federal protective status, for the electoral count on Monday, former president Jimmy Carter’s state funeral on Thursday and the inauguration on Jan. 20. In between, there will also be demonstrations and other events, such as President-elect Donald Trump’s rally at Capital One Arena on Jan. 19.

“That has never happened before,” William “Matt” McCool, the special agent in charge for the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, said at a news conference Friday, referring to hosting three national special security events so close together.  (Article continues here.)

Parashah Clues About What Is To Come

Parashat Vayigash (yesterday) commemorated the revelation of Yosef HaTzaddik to his brothers and Parashat Vayechi (this week) will see our forefather Ya'aqov attempt to reveal the time of The End.  

Rabbi Chaim Zimmerman, ztz"l, in his book Torah and Existence, wrote:  "...in the seventh year there will be wars, . . .  the war is already the beginning of the redemption."

It made me think of the Chofetz Chaim's predictions about three world wars:

"While in London I heard from the holy Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, quoting the Chofetz Chaim, that Chazal say the War of Gog and Magog will be threefold. After the First World War, the Chofetz Chaim said that it was the first battle of Gog and Magog, and that in about 25 years there would be a second world war, which would make the first one seem insignificant. Then there would be a third battle …" (Leiv Eliyahu, Shemos, p. 172)

World War I officially began on 28 July 1914, but "the Ottoman entry into World War I began on 29 October 1914" (17 Cheshvan 5675).  They attacked Russian ports.  Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire on Nov. 2 and their allies, Britain and France, followed suit on Nov. 5.

I think this was the official start of atchalta degeulah - the "beginning of the redemption" - the process of Mashiach ben Yosef.  The result of WWI was the transfer of Eretz Yisrael from the hands of Yishmael into the hands of Eisav.  Then, the result of WW2 was the transfer of power over Eretz Yisrael to the Erev Rav, albeit still under the control of Eisav.

This week's parashah recounts the deaths of Ya'aqov Avinu, as well as Yosef HaTzaddik himself.  As Yosef HaTzaddik lived 110 years, perhaps the process of "ben Yosef" also lasts for 110 years - 1914 to 2024. 

Logically, WW3 should see the handover of Eretz Yisrael to the righteous seed of Yisrael and begin the process of "ben David."

Secrets of the Redemption:  "Ramchal explains how there are two influences in the divine order of creation, and that they are revealed at two different times.  One corresponds to the Safeguarding [Pekidah], and Mashi'ach ben Yosef reveals it.  The other is the Recollection [Zechirah] which is revealed by Mashi'ach ben David. 

What is not explicitly stated in Parashat Vayechi, but which we know from other Torah sources, is that Eisav himself met his end at this same time.  He was killed at his brother Ya'aqov's funeral.  

Yom Shishi, Friday before Shabbat, we are meant to be fasting.  It will be the Tenth of Tevet - the beginning of exile.  We know it is destined to become a holiday in the future.  Perhaps something which marks the end of exile will occur this week.  The time appears to be ripe for it.   Ken yehi ratzon!