TRUST GOD'S PLAN

6 Nissan 5786 

Within the past 24 hours, the world went from preparing for a massive escalation against Iran, as promised by US Pres Trump, to an announcement by the Pres that back-channel talks were producing positive results and the war may be over by April 9th to two unexpected attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran, as originally promised.

It can make your head spin unless you take my advice to block out the noise and keep focused on the facts that we know for sure - Iran is going to lose this war with Edom and Edom itself is going to lose its power in the process.  In accordance with further prophecies, we also know that just as Ya'aqov Avinu was grasping the heel of his brother Eisav, when the latter-day nation of Eisav (Edom) begins to fall, there is no lapse of time until Israel will immediately begin to rise; when Mashiach will be revealed and redemption will have arrived.  Truly...

"My children, do not fear; everything I have done, I have done only for your sake. Why do you fear? The time of your redemption has arrived."

Our Sages told us thousands of years ago that the final redemption would mirror the last.  How appropriate it is for us that we are in the Pesach season - the season of Redemption - and thoughts of that earlier time are uppermost in our hearts and minds.

Yesterday, Trump announced a five-day deferral on his threat to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure.  The Marines who are expected to invade Kharg Island to take possession of the Strait of Hormuz are supposed to arrive in five days.  In five days, we will welcome Shabbat Hagadol on the same day (Shabbat - 10 Nissan) that it was originally - a day when our faith in the process of redemption was tested, but not yet to the limit.  The ultimate test would not come until 14 Nissan when the lambs we brought inside our homes on Shabbat Hagadol had to be slaughtered in front of the Egyptians who worshipped them as gods.

Following this pattern, we can look for HKB"H to impose upon us a test of faith in Him and in His promise of redemption:  "In Nissan you were redeemed and in Nissan you will be redeemed."

Trump's announced date for the end of the war - April 9th - is Isru Chag shel Pesach, the day after Egypt drowned in the sea.  

Iran who represents Yishmael began to fall during its holy month of Ramadan.  Furthermore, the Temple Mount was closed to Muslims throughout the entire month.

Eisav's "Holy Week" begins the day following Shabbat Hagadol on Palm Sunday and ends on the fourth day of Pesach (18 Nissan) on their Easter Sunday.  It looks like 'Jerusalem' is being closed to their idolatry, too.  What a sign for good news!!

According to the chronology of events in Egypt provided by the Mechilta...

On Sunday, the eighteenth of Nisan, the people of Israel began to prepare their belongings and animals for departure [from where they were then encamped (Eitam)].  Pharaoh's couriers [who had accompanied them to ensure their return] said to them:  "Your period of freedom has ended - it is time for you to return to Egypt, for you said that you would be going on a three-day journey."    Israel replied:  "It was not by Pharaoh's permission that we left Egypt.  It was God's exalted Hand that brought us out."  The couriers countered:  "Whether you like it or not, in the end you must obey the royal command."  Israel rose up against them and struck them - killing some and injuring others.  Those who remained went back to report to Pharaoh.

When the couriers left at midday of the eighteenth of Nisan, Moshe said to Israel:  "Go back toward Egypt so that Pharaoh shall not claim that you are fleeing.  Let him catch up with you near his land and if he has the power to stop you, let him come and stop you."  Moshe sounded the shofar and the people returned to Pi haChiros - a day-and-a-half's journey from Egypt.

Now, there is an even bigger test than both the one on Shabbat Hagadol and the one of 14 Nissan when we actually slaughtered the lambs we had taken in on the tenth.  Now, we had to move as if we were actually returning to Egypt, after everything!

When the blast of the shofar was heard, those with little faith began to tear out their hair and rend their clothes, for they thought that Moshe was returning them to Egypt.  They were calmed only when Moshe told them:  "God Himself has told me that you are free men.  Our apparent retreat is only to entice the Egyptians and mislead them."  (Source: Book of Our Heritage)

The final test would come on the seventh day of Pesach (21 Nissan) when we would see the Egyptian army arrayed against us in all its might and glory while the Sea of Reeds lay between us and escape. 

You know the rest of the story.  Will we see such deliverance this Shvi'i shel Pesach, in 5786? 

All of the signs point to it.  In only the most recent miracle of this war (as I write this), in Tel Aviv this morning, a residential building took a direct hit from a missile, but no one was killed - the building was empty!

If it appears at times that we are moving backwards, remember the first redemption from Egypt, and trust the plan - God's plan!!

While we're at it, find your tambourine and have it ready.  Be prepared to sing shirah!!