Where Does the Truth Stand?

27 Menachem Av 5786 

There are two extremes at war for the soul of mankind. 

Truth is found in the balance between the two.

Torah Judaism is less "free" than Chr*stianity, but also less restrictive than Islam.  Modest dress is a good example.  In Chr*stian countries, people often appear on the public streets with very little clothing.  On the other hand, in Muslim countries, you can see women wearing a virtual tent with not one cm of skin exposed.  Torah Judaism exhibits the moderation that Truth provides.  The limits of exposure are detailed in Torah law which was revealed to the Jews by the Creator at Har Sinai.  And then, we were exhorted not to add to or subtract from this revelation and were given the mandate to be the "light to the nations" - the radiating light of Truth as lived out in the Land of Israel.

The Creator allows the extremes to exist in order to give human beings a choice.  After all, making choices is what life in this world is all about.  But what happens to the world when the light of Truth is dimmed down by the defection of its own torchbearers.  Suddenly, the choice is between two falsehoods and Truth can't be found.  Confusion reigns and chaos results.

By trading Torah Judaism in for Zionism and building a "state like all the nations" in the Holy Land; portraying Israel as the protector and defender of "The West" - another lie has been created.  Or more correctly, yet another religion has been created meant to undermine whatever Truth remains.  

Loyalty to the Sinai Covenant is no longer the measure of Truth, but loyalty and fealty to the Zionist State, chas v'shalom.  

On the soul level, humanity understands this and it is this failure that is driving the hatred for Israel around the world.  The nations are calling for the destruction of the Zionist State and rightfully so.  We have the power to actually do it - to replace it with the Torah-prescribed Kingdom of God that all of humanity desperately wants in their heart of hearts.  It's up to us to show them the way, but right now we appear to have become lost.  

The biggest hurdle is that very few of our people even know that have wandered off the path and fewer still will agree to acknowledge it when it is pointed out.  So we suffer and the world suffers with us.  The blind leading the blind and staggering into each other, falling down, most never able to get back up on their feet again.

So where does it end?  Mashiach can come today - if we will but listen to Hashem's voice in His Torah.  Do what He has commanded without any calculation but to obey and He will deliver us!!

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The statement that truth will be missing at the End of Days appears in the Babylonian Talmud (tractate Sanhedrin 97a) and the Mishnah (tractate Sotah 9:15), quoting the biblical verse from Isaiah 59:15.

Primary Textual Sources

Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 97a): Discusses the signs preceding the arrival of the Messiah, noting: "And the truth will be lacking [or missing], as it is stated: 'And the truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil is negated.'"

Mishnah (Sotah 9:15): Lists the chilling conditions of the generation just before the Messiah, stating that "truth will be absent."

Hebrew Bible (Isaiah 59:15): The original prophetic root text reads, "And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet], and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey."

Traditional Explanations

The Flocks of Truth: The Talmud explains the phrase "truth is lacking" (ne'ederet) by noting the interpretation from the school of Rav: truth will splinter into separate herds or flocks (adarim) and walk away from each other, meaning people will no longer see a unified standard of truth.

Perception of Righteousness: The commentary explains that "he who departs from evil is negated" means anyone who tries to act honestly or stay away from wrongdoing will be viewed by society as a fool or insane.   (Source: Gemini search)