The End of Days

H/t Yisrael

Written by Elisheva Braun for The Voice of Lakewood

As the world stands at the brink, we can hear the echo of Mashiach's footsteps. We're all waiting, holding tightly to the unbroken ring of betrothal, knowing that the Geulah is close. It is in these moments, filled with both heartbreak and hope, that Rav Shiomo Alon publishes his illuminating Sefer Hilchesa LiMeshicha.

School was out, shuls were shuttered, news of new deaths swept through still streets. The year was 2020; Covid19 raged everywhere. It was in this darkness that Rav Shlomo Alon took to the keyboard, spreading Hilchesa liMeshicha—the laws of our faith. of our future—to uplift a nation. Published weekly and distributed to local Shuls in humble booklets in both Hebrew and English—and soon their email form counterparts—these writings grew wings and traveled the globe. 

Most recently. he published two full-length sefarim: one in Hebrew and the other in English. titled Hilchesa LiMeshicha. which are loosely based on the original. The sefarim have haskamos from Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yaakov Forchheimer. and Rav Shlomo Miller among others. 

Light in Dark Places

"While hilchesa liMeshicha isn't a new subject to me, the urgency to share it arose during the difficult times of Covid.   Klal Yisrael was in need of chizuk. a boost of strength and hope." says Rabbi Alon.

"The Chafetz Chaim posed a critical question:  How can we daven for Mashiach. reciting 'Al kein nekaveh lecha" three times a day, if we don't understand the halachos that will apply when He arrives?  He stressed the importance of studying Kodshim. the laws surrounding korbanos, and highlighted the need to understand Taharos. Unlike much of Kodshim, which primarily pertains to kohanim and levi'im, Taharos applies to every single Yid." 

Before the second Beis Hamikdash was built, Chagai Hanavi tested the kohanim on the halachos of Taharos—though the Gemara debates whether they knew the answers. 

The Chafetz Chaim wrote that before the third Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt, Hashem will again send individuals, possibly nevi'im, to test our knowledge of the laws of tumah [impurity] and taharah [purity]," relates Rabbi Alon. "Seder Taharos constitutes a sixth of Shas. It's an essential part of the Torah, yet many are unfamiliar with its halachos. We can't enter the Beis Hamikdash or partake in korbanos [sacrifices] if we're tamei. What will we do if we lack this foundational knowledge?" 

The Chafetz Chaim identified this time as ikvesa d'Meshicha [footsteps of Moshiach]—the era of redemption.  

How much more relevant is this today, nearly 100 years closer to the coming of Mashiach? What's our plan?" 

Signs of the Times

 "You don't have to be a navi to see that the world isn't operating as normal these days," says Rabbi Alon. "The signs of change are everywhere." 

Among other gedolim, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky said that the current war was the beginning of Milchemes Gog U'magog, which will culminate with the coming of Mashiach. Among other gedolim, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky said that the current war was the beginning of milchemes Gog U'magog, which will culminate with the coming of Mashiach.

The Navi [Yechezkel 32 and 38] describes the time of the Geulah, when Edom and Yishmael will clash over Eretz Yisrael, eventually killing each other out—a scenario that seems increasingly relevant today. 

Tensions are high, with nations brandishing their nuclear arsenals and making threats. Chazal say that the year that Mashiach will be revealed, "Kol umos ha'olam misgarim zeh im zeh" all nations will turn against each other. 

In Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer [perek 30], we learn of three major wars to come. One of these is to be fought at sea—a concept that puzzled us until now. With 500 American warships in the Mediterranean today, we can understand what a conflict al hayam means. [This is also mentioned in Zohar Chadash, parshas Ki Savo, and there it says that Hashem will bring a wave that will sink all those boats.]

The Mishnah speaks of the "anshei hagevul" the Yidden living on the borders of Eretz Yisrael, who will roam from place to place without anyone showing them compassion before Mashiach comes. Today, we see the plight of those displaced from their homes in the north and the south moving from hotel to hotel, facing uncertainty and despair. 

The Zohar teaches that we'll experience 70 years under the leadership Of the Erev Rav [often interpreted as the current Israeli government] before Mashiach arrives. The Chafetz Chaim noted that the Geulah will come 10 shmittos after the Holocaust. 

Long-Awaited Wedding

In his sefer Hilchesa LiMeshicha, Rabbi Alon weaves together numerous nevuos and Chazals about the future redemption. 

"For many, the concept of Mashiach can be frightening," he explains. "There will be war, and we wonder if we'll have the zechusim [merit] to make it through. While unfortunately common, this sentiment is deeply distorted. 

"The rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdash is described as a Yom simchas libo—the day of His happiness. The streets will flood with people singing and rejoicing, bringing korbanos todah to the Beis Hamikdash. We'll experience 'nagilah v'nismichah bach' an era of true joy like we've never known.

"Mattan Torah marked the engagement of Klal Yisrael to Hashem Today, we yearn for the marriage - the day of "Yasis aleyich Elokayich" .

The Countdown

The Gemara describes the seven years before Mashiach's arrival. 

In the first two years, the rain will be different. During the third year, many tzaddikim will be niftar. This will continue into the first half of the fourth year, the last six months of which will be good. These are understood to be the Covid years. 

In year five, the Gemara tells us, "Torah chozeres el lomdehah" - we'll come back to the Torah. Yeshivos and batei medrash will re-open, and we'll experience shefa in both ruchniyus [spirituality]  and gashmiyus [physicality]. 

ln the sixth year, the year after shemittah, there will be rumors that Mashiach is coming. 

The seventh year - 5784, according to this cheshbon - will be full of wars. 

Then Mashiach will arrive. 

"We don't know Hashem's cheshbonos [calculations]; the actual time of the Geulah is hidden from us, and our focus isn't on pinpointing an exact date for Mashiach's coming. However, the purpose of the simanim Chazal gave us is so that when you see this unfold in front of your eyes precisely  the way described in Chazal, know that the time for the Geulah is very close, and prepare yourself accordingly. 

What we do know is that Mashiach's arrival is imminent, and we must not allow ourselves to be victims of the most embarrassing situation, greeting Mashiach as am ha'aratzim [literally men of the land, unlearned in Torah], not being adequately ready when he comes."  

We're like a kallah getting ready for her wedding. When the chosson sees how eagerly His bride is preparing, he'll hopefully come to the wedding sooner. 

"Hakadosh Baruch Hu told us that the first two Batei Mikdash would be temporary. They would be followed by a long galus, during which Klal Yisrael would prove their loyalty to Him. Ultimately, we'll merit the third and final Beis Hamikdash. 

When Mashiach finally arrives, Hashem will rejoice like a groom with his bride.  The entire world awaits our grand wedding.

With What Will We Greet Him?

A bride prepares for her wedding by donning kishutei kallah - her jewelry and adornments. In essence, the very fact that we were loyal to Hashem and kept His mitzvos throughout the entire galus is the most beautiful adornment with which we're greeting Hashem, as the Navi says, "Pischu she'arim v'yavo goy tzaddik shomer emunim" - open the gates for the righteous nation that was loyal to Me. 

The same is mentioned in Shir Hashirim:  "You will sing from the summit of faith." 

Geulah will come in the merit of our emunah, which has held strong even through the prolonged and painful galus. 

"Look what a shining kallah Klal Yisrael is today. We're studying every section of Torah like never before. We're giving tzcdakah and strengthening our emunah and bitachon in unprecedented numbers. Every mitzvah we perform makes us more beautiful and ready for Mashiach." 

As in the mashal of the kallah, part of the preparation is learning the halachos of marriage. So too, it's upon Hashem's kallah to prepare herself now, through learning the Hilchesa l'Meshicha, so that she'll be ready for the greatest wedding in history. 

"Besides everything we mentioned, it's an obligation to be doresh tziyon. As the Navi laments, "Tziyon hi doresh ein la"-  no-one is seeking after Tziyon. The Gemara says that we must actively seek the Beis Hamikdash, and one crucial way to do this is by learning the halachos that will apply when it's rebuilt.

The Gemara indicates that once Mashiach arrives. there will be only a few moments before the kohanim begin their avodah. There's a she'ei-lah [question] whether a kohen can drink wine today, as he likely won't have the time to sleep it off before serving in the azarah. The Gemara teaches that a Yid should always be ready for Mashiach's arrivnl." 

Until We Beg

The second way is through tefillah. Rashj in Hoshe'a [3:5], quotes Chazal, listing three things that Klal Yisrnel has rejected that we can only reclaim after we earnestly beg for them: malchus Shamayim, malchus beis David, and the Beis Hamikdash. Today, we yearn for all three. 

"The world is filled with chillul Hashem; His presence is denied from every comer of society. We long for the elevation of malchus Shamayim and the restoration of malchus beis David, which upholds Hashem's sovereignty. For two thousand years, Hakadosh Baruch Hu and His people have been homeless, longing for the closeness of the Beis Hamikdash, our cheder yichud with Hashem."

The Chafetz Chaim emphasized the importance of gathering to daven for Geulah. Nowadays, there are tefillah asifos [prayer gatherings] for Mashiach throughout Eretz Yisrnel and even here in Lakewood. Whether in public gatherings or in private tefillos, it's essential for us to beg Hashem for the Geula.

Spreading Hope

More than a sefer, it's a movement. Hilchesa LiMeshicha sparks discussion, excitement. and increasing awareness of the topic. With encouragement from Rav Yaakov Forchheimer, Rabbi Alon has been delivering popular shiurim in Lakewood on this topic. The movement is gaining momentum. "Many chaburos are now dedicated to learning Taharos.  People are recognizing the importance of the limud.

The awareness is palpable, crossing the mechitzah. For example, "In one gilyon, it was discussed how after Mashiach's arrival, women will give birth daily. Later, two women at a bus stop were overheard exchanging thoughts on the phenomenon. Men are corning home and sharing what they've learned about Mashiach with their wives.

"Embracing a Mashiach mindset transforms everything: our focus on tzipisa l'yeshuah, our davening, and our entire avodas Hashem," closes Rabbi Alon. "I hope and daven that this limud [learning]  continues to spread.   May we soon be zocheh to fulfill hilchesa liMeshicha."