- Torah and Jewish Thought
- The Resurrection of the Dead and World to Come
When are the "last days" and "Judgement Day?
Question
According to Orthodox Judaism when are the last days that is spoken of in the Tanach? Is it the last days of this present age that precedes the Messianic age or the last days of the Messianic age before the Day of Judgment?
Answer
We know that today we are already in what’s called “Y’mot HaMashiach” (=the “Days of Mashiach”), a time period which sees the return of the Nation of Israel to the Land of Israel (the "Engathering of the Exiles"), the revival of Hebrew our Holy language, the victories of our Holy army, our Holy State, and an unprecedented awakening to Torah (most noticeably, the return of 1,200,000 Jews from the former Soviet Union, who had 0% observance there, and have now “returned to the fold”). Accordingly, anything which precedes the messianic age has already taken place, and that which has yet to be fulfilled is either part of the messianic age or afterwards!
Regarding the Day of Judgement, every single year on the High Holidays of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, Jews face Heavenly judgment for that year, and in fact, to a smaller extent, we are judged every single day. In the future, the gentile nations are going to be judged and G-d will “close the account” with them some time during the “days of Mashiach” period, but it’s not clear from the sources at which stage it will be [if the prophets were totally explicit regarding time and place, etc., that would limit man’s free will, because man would mend his ways out of immediate gratification or fear and not out of ideal or true identification]. Our rabbis teach us that one should mend his ways “in time”, because you never know ahead of time when the “time” will be! Unfortunately, instead of improving and repenting, we see every day in the news many gentiles (not only Moslems, but some Christians, as well) who instead of aiding, actually hinder or even attack Israel- and they will surely get what they deserve!
With prayer for the speedy eradication of evil in the world!

nde
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 1, 5782

Third temple
Rabbi David Sperling | Tevet 25, 5773

Why not allow Euthanasia mercy-killing if Heaven's the goal?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 10, 5778

No share in the world-to-come for not repenting of adultery?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 13, 5775

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Writing a Torah Scroll in English
Adar II 25, 5771

Fasting or giving Tzedaka on seeing Sefer Torah fallen
Shevat 7, 5771

Birkat Hamazon - extra verses
Adar II 25, 5771

Evils Spirits & Ghosts
Adar II 25, 5771

Mezuzah for a Catholic Family?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 15, 5779

When does the Jewish day begin?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 10, 5775
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Bracha at cemetery
Various Rabbis | 7 Nisan 5766

Organization
Various Rabbis | Shevat 10, 5783

Does God Have Feelings?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 24, 5783
How to split expenses for a group event
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783
