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Usually we view war as a dreadful phenomenon - bloodshed, bereavement, estrangement, and unbearable pain and suffering. As a result of war, many people suffer for years afterward.
Rabbi Kook, though, teaches us that it is possible to look at war from another, very different angle. True, war has its difficult side, but it possesses another side as well. In the words of Rabbi Kook, "When there is a great war in the world, the power of the Messiah awakens. The time of the songbird has come, the weeding away of tyrants. The evil ones are obliterated from the world, the world becomes more perfected." The words of the Rabbi are based on those of the Sages in the Midrash, where they teach that "Where one finds kingdoms engaged in strife with one another, look for the coming of the Messiah" (Midrash Rabbah Bereshit 42:7).
The foundation of such an outlook lies in the faithful recognition that God is running the universe, and that everything that He does is for the best. He is the "Master of Wars" and war must therefore have a constructive purpose in the world. The true objective of war is to effect a positive rebirth. The shock and crises which war brings can be viewed as a kind of "destruction for the sake of construction," or a "tearing in order to stitch." For, God's true desire is to mend, bring goodness, and perfect His creation.
Thus, in our prayers, we refer to God as "Master of wars, who sows kindness, makes salvations flourish." Via wars, and in their very midst, God "makes salvations flourish, creates cures... and renews daily, perpetually, the work of creation. May You shine a new light on Zion, and may we all speedily merit its light."
Therefore, at present, with the rising tension in the Persian Gulf and the ongoing war here in Eretz Yisrael - a war whose purpose it is to establish our lawful claim to the Land - added expectation of the Messiah's coming is inevitable.
The Sages long ago enlightened us regarding indications of the Redemption's onset in order to provide us with the proper insight and understanding when viewing such events. For, without such insight one is liable to lose faith, Heaven forbid. In addition, these indications are intended to cause us to ready ourselves on a practical level for the coming redemption, to awaken us to prepare vessels capable of receiving this "new light" that God will shine on Zion. This new light will be a mighty light and we must adjust ourselves to this future greatness in advance. It is likely that one who does not prepared in advance will find it too late afterward and will not be capable of rectifying the situation. Preparing vessels means admirable character traits: oneness, joy, humility, kind deeds, Torah study, and charity. "Great is charity for it brings the Redemption, and great is repentance, for it brings redemption."
In this regard, it is written, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before days arrive when you shall say I have no pleasure in them." These days, according to the Sages, are the days of the Messiah, in which there is neither privilege nor liability. In other words, in the Messianic era it will no longer be possible to rectify and to derive merit as it is at present. When the Redemption comes, a person will no longer be able to claim that he did not realize that it was so close in coming, for the Sages have already taught that one must anticipate the coming of the Messiah.
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Prayer translations were taken from the Complete ArtScroll Siddur.
"Orot" translations were taken from "War and Peace" by Rabbi David Samson and Tzvi Fishman.
The Seven Weeks of Condolence God's Punishment and Comfort are our Support
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 4
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
