וַיִּקְרָ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶל־בָּנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ וְאַגִּ֣ידָה לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִֽים׃ –And Jacob called to his children and said, “Come together that I may tell you what will happen to you in the end of days:

 הִקָּבְצ֥וּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב וְשִׁמְע֖וּ אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל אֲבִיכֶֽם׃ –Gather and listen, sons of Jacob and listen to Israel, your father:    (Breishit 49:1,2)

Parshat VaYechi concludes the Book of Genesis as it describes Yaakov/Israel calling  his children together to tell them what will happen to them ‘at the end of days’. Rashi explains that at this point the Shechina/Divine Presence ‘left him and he spoke to them of other things.’ 

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook ZT’L arrived in Israel in 1904 and explained to Israel that we are now actively in the ‘end of days’ process. Unlike Yaakov/Israel, Rav Kook elaborated at length about the nature of this extraordinary process.

It is most appropriate in this difficult time of war to review a few of Rav Kook’s illuminated visions about the rebirth of Israel in these ‘end of days’.  The teachings of Torah and Kabbala  explain to us that our ongoing war with Amalek, Ishmael and Edom is part of our historical recreation.   These passages about the re-emergence of Israel were written in Yaffo between 1910 and 1913 when there were approximately 90,000 Jews in the Land of Israel:

“The ideals at the core of Israel are becoming increasingly revealed. They are enlivening the spirit that is preparing to receive them in their full power. These ideals are demanding that many vessels be prepared in order for them to be realized. They require healthy souls in a fresh generation that is dwelling on its land and girded with the might of the salvation of HaShem’s right hand.”  (Notebook 1:15)

“The Mikdash/Holy Sanctuary, prophecy, and Malchut/ Sovereignty, and all of their activities are sending their beams to us, their light that is seeded in the land of life.

These rays are reaching us; waves of their light are beating upon our eyelids. which have been closed throughout the entire course of the time of exile. We only saw fragments of existence.

We are called upon to prepare for the light, to know who we are and what our purpose is, and to know what our soul, with all of its strength, demands of us.” (Ibid, 1:16)

“A small remnant of something great is more precious and elevated than something that is complete and small. A single spark from the illumination of our ancestors, from their holiness and Divinely elevated great power is lighting up these ‘end of days’. It is restoring Israel forever and with it the entire world…

‘Be strong, do not fear’. (Isaiah 35:4) The Messianic light is shining, eternal redemption is appearing through all the cracks. From the darkness of evil and ugly heresy…will certainly come the higher light that will broadly establish the base of Israel…This will shine light on all the darknesses… Only חסדי אבות- the compassion of our ancestors will remain.” (Ibid 1:776)

“We are now close to the time of our redemption, ‘the voice of the turtledove is being heard in our land’ (Song of Song 2:12), ‘the blossoms are appearing in the land’ (Ibid). 

The demand for the light of HaShem, the demand for the highest spiritual redemption, the surging for HaShem and His goodness is moving forward and growing….”  (Ibid 1:869)

“After all the many deficiencies that we experienced…we are being born anew. From the lowest levels we are once again being formed as in days of old. All our spiritual possessions of the past are returning to their core and emerging forth with new faces. They may be very small in quantity but in quality they are exceedingly fresh and ready for great growth, full of surging life.

We are called to a new future, full of the highest illumination, to a  new era that will surpass in strength all the great eras that preceded it.

The entire People believes that there will be no more exile after the redemption that is currently beginning. This profound belief is itself the secret of our existence, the mystery of HaShem revealed in our historical process.” (Ibid 2:272)

“We can sense and feel the character of the redemption that is approaching in the inwardness of the Community of Israel.

The nation is developing with all its powers, it is expanding its spirit, nature and essence….

When this process is complete, when the nation will ascend to its full height- the light of the full name of HaShem will be revealed. It will be revealed and seen that all that is illuminated and all that will be illuminated, all that lived and will live- is all the light of the God of the Universe, the God of Israel.” (Ibid 3:225)

We, the current children of Yaakov/Israel, are blessed to be reading these prophetic words as they are actively occurring in so many ways. The process is not yet complete. This war is very difficult. We are blessed to know that there is a very bright future that will emerge from the darkness.

Rav Kook ZT”L emphasized through his teachings and actions that it is our responsibility, holy privilege and destiny to actively and consciously help bring the Divine Will for a world of complete good to its full manifestation.

BeMhera BeYamenu– Quickly In Our Days.

Prepared by Rabbi Itzchak Evan-Shayish, www.haorot.com, [email protected]