intended to increase the knowledge, interest, and anticipation of the reader, thereby hastening the realization of our hopes and prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash.

Loose Ends!
I had thought to conclude the "mini-series" on the glorious destiny predicted by our Nevi'im that awaits Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael in last week's TT. The prophesied Final Redemption, which will culminate in the complete in gathering of Am Yisrael (including the ten "lost" tribes) and the restoration of the Divine Presence in a purified Beit HaMikdash in an expanded Jerusalem, seems to be a fascinating subject for all of us. Possibly because the contrast between the brilliant future foretold in the Tanach (as partially outlined in the "mini-series"), and the dismal state which Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael finds itself presently, is so great, that reactions (Thank you, one and all) from our readers were inevitable. Nevertheless, despite the admonishment of the Rambam, "Regarding these matters …no one knows how it will be until it will be, for these matters are unclear in the prophets. Even the sages did not have a tradition regarding these matters and could only attempt to understand the Pesukim... Therefore there were disagreements" (Hil. Melachim 12:2), there are still those (and who can really blame them?) who dote on time- tables and specifics. Since I am not a Navi nor am I the son of a Navi, I can not supply them. But truth be told, the temptation to delve into one of the most interesting questions people ask about the coming Geula was simply irresistible! To put it elegantly, "Do the 'nations' and governments have a role to play in the unfolding drama of the Final Redemption of Am Yisrael?" According to the prophet Yeshiyahu, the answer is an emphatic "yes."

The Navi says, "Thus saith the Lord G-d, Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations - Goyim - and set up My ensign to the peoples - Amim, and they shall bring your sons in their Chotzen (tucked into the space between their clothes and body) and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders (ibid. 49:22). Metzudat David comments, "'Behold, I will lift up My hand' means '(I will) hint to them to bring Yisrael (to Eretz Yisrael), that is to say, I will enkindle (the desire to do so) in their hearts. 'Set up My ensign', this is also a hint to the nations. A double sign was given" (for emphasis - compare Bereishit 41:32). Rashi concurs,"It is a sign to bring the exiles (to Eretz Yisrael)." The Malbim agrees that G-d's "lifting up His hand" is indeed a sign to the Goyim to bring the exiles to their land. The Goyim will only need a "hint". But the Amim, who are on a lower level than the Goyim, will need some "heavy duty convincing" because in contradistinction to the more sympathetic Goyim, they will be the ones who will unleash the wars of Gog and Magog against Am Yisrael (note Yechezkel 38,39). But they will suffer a catastrophic defeat when G-d intervenes. Only then, after G-d's awesome display of power, will the Amim cease their rebellion and begin to do their share in restoring Am Yisrael to their land. While other commentaries interpret Chotzen as noted above, the Malbim construes the Pasuk differently, "...they will bring your sons in sedan chairs - the kind of chairs used to transport nobility - and your daughters, who might be afraid to sit in such a chair, will be carried on their shoulders to their land, to Eretz Yisrael".

Dozens of celebrated Nevu'ot scattered through Tanach indicate that in the End of Days there will be an enormous groundswell of pro-Jewish sentiment throughout the world. "And it shall come to pass in the end of days that the mountain of the House of the Lord shall be established as the chief of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it… (Yeshayahu 2:3). This groundswell, though starting at the grassroots, will percolate through all strata of world society until eventually its influence will be readily discernable even at the very highest levels of government. The Navi continues, "And kings shall be your foster-fathers - Omnyich - and their queens your nursing mothers… for they shall not be ashamed, that wait for Me (ibid. 49:23). Metzudat Tzion elucidates: "Foster- father, Oman, is someone who raises a child. An example is '…carry them (Bnei Yisrael) in your bosom as an Oman carries a suckling… (Bamidbar11:12). The Malbim adds, "This metaphor… paints a picture depicting the kings and queens of the earth guarding you when you are still young (and defenseless) and standing by you until you are grown (and able to protect yourself)." In the days of Shivat Tzion, the benevolent Persian King Cyrus returned to the Judean exiles the sacred gold and silver vessels looted from Bayit Rishon which he "inherited" from the defeated Babylonians. The present day State of Israel over the years has been the recipient of billions of dollars in foreign aid. But these gifts are only an adumbration of what will come to pass in the End of Days. All the nations of the world and their leaders will seek to help Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael in any way they can. They will languish for the opportunity to send their offerings to the restored Beit HaMikdash. And their Korbanot will be readily accepted! (Yeshayahu 56:7) Bimheira Beyameinu, Amein!

Yes, Rabbinic Dialectics!

TT article, A Tale of Two Kohanim! (July 16-17, '04) featured a discussion that focused on the Asham Metzora (Guilt Offering of the "leper"). Unlike all other Korbanot, two Kohanim received its blood after slaughter and not one, One Kohein received the blood in a Mikdash vessel in the normal manner and the other Kohein received the blood in his palm. One of our TT readers wanted to know the source of this unique Halacha. My analysis of the relevant Gemara, based on the first Mishna of the 5th chapter of Zevachim "Eizehu Mekoman" (ibid. 47b), formed the basis of my reply. But my use of the term "rabbinic dialectics" aroused the ire of TT reader M from Ra'anana because of its allegedly "communist connotations".

With all due respect, "dialectics" is a perfectly good word. Dialectics is a Greek word that was originally used to describe the Socratic method, "according to which argument and reasoning took the form of a dialogue." My dictionary defines dialectic as "the art or practice of examining opinions or ideas logically, often by the method of question and answer." Popularized by the German philosopher Hegel (and Marx), dialectic begins with a thesis that is presumed to be true until a flaw is found. At that point, the merits of an opposing point of view become apparent. This contrary opinion is the antithesis. Faced with the two incomparable hypotheses, a third view, enriched with insights derived from both the thesis and the antithesis, can be considered and accepted. This ameliorated third stage is called the synthesis which in turn becomes the new thesis. Is this not an excellent description of the "Shakla VeTarya" - the Talmudic give and take - that we see before us on every page of Gemara? And remember, the Gemara was edited some 1500 years before Hegel and Marx were born.

Catriel is in the process of writing a book: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrims Prospective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service