Reply To: What's the argument against having a Madina?

M, I heard the opposite. The Satan tries to confuse us as to what we should do (hint, hint) but if we are doing what Hashem wants He helps us. My source in the menatime is a logical mind (sevara). Bli neder I will look for a prior source but I think that it is fairly obvious. Hashem controls the world – including the Satan. The Satan is only there to give us free choice. In any case there is a mitzva to conquer and settle EY according to all of the Rishonim (Pitchei Teshuva 75:6). See “Kol haTor” of Rabbi Hillel Shklover (one of the talmidei haGra who made aliya) that this and the physical building of EY is the job of Mahiach ben Yosef.