by Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer

We are living in momentous and historic times. Prophecies from thousands of years ago are unfolding before our eyes in record time, seemingly preparing us for the redemption.

Rashi and Pnei Yehoshua offer the same interpretation for the words in parshas Ha’azinu that state, “v’chash asidos lamo — the future will rush forward.” They explain this to mean that there will come a time when historic events will be on fast-forward.

There are two lessons to be gleaned from this. Firstly, this unique phenomenon motivates and compels us to accomplish more on behalf of the Jewish People, as time is literally at a premium. Rav Aharon Leib Steinman ztz”l said that we must act feverishly to reconnect as many Jews as possible before the available time lapses. Rav Steinman said that this is the most important mission for the Jewish People — to bring back as many Jews as we can.

Secondly, we must relate to the seismic, colossal current events not as mere news stories but as cosmic Divine occurrences that are part of the redemptive process and are meant to lead us to a spiritual awakening and teshuvah.

Predicted in the Parsha!

On Chol Hamoed Succos, we witnessed an auspicious event. Steve Witkoff, an unaffiliated Jew, who represents President Trump, the world’s most powerful man, was seen shaking the arba minim at the Kosel. The Rosh in Maseches Succah says that the purpose of the na’anuim is to drive away the prosecuting angels, representing the nations of the world, that seek to harm the Jewish People. The president’s Jewish daughter and son-in-law, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, were simultaneously davening at the Kosel for the success of the hostages’ release.

Leading up to this astonishing scene, the president spoke with ferocity, intensity, and audacity about the impending destruction of Hamas if they didn’t agree to dismantle. He threatened retribution on our enemies and used the unprecedented words “complete obliteration.” He also guaranteed to do everything in his power to arrange for the hostages to be released.

This pronouncement coincided with parshas Ha’azinu. The Ramban says that past, present, and future are all predicted and prophesied in Ha’azinu. Klal Yisrael read parshas Ha’azinu the day after President Trump issued his threats and ultimatum. In Devarim 32:42, Hashem eerily promises to exact unmitigated retribution on Israel’s enemies on the account of “corpses and hostages.” In the next pasuk, Hashem says He will avenge the blood of His servants and will appease the land of His people.

Astoundingly, the haftarah read that precise Shabbos alludes to the return of the hostages, as it says: “You bring me forth from my enemies and raise me above my adversaries. You will rescue me from men of Chamas.”

The Zohar says that Hoshana Rabbah is the day of reckoning and judgment for world leaders. It is mind-boggling that on Hoshana Rabbah, 27 world leaders from Muslim and European countries joined President Trump to convene for a summit in Egypt to discuss peace.

Furthermore, the hostages were released on Hoshana Rabbah. This wasn’t a coincidence. What precipitated this miracle?

Prophecy of Iran

There’s a prophecy cited by Targum Yonasan, Abravanel, Rav Yehonasan Eibeschutz and the Maharsha that identifies the precursor to the Geulah as none other than the downfall of Iran. America will attack Iran — as is stated in Maseches Avodah Zarah, “Tipol Paras b’yad Romi.” This attack ushers in the Yemos Mashiach and causes the clock of Mashiach to start ticking. The American attack happened several months ago, on June 22, 2025.

Nine Months Process

However, Tosafos in Avodah Zarah (2b) makes a startling prophecy. Tosafos clearly references the downfall of Iran as a forerunner for the times of Mashiach and then says that the country that will attack Iran will rule the civilized world for nine months.

President Trump began his first day in office on January 20. In Eretz Yisrael this coincided with 21 Teves. Nine months from the time that President Trump started his presidency was 21 Tishrei, Hoshana Rabbah, the day that he accomplished the seeming impossible: the release of 20 Jewish hostages from 738 days of agonizing captivity and laying out a vision for peace in the Middle East.

There is a pasuk in Sefer Nechemia (8:17) that is one of the only times Tanach speaks about the Jewish People celebrating Succos: “So the people went out and brought [materials for schah] and made themselves succahs… the entire kahal that had returned from captivity made succahs… Bnei Yisrael had not done so since that days of Yehoshua ben Nun… and there was very great rejoicing.”

Who will make succahs? Who will observe Succos? Remarkably, it says captives, returning from captivity. The pasuk then says that the people had not been able to observe Succos since the times of Yehoshua ben Nun. There will be a great jubilation, a great celebration, a great rejoicing.

The mefarshim are puzzled by this. It’s such an enigma. What does this mean, that they hadn’t observed Succos since the time of Yehoshua ben Nun? For almost a thousand years they didn’t observe Succos? Of course they did.

But perhaps now it has become clear. Perhaps it is referring to the future, when hostages basically written off as dead would be released on Succos. A Yom Tov that would be celebrated by all streams of Jews, in which Jews on every part of the spectrum found faith in Hashem, optimism, and hope because of the returning captives. As the pasuk states, this has truly never happened before.

Nothing More Important than Peace

If these are Messianic times, we certainly don’t want to squander the opportunity. What’s our mission to actually bring the Geulah to fruition?

Let’s go back to Bereishis. On the second day of creation, Hashem separated the higher and lower waters, creating the “Rakia,” firmament (according to many Rishonim, this refers to the sky, atmosphere, or space). Then, in an abrupt departure, Hashem intriguingly changes the name from “Rakia” to “Shamayim.”

Why the sudden, anomalous name change?

The Kli Yakar explains the reason for this unexpected renaming. He says it’s because Rakia denotes separation, division, and disunity. On the other hand, Shamayim is an amalgam of the words aish and mayim, fire and water, polar opposites. Shamayim is a blueprint for life. It represents the fact that even dialectical, disparate properties can come together and coexist peacefully, despite their inherent differences. Hashem changed the name of Rakia to demonstrate the supreme importance of unity.

The Jewish People can’t survive without unity. Redemption won’t happen unless there is unity. Shamayim means that different perspectives, opinions, and attitudes can coalesce and reside in harmony.

There is no greater calling. Hashem wants Klal Yisrael to make shalom and stand together in achdus. We must individually and collectively learn to forgive, forget, put aside our differences for the greater good, and come together in mutual respect. We can still celebrate our unique and diverse minhagim as Sephardim, litvish, chassidish, yekkish, and everything in between, but also love one another as brothers and sisters and cherish the similarity and commonality that unites us.

When the hostages were released, we saw parents and children, who had been separated and didn’t know if they would ever see each other again, come back together. It wasn’t just the joy of 20 families experiencing the most euphoric reunification, it was the joy of all of Klal Yisrael. It was “Shamayim” in its fullest manifestation, different elements and strands becoming whole again.

These stunning, emotional reunions remind us of Hashem’s desire to be reunited with His children and to see His children reunite with each other. The pieces of the puzzle for the Geulah are finally in place — now it’s up to us to make it happen.

There are a few places in the world that are beacons of unity and peace. BJX is such a place. Yidden of all backgrounds and stages of growth, fuse together in harmony and unity. Everyone is accepted with open arms and a warm embrace. It is a place that gives countless Jews a second chance to revisit Torah and Yiddishkeit with a fresh and rejuvenating lens. It also provides beginners from public high school, college and Jews of all ages the tools to learn about Torah and Mitzvos in a loving environment. Your support of BJX is a tremendous Zechus. See this video of secular Jews who live in Brooklyn learning Torah with their frum brothers and sisters.

BJX needs your help! Support Hatzalas Neshamos and the life-saving work of BJX. Act today. Save a life. Change generations. EIN 47-2389703. Donate now: HelpBJX.com| 646-397-1544. One more Jew is waiting – help us reach them now.

With decades of experience and proven success, Rabbis Fingerer have guided hundreds of families, teens, and young adults from the Frum community back to a meaningful, fulfilled life rooted in Yiddishkeit. Don’t wait for a crisis—address challenges early and see lasting results. Call 646-397-1544 to schedule your confidential appointment.