The Secret of Peace in the Days of Mashiach and the Revelation of the Torah of Atika Stima'ah

Lesson No. 267 | Continuation of Wednesday, Parashas Noach, the eve of the 4th of Cheshvan 5761

An in-depth article explaining the dispute among Chazal (our Sages of blessed memory).

Will weapons be abolished in the days of Mashiach?

The Gemara discusses the question of whether weapons will be considered an adornment in the days of Mashiach or if they will be abolished from the world. The Sages say that they will be abolished in the days of Mashiach because they will no longer be needed, as it is stated: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation." If there are no wars, weapons are not considered an ornament. Weapons are only an adornment when there are wars and one is victorious in them, and then one takes pride in them. But in the future to come, as Abaye says, weapons will be like a "shraga b'tihara" (a candle at noon) – completely unnecessary.

In contrast, there is a completely opposite view in the Gemara, the view of Shmuel. Shmuel disagrees with the perception that in the days of Mashiach, wars will be abolished immediately upon his arrival.

The work of Mashiach: Mediating between the nations

Shmuel's view states:

"There is no difference between this world and the days of Mashiach except for the subjugation of the exiles alone."

That is to say, the Jewish people will indeed no longer be subjugated, and the nations will know that they are forbidden to touch them, but in the world itself, endless wars will still take place. This is hinted at in the verse: "And he shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide concerning mighty nations." Mashiach will have to mediate between the nations, and he will have very difficult work.

He will have to travel from country to country, from nation to nation, to the ends of the earth, in order to compromise between them and calm them down. He will convince them to stop fighting over territories and will explain to them that the main thing is to prevent bloodshed. It will take many more years until the verse is fulfilled: "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

Opposing Shmuel is the view of Rabbi Chiya bar Abba, who says:

"All the prophets only prophesied regarding the days of Mashiach, but as for the World to Come – no eye has seen it, God, aside from You."

According to Rabbi Chiya bar Abba, immediately when Mashiach comes, the prophecy "and the wolf shall dwell with the lamb" will be fulfilled, and there will be no more wars at all. But according to Shmuel, this prophecy will only be fulfilled after many years.

The ruling of the Rambam: The world follows its natural course

The Rambam rules in accordance with the view of Shmuel, and firmly insists that we should not expect innovations in the nature of creation with the coming of Mashiach:

"Let it not enter your mind that in the days of Mashiach anything of the natural course of the world will be abolished, or that there will be an innovation in the work of creation; rather, the world will follow its natural course."

The Rambam explains that the verse "and the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid" is a "parable and a riddle." The meaning is that the nations of the world, who are compared to a wolf and a leopard, will stop robbing and plundering the Jewish people and will return to the true religion.

However, by the very use of the words "parable and a riddle," the Rambam hints at a deeper meaning. If it were only a "parable," the meaning would be clear – that nature will not change. But the moment he adds that it is a "riddle," he is essentially saying that only in the days of Mashiach will we truly know what was a parable and what will be fulfilled literally.

The Land of Israel versus the rest of the nations of the world

The Raavad objects to the Rambam and argues that these matters must be fulfilled literally, for it is written in the Torah: "And I will eliminate wild beasts from the land."

The Radbaz resolves the dispute and explains a wondrous distinction: In the Land of Israel, these things will be fulfilled literally. In the Land of Israel, there will be perfect knowledge, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Hashem, as the waters cover the sea," and the nations will understand that the people of Israel are a treasured nation elevated above all peoples, to whom all the secrets of the world are entrusted. Therefore, in the Land of Israel, the verse "I will rid evil beasts out of the land" will be fulfilled literally, and they will not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain. However, in the rest of the countries of the world, the world will continue its normal course, and there will still be wars, and the verses will be interpreted allegorically.

The Power of the Torah of Atika Stima'ah (the Hidden Ancient One)

The conclusion arising from the words of Rebbe Nachman is that only through the revelation of the "Torah of Atika Stima'ah" will this wondrous peace be achieved in the world. Even when King Mashiach comes, in order to bring true peace, he will need to reveal this supernal Torah. When the nations of the world hear such teachings and such wondrous things, only then will their minds be calmed and the bloodshed will cease, because there is nothing else that can calm their blood.

In order to merit the building of the Holy Temple and this wondrous peace, we must disconnect from the vanities of the world. Do not listen to the news, do not turn on the radio, but rather only feel the sorrow of every bereaved family and of every Jew who was killed. Through participating in this sorrow and disconnecting from the external noise, we will merit that King Mashiach will come and build the Holy Temple speedily in our days in the blink of an eye, Amen.

Part 1 of 3 — Lesson No. 267

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