Wednesday, October 30, 2019

“All wickedness shall be consumed like smoke.”

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

During these insane times when we see the forces of evil operating boldly to commit death and destruction -- it would be appropriate to ponder the words of the illustrious mekubal [mystic] Rabbi Eliyahu Vidas in his book, “Reishit Chochmah”:

“‘G-d has made the one as well as the other’ (Ecclesiastes 7:14). Just as Uriel corresponds to the Divine Presence for the arousal of good in the world, so too is there a force called ‘biladen’ which is the face of a dog, and its whole interest is in arousing evil in the world. This dog is called ‘biladen,’ short for ‘beli adon’ -- without a master.” (Sha’ar HaYirah, Ch. 8)

When the forces of good are aroused in the world, i.e., when Israel rises up for rebirth, opposing forces of evil and wickedness rise up as well. These forces are likened to dogs, for dogs are insolent and impudent. Yet as was hinted at during the Exodus from Egypt, “Against any of the children of Israel not a dog shall move its tongue” (Exodus 11:7).

Today, we see explicitly those same evildoers, beasts in human form, whose whole purpose is death and destruction for their own sakes. They are like those animals which are filled with happiness and rejoicing when the blood pours out of their victims. Their whole goal is to dip their hands in their victims’ blood, and to dance in it.

The fate of those evildoers is known in advance, as King David said, “You will smash them like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9). The day is not far off when our prayer will be fulfilled that “the righteous shall see and be glad, the upright shall exult and the pious shall triumphantly rejoice... and all wickedness shall be wholly consumed like smoke, when you make the dominion of arrogance pass away from the earth” (High Holiday Shemoneh Esreh). May it be soon in our day, Amen!

Looking forward to complete salvation,
Shabbat Shalom.

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