Did Rabbi Kaduri Predict the Messiah's Arrival after the 2019 Elections?

It's happening again: a message circulating on WhatsApp, Facebook, and online excitedly reports the discovery of an ancient book by Rabbi Kaduri. In it, the rabbi allegedly wrote that two leaders named "Binyamin" would clash, with neither establishing a government. Further, the rumor claims that in the year 5780, a similar war will occur in the heavens, and the Messiah will come the Shabbat after. People spread the message, excited and anxious, yet stopped rarely to check its truth.

The message's sender was supposed to attach a photo from the book. A thorough search showed no book named "Brit Afarsimon." No official statement from Rabbi Kaduri's kabbalist yeshiva announced the book's discovery. The creativity in inventing stories knows no bounds.

The image circulated online, promoting the false rumor

In contrast, the following verses appear in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 12, describing the end of days:

Daniel Chapter 12

1 "At that time, Michael, the great prince, who stands guard over your people, will arise. It will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time your people, everyone found written in the book, will be rescued."

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."

Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river.

And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be until the end of these wonders?"

I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.

As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?"

He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.

Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.

From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!

But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age."

An in-depth look into the biblical commentators is chilling:

"It will be a time of distress not seen as a nation until then"– Rashi describes our time: "A time of trouble within the heavenly assembly and objection against the wise scholars" resembling what our sages said in the last chapter of Ketubot." Certainly, in these times, with much incitement against Hashem, believers, and Torah followers, we respond to the critique against scholars and trouble in the heavenly assembly.

"Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse" – Rashi explains: "The insightful who engaged in Torah and commandments will shine like the brightness of the expanse."

"Until the end time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase" – Rashi interprets: "Until the end of redemption arrives, many will go back and forth in thought trying to understand the truth of the end, and knowledge will increase to investigate more. It's as if saying, they will investigate until the end of time but will know nothing, yet when the time comes, the eyes of all will be opened to understand the hints of the salvation time."

"How long, until the end of these wonders... as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed" – Rashi comments: "When Israel's strength is depleted because there is no hand holding back."

"How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains" – Daniel writes in this final chapter of his book that the angel explained the calculation of the end, but he did not understand. Therefore, the "Metzudat David" interprets: "Blessed is he who waits for it and reaches it and again interprets the hope... and we knew it not, like him, for if Daniel said, 'I heard and did not understand,' and the angel answered him, 'These words are closed and sealed,' then how can we know them?"

The Malbim interprets verse 12 thus: "Then all these will be completed... meaning the dominions of those angels standing on the riverbank will end, as then will begin the kingdom of heaven." It is possible that "bank" alludes to the year 5780, starting next week.

Hashem has set many dates for the end of redemption. Hopefully, we will prepare, not lose hope for redemption, nor miss the opportunities standing at our door.

These words are not meant to stir panic. It's important to remember that after the War of Gog and Magog, complete redemption will follow, which we anticipate and yearn for every day. Additionally, we should remember the words of the Chofetz Chaim, who promised that it is accepted from man to man that those who fear Hashem will not be harmed by those spiritual events. As stated in the verses above: "Those who have insight will shine brightly... How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains."

As mentioned, there's no need to panic, but rather to trust in Hashem that He will redeem us and protect us during these events. Our job is to discern how to leverage the signals for our benefit and advantage, without unnecessary fears or worries. Regarding this, one should remember the words of Rabbi Eliezer the Great, as brought in the Talmud: "What should a person do to be saved from the birth pangs of the Messiah? Engage in Torah and acts of kindness." By studying Torah and committing to acts of kindness, one accrues merits that will protect him during the events of the War of Gog and Magog, and the occurrences then.

How can we be saved from the birth pangs of the Messiah? This is Rabbi Eliezer the Great's answer:

To study Daniel Chapter 12 with biblical commentators, click here.

To read the full comments of the Malbim, click here.