Facing the Future: Strengthening Ourselves for the Times Ahead

What are the standout challenges of our generation compared to previous ones, and on the flip side, what are the advantages we possess over those that came before us?

Rabbi Yaakov Israel Lugasi, in his book 'My Soul's Request,' offers an extensive list that characterizes the unique period we're living in, right before the coming of the Messiah. Here are some of the features (focus on the end of the list is recommended):

1. Numerous, peculiar, and frequent hardships – as written in the Midrash: Three parts of suffering were distributed in the world – one taken by the Forefathers (including the Egyptian exile), one by all the generations combined, and one for the era of the Messiah.

In other words, the era of the Messiah will concentrate one-third of the world's suffering, as opposed to the two-thirds in the past, which were spread over many years.

2. There will not be righteous individuals in our time like those in previous generations, and thus there will be no one to plead for mercy or protect the generation.

3. A severe concealment – the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper. The advice for this is simple faith.

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4. There will be an increase in atheists and heretics who despise religion, lovers of profit and honor.

5. Anyone who wishes to repent will face difficulties from within their own home. In the past, different nations fought us to disrupt our faith, now it might be the wife that will create obstacles or vice versa, leading to a situation where a husband and wife live under one roof with one of them scornful of all things sacred.

6. Observers of mitzvot will suffer from derogation at work, on the street, within family. Trials will weigh heavily on those returning to faith.

7. According to the Talmud, the wicked will seize leadership, and the government will turn to heresy.

8. The more brazen one is, the more they will be considered "great."

9. The feeling that we have no one to rely on – except our Father in Heaven, as there will be no one to strengthen and encourage in times of distress.

10. Torah scholars will be persecuted, scorned, and neglected.

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11. Those who fear Hashem will be despised and labeled as extreme and uncivilized.

12. Leaders will be subjugated to the people for money and honor.

13. The elderly will be silent before the young and afraid to rebuke them.

14. Righteous individuals and those with good deeds will not be valued.

15. Many wars will occur worldwide.

16. The sustenance of the generation will rely on the children of the house of study, who are righteous in their young age alone.

17. Great heresy will descend upon the world, making faith a challenging trial, similar to climbing a straight wall without a ladder or steps (Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin).

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18. The high cost of living and poverty will plague many.

19. The fiftieth gate of impurity will be allowed to exert its power in this generation in its fight against sanctity, a struggle not permitted in previous generations, as outlined in the writings of "Or HaChaim HaKadosh."

20. Only those with ancestral merit or through self-sacrifice will be saved.

21. Even good-hearted and religious people will speak atheism and heresy as they become engrossed in politics, interpreting reality according to chance and human power (the Baal Shem Tov).

22. Raising children will present challenges akin to the test of the binding of Isaac (from "The Silver Covenant" by Rabbi Sar Shalom of Belz).

23. A small deed in this generation is equivalent to many mitzvot from earlier generations, and minor service of Hashem in this generation carries weight akin to the rams from the time of the Temple (the Arizal).

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24. Through simple faith and the earnest observance of mitzvot, a person can rectify what could not be corrected in many reincarnations.

25. People will reverse priorities – meticulous about minor observance while neglecting core aspects such as modesty and the fundamentals of faith.

26. This generation does not demand grand spiritual heights but rather simple faith and observance of commandments.

27. Trials at every step indeed, and every slight movement for the sake of His great name will be considered precious and invaluable.

Further reading:

Who is the Messiah, and who will triumph in the End of Days? Rabbi Zamir Cohen with details you must share

May the Temple be Rebuilt Soon: Which Blessings to Recite When Seeing the Messiah?

Messiah ben Joseph – Who is He, and Will He Inevitably Come?