Special Feature: Prophecies About the Holocaust and Rebirth

World War II and the Holocaust perpetrated by the German people against the Jewish people were foretold in the Talmud, Tractate Megillah, Page 6:

"Rabbi Yitzchak said: What is meant by the verse (Psalms 109): 'Do not grant the desires of the wicked, do not let their plans succeed, they may exalt themselves forever.' Jacob said before Hashem: 'Master of the Universe, do not grant Esau the wicked the desires of his heart. "Do not let their plans succeed" - this refers to the Germania of Edom, for if they emerge, they would destroy the entire world."

The Yaavetz – Rabbi Yaakov Emden, who lived about 250 years ago – wrote that 'Germania' is: "Germania, that is our Ashkenaz." The Gaon of Vilna also wrote that it should be read: "Germania."

The Talmud continues, stating: "There are three hundred kingdoms in the Germania of Edom." For those familiar with European history of the 17th and 18th centuries, this fact is clear: Germany was fragmented among many kingdoms that fought each other without a strong central ruler. Germany only united when one of the kingdoms – the Duchy of Brandenburg, which later became known as 'Prussia' – became dominant and took control of its neighbors. The unification of Germany transformed it from a collection of small kingdoms into a strong state with military ambitions, leading to World War I, which subsequently led to World War II.

This is why Jacob prayed about Germania: 'Do not let their plans succeed' – to not lose the 'constraint' – the division that prevents their power – because if they unite and strengthen, they will destroy the world.

Nazis (Photo: Flash 90)

The Evil Will Begin from Germany

Germany is the cradle of Enlightenment. Jews emerged from there who cast off their traditions and declared they were 'Germans of the Mosaic faith', removing from the prayer book the prayers for the return to Zion and announcing that Berlin was their Jerusalem. Leading rabbis warned them that a dire fate awaited the Jews of Germany. In the writings of Rabbi Mazahe, the rabbi of Moscow, a sermon of the Maggid of Kelm is quoted, delivered about 130 years ago: "In Germany they will yet make a detailed Shulchan Aruch on hatred of Israel, where it will be written: 'The best of the Jews, kill him'...." In the book 'Meshech Chochma' by Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, the author writes in the Torah portion Bechukotai: "When Jews think that Berlin is Jerusalem... a disaster will come upon them, specifically from the Germans with whom they so wish to assimilate..."!

The Remnant Will Survive in the Land of Israel

On the facade of the Ponevezh Yeshiva building in Bnei Brak is inscribed the verse from the Book of Obadiah: "And on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant and it shall be holy." This quote originates from a conversation that Rabbi Kahaneman, the founder of the Ponevezh Yeshiva, had with the Chofetz Chaim before the Holocaust. When the Chofetz Chaim was already elderly, Hitler had come to power in Germany, and antisemitism began to flood Europe. The Chofetz Chaim often spoke about the calamities awaiting the Jewish people. When Rabbi Kahaneman asked the Chofetz Chaim what would happen to the Jews, he replied: It is written: "And on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant" – therefore, the evil will not reach the Land of Israel.

And thus it was. The Nazi armies led by General Rommel were stopped in Egypt near the town of El Alamein, and did not set foot in the Land of Israel. And on Mount Zion, there was indeed a remnant.