The Wolf Will Dwell with the Lamb

In the prophecy of Isaiah it is stated "The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them". The simple meaning of this prophecy is that in the future era, all animals will abandon their corrupted nature and will stop preying on others, as the Torah states: "I will remove harmful beasts from the land."

An exhibit demonstrating the prophecy "The wolf will dwell with the lamb" passing before the Rebbe during a parade (Lag BaOmer 5744/1984)

The Rambam explains the inner meaning of this prophecy in his work Yad HaChazaka in Hilchot Melachim: "And that which is said in Isaiah 'the wolf will dwell with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the young goat' is a parable and riddle. The meaning is that Israel will dwell securely with the wicked gentiles who are compared to wolves and leopards, as it says 'a wolf of the deserts will spoil them' and 'a leopard watches over their cities,' and they will all return to the true faith, and will not steal or destroy, but will eat permissible food peacefully with Israel, as it is said 'and the lion will eat straw like the ox.'"

Wolf and Lamb

Literal Meaning or "Parable and Riddle"

Regarding the fulfillment of this prophecy, the Rambam writes: "And that which is said in Isaiah 'the wolf will dwell with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the young goat' - is a parable and riddle, that Israel will dwell securely with the wicked gentiles who are compared to wolves and leopards," etc. On the surface, it appears that according to the Rambam, this prophecy will not be fulfilled literally but is a "parable and riddle" (however, during the visit of the Admor of Skulya to the Rebbe in 5741, the Rebbe said that the Rambam's intention is not that this prophecy will not be fulfilled literally, but rather that it certainly has an inner interpretation as a "parable and riddle," and will certainly be fulfilled according to its inner interpretation, and if a student will prove that it also has a literal meaning - then it will be fulfilled literally as well). But according to the opinion of some Rishonim (the Ramban and others) who hold that in the future there will be a change in the natural order of the world, it is understood that this prophecy will be fulfilled literally.

The Rebbe explains that generally regarding the physical prophecies of the future era, it is explained that they will be fulfilled literally even according to the Rambam, but this will happen in the second period of the Messianic era. However, regarding this prophecy, the Rebbe says that the prophet connected it to the matter of Moshiach (the verse "the wolf will dwell with the lamb" appears in proximity to verses discussing Moshiach: "Behold, My servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up," etc.), and the definition of Moshiach is the perfection of Torah and mitzvot within the parameters of the world, "the world continues in its natural way." If so, this prophecy and other prophecies written regarding Moshiach will be fulfilled also non-literally (as a parable and riddle) - according to the Rambam - and in the first period, besides being fulfilled literally in the second period like other physical prophecies.

However, in Igeret Techiyat HaMeitim, the Rambam writes that what he said in the Yad about "the wolf will dwell with the lamb" being fulfilled non-literally: "this statement of ours is not definitive," and it is possible that it will be fulfilled literally. The Rebbe explains this by saying that the physical prophecies represent a miraculous conduct that Hashem does with us as a reward for fulfilling Torah and mitzvot. Therefore, if the redemption comes in a manner of "they did not merit" - the first period will be needed in order to reach the perfection of Torah and mitzvot, and then as a reward will come the second period with Hashem's miraculous conduct. But if we reach redemption already in a state of "they merited," in fulfillment of Torah and mitzvot, then already at the beginning of redemption both periods will be together, because already then Hashem will conduct affairs miraculously due to our fulfillment of Torah and mitzvot beforehand. In such a situation, even according to the Rambam, "the wolf will dwell with the lamb" will be fulfilled literally already in the first period, because although it is connected to Moshiach - in such a situation the other physical prophecies will also begin already with the first period. It turns out that in a situation where redemption comes in a manner of "they merited" - according to all opinions, all prophecies will be fulfilled literally, right from the beginning of the Messianic era.

The Essence of the Destiny

In the last day of Passover 5731 (1971), the Rebbe explained that in the future era, the highest levels of Torah will be revealed in the world—levels that are connected to G-d's will which is above His wisdom. These are such lofty levels that from their perspective, there are no obstacles or hindrances whatsoever, and consequently, there is nothing bad in the world, only good. Therefore, a negative situation like a predatory wolf cannot exist; rather, it will be transformed to good, and then "the wolf will dwell with the lamb."

A year later, the Rebbe quoted the words of the Alter Rebbe in Likkutei Torah that Moshiach will teach Torah in a manner of "seeing," which is higher than "hearing." The Rebbe explained that this does not refer to seeing prophetic visions like those seen by the prophets, Moses, and the Arizal (as mentioned there in Likkutei Torah), but rather to a tangible, physical seeing—actually perceiving G-dliness in a tangible and physical way. Based on this, the Rebbe there explains the prophecy "the wolf will dwell with the lamb"—this will occur because Moshiach will reveal and show G-dliness in a tangible manner, as his specific role is to infuse G-dliness into the physical world.

It Has Already Occurred in History

Expanded topic – It Has Already Occurred in History

• At the beginning of creation, before the sin of the Tree of Knowledge.
• The peace among the animals that were in Noah's Ark during the flood and the change in the nature of the predatory animals.
• At the giving of the Torah, the revelation of G-dliness in the world affected even the state of the animals, when "no bird chirped and no ox lowed."

Our Deeds and Service

The preparation for this comes through our work to elevate the world.

And through the service of subjugation (iskafya) and transformation (is'hapcha), the prophecy of "and a small child will lead them" will be fulfilled.