Editing Atchalta D'Geulah (Beginning of Redemption) (section)

== The Severity of the Error in This Matter ==
In many letters, the Rebbe strongly rejected those who claimed that the Redemption (Geulah) had already begun. The situation in Eretz Yisrael regarding Torah observance and mitzvos did not improve with the establishment of the State of Israel, but rather the opposite. Therefore, it is impossible that this is the beginning of the Redemption, whose purpose is the perfection of Torah and mitzvos. In a letter written to Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, the Rebbe writes that this claim causes a weakening in Torah observance and mitzvos and delays the end [of exile]. "The only explanation for why there are casualties in Eretz Yisrael is because of the declaration of 'Ischalta d'Geulah' (beginning of Redemption)." Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo wrote the book '''Between Light and Darkness''' on this topic.

The Rebbe said that these claims lead to leniencies in Torah and mitzvos (since people view a government that does not believe in Torah and mitzvos as the beginning of the Redemption). The Rebbe said that this statement is placing darkness for light, and light for darkness.

The Rebbe wrote a sharp expression (unusual in the Rebbe's writing style) about this statement: "The declaration of 'Ischalta d'Geulah' - is a matter of danger, because this is the only explanation that (for now) I have found for the matter of sacrifices and casualties in the Holy Land, may it be rebuilt, and among them even those who were saved from the Holocaust and saw open miracles in this, and nevertheless fell in the Holy Land, may it be rebuilt, and also in an unnatural way as mentioned above."