The Nations of the World in the Time of Geulah

In the time of redemption, when everything that is not in the category of "holiness" in its essence, or as an aid to it, will be nullified and removed from the world. The fate of the other nations who are not Jewish will also be to be nullified, but this depends on the actions of those nations. If they lived their lives with faith in Hashem and did not cause trouble to the Jewish people, then they will merit to remain even in the period of redemption. Moreover, they will also merit to see the lofty revelations, and their role will be to serve and assist the Jewish people, which will be considered a great privilege for them. But those nations and people who throughout the generations caused trouble and harm to the Jewish people will be nullified and will receive their punishment.

Sources for the Existence or Nullification of Nations in the Redemption[edit | edit source]

In the Tanach and Talmud with its commentaries, we find different and even contradictory opinions.

Sources Proving the Nullification of the Nations of the World[edit | edit source]

In Parshat Balak, as part of Bilaam's prophecy, it is written:

"And destroy all the children of Seth" — Bamidbar, 24:17

The commentaries explain that "And destroy all the children of Seth" means that the King Mashiach will destroy and demolish the nations of the world as one destroys a wall. (And on the interpretation of this verse itself we find a dispute, and according to another opinion, the interpretation is that Mashiach will rule over the nations of the world, meaning that they will remain in existence.) In Yeshayahu, the matter is described more sharply, using the kingdom of Edom as an example:

"Who is this coming from Edom, with crimson garments from Batzrah... I will tread them in My anger and trample them in My wrath... For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redemption has come" — Yeshayahu, Chapter 63

Sources Proving Their Existence and Rectification[edit | edit source]

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of Hashem's house shall be established at the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Hashem, to the house of the God of Yaakov; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Tzion shall go forth Torah, and the word of Hashem from Yerushalayim" — Yeshayahu 2:2-5

"For then I will convert the peoples to a pure language that all of them call in the name of Hashem, to worship Him shoulder to shoulder" — Tzefaniah 3:9

Resolving the Contradiction[edit | edit source]

It is difficult to imagine that specifically during the time of redemption, which symbolizes the victory of good over the world and the conquest of evil, precisely then a general and collective destruction without accounting would occur. On this matter, the Rebbe explains that there is a distinction: those who sinned and transgressed against Hashem and His people during the exile - for them the verses and prophecies describing destruction will be fulfilled, together with the elimination of the spirit of impurity in the future. However, those called "Righteous Gentiles" who throughout all generations assisted and behaved respectfully toward the Jewish people - they will remain and be rectified and even merit elevation, as explained at length in Chassidus and as the Alter Rebbe writes in Tanya: "And from the abundance of light that will be revealed to Israel in the future, the darkness of the nations will also be illuminated."

Rectification of the Nations of the World[edit | edit source]

As part of the actions of King Moshiach and the destiny of redemption in general is the refinement, purification, and rectification of the nations of the world, as the Rambam writes about King Moshiach: "And he will perfect the entire world to serve Hashem together."

The flocking of the nations to the Land of Israel and to Jerusalem to serve Hashem and assist the Jewish people is described by the prophet Isaiah mentioned above: "And it shall be in the end of days, the mountain of Hashem's house shall be established at the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all the nations shall flow to it. And many peoples shall go and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of Hashem, to the house of the G-d of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For from Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of Hashem from Jerusalem."

Similar things are said in the prophecy of Zechariah: "So said Hashem of Hosts: Until peoples and the inhabitants of many cities shall come. And the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go to pray before Hashem and to seek Hashem of Hosts; I, too, will go.' And many peoples and powerful nations shall come to seek Hashem of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before Hashem. So said Hashem of Hosts: In those days, when ten men of all the languages of the nations shall take hold of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.'"

The Role of Gentiles in the Time of Redemption[edit | edit source]

One of the prophecies of redemption is:

"And kings shall be your nurturers and their princesses your wet nurses; they shall bow to you with their face to the ground, and they shall lick the dust of your feet, and you shall know that I am Hashem." — Isaiah 49:23

This verse describes the nations in the time of redemption serving Israel from beginning to end, and to illustrate the matter it even states that they will lick the dust of the feet of Israel.

The Gemara tells about R' Huna bar Natan who once met Izdegar, the king of Persia, and his belt was tied higher than usual. The king approached him and adjusted his belt, saying to him: "Is it not said about you, 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation'?" When R' Huna told this to his friend Ameimar, he told him that the prophecy "kings shall be your nurturers" was fulfilled in him.

Two Thousand Servants for Each Jew[edit | edit source]

As part of the refinement and purification of the gentiles in redemption, their role will be to serve and assist the Jewish people to elevate themselves in Torah and holiness, and this will be their merit. The Gemara states: "Reish Lakish said: Whoever is careful with the mitzvah of tzitzis merits to be served by two thousand eight hundred servants, as it is said: 'So said Hashem of Hosts: In those days, when ten men of all the languages of the nations shall take hold of the garment of a Jewish man.'"

The commentators explain how Reish Lakish arrived at this calculation of two thousand eight hundred: "It is already known that all the languages of the nations number seventy languages, and if there are ten men from each language for seventy languages - they will total seven hundred. These will hold onto one corner; and the tallis worn by a Jew has four corners, as it is said 'on the four corners of your garment.' Thus, if seven hundred hold onto one corner, all those holding onto four corners will be two thousand eight hundred."

Although two thousand servants for one person seems like an exaggeration, and it is not understood why one person would need so many servants, the Rebbe raised this question and answered: "And when a Jew will ask: What will he do with two thousand eight hundred servants - he has just left exile, and during exile he did not even have one servant, so what will he do with two thousand eight hundred servants?! It seems 'unnecessary,' because he has nothing with which to occupy all the servants, and he doesn't even have time for this, because he needs to learn the Torah of Moshiach?! - This question will be among the questions that will be asked of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, and he will resolve it."

Beginning of the Fulfillment of the Destiny Already in This Time[edit | edit source]

The Rebbe explains that in the current time before the coming of the redemption (Geulah), everyone has received the "empowerment" from above, and as part of their service in the world "to make for Him (them) blessed a dwelling place in the lower realms (in the physical world)," each person has the ability to influence non-Jews, and even merit their assistance. The Rebbe relates a story that the Rebbe Rayatz told about how once the Rebbe Maharash went on a journey and passed through villages of non-Jews, and all of them, upon seeing the Rebbe passing in his wagon, came out and bowed before him. The reason the Rebbe Rayatz told this story, says the Rebbe, is to teach a lesson to many, to know that each person has the power and responsibility to influence the gentiles, the nations of the world.

It should be noted that as part of the Rebbe's activities as Melech HaMoshiach (King Messiah), he initiated a widespread campaign to influence each and every one of the nations of the world who are not Jewish to fulfill the seven Noahide commandments (Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach).

External Links[edit | edit source]

The Gentiles Who Will Be Eliminated
Resurrection of the Dead - Also for Gentiles?
The Gentiles Who Will Learn Torah and Give Gifts
What the Gentiles Will Acknowledge in the Redemption
Educational Charity and Charity for Gentiles