Gog and Magog, the Three Wars — signpost 8 | Rav Ziegler zatsal
Signpost 8 · Rav Haim Ziegler זצ״ל

Gog and Magog

Edom, Persia, and the war that unites everyone against Israel
A teaching of Rav Haim Ziegler zatsal · Éditions Gueoula
Translated from the French original; the French version remains the reference text.
Gog and Magog
Edom, Persia, and the war that unites everyone against Israel

Talmud Yoma seems to contradict itself: Rome will fall into the hand of Iran, and Iran into the hand of the West.

The Maharsha explains that there is no contradiction: among the nations, two great powers, Edom (the West) and Persia (Iran), both lasting until the Messiah.

The Rav presents three wars of Gog and Magog: the West conquers the Arabs, the Arabs turn back, then Gog unites everyone against Israel.

According to the Ramak, this is the strength of Gog: uniting East and West against Israel. Only the Creator, with the Messiah, can bring Iran down.

📖 Read the lesson
1 The contradiction in the Talmud

Talmud Yoma seems to contradict itself:

Line 1: “In the future, Rome will fall into the hand of Iran.” Line 2: “In the future, Iran will fall into the hand of the West.” — Talmud, Yoma

Who falls into whose hand?

2 The Maharsha’s explanation

The Maharsha explains: there is no contradiction.

In the world there are two great powers among the non-Jews: Edom (the West) and Persia (Iran). All the other peoples are subordinate to one or the other.

These two powers last until the Messiah. Before the Messiah: Rome (the West) falls into the hand of Iran. With the Messiah: Iran falls. That is the end.
3 The three wars of Gog and Magog

War 1: the West conquers the Arabs. The United States and Europe attack Iraq, Afghanistan… The lesson notes it: it has happened.

War 2: the Arabs turn back and conquer the West. Iran organizes all the Arabs. They attack Europe and America. The lesson notes it: under way.

War 3: Gog unites everyone against Israel. Russia makes peace between the West and the Arabs in order to attack Israel together. This is where the Messiah intervenes!

4 Why Gog?

The Ramak (450 years ago) explains:

“After the Westerners and the Arabs have fought each other, they will say to themselves: ‘It is the Land of Israel that causes all the problems!’ They will unite: ‘Let us clean up that country.’ That is the strength of Gog: he unites East and West against Israel.” — Ramak

That is why the Vilna Gaon said: “If you see the ships of Russia passing through the Bosphorus, put on your Shabbat clothes.”

5 What the lesson concludes

Iran has the merit of the Second Temple. It lasts until the Messiah.

Who can bring Iran down? Only the Creator, with the Messiah.

After Iran = the end of the exile.

Did you follow the lesson?

Five questions on the eighth signpost.

1
What are the two great powers among the non-Jews, according to the Maharsha?
Edom, the West, and Persia, Iran; the other peoples are subordinate to them.
2
What did the Vilna Gaon say about the ships of Russia at the Bosphorus?
The Vilna Gaon saw it as a sign: put on Shabbat clothes.
3
Who makes peace between the West and the Arabs to attack Israel, according to the lesson?
The third war: Gog unites everyone against Israel.
4
What merit does Iran have, according to the lesson?
Iran has the merit of the Second Temple, and it lasts until the Messiah.
5
Who alone can bring Iran down, according to the lesson?
After Iran comes the end of the exile.

Result