Daniel Chapter Eight

Ninety-four years ago, in the Jewish year 5689 (1928 – 1929 CE), dark clouds gathered. Arabs wreaked havoc and destruction during pogroms in Hebron and elsewhere, Stalin assumed full power in Russia, and German fascists gained significant influence (because the stock market crashed, and America demanded that Germany repay its debt, and Germany’s economy collapsed).

It was the beginning of darkness — the prelude to Arab wars against Israel, and to the horrific crimes against Jews and humanity perpetrated by Stalin, and by the Nazis.

Incredibly, the Book of Daniel seems to have clearly delineated that year as the beginning of darkness.

In chapter eight, in the third year of the reign of King Belshatzar (which was the year 3389 after Creation), Daniel has a vision in which one angel asks another, “Till when will [this situation continue that] … the daily offering is replaced by the mute abomination, and the Temple … trampled?” The other angel replies, “Until evening morning 2,300 …”

When we add 3389 (the year of the vision) plus 2300, we get 5689.

Thus the angel seems to have clearly predicted the “evening,” (the beginning of the terrifying darkness) which occurred in 5689.

But the angel also said that it will be “morning” (when the light of day begins).

Indeed in 5689 Rabbi M. Schneerson married the daughter of the then Lubavitcher Rebbe. This made it possible for him to later become the Rebbe (when his father-in-law passed away). The Rebbe brought tremendous light and inspiration via his teachings and actions, and via his Chassidim whom he sent everywhere. He spread a message of light and meaning for the entire world.

So in 5689 there was both evening (when the darkness started) and morning (when the light began) at the same time.

Perhaps this is why the angel later emphasized (at the end of chapter eight) that what was said about evening and morning is true. Because normally evening and morning don’t happen at the same time. And normally when there is the onset of terrible darkness G-d forbid, we can’t imagine the onset of light happening then.

Therefore the angel tells us that it is true. Indeed, in 5689 there was evening and morning.

May the Almighty now bring us the Complete Redemption, a time when all mankind will recognize Him as the Master of the universe; when, as the prophet says, “There will not be evil or destruction on all of My holy mountain, for the world will be filled with awareness of G-d, just as the waters cover the sea.”