History of Esau and Israel – Part 4

Messianic Era

This section will analyze the history of Esau and his descendants though the following eras:

• Roman rule
• European rule.
• 20^th century to present.
• Advent of the messiah.

Roman Rule

The transition from the era of Torah to the messianic era may be gradual so that there is overlap between these two eras. Hence the Roman Empire emerged as a world power towards the end of the era of Torah and lasted 200 years in the messianic era.

The reader may ask, “If Esau (Rome) is so destructive why Hashem tolerates his existence?” The Midrash (Deuteronomy Rabbah) addresses this question and provides the following insights:

• Government – Hashem uses Esau’s descendants to rule the world (1:16).
• Blessings – Isaac with Hashem’s consent blessed Esau (1:18).
• Messiah – Israel cannot take over until the messiah arrives (1:20).

Government

Hashem allows Esau (Rome) to become a world power to administer secular government and where necessary punish the Israelites if they do not follow Hashem’s ways.

Blessings

The Midrash states that the blessings of Jacob and Esau are intertwined. If the Israelites wish to disavow the blessings of Esau then they must also disavow their own blessings because both sets of blessings were sanctioned by Hashem.

Messiah

However in the messianic era the Israelites, with the co-operation of righteous gentiles, will assume leadership of the spiritual world and hence the blessings of Esau which involve cruel military might and abusive temporal power, will come to an end as the verse says (Obadiah 1:18), “The house of Jacob shall be fire and the house of Joseph a flame. Then the house of Esau shall become stubble, they shall ignite them and consume them. The house of Esau shall have no survivors for Hashem has spoken.” The Midrash (ibid.) adds that the Israelites must fill the void left by the destruction of Esau through their judges and saviors as the verse states (Obadiah 1:21),” And saviors shall ascend Mt. Zion to judge the mountain of Esau and Hashem shall have the kingdom. “

European Rule

The reader may ask, “After Rome fell, which nation or nations assumed the role of Esau?” This question cannot be answered definitively because the Talmud was completed around the time of the fall of Rome. In addition Daniel gave a view of world history through the 4 kingdoms albeit in a vague manner. A clear successor to Rome as a world power did not emerge at that time because Europe entered the dark ages with small and diverse kingdoms. However the above 6 characteristics of Esau will guide the discussion and provide a lens for examining world history with respect to the bible. The author would like to point out a successor to Esau may not share all of these 6 characteristics depending upon Hashem’s plan.

In the middle ages different European nations assumed, to a certain extent, the role of Esau (e.g. France, Germany, and Spain) with the aid of the Catholic Church. During this era none of these countries developed an empire or world domination in terms of military or economic might. However this era was characterized by hatred of the Israelites as witnessed by the many persecution and expulsions (e.g. Crusades and Inquisition).

Role of the Church

The Midrash (Lamentations Rabbah 2:6) identifies the 10 horns as special distinctions from Hashem that originally belonged to the Israelites, then transferred to Rome (based upon Lamentations 2:3), but will return to the Israelites at the time of the messiah. These privileges are listed below and provide an effective means of identifying the successor of Rome in a theological sense:

• Biblical identification (3) – Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph.
• Torah Law (2) – Moses and the Torah itself.
• Temple and hierarchy (4) – Priests, Levites, Prophets, and the Temple itself.
• Chosen people (1) – Israelites.

The Midrash finds verses with the word horn (קרן) or a derivative form for all of these privileges.

Rather the Midrash means it appears that Hashem has abandoned the Israelites to Rome and its successors by granting them these privileges and bestowing them great success. Hence this Midrash identifies the successor to Rome as a nation or empire which follows a religion that:

• Identifies with the bible.
• Follows some of its laws in a literal manner.
• Possess a well defined hierarchy (e.g. pope, cardinals, bishops, and priests).
• Does not fully recognize the current Israelites as direct spiritual heirs of the Israelites of the bible.

Throughout the history of the Common Era, the major churches of the world met these conditions though their theology, hierarchy, and success. By contrast Islam does not follow a well defined hierarchy. It is interesting to note that the evangelical churches actually shun a well defined hierarchy and recognize the importance and need of the state of Israel controlled by Israelites as predicted in the bible.

Role of Islam

The reader may also ask, “What is the role of Islam as a successor to Rome?” Some commentators (e.g. Ibn Ezra) recognize Islam as the fourth kingdom, especially after its stunning success in the middle Ages. However most commentators accept that a number of European kingdoms in association with the Catholic Church were the successor to Rome. Nachmanides, in his commentary on Numbers 24:20, explains that the four kingdoms of Daniel share the following characteristics:

• Ruled over Israel from the First to Second Temple.
• Were involved with the temple in Jerusalem (either to build or destroy).
• One empire immediately followed the other.

Hence Islam which flourished more than 700 years after the destruction of the temple does not fit this pattern even though Islam is a major world religion.

After the inquisition of Spain in the late 15^th century, the following events shaped world history for the next 6 centuries:

• Division of the church.
• Discovery and subsequent colonization of the Americas.

Division of the Church

The reader may ask, “If Hashem uses Esau’s descendants to rule the world and will not destroy Esau until the advent of the messiah, what Hashem will do if they abuse their power?” In the opinion of the author Hashem will divide Esau’s power among his descendants to mitigate an abuse of power.

For example, the excesses of the Catholic Church were tempered by the reformation when the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church in the early 16^th century. In addition to the splitting of the power of the church the reformation led to a more liberal attitude in England and greater separation of church from state.

Discovery of America

In the opinion of the author the discovery of America by the Europeans in the same year as the inquisition was not a coincidence. Rather this discovery was part of Hashem’s plan to divide the power of Esau between his descendants in Europe and those that would later settle in the Americas, especially the United States of America. The religious tolerance, freedom of expression, and economic opportunity in the United States led to the United States becoming a world power and a safe haven for the Israelites.

20th Century to Present

America

In the 20^th century, America especially after the Second World War emerged as a world leader in 4 of the 6 characteristics of Esau (i.e. military, economic, political, and cultural). With its separation of church from state and religious tolerance, America does not assume the role of theological leader. In addition the American government does not harbor any feelings of anti-Semitism. In fact America hosts the largest population of Diaspora Israelites and is a major supporter of Israel. In addition America serves as counterbalancing force against totalitarian regimes and religious intolerance, especially in the 20^th century thereby fulfilling the role of splitting Esau’s power. The different forms of the Protestant Church in America have led to the development of several evangelical movements that are very supportive of the land of Israel, albeit for reasons that differ from Judaism.

Europe (EU)

In the opinion of the author, the European countries represent the other side of Esau. These nations also possess military, economic, and political power and are also world cultural leaders especially in the high end of cars, fashion, and entertainment. By contrast the Americans are the leaders in the mass market of consumerism with their world wide brands (e.g. Coca Cola, McDonalds, and Disney).

The Catholic Church in the Vatican represents theological leadership for which there is no counterpart in America. Although the hatred of the past towards the Jews is significantly mitigated in Europe these countries do not provide the same degree of military and political support of Israel as America. In addition the Holocaust remains a stain on European history and in the opinion of the author warranted the splitting of Esau into the American and European branches of Esau. This split mitigated the effects of anti-Semitism and facilitated the emergence of Israel as a major force in the Middle East and a safe haven for Israelites.

The following table provides a list of the characteristics of Esau and the difference between the American and European branches of Esau. Since there are many nuances in world politics this table should be viewed as an overview of Esau’s role and the reader may hold differently on certain points. In addition the nations that fulfill the role of Esau may not have all of these characteristics.

Russia

After the Second World War, America and Russia emerged as the superpowers of the world each with nuclear capability.  Hence both powers played the role of Esau in terms of military, economic, and political power. However Russia did not succeed in becoming a cultural or theological leader indicating that a nation that assumes the role of Esau may not fulfill all of Esau’s characteristics. Although Russia initially supported Israel by voting for the partition of Palestine in 1947 at the United Nations the Russian government turned against Israel and armed several Arab states resulting in several wars in the Middle East. Recently Russia has changed its policy and maintains a neutral stance on Israel.

Advent of the Messiah

The advent of the messiah will be characterized by the following events:

• Destruction of (the wicked side of) Esau.
• Peace and prosperity for the world including the good side of Esau.
• Worldwide acceptance of Hashem.
• Recognition of the Israelites as the chosen people and Israel as their land.

May these events occur speedily and in our time!