Obviously America is categorically different than prior exiles and we should stop using old frameworks when assessing our situation here.
However, the idea of mashiach is to have higher ideals than drinking commercial coffee brands, even when the barista smiles at you. We should still want a better society even when we’re not getting killed. Funny you mention how great OB/GYNs are, and that’s not to be taken for granted, however in the highest levels of American society, woman are freezing their eggs so they can hold on to hope that they can accomplish basic human biology and have children when the time permits. I would hope you can envision a higher society than this.
Separately, your argument for those not happy here moving to Israel is strong, and there should be a great push to square the two in the sense that if you want a greater society, go make it. And if it can’t be done here, there is a Jewish country to accomplish those goals.
In a world where a Zohran Mamdani will likely become the mayor of my city, I’m perfectly willing to remain in my insular daled amos. How can I possibly know which outsider I may interact with want to globalize the intifada?
You can practice your religion as you please with no pogroms, no Jew taxes or any discrimination. On the contrary, religious Jews have completely overtaken and reshaped small towns (Lakewood & Monsey) to the consternation of the non-religious residents, have created their own villages (KJ & New Square), have connections to government as good as or better than any minority group, have their own police (shomrim), have their most religious completely supported by the government, and many even cheat the government.
And if you don't like this paradise no one is keeping anybody hostage. Ther is no exile. No king is persecuting you or forcing you to stay in the country. Get up and move to Israel if you so choose.
The idea of a Golus Edom still in effect is silly at best.
The devil's advocate position is that Jews still face persecution and hatred in some places, and that only when the conditions you describe are global will your observation be true.
I'd counter that such is utopian thinking. There will always be jerks out there and if they aren't hating Jews they are hating someone else. Jews have places where they flourish; is this not enough?
Messianism in general has a strong utopian streak combined with a cult of personality: if we could just find the right man, all our problems would be solved. Maybe if we do everything we are asked, the right man will come along.
Isn't the Reform position that we are in the messianic age? Not sure. Still, I think Rabbi Yanklowitz's view of the messiah is the most functional one I've come across, even if it makes it more symbolic.
However I do differ with him about the messiah being a single person being due to Christian influence. If anything, Christianity just took the idea of a messiah-as-one-man and ran with it to its illogical conclusion.
Been there, done that. It's called American non-Orthodox and Modern Orthodox Judaism. The results are in, and they ain't pretty.
Obviously America is categorically different than prior exiles and we should stop using old frameworks when assessing our situation here.
However, the idea of mashiach is to have higher ideals than drinking commercial coffee brands, even when the barista smiles at you. We should still want a better society even when we’re not getting killed. Funny you mention how great OB/GYNs are, and that’s not to be taken for granted, however in the highest levels of American society, woman are freezing their eggs so they can hold on to hope that they can accomplish basic human biology and have children when the time permits. I would hope you can envision a higher society than this.
Separately, your argument for those not happy here moving to Israel is strong, and there should be a great push to square the two in the sense that if you want a greater society, go make it. And if it can’t be done here, there is a Jewish country to accomplish those goals.
In a world where a Zohran Mamdani will likely become the mayor of my city, I’m perfectly willing to remain in my insular daled amos. How can I possibly know which outsider I may interact with want to globalize the intifada?
While, I like what you said, that we are a nation that feels comfortable being persecuted.
The first generation or so that came to America, did exactly as you suggest and guess what? Almost none of them are Jewish today.
Besides for the fact that many americans are messed up, if you want to remain Jewish, you'll need to hold yourself apart.
Yea, I also think they- all them, whatever type of Jew, should move to Israel.
“Because if we’re not being persecuted, then who are we?” Who are we?! Who are we!? We have a whole lifestyle that has nothing to do with persecution.
https://open.substack.com/pub/liba/p/just-because-youre-paranoid-doesnt?r=fxgvw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Nice article. I sure hope that this ain't mashiach though:
https://www.kktv.com/2025/06/25/just-end-him-group-5th-grade-girls-accused-plotting-kill-boy-school/
Shmuly Yankelewitz has a frankly better version of this idea called "What if we are the Moshiach we've been waiting for".
https://www.jta.org/2012/02/01/ny/the-most-important-and-dangerous-jewish-value-the-messianic-impulse#:~:text=It%20was%20Christian%20influence%20that,we%20have%20been%20waiting%20for.
You're missing the point.
We are not in Golus here.
You can practice your religion as you please with no pogroms, no Jew taxes or any discrimination. On the contrary, religious Jews have completely overtaken and reshaped small towns (Lakewood & Monsey) to the consternation of the non-religious residents, have created their own villages (KJ & New Square), have connections to government as good as or better than any minority group, have their own police (shomrim), have their most religious completely supported by the government, and many even cheat the government.
And if you don't like this paradise no one is keeping anybody hostage. Ther is no exile. No king is persecuting you or forcing you to stay in the country. Get up and move to Israel if you so choose.
The idea of a Golus Edom still in effect is silly at best.
We are not in golus because the state of Israel exists. Golus is a place not a state.
I think the CI said that while we are no longer in Galus because Jews can move to Israel we are not yet in the state of Geulah
I don't understand what you mean.
Which place is Golus?
Anyone can move to Israel. Nobody is being forced to stay in other countries.
Golus=Diaspora=Other countries besides Israel. Goyim is to yidden as to Golus is to Israel
I still have no idea of what you are talking about!
All previous exiles had at least one of the following conditions:
1) A foreign power ruled over the Land of Israel.
2) Jews were forbidden to practice their religion freely.
3) Jews were barred from entering or returning to the Land of Israel.
None of these conditions apply today.
So, who exactly is Edom that’s supposedly exiling us now?
Residing out of Israel willingly does not define you as in Exile. During the first and second temple periods Jews lived outside Israel as well.
I assume you don't subscribe to the Lakewood/Neturai Karta view that the Zionists are the Erev-Rav/Amalek
1) America rules over the land of Israel:
https://substack.com/@dovidykornreich/note/c-131313755
2) Jews are forbidden to practice their religion on the Temple Mount and other holy sites in PA territory.
I dont believe we are in Galus today
The devil's advocate position is that Jews still face persecution and hatred in some places, and that only when the conditions you describe are global will your observation be true.
I'd counter that such is utopian thinking. There will always be jerks out there and if they aren't hating Jews they are hating someone else. Jews have places where they flourish; is this not enough?
Messianism in general has a strong utopian streak combined with a cult of personality: if we could just find the right man, all our problems would be solved. Maybe if we do everything we are asked, the right man will come along.
Isn't the Reform position that we are in the messianic age? Not sure. Still, I think Rabbi Yanklowitz's view of the messiah is the most functional one I've come across, even if it makes it more symbolic.
However I do differ with him about the messiah being a single person being due to Christian influence. If anything, Christianity just took the idea of a messiah-as-one-man and ran with it to its illogical conclusion.
wow. I'll be thinking about this.