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Thank you so much for sharing that Midrash, my friend. I was not aware of it previously, but it confirms something that I saw while comparing Daniel 11-12 and Ezekiel 38-39: That the war of Gog and Magog will not only be targeted at Israel (though she is of course the ultimate target), but also will be a move of the Persians against the Arabs (Sheba and Dedan) which parallels in many ways the wars between the Kings of the North and Kings of the South in Daniel 11.

If you have more midrashim regarding this subject to share, I would love to read them. I'm afraid that my own collection is somewhat lacking due to finances. I've got Neusner's translation of the Talmud and am collecting the Schottenstein edition as I work through the Daf Yomi cycle, but I don't yet have the Midrash Rabbah (everyone wants to sell me the whole set at once instead of letting me buy a volume at a time) and I've only had a few opportunities to read from my rabbi's personal library.

I know our rabbis identified Rome as Edom; are you identifying America with Edom as well?

Believe me, I am davening for Israel, but I have no fear for Israel as a whole. Hashem will punish us, but He will not let Israel be driven from the Land again. It is the individuals within Israel that I pray will be spared.

Shalom

Shalom. And you're welcome. I am very glad to share. This subject has me thoroughly immersed, and always intriqued. The Persians want rule over all of Islam. That is why the Saudis and others are so worried. But true to the nature of the Yishmaelim, they will fight against each other. It is written that HaShem will cause confusion and maddness among them, and cause each other to die. I know what you mean about the books. They are indeed a small fortune. ArtScroll often runs sales and specials on many good works. You might want to see what they are offering. I have picked up some very good buys from them: http://www.artscroll.com/index.html?gclid=CJmx15PcsasCFULf4AodfXkvjg "I know our rabbis identified Rome as Edom; are you identifying America with Edom as well?" Absolutely. Consider that the US population is primarily European, which we know are the descendants of Essav, and thus, part of Edom by culture and lineage. But here is what most do not realize, and it's a biggie : Rome, Maryland, was the original name of a community within Prince George's County, Maryland. It eventually became Washington, District of Columbia. Rome was the original community name of Capitol Hill. When we consider that the many on-going influences of ancient Rome's culture that nested deeply within Europe, became part of the fabric of the US, and thus, ALL of her major cities; we then come to understand the prophecy in the Zohar, which we now know was the 9-11 prophecy: Zohar III Balak 212b: The 9-11 Prophecy:   "I will show you, but not for now, for these things will only come to be at that time, some after time and some in the days of Moshiach. "A star has gone forth from Yaakov..." (Numbers 24:17). This teaches us that in the future, The Holy One, Blessed is He, will build Jerusalem and one star will spark within 70 pillars of fire and 70 sparks will receive light from it in the middle of the sky. The other 70 stars will be swallowed within it. It will give off light and blaze for 70 days.   At the end of the sixth day it will become visible at the beginning of the 25th day of the sixth month. It will be gathered in at the end of 70 complete days and be visible in the city of Rome, and on that day, 3 great towers will fall, a great hall will fall, and the power of that city will die." Here is the   translation: "These towers are located in a city, in a predominantly xtian country. The collapse of the tall towers will be accompanied by a thunder-like sound and tremendeous fire. The fall will be so massive and it will darken the entire area before noon, and daytime will be transformed into night and nothing will be visible. The loss of life will be enormous and people from all walks of life will perish. People will believe that they will never survive the imminent disasters." "Believe me, I am davening for Israel, but I have no fear for Israel as a whole. Hashem will punish us, but He will not let Israel be driven from the Land again. It is the individuals within Israel that I pray will be spared." I agree with you. I have members from both sides of my family there. Many are in the IDF, and I am very concerned for them and all of our people. But when I get upset, I remember this: Israel will continue, and thrive, long after all others are in the dust. HaShem has never broken HIS word and promise to the Jewish people- not once. Nor has HE ever stopped creating miracles to save us. He still does to this very day. HaShem told us that his Sacred Covenant with us was FOREVER. Never to be rescinded-even when we misbehave. The Jewish people are HIS Chosen ones. We accepted the yoke of Torah. Na'aseh Venishma - We will do and we will listen. HaShem gave the Jewish people a sacred "job": Tikkun Olam, and that sets us apart from all others. Our survival and thriving existence, against incredible odds, is proof of all of this, in itself. It is good to remember this when things happen. Shalom