Today In Jewish History – 5 Elul

Today in Jewish History 5th Elul
593 BCE – The Prophecy of Yechezkel: The Mark on the Forehead and the
Promise of Renewal
Approximately five years before the Churban Bayis Rishon, the prophet Yechezkel
received one of the most dramatic visions recorded in Tanach.
“ותשא אותי רוח אלקים”
“The spirit of G-d lifted me up.”
In a prophetic vision, Yechezkel was transported from Babylonia to Jerusalem, where he
witnessed the spiritual corruption that had spread throughout the city and the Beis
HaMikdash. He saw the Divine decree of judgment being prepared and the heavenly
punishment that would soon descend upon Jerusalem.
Chazal relate (Yoma 77a) that the angel Gavriel, clothed in linen garments, was
commanded to take burning coals from among the Keruvim and scatter them over the city.
The Gemara teaches that the coals were miraculously cooled before being cast, for had they
remained at their original intensity, nothing whatsoever would have survived the
destruction.
At that same time appeared the famous prophecy:
“והתוית תו על מצחות האנשים”
“Mark a sign upon the foreheads of the men…”
The Gemara in Shabbos (55a) discusses this mysterious “Tav” placed upon the righteous
and the wicked prior to the destruction.
Yet within these prophecies of judgment appeared one of the great promises of redemption
and spiritual renewal:
“ונתתי להם לב אחד ורוח חדשה אתן בקרבם”
I shall give them one heart, and I shall put a new spirit within them.”
“והסירותי את לב האבן מבשרם ונתתי להם לב בשר”
“I shall remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.”
This prophecy became one of the great sources of hope for the future redemption and the
ultimate spiritual restoration of Klal Yisrael.