Is Mashiach Coming Soon!?

In a provocative interview with Arutz Sheva, Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi has ignited fervor among religious and political circles by likening U.S. President Donald Trump to Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who facilitated the Jewish return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Second Temple over 2500 years ago. Karhi’s bold comparison, coupled with his assertion that “total victory is within reach,” has sparked intense speculation: does Trump’s recent authorization of a U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities herald the imminent arrival of Mashiach, the Jewish Messiah?

Karhi’s remarks are steeped in a potent mix of religious conviction and geopolitical optimism. “The ultimate victory depends on us and on Heaven’s grace, the miracles we’re witnessing in this war and will continue to witness,” he told Arutz Sheva. For many in Israel’s religious Zionist community, these words resonate deeply, evoking biblical prophecies of divine intervention and redemption. The minister’s invocation of “miracles” aligns with a growing sentiment that Israel’s survival amid escalating regional threats, particularly from Iran and its proxies, is nothing short of providential.

At the heart of Karhi’s praise is Trump’s decisive action against Iran, a move that has dramatically altered the Middle East’s strategic landscape. The U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, authorized during Trump’s tenure, has been hailed by Israeli leaders as a critical blow to Tehran’s ambitions, bolstering Israel’s security and emboldening its military campaigns. For Karhi and his supporters, Trump’s unwavering support for Israel, evidenced by policies like the Abraham Accords, the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and now the Iran strike, casts him as a modern-day Cyrus, a gentile leader chosen by divine will to advance Jewish destiny.

The comparison to Cyrus is no small matter. In Jewish tradition, Cyrus is celebrated in the Book of Isaiah (44:1–45:25) as God’s “anointed,” a non-Jewish figure who unwittingly fulfilled His plan by liberating the Jews from Babylonian exile and restoring Jerusalem. By framing Trump in this light, Karhi taps into a messianic narrative that sees global events as precursors to the redemption promised in Jewish eschatology. For some, the convergence of Israel’s military triumphs, Trump’s pro-Israel policies, and the neutralization of Iran’s nuclear threat signals the “footsteps of Mashiach,” a Talmudic phrase (Sotah 9a16) describing the turbulent yet hopeful era preceding the Messiah’s arrival.

Yet, not all share Karhi’s enthusiasm. Critics argue that Karhi’s rhetoric risks conflating political strategy with religious zeal, potentially alienating secular Israelis and international allies wary of messianic overtones. Others caution that while Trump’s actions have undeniably strengthened Israel’s position, the path to “total victory” remains fraught with challenges, including Iran’s proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, as well as political instability within Israel itself. The question of Mashiach’s arrival, they say, belongs to the realm of faith, not statecraft.

Still, Karhi’s words have struck a chord, particularly among religious Zionists who see Trump’s legacy as a divine gift to the Jewish state. Social media posts on X reflect this enthusiasm, with users calling Trump “a blessing for Israel” and echoing Karhi’s Cyrus analogy. One post declared, “Trump’s strike on Iran is a sign, God is working through him for our redemption.”

As Israel navigates a volatile region, the minister’s vision of victory, fueled by divine miracles and Trump’s boldness, offers a rallying cry for some and a point of contention for others. Whether Trump’s actions truly presage the Mashiach’s coming remains a matter of belief. What is clear, however, is that Israel is incredibly grateful to him for destroying Fordo, and as with every day for the last thousands of years, Jews the world over await the coming of Mashiach, we pray for his imminent arrival, and for the Third Temple, for peace and prosperity for all.

It's clear we are living in historic times.