Did Rashi Predict Iran’s Disgrace? Rav Grossman Cites 900-Year-Old Commentary Amid Current Crisis

As the current military conflict between Israel and Iran continues to unfold, Rav Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, Chief Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek and founder of Migdal Ohr, delivered a powerful address linking today’s events to the prophetic writings of Rashi, composed nearly 900 years ago.

In a moving message to students of the Migdal Ohr network, broadcast via the school’s audio platform, Rav Grossman referenced the hostility of Iran toward the Jewish people and framed it in stark historical and theological terms.

“Unlike other nations or regimes,” Rav Grossman began, “the Iranians don’t merely hate Jews or Israel. Their hatred is ideological. What they’re trying to do is what the Nazi oppressor attempted 80 years ago—declaring Jews to be subhuman and therefore not entitled to the rights of human beings. Afrah lepumayhu—may their words turn to dust.”

He continued by elaborating on the extremist ideology at play. “The Iranian doctrine is a racial one. They believe anything is permitted against Israelis—no restrictions, no limitations—because, in their view, it is a war against the ‘Satan,’ where there are no rules. Middle East experts have long noted that beyond their hatred, Iran is obsessed with humiliating Bnei Yisrael.”

But then Rav Grossman pointed to a striking passage in the writings of Rashi, which he described as prophetic in light of recent events.

He cited a verse from Yeshayahu, Chapter 32, verse 19: “U’barad b’redes haya’ar, u’vashiflah tishpal ha’ir—And it shall hail when the forest comes down, and in the low place the city shall be brought low.”

Explaining Rashi’s commentary, Rav Grossman said, “Rashi writes that in the future, Hashem will rain destruction upon the cities of the enemies of Israel—those cities that are full and teeming, like a forest is full of trees. He uses the phrase: ‘Veyamtir Hakadosh Baruch Hu es matar pachei haresha’im sheheim achshav benuyim u’meileim arim keya’ar’—Hashem will rain down the downfall of the wicked, whose cities are now built up like a forest.”

But the most chilling part of Rashi’s words, Rav Grossman emphasized, is when he singles out one specific nation: “Uvashiflah—shenishpeilu Yisrael ad achshav, tishpal ir—metropolis shel Paras. The city that will be brought low in the place where the Jews were humiliated,” Rashi writes, “is the capital of Persia.”

“That is,” explained Rav Grossman, “mida k’neged mida. You sought to wipe us out and humiliate us before the world, and now, in the same manner that you intended for us, your own city—Tehran and its satellites—will be disgraced.”

Rav Grossman concluded with a heartfelt prayer: “May the Almighty grant us the merit to witness the unfolding of redemption, and see with our very own eyes the realization of Yeshayahu’s vision. Amein.”

{Matzav.com Israel}