Why the World is Changing

Sicha of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Toldos 5750 (1990)

The effects of our service in refining the world, and preparing it for the Messianic redemption, is openly visible throughout the world.

There are those who protest against the suggestion, that we are nearing the close of the exile, and approaching the coming of Moshiach. They maintain, that the world is proceeding according to the natural order, without disruption.

Such a perspective represents a lack of sensitivity and awareness, to the upheaval that is taking place throughout the world.
Political regimes are falling, and power is changing hands in a drastic, almost inconceivable manner.

Furthermore, this is being done without war or bloodshed, without even disturbing the commercial activities of the world.
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First and foremost, we see a change in Russia, the country in which the Previous Rebbe and his students had their roots.

After more than seventy years of rule by a powerful regime which cast fear into the heart of every citizen of the country, there has been radical change.

In a very short time, sweeping reforms have been put into effect by the leaders of the country and they have spread to the other countries who follow their ideological thrust.

Similarly other countries -- including China, India, and Japan, countries whose combined populations number in the billions -- are in the midst of radical political change.
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The most miraculous aspect of this process of transition, is that it is being carried out peacefully, without bloodshed, something that has never before happened in the history of man.

In previous generations, whenever there was a revolution, destruction and bloodshed came in its wake. Indeed, we do not have to look past the second world war, to see the devastation that can accompany political change.

In contrast, today the change is coming in a more complete fashion and yet, in a peaceful manner.