הגליל יחרב?

The mishna lists more things that ceased: From the time when Rabbi Meir died, those who relate parables ceased; from the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehoshua died, goodness ceased from the world; from the time when Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel died, locusts come and troubles multiplied; from the time when Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya died, the sages ceased to be wealthy; from the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the honor of the Torah ceased; from the time when Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous action ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yosei the Small died, the pious were no more. And why was he called the Small? Because he was the smallest of the pious, meaning he was one of the least important of the pious men. From the time when Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai died, the glory of wisdom ceased; from the time when Rabban Gamliel the Elder died, the honor of the Torah ceased, and purity and asceticism died. From the time when Rabbi Yishmael ben Pavi died, the glory of the priesthood ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased. Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir says: From the time when the Second Temple was destroyed, the ḥaverim and free men of noble lineage were ashamed, and their heads were covered in shame, and men of action dwindled, and violent and smooth-talking men gained the upper hand, and none seek, and none ask, and none inquire of the fear of Heaven. Upon whom is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven. Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: From the day the Second Temple was destroyed, the generations have deteriorated: Scholars have begun to become like scribes that teach children, and scribes have become like beadles, and beadles have become like ignoramuses, and ignoramuses are increasingly diminished, and none ask and none seek. Upon whom is there to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven. He also said: In the times of the approach of the Messiah, impudence will increase and high costs will pile up. Although the vine shall bring forth its fruit, wine will nevertheless be expensive. And the monarchy shall turn to heresy, and there will be no one to give reproof about this. The meeting place of the Sages will become a place of promiscuity, and the Galilee shall be destroyed, and the Gavlan will be desolate, and the men of the border shall go round from city to city to seek charity, but they will find no mercy. And the wisdom of scribes will putrefy, and people who fear sin will be held in disgust, and the truth will be absent. The youth will shame the face of elders, elders will stand before minors. Normal family relations will be ruined: A son will disgrace a father; a daughter will rise up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his household. The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog; a son will no longer be ashamed before his father. And upon what is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in heaven. Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir says: Torah study leads to care in the performance of mitzvot. Care in the performance of mitzvot leads to diligence in their observance. Diligence leads to cleanliness of the soul. Cleanliness of the soul leads to abstention from all evil. Abstention from evil leads to purity and the elimination of all base desires. Purity leads to piety. Piety leads to humility. Humility leads to fear of sin. Fear of sin leads to holiness. Holiness leads to the Divine Spirit. The Divine Spirit leads to the resurrection of the dead.

Some of the family of the Patriarch proposed a marriage connection to one of the house of Rebbi Pazi but he did not accept; he said that they should not be embarrassed by him. When he died he said, clear the house because of impurity and prepare a chair for Josaphat, the king of Judah. They said, the one who ran after honor should come for him who fled before honor.

The Gemara continues the discussion relating to study and comprehension, and cites that which Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: With regard to the people of Judea, who were particular in their speech and always made certain that it was both precise and refined, their Torah knowledge endured for them; with regard to the people of the Galilee, who were not particular in their speech, their Torah knowledge did not endure for them.

Ravina said: With regard to the people of Judea, who would publicly disclose the tractate to be studied in the coming term so that everyone could prepare and study it in advance (ge’onim), their Torah knowledge endured for them; with regard to the people of the Galilee, who would not disclose the tractate to be studied in the coming term, their Torah knowledge did not endure for them.

When Rebbi Aḥa expired, a star was seen at high noon. When Rebbi Ḥanan expired, the statues were bent. When Rebbi Joḥanan expired, the pictures were bent. They said, there was no picture beauty like his. When Rebbi Ḥanina from Hauran expired, Lake Tiberias was split. They said, when he was going to intercalate, the lake was split before him. When Rav Hoshaia expired, the shame of Tiberias fell down. When Rebbi Isaac ben Elyashiv expired, 70 thresholds of Galilean houses were uprooted. They said, these were kept in place by his merit. When Rebbi Samuel ben Rav Isaac expired, the cedars of the Land of Israel were uprooted. They said that he was taking branches and danced while singing before brides. The rabbis were complaining about him. Rebbi Zeˋira said to them, let him alone, the old man does not know what he is doing. When he expired, fire came from Heaven and separated between his bier and the public; there were three hours of thunder and lightning in the world. They showed what this branch did for the old man. There came a disembodied voice and said, woe that Samuel bar Rav Isaac, the doer of good deeds, has expired.

The mishna lists more things that ceased: From the time when Rabbi Meir died, those who relate parables ceased; from the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehoshua died, goodness ceased from the world; from the time when Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel died, locusts come and troubles multiplied; from the time when Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya died, the sages ceased to be wealthy; from the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the honor of the Torah ceased; from the time when Rabbi Ḥanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous action ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yosei the Small died, the pious were no more. And why was he called the Small? Because he was the smallest of the pious, meaning he was one of the least important of the pious men. From the time when Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai died, the glory of wisdom ceased; from the time when Rabban Gamliel the Elder died, the honor of the Torah ceased, and purity and asceticism died. From the time when Rabbi Yishmael ben Pavi died, the glory of the priesthood ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased. Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir says: From the time when the Second Temple was destroyed, the ḥaverim and free men of noble lineage were ashamed, and their heads were covered in shame, and men of action dwindled, and violent and smooth-talking men gained the upper hand, and none seek, and none ask, and none inquire of the fear of Heaven. Upon whom is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven. Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: From the day the Second Temple was destroyed, the generations have deteriorated: Scholars have begun to become like scribes that teach children, and scribes have become like beadles, and beadles have become like ignoramuses, and ignoramuses are increasingly diminished, and none ask and none seek. Upon whom is there to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven. He also said: In the times of the approach of the Messiah, impudence will increase and high costs will pile up. Although the vine shall bring forth its fruit, wine will nevertheless be expensive. And the monarchy shall turn to heresy, and there will be no one to give reproof about this. The meeting place of the Sages will become a place of promiscuity, and the Galilee shall be destroyed, and the Gavlan will be desolate, and the men of the border shall go round from city to city to seek charity, but they will find no mercy. And the wisdom of scribes will putrefy, and people who fear sin will be held in disgust, and the truth will be absent. The youth will shame the face of elders, elders will stand before minors. Normal family relations will be ruined: A son will disgrace a father; a daughter will rise up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his household. The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog; a son will no longer be ashamed before his father. And upon what is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in heaven. Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir says: Torah study leads to care in the performance of mitzvot. Care in the performance of mitzvot leads to diligence in their observance. Diligence leads to cleanliness of the soul. Cleanliness of the soul leads to abstention from all evil. Abstention from evil leads to purity and the elimination of all base desires. Purity leads to piety. Piety leads to humility. Humility leads to fear of sin. Fear of sin leads to holiness. Holiness leads to the Divine Spirit. The Divine Spirit leads to the resurrection of the dead.

משמת רבי בטלה ענוה – the students of Rebbe (i.e., Rabbi Judah the Patriarch) added and wrote this in the Mishnah.

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Another matter: “My beloved spoke up, and he said to me” (Song of Songs 2:10). He answered me by means of Elijah and said to me by means of the messianic king. What did He say to me? Rise, my love, my fair one” (Song of Songs 2:10). Rabbi Azarya said: “For, behold, the winter [hasetav] is past” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the kingdom of the Cutheans, which incites [mesita] the entire world and misleads it with its lies, just as it says: “If your brother, son of your mother incites you […saying: Let us go and serve other gods]” (Deuteronomy 13:7). “The rain is over and gone” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the subjugation. “The blossoms [hanitzanim] have appeared in the land” (Song of Songs 2:12), the administrators [hanatzoḥot] have appeared in the land. Who are they? Rabbi Berekhya [said] in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak: It is written: “The Lord showed me four craftsmen” (Zechariah 2:3), these are: Elijah, the messianic king, Malki Tzedek, and the one anointed for war.
“The time of the nightingale [zamir] has arrived” (Song of Songs 2:12), the time for Israel to be redeemed has arrived, the time for the foreskin to be cut off [shetizamer] has arrived, the time for the Cuthean kingdom to be eliminated has arrived, the time for the kingdom of Heaven to be revealed has arrived, as it is stated: “The Lord will be king over the entire earth” (Zechariah 14:9). “The sound of the turtledove [hator] is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2:12), what is that? It is the voice of the messianic king who proclaims and says: “How pleasant are the footsteps of the herald on the mountains” (Isaiah 52:7).
“The fig tree has formed its unripe figs” (Song of Songs 2:13), Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: Just before the messianic era, a great pestilence will come to the world and the wicked will be eliminated. “The vines in blossom have emitted fragrance” (Song of Songs 2:13), these are those who remain, and in their regard it is written: “[Of] the remaining in Zion and the remnant in Jerusalem, [holy will be said]” (Isaiah 4:3).
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The Sabbatical cycle during which the son of David comes, in the first year it will be fulfilled what is stated: “I will bring rain upon one city and will not bring rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second, arrows of famine will be shot. During the third there will be a great famine, and men, women, and children will die, and pious individuals and men of action will become few, and the Torah will be forgotten from Israel. During the fourth there will be famine but not famine, plenty but not plenty. During the fifth there will be great plenty and they will eat, drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will be renewed and restored to Israel. During the sixth, sounds [kolot]; during the Sabbatical Year, wars; during the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come.
Abaye said: How many Sabbatical cycles like that have come, yet [the Messiah] did not come? Rather, it is as Reish Lakish said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the assembly hall of the Sages will be for prostitution, the Galilee will be destroyed, the Gavlan will be desolate, and the residents of the Galilee will circulate from city to city and will receive no sympathy. The wisdom of scholars will be [considered] putrid, those who fear sin and the people of kindness will be gathered, truth will be lacking, and the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog. From where is it derived that truth will be lacking? As it is stated: “Truth is lacking [nederet] and one who deviates from evil is deemed a fool” (Isaiah 59:15). Where does it go? The school of Rabbi Yanai says: It goes and sits in flocks [adarim] in the wilderness.
The Rabbis say: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the Sages of the generation will die, the eyes of those who remain will fail due to sorrow and grief, many troubles and many evils will befall the public, and harsh decrees will be introduced and will be promulgated, [to the extent that] while the first one is extant another will come and be added to it.
Rabbi Nehorai said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, youths will humiliate elders and elders will stand before youths, “a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his household” (Micah 7:6), and a son will not be ashamed before his father. Rabbi Neḥemya says: Prior to the messianic era, poverty will proliferate, prices will be high, the vine will produce its fruit but the wine will spoil, and the entire monarchy will be transformed to heresy, but there will be no rebuke. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is like that of a dog. Rabbi Levi said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is impudent and which is deserving of elimination. Rabbi Yanai said: If you see generation after generation reviling and blaspheming God, anticipate the footsteps of the messianic king. That is what is written: “For Your enemies revile the Lord; they revile the footsteps of Your anointed one” (Psalms 89:52). What is written thereafter? “Blessed be the Lord forever, amen and amen” (Psalms 89:53).

Another matter: “My beloved spoke up, and he said to me” (Song of Songs 2:10). He answered me by means of Elijah and said to me by means of the messianic king. What did He say to me? Rise, my love, my fair one” (Song of Songs 2:10). Rabbi Azarya said: “For, behold, the winter [hasetav] is past” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the kingdom of the Cutheans, which incites [mesita] the entire world and misleads it with its lies, just as it says: “If your brother, son of your mother incites you […saying: Let us go and serve other gods]” (Deuteronomy 13:7). “The rain is over and gone” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the subjugation. “The blossoms [hanitzanim] have appeared in the land” (Song of Songs 2:12), the administrators [hanatzoḥot] have appeared in the land. Who are they? Rabbi Berekhya [said] in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak: It is written: “The Lord showed me four craftsmen” (Zechariah 2:3), these are: Elijah, the messianic king, Malki Tzedek, and the one anointed for war.
“The time of the nightingale [zamir] has arrived” (Song of Songs 2:12), the time for Israel to be redeemed has arrived, the time for the foreskin to be cut off [shetizamer] has arrived, the time for the Cuthean kingdom to be eliminated has arrived, the time for the kingdom of Heaven to be revealed has arrived, as it is stated: “The Lord will be king over the entire earth” (Zechariah 14:9). “The sound of the turtledove [hator] is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2:12), what is that? It is the voice of the messianic king who proclaims and says: “How pleasant are the footsteps of the herald on the mountains” (Isaiah 52:7).
“The fig tree has formed its unripe figs” (Song of Songs 2:13), Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: Just before the messianic era, a great pestilence will come to the world and the wicked will be eliminated. “The vines in blossom have emitted fragrance” (Song of Songs 2:13), these are those who remain, and in their regard it is written: “[Of] the remaining in Zion and the remnant in Jerusalem, [holy will be said]” (Isaiah 4:3).
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The Sabbatical cycle during which the son of David comes, in the first year it will be fulfilled what is stated: “I will bring rain upon one city and will not bring rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second, arrows of famine will be shot. During the third there will be a great famine, and men, women, and children will die, and pious individuals and men of action will become few, and the Torah will be forgotten from Israel. During the fourth there will be famine but not famine, plenty but not plenty. During the fifth there will be great plenty and they will eat, drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will be renewed and restored to Israel. During the sixth, sounds [kolot]; during the Sabbatical Year, wars; during the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come.
Abaye said: How many Sabbatical cycles like that have come, yet [the Messiah] did not come? Rather, it is as Reish Lakish said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the assembly hall of the Sages will be for prostitution, the Galilee will be destroyed, the Gavlan will be desolate, and the residents of the Galilee will circulate from city to city and will receive no sympathy. The wisdom of scholars will be [considered] putrid, those who fear sin and the people of kindness will be gathered, truth will be lacking, and the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog. From where is it derived that truth will be lacking? As it is stated: “Truth is lacking [nederet] and one who deviates from evil is deemed a fool” (Isaiah 59:15). Where does it go? The school of Rabbi Yanai says: It goes and sits in flocks [adarim] in the wilderness.
The Rabbis say: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the Sages of the generation will die, the eyes of those who remain will fail due to sorrow and grief, many troubles and many evils will befall the public, and harsh decrees will be introduced and will be promulgated, [to the extent that] while the first one is extant another will come and be added to it.
Rabbi Nehorai said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, youths will humiliate elders and elders will stand before youths, “a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his household” (Micah 7:6), and a son will not be ashamed before his father. Rabbi Neḥemya says: Prior to the messianic era, poverty will proliferate, prices will be high, the vine will produce its fruit but the wine will spoil, and the entire monarchy will be transformed to heresy, but there will be no rebuke. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is like that of a dog. Rabbi Levi said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is impudent and which is deserving of elimination. Rabbi Yanai said: If you see generation after generation reviling and blaspheming God, anticipate the footsteps of the messianic king. That is what is written: “For Your enemies revile the Lord; they revile the footsteps of Your anointed one” (Psalms 89:52). What is written thereafter? “Blessed be the Lord forever, amen and amen” (Psalms 89:53).

Another matter: “My beloved spoke up, and he said to me” (Song of Songs 2:10). He answered me by means of Elijah and said to me by means of the messianic king. What did He say to me? Rise, my love, my fair one” (Song of Songs 2:10). Rabbi Azarya said: “For, behold, the winter [hasetav] is past” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the kingdom of the Cutheans, which incites [mesita] the entire world and misleads it with its lies, just as it says: “If your brother, son of your mother incites you […saying: Let us go and serve other gods]” (Deuteronomy 13:7). “The rain is over and gone” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the subjugation. “The blossoms [hanitzanim] have appeared in the land” (Song of Songs 2:12), the administrators [hanatzoḥot] have appeared in the land. Who are they? Rabbi Berekhya [said] in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak: It is written: “The Lord showed me four craftsmen” (Zechariah 2:3), these are: Elijah, the messianic king, Malki Tzedek, and the one anointed for war.
“The time of the nightingale [zamir] has arrived” (Song of Songs 2:12), the time for Israel to be redeemed has arrived, the time for the foreskin to be cut off [shetizamer] has arrived, the time for the Cuthean kingdom to be eliminated has arrived, the time for the kingdom of Heaven to be revealed has arrived, as it is stated: “The Lord will be king over the entire earth” (Zechariah 14:9). “The sound of the turtledove [hator] is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2:12), what is that? It is the voice of the messianic king who proclaims and says: “How pleasant are the footsteps of the herald on the mountains” (Isaiah 52:7).
“The fig tree has formed its unripe figs” (Song of Songs 2:13), Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: Just before the messianic era, a great pestilence will come to the world and the wicked will be eliminated. “The vines in blossom have emitted fragrance” (Song of Songs 2:13), these are those who remain, and in their regard it is written: “[Of] the remaining in Zion and the remnant in Jerusalem, [holy will be said]” (Isaiah 4:3).
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The Sabbatical cycle during which the son of David comes, in the first year it will be fulfilled what is stated: “I will bring rain upon one city and will not bring rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second, arrows of famine will be shot. During the third there will be a great famine, and men, women, and children will die, and pious individuals and men of action will become few, and the Torah will be forgotten from Israel. During the fourth there will be famine but not famine, plenty but not plenty. During the fifth there will be great plenty and they will eat, drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will be renewed and restored to Israel. During the sixth, sounds [kolot]; during the Sabbatical Year, wars; during the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come.
Abaye said: How many Sabbatical cycles like that have come, yet [the Messiah] did not come? Rather, it is as Reish Lakish said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the assembly hall of the Sages will be for prostitution, the Galilee will be destroyed, the Gavlan will be desolate, and the residents of the Galilee will circulate from city to city and will receive no sympathy. The wisdom of scholars will be [considered] putrid, those who fear sin and the people of kindness will be gathered, truth will be lacking, and the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog. From where is it derived that truth will be lacking? As it is stated: “Truth is lacking [nederet] and one who deviates from evil is deemed a fool” (Isaiah 59:15). Where does it go? The school of Rabbi Yanai says: It goes and sits in flocks [adarim] in the wilderness.
The Rabbis say: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the Sages of the generation will die, the eyes of those who remain will fail due to sorrow and grief, many troubles and many evils will befall the public, and harsh decrees will be introduced and will be promulgated, [to the extent that] while the first one is extant another will come and be added to it.
Rabbi Nehorai said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, youths will humiliate elders and elders will stand before youths, “a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his household” (Micah 7:6), and a son will not be ashamed before his father. Rabbi Neḥemya says: Prior to the messianic era, poverty will proliferate, prices will be high, the vine will produce its fruit but the wine will spoil, and the entire monarchy will be transformed to heresy, but there will be no rebuke. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is like that of a dog. Rabbi Levi said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is impudent and which is deserving of elimination. Rabbi Yanai said: If you see generation after generation reviling and blaspheming God, anticipate the footsteps of the messianic king. That is what is written: “For Your enemies revile the Lord; they revile the footsteps of Your anointed one” (Psalms 89:52). What is written thereafter? “Blessed be the Lord forever, amen and amen” (Psalms 89:53).

It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Neḥemya says: During the generation that the son of David comes, arrogance will proliferate and the cost of living will corrupt people so they will engage in deceit. The vine will produce its fruit, and nevertheless, the wine will be costly. And the entire gentile monarchy will be converted to the heresy of Christianity, and there will be no inclination among the people to accept rebuke. This baraita supports the opinion of Rabbi Yitzḥak, as Rabbi Yitzḥak says: The son of David will not come until the entire kingdom will be converted to heresy. Rava says: What is the verse from which this statement is derived? It is the verse: “It is all turned white; he is ritually pure” (Leviticus 13:13). One is a leper and ritually impure only if he has a leprous mark, however small, but not if his skin is completely leprous. Similarly, the world will be redeemed only when the Jewish people reach their lowest point.

The verse states: “That Your enemies taunted, Lord, that they have taunted the footsteps of Your anointed” (Psalms 89:52). It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: During the generation that the son of David comes, the hall of the assembly of the Sages will be designated for prostitution, and the Galilee will be destroyed, and the Gavlan, i.e., Bashan, will be desolate, and the residents of the border who flee the neighboring gentiles will circulate from city to city and will receive no sympathy. The wisdom of scholars will diminish, and sin-fearing people will be despised. And the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog in its impudence and shamelessness. And the truth will be lacking, as it is stated: “And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet], and he who departs from evil is negated” (Isaiah 59:15). What is the meaning of the phrase: And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet]? The Sages of the study hall of Rav said: This teaches that truth will become like so many flocks [adarim] and walk away. What is the meaning of the phrase: “And he that departs from evil is negated”? The Sages of the study hall of Rabbi Sheila said: Anyone who deviates from evil is deemed insane by the people.

Another matter: “My beloved spoke up, and he said to me” (Song of Songs 2:10). He answered me by means of Elijah and said to me by means of the messianic king. What did He say to me? Rise, my love, my fair one” (Song of Songs 2:10). Rabbi Azarya said: “For, behold, the winter [hasetav] is past” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the kingdom of the Cutheans, which incites [mesita] the entire world and misleads it with its lies, just as it says: “If your brother, son of your mother incites you […saying: Let us go and serve other gods]” (Deuteronomy 13:7). “The rain is over and gone” (Song of Songs 2:11), this is the subjugation. “The blossoms [hanitzanim] have appeared in the land” (Song of Songs 2:12), the administrators [hanatzoḥot] have appeared in the land. Who are they? Rabbi Berekhya [said] in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak: It is written: “The Lord showed me four craftsmen” (Zechariah 2:3), these are: Elijah, the messianic king, Malki Tzedek, and the one anointed for war.
“The time of the nightingale [zamir] has arrived” (Song of Songs 2:12), the time for Israel to be redeemed has arrived, the time for the foreskin to be cut off [shetizamer] has arrived, the time for the Cuthean kingdom to be eliminated has arrived, the time for the kingdom of Heaven to be revealed has arrived, as it is stated: “The Lord will be king over the entire earth” (Zechariah 14:9). “The sound of the turtledove [hator] is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2:12), what is that? It is the voice of the messianic king who proclaims and says: “How pleasant are the footsteps of the herald on the mountains” (Isaiah 52:7).
“The fig tree has formed its unripe figs” (Song of Songs 2:13), Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: Just before the messianic era, a great pestilence will come to the world and the wicked will be eliminated. “The vines in blossom have emitted fragrance” (Song of Songs 2:13), these are those who remain, and in their regard it is written: “[Of] the remaining in Zion and the remnant in Jerusalem, [holy will be said]” (Isaiah 4:3).
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The Sabbatical cycle during which the son of David comes, in the first year it will be fulfilled what is stated: “I will bring rain upon one city and will not bring rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second, arrows of famine will be shot. During the third there will be a great famine, and men, women, and children will die, and pious individuals and men of action will become few, and the Torah will be forgotten from Israel. During the fourth there will be famine but not famine, plenty but not plenty. During the fifth there will be great plenty and they will eat, drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will be renewed and restored to Israel. During the sixth, sounds [kolot]; during the Sabbatical Year, wars; during the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come.
Abaye said: How many Sabbatical cycles like that have come, yet [the Messiah] did not come? Rather, it is as Reish Lakish said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the assembly hall of the Sages will be for prostitution, the Galilee will be destroyed, the Gavlan will be desolate, and the residents of the Galilee will circulate from city to city and will receive no sympathy. The wisdom of scholars will be [considered] putrid, those who fear sin and the people of kindness will be gathered, truth will be lacking, and the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog. From where is it derived that truth will be lacking? As it is stated: “Truth is lacking [nederet] and one who deviates from evil is deemed a fool” (Isaiah 59:15). Where does it go? The school of Rabbi Yanai says: It goes and sits in flocks [adarim] in the wilderness.
The Rabbis say: In the generation in which the son of David will come, the Sages of the generation will die, the eyes of those who remain will fail due to sorrow and grief, many troubles and many evils will befall the public, and harsh decrees will be introduced and will be promulgated, [to the extent that] while the first one is extant another will come and be added to it.
Rabbi Nehorai said: In the generation in which the son of David will come, youths will humiliate elders and elders will stand before youths, “a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his household” (Micah 7:6), and a son will not be ashamed before his father. Rabbi Neḥemya says: Prior to the messianic era, poverty will proliferate, prices will be high, the vine will produce its fruit but the wine will spoil, and the entire monarchy will be transformed to heresy, but there will be no rebuke. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is like that of a dog. Rabbi Levi said: The son of David will come only in a generation whose face is impudent and which is deserving of elimination. Rabbi Yanai said: If you see generation after generation reviling and blaspheming God, anticipate the footsteps of the messianic king. That is what is written: “For Your enemies revile the Lord; they revile the footsteps of Your anointed one” (Psalms 89:52). What is written thereafter? “Blessed be the Lord forever, amen and amen” (Psalms 89:53).

(6) For son spurns father,
Daughter rises up against mother,
Daughter-in-law against mother-in-law—
A man’s own household
Are his enemies.