In addition to the place, the time of the proclamation about “they shall beat their swords into plowshares” is connected to the activities of Nasi Doreinu, the Rebbe, my father in-law, Moshiach of the generation. * From Chapter Five of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros Vol. 2. (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis.)
Translated and presented by Boruch Merkur
In the sicha of Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim 5752 (Seifer HaSichos 5752, pg. 362 ff.), the Rebbe MH”H speaks about the initiative of the United Nations to decrease warfare across the globe and to encourage demilitarization, in the spirit of the verse in Tanach describing the pursuit of peace in the Messianic Era, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift the sword against nation, nor shall they train in warfare anymore” (Yeshayahu 2:4; Micha 4:3). This verse is actually engraved on the Isaiah Wall, a monument at the United Nations Plaza.
The Rebbe describes the UN resolutions towards disarmament as “a clear sign of the beginning of the fulfillment of this promise in the true and complete redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.” Interestingly though, the Rebbe actually gives credit to Moshiach for this accomplishment:
“…we already see (a semblance and) the beginning of the activities of Melech HaMoshiach upon the [Gentile] nations … insofar as G-d Alm-ghty directs the hearts of the kings of the nations (“the heart of kings and ministers are in the hand of G-d” [Mishlei 21:1 – see Footnote 17 in the original]) to resolve and to proclaim together about the initiative of ‘they shall beat their swords into plowshares.’”
The Rebbe connects this New York UN conference with its proximity to Chabad world headquarters in Crown Heights, 770 Eastern Parkway. In Footnote 24 of the sicha, the Rebbe writes:
“The ostensible reason for [choosing New York as UN headquarters] is to establish from the onset a place designated for world delegates to convene on a regular basis in a place that is not the capital city of a particular country. However, the true reason for selecting specifically this city is because it is the capital city of ‘rabbis, who are [called] kings’ (see Gittin 62a, end, among other places), the city of my revered father in-law, the Rebbe, leader of our generation. (And see below, Footnote 26).”
And the Rebbe continues in the text proper:
“All this comes as a result of the activities of the dissemination of Torah and Judaism, righteousness and uprightness, throughout the entire world, accomplished and implemented by Nasi Doreinu, Moshiach of the generation [“for the Nasi of the generation is the Moshiach of the generation” – see Footnote 25].”
Having stated the significance of the physical proximity of the UN conference to 770, headquarters of the Rebbe, Moshiach of the generation, the Rebbe goes on to illustrate how the timing is also auspicious with regard to the Messianic Era, citing three reasons. First, in terms of the day of the week – the conference “began on Erev Shabbos, which is the eve of and preparation for a ‘day that is entirely Shabbos and tranquility for eternal life’ (Tamid, end).” Second, the day of the month was the 26th of Shvat – twenty-six being numerically equivalent to G-d’s name Havaya, Creator of the universe, “alluding to the state of [consciousness in] the Future Era, when G-d’s creating the world through His name Havaya will be perceived throughout the entirety of Creation.” Third, how the timing of the UN initiatives relates to the life and leadership of the Rebbe:
“Moreover, the main factor is expressed in terms of the connection and relevance of this time to Nasi Doreinu – being the final Erev Shabbos in the month of Shvat, the eleventh month. Indeed, the tenth day of this month is the day of the hilula (the completion and perfection of the Divine service) of my revered father in-law, the Rebbe, Nasi Doreinu. And on the eleventh day of the month there was a continuation of and innovation in his leadership, with greater strength and greater fortitude, reaching the completion and finale of all the service of this generation (the final generation of exile, which is itself the first generation of redemption) … [All the above] underscores how also the time (in addition to the place) of the proclamation about ‘they shall beat their swords into plowshares’ is connected to the activities of Nasi Doreinu, the Rebbe, my father in-law, Moshiach of the generation, who accomplishes the fulfillment of the promise, ‘they shall beat their swords into plowshares, etc.’”
(Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, 27 Shvat, Mevarchim HaChodesh Adar 1; Seifer HaSichos 5752, pg. 366)