Monday, 8th of Shevat, 5786 (January 26, 2026)
Iranian Jewry as a Parable for the Entire Diaspora
Much is hidden regarding what is currently unfolding in Iran. Various rumors speak of tens of thousands killed, perhaps hundreds of thousands wounded, and descriptions of horrors that we may never fully grasp the extent of. Amidst all this sits a Jewish community of approximately ten thousand people, with institutions, synagogues, and parliamentary representation, whose fate is also shrouded in uncertainty.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran took place nearly half a century ago, and the State of Israel has existed for nearly eighty years. Despite these two decisive facts, those Jews chose to remain in Iran due to economic considerations, the difficulty of migrating to another country, the challenge of changing mentality and language, and a host of other arguments traditionally used by Jews throughout their dispersions.
Our Sages say in Bereshit Rabbah (33:6):
“‘And he sent forth the dove… but the dove found no rest.’ Rabbi Yehuda bar Nachman said in the name of Rabbi Shimon: Had she found rest, she would not have returned. Similarly (Lamentations 1): ‘She dwells among the nations, she finds no rest’—had she found rest, they would not have returned. And similarly (Deuteronomy 28): ‘And among those nations you shall find no ease, and there shall be no rest for the sole of your foot’—for had they found rest, they would not have returned.”
Our Sages knew their flock well. A Jew seeks rest for the sole of his foot, and as long as he finds it, he does not move. The greater tragedy is that even when the ground is burning beneath their feet, people find various and strange explanations to remain in exile. Kristallnacht occurred five years after Hitler rose to power, yet two-thirds of the Jews who lived in Germany at the time of his ascent were still dwelling there…
The Jews of Iran thought they would stay and save their money; now, one can only hope they escape by the skin of their teeth to save their lives. The Diaspora is destined for destruction, and as the Land of Israel welcomes its children back after two thousand years, the process of the Diaspora’s liquidation only intensifies.
The precarious physical situation is but one of the inevitable consequences of Jews residing in foreign lands. The state of assimilation in Western countries has long passed the threshold of catastrophe, and even identifying with the fate of the Jewish people and the State of Israel has become increasingly uncomfortable for Diaspora Jews. In Iran, this found a particularly harsh expression, as Jewish parliamentary representatives were forced to swear allegiance to the Islamo-Nazi regime and support the destruction of Israel. Yet, in Europe and the U.S., we constantly see how the threatening shadow of the “dual loyalty” accusation hovers over the heads of Jews.
Iranian Jewry has brought itself to a “broken trough” (a state of total loss), and it is highly appropriate for Jews in Western countries to learn this lesson as quickly as possible. The Islamic Revolution is not limited to the Middle East; in many parts of Europe, it has already established a firm foothold. This is in addition to classic European antisemitism, known to us from time immemorial.
The situation of Jews in Britain and France is also cause for great concern, especially since October 7th, when reality proved that the horrific massacre did not awaken mercy for us among the nations, but rather the opposite. One must hope that these Jews do not seek their solution in the U.S., which is also plagued by rising antisemitism, where even the Mayor of New York is a distinct supporter of Arab terror against Israel.
The Holy One, Blessed be He, is bringing an end to the Exile as promised by His prophets, because the Land of Israel is already prepared to absorb its returning children. The excuses are over, the justifications—more or less valid—have run out. The sun is setting on Diaspora Jewry, and there is no knowing when the window of opportunity to leave and flee will close. We must pray and make every effort for the Jews of Iran to succeed in getting out before they lose their lives, and no less—we must do everything so that Jews in other lands understand that the time has come to return home!
The author is Rabbi Yehuda Epstein — Chairman of the Kedushat Zion Association.