As anxiety mounts across Eretz Yisrael and the broader Jewish world over the agreements between the Trump administration and the Iranian regime, many are recalling a shiur delivered two years ago by one of the most prominent poskim of our time, HaGaon Harav Moshe Shternbuch, shlita, Raavad of the Edah HaChareidis.

The remarks, shared by a grandson of Harav Shternbuch, were delivered to a distinguished gathering of prominent businessmen and wealthy individuals who had come from abroad to meet with the Gadol. The occasion was the period immediately following Donald Trump’s election to his second term — a moment when, as the grandson described it, most of the Klal, including much of the frum political establishment, was celebrating, viewing the incoming president as a steadfast friend and reliable protector of Jewish interests.

It was precisely into that atmosphere of euphoria that Harav Shternbuch chose to deliver a sharply worded rebuke.

Making a point of speaking in English — so that his words would penetrate directly into the hearts of his listeners — the Posek began:

“Today there are many people who rely on the new President of the United States, completely confident in their hearts that he’s the one who’s going to help us. But we have to know and internalize — these people, who are placing their trust in humans, are delaying the arrival of Moshiach! Only when we truly and sincerely understand that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is the only Power that can help us, and that there is nothing else besides Him — only then will we merit the yeshuah.”

He then pressed further, cautioning against the seductive illusion of worldly power:

“No one can help us — only Hashem alone. The President of the United States won’t bring our yeshua. The future Geulah will happen only when we recognize that any direction of thought about a big army, a powerful air force, or boasting that ‘we are very strong’ — has no substance to it whatsoever, and nothing good can come of it. The only thing we have in this world is the Ribono Shel Olam, and when Klal Yisroel recognizes that there’s no other way except the way of Hashem, we will merit the final geulah.”

Words that at the time struck some listeners as removed from political reality have since taken on a chilling resonance. “Ruach HaKodesh spoke from his throat,” people across the Torah world are now saying, as the very scenario the Rav warned against — reliance on an American president as savior — appears to be playing out.

The pasuk the Rav invoked captures the eternal lesson: Al tivtechu bindivim, uv’ven adam she’ein lo teshuah — “Do not rely on nobles, nor on a human being who holds no salvation” (Tehillim 146:3).

The grandson who shared the account noted that the words were not delivered as political commentary, but as a call to emunah — a reminder, in the Rav’s own words, that ein lanu al mi lehisha’en ela al Avinu shebashamayim.