The Three Roosters

“Two Roosters… and a Third” — A Teaching Linked to Isaiah 27:1

"On that day, the Lord shall visit with His hard and great and strong sword on leviathan the barlike serpent, and upon leviathan the crooked serpent, and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea."

A tradition attributed to the Rebbe of Stolin (Rabbi Yisrael Perlov, 1868–1921), as related by Rabbi Grossman in Israel shortly before the Russia–Ukraine war.

“When I was a child, a certain person told my father a story, and it has stuck in my head ever since.”

That person once visited the Rebbe of Stolin, Rabbi Yisrael Perlov (1868–1921), who said to those present:

“Do you know what will happen before the arrival of Moshiach? Two roosters will fight each other, and a third rooster will come and strike them both. The Jewish people, thanks to their faith in the Most High, the G-d of Israel, will survive.”

— Rebbe of Stolin (as quoted in the story)

People asked him what he was talking about and who the roosters were. He replied: “The two roosters are America and Russia. The third is China.”

Isaiah 27:1

“The serpent that coils will kill the monster that is in the sea.”

It seems that these comments are connected with the verse above. Commentators explain that the three beings (the straight serpent, the crooked serpent, and the sea dragon) represent three nations who will be defeated in the war of Gog and Magog (Radak), the “day of vengeance” (Malbim).

Identifications in the Commentaries

• Rashi (d. 1105): Pharaoh (Egypt); Sancherib (Assyria); Esau (Edom/Rome).
• Radak (d. 1235): Edom; Ishmael (Arabs); India.
• Metzudat David (d. 1769): Edom; Ishmael; and other peoples from the sea islands.
• Malbim (d. 1879): A nation protected by mountains; a nation protected by vast size and population; and a strong, powerful nation.

Theme: Judgment and Revelation

“For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their sinfulness; and the earth will reveal the blood (it has swallowed), and will no longer cover its slain.”

Commentators explain that this refers to the war of Gog and Magog, until Divine justice avenges the blood of Israel, shed by the nations of the world.

In the days of Rabbi Jonathan Eibeschutz (1690–1764), the Austrian emperor asked him: “What type of Moshiach are you expecting, and how will this unfold?”

“All the strong, powerful roosters will fight one another. But the weaker one will sit it out. That is Yisroel.”

— Rabbi Jonathan Eibeschutz (as reported)