Moshiach in a Nutshell

A Better World... the coming of Moshiach

What is Moshiach and the Messianic age?

The Messianic age is the ultimate utopia where evil will eventually cease and all mankind will live in harmony with one another and with the environment. All of societies' ills will end as will all personal challenges; physical, emotional or otherwise.

Moshiach is a human being who leads the world into this age. He is endowed with the highest qualities of any person, excelling in wisdom, insight, prophecy, and sensitivity and caring for all.

Why the emphasis on Moshiach?

Belief in Moshiach is one of the foundations of Jewish faith. Just a cursory look at the daily prayers will reveal that we mention and request various aspects of the Messianic age no less than 30 times per day! In the Amidah, which is the high point of the prayers, six of the nineteen blessings contained in it mention some aspect of the Messianic age!

Though Moshiach could have come at any time in our history, we now stand on the threshold of this one time monumental event.

Why now?

The Torah contains many signposts for us, on this journey to Moshiach. The prophets of old and sages of the Talmud give us guidelines to help us realize that the world is indeed ready for this wonderful era.

One of the examples of the signposts of the imminent Redemption is the evolvement of the "global village" spurred on by the advent of enhanced communications. This enables, in a natural fashion, the establishment of one governing body, such as the kingdom that will be established in the future by Moshiach.

Another obvious example is the incredible proliferation of knowledge that is now accessible to all. One can have the entire Talmud digitalized onto a handheld cell phone! This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that "the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the water covers the ocean bed."

There are many more such examples, all of which indicate that the world is ready for Moshiach.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe and Moshiach

Known simply as "the Rebbe," no Jewish leader in this time period has inspired a generation to connect with their Jewish roots as the Rebbe has. With the establishment of thousands of Chabad Jewish centers worldwide, the Rebbe has spearheaded an incredible awakening of Jewish feeling and observance for millions of Jews.

The Rebbe has also begun a campaign to encourage the observance of the Noahide Code for gentiles.

It's no wonder, then, that many see in the Rebbe the very qualities of the Moshiach himself. Being that the Rebbe descends from King David (this being a prerequisite for the one destined to be the Moshiach), all seems in place that now is the most appropriate time for Moshiach to come. Indeeed the Rebbe says that all of the signs related in the Talmud for Moshaich's coming have been fulfilled in our time.

Can the Rebbe be Moshiach after Gimmel Tamuz?

This is the Hebrew date in 1994 that a funeral was held for the Rebbe. One would think that all of the excitement, talk and aspiration for the Rebbe as Moshiach and the unfolding of the Messianic age should cease. The Rebbe, however, instructs us differently, stating strongly and often, and with prophetic vision, that this generation, led by the Rebbe himself, is the generation that will witness the true and complete Redemption.

Just as our sages state that our Patriarch Jacob did not die (although a funeral was held for him), so too can we assume at least the same of the Rebbe.

In a unique proclamation, signed by approximately 200 prominent Rabbis, it was ruled that by Torah law, the Rebbe maintains the status of the Moshiach in our day, even after Gimmel Tamuz.

What does this all mean for us?

We should get excited about the imminent Redemption and do all we can to help complete this process and bring Moshiach immediately. Any additional effort in Torah study or mitzvah observance with the specific intent to bring Moshiach is the call of the hour. Of special emphasis is study in Torah of those topics that relate to Moshiach and the Messianic age. And since goodness and kindness will be the hallmark of the era of Moshiach, the Rebbe encourages us to add in such deeds each day.

The saying of Yechi

As the Rebbe explains, the formulation of the words "Yechi Hamelech" (may the king live) has the power to bring about the revelation of the promised Moshiach. This proclamation was used in the acceptance of David as king by the people in his day. Only after their proclamation could David assume his position as king; for as the sages say, "there can be no king without a nation." So too now, our proclamation using this formula directed to the Rebbe has the power to actualize the Rebbe's assuming his position as Moshiach and heralding the Messianic era.

In most recent years, the Rebbe has accepted a more detailed formulation of this declaration (to more directly address the Rebbe): "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu Verabeinu Melech Hamoshiach Leolam Va'ed." (May our master, our teacher, our Rebbe, the king Moshiach, live forever.)

May we merit to see the Rebbe as Moshiach, and may we merit to witness the Messianic age immediately in our days!

- Rabbi Chaim Adelman
Questions or comments welcome: adelman@admin.umass.edu