Dear Reader Sh’yichyeh,
This is the first article of a new series, and it is also its introduction.
The first series, entitled “Moshiach: What we Believe”, dealt with classical and basic questions regarding the faith and belief in Moshiach and the Resurrection. The second series, entitled “Geula: What we Await” , dealt with questions concerning the lifestyle that we will experience in the Messianic Era. Our current series, entitled “ Moshiach Now: Making It Real”, will focus on how to incorporate Moshiach into our daily activities, which is primarily achieved through Mivtzaim. Through the mivtzaim, we make our entire world a Moshiach’dike world and automatically bring Moshiach to all mankind.
The following is a moving story that illustrates the central message of the theme and its importance. The Frierdike Rebbe once farbrenged with a koch about chinuch and about building chadarim, etc. Among those present was the Chassid R’ Itche der Masmid who was known for his outstanding piety and asceticism. In the middle of the farbrengen, the Rebbe turned to R’ Itche and said, “If you are involved in tashbar (education of children) then you are mine. But if not, then you may still be Itche [i.e., a maskil and an oveid, etc.], but you have no connection with me.” This means that hiskashrus must be expressed by involvement with the issue to which the Rebbe is devoted at that time.
The most appropriate words of introduction to this topic are those of the Rebbe, which he addressed to his dear Shluchim (Chaya Sarah 5752):
“The most recent innovation in the work of Shlichus is to receive our righteous Moshiach in the true and complete redemption. Indeed, the preparation for the coming of our righteous Moshiach is the most all-encompassing aspect of Judaism and includes all the other points and details of our Shlichus. It is the gateway through which all aspects of the Shlichus enter and rise.
“ …This then must be the practical lesson that results as we gather now at the opening and commencement of the “International Convention of Shluchim”. We must come out with a resolution and an announcement to all Shluchim that the work of Shlichus now for Chassidim and for every Jew is to do their utmost to lead the world in greeting our righteous Moshiach. This means that all details of the work of Shlichus in spreading Torah and Judaism and spreading the wellsprings of the inner teachings of Torah outward must be permeated with greeting our righteous Moshiach…
“From the International Convention, must come and be brought good resolutions such that every Shliach must prepare himself and prepare all Jews in his place and city etc. to greet our righteous Moshiach. This should be done through his explanation of the concepts of Moshiach, as explained in the Written Torah and Oral Torah, in a way that it will received by everyone, according to his intellect and understanding.
“This particularly includes the studying of the subject of Moshiach and Redemption and specifically in a manner of Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge. And since this is the Divine service of the time, it’s understood that this applies to every Jew without exception whatsoever.”
With these clear instructions, we are left with one question: How can we bring Moshiach into all the other Mivtzaim?
Before we discuss the details, we first must establish a basic premise. The whole point of Mivtzaim – and in general that of the Dor HaShvii – is to bring the world to its ultimate perfection that will be achieved in the era of Moshiach. For many years it was not so crucial that this goal be recognized in all the individual activities performed by the Chassid, but as we near the finish line, the goal has to be seen and recognized in every detail and effort.
This can be better understood through a mashal. There was once a king that wanted to build his palace in a certain village. He knew that in that village the people were simple, and they would be overwhelmed to hear that the king wanted to move into their town. In addition, the king knew that there was a core group of rebels in that town that would oppose the project and possibly hamper its development.
So the king sent a very wise and loyal friend to the city to arrange for the success of the project. The friend knew that if he would announce that he wanted to build the palace for the king, he would be faced with a lot of opposition. But he was smart, so he devised a plan of action.
He came to the town, which was suffering at the time from a high unemployment rate, and announced that he had many a job position that he needed to fill. He needed architects, plumbers, construction workers, engineers, interior designers, and more. He promised a large salary to those who were qualified. He made sure that he got many of his would-be dissidents a job so that they were kept busy. They were so busy building and designing – and thereby supporting their families – that they did not bother asking about the future dweller of the home that they were creating.
As time moved on, this friend became a very popular individual and was even elected as mayor of the town. In this position, he had tremendous influence on the residents. One day, he received a message from the king that he was ready to move into the town. At this point, the dear friend understood that the time had come for the people to understand for whom they were building a palace. It would not be appropriate for the king to arrive in the town and be ignored or unwelcome.
At that point, however, it was a lot easier than it would have been initially. The people in the town trusted him and knew that he had their best interests in mind. He called a meeting and told the townspeople that he had something very important to share with them.
He informed them that all the money that they received for the duration of that massive project was actually from the king himself. Their mayor told them that he was a good and benevolent king, who only wanted what was best for them. He informed the people that when the king would come, life in the town would only improve.
Since the king’s friend had prepared them for this by involving them in his special project, their reaction was extremely positive. They then returned to their jobs with a new sense of mission – to build the most beautiful home for the king. That day, they returned to their own homes to prepare for the king’s arrival.
The analogy is clear. The purpose of the entire creation is Moshiach (Talmud Sanhedrin). The Rebbe’s Neshama came to this world to bring Moshiach.
This is evident from the famous letter (Igros Vol. 12 pg. 414) where the Rebbe describes the following: “When I was a young child – even before the age of cheder – I already began to visualize the way the world will look like in the Messianic era! “
In his first Maamer (Basi L’Gani 5711) the Rebbe states clearly: “This is what is demanded and expected from the seventh generation – starting from the Alter Rebbe – to bring the Ikar Sh’china back this world with the coming of Moshiach.”
With this the Rebbe laid the groundwork, but the world was not yet ready. The Rebbe still had to build the palace for Hashem. He sent Shluchim and started Mivtzaim. His intent is to build the palace, one brick – one mitzvah – at a time.
For many years, it was not important that the one doing the Mitzvah – or even the Shliach – knew the true intention of the Mivtzaim. “The deed is the main thing!” was the motto.
For example, there are many ways to “convince” someone to put on T’fillin (the same is true with all Mivtzaim):
1 – He is protecting Eretz Yisroel
2 – He will get Olam HaBa as a reward
3 – “Do me a favor…”
4 – Whatever other reason you can come up with.
It was not so important for the one performing the mitzvah that with that Mitzvah he was preparing the world for Moshiach and the Divine revelations that will occur then.
However, after forty years of leadership and effort – corresponding to the forty years that Moshe led the Jewish people in the desert – the Rebbe knew and relayed to us a prophecy that Moshiach’s arrival is near. At this point, the true purpose of the mission must be open and revealed. It must permeate every one of our individual actions.
This is the purpose of the current series. We will learn together the background and unique qualities of each individual Mivtza, and try to see the “Moshiach component” in the Mivtzaim of the Rebbe. - –
Rabbi Avtzon’s audio classes on Moshiach and Geula can be accessed at www.ylcrecording.com