Beis Moshiach weekly magazine presents a pathway that makes sense, even in the face of such overwhelming darkness. Fine. If it’s a test that Hashem is giving us in the final moments of Galus, we will stand up to it “with this publication.”
The first time I gazed upon the holy face of the Rebbe was when the Rebbe’s picture appeared on the front of a national (Canadian) newspaper. It was after the first Chaf-Zayin Adar I 5752, but the picture was the Rebbe’s approved-for-publicity portrait. The picture was accompanied by a brief write-up about the unshakable faith of the Chassidim in proclaiming the Rebbe as Moshiach, irrespective of his condition. I cut out the article and kept it for reference. If this expectation came to pass, this was a historical moment, a crossroads in history.
Like the slogan I would later encounter at the local Chabad House, “Be a part of it!” I too wanted more of a part than just following the story of Geula unfolding; I wanted to be caught up in all the excitement of the Chassidim. I would make changes and be a part of it. After all, the Rebbe was 90 years old! It wouldn’t be long now before we’d all experience the pinnacle of history, or…
The first time I actually stood before the Rebbe was on Gimmel Tammuz 5754, ushered along past his office. I didn’t bother following the procession to Queens. To me, if the full hisgalus wasn’t going to be now, here, in front of 770, with so many thousands of Chassidim packed together there, I was back to square one, an experiment seen through to the end. I wandered back to yeshiva like waking from a dream. Again I was at a crossroads.
The very next day, my spirits, as well as the spirits of my fellow bachurim, were lifted, with classes devoted to learning publications such as Yechi HaMelech. Soon after, the book And He Will Redeem Us came out, and of course there was the staple, the bilingual Beis Moshiach weekly magazine. This was a pathway that made sense, even in the face of such overwhelming darkness. Fine. If it’s a test that Hashem is giving us in the final moments of Galus, we will stand up to it “with this publication.”
The editors and contributors of Beis Moshiach combed through sichos and other sources addressing this final challenge and what message we need to take with us to inspire us to stay the course, and what message to communicate to the world. All the teachings coming out seemed new, fresh and alive.
Then months passed, years, decades…
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Eagerly anticipating the redemption, the advent of Moshiach, the desire – even self-sacrifice to be a part of it – dates back to the earliest times, even back to the times of the Avos (as evident in numerous sichos of the Rebbe as well as maamarei Chassidus, such as those found in Torah Ohr). If we have been decades waiting, this mission was vital enough for the greatest tzaddikim to pursue, thousands of years prior to the final moments of Exile.
When seeking inspiration for a message for the 1000th issue, an unbelievable milestone, and a crossroads of sorts, this drush caught my attention – an ancient story of self-sacrifice to bring Moshiach, told in Maor VaShemesh by Rabbi Klonymos Kalman HaLevi Epstein, disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, the story of Tamar at the crossroads:
“And it was told to Tamar, saying, ‘Behold, your father in-law [Yehuda] is going up to Timna… so she sat at pesach einayim, at the crossroads.” [Rashi interprets “pesach einayim” in two ways: “At the opening of the eyes, at the crossroads, en route to Timna. (Sifsei Chachomim elaborate: “When two roads intersect and head off this way and that, it is necessary to open the eyes to consider which way to go. Thus, ‘pesach einayim’ means ‘the opening of the eyes.’”) And our Sages derive from this verse, ‘at the pesach of Avrohom Avinu, for all eyes yearn to behold him.’” (“‘The pesach of Avrohom Avinu’ refers to the gravesite of Avrohom Avinu, and Tamar prayed that she would encounter a descendant of Avrohom, in order to bear children from his [royal lineage]. That is what our Sages teach in the first chapter of Sota (daf 10) ––Sifsei Chachomim). Maor VaShemesh cites the second p’shat of Rashi] “The Midrash interprets this as, ‘at the pesach of Avrohom Avinu, for all eyes yearn to behold him.’ This Midrash requires elaboration, for we do not find [sources that speak of] yearning to behold the ‘pesach of Avrohom Avinu.’ However, the following appears to be the correct interpretation. It says in the Midrash [also quoted in the second p’shat of Rashi] on the verse, ‘Tzadka mimeni – she is correct [Tamar is correct in her claim that I, Yehuda, her father in-law, can identify the owner of the collateral she possessed ––Rashi, Sifsei Chachomim]; it is from me [Yehuda, that she conceived ––Rashi],’ that a voice emerged from Heaven, saying, ‘From Me, of My Providence did these events occur,’ meaning that there was assistance granted from On High to coordinate this event, in order for the Davidic Dynasty to emerge, as well as the soul of Moshiach – may it speedily be revealed. Thus, Yehuda, Kadosh Elyon, was enthusiastic to be a part of this [pivotal moment in history].
“Indeed, this secret was revealed to Tamar as well, and she too intended to participate in this event, to produce Supernal Unifications in order to bring down the soul of Moshiach, from the quarry from whence it was hewn and from its root in the Supernal Worlds.
“Now, the Gemara and Midrash assert that six things preceded the world, among which are t’shuva [which the author equates to Supernal Unifications] and the soul of Moshiach. We derive from here that these two items are from the same place and source […] [the intent of t’shuva, Supernal Unifications, here being] to draw down the soul of Moshiach.
“With regard to Avrohom, he is seen as having self-sacrifice when he pursued the five kings to save Lot. At first glance it is inconceivable that he would endanger himself for the sake of Lot. Surely Avrohom was aware of Lot’s character, for Lot, ‘journeyed from the East, from Kedem,’ which our Sages interpret to mean that he journeyed away from Kadmono Shel Olam, the Primordial Master of the World. But the truth is that Avrohom’s self-sacrifice was on account of the fact that he saw with ruach ha’kodesh (Divinely inspired vision) that the soul of Dovid and Moshiach would stem from Lot [through Rus, who came from Moav].
“The above thus sheds light on the Midrash with which we began this discussion – that Tamar sat at the pesach of Avrohom Avinu. That is, Tamar followed the path of Avrohom Avinu, who sacrificed his life to bring down the soul of Moshiach into the world, Moshiach to whom ‘all eyes yearn to behold,’ that he should be revealed speedily in our days, amen.”
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It is our job – readers of Beis Moshiach and all Chassidim of the Rebbe, who pursue the final shlichus to bring Moshiach Tzidkeinu in the literal sense – to lift up our eyes and see we are standing at the crossroads, standing in the place and moment when everything is being determined, and whether or not we will be a part of the most important moment in history. May we immediately behold the Rebbe MH”M, whom “all eyes yearn to behold,” with the true and complete redemption – now!