Dear reader sh’yichyeh:
This article will serve as an introduction to our new series entitled Who’s Who in the Times of Moshiach. The goal of the series is to describe some of the people with major roles in the time of Moshiach.
This is B”H our fifth series of articles. In our first series, Moshiach Key FAQs, we answered many basic questions about the belief in Moshiach. In our second series, Geula – What We Await, we outlined the way in which the world will be transformed in the times of Moshiach. In our third series, Mivtzaim and Moshiach, we outlined how to incorporate Moshiach into the ten Mivtzaim of the Rebbe, and in our fourth series, The Rebbeim and Moshiach, we described the activities that each of our Rebbeim did to bring the Sh’china into this world and prepare us for the times of Moshiach.
Our current series is unique. Instead of focusing on the era of Moshiach or Moshiach himself, we will be discussing the characters of Yemos HaMoshiach. This will include, among others, Moshiach Ben Yosef, Gog the king of Magog, the Sanhedrin, and the role of all previous Jewish leaders in Yemos HaMoshiach.
IN CONTRADICTION TO THE RAMBAM?
You may be asking yourself the following question: Why is it so important to know these details? Let me just believe in Moshiach and await his coming! Does the Rambam not write (Hilchos Melachim 12:2), “There are some Sages who say that Elijah’s coming will precede the coming of Moshiach. All these and similar matters cannot be definitely known by man until they occur, for these matters are undefined in the prophets’ words. Even the Sages have no established tradition regarding these matters except their own interpretation of the verses. Therefore, there is a controversy among them regarding these matters.
“Regardless of the debate concerning these questions, neither the order of the occurrence of these events or their precise detail is among the fundamental principles of the faith. A person should not occupy himself with the Aggados and homiletics concerning these and similar matters, nor should he consider them as essentials, for study of them will neither bring fear or love of God.”
The answer to your question is simple: True, there are many vague prophecies about what will transpire in the times of Moshiach. Attempting to reach final conclusions will not advance one’s Avodas Hashem. However, knowing the different opinions and having a general knowledge of these topics enhances one’s belief in Moshiach and prepares us for his arrival.
In the words of the Rebbe (Balak 5751), “The attitude towards the study of these laws should be analogous to what was discussed in the recent past, that the special increase in the study of the teachings of Torah concerning Redemption and Moshiach should not simply serve as a catalyst to hasten the coming of Moshiach and the Redemption. Rather, this study should enable us to live with and thrive on matters of Moshiach and Redemption. We should ‘live with the time’ of the Messianic Era. This can be attained when one’s intellect is filled with the comprehension of the Torah concepts of Moshiach and Redemption. This intellectual awareness then extends to and permeates one’s emotions, and then translates into thought, speech and action consistent with this very auspicious period of time when we stand on the threshold of Redemption and we are able to point with our finger: ‘Behold he (King Moshiach) has come.’
“One might suggest an additional rationale for the need and the virtue of studying the Torah’s teachings concerning Moshiach, Redemption and the building of the third Temple as an entrance into the Messianic Era:
“Although our Sages have declared that Moshiach will come ‘when we are distracted from his coming,’ this does not contradict, G-d forbid, the need for thought and reflection of the most powerful order on matters of Moshiach and Redemption. This means primarily thought and reflection upon the fact that we are now standing at the very threshold of the Messianic Era, that ‘Behold he is coming,’ since all the deadlines have since passed, t’shuva has been done and all of the different aspects of our Divine service have been completed…
“The resolution of this apparent contradiction is that the term for distraction, ‘Hesech HaDaas’ (literally ‘removing one’s knowledge’) actually means ‘transcending one’s knowledge.’ This implies that after one has allowed this matter of Moshiach to permeate his intellect (by applying one’s thought and through constant reflection, etc.) one then reaches the level where this transcends his knowledge.”
TRANSLATING THE ABOVE INTO PRACTICAL TERMS
“Despite the uproar associated with this matter in recent times within this year, the year of ‘I shall show him wonders’ and a year of witnessing the wonders which testify that this is ‘the year that the King Moshiach will be revealed,’ we see how difficult it is to inculcate the awareness and the feeling that we are literally standing on the threshold of the Messianic Era to the point that one begins to thrive on matters of Moshiach and Redemption.
“The solution to this dilemma is Torah study concerning Moshiach and Redemption. For Torah – which is G-d’s wisdom, and thus transcends the natural order of the universe – has the capacity to alter the nature of man. Even when one’s emotions are still outside the parameters of Redemption – G-d forbid – (because he has not yet emerged from his internal exile), he can nevertheless learn the Torah’s teachings concerning Redemption and thereby be elevated to the state of Redemption. One then begins to thrive on matters of Redemption, borne of the knowledge, awareness and feeling that ‘Behold he is coming.’”
Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://ylcrecording.weebly.com/moshiach-what-we-believe.html. Weekly shiurim on Moshiach topics given by Rabbi Avtzon can be viewed at chabad.info.