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Sighting Moshiach


Question:

Is it true that the Moshiach shall suddenly appear on a main street in Jerusalem, a poor old man with a wild but angelic look, spewing forth wisdom and declaring the time of redemption has arrived? If so, why will they not lock him up?

Is it true that he shall be announced on all the media worldwide at 6 pm, along with offers for free El Al tickets? If so, who will finance this?

Is there truth to that which they say, that in those enlightened days there will be only study of Torah and no more reckless fun? Is it true that the entire order of nature will change suddenly as the Anointed One appears?

Response:

Yes, definitely a case for pity. No (aside from the media announcements)--it's not anything like what you describe.

The arrival of Moshiach and the accompanying turnabout in the World Order, is a very pragmatic ideal. In fact, much of it has happened already.

Of course, as Maimonides puts it, nobody really knows exactly what's going to happen--The Almighty-Master-Of-All-Plans-To-Whom-All-Is-Revealed is really concerned about the suspense factor here. But allow me to let you in on a few of the key details, as I humbly understand them:

1. The first thing Moshiach does is do away with bad marketing. That's the true villain that has held us back all these years. Ask any consumer electronics or computer engineer. We could all own household robots to do our work. We could be consuming less than 10% of the natural resources we consume now--if it weren't for those nefarious busy bodies who market quantity rather than quality. Given the true needs of most people and the productivity possible with modern technology, we should all be working an average of 2.5 hours a week. What's responsible for the other 60+ hours? Bad Marketing.

Moshiach's marketing people will get people's minds back on the right track. Thinking about real quality of life. About their relationship with the earth and with their bodies and their souls and the people around them. Once that's done, just about everything else we need to create paradise is here already.

2. The people will come up with a real wise individual and make him their mentor and leader--not the other way around like in the fairy tales. As you put it yourselves: how else can he avoid being locked up? This is stated clearly in numerous sources, for example, "They will search out David their king...", "They will make for themselves a king and rise out of the land". It just seems pretty obvious that it's the people who make the leader -- a self-declared leader is little more than just another nut-case.

Even the Kabbalists agree that Moshiach isn't planning on a sudden appearance. Rather, the people will slowly wake up to the fact that he's already here. Just not in places people generally look.

3. The arrival of Moshiach is not much of a greater miracle than the sudden fall of the communist dictatorship. True, there will be a couple of big Signs-and-Wonders-scenarios--some that'll make the Ten Plagues and the Crossing of the Red Sea look like kid's play. Like, how about the splitting of the Euphrates, for one? But, who says glitz makes a miracle? Personally, I think Moses would have been pretty impressed by the kind of miracles that happened in Eastern Europe and on the Internet over the last few years.

Fact is, nature itself is supernatural. Just that we're too busy to notice. After a bit of time studying with Moshiach, we'll be able to see clearly without the wool pulled over our eyes.

4. You appear concerned that the World to Come may be a rather boring affair. Actually, Moshiach is when the real fun starts. There will still be the same sports, entertainment, and good, clean shopping sprees. But kicking a ball or buying clothes will be a form of meditation on the Oneness of Creation. Come to think of it, so will all human activities.

5. Hi-tech is only here now as a preparation for the technological applications of the times of Moshiach. M.I.T., IBM, Xerox-Parc--you guys ain't seen nothin' yet! When finally we become masters over our own tools--rather than the other way around--we shall start to utilize them to discover the G-dliness within Creation and within ourselves.

Wake up! There has never been a time in the history of the Jewish people like this before! In 2000 years of Exile, the last few years have been the only time that Jews in every part of the globe are free to follow the Judaism of their ancestors. Sure, there are still those who cannot leave their place of exile, but compare this to the horrible oppression of past times! As our sages put it, "There is no difference between our world now and the times of Moshiach, except for the oppression by the nations." The greatest oppression remaining is that of the materialistic (un)consciousness of the modern world.

So who, pray tell, is stopping us?

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By Tzvi Freeman   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 3, 2011
Moshiah will not be Green!
Is it really the first thing Moshiah will do upon arrival; to implement carbon limits? I suppose, if one believes that the people will choose a messiah as they chose a King, then Obama-like Moshiah will be chosen by acclamation! But if humanity is so capable of knowing how to identify Moshiah, then he will be rather redundant.
"Even the Kabbalists agree that Moshiach isn't planning on a sudden appearance." What does "even Kabbalists" imply? Are Kabbalists supposed to be "extremists" in favor of Messiah appearing? Not from what I have read. I feel that Kabbalistic writings are purposely written to "spiritualize" the Torah, and of course a physical Moshiah is not something any Kabbalist would be expected to be awaiting.
He will make his presence known gradually? The Stone that Daniel foresaw crushing Nebuchednezzar's statue's toes of iron and clay, is not a metaphor suggesting a gradualist approach!
Don't lower the bar of what Moshiah will be, He is coming.
Posted By Brian S, Simsbury, CT

Posted: June 30, 2010
Moshiach now...
Like many species on this planet, from the "zigzagging" of the dolphins to the mass migrations of the caribou we seek a lead. Perhaps this lead, this Moshiach, comes from Hollywood or descends through major political families. Perhaps just a humble upbringing, but G-d is upon this lead and soon many could know. Jews, we must become holy. That time is now. Move away from all things unholy and embrace all that is.

As always, Tzvi, you are flowing with words that heal and inspire.
Posted By Anonymous, Yacolt, WA

Posted: June 24, 2010
fantastic!
I read a lot of articles pertaining to Jewish matters on daily/weekly basis and this is one worth saving and keeping! Excellent message! Thank you for sharing. Shalom.
Posted By Chaya, Saint Louis

Posted: June 23, 2010
self loathing
Alcohol abuse is so widespread throughout our very, very sad and disappointed planet; as is being trapped inside one's own self loathing. Stop the mundane conversation, stop looking at the material side of life. When even one individual is healed from any addiction a miracle of wide spread magnitude has occurred. I have worked for 32 years as a indigent care provider R.N. Let's be honest look around, this planet is a disaster. We have failed one another, The Rebbe, and our beloved G-d. One of the most beautiful, glorious and magnificent miracles that will occur when Moshiach is visible is the veil of the inability to see ourselves through G-d's eyes will be removed. So let's just try a bit every day to live as the Rebbe lived, and maybe, just like his example is catching, ours will be also. For me I can hardly wait until I see all of the rehab centers closing because their patients finally understand how deceived they were in their chronic self loathing. I will know the Next Age is here.
Posted By Adeya

Posted: Apr 8, 2010
Great Way to put it
Amazing Zvi! This is the real way to see miracles and a clear way to see the humanity in the Torah and Mosiach. After all, that is what we are, humans, and a micracle is being ourselves.
Posted By sergio, bs as, argentina

Posted: June 1, 2009
Entertainment
I am aware, you know The Book of Daniel contains everything a Jew needs to know about the end times. I am astonished by this article, it blows my mind.
"There is no difference between our world now and the times of Moshiach".
Is Moshiach= The Messiah?
There are so many references in through the Tanakh about the Millenium, how can you come up with such things?!
Maybe I'm too serious or maybe my G-d and your G-d are not the same deity, we read the same Tanakh but understand and experience Him differently,...hmmm!
G-d help us!
Posted By Celine Bennett, Elliot Lake, Canada, Ontario

Posted: Mar 19, 2009
Visible?????????
If you haven't the ability to seek within, you will miss the boat when it arrives! In fact it's always been within your reach. The kingdom is at hand, repent. Simple enough? This is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

This is not intended to be offensive or degrading to ANYONE.

Prophecy is, was, and always will be warning...
When Noah was told to build the ark, he DID. When the people of Sodom and Gomorrah where told to change their behavior, and Lot tried to find the righteous then left, the cities were destroyed. Fire and brimstone? Meteor shower! Rocks fell from the heavens (outer space), and they caught on fire passing through the bubble of Earths atmosphere! The earth changes, what we are going through is the result of our lack of wise stewardship, and lack of understanding. Greed causes destruction. It's not kosher to burn fossil fuels. It's not kosher to throw people into the street just because they can't give you money! Love thy neighbor as thy self!
Posted By James

Posted: Feb 20, 2009
How Cool!!!
This article makes the whole idea of Geulah seem real. As a public school teacher, perhaps I will be teaching my 9th graders social studies viewed through the lens of Divine Wisdom. Imagine a classroom where there is no scribbling on desks other than, "Baruch Hashem- All Day" as opposed to other stuff I see on school furniture. Preclass activities can be reflections on acts of goodness and kindness. I am itching with anticipation just thinking about it. What are we waiting for? Let's get this Geulah going already!!
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: July 11, 2008
moshia's arrival...earth's magnetic reversal?
if G-d reverses the magnetic poles of earth causing the arora boriais to be visable in every latitude and longitude, would earth's inhabitants conclude divine intervention or simply another scientific phenomonon? what will it take to convince humanity that the Lord is watching us? ... should we not conclude His disappointment in His free=will creation is causing Him sincere distress...slow to anger,but still...???
Posted By shamuel ben hyam hacohane, raleigh, nc

Posted: Feb 20, 2008
response Moshiach
am reading the most wonderful book-Heaven on Earth-translation of Lubavitcher Rebbe Schneerson. of course, one of the reasons i like it so much is that it reinforces my basic views and feelings-that G-d is here in life is nature is this existence. I just love it. i think if when people will realize that the connection with one another and all that is-in this life, is G-d also that the nmundane as Rebbe S. says iover and over is G-d, then a lot of the evil will disappear. I personally have difficulty with the worship of a single Moshiach figure. Too much like the Christian pie in the sky and irresponsibility toward what is and one another. Thanks! L'hitraot.
Posted By Beatrice, bellingham, WA



 


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The Jewish Belief About Moshiach
Sighting Moshiach
Free Choice When Moshiach Comes
Is the World Really Getting Better?
Next Year in Jerusalem . . .
Who Needs a Human Moshiach?
Significance of the year 6000
World Peace - How Will It Be Achieved?
Is the Resurrection Era the Ultimate Reward?
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Who Am I to Bring Moshiach?
Who Will Be Resurrected?
Where Is It Written That We Must Yearn For Moshiach?
Will Moshiach Make Me Wear a Burka?
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