Living Torah Archives

Concerning the future Redemption, the prophet declares, “I will offer thanks to You, G-d, for Your wrath,” for at that time, the good hidden in all mankind’s suffering will be made clear. But why must this be concealed from us until then?

The Israelites were exiled in Egypt and forced to engage in slave labor, yet, when their redemption finally came, there were some who didn’t want to leave exile! Life became easy as soon as the slave-labor ceased, so they began complaining, “Why do we need to search for Torah and Judaism in the desert, and follow a wild individual like Moses? We have a competent king, culture and wisdom – let’s remain. But G-d sent a warning through Moses, that Pharaoh will “banish them from his land.” A Jew isn’t given a choice in the matter.

While discussing the laws of the Red Heifer, Maimonides goes on to detail by whom each of them were ministered. Maimonides writes that the tenth and final Red Heifer will be ministered by Moshiach, “may he be revealed speedily – Amen, so may it be God’s will.”

The Torah teaches us that Jacob’s best years were while living in Egypt during the final part of his life. Nevertheless, Jacob insisted on being taken to be interred near his parents and grandparents in the city of Hebron.

The Rebbe advises Kohens and Levites to prepare to serve in the third Holy Temple, which with Gd’s help, will be rebuilt very soon. (Collage)

Can't we just rely on G-d to bring it at the appropriate time?

The Jerusalem Talmud states: “If the Holy Temple is not rebuilt in your lifetime, it’s as though it were destroyed in your lifetime.” The commentaries learn from this that the Temple’s destruction is an ongoing event.

The Evil Inclination may approach a Jew and claim, “You’ve been busy studying Torah and doing mitzvos – but I’ve been out there in the real world. There are so many other nations, so many influences which oppose Torah study and Jewish observance. You can sit in the synagogue or the study hall and ‘await his coming every day’… But the world seems to show an entirely different reality!”

An address after the tragic murder of wife and mother, Mrs. Pesha Leah Lapine: Everything that occurs in this world is by Divine plan; how much more so when a Jewish life is given in sanctification of G-d’s Name. But that doesn’t make the pain any easier to bear…

The prayers for the fast of 17 Tammuz begin: “Permit G-d no silence, until He sets and establishes Jerusalem as the praise of the earth." The Rebbe asks 'How can we challenge G-d?'

In 1987, the Rebbe spoke about the need for Jews to demand of G-d that it is high time for Moshiach to arrive. The next day, a group of rabbis, led by Rabbi Yehuda Kalman Marlow of the Crown Heights Beis Din, present a halachic ruling on the matter.

The Jerusalem Talmud states: “If the Holy Temple is not rebuilt in your lifetime, it’s as though it were destroyed in your lifetime.” The commentaries learn from this that the Temple’s destruction is an ongoing event. On Tisha B’av, we do not mourn events that occurred 1,900 years ago… The destruction of the Temple takes place every single day – and a Jew is expected to cry out for Redemption as if he has witnessed that destruction today!

The Evil Inclination comes to a Jewish child – or any Jew – and says: You can sit in the synagogue or the study hall and ‘Await Moshiach every day’…But the world seems to show an entirely different reality!”

There are those who question: “Why do you speak so much about bringing Moshiach?” “Why don’t you rely on G-d – after all, He’s the one Who sent us into Exile in the first place!”

In Jewish law, when someone converts to Judaism, they are referred to as: “a convert who converts.” The obvious question: Before he converted, he was not yet a “convert,” he was a gentile? The commentaries explain that when a person converts it proves that he had a Jewish spark inside him all along, but he needed the conversion process in order to reveal it.

Concerning the future Redemption, the prophet declares, “I will offer thanks to You, G-d, for Your wrath,” for at that time, the good hidden in all mankind’s suffering will be made clear.

Completion ceremony for the “Sefer Torah to Greet Moshiach,” commissioned by the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch, in 1942.

Transmit this message to my followers: Moshiach is coming very soon, and they must be prepared to receive him properly!

After all that has befallen the Jewish people in recent history, we cannot begin to rationalize G-d’s reasons behind these tragedies. Moshiach must come immediately and answer all our questions.

Don’t dwell on prerequisites for Moshiach’s arrival. He should come today – literally!

The Previous Rebbe was once approached with the following dilemma: You profess to expect Moshiach’s coming “immediately.” Yet, at the same time, you make long-term plans, as if expecting exile to continue for the foreseeable future?