Part I

What is Moshiach, and why is he so important? / What is the purpose of Golus? / How is Hashem going to take us out of Golus? / Who is Moshiach? What will the world be like when Moshiach comes? What will happen when Moshiach comes? / Will miracles and wonders accompany Moshiach's arrival? Techias HaMeisim - The Resurrection of the Dead / A Miraculous Era

Part II

When will Moshiach come? / Is our generation worthy of the redemption? / Everyone is getting ready / Chassidus "spread out" /  How do we know that Moshiach's arrival is imminent? The world is ready for Moshiach / What can we do to bring the Geulah closer? / Emunah in Moshiach / Not just waiting - anticipating! / Stay on the alert! / Bitachon and Simcha / How do we prepare ourselves for Moshiach's arrival?

Moshiach Part I

We constantly talk about Moshiach. "We Want Moshiach Now!" we shout in unison. Three times a day when we pray, and every time we Bentch, we ask Hashem to send Moshiach. The Rambam tells us that one of the fundamental principles of Judaism is to believe in the coming of Moshiach and to anticipate his coming every day.

What is Moshiach, and why is he so important?

In short, the answer is that Moshiach is the ultimate purpose of the whole Torah and thus of the creation of the entire world!

Moshiach is the person who will lead us to the redemption - the ultimate purpose for the giving of the Torah and the purpose of the creation of the world!

Hashem created the world because He desired a dwelling place in a physical world. A dwelling place means a home.

We spend time in a variety of places during the course of a day. We spend time in school, outdoors, at a friend's house, etc. Yet where do you feel most "at home"? In your own house! There you are free to be yourself. Why is that? Because you live there and everyone knows that everything in it belongs to you.

Hashem created a vast universe that contains humans, animals, plants, and planets. Everything that Hashem created belongs to Him and was created for the purpose of serving Him. However, just as we cannot see Hashem with our eyes, it is not always visible how everything in the world belongs to Hashem. Hashem hid Himself to the extent, that one could be misled into forgetting that Hashem is here; and that everything is created by and belongs to Hashem. This type of world, is not a fitting "home" for Hashem.

For this reason, Hashem gave us Torah and Mitzvos. When we perform Mitzvos, we reveal how Hashem is here, and everything was created to serve Him. For instance, when you make a Brocha on a glass of water, you are demonstrating that the water belongs to Hashem, and therefore you must make a blessing to request permission to drink it. Likewise, when you take a penny and drop it into a Tzedakah box, you are demonstrating that this coin was created to serve Hashem, by being used for a Mitzvah. This is the purpose that Hashem wants it to be used for.

Whenever we perform a Mitzvah, we reveal how Hashem's presence "lives" here, and that everything belongs to Him. By learning Torah and performing Mitzvos, we have made this world into a fitting "home" for Hashem. And this is why Hashem created everything - so that we could make the world into a suitable dwelling place for Him.

When our job is finished, when enough Mitzvos are performed to make the entire world fit to be Hashem's dwelling place - then Hashem will "live" in the home we have made for Him in a revealed manner. We will perceive with our physical eyes how Hashem is present in this world. We will then see the "fruits of our labor" - how our performance of Hashem's Mitzvos throughout the centuries of Golus has transformed the entire world into a dwelling place and "home" for Hashem.

Preparing a home for Hashem cannot be accomplished overnight. Indeed, Jews have been working toward this goal for over 3300 years, since Mattan Torah. Every Mitzvah that has been done has "added another brick to Hashem's home" and made the world that much holier. When Moshiach comes, Hashem will openly reveal His presence in this world.

What is the purpose of Golus?

Eretz Yisroel is the holiest land. There, the Jews dwelled together and served Hashem in the Beis Hamikdosh. The Beis Hamikdosh was a special place where Hashem's presence was revealed. Those were very good times, for the Jewish nation enjoyed a special closeness with Hashem.

However, Hashem wanted the rest of the world to be a dwelling place for Him too. How could this be accomplished when the Jews all dwelled in the land of Israel? Hashem decided to exile the Jewish people from the "Holy Land", and spread them throughout the world. This way, Jews would be able to perform Mitzvos in every place, transforming the entire world into a "world of holiness".

Exile from Eretz Yisroel was a very painful experience for the Jewish people. Jews wish to be united and dwelling in Eretz Yisroel together with Hashem. It is very painful for Hashem also, because when His children are in pain, He too is in pain.

We are all yearning (Hashem included) to leave Golus. This will happen when we have completed our job of making the whole world fit for Hashem to dwell in. At that point, we will be able to go back to Eretz Yisroel, our true home, the holiest place of all.

During Golus, there are a lot of negative things in the world. That is why Jews have suffered tremendously during Golus. Even now, we witness war, hunger, poverty, hatred, jealousy, unhappiness, etc. Can you think of some other things that may make you unhappy? All of them are symptoms of exile, a time when Hashem's presence is hidden and we do not have our Beis Hamikdosh.

When this bitter Golus ends, bad will be removed from the face of the earth. Since we will then see Hashem's presence in all creations, we will see how everything is innately good. People will stop being mean and jealous because they will realize how silly and wasteful it is. We will then be able to fulfill all of Hashem's commandments in peace.

How is Hashem going to take us out of Golus?

Through Moshiach.

This is not the first Golus. Thousands of years ago, the Jews were in Golus in Egypt. When it came time for Hashem to redeem them, Hashem sent a Jewish leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, to lead them out of Egypt and bring them to Har Sinai to receive the Torah.

The same is true of this final Golus. When it is time for Hashem to take us out of Golus, he will send us a Jewish leader, Moshiach, to lead us back to Eretz Yisroel and rebuild the Beis Hamikdosh. Moshiach will re-institute the observance of many Mitzvos, which we have been unable to perform in Golus (such as lighting the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdosh). He will teach Torah to all the Jewish people and teach the whole world how to serve Hashem.

Who is Moshiach?

Moshiach is not an angel, a spirit, or the concept of world peace. Moshiach is a human being! The Rambam explains that Moshiach is a descendant of King David. He is a great Torah sage and fastidiously observes all of the Mitzvos.

Moshiach is a king. But he is different from all other kings. Moshiach truly loves every Jew with all his heart and dedicates his entire life to caring for their physical, and spiritual welfare. When he redeems the Jews from Golus, no Jew will be left behind.

Even during the final years of Golus, before he actually leads the Jews to the Geulah; he will be a great Jewish leader who fights against assimilation and anything that opposes Judaism. He will promote the ideas of Ahavas Yisroel and Torah-observance amongst all Jews.

Our Sages explain that Moshiach can come in any generation, provided that the Jewish people deserve the Geulah at that time. Thus, in every generation there is a potential Moshiach, i.e., someone who possesses the above characteristics. If the time is ripe for the Geulah, this individual, whom Hashem has chosen, will assume the role of Moshiach and redeem the Jews.

What will the world be like when Moshiach comes?

Everything will be good, the ultimate good. In fact, it's impossible to even imagine how amazing it will be then, since we have never experienced such delight!

The following story will help us understand this concept:

A poor man trudged up and down the steep staircases in the high apartment buildings in his neighborhood. He knocked on doors and asked for charity. At the end of a tiring day, he sat on a park bench and counted the coins people had given him. His mind wandered and he dreamed of better times.

"One day, I will be rich. I will own great fortunes and have a lot of influence in the community." The poor man rubbed his hands and his forehead became wrinkled as he thought.

"Then," he thought to himself, "I will make a new law. All new houses which are built will have to be only one or two stories high. My life will be much easier! I will not have to climb all those stairs in order to collect alms!"

That poor foolish man! Imagine, his greatest fantasy was to have an easier time while collecting charity! He did not realize that there is more to life than begging. Although he was dreaming of a bright future, he could only imagine it by comparing it to his present conditions. We should not make the same mistake when thinking about Moshiach.

The coming of Moshiach will not just mean an easier and more comfortable life. True, when Moshiach comes, all the good things you can think of will be plentiful like the dust of the earth. Yet we will be preoccupied with bigger and better things.

When Moshiach comes, we will want to spend all our time performing Mitzvos and studying Torah, and we will enjoy it very much, more than we have ever enjoyed anything before. For then, we will see Hashem in everything, and just as it is Hashem's biggest pleasure when a Jewish boy or girl does a Mitzvah and studies Torah, so too it will be our biggest joy.

We will also be blessed with an ability to concentrate and learn without distractions. No hardships, illnesses, or worries will prevent us from studying Torah and doing Mitzvos.

What will happen when Moshiach comes?

As mentioned earlier, the Beis Hamikdosh will be rebuilt and the Jews will be gathered from the four corners of the earth and returned to the Holy Land. There, we will all live proudly as Jews, fulfilling all the Mitzvos and studying Torah with joy and in unity. Eretz Yisroel will be divided into 13 parts (one portion for each of the 12 tribes, plus the tribe of Levi).

We will never again be persecuted or subject to the rule of foreign nations. There will be no more anti-Semitism; no more pogroms, inquisitions, Holocausts or muggings! You won't be afraid any more. King Moshiach will reign over us for eternity. Jews will join Moshiach in the Beis Hamikdosh and celebrate together with Hashem. It will be the most joyful celebration ever!

Wars will be obsolete. Weapons and instruments of war will be transformed into household tools to help humanity. (For example: nuclear power will be used, not for destructive purposes, but to produce energy for electricity, industry, etc.)

The Geulah is for non-Jews too! Moshiach will bring good into the entire world and will affect all of humankind. All the nations of the world will stream to Yerushalayim to see the glory of the Jewish people and the Beis Hamikdosh. The non-Jews will observe the "Seven Noachide Laws", which Hashem commanded them. (See Chosen Nation for information on the Seven Noachide Laws.) Everyone will recognize Hashem, and the sole pursuit of the entire world will be to comprehend more and more about Hashem.

Will miracles and wonders accompany Moshiach's arrival?

The Geulah can come in one of two ways. It could be a very natural process - Moshiach will lead us all to Eretz Yisroel and build the Beis Hamikdosh in quite a normal manner. Although great miracles will occur, they will not necessarily break the laws of nature (unlike the splitting of the Red Sea). An example of this type of miracle is the Persian Gulf War, during which 39 missiles struck heavily-populated cities in Eretz Yisroel and not one person was directly harmed! Similarly, even if there will be major miracles, they will not permanently alter the laws of nature as we know them.

Another possible manner for the coming of Moshiach is a supernatural one. The Talmud relates that we may be instantly transported to Eretz Yisroel via heavenly clouds. There may be other earth-shattering miracles, even greater than the splitting of the Red Sea!

However, this is all in the initial phase of the Geulah. At a later stage, however, miracles which defy the laws of nature will be commonplace.

Techias HaMeisim - The Resurrection of the Dead

One of the 13 Principles of Faith is that Hashem will revive the dead. Every Jew who has ever lived will be brought back to life. We will once again be together with all of our deceased relatives whom we so sorely miss. We will also meet our ancestors and Jewish heroes from throughout all the ages, including our forefathers Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yackov, Moshe, Dovid, and Shlomo.

This may take place immediately after Moshiach comes, or a year after, or, according to some authorities, 40 years after the redemption. The great Tzaddikim however, will definitely arise immediately with the revelation of Moshiach.

In fact, some Tzaddikim will rise from the dead prior to Moshiach's arrival, and will march together with us to the Geulah. Moshe and Aharon will definitely be there [Yoma 5b] and perhaps others as well.

A Miraculous Era

When the Techias HaMeisim of all Jews occurs, a new miraculous era will commence. Nature as we know it will change and that which we now consider to be wondrous will become everyday occurrences.

The land of Eretz Yisroel itself will expand in size. All the deserts will be transformed to fields, orchards, and rolling hills.

All those suffering from disease will be healed. No longer will anyone be blind, deaf, crippled, or wheelchair-bound.

Wild, dangerous beasts will become harmless. A lion will lie peacefully with a lamb, and animals of prey will no longer kill other animals for their food!

The whole world will be good. There will no longer be anything to be frightened of. No more scary dreams either! After Moshiach comes, no Jews will die anymore, and we will all live forever.

Barren thorn bushes will grow fruit. Trees will grow new fruit every day. Likewise, mothers will painlessly give birth to babies every day! Fruit will grow to enormous sizes and the height of people may increase tremendously!

You will have everything you've ever dreamed of. Candies, toys, and clothes will grow on trees!

Just as things will physically change, so too there will be then a drastic spiritual change. We will then be able to see Hashem in a way no one has ever seen Hashem - using our physical eyes. The revelation of Hashem's presence during this time, will be even greater than the revelation during the initial phase of the redemption.

Questions for Review

1. Why is Moshiach a fundamental concept in Judaism?

2. Why did Hashem create the world?

3. How do we reveal G-dliness in the world before Moshiach comes?

4. Why did Hashem spread the Jewish people throughout the world during Golus?

5. What are some of the qualifications that Moshiach possesses?

6. How do we know that the Rebbe, the Moshiach of our generation, is the one who will actually take us out of Golus?

7. Name three good things that will occur in the era of Moshiach.

8. Which Jews will return to life in the time of "Techiyas HaMeisim"?

Moshiach Part II

When will Moshiach come? Is our generation worthy of the redemption?

Moshiach will come when we have completed the task of making the entire world into a dwelling place fit for Hashem. The Rebbe has told us that we have certainly accomplished this already. We can see for ourselves that there are thousands of Shuls, Jewish schools and other types of Jewish institutions throughout the world. In thousands of cities all over the world, one is able to find Jews who are fulfilling Hashem's Mitzvos and studying Torah. Hundreds of Jewish camps, Talmud Torahs, and Hebrew schools (like the one you are attending) dot the globe. The world is definitely ready!

Although previous generations may have been more righteous than we are, nevertheless, we are the generation that will merit to bring about the Geulah. For all of the Mitzvos, that the Jewish people have performed for thousands of years have been accumulating! Therefore, once we do that one last Mitzvah which is necessary to tip the scale, it will be our actions which will bring about the Geulah.

We can be compared to a midget perched on the shoulders of a giant. Although the giant is much taller than the midget, the midget can reach higher when he is being helped by the giant. Similarly, despite the fact that we are smaller (less righteous, knowledgeable, etc.) than our predecessors, we are the ones who will scale the Golus walls, and usher in the redemption.

One may ask: if all the Mitzvos of previous generations add up to tip the scale and bring Moshiach, why don't all the bad deeds and sins add up as well?

Only good deeds last forever. Bad deeds can be changed to good ones through Teshuvah. When one does Teshuvah, his sins cease to exist. Even if someone has not done Teshuvah before he passes away, Hashem has ways to cleanse and purify the Neshamah. Therefore, the sins of previous generations have been removed, whereas their Mitzvos are eternal.

Everyone is getting ready

Our Sages say that Teshuva brings the redemption closer. Never was there a time when Teshuvah was as widespread as today. Thousands of Jews who did not receive a proper Jewish upbringing are returning to Hashem by starting to observe Mitzvos and live a Torah-life.

Fifty years ago, many Jews were ashamed to practice their religion openly. Today we are witnessing a great revival of Jewish pride. People are putting on Tefillin in busy streets, walking proudly with Yarmulkas and Tzitzis in public, etc. Chanukah Menorah lightings are being held in public places all over the world. There was even a Menorah lighting ceremony during half-time of a football game in Joe Robbie Stadium, in front of tens of thousands of people!

Everyone is talking about Moshiach and the Geulah. It has been discussed in all the newspapers and TV news programs. Now everyone is waiting for him!

Chassidus "spread out"

The Baal Shem Tov once asked Moshiach when he will arrive, to which Moshiach replied "When your wellsprings (Chassidus) will spread forth to the furthest reaches." Nowadays, books of Chassidus (mainly the Tanya) have been printed and studied in almost every town that has even a tiny Jewish population! One was even printed in outer space! (This was seen on CNN via satellite.)

Chassidus has been translated into every language and is accessible to everyone. A Tanya was printed in Braille so that blind people would be able to study it. Even young children are studying Chassidus as encapsulated in some of the 12 Pesukim. In our times, Chassidus has indeed been "spread forth" to a degree never imagined possible!

How do we know that Moshiach's arrival is imminent?

The Rebbe has delivered a prediction that: "The time of your redemption has arrived!"

For the past 50 years, we believed that the Geulah is imminent, as the Rebbe has stressed time and time again over these years. However, in 1991, something changed. On Shabbos Parshas Shoftim the Rebbe suddenly announced that he was stating a prophecy - that the time for the Geulah has arrived and that it would start shortly! The Rebbe emphasized that since this statement was a prophecy, it is certain to be fulfilled.

The world is ready for Moshiach

As we have discussed, it has become so clear that the world is ready for Moshiach, that to ignore it, shutting one's eyes to that which is as clear as day!

The world is signaling its readiness for Moshiach. The Rebbe made us aware that some current events that are occurring in the world, have been clearly foretold in the Midrash as signs of Moshiach's arrival.

The Midrash states that the year Moshiach will be revealed to the world, a terrible catastrophe will take place in which a Persian nation (Iraq) will attack an Arab nation (Kuwait), and will threaten to harm the Jews (Eretz Yisroel). And although the enemy will try to harm us, Hashem will protect us. The Rebbe pointed out that the Gulf War was the fulfillment of this Midrash!

Another clear prophecy that is being fulfilled is "V'chititu Charvosam L'ittim...". The Torah tells us, that in the time of the Geulah, "nations will turn their swords into plowshares, for war will be eradicated."

A foretaste of this prediction is occurring right now! The superpowers of the world have decided to make peace. Instead of spending billions of dollars on building weapons which can destroy the world, they decided to use the time, effort, and money to help transform the world into a better place for all mankind.

The Rebbe pointed to the amazing fact that the US Army used its army planes and soldiers to transport food to feed starving people in Somalia. The same planes and soldiers which could be used to wreak destruction were instead used for productive and positive means.

Other indications of the imminence of the Geulah are: the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the resulting mass immigration of Jews to Eretz Yisroel. This is a foretaste, the Rebbe told us, of Moshiach's ingathering of all exiled Jews.

Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the world, almost every nation in the world is allowing and helping their Jewish citizens to behave as proud Jews ought to.

Russia - whose doctrine used to be atheism and which once tried to uproot any vestige of Judaism, is now aiding Russian Jews to build Shuls and hold public Chanukah Menorah lightings, and the like! This is a foretaste of the time when all the non-Jews will realize the true greatness of the Jews, Hashem and the Torah.

Everything is changing, but the drastic changes which are taking place are unlike past changes, which usually involved bloodshed or revolution. Present-day changes are occurring peacefully, and often subtly and inconspicuously. For example, the most evil kingdom - Communism - crumbled overnight without a civil war or bloodshed.

Looking at the world is like watching a pot cooking on the stove. When the pot bubbles and boils, we know the food is ready. The world also seems to be shaking, trembling, and stirring, as if it were saying, "I'm ready for a real change - the Geulah!"

What can we do to bring the Geulah closer?

Every Mitzvah that we do hastens the redemption. However, there are many Mitzvos which have a special connection to Moshiach, and hasten Moshiach's arrival. We have already learned (or will learn) about many of these Mitzvos. Let's review them:

1. Tzedakah

2. Tefillah for (and demanding) the Geulah

3. Ahavas Yisroel

4. Shabbos

5. Simcha

Every time we do an additional Mitzvah, especially one of the above-mentioned Mitzvos, we bring the Geulah closer. There are three special Mitzvos, which are fundamental to Judaism, and hasten the arrival of Moshiach:

1. Emunah (faith) in the Geulah

2. Anticipating and looking forward to the Geulah

3. Bitachon and Simcha that the Geulah is coming soon

Emunah in Moshiach

Emunah means firm belief. As we said earlier, The Rambam writes that belief in Moshiach is one of the thirteen principles of Judaism.

The foundation of Judaism is to have Emunah in Hashem and His Torah, this means, to know that Hashem is true and everything written in His Torah is true.

Since the Torah clearly promised us that Moshiach would come, we are obliged to have Emunah in this promise, and to know with complete certainty that Moshiach will eventually come.

That is why many Jews say "Ani Maamin...B'vias HaMoshiach" every day to reaffirm their Emunah in the coming of Moshiach.

Although we know for a fact that Moshiach will eventually come, never before have we known for certain that his coming was imminent. That is, until 1991, when the Rebbe proclaimed his prophecy that the time for the Geulah has arrived.

When a prophet tells us something, we must believe it with complete Emunah. The Torah commands us to believe in the words of a prophet. Therefore, we know with complete certainty that these words are true and will indeed come to pass.

When we remind ourselves of this promise and strengthen our Emunah, we hasten the arrival of Moshiach.

Not just waiting - anticipating!

We wait for many things. We wait on line in a supermarket. We patiently wait our turn in the dentist's office. We have to wait for that we know will eventually come, but take time to arrive.

Actually, there are actually two types of waiting. Some things we wait for patiently; we are in no great hurry for them to arrive. A visit to the dentist is a good example. We know that it is coming but we are not exactly looking forward to it!

Other things we await impatiently: our next vacation, a special birthday treat, etc. We count the days and wait anxiously for them until they arrive.

The same is true of waiting for Moshiach. It is not enough, the Rambam writes, to simply believe Moshiach will come and patiently wait for him. One must anxiously look forward to his arrival.

Some people get discouraged by the fact that Moshiach's arrival is long overdue. If he has taken so long already, they ask, why should we still bother waiting for him now?

However, in truth, logic dictates the opposite. When something is truly dear to you, the longer it takes to arrive, the more you eagerly anticipate it.

A fellow dropped an important bank note, worth many thousands of dollars, into a box of scrap-paper. He rummaged through the papers for hours trying to find his note. A man passed by and was surprised at the fellow's eagerness and mounting excitement, even after hours of unsuccessful searching.

"Now that I am nearing the bottom of the stack I am more encouraged," exclaimed the fellow as he scrutinized each piece of paper, "because I know I'm coming closer to finding it."

Every day that passes and Moshiach is still not here yet, should make us await his arrival even more on the following day. For we are now a day closer to his arrival.

Stay on the alert!

We always have to remain focused on our goal - bringing Moshiach!

The entire audience was sitting in the auditorium waiting for the show to begin. Everyone was excited about the show; they had been waiting a long time for it to come to town. The world-renowned performer was finally making his appearance here. The curtain was still drawn, but everyone knew it would open any moment.

But it didn't.

Slowly the hush in the audience turned into a quiet rumble. Two women exchanged recipes. Businessmen discussed financial matters. Everyone was still anxious for the show to begin, but they talked about other things since nothing was happening on stage.

Where was the performer?

Actually, he was right there behind the curtain. He was even peeking through a crack watching the audience and thinking, "I am ready to walk out right now. However, the people all seem very busy doing their own things. Their minds are on other matters.

"Maybe I should wait. I won't disturb them now," thought the performer. "Sure, they would probably stop and pay attention to me when I step out but it's clear that there is no reason to rush out there now. If they were more anxious for me to come, I would be able to tell. They would be eyeing the curtain closely and focusing their attention on the stage."

Moshiach is ready to appear. He is waiting for us more than we are waiting for him. He wants us to focus on his arrival and be alert. It is not right for us to get distracted with our own matters instead. It wouldn't be proper for us to say, "Oh! Welcome, Mr. Moshiach. You arrived just as I was finishing my conversation with my friend. Sorry, my mind was on other things and I didn't notice when you came in!" That's why we have to keep alert and expect Moshiach at any moment.

Bitachon and Simcha

Bitachon means trusting in Hashem that He will always help you and do that which is best for you. Even when someone finds himself in the worst of troubles, one must always have Bitachon that Hashem will save him. The Rebbe explains that through having Bitachon, we actually cause Hashem to help us. The more we trust in Him, the faster He will comply with our wishes!

The same is true with Moshiach. Aside for our Emunah that we know that Moshiach will come soon, we must also have trust and Bitachon that Hashem will definitely rescue us soon.

When we have such strong trust in Hashem's goodness and caring for us, we can then indeed be certain that He will comply, as the Bitachon itself causes Hashem to want to save us immediately!

Did you ever notice your little sister's face when she asks Mommy for a candy? She stands with her hand outstretched, smiling from ear to ear. She hasn't received the treat yet, but she's already smiling from ear to ear.

How can Mommy say, "No"? There is no doubt that she will respond to the little girl's delight and give her the treat.

This is how we, Hashem's children, must behave. We must be so confident and happy that Moshiach is coming, that He won't have a choice but to fulfill our request and send us Moshiach immediately.

How do we prepare ourselves for Moshiach's arrival?

All of the above are ways to bring Moshiach. Yet, the Rebbe told us, that everything that needed to be accomplished to bring Moshiach has already been done, and Moshiach is supposed to come. In fact, the Rebbe said, there is absolutely no excuse for why the Geulah has still not begun!

Moshiach is waiting for us to be ready for him. It is not enough that we made the world ready for Moshiach, we  must be ready for Moshiach. When the Queen of England visits, everybody dresses up in their finest clothing and goes to greet her. Imagine how embarrassed the Queen would be if she walked into a reception and everybody was wearing T-shirts and old sneakers and paying no attention to her. Likewise, we must be attired properly for Moshiach. However, there is one fundamental difference between the Queen and Moshiach. While the queen judges a person by the clothing they wear, Moshiach can also see our spiritual clothing, whether we are attired in Mitzvos or not. We have to do Mitzvos, so that when Moshiach comes we will be able to greet him properly.

The Rebbe told us that the main way to prepare ourselves is through studying about Moshiach and what things will be like during the Geulah. Included in this is studying the laws of the third Beis Hamikdosh, which will be built by Moshiach.

When we study about the redemption, we automatically think about Moshiach a lot more. Thus  we are actually "living with the Geulah" in a practical sense. We begin to look at Moshiach as a reality and not as a distant dream. In this way, the Rebbe explained, we are showing Moshiach that we are ready and anxious to greet him.

In addition, we have to teach other Jews, friends and relatives, all about the Geulah, so that they too get ready for Moshiach.

When we show Hashem that we are ready for Moshiach, he definitely won't wait any longer and he will take us out of Golus, right now!

Questions for Review

1. How do we know that the world is becoming a fitting dwelling place for Hashem?

2. If previous, more righteous generations didn't merit Moshiach, how will we?

3. Name two current events that indicate that Moshiach's arrival is imminent.

4. Why is it not good enough, to passively wait for Moshiach?

5. What subject should we study to bring Moshiach?

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