A hint to the upcoming geula, redemption has been making the rounds in virtual media. We know that when Moshe Rabbeinu came back from Midian to Mitzrayim, he uttered the prophecy, “Pakod yifkod,” that Hashem will surely remember you. The aged Osnas, the granddaughter of Yaakov who was still living, was asked about this. She revealed that this phrase was the password which Yoseif forecasted would be used by the future redeemer. It has been pointed out that pakod yifkod in gematria is 384, which is a match to shin-pei-daled, the last three letters of our current year, tuf, shin, pei, daled, 5784.
Another remez, hint was given by Rabbi Isamar Schwartz, shlita. The gematria of Hashem Elokim is 112, (Hashem is really yud, kei, vav, kei). When you multiply 112 by seven (like the seven times we say Hashem Elokim at the end of Yom Kippur), it equals exactly 784, once again the exact gematria of our year. This indicates that this year (if we are worthy), Hashem will come down from the seven heavens and show mercy (Hashem) to us, and show retribution (Elokim) to our enemies.
Now, here’s the pivotal question. When we hear these harbingers of Moshiach, do we get excited and rejoice or do we feel a tinge of trepidation and discomfort? If many will be honest, they react with worry, with the feeling that “I’m not ready for Moshiach.” Or, perhaps even worse, “I don’t want Moshiach to come and rock the boat. I’m comfortable with my life now. I’m afraid of change and I’m not sure I’ll enjoy living in a Moshiach kind of world.” We must know the latter attitude, while it might be common, is very displeasing to Hashem. In the Kisvei HaRamban [Cheilek 1, page 324], the great Ramban, zt”l, zy”a, cautions that at the end of days, suffering of Klal Yisroel will be attributed to the fact that Hashem is distressed that while He agonizes over the delay of the redemption, His people pay no regard to this. Rather, they will go about business as usual, living comfortably amongst the nations.
History teaches us that it is a fatal mistake to become too comfortable in our surroundings and not to believe in an imminent redemption. The Torah teaches us, “V’chamushim alu Bnei Yisroel mei’Eretz Mitzrayim,” only one-fifth of Klal Yisroel left Egypt. Four-fifths of the people died during the plague of darkness. The Rosh on Chumash asks, “If so many wicked people died, why is it that Dasan and Aviram, the sworn enemies of Moshe Rabbeinu, survived?” He answers that those who died didn’t want to leave Egypt. They didn’t believe in the redemption. So, they were fated to stay there. Dasan and Aviram, although they were wicked, believed in the redemption and they therefore survived, until they perished in the adas Korach.
The Rambam teaches us that one of the 13 principles of our belief is, “Ani maamin be’emunah sheleimah b’vias haMoshiach, v’af al pi she’yismahmei’ha, im kol zeh achakeh lo bechol yom she’yavo – I believe with a perfect faith in the coming of the Moshiach and even though he is delayed (for many generations) even so I hope for him every day, that he should come.” This is not mere lip service and a song that we dance with. This is an important part of being a religious Jew. The Gemora teaches us in Masechtas Shabbos [30a], that when we face our final reckoning after 120 years, Hashem will grill us with questions. “Did you do business faithfully? Did you make fixed times for Torah study? Did you try to have a family?” After these three questions, the fourth question might surprise you. It is not “Did you daven with a minyan? Nor is it “Did you keep Shabbos?” It is not, “Did you give charity?” nor is it “Did you keep the laws of family purity?” Rather, pointing to its supreme importance, the fourth question is, “Tzipisah l’yeshuah – Did you pine for the redemption?”
It is scary, but in light of what the Ramban said above, that Hashem causes suffering when He sees that we are too comfortable, it might be that the global rise of antisemitism, starting here in America with marches of thousands of pro-Palestinians in major cities such as New York and Texas, marchers in Australia carrying signs saying to gas the Jews, the burning of a shul in Tunisia, the killing of synagogue president in Detroit, the attacks on Jews in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and London, and of course the shattering of a feeling of security for the entire Eretz Yisroel, has shaken us out of our complacency and given us all a real reason to acutely hope for the Melech HaMoshiach.
I believe that Hashem wants us to concentrate devoutly when we say three times daily in our Shemone Esrei, “Ki lishu’asecha kivinu kol hayom – For Your salvation we hope every day.” He wants us to renew our vigor in Aleinu, when we say, “V’al kien nikaveh l’cha Hashem Elokeinu, liros meheirah bisiferes uzecha – And therefore we hope to You, Hashem our G-,d to see speedily in Your splendorous might.” He wants us to respond with a resounding Amen to the prayer of. “Yisgadal v’yiskadash Shemeih raba – May your great Name be magnified and sanctified,” which will come about at the time of the final redemption. And we should say with the utmost concentration and devotion the ending words of the Shemone Esrei, “L’ma’an yeichaltzun yididecha, hoshiah yeminecha va’aneini – In order that You should strengthen and deliver [two different meanings of the word yeichaltzun] your friend (Klal Yisroel), save us (Your people) with Your right hand, and answer me.”
One final idea. In truth we should know that there is nothing to fear from the coming of Moshiach. It will be a much more wonderful time. It is only logical that if Hashem commands us to want it, it is for our betterment. The Rambam, in his commentary on Mishnayos to the tenth perek of Sanhedrin, says that people will live much longer during the days of Moshiach. The Maharsha adds in Shabbos [51] that there will be no poverty in the days of Moshiach. It will also be a time when everyone’s questions about faith will be answered. And, this is one of the meanings of the word Teiku, “Tishbi yitareitz kushios v’ibaos – And Eliyahu will answer all questions and inquiries.”
In the merit of our renewed efforts in hoping for a very speedy redemption, may we all be found worthy to see the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days.
Transcribed and edited by Shelley Zeitlin.
