Torah Adherence and the Arrival of the Messiah

Moshe Ben-Chaim

Reader: On the surface of it, the above article, indeed its basis in the Torah, is quite impressive, i.e., there is a correlation between our observance of the commands, and G-d's "hashgacha" - His providence. However, this does not seem to occur in actual historic fact.

There are 2 cases in recorded history where the entire people have been frum, and have done teshuva yet, this did not bring peace, redemption, or moshiach, rather the opposite, death, destruction, exile. These cases were Hezekiah, and Josiah.

Now, why should, doing mitzvot today, without any prophets or kings, have any influence on matters?

Many thanks, Ed

Mesora: Ed, there are two issues here, at the least, 1)When God decides to bring Moshiach, the Messiah, and, 2)Whether the Torah lifestyle the best life.

The answer to the latter is a most definite yes. This is not contingent on the Moshiach arriving. All our great sages and Rabbis throughout the generations adhered meticulously to the values and commands decreed by God in His Torah. They followed God, as God knows what is best for man's happiness. They saw the truths disclosed in the verses of Torah, Prophets, and Writings, as well as all of the Oral Law, the Mishna, Talmud and Rishonic and Acharonic writings. Theirs were lives dedicated in action, to what their minds told them is the best life. Their choice was independent of the arrival of the Moshiach.

Understand what the Rabbis taught, "There is no difference between now, and the era of the Messiah, except for the foreign nations' oppression." This means that even in the era of the Messiah, Torah study and adherence to the commands continue to reign supreme. The Rabbis would not be acting any different in the era of the Messiah. I don't know what all the Messianic fervor is about, expressed by those who do not study Torah, or by those who do study, but have fantasies about the era to be.Ê What do they think will happen when Messiah arrives? Will Torah become null and void? Will miracles happen on a daily basis? Why don't we consult the Rabbis, "There is no difference between now and the era of the Messiah, except for the foreign nations' oppression.ä Torah is the greatest of all Torah commands, as discussed in the Talmud (Moade Katan 9a-b). Certainly the Messiah must be constantly involved in study, how else will he be chosen? How else will he teach the entire world? The Messiah will be one who exemplifies this Talmudic portion, par excellence. (The derivation of the proof that Torah study is the greatest command comes from the words of King Solomon, one of the wisest Torah scholars to have ever lived. This being the case, the Messiah's uninterrupted involvement in Torah study is derived from Torah, Talmud, and the actions of Judaism's greatest minds.)

"Not are my thoughts your thoughts, and not are your ways mine, so says God..." We cannot approach what God's considerations are for bringing the Messiah. He has already decided when he shall arrive. This event in no way mitigates our involvement in Torah study.

When God wishes, He will cause the Messiah to enter the world stage. Let us hope we are there to see this great event, may it happen soon, so we may learn even more of God's Torah wisdom.