From: mer@zurlvm1.bitnet
Subject: Re: "Bringing Moshiach" Terminology (was: Rambam)
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 11:29:47 GMT
Organization: IBM T. J. Watson Research

In  <1992Jun24.195610.4425@cirrus.com>  chrism@cirrus.com (Chris Metcalfe) writes:
>
> I am always suprised when people assert that doing mitzvot "brings" the
> Moshiach as if it were a theurgic magical operation.  I understand that
> redemption is linked to mitzvot in many places in the Torah, but this
> "bringing" terminology emphasized by the Hasidim seems to me to leave
> Ha-Shem completely out of the process.  Moshiach will come when Ha-Shem
> deems it is appropriate, not when a certain (identifiable?) level of
> observance by Klal Yisrael is achieved.

> ....  When one concentrates only on the
> final redemption as the fruit of one's acts, one runs the risk of
> "worshipping" Moshiach by attaching such centrality to his role.

 Anyone who leaves HASHEM out of the process or "worships" Moshiach is
 a fool or worse.

 Still, Hassidim consider it entirely appropriate beginning with the advent
 of the Baal Shem Tov, to be more Moshiach-centric in their observance.
 Moshiach's arrival is the ultimate test of our satisfactory completion
 of the Jewish mission. The longing for his arrival is a pre-requisite to his
 coming. The completion of a certain number of Mitzvos is already mentioned
 by the Rishonim as a pre-requisite, as is the special emphasis on Ahavat
 Yisroel as an antedote to the Sinass Chinam which caused the Golus.
 And all of this because that is what Hashem wants.

 Hashem will bring Moshiach when we have completed our job, or in the
 worst case, when the clock runs out. The scoreboard is not visible to us.

 The coming of Moshiach is important to us because of the spiritual
 changes that the world will enjoy. Moshiach will be Hashem's human agent
 to usher in the change, just as Moshe Rabbenu was in his time. At that time
 everyone will become aware of Hashem's presence.

 Moshiach will help us do more
 Mitzvos (by rebuilding the Bet Hamikdash) and will help us do Teshuva and
 get closer to Hashem in the process (quite different than other religious
 figures in other beliefs). Judaism has always had the concept of Tzaddikim
 who help the others. Moshiach completes what Moshe began.

> Remember that we are also promised individual reward for observing
> mitzvot, both in this world and in the next -- see the preliminary
> daily prayers on honoring parents, leaving the corner of the field,
> bringing first fruits, visiting the sick, etc.

 One does not preclude the other, but we are warned against Mitzva performance
 merely for the rewards / punishments. Chassidus describes the greatest
 reward for Mitzva performance to be the spiritual bond between the
 perfomer and Hashem, as the Mishna relates "the reward for a Mitzva is the
 Mitzva."

 Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. The time has come to prepare
 ourselves spiritually for Moshiach's coming. If we succeed in speeding
 this up by even one day, we will have accomplished great good. Had the
 pevious generation taken the Chofetz Chaim more seriously on this, things
 would no doubt look a lot better today. We have a chance again, let's use it.

 There is no due date known, and the identity of Moshiach is in Hashem's
 hands. (Each person may see his Rabbi as the likeliest candidate, but in
 the final analysis Hashem gets to choose.) I see no reason why
 one should not try to do whatever is possible to speed Moshiach's coming.
 Possible misunderstandings should be tackled intelligently, so that
 unwanted side-effects are avoided. I think this process is well under
 way on both extremes. Many who were overly ecstatic are beginning to realize
 that there is no magic involved. Those who were skeptical are also
 starting to hear the real Torah-true message.

Moshe Rappoport