Weekly Story: “Do Everything You Can To Bring Moshiach”

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

Thirty-one years ago, on the eve of chof-ches Nissan, when the Rebbe returned from the Ohel he said an epic sicha declaring that being that his actions did not succeed in bringing Moshiach, he is giving it over to each one of us to do whatever we can to bring Moshiach in a revealed manner.

However, that is not when the Rebbe began this campaign to bring Moshiach, it began many years earlier (or as many say from his first Maamar Basi L’Gani). In 5746 (1986) my brother Reb Yonah a”h asked permission to publish a Sefer with excerpts from various sichos of the Rebbe on the topic.

At that time (on the 1st of Adar Sheini) the Rebbe replied, “Not to” and he explained

It is clear that

1. Publishing these sichos would shortly arouse a battle in the belief of Moshiach’s arrival or strengthen the opposition by those who are already battling.

And the outcome is understood.

2. Anash and those Jews who are close to them have no need for such a Sefer because they enjoy/will study the sicha in the transcripts more than in the Sefer.[1]

The Sefer won’t add anything in spreading of the Torah and mitzvos and similar,[rather] it will harm the success of mivtzoyim and similar activities.

Receiving this answer my brother put the manuscripts of the book on the shelf and obviously didn’t publish it.

But then after the Rebbe’s sicha on chof-ches Nissan, he thought perhaps the time came to publish it, so he asked the Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Groner to ask again. However, Rabbi Groner said, Yonah after you received the answer where the Rebbe clearly said No, you don’t ask again.

But my brother thought the now was a stronger emphasis of living with a Moshiach mentality so he gave the papers to Rabbi Krinsky to ask the Rebbe when he took him to the Ohel that day.

Then not only did the Rebbe reply that it should be published but he added that it should be done speedily. Just now my brother added additional points from the Sichos that were said in the interim.

So as we commemorate this day, our goal should be to bring the geulah mentality in these final days of the golus.

With this in mind I decided to post from my book A Day To Recall, A Day To Remember, a synopsis of the sicha of Chof Ches Nissan, 5751.

As always your feedback is always appreciated, and may we indeed bring the reality of Moshiach in our daily life.

 “I have done everything I can [to bring Moshiach]; now I am giving it over to you.” (Sicha Chof Ches Nissan 5751- 1991)

In a Sicha, on Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel, 5727, 1967, the Rebbe said that when Moshiach will come, he would ask, “What did you do to hasten my coming?”

The Rebbe wants us to do something that would bring Moshiach closer. The time frame we have in which to act is not long; the era of Moshiach is very near. Shortly after the Rebbe spoke his historical Sicha of Chof-Ches Nissan 5751-1991, instructing us to do everything we can to help bring Moshiach, he asked Rabbi Groner, “What are the Chassidim doing in response to what I said?”

Rabbi Groner replied, “They are trying to discover exactly what the Rebbe wants them to do.”

The Rebbe said in amazement, “What to do?! I specifically told them to enhance in their observance of Mitzvos, learn more diligently, and spread Torah and Chassidus!” Let us all together answer this call! From the very beginning of his Nesius, the Rebbe would end every Sicha with the prayer, “We should merit Moshiach’s coming, speedily in our days!”

The Rambam writes that the belief in the coming of Moshiach is one[2] of the thirteen principles of faith of the Jewish nation. He concludes, speaking for every Jew, “Although he may tarry, I await him for he can come every [and any] day.” In his Sefer Yad HaChazaka the Rambam writes[3] that one should consider his actions, both as an individual and as part of general humanity, as being weighed on a scale. The scale is constantly in an uneasy balance. One positive deed could be the decisive one, that will tip the scale towards the good, bringing salvation for him and the entire world. When a person thinks that his deeds are of such consequence, and that so much depends on his actions, he will be naturally more conscious of his deeds. The Rebbe, therefore, constantly stresses that we should strive to do one more positive action (Mitzvah), through which we would help tip the scale towards Moshiach.

Two more basic concepts about Moshiach can thus be learned from the Rambam’s writings:

1) In every generation, there is someone worthy of being Moshiach. Since we are all capable of bringing his revelation every and any day, there must be someone in every generation that will fit the “job description” of Melech HaMoshiach.

2) Although Hashem decided to bring Moshiach by a certain date — B’Eto, we can hasten his coming before the ascribed time — Achishenah — through our actions.[4]

One may ask, in what way is our generation worthy and capable of bringing Moshiach? The previous generations were much greater in holiness than us and did not accomplish this task, so how could we?

The Rambam is not saying that only our personal actions — on their own — will bring Moshiach. Rather, we must look at ourselves as adding only the finishing touch to a long chain of good that the previous generations already accomplished. This is why the Rebbe often compares our generation to a midget, standing on the shoulders of a giant. Through the assistance of the giant who lifts him up, the midget can see farther and reach higher than the giant.

We, too, are perched on the shoulders of great giants — our ancestors. Their tremendous accomplishments over the past three thousand years, is what prepared the world for the revelation of Moshiach. All we have to do, is to take one more step, to extend ourselves, on tiptoe, so we can reach what the giants were unfortunately unable to reach: the final redemption! Hashem knows we can do this task — this one small step — and therefore he has given this task into our hands.

The Frierdiker Rebbe expressed this thought[5] in the form of a Moshol, a parable: The soldier’s uniform is pressed, his boots shined, and his medals are all pinned proudly to his shirtfront. The only thing that is lacking is the final buffing and polishing of his brass buttons, before he is ready to present himself in the parade.

Like this soldier, we too have to add only the finishing touches to a job largely done. The world has been prepared and is ready for Moshiach. Our task at hand is merely to add the crowning touch, so the Melech HaMoshiach can finally appear. In 5741, — 1981, the Rebbe established Tzivos Hashem for Jewish children under Bar and Bas Mitzvah. The new children’s club was to have a rallying cry, a slogan: “We Want Moshiach Now!”

It is not enough for us to hope and wait for Moshiach, the Rebbe explained; we must actively beseech Hashem to send him immediately. In the Shemoneh Esrei, the culmination of our Tefillos to Hashem, six[6] of its 19 Brachos are prayers for the redemption. Thus came the cry of “Ad Mosai”; how much longer must we wait, and remain in this Golus?

With the onset of the Gulf War in August 1990, the fear of Eretz Yisroel being drawn into the conflict escalated. Scud missiles were poised in Iraq, ready to be fired at any time towards Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe reassured the Jewish nation that Eretz Yisroel was extremely safe, and he cited the Yalkut Shimoni:[7] “In the year in which King Moshiach is revealed … the king of Persia will provoke an Arabian king … the Jewish people, too, will ask, ‘Where shall we come and go?’

“And the Almighty will answer them: ‘My children, do not fear. Whatever I have done, I have done only for your sakes. Why are you afraid? Have no fear! The time of your Redemption has arrived.’”[8]

In footnote #116 of Sichas Parshas Shoftim twwba,, pg. 792, the Rebbe wrote that the statement that Moshiach is here, is not merely a soothing message, to calm the Jewish nation with words of reassurance. It is a Navuah — a prophecy — a definite statement — that it is taking place. In other words, the Midrash in Yalkut Shimoni must be understood that the time of Redemption has already arrived.

It is not merely just another opportune[9] time for the arrival of Moshiach; it is the time arranged for the Geulah to take place. The Rebbe defined the year 5751, as Tehei Shnas Arenu Niflaos, the ‘Year I Will Show You Wonders’.[10] As the possuk says, “Just as you left Egypt amidst great wonders, I will show you (greater)[11] wonders when you are about to leave the final exile.”

Throughout 5741,-1981, the Rebbe repeatedly pointed to the many miraculous events that were constantly occurring around the world. All of these phenomenal happenings clearly showed us that we had entered that new era of open miracles.[12]

However, a question arises: If all this is so, and we have entered an era of Moshiach, and the time for our redemption is really here, why are we still in exile?

This is the question the Rebbe addressed in his Sicha on Chof-Ches Nissan, when he returned from the Ohel. The Rebbe reiterated the idea that Moshiach is ready to come; and discussed how the time was auspicious for his imminent arrival. It was the year of “revealing miracles”, in Nissan — which is the month of the original redemption from Egypt: and the date was Chof Ches, the twenty-eighth, the numerical value of twenty-eight in Hebrew is Koach — strength.

Thus, Today is the strength of Nissan, making it an extremely auspicious time for the redemption.

The Rebbe’s tone changed at this point in the Sicha, and he continued: “This arouses a perplexing question: How is it possible, notwithstanding all of the above, that the Jewish nation has yet to bring about the actual arrival of Moshiach?

“There is an even more astonishing factor present: there are many Jews gathered at this auspicious moment, a time ripe for the coming of the Moshiach, and they are not arousing themselves, making a tumult, trying to bring Moshiach’s arrival immediately! “Even when they do cry out “Ad Mosai”, — ‘how much longer do we have to wait’, it is said out of a feeling of obligation. If the cry, “Ad Mosai” would be genuine, then Moshiach would have definitely come already!

“What more can I do to motivate the entire Jewish people to clamor and cry out, and thus actually bring about the coming of Moshiach?…. All that I can possibly do is to give the matter over to you. Now, do everything you can to bring Moshiach, here and now, immediately… I have done everything I can: from now on, you must do whatever you can….”

 In a later Farbrengen, the Rebbe continued in the a similar vein and said: “Just open your eyes, and you will see Moshiach.” The Rebbe was pleading with us: Why are you so unmoved by this truth? Why are you distant from this reality? The Rebbe has said we have already “polished the buttons on the soldiers uniform”, and laid the groundwork for Moshiach.

One may ask, what difference will our actions make at this point, when all the work has been completed?

The Rebbe replies: Not only are our actions needed to hasten the revelation of the Geulah, it will also help us prepare ourselves for the great era of Moshiach. By doing those Mitzvos connected to the Geulah, we are demonstrating our Emunah, our belief that Hashem will immediately bring Moshiach, and keep His promise to us.

Another important aspect of our continuing to achieve further in this regard: When we do Mitzvos — and tell others to do, as well — for the coming of Moshiach while we are still in exile, we are revealing Hashem’s greatness in this Golus. We are thereby inserting the Aleph[13] — G-dliness — into the golah (Hebrew word for exile), transforming it into geulah (Hebrew word for Redemption).

The Rebbe issued a call on Chof Ches Nissan, “Higiah Z’man Geulaschem” — “The time for your redemption has arrived!” Now it is up to us to bring this cry of the Rebbe, borne out of true anguish and longing, to actuality.

Our Sages tell us, “Hashem does not demand of his creations more than they can handle.”[14] Although it may seem that the task that He assigns to a generation, is overwhelmingly large, we know that we are also given the ability to achieve whatever is demanded. The mission that the Rebbe entrusted us with, is tremendous. However, at the same time we were given the strength and ability to fulfill our task. Each person working towards the goal.

In the past, many of the Rebbe’s calls for various Mivtzoim and campaigns were successful and fruitful, despite initial skepticism (and even scoffing) from some individuals. So too will the ultimate campaign — Mivtza Moshiach — be crowned with outstanding success.

Let us all make that extra effort to take the small step, of bringing the Geulah into our lives. By learning ourselves and revealing to others the concepts of Moshiach and Geulah, we will merit: “Arise and rejoice, those who dwell in the dust.[15] And may he lead us speedily to our land”.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. he can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com

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[1] I believe the reasoning for this is, as in the transcripts one can read the entire sicha, whereas in this publication it is only excepts of it.

[2] It is principle number twelve.

[3] Hilchos Teshuva, chapter III, halachah IV.

[4] These are the last two words in Yeshayahu 60:22.

[5] Sicha of Simchas Torah 5689-1928.

[6] They are, blessings number three, He who resurrects the dead; number seven, redeemer of Israel; number ten, gathers His nation; number fourteen, the builder of Jerusalem; number fifteen, Who causes the power of salvation to flourish; number seventeen, who returns His sanctity to Tzion.

[7] Vol. II, section 499, interpreting Yeshayahu 60:1.

[8] Indeed from all the scuds that were fired on Eretz Yisroel, no one died from the many direct hits. However an American base that was hit by a single scud, had many casualties.

[9] As we find that many great scholars publicized a year in which they believed that Moshiach will be coming. They explained that that year was an opportune time to arouse Hashem’s compassion and send Moshiach.

[10] Michah 7:15.

[11] There are two opinions; the wonders of this redemption will be equal to the wonders of Mitzrayim, or they will be wonders even in comparison to the wonders of the redemption from Mitzrayim.

[12] For an in-depth study of the Rebbe’s sichos on this topic, see Sound the Great Shofar, published by Kehot Publishing Society.

[13] As we see in the possuk of Shema Yisroel the Aleph of the word Echad refers to Hashem.

[14] Bamidbar Rabbah 12:3.

[15] Yeshayahu 26:19.