Professor Yeshayahu Leibowitz was probably the greatest Jewish philosopher of my life. I used to see him walking the halls of Hebrew University when I was a student, but also at Mincha on Shabbat, when he would occasionally speak. A strict Maimonidean but also an iconoclast, he was asked if he believed in the coming of the Messiah. He answered, I believing in the COMING of the Messiah. If he came, he is not the Messiah!” His understand was that the Messiah was in a constant state of coming, of making the world a better place. A messiah who comes leaves no room for improvement. By the way, if you haven’t read much Leibowitz, you should check out his sister Nechama Leibowitz, one of Israel’s most popular teachers of Tanakh. Here is Leibowitz discussing Mashiach. https://youtu.be/Zz-QMDPW5RM?si=MZyNA5pbIsq8cVU4
I prefer to see the references to the messiah in traditional Jewish sources as a longing and hope for a better tomorrow than a belief in a specific event and doctrine. I know that it wasn't necessarily intended that way, but that was the underlying motivation behind those statements even then, and that's how it can still be relevant to us today.
That longing can also be a catalyst for action as much as we have the ability, but it can also be a wish for something beyond we can ever accomplish our own.
This wish is not yes or no, but rather comes in many shades of grey. In particular, the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 was a big step in the fulfillment of a glorious future for the Jews, where we returned to our homeland from all corners of the globe. But of course, there's still so much to long for, including the end of anti-semitism, and more generally, the end of all suffering, evil and confusion from the Earth.
I vaguely remember that cartoon from my own childhood, or at least the "Do not worry, never fear" bit.
I've never really had trouble believing in Mashiach. Just as I can't understand a deist God Who abandoned His creation, I can't understand one Who would let war and violence (particularly directed against His special people) continue indefinitely. Once I've accepted God, Mashiach follows quite naturally to me.
I think it's worth noting that a lot about the Messianic Age is unspecified or debated, theologically. Will there be miracles or will life be like normal, but without violence and antisemitism? Will the resurrection of the dead be at the beginning of the Messianic Age or the end, right before the final judgment? Will non-Jews convert to Judaism or just recognise God and live by the Noachide Code? All these things are debated.
My favourite thoughts as to when Machiach will come: the Kotzker Rebbe is supposed to have said, "Jews have tried to "bring" Mashiach. You can't "bring" him. One day, when the Jews are occupied with their livelihoods, he will come." Meaning, I think, we shouldn't try to "bring Mashiach," we should try to live good Jewish lives and Mashiach will just come.
Perhaps similarly, HaRav Franz Kafka famously said the Messiah will come the day after he is no longer necessary.
Rabbi Akiva Tatz says that “Mechias Hamesim “, revival of the dead, is much less miraculous than birth. First of all, we see it every day in the plant world: a little peach pit rots (dies) and eventually is re-born, revived, as a sprout and then a peach tree.
Secondly, think about the process of birth: from that unlikely conception to the myriad of details that go into the development of a human being for 9 months. Then, a creature that is submerged in liquid, “breathing” blood through a tube in its stomach, miraculously emerges and in a microsecond suddenly breathes air, and the liquid he was in an hour before would be a death trap to him now. I dunno. Maybe it’s not as far away as we think.
When people say, we need Moshiach. They often mean that instead of praying only for my personal salvation, I will pray for something that helps everyone.
Professor Yeshayahu Leibowitz was probably the greatest Jewish philosopher of my life. I used to see him walking the halls of Hebrew University when I was a student, but also at Mincha on Shabbat, when he would occasionally speak. A strict Maimonidean but also an iconoclast, he was asked if he believed in the coming of the Messiah. He answered, I believing in the COMING of the Messiah. If he came, he is not the Messiah!” His understand was that the Messiah was in a constant state of coming, of making the world a better place. A messiah who comes leaves no room for improvement. By the way, if you haven’t read much Leibowitz, you should check out his sister Nechama Leibowitz, one of Israel’s most popular teachers of Tanakh. Here is Leibowitz discussing Mashiach. https://youtu.be/Zz-QMDPW5RM?si=MZyNA5pbIsq8cVU4
I like this attitude a lot.
I prefer to see the references to the messiah in traditional Jewish sources as a longing and hope for a better tomorrow than a belief in a specific event and doctrine. I know that it wasn't necessarily intended that way, but that was the underlying motivation behind those statements even then, and that's how it can still be relevant to us today.
That longing can also be a catalyst for action as much as we have the ability, but it can also be a wish for something beyond we can ever accomplish our own.
This wish is not yes or no, but rather comes in many shades of grey. In particular, the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 was a big step in the fulfillment of a glorious future for the Jews, where we returned to our homeland from all corners of the globe. But of course, there's still so much to long for, including the end of anti-semitism, and more generally, the end of all suffering, evil and confusion from the Earth.
"I have thoughts and strong feelings on that matter, but that is a whole kettle of fish I don’t care to open in this post"
I want to read that post!
Yeah, I'm not sure how to write that one without losing friends. . . . but I'll get to it one day.
I vaguely remember that cartoon from my own childhood, or at least the "Do not worry, never fear" bit.
I've never really had trouble believing in Mashiach. Just as I can't understand a deist God Who abandoned His creation, I can't understand one Who would let war and violence (particularly directed against His special people) continue indefinitely. Once I've accepted God, Mashiach follows quite naturally to me.
I think it's worth noting that a lot about the Messianic Age is unspecified or debated, theologically. Will there be miracles or will life be like normal, but without violence and antisemitism? Will the resurrection of the dead be at the beginning of the Messianic Age or the end, right before the final judgment? Will non-Jews convert to Judaism or just recognise God and live by the Noachide Code? All these things are debated.
My favourite thoughts as to when Machiach will come: the Kotzker Rebbe is supposed to have said, "Jews have tried to "bring" Mashiach. You can't "bring" him. One day, when the Jews are occupied with their livelihoods, he will come." Meaning, I think, we shouldn't try to "bring Mashiach," we should try to live good Jewish lives and Mashiach will just come.
Perhaps similarly, HaRav Franz Kafka famously said the Messiah will come the day after he is no longer necessary.
Good points on how Moshiach can be motivational. There's a link in the article if you want to rewatch that episode. It's a classic.
Rabbi Akiva Tatz says that “Mechias Hamesim “, revival of the dead, is much less miraculous than birth. First of all, we see it every day in the plant world: a little peach pit rots (dies) and eventually is re-born, revived, as a sprout and then a peach tree.
Secondly, think about the process of birth: from that unlikely conception to the myriad of details that go into the development of a human being for 9 months. Then, a creature that is submerged in liquid, “breathing” blood through a tube in its stomach, miraculously emerges and in a microsecond suddenly breathes air, and the liquid he was in an hour before would be a death trap to him now. I dunno. Maybe it’s not as far away as we think.
I love Rabbi Tatz. When I first started learning about Judaism, I listened to something like 80 hours of his talks. Made a deep impression on me.
Praying for Moshiach is the prayer for a collective redemption. Most other prayers are for personal redemption.
When people say, we need Moshiach. They often mean that instead of praying only for my personal salvation, I will pray for something that helps everyone.
You know this, I’m sure. But I thought I should add it in anyway.
No, I appreciate that perspective. It makes sense and is something that I didn’t really think of.
It explains its relevance sometimes.
Yeah, I get that. I’m just saying it’s a concept that I struggle with in terms of faith.
Definitely;
Fixed. Thanks!