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Why Plan Ahead,

If Moshiach's Coming Is Imminent?

by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg

"Why should we do mitzvos now and plan the construction of Jewish institutions if Moshiach's coming is imminent?"

The most obvious answer to the question is that the way to bring Moshiach is through action not inaction. In the words of the Alter Rebbe ¹, "this culminating fulfillment of the Messianic Era and of the Resurrection of the Dead, which is the revelation of the blessed En Sof in this material world, depends on our actions and service throughout the Golus. " It seems, though, that the questioner conceives of the Messianic Era as an escape from reality, responsibility and work. It is perceived as a long earned vacation from the hard work which characterized our Golus experience. Wouldn't it make sense, then, to relax our efforts as the Messianic Age draws near and certainly not to embark on new projects?

This premise is patently false. Moshiach will not diminish the Torah. On the contrary, he will intensify its observance. ² And, therefore, the closer we come to his arrival, the more significance should be attached to the observance of mitzvos, individually as well as collectively. This is, in fact, the best time to initiate extensive, new, imaginative projects.

Furthermore, as the Ramban states, mitzvos today are merely a preparation for the mitzvos we will observe when Moshiach comes. It follows then, that when the final moment of preparation arrives, the last "rehearsal," the "performance" must be virtually flawless. It must approximate, the way it will be when we are "on stage" for the "real thing."

In Chassidic terminology; ³ the mitzvos, which deal with the most material and lowly aspects of life, which we have performed throughout Golus, were intended to refine the world. As time progresses, there remain fewer areas that must be affected by the mitzvos. And, logically speaking, there must be a point in time when the refining process is completed.

The Rebbe has declared that we have completed the task of refining the world, and now what is left for us to do, is to "open our eyes" to the new reality of the world and to accept Moshiach." ⁴  The focus of our mitzvos now, as we are situated "on the threshold of Moshiach," is to help us open our eyes and accept Moshiach. When Moshiach will be fully revealed to the world and will finally liberate us from Golus, mitzvos will not be rendered obsolete. On the contrary, mitzvos will then serve yet another, even higher, function, such as bringing about a greater unity with Hashem, eliciting more sublime manifestations of G-dliness in the world.

Accordingly, it is not only proper for us to continue performing mitzvos as before, but, we are at a point wherein our mitzvos are becoming more potent. The mitzvos we perform today, during this transitional period, may thus be described, as the link between Golus and Geulah. We are the "civil engineers," whom G-d has chosen, to build the final bridge that will transport all of us, and all of existence into the world of Geulah. ⁵  

One more point, which is perhaps, the most salient: When Moshiach will be fully revealed, our avodah, will take on a new quality: mitzvos will come naturally for a Jew. The one positive ingredient of Golus, its ability to challenge us, will no longer be possible after Moshiach arrives. Hence, the emphasis of doing things now, is to savor the remaining flavor of the challenge of Golus while it is still possible."

One can still raise the question as to why there is a necessity to build shuls and yeshivos, private and public structures in the Diaspora, inasmuch as we will soon be in Eretz Yisroel and will no longer need these buildings.

The answer lies in the oft cited" tradition that when Moshiach comes all of the synagogues and Houses of Study will be transported to Israel with us. The Rebbe" has extended this to include all of our houses, in which we engage in Torah, tefillah, and acts of kindness.

¹  Tanya ch. 37.

²  Hilchot Teshuvah 9:2.

³  Tanya, ch. 36-37.

⁴  See Besuras HaGeulah, especially sec. 47-52.

⁵  See Besurat HaGeulah p. 60; Sefer HaSichos 5751, vol. II, p. 695-708.

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