Messianic Era in Judaism: 9 Essential Insights to Know

1) If Free Will Ends in the Messianic Era, Why Desire Redemption?

In the days of redemption, free choice (bechirah chofshit) will be nullified and the evil inclination (yetzer hara) will no longer exist. That means people will no longer be able to repent, wrestle with trials, or earn spiritual reward by rising through spiritual ranks. Now, when we struggle and prevail in serving God, we are elevated. How can we truly want redemption?

The Chofetz Chaim answers: “Indeed, the meaning of serving God applies specifically now, while evil exists in the world. However, we must desire that the honor of Heaven be revealed to all, and the pain over desecration of God’s Name must outweigh any other calculation; therefore we should look forward to the revelation of God’s honor in the world.” (Shem Olam, vol. II, ch. 18).

2) If Spiritual Darkness Deepens in Every Exile, How Can the World Be Repaired?

Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler explains: “What benefit is there in exile? If the generations keep diminishing, how will repair (tikkun) be possible? The smaller the generations become and the further the environment drifts from Torah, the greater and immeasurable the sanctification of God’s Name (kiddush Hashem) in every small turning toward Torah and Divine service.

The Chida cites that R. Chaim Vital raised the issue with his teacher, the holy Ari, that the holiness of the Tannaim and Amoraim is astounding and people in our generation cannot do one out of a thousand of their deeds. The Ari replied that now the ‘other side of holiness’ (sitra achra) has become very strong, and the little that is done is considered before God as great as the deeds of the earlier ones.” (Michtav Me’Eliyahu, vol. IV, p. 301).

3) What Is the Purpose of Exile?

“It is critically important to clarify the nature of all the exiles that Israel has endured among the nations since becoming a people. Exile — like all modes of Divine governance, comes to awaken us, teach us, and bring us to self-repair. One who doesn’t clarify the matter of exile lacks essential learning in serving God. All the more so we must clarify the exile we are in now. According to the signs given by our Sages (Sotah 49), our generation is the generation of ikveta d’Meshicha (the ‘heels’/footsteps of Mashiach). We stand before the arrival of the righteous Redeemer, and it is a great loss if we do not learn to understand God’s governance in our days and if we do not properly assess the urgent duty placed upon us.” (R. Eliyahu Dessler, Michtav Me’Eliyahu, vol. III, p. 207).

4) What Is the Trial of the Fourth (current) Exile?

“Since the destruction of the Temple, the pride/power of the fourth kingdom has grown. In this exile, the concealment and darkness stemming from Adam’s sin increase, and materialistic worldviews multiply and overshadow spirituality. Generation after generation, science advances, opportunities to exploit the world for human benefit expand, and human arrogance grows — as if everything is in human hands and nothing is beyond reach. Heretical views about human supremacy spread across the entire world, openly warring against faith and those who believe in God and His Torah. This is the core of the fourth exile and our trial is to stand against it.

“The end of this exile is the period our Sages refer to as ikveta d’Meshicha, when ‘insolence will abound’ (Sotah 49). Then the Shechinah’s exile will be under the hand of Israel’s brazen ones — souls of the ‘erev rav’ (mixed multitude) intermingled in Israel, whose root impurity is chutzpah against Heaven — the trait of Amalek… By their arrogance and power they try to disseminate impure, heretical views of ‘my strength and the might of my hand,’ and they brazenly oppose faith, Torah, and Divine service.” (R. Dessler, Michtav Me’Eliyahu).

5) What Reward Awaits Those Who Stand Firm in This Fourth-Exile Trial?

“Those who stand with firmness and inner courage against the false doctrines of ‘my strength and the might of my hand’ — unmoved by the brazenness of heresy and not bowing to it at all; they strengthen their faith, adhere unwaveringly to the outlook of the Torah and our Sages, and devote themselves wholly to inner work in Torah, prayer, and fear of Heaven — these will merit the complete redemption by our righteous Mashiach, speedily in our days. For them, the supernal light of clear knowledge will reappear, and the deepening darkness since Adam’s sin will be rectified. They will merit the final repair down here (in this world) and the revelation of the majestic glory of God’s kingship in the World to Come — malchuta d’salka le’eila (kingship that ascends on high).” (R. Dessler, Michtav Me’Eliyahu).

6) What Is the Purpose of the “Birth Pangs of Mashiach” (Chevlei Mashiach)?

“The troubles of chevlei Mashiach are intended to arouse us to strengthen ourselves with all our might to prepare for Mashiach, for he will come suddenly — before we turn to reflect, and he will find us unawares, as our Sages said: ‘Three things come unexpectedly — Mashiach…’ (Sanhedrin 97). Whoever is not ready then for his arrival will, God forbid, remain outside his revelation.” (R. Dessler, Michtav Me’Eliyahu).

7) Will We Sense It’s About to Happen Just Before Mashiach Arrives?

“For the entire duration of chevlei Mashiach there will be no definitive sign or hint of the redemption. Nevertheless, the prophet assures us that all this is a preparation for redemption. Redemption will come suddenly, as it says, ‘Suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to His Temple’ (Malachi 3:1).” (R. Dessler, Michtav Me’Eliyahu).

8) When Will Messianic Kingship Be Revealed?

“Messianic kingship sprouts and is revealed out of Edomite kingship; through the downfall of Edom, the Kingship of Heaven rises — ‘and the kingship shall be the Lord’s.’ Edom’s fall will come only through the collapse of this world’s foundations — when God brings the world to a state in which the basics of worldly life crumble, serenity is shaken, personal life becomes marked by worry, fear, and suffering, and the entire world stands under the dread of ruin and destruction. Then it will be revealed to all that human boasting and pride in ‘conquering nature’ lead only to ruin. People will recognize the emptiness and loss of worldly life when stripped of spiritual content, which leads only to destruction. When humans despair of chasing desires and cravings, the light of Mashiach will be revealed — ‘Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esav’ — and the downfall of Edom will be visible to all.” (R. Dessler, Michtav Me’Eliyahu, vol. III, p. 204).

9) What Should We Do Before Mashiach Comes?

“Every upright person should contemplate what will be when our righteous Mashiach arrives. Who will be the happiest person? Those who clung to the Blessed One amid intensifying troubles and hardships, who stood their post as loyal Jews to God and His Torah — the light of God will shine upon their faces, each according to his level in Torah knowledge and mitzvah observance… Therefore, everyone must now strengthen himself in Torah knowledge and mitzvah observance, for after Mashiach comes there is neither merit nor liability — since the evil inclination will then be nullified.” (The Chofetz Chaim, essay “Tzipita L’Yeshua”).