Why should we try to bring Moshiach?

It is a fundamental Jewish belief the Moshiach will indeed come eventually. This would seem to raise a question: Why should we exert ourselves to bring something that will come in any case? In fact, perhaps it is better to wait passively for G-d to fulfill the predictions given by His prophets regarding the coming of Moshiach. In answer to this question, the Rebbes of Chabad have explained that there are two manners in which Moshiach can come: if the world is ready and prepared for him; or if it is not. If the world prepares itself for the Messianic revelation, then the revelation can come sooner, and it can be a deeper, more fulfilling revelation, compared to if the world is not really ready. And it is our effort that makes us, and the world, ready for Moshiach.

This can be illustrated by the example of two students who attend a lecture, one student who has studied the material in advance, and one who has not. After the lecture, both students will now know the subject, but the one who has studied in advance will have a deeper appreciation of it. Thus, our effort to be ready will give us and the world a deeper experience of the Divine revelation of the Messianic era.

Furthermore, imagine a father who has decided to give a present to his son in any case. But he will be proud if his child behaves in a way to be deserving of the gift. Perhaps, G-d also will be pleased if His creatures act in a way to be deserving of the kindness that He displays by giving us the revelation of His Divinity through the coming of Moshiach.

What is the role of prayer in bringing Moshiach?

The power of prayer is another fundamental belief of Judaism. According to the great commentator Rambam, one of the 613 commandments of the Torah is to pray to G-d for fulfillment of our needs. The Sages of the Great Assembly, including many prophets, have arranged the daily prayer services, which the Jewish people have observed for over two thousand years. Our holiest prayer, the Amidah, is also known as the eighteen blessings. Seven of the eighteen blessings contain references to redemption, including the concepts of revival of the dead, ingathering of the exiles, restoration of the Davidic monarchy, and resumption of the Temple Service. Can you find the references? Certainly those who arranged this prayer wanted us to pray for the coming of Moshiach.

If G-d plans to send Moshiach anyway, why would He want us to pray for it? The answer may be that G-d desires the prayers of His children.

What actions can we take to bring Moshiach?

A person has two general areas of life: internal, and external in relation to other people. In both of these, we can make preparations for Moshiach’s coming. In our internal life, we can train our hearts and minds to be aware of G-d’s presence in every thing. Also, we can commit our selves and lives to His service. This is called Tshuvah, literally, “return,” turning the direction of our lives to Him. When we realize that there is no power, no creative influence, no director, and no existence besides G-d, we become ready for Moshiach, who will reveal these concepts to us on an even deeper level. In this process, we also cultivate an attitude of faith and trust in G-d’s goodness and caring for us. And in our relations to others, we can increase in acts of goodness and kindness. Since the Creator desires that the world be a good place, when we make the world a better place, it becomes a more comfortable place for His presence.

Additionally, the Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, has recommended study of the Rabbinical works and references to the time of Moshiach. These include the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam (Maimonides), Laws of Kings, chapters 11 and 12. Additionally, he called for the study of the inner aspects of Torah, especially the Chassidic philosophy of Chabad. Since the Messianic era will bring a revelation of the inner aspect of Torah, therefore its study makes us ready for that revelation.

What is “Living with Moshiach?”

If we do our best in all the things mentioned above, we become personally ready for Moshiach’s arrival. In that case, our lives can now be something like the way it would be when Moshiach comes. For us as individuals, that can be considered an individual redemption. It is also called “living with Moshiach.” It is said that certain Tzaddikim (holy men) were on that spiritual level. But this will be the case for the Jewish People as a whole, when the general redemption occurs. What would happen if every person developed him or herself to that level? Then the redemption would be here!