Moshiach
If one evil person was able to galvanize a nation of tens of millions to carry out the worst genocide in history, how much more so, is the same possible in the realm of goodness. One person can unleash the positive energy lying dormant in humanity.
The Primary Biblical Source
The Jewish belief in the Moshiach and the Messianic Age is firmly rooted in the Torah and in the hearts and minds of Jews throughout their long and painful history in exile. Jews have always expressed their belief that a day will come when G-d will make good on His promise that there will be peace in the world and the Jewish people will be free to realize their destiny and the entire world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d.
This Week’s Torah portion of Balak, Maimonides, writes is one of the Biblical sources for the belief, not only in a Messianic Age, but that it will be ushered in by a human, leader, we call Moshiach.
Bilam the Heathen prophet, sought to curse the Jewish people. Instead, G-d compelled him to utter blessings. One of these prophetic blessings reads as follows:
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh. A star steps out from Jacob and a scepter will arise from Israel…”
The event Bilam predicted is the coming of a great Jewish leader (“star” and “scepter”) who will reshape the world in the mold, G-d had intended for it.
Why a Human Moshiach?
The question many have asked is why there is a need to believe in a human Messiah who will usher in this age of utopia? Why can’t we just believe in a Messianic Age which will ultimately evolve?
The answer lies in a fundamental belief that Judaism introduced to the world, that our efforts count and that all major spiritual changes in this world have come through people.
G-d, even when He wishes to change the world, does so through special people, who serve as the role models and catalysts for these changes.
By awakening the spiritual potential of every Jew, Moses, for example, was the one who brought the Torah to the Jewish people.
Joshua was the leader who connected the Jewish people with the Holy Land.
King Solomon was the one who built G-d’s home - the Holy Temple.
Throughout every generation, the Jewish people were led by unique individuals, who enlightened, inspired and activated our own internal, goodness.
If one evil person was able to galvanize a nation of tens of millions to carry out the worst genocide in history, how much more so we have to believe that one person can unleash the positive energy lying dormant in humanity.
This individual is Moshiach!
Moshiach, will be the one who will bring out the best in all of us, and enable us to access our own essential holiness. When that happens the entire world will realize its own spiritual potential and we will see a world of total goodness and G-dliness..
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Balak by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
