How Much Longer?

Acting impulsively is not always a vice. When we respond, unprepared, to doing good, it is an indication that we have internalized goodness.

Sending the Mother Bird; Bringing Moshiach

One of the many Mitzvos that are discussed in this week’s Parsha, Ki Seitzei—which, incidentally contains more Mitzvos (commandments) than any other Parsha—is the one about sending the mother bird away from its nest, when one wants to take ownerless eggs or little birds.

In the words of the Torah:

“If you shall chance upon a nest of birds that is before you, while on the road, on any tree or on the earth… send away the mother… In order that it shall be good for you and you shall live long.”

The Midrash comments:

“If you shall observe this commandment, you shall hasten the coming of Moshiach concerning whom the expression of “sending” is used…Alternatively, He shall hasten to send you Elijah the prophet, concerning whom the expression of “sending” is employed.”

At first glance it is hard to understand why this Mitzvah in particular has the capacity to hasten the coming of Moshiach or Elijah the prophet? (See preceding essay for an alternate approach.)

A Chance of a Lifetime

One answer to this riddle can be found in the opening phrase of this Mitzvah: “If you shall chance upon a nest…” The Talmud explains that this term was intended to exclude one who was already in possession of these birds. The Mitzvah of sending away the mother bird applies only when one unexpectedly chances upon the nest.

At first glance this appears rather unusual. Why should we have an obligation to send away the mother bird only when we didn’t anticipate doing the Mitzvah? If the compassionate and proper thing is to send away the mother bird when taking its offspring, why should it not apply for all birds?

The answer lies in an understanding of human nature as it pertains to acts of kindness and goodness. Most of the time, we perform acts of kindness and compassion after we become acquainted with the situation. We see a poor person, for example, whose pitiful plight stir up feelings of compassion in our heart. In most of these cases we do not act impulsively because we usually have sufficient time to become aware of and reflect on the need of the other.

In these cases, our display of compassion is a response to an existing and known situation. Most people, afforded the time would react the way one should, given the requisite time and familiarity with the situation.

The Test

There are times, however, when we don’t have the luxury to prepare for the performance of the Mitzvah. Here a crucial test confronts us. Will we respond properly? Or will we be caught off guard? Does our Judaism begin with our brain, or does it come from our gut?

When we do react instantly, it is an indication that our Judaism and our humanitarian feelings are inseparable from ourselves. It is an indication that we are so spiritually sophisticated that we will do that which is right, intuitively.

It is clear that most people would not act properly, if they were denied the opportunity to assess and reflect on the situation. Thus, to instill within us the power to react properly without preparation, to impulsively and intuitively act with kindness and compassion, the Torah gave us one Mitzvah, which can only be performed without preparation.

A Mitzvah is not only a commandment it is also a Divine license and generator to be able to perform it. By giving us a Mitzvah to act compassionately without hesitation and preparation, the Torah has thereby provided us with the spiritual energy to act and live in the most G-dly manner, even when we lack the time and circumstances to psyche ourselves to perform a Mitzvah.

Remove the Obstacle

We can now understand why our Sages link the performance of this Mitzvah with the hastening of the coming of Moshiach and Elijah the prophet. One of the obstacles to the coming of Moshiach is the fact that we are not spiritually in tune with the level of commitment needed in the observance of G-d’s commandments. In short, we are not adequately prepared for an age of peace and pervasive holiness.

To be sure, as the Talmud states, Moshiach can and will come in spite of our lack of preparedness at some designated time. But our fervent desire is for Moshiach to come even sooner than the designated time, and that Moshiach’s coming should be because of us not in spite of us.

How do we demonstrate that we are ready?

One answer is that when we fulfill a Mitzvah that can only be observed when we are not prepared for it, it demonstrates that, indeed, we are eminently and inherently prepared for a Mitzvah at all times.

Moshiach will Come Spontaneously!

This might explain the statement in the Talmud that Moshiach will come when we are distracted from it.

May commentators have been puzzled by this statement because no Jew may ever stop anticipating the Redemption. How then could the Talmud state that we will be distracted?

One of the answers is that Moshiach’s coming will supersede our expectations.

Perhaps we can offer a novel interpretation based on the above premise that when we can do a Mitzvah spontaneously it is a sign that we have fully integrated it into our system:

The above can also be applied to Moshiach and Redemption:

Moshiach’s coming is ideal when we are so sensitized to doing good and being prepared for the Redemption that even when we are engaged in other activities that ostensibly have nothing to do with Moshiach we are nevertheless attuned to him. When we have so internalized Moshiach that even when we are distracted we are ready!

G-d, Please Act Impulsively and Bring Moshiach!

Moreover, even if we are not sufficiently prepared, our onetime impulsive observance of a Mitzvah conveys yet another message to G-d:

Just as we, the Jewish people have transcended our normal routines and have acted impulsively to do the right thing, by performing this Mitzvah of sending away the mother bird, please G-d reciprocate by acting “impulsively” and bring us Moshiach and Elijah the prophet to usher in an age of peace and holiness.

We, in effect, say to G-d, “Even if You think we are not yet sufficiently prepared, please do not wait any longer, bring us Moshiach now and bring an end to all the violence and bloodshed that has engulfed Israel and the world in recent times!”

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Ki Seitzei by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.