Why Should We Long for Mashiach? Finding Hope Beyond the Fear of Redemption

I would like to ask about anticipating the coming of Mashiach. We know that belief in Mashiach is one of the fundamental principles of Judaism, and that every Jew is expected to pray for and eagerly await his arrival.

Personally, however, I find this difficult. We are taught that before Mashiach comes there will be great suffering. There will be the War of Gog and Magog, and only a fraction of humanity will survive. Furthermore, not everyone among the Jewish people will merit redemption — only those who are truly worthy. Who can say that I or my family are worthy? Perhaps we will not merit it. Not to mention all the hardships, wars, and suffering that are supposed to precede the redemption. This frightens me.

As a result, when I pray for the coming of Mashiach, I do not feel wholeheartedly that I am truly longing for it. Intellectually, I understand that it will be good for the Jewish people as a whole. Emotionally, however, it is difficult for me to pray for something that appears to involve so much suffering and uncertainty, especially when I am not even sure I will be among those who benefit from it.

I would appreciate an answer that addresses me as an individual, rather than focusing on the Jewish people in general.

* * *

Before addressing your important question, it is necessary to clarify several assumptions. You wrote that before Mashiach comes there will certainly be terrible suffering, a war of Gog and Magog, that only a third of the world will survive, and that not all Jews will merit redemption.

These statements are not as clear-cut as they may seem.

Many verses in the Prophets and numerous teachings of our Sages describe the process of redemption and the events that precede it. Yet even after studying all these sources, the picture remains far from fully understood. In fact, Maimonides himself concludes his discussion of these matters with the famous statement: "All these matters, and others like them, no person knows how they will occur until they actually happen." (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 12:2)

It is possible that the War of Gog and Magog has already occurred. It is possible that aspects of it are unfolding now on a spiritual level. It is possible that within moments, the entire situation could transform and tremendous salvations could emerge everywhere. Everything remains possible.

One thing, however, is certain: the manner in which redemption unfolds depends greatly on us. If we increase our repentance, prayer, and good deeds, we contribute spiritual strength that draws redemption through kindness and mercy. If, however, we surrender to despair and spiritual complacency, we may strengthen the path of judgment instead.

Will Every Jew Merit Redemption?

You expressed concern that perhaps not everyone will merit redemption.

Here, too, it is important to correct the picture. God repeatedly promised through His prophets that He will ultimately redeem the entire Jewish people — all of us, without exception. Whether through mercy or through judgment, Israel will ultimately return to God.

The prophet Ezekiel declares: "Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out... I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of cloud and darkness... I Myself will tend My flock... I will seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak." (Ezekiel 34:11,16)

Everything will be repaired. Every soul, every body, every family, and every tribe. Ultimately, everything will be brought to peace. The leader of this magnificent process will be Mashiach himself, for whom we long.

As Ezekiel continues: "I will establish over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he shall tend them... and My servant David shall be prince among them." (Ezekiel 34:23–24)

Why We Need Mashiach More Than We Realize

Our task in this generation — which many regard as the footsteps of Mashiach — is to prepare ourselves for his arrival and to yearn for him with all our hearts.

Those who feel lost, broken, distant, or spiritually exhausted should actually find themselves longing even more for the Shepherd who seeks the lost, returns the scattered, heals the brokenhearted, and strengthens the weak.

Perhaps one purpose of the difficulties that confront us is to remind us how deeply we ourselves need redemption. Even those who observe Torah and mitzvot often discover within themselves confusion, spiritual darkness, bad habits, superficiality, and distance from God.

The redemption is not only for "other people." It is also for us.

The Real Question: What About the Suffering?

You may respond: "All of this sounds beautiful. But I was asking about the price. What about the suffering? What about the fear? Where do we find the strength to endure it?"

That is a fair question.

Indeed, our Sages referred to the difficult period preceding redemption as Chevlei Mashiach — the birth pangs of Mashiach. Yet the very term they chose contains the answer.

The prophet Isaiah describes redemption in precisely these terms: "As a pregnant woman nearing childbirth writhes and cries out in her labor pains, so have we been before You, O Lord." (Isaiah 26:17)

He then continues: "We were pregnant, we writhed in pain..." (Isaiah 26:18)

Why the Sages Called It "Birth Pangs"

The Maharal explains: "Just as every destruction is a change, so too every creation is a change in the world, and this is called the birth pangs of Mashiach. Just as a woman experiences labor pains because of the emergence of a child into the world, so too when a new reality emerges — the world of Mashiach — it necessarily involves profound change. Therefore there will be birth pangs, just as there are birth pangs before a child enters the world." (Netzach Yisrael, chapter 36)

We are standing before a transformation of reality itself. Such a transformation, explains the Maharal, is inevitably accompanied by labor pains. The pain may be great, but once the child is born, the mother realizes that every moment of suffering was worthwhile.

The same is true of redemption.

There may be an easier birth — a redemption through mercy. There may be a more difficult birth — a redemption through judgment. Which path unfolds depends greatly on our prayers, actions, and spiritual growth.

The Greater the Pain, the Closer the Birth

Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl writes in Me'or Einayim: "Just as a woman experiences labor pains before the great joy of childbirth, so too the suffering that precedes redemption is called the birth pangs of Mashiach."

The Malbim adds a remarkable insight. The more intense the labor pains become, the stronger the indication that birth is near. Thus, the Jewish people have traditionally understood that great difficulties can serve as signs that redemption is approaching. The suffering itself becomes a source of hope.

What Makes It All Worthwhile?

Still, one question remains: What exactly is this "child" that is being born? What is so wonderful about the era of Mashiach that it makes all the suffering worthwhile?

The Talmud records a fascinating discussion (Sanhedrin 98b).

Ulla said: "Let Mashiach come, but may I not see him."

Rabbah said the same.

Yet Rav Yosef said: "Let him come, and may I merit to sit even in the shadow of his donkey's dung."

Rashi explains: "As long as I get to see him."

What was Rav Yosef so eager to see?

The Maharal explains that even the lowest level of existence in the era of Mashiach will be infinitely higher than the greatest spiritual heights available in our present world.

Even if a person merits only the smallest connection to that future reality, it will surpass everything we currently know. The entire world will be transformed.

The light, clarity, closeness to God, and spiritual awareness of that era are beyond our ability to imagine.

The Child Being Born Is Us

The Maharsha adds another profound insight. He writes that Israel at the time of redemption is compared to a newborn child, and that God Himself will bring that child into the world.

Who is this child?

We are. The person who emerges from the birth pangs is not someone else. It is us.

We often imagine that redemption is mainly for people who are far from Torah and mitzvot, as though Mashiach's role is simply to bring others closer to God. But the truth is that all of us are still living in darkness to some degree.

The prophet says: "The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light."

Notice that they are walking. They are trying. They are making an effort. Yet they are still in darkness.

Our hearts still lack the full light of God's presence. Our faith remains incomplete. Our understanding is limited. Our souls continue to yearn for healing.

We are walking — but we are walking in darkness.

The Light We Are Truly Waiting For

That is why we long for redemption.

Not merely to escape suffering, not merely to end wars, and not merely to solve financial problems or eliminate illness.

We long for it because we long for light, for truth, for closeness to God, and for the healing of the soul. We long for a world that finally reflects the Divine reality hidden beneath all the confusion.

Every person who sincerely strives, prays, and does his best to bring more light into his life will merit, together with all of Israel, to experience that great light — the light of Mashiach.

May we merit to see his coming speedily in our days. Amen.