The No Answer – Answer

By Eli Weiss

Typically if I speak out, it’s by means of a farbrengen, video, or song.

However, the occasion of the international Kinus Hashluchim has stirred me to publicize a written response I once sent someone regarding Moshiach.

I’d like to dedicate this to the Shluchim of the Rebbe in any and every field. Individuals and families dedicating every moment of their lives to make the Hisgalus happen already. Thank you Shluchim. I pray for all the brochos for you and your loved ones. Health, wealth, and success, each in it’s spiritual and physical sense!

To preface, I try to make a point (after all, it is the ultimate point) to tie in the content of any episode of “The Late Parsha Show” (A Parsha video I produce) with Moshiach.

Specifically, I ask the viewer to get in what I call “Moshiach-mode” by increasing in something of the things we’ll be occupied with when Moshiach is revealed, namely; joy, love, Torah and Mitzvos, and also to verbally demand of G-d that this revelation take place already.

Many of those who watch and help share the videos receive them directly through the WhatsApp number designated for the different broadcasts. As such, they can send in any comments or questions and I usually see them and respond soon after. A little while back someone sent me a question that gave me such a strong feeling to sit down and write up an answer immediately. These aren’t the exact words, but this -in short- was the question:

Isn’t it discouraging that you talk about Moshiach in every clip saying things like: “may he be revealed before I send out this video…” and then that doesn’t happen?

This, (though edited for public sharing) was my response:

Of course it does. Not just from saying it in the videos. More even, from living it in real life. Expecting Moshiach any moment, getting excited, doing my best to live in “Moshiach Mode” and then having dashed hopes. Facing the helem v’hester on a daily basis. It’s really tough.

It’s happened all too often that I get psyched thinking I’m hearing the shofar of the geula and it turns out just to be an ambulance siren or something.
And that something is usually -seemingly- more of a sign of golus than an indication of Geula. (Although I would hope that the ambulance is on its way for a “Mazal Tov” emergency … 👶 🍼 )

As we await Moshiach, I think that many Jews; and I know most certainly Lubavitchers, (perhaps shluchim in particular as they have literally dedicated their whole lives to prepare for the hisgalus) have experienced excited and then deflating emotions in this regard.
Perhaps you even encounter particularly depressing moments where you can cry “ad mosai” as a genuine question stemming from brokenness. Or maybe you feel like you can’t even bring yourself to communicate that question to G-d.
(The word depressing is heavy I know, but I have felt that way and know others who still do.)

Though I absolutely will not use the word depressed, I will say (perhaps still too bluntly) that no one suffered and continues to suffer in this regard more than the Rebbe. And as the Rebbe has said; (I’m paraphrasing) there is no answer to why it hasn’t happened yet. No answer. No specific thing we must still accomplish. We have done the work and we deserve the geula.

You may know what the gemara already established long ago:  “All end dates have passed. The matter is dependent on nothing other than repentance and good deeds.”

– Every necessary historical prerequisite to Moshiach has been checked off the list. And the Rebbe has told us that even the particular final tasks we were charged with have been accomplished.

So, to answer you simply, yes. It gets discouraging. Why it hasn’t happened makes no sense to me, and it’s so hard to keep doing more and hoping.
But, since when did I understand the Creator? And who promised easy? Real goodness -how much more so if we’re talking about everlasting goodness- comes from hard work. Real. Hard. Work.

Yeah it’s hard. But I have orders from my commander, whom I trust.

-And I wouldn’t blame anyone if they feel burnt out and say they’ve given up. The Torah testifies “And they didn’t listen to Moshe because of their shortness of breath and hard labor.” (I’ll try to attach a TLPS where a cute but practical explanation on that verse is given.)

But we must not lose hope. We must keep trudging onward. More exactly; we must dance onward. Not just with a smile, but with joy.

Genuine joy in serving G d especially considering as the golus war is already won. We have seen this manifest in a few ways in the world and we’ll all see it fully any moment.

It’s time to celebrate in Moshiach-Mode. Increasing our joy, love for our fellow, study of torah, (particularly about Moshiach) and Mitzvah observance.

Maybe you know a song with the words: “…Why wait to celebrate?…” 😉 Those guys are deep.

It is difficult to express, but in the spirit of love I will happily encourage a fellow Jew, or 2, or a million, who (very understandably) may be losing hope, to trust the commander as well.

We must be strong soldiers. Strong enough to be happy and happy enough to be strong. We must be smart too. Because our orders are not clearly defined and specific. We are told what needs to get done but not how exactly to do it. We must figure that out.

Footsoldiers who also work in intelligence. That’s us. We must figure out how to bring Moshiach to ourselves and a fellow jew. Eventually, everyone.

That’s where the -by now cliche- term “goodness and kindness” comes in.

The Rebbe needs us to use every opportunity we have for goodness and kindness. To really maximize our time creating even more opportunities for more goodness and kindness within our own homes and the world at large. As cliche as it sounds: one good deed at a time.

The Rebbe needs us to energetically dance the victory dance. Goodness and kindness are its moves.
(Along with a good dose of simple, physical, joyous, dancing 😉 )

There’s a reason the possuk says; kaveh el Hashem chazak vyametz libecha -and then repeats- VKAVEH el hashem.”

We hope, we believe, it gets tough. We must be strong ourselves, (and we must strengthen one another) and fortify our heart to continue.

All the best in a revealed way for you reading this, and ultimately for all.
May Moshiach actually be revealed before you read this message. If not, then, of course, I don’t know what you must do, but I’m sure I can do more, and you’ve inspired me to.

Sincerely, Eli Weiss

–I would love to hear thoughts or advice from anyone who read this and would like to share. I will IYH check for any comments but can also be reached @ 347-719-2218 (Don’t worry about the automated message that may come as soon as you send.)

Anyways, what’s the similarity between golus and this article?

Time’s up for both.