3 Responses

1. a bunch of babble
   the Rambam states that there is no point in studying about the geula, just be anxious for it

2. Glad to see you raise this question on the Rambam. In fact it has been addressed in one of our weekly articles. This gist is as follows:

   The Rambam writes in Hilchos Melochim Ch. 12: (relating to
   the order of Geulah events of אליהו ביאת and ומגוג גוג מלחמת ):
   “All these and similar matters cannot be definitely known by man
   until they occur, for these matters are undefined in the prophets’
   words … neither [are they] fundamental principles of the faith
   … nor should he consider them as essentials, for study of them
   will neither bring fear or love of God… Rather, one should await
   and believe in the general conception of the matter as explained.”
   The Rambam seems to imply that we should only work on our
   ה’ציפי & אמונה and not so much with the study of Moshiach. Why, if
   so are we stressing the studying about Moshiach, you ask?

   In truth, our main intent at L&B Moshiach is not that our viewers become masters and
   determine the order of events or the precise time of the Geulah,
   rather, to empower our viewers to genuinely await his coming.

   Waiting for Moshiach and anticipating his coming, is not simply
   a virtue but rather a religious obligation. The Rambam rules
   that “whoever does not believe in and whoever does not await
   (eagerly looking forward to) the coming of Mashiach, in effect
   denies the whole Torah, all the prophets beginning with Moshe
   Rabbeinu…” Is it possible for us to await something we do not
   understand? Is it possible for us to yearn for something from
   which we feel disconnected?

   A משל is given about the poor village boy who is
   not capable of even entertaining the thought and desire of marrying
   the kings daughter… because it’s entirely out of his league. By
   learning about Moshiach we become capable of “awaiting the
   coming of Moshiach;” we begin to process and internalize the
   concept of an era when the truths of the Torah and Hashem will
   be as self-evident as the laws of gravity and mathematics.

   Unfortunately, due to the long duration of this bitter and dark galus, many fall weak in their belief and longing for the geula, while others feel just fine remaining in their comfortable lives they are accustomed to and don’t bother to long at all. We have become the poor village boy incapable of fathoming or concerning ourselves with the awesome reunion we will have with our King upon the advent of the final geula. This is a very real challenge that exists in our generation.

   The good news is that by learning about the subject, we can always rekindle our hope and anticipation for the geula, because learning opens up our minds and hearts to appreciating what Geula is all about and what we are missing without it. Then we can truly start to yearn for it. And it is true yearning that the Chida was referring to as the merit which can bring the geula, not just a superficial hope in Moshiach we express because that is what we know we are supposed to do but, in reality, we don’t really feel it or truly care.

   Therefore, even he who is strong in his faith in Moshiach, for sure has room to grow. Certainly, no one would ever say I have maxed my levels of yiras Hashem or ahavas Hashem. It’s time to retire. Such a person would be considered a fool, not to mention, deprives himself of his full potential for which he is constantly obliged to strive. The same holds for building a longing for the geula. No one can say he is maxed to capacity in this regard; just as there is always room for growth in all matters of yiddishkeit, so much more so when it comes to one of the 13 ikrim that defines ALL of yiddishkeit and unlocks the door to its ultimate purpose, the revelation of all our avoda since our inception as a people, with the coming of Moshiach.

   Other sources also explain the connection to our anticipation/belief in Moshiach as the merit to usher in his arrival due to the increase in maisim tovim that anticipation inspires. Those deeds will then lead to Moshiach’s sooner arrival. So the learning not only creates feelings that stand in our merit, but also inspires action which dually helps to hasten the geula.

   One last point relevant to this subject is highlighted in a Midrash where Hashem tells the Navi, Yechezkel, that the Jews in galus should occupy themselves with the building of the Beis Hamikidosh. Perplexed by this statement due to the impossibility to do so while in galus, Hashem tells the Navi that the intent is to be involved in learning the laws of its structure and layout. By doing so, Hashem would consider it as it we have built the Beis Hamikdosh itself, just like one who studies the laws of the karbon tamid, it’s as if he has offered the karbon itslef, Razal say.

   It goes without saying that by learning about the Beis Hamikdosh and geula, this itself is an expression of how dear these goals are to us, and by doing so, we are showing Hashem that we are doing all we can to come as close to obtaining them as possible at this time. As a result, may Hashem see our sincerity and respond in kind with the building of the third Beis Hamikdosh in its full glory with the final and complete geula, speedily in our days.

   With much esteem,

   Shaul Calmenson

3. fantastic site! Great work! He has now humbly included many other sites, explaining from different vantage points and different levels!