Community Magazine March 2009

M uch has been written about the time period preceding Mashiah’s arrival. Our sages have elaborated in great detail on the specific characteristics of that generation and the extraordinary events that would take place at that time. As this month’s article demonstrates, these descriptions lead us to the inevitable conclu- sion that we are living today in the pre-Messianic era. Our Generation In his later years, the Hafess Haim, z”l , (1838-1933) often referred to his times as the generation before Mashiah, noting the occurrence of all the signs mentioned by the prophets. He eventually published a pamphlet entitled Waiting for the Redemption , seeking to raise the Jewish public’s awareness of the onset of the pre-Messianic era, and the need for spiritual preparation. In anticipation of the imminent restoration of the Bet Hamikdash, the Hafess Haim urged Torah scholars, and especially kohanim , to learn and teach the laws pertaining to the Temple rituals. He also published a series of scholarly works elucidating these laws, and established a kollel devoted to this area of study. As a direct result of his pioneering efforts, many yeshivot today include the laws of the Mikdash in their curricula. 1 It must be emphasized that when the Hafess Haim and others speak of “the generation before Mashiah,” they do not refer to a particular number of years after which Mashiah will arrive. The precise point at which Mashiah will arrive remains unknown, never to be revealed before his actual arrival. 2 Describing the Generation before Mashiah Drawing from the words of the Prophets, the Talmud gives the following description of the pre-Messianic era: “In that time, the words of our sages and those who fear sin will be disgusted and disregarded, the pursuit of truth will be scarce, the world at large will be sinners and nonbelievers, inso- lence will thrive, the young will shame the elderly, the elderly will stand for the young, children will stray from their parents, RABBI E. C. ABOUD 82 community magazine Part II: The Period Immediately Preceding Mashiah