And To Think — We Are the Generation of Moshiach

Honorable Rabbi Yosef Edery
16 hours ago
6 min read

Baruch Hashem

A Thought That Quietly Changes Everything

There are moments when a person is not trying to think deeply, not trying to be philosophical, just trying to get through the day—and then a thought appears anyway. We are the generation that will bring Moshiach. It doesn’t always arrive dramatically.

Sometimes it slips in between responsibilities, between conversations, between everything that feels very normal. And the first reaction is usually a mix of curiosity and hesitation.

Because if that is true, then it means that everything happening around us is not random background noise. It means it is part of a process.

And if it is part of a process, then it deserves to be understood.

Before going further, it is worth recognizing something simple and powerful. The act of reading and engaging with Torah ideas is itself a fulfillment of a positive commandment.

A person does not need to be sitting in a formal study hall for Torah learning to count.

“This book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth, and you shall meditate upon it day and night, in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it…”

( 1:8)

“Even if a person recites only Shema in the morning and evening, he has fulfilled ‘you shall meditate upon it day and night.’”

(, Menachot 99b)

A person might smile at this and think, “So even this counts?” And the answer is yes. Which is both comforting and slightly surprising, because it means growth sometimes begins before a person even realizes they started.

What Are We Actually Seeing in the World?

There is a shared feeling across people today, even among those who do not usually speak about spiritual ideas. Something feels unstable. Not just busy or stressful—those are familiar—but unstable in a deeper way. Systems that once felt predictable now feel uncertain. Leadership sometimes feels reactive rather than grounded. Events unfold quickly, and understanding them fully seems just out of reach.

The prophets did not ignore this kind of experience. They described it.

“Behold, the Lord empties the land and lays it waste, and distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants… The earth shall be utterly emptied and utterly plundered…”

( 24:1–3)

“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the nations; but upon you the Lord shall shine…”

(Isaiah 60:2)

These are not comfortable verses, but they are precise. They describe a state where confusion and darkness exist alongside the beginning of revelation. Chazal expand on this idea and describe a generation where normal order becomes difficult to recognize.

“In the footsteps of Moshiach… truth will be lacking… and the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog…”

(, Sotah 49b)

At first glance, these words can sound sharp, but they are describing something very recognizable. A world where direction feels inconsistent, where truth is harder to hold onto, and where people are searching for stability.

A Teaching That Was Repeated Again and Again

Among the most striking teachings brought to this generation is one emphasized repeatedly by , the leader of the Jewish people of our time and a central Torah authority for understanding our era.

“Rabbi Yitzchak said: In the year that King Moshiach will be revealed, all the kings of the nations of the world will provoke one another… The king of Persia will provoke an Arab king… and all the nations will be in panic and confusion… and Israel will also be in panic and confusion… and the Holy One, blessed be He, will say to them: My children, do not be afraid. All that I have done, I have done only for you… the time of your redemption has arrived.”

(, Bereishit Rabbah 42:4)

This teaching is not only powerful because of its content, but because of how it was emphasized. The Rebbe returned to this message repeatedly over several years, far more than most topics, indicating its importance for a future moment when people would need to recognize what they are seeing.

When a person reads this slowly, the structure becomes clear.

There is conflict among nations. There is confusion. There is fear. And then there is a message: do not be afraid. Not because nothing is happening—but because something very specific is happening.

Some have noted parallels between the regions described in the Midrash and modern global powers, such as Persia corresponding to Iran, Arab nations in the region, and broader Western powers connected to Aram. While such parallels should be approached with humility, the resemblance invites serious reflection.

Birth Pains — A Process, Not a Breakdown

The sages describe this stage with a phrase that is both simple and profound.

“Let him come, but may I not see him.”

(, Sanhedrin 98b)

This statement reflects the intensity of what is called חבלי משיח, the birth pains of Moshiach. The comparison is deliberate. Birth involves pressure, uncertainty, and a sense that something overwhelming is taking place. Yet it is all directed toward life.

That helps explain a certain feeling people have today. It is not just fear. It is the sense that something is building toward a point that has not yet been revealed. The Torah does not describe this as a collapse, but as a transition.

The Torah’s Structure — Nothing Is Left Undefined

When it comes to Moshiach, the Torah is not vague. presents the process in clear legal terms.

“The King Moshiach will arise and restore the kingdom of David to its former state… He will build the Temple and gather the dispersed of Israel… Whoever does not believe in him, or does not await his coming, denies not only the prophets but also the Torah and Moshe Rabbeinu…”

(, Hilchot Melachim 11:1)

Earlier, the Rambam establishes the foundational command:

“Three commandments were given to Israel when they entered the land: to appoint a king… to destroy the seed of Amalek… and to build the chosen House.”

(Hilchot Melachim 1:1)

This is not philosophy. It is law. It defines a sequence of responsibility. A king is appointed. Corruption and evil are addressed. The Temple is built. The world is elevated.

When people feel a strong reaction to injustice today, that feeling is not accidental. It reflects a deep alignment with the Torah’s demand for אמת and צדק.

Justice, Guidance, and the Role of a Sanhedrin

The prophet Isaiah gives a vision that directly addresses the need for clarity.

“And I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning; afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

( 1:26)

Justice is not presented as a side issue. It is central to redemption. When justice is restored, identity is restored.

This is where the concept of a Sanhedrin becomes deeply relevant. In order for a king to be recognized and crowned according to Torah law, there must be a framework of legitimate, Torah-based authority.

The restoration of such a system is not separate from Moshiach—it is part of preparing for him.

For those who feel a strong inner resistance to injustice, this becomes personal. Supporting efforts that bring Torah-based justice into reality, even in small ways, becomes part of aligning with the direction the Torah itself describes. In a quiet but powerful way, increasing the light of justice reduces the presence of injustice.

The Individual — Small Actions, Real Impact

Chassidic teachings explain that no action is insignificant.

“A small light pushes away much darkness.”

(Concept expressed in Chassidic Teachings)

This means that even within a time of global uncertainty, a person’s daily choices matter. Learning Torah, giving charity, acting with honesty, choosing patience—these are not isolated actions. They are part of a larger refinement of the world.

It is almost humorous in a gentle way. A person might feel small compared to global events, yet from the Torah’s perspective, the balance of the world can shift through small, consistent actions. It is like building something enormous out of pieces that seem too small to matter—until they are all put together.

A Generation with a Responsibility

The Rebbe’s message to this generation was not only to observe but to prepare. To recognize that we are not bystanders in this process, but participants. There are even discussions in Torah sources about the continued eligibility of a righteous leader to be Moshiach in the context of the resurrection of the dead, showing how seriously the role of leadership is treated within halacha.

This generation has been given both awareness and responsibility. Awareness of what is unfolding, and responsibility to align with it.

A Path Forward

For those who wish to take part in a meaningful way, the direction is clear. Strengthen Torah learning.

Support the people of Israel. Increase acts of kindness and charity. And for those who feel drawn to the idea of restoring justice, supporting initiatives connected to the reestablishment of Torah-based guidance and Sanhedrin frameworks becomes especially significant.

There is also space for those navigating personal challenges. Through MNGlobal, individuals can reach out, seek guidance, and find direction rooted in Torah values. Subscribing allows connection and support, and financial concerns should not prevent someone from asking for help.