People often ask, “What is delaying the coming of Moshiach?” In Jewish tradition, Moshiach refers to the future Redeemer and the era of Redemption promised by the prophets.
It is a natural question, especially during difficult times.
Still, we should begin with humility. No human being knows Hashem’s calculations. Therefore, nobody can say with certainty why Moshiach has not yet come.
At the same time, our sages taught that certain behaviors brought exile and that certain behaviors prepare the world for Redemption.
Because of this, perhaps the better question is not, “Why has Moshiach not come?” but rather, “What can we do to prepare ourselves for his coming?”
What Destroyed the Second Temple?
Our sages teach that the First Temple was destroyed because of idolatry, immorality, and murder.
However, the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred.
This should surprise us. The Jewish people of that generation studied Torah and performed mitzvos. Yet hatred between Jews was serious enough to bring destruction and exile.
For this reason, many Torah teachers explain that love between Jews is one of the greatest ways to prepare for Redemption.
What Is Baseless Hatred?
Baseless hatred does not usually feel baseless.
A person feels hurt. He feels insulted. He feels ignored. Eventually, he feels wronged.
As a result, he believes he has good reasons to hate.
Yet Torah teaches that even when disagreements are real, hatred is not the answer.
Wrong actions may need to be opposed. Boundaries may sometimes be necessary. Evil should never be approved.
Still, hatred itself is not the Torah way.
Chabad teaches that we may reject sinful behavior, but we do not stop loving fellow Jews. We hate the wrongdoing, not the person. A Jew remains Hashem’s child even when he stumbles.
Rabbi Akiva’s Great Principle
Rabbi Akiva taught that loving your fellow as yourself is a great principle of the Torah.
In other words, this commandment is not merely one mitzvah among many. Instead, it stands at the heart of Jewish life.
Therefore, if baseless hatred brought exile, then love and unity help bring Redemption.
Following Hashem’s Ways
Rabbi Avigdor Miller, drawing from Tomer Devorah, taught that we should imitate Hashem’s ways.
Hashem continues giving life and goodness even to those who rebel against Him.
This does not mean pretending evil is good. Nor does it mean abandoning truth.
Rather, it means refusing to allow resentment and bitterness to control the heart.
As a result, a person learns to keep doing good even when his feelings have been hurt.
The Danger of Comfort and Abundance
Hard times often awaken people. They remind us that we need Hashem and that we need one another.
However, comfort and abundance can create a different kind of danger.
When life becomes easy, people may think less about Hashem and less about others.
Instead of gratitude, jealousy appears. As a result, arguments become more common and unity becomes weaker.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller often emphasized that abundance itself is a test. Blessings are meant to bring us closer to Hashem, not farther away.
Perhaps one reason hatred increases is because people become so occupied with themselves that they forget that the Jewish people are one family.
The Antidote: Love Your Fellow as Yourself
The Rambam teaches that love is not merely a feeling. Love is expressed through actions.
Speak Praise
Look for the good in another person.
Speak positively.
Praise builds unity, while criticism and fault-finding destroy it.
Protect Another Person’s Honor
Every person is created in the image of Hashem.
Therefore, we should avoid embarrassing others and guard their dignity.
Protect Another Person’s Money
A person should be as careful with another person’s possessions as he is with his own.
Honesty and integrity are acts of love.
Pray for Fellow Jews Who Are Suffering
When another Jew is in pain, his suffering should matter to us.
Praying for others reminds us that we are one people.
Guarding Our Speech
The Chafetz Chaim devoted his life to teaching the laws of proper speech.
Rabbi Mendel Kessin has often quoted the Ramchal that improper speech is one of the greatest obstacles to Redemption.
Words create unity. Words also create division.
Family arguments, gossip, humiliation, and constant criticism all leave scars.
On the other hand, words of encouragement, appreciation, and kindness bring peace.
A person who guards his tongue does more than avoid sin. He becomes a builder of peace.
How Do We Bring Moshiach Closer?
Not through anger.
Not through blaming others.
Not through resentment.
Instead, we bring more love into the Jewish people.
We speak praise instead of criticism.
Then we protect another person’s dignity.
In addition, we are careful with another person’s money.
Likewise, we pray for those who are suffering.
Finally, we guard our speech.
Above all, we learn to follow Hashem’s ways.
Nobody can fix the whole world.
Nor can we change everyone else.
However, each of us can choose one person to love more, one person to judge more favorably, one person to speak about more kindly, and one person to pray for.
Can We Really Know?
People often ask, “What is delaying the coming of Moshiach?” In Jewish tradition, Moshiach refers to the future Redeemer and the era of Redemption promised by the prophets.
It is a natural question, especially during difficult times.
Still, we should begin with humility. No human being knows Hashem’s calculations. Therefore, nobody can say with certainty why Moshiach has not yet come.
At the same time, our sages taught that certain behaviors brought exile and that certain behaviors prepare the world for Redemption.
Because of this, perhaps the better question is not, “Why has Moshiach not come?” but rather, “What can we do to prepare ourselves for his coming?”
What Destroyed the Second Temple?
Our sages teach that the First Temple was destroyed because of idolatry, immorality, and murder.
However, the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred.
This should surprise us. The Jewish people of that generation studied Torah and performed mitzvos. Yet hatred between Jews was serious enough to bring destruction and exile.
For this reason, many Torah teachers explain that love between Jews is one of the greatest ways to prepare for Redemption.
What Is Baseless Hatred?
Baseless hatred does not usually feel baseless.
A person feels hurt. He feels insulted. He feels ignored. Eventually, he feels wronged.
As a result, he believes he has good reasons to hate.
Yet Torah teaches that even when disagreements are real, hatred is not the answer.
Wrong actions may need to be opposed. Boundaries may sometimes be necessary. Evil should never be approved.
Still, hatred itself is not the Torah way.
Chabad teaches that we may reject sinful behavior, but we do not stop loving fellow Jews. We hate the wrongdoing, not the person. A Jew remains Hashem’s child even when he stumbles.
Rabbi Akiva’s Great Principle
Rabbi Akiva taught that loving your fellow as yourself is a great principle of the Torah.
In other words, this commandment is not merely one mitzvah among many. Instead, it stands at the heart of Jewish life.
Therefore, if baseless hatred brought exile, then love and unity help bring Redemption.
Following Hashem’s Ways
Rabbi Avigdor Miller, drawing from Tomer Devorah, taught that we should imitate Hashem’s ways.
Hashem continues giving life and goodness even to those who rebel against Him.
This does not mean pretending evil is good. Nor does it mean abandoning truth.
Rather, it means refusing to allow resentment and bitterness to control the heart.
As a result, a person learns to keep doing good even when his feelings have been hurt.
The Danger of Comfort and Abundance
Hard times often awaken people. They remind us that we need Hashem and that we need one another.
However, comfort and abundance can create a different kind of danger.
When life becomes easy, people may think less about Hashem and less about others.
Instead of gratitude, jealousy appears. As a result, arguments become more common and unity becomes weaker.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller often emphasized that abundance itself is a test. Blessings are meant to bring us closer to Hashem, not farther away.
Perhaps one reason hatred increases is because people become so occupied with themselves that they forget that the Jewish people are one family.
The Antidote: Love Your Fellow as Yourself
The Rambam teaches that love is not merely a feeling. Love is expressed through actions.
Speak Praise
Look for the good in another person.
Speak positively.
Praise builds unity, while criticism and fault-finding destroy it.
Protect Another Person’s Honor
Every person is created in the image of Hashem.
Therefore, we should avoid embarrassing others and guard their dignity.
Protect Another Person’s Money
A person should be as careful with another person’s possessions as he is with his own.
Honesty and integrity are acts of love.
Pray for Fellow Jews Who Are Suffering
When another Jew is in pain, his suffering should matter to us.
Praying for others reminds us that we are one people.
Guarding Our Speech
The Chafetz Chaim devoted his life to teaching the laws of proper speech.
Rabbi Mendel Kessin has often quoted the Ramchal that improper speech is one of the greatest obstacles to Redemption.
Words create unity. Words also create division.
Family arguments, gossip, humiliation, and constant criticism all leave scars.
On the other hand, words of encouragement, appreciation, and kindness bring peace.
A person who guards his tongue does more than avoid sin. He becomes a builder of peace.
How Do We Bring Moshiach Closer?
Not through anger.
Not through blaming others.
Not through resentment.
Instead, we bring more love into the Jewish people.
We speak praise instead of criticism.
Then we protect another person’s dignity.
In addition, we are careful with another person’s money.
Likewise, we pray for those who are suffering.
Finally, we guard our speech.
Above all, we learn to follow Hashem’s ways.
Nobody can fix the whole world.
Nor can we change everyone else.
However, each of us can choose one person to love more, one person to judge more favorably, one person to speak about more kindly, and one person to pray for.
