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Will keeping the Mitzvahs usher in the messianic era?

by Rabbi Mendy Hecht

  

Library » Mitzvot » Should I do them? | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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The world we live in is in bad shape. But what you may not know is that it was built this way. This world -- the world of the body, of physical dimensions -- was created by G-d to conceal the Divine: We see the world as an entity independent of G-d. However, in truth, it is totally dependent on G-d, because it is His creative force that is actively regenerating the world every moment. The Hebrew word "olam" (meaning "world") also means "concealment," for that is what the world is--a place where the Divine is concealed and G-d is perceived as a stranger. However this concealment of G-d was not built to last. Our job in this world is to transform and elevate physical matter, revealing the Divine in this world and making this world His home, a "dwelling place for G-d." We accomplish this by fulfilling G-d's will. For example, by putting on Tefillin we elevate ourselves, the cow (leather and parchment from which the tefillin were made), the grass the cow ate, and the water it drank. When we eat and drink and use that acquired strength and energy for Torah study, we elevate the food and drink, our brain, and our body. When a critical mass of matter has been elevated, the world will be ready for the messianic era. To paraphrase Maimonides: The Moshiach will rebuild the Holy Temple, gather all the Jews to Israel, and usher in an era without hunger, jealousy, war, or illness. Then humankind’s sole occupation will be to know G-d, in other words, to perceive His creative force within each thing. For more details, check out Moshiach.com.

The Hebrew word "olam" ("world") also means "concealment," for that is what the world is--a place where the Divine is concealed and G-d is perceived as a stranger
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RELATED CATEGORIES

Philosophy » Messiah
Israel » Messiah
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Moshiach
The Messiah. Moshiach is the person who will usher in an era of peace and tranquility for all of humanity when there will be no jealousy or hate, wars or famine. This is a fundamental Jewish belief.
Tefillin
Black leather boxes containing small scrolls with passages of the Bible written on them. Every day, aside for Sabbath and Jewish holidays, the adult Jewish male is required to wrap the Tefillin--by means of black leather straps--around the weaker arm and atop the forehead.
Maimonides
Moses son of Maimon, born in Spain in 1135, died in Egypt in 1204. Noted philosopher and authority on Jewish law. Also was an accomplished physician and was the personal doctor for members of the Egyptian royalty. Interred in Tiberius, Israel.
Temple
1. Usually a reference to the Holy Temple which was/will be situated in Jerusalem. 1st Temple was built in 825 BCE and was destroyed in 423 BCE. The 2nd Temple was built in 350 BCE and was destroyed in 70 CE. The 3rd Temple will be built by the Messiah. 2. A synagogue.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.