"I am Hashem--in its time, I will hasten it!"

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) records that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi once encountered the Messiah, who was dressed in rags and living amongst the poor people of Rome. Rabbi Yehoshua asked the Messiah, "When will Your Honor come to us?"

The Messiah answered, "Today."

The day passed and the Messiah did not come. Later, Rabbi Yehoshua met the Messiah once again. He said, "You said that you would come today--why did you not come?"

Answered the Messiah, "You did not understand my response. I was paraphrasing the verse in Psalms: 'Today, if you will but listen to His voice.'"

For us, who have found our niche in the American scene, it's difficult to imagine ourselves just leaving with the coming of the Messiah. We see ourselves firmly anchored right where we are. But we are mistaken.

For in reality, we are only guests here.

The heart and soul of the Jew is in another time and place, where he will be completely free to become the person he can become, where he will be able to partake of the fullness of the Torah/mitzvos experience.

And that time is as near as this very day.

"Today, if you will but listen to His voice."

Copyright (c) 1997 by Rabbi Levi Langer

Courtesy of www.JewishAmerica.com

Have a wonderful day!