LIVING WITH MOSHIACH #2449

In memory of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok ben R' Zalman Yuda Deitsch OBM

Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch once asked his father, the Tzemach Tzedek, about the year 5608 (1848) which had been described as a particularly probable time for the long-awaited Redemption: "How could it be that Moshiach has not arrived?" The Tzemach Tzedek replied: "But Likutei Torah was published!" (I.e., since this was a significant step in the dissemination of the wellsprings of the Baal Shem Tov, it could be understood as a spiritual step in the direction of the Redemption. "Yes," answered Rabbi Shmuel, "but we want and need Moshiach simply and literally, here in this physical world."