By: Jisrael Jitschak Rosenfeld
Rav Sholom Noach Berezovsky zt”l, the author of the Nesivos Sholom, explains that emunah (faith) in the coming of the Mashiach is only a small part of what is expected of a Jew.
In truth, we are obligated to letzapos—to actively look forward to the Redemption and to await it with eager anticipation. That is a far greater obligation!
The Nesivos Sholom even writes that a person who does not anticipate the Redemption—who does not keep it constantly before his eyes and consciously orient his life toward it—does not, in the deepest sense, truly believe in the coming of the Mashiach.
Such a person merely believes that an external force will one day appear to solve all of his problems.
We must understand that, in a certain sense, the Mashiach is already present—he is simply waiting for us to become ready to recognize him.
Emunah alone, without this intense longing and eager expectation for the Redemption, will not produce the spiritual fruits that we so desperately need.
May we all be privileged to truly yearn for our complete and all-encompassing Redemption—and may we merit to experience it speedily in our own days.
Today is the yahrzeit of the author of the Nesivos Sholom, Rav Sholom Noach Berezovsky zt”l.
