For centuries, people have tried to pinpoint the exact moment of redemption. Piety mixed with impatience. Every generation of Jews has hoped, prayed, and sometimes even calculated, for the arrival of Mashiach. But as Rabbi Nachman of Breslov points out, all those predictions? They’ve all fallen flat.
So, what gives? Why can't we seem to figure out when the world will be set right?
According to Rabbi Nachman, as recorded in Sihot ha-Ran, it’s not just that we’re bad at math. It’s something deeper. He suggests that the very act of trying to calculate the End of Days might actually push it further away! He even warns that anyone who tries to calculate the End of Days will be severely cursed (B. Sanhedrin 97a).
Think about it: The Talmud in Sanhedrin echoes this sentiment. When the signs are there, when righteous individuals are shouting themselves hoarse about the impending arrival... it won’t do any good. It's like the universe has a sense of humor.
Why? Because, Rabbi Nachman argues, the Messiah will only come when we’re not expecting him. When our minds are distracted from obsessing over his arrival (Sihot Moharan, Avodat ha-Shem 81 (31a)). It’s a fascinating paradox, isn’t it?
It reminds me of that idea: that if you want something too desperately, you might actually push it away. It’s almost like Franz Kafka’s idea: "The Messiah will not come until he is no longer needed." (See "The Coming of the Messiah," p. 518).
Rabbi Nachman offers a slight twist: The Messiah won’t come until we stop waiting with bated breath and instead focus on living a pious, meaningful life right now. Not because of some future reward, but because it's the right thing to do.
So, maybe the secret to bringing about a better world isn't in decoding prophecy or crunching numbers. Maybe it’s in letting go of the need to control the future and embracing the present with intention, kindness, and a genuine commitment to doing good. Maybe, just maybe, that's when the world will finally be ready for the Messiah.