How Should We All Prepare for Moshiach’s Coming?
Every Jew who believes in the Torah knows that Moshiach is not a fantasy, a dream, or a metaphor. It is a reality that has been promised, described, and anticipated since the days of Avraham Avinu. The Rambam writes:
וכל מי שאינו מאמין בו, או מי שאינו מחכה לביאתו — לא בשאר הנביאים בלבד הוא כופר, אלא בתורה ובמשה רבנו
“Whoever does not believe in him (Moshiach), or does not await his coming, denies not only the rest of the prophets, but the Torah and Moshe Rabbeinu himself.”
— Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 11:1 [1]
So the question is not if Moshiach is coming. The question is: how do we prepare for him?
1. Teshuvah – Return to Hashem
Chazal teach that the Geulah depends on Klal Yisrael doing teshuvah:
אין ישראל נגאלין אלא בתשובה
“Yisrael will not be redeemed except through teshuvah.”
— Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah 7:5 [2]
Teshuvah doesn’t just mean regret—it means real change. We must ask ourselves: Are we truly living with the will of Hashem? Are we aligning our actions, our priorities, and our loyalties with the Torah?
2. Emunah – Strengthen Faith in Hashem Alone
The closer we get to Moshiach, the more confusing the world becomes. Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt”l explained that the tests of Emunah in the generation before Moshiach will be greater than ever before, because Hashem will hide behind nature and politics.
בימות המשיח יתגדלו הנסיונות באמונה… היצר הרע יתלבש בתחפושת של צדק ויושר
“In the days before Moshiach, the tests of Emunah will intensify… the Yetzer Hara will dress up as justice and fairness.”
— Kovetz Maamarim, “Ikvesa D’Meshicha” [3]
The way to prepare? Detach from false ideologies, and cling to the pure emunah of our fathers: אין עוד מלבדו — there is nothing but Hashem.
3. Limud Torah – Immerse in Torah Learning
The Midrash tells us that the Torah is the only merit that will protect us at the end of days:
אין לך קץ מגולה מזה – כשישראל עוסקים בתורה ובגמילות חסדים
“There is no clearer sign of the End than when Yisrael are engaged in Torah and acts of kindness.”
— Yalkut Shimoni, Yeshayahu 499 [4]
Rav Shach zt”l said: “When Moshiach comes, the only ones who won’t be confused will be those who were immersed in Torah.” Torah is not only our preparation—it’s our compass.
4. Tefillah – Cry Out for Redemption
Every day, three times a day, we say:
את צמח דוד עבדך מהרה תצמיח… כי לישועתך קיוינו כל היום
“Speedily cause the offspring of David Your servant to flourish… for we hope for Your salvation all day.”
— Shemoneh Esrei, Bracha #15 [5]
We must not say these words robotically. The Chazon Ish zt”l once said that the deeper one yearns for Moshiach, the more they become worthy of living to see him.
Moshiach is not coming for those who are comfortable in galus. He is coming for those who are yearning to come home.
5. Ahavas Yisrael – Love for Every Jew
The final Geulah will be for all of Klal Yisrael — not just one group or type. The Netziv writes that one of the sins that caused the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash was sinas chinam between frum Jews who thought anyone who didn’t follow their path was a heretic.
If we want to reverse that and bring the Geulah, we must do the opposite: love, patience, and genuine ahavas Yisrael for those who are distant.
As the Chafetz Chaim wrote:
אם נדע לאהוב זה את זה – הקדוש ברוך הוא יאהב אותנו ויביא את משיח צדקנו
“If we know how to love each other, Hashem will love us and bring Moshiach.”
— Chafetz Chaim al HaTorah [6]
6. Detach From the Nations and Their Ideologies
The Nevi’im warned that the Jewish People would be tempted to rely on foreign powers—Assyria, Egypt, Rome. The same holds true today. Too many Jews put their hope in governments, armies, or democracy.
But we must remember what it says in Tehillim:
אַל תִּבְטְחוּ בִנְדִיבִים בְּבֶן אָדָם שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תְשׁוּעָה
“Do not rely on princes, on a human being who cannot save.”
— Tehillim 146:3 [7]
Preparing for Moshiach means realigning our trust: from the State to Hashem, from leaders to Mashiach ben Dovid.
7. Middos Tovos – Humility and Simplicity
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l once said that Moshiach will only come to a generation that is humble enough to accept him.
Let us not chase honor, wealth, or politics. Let us be humble, kind, sincere ovdei Hashem. That is the kind of generation worthy of redemption.
Conclusion: Ready the World, Ready Ourselves
When Moshiach comes, it will be sudden. The Rambam writes:
יעמוד מלך מבית דוד… ויכוף כל ישראל לילך בה ולחזק בדקה
“A King will arise from the House of David… and he will compel all of Yisrael to walk in its ways and strengthen it.”
— Hilchos Melachim 11:4 [8]
The world will shift overnight. But the ones who prepared — who lived with faith, Torah, tefillah, and yearning — will not be surprised. They will recognize the truth as it unfolds.
Let us prepare now — with open hearts, clear minds, and strong hands.
Sources
- Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 11:1 – וכל מי שאינו מאמין בו
- Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah 7:5 – אין ישראל נגאלין אלא בתשובה
- Rav Elchonon Wasserman, Kovetz Maamarim, “Ikvesa D’Meshicha”
- Yalkut Shimoni, Yeshayahu 499 – אין לך קץ מגולה מזה
- Shemoneh Esrei, Bracha #15 – את צמח דוד עבדך
- Chafetz Chaim al HaTorah – אם נדע לאהוב זה את זה
- Tehillim 146:3 – אל תבטחו בנדיבים
- Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 11:4 – יעבוד מלך מבית דוד