What Do the Gedolim Say About Where We Are in History With Moshiach’s Imminent Arrival?
Among the core principles of Jewish emunah, belief in the coming of Moshiach stands unshakable. As we say daily in Ani Maamin:
"אֲנִי מַאֲמִין בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּבִיאַת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיִּתְמַהְמֵהַּ, עִם כָּל זֶה אֲחַכֶּה לוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם שֶׁיָּבוֹא." "I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Moshiach, and even though he may delay, I await him every day to come."
But today, we are hearing something more. Not just that Moshiach will come, but that he’s nearly here. Many of the Gedolei HaDor—across all spectrums of Torah Jewry—have expressed in recent years that we are living in a unique, critical time. The call is not just to wait, but to prepare.
1. Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l: “He Is Already Here.”
Multiple reports, confirmed by close talmidim and family members, quote Rav Chaim zt”l saying Moshiach is already present and simply waiting to be revealed. In Siach HaSadeh and Tzippisa L’Yeshuah, his students quote him as saying:
“הוא כבר כאן.” “He is already here.” [1]
He stressed that we are living in Ikvesa D’Meshicha, the footsteps of Moshiach, and that yiras Shamayim, Torah, and chessed are the preparation for Geulah.
“Just like one must prepare for Shabbos, so too he must prepare for the Geulah—with yiras Shamayim.” [2]
2. Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l: “This Is a Time of Preparation.”
Known for his measured, calm guidance, Rav Gershon began to speak more forcefully in recent years. In a 2020 sicha, he said:
“מה שהולך עכשיו זה ודאי הכנה לגאולה. אנחנו צריכים להתכונן, לא לשבת בחיבוק ידיים.” “What is happening now is certainly preparation for the Geulah. We must prepare—we cannot sit with folded arms.” [3]
He emphasized the role of shalom and Torah in hastening redemption and warned that internal machlokes delays it.
3. Rav Don Segal shlit”a: “All the Signs Are Here.”
In numerous vaadim and public addresses, Rav Don Segal has said that “all the simanim (signs) of the Geulah have been fulfilled.”
“יש רמזים ברורים ממרום שהזמן של הגאולה קרוב מאוד, ממש קרוב.” “There are clear signs from Above that the time of the Geulah is very near—very near indeed.” [4]
He often quotes the Gemara:
“אין בן דוד בא אלא בדור שכולו זכאי או כולו חייב.” “Ben David will only come in a generation that is entirely meritorious—or entirely guilty.” (Sanhedrin 97a) [5]
Rav Don says: We are seeing both extremes today, and therefore, the conditions for Geulah are in place.
4. Rebbe Yisroel Hager shlit”a (Vizhnitz): “These Are the Birth Pangs.”
The Vizhnitzer Rebbe has called recent events—particularly in Eretz Yisrael—“chevlei Moshiach”, the birth pangs of redemption. In a 2023 address:
“אין לנו כבר על מי להישען אלא על אבינו שבשמים. כל מה שקורה הוא הקדמה למהפכה הרוחנית הגדולה של הגאולה.” “We have no one to rely on but our Father in Heaven. Everything happening is a prelude to the great spiritual revolution of the Geulah.” [6]
5. Rav Meir Mazuz shlit”a: “Moshiach Is Knocking.”
The Sephardic Gaon and Rosh Yeshiva of Kissei Rachamim has said in recent shiurim:
“המשיח דופק בדלת—מי שיש לו עיניים רואה.” “Moshiach is knocking on the door—anyone with eyes can see it.” [7]
He encouraged increased emunah and tefillah and said the world is clearly moving toward an upheaval that will be spiritual, not political.
6. Rav David Abuchatzeira shlit”a: “Prepare Yourselves.”
Grandson of the Baba Sali and revered mekubal, Rav David has emphasized the need for personal readiness:
“רואים בכל דבר שהקב״ה מזיז את העולם לקראת הסוף. זה הזמן להכין את עצמנו.” “We see that Hashem is moving the world toward the end. Now is the time to prepare ourselves.” [8]
He warns that missing this window of opportunity may result in deep regret.
Conclusion: The Clock Is Ticking—Will We Be Ready?
Across all camps of Torah leadership, the message is the same:
“We are nearing the Geulah. Prepare yourselves.”
The Chofetz Chaim famously kept a special coat prepared, “for when Moshiach comes.” He believed it could be any moment.
As Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l said often:
“It can happen today. We just need a little more zechusim.”
This is not the time to sleep. It is the time to wake up, unite, and return to Hashem—so that when Moshiach comes, we will not only recognize him… we will have deserved him.
Sources
- Siach HaSadeh, vol. 2, and firsthand reports from Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l’s gabbaim and talmidim
- Tzippisa L’Yeshuah, by Rav Chaim’s close students, chapter on “Preparation for Geulah”
- Sichos of Rav Gershon Edelstein, Bnei Brak, 2020, public recordings
- Rav Don Segal, Vaadim in Yerushalayim, 2022–2024
- Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 97a
- Rebbe Yisroel Hager, Vizhnitz, Elul 5783, Motzaei Shabbos address
- Rav Meir Mazuz, Kissei Rachamim Yeshiva, 2023 shiur on Mashiach
- Rav David Abuchatzeira, shiurim and private meetings, 2024