we are in unique times these days.
whether or not it is the end of days, i dont know...one side of me says yes, the other side says, how can one be sure.
and people like rav kaduri have been quoted as speaking candidly on the topic of mashiach's imminence...what do you guys think? are we there? or just more birth pangs?

Regarding Rav Kaduri, I quote (in English translation) what a chasid told me once regarding all issues of moshiach...

If you beleive all of it, you're a fool.
If you believe none of it, you're a heretic.

When Moshiach is coming, none of us really know - perhaps even Rav Kaduri, shlita. Another appropriate witicism regardign Moshiach's arrival:

"Those who say, really don't know. Those who really know, don't say."

But every one of us can make our own personal contribution to hasten Moshiach's arrival by dedicating ourselves to Hashem's service and improving our relations with our fellow Jews.

Teshuvah, Tefilah, and Tzedaka!

G'mar V'Chasima Tova.

B.Silvey

Based on the political and kabbalistic reality, we seem to be certainly in the birthpangs. With Persia, Babylon, Israel, Edom and others at a stalemate that cannot end well, I can't imagine Israel not being invovled in a conflagration that will not require the Moshiach to come to the rescue. Certainly all the elements, according to the nevvim, are in place. About the mekubalim; I don't believe anything said in their name unless they personally announce their own messages. There is just too much second guessing and I don't see why they won't just speak for themselves.

In last week's Parasha we read how H' changed the name of Avram to Avraham. In Chassidus this is one of the proofs given for the "Neshamat ha-Elokit" or "godly soul." Since, the Hey that was placed into Avraham's name is taken from the Holy Name. We thus see this as a metephor for H' placing a part of his soul into the soul of Avraham.

In Kabbala we learn that the highest Sefira of the Shechina is Keter (Crown). And that the Keter is actually three seperate levels. External, Internal and Internal of the Internal. We are taught, that Avraham with the gift of the Neshamat ha-Elokit rose to the level of Internal. (It is thus said, that he "ba b-yamim" came into his days- this week's parasha). Who rises to the hight of the internal of the internal- Only Moshiach Tzid-kaenu. Now if Avraham Avinu walked around with a letter from the Holy Name, does Moshiach Tzid-kaenu carry in himself the entire name of Hakadosh- baruch hu? (I'm sorry I cannot list a specific source for this info. as it came from a shiur that I had in Yeshiva sometime back).

I know of only one refence to a being carrying the name of G-d. That is the "Melakh" of Shemot 23:20-21 "Take heed of him and listen to his voice...for My Name is in Him." The Ohr ha-Chayim writes that this is the "Great Angel" and not an intermediary- but rather the one who reedemed the Patriarchs. This concept, the O.H.C., writes is familiar to Kabbalists. Are there any more advanced Kabbalists than myself who could tell me if the "Melakh" of Shemot, and of Ya'akov's prayer "the Melakh who redeemed me from all raa..." is actually Moshiach Tzid-kaenu, may he be revealed b'karov b'yamanu?

(Quotes from the Ohr ha-Chayim according to the translation of Eliyahu Monk).

Jacob,
Welcome! I'm not kabbalist but I think your question relies heavily on the part you are unsure of.

You said;
"Now if Avraham Avinu walked around with a letter from the Holy Name, does Moshiach Tzid-kaenu carry in himself the entire name of Hakadosh- baruch hu? (I'm sorry I cannot list a specific source for this info. as it came from a shiur that I had in Yeshiva sometime back)."

This part of your question, while logical, could be incorrect. Let's do some more research to find out if it's actually true.

It is my undestanding that no bad prophecies are immutable. Consequently, I fail to understand why we are in such a hurry to find evidence of apocalytpic prophecies coming true. Such focus can only serve to bring the "negative aspects" of the coming geulah further into fruition, right?

Shouldn't we instead focus on helping each other bring out the spark of mashiach we have each been charged with? as opposed to "focusing into reality" some apocalyptic visions of war, etc.?

Dear Lori,

I was once at a Shul and someone asked the Rabbi there if he thought that there would be a terrible war or some cataclismic event that Moshiach would come and stop thus revealing himself. He said that there has been a enough war to fufill any necessary prerequisite and "Moshiach can come anytime he wants." Just thought it was a good thought.

A great Rav once asked Eliyahu Ha-nevi when he would come to announce Moshiach to us. The Nevi answered "Today." And references the Pasuk "Today if you will but hearken to my words." -Sorry, I forget the exact place of that Pasuk.

So do a mitzvah and bring Moshiach now!!!

-Jake

Sanhedrin 98a.

The Rabbi was Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi who was told by Eliyahu haNavi where to find Moshiach. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi approached Moshiach and asked when he would be coming, Moshiach said "today."

When he returned to Eliyahu haNavi, Eliyahu haNavi explained that he was referring to the posuk, "Ki hu el-kenu v'anachnu am mariso v'tzon yado hayom im bkolo tishmau." -Tehillim 95:7

"Because he is our G-d and we are the people of his pasture and the flock of his hand this day if we listen to his voice."