In the times of Moshiach, we will all be rich and have all we need. How will we be able to do the Mitzva of Tz’daka? In the times of Moshiach, the moon will have the same strength as the sun – and will not be getting bigger and smaller – how will we do Kiddush HaChodesh? Take for example the relationship between spouses… * Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, Rosh Yeshivas Lubavitch of Cincinnati, begins a new series discussing whether and how are we going to perform Mitzvos in the times of Moshiach.
Dear Reader sh’yichyeh,
This article is the first of our new series, discussing “Mitzvos in the times of Moshiach.” We will explore a number of mitzvos and discuss if and how we are going to perform them.
There will be many changes in the times of Moshiach. Based on these changes, physical and spiritual, the fulfillment of certain Mitzvos comes into question.
For example: In the times of Moshiach, we will all be rich and have all we need. How will we be able to do the Mitzva of Tz’daka? In the times of Moshiach, the moon will have the same strength as the sun and will not be getting bigger and smaller, so how will we perform Kiddush HaChodesh?
But before we get into details, let us address a more basic question on this topic (addressed in our series “Moshiach: What We Believe”):
Does not the Gemara (Nidda 61b) write that “All Mitzvos will be nullified in the times of Moshiach?”
To appreciate the answer, we must quote and explain the entire Gemara. The Gemara in that place (Nidda 61b) discusses the laws of Jewish burial. All Jewish people are buried in shrouds. Is one permitted to bury someone in shrouds that are made of Kilayim (a garment whose fabric is made of mixed material, of wool and linen)?
“Our Rabbis taught: A garment in which Kilayim was lost … may be made into a shroud for a corpse. R’ Joseph observed: This implies that the commandments will be abolished in the Hereafter.”
The above Gemara that seems to be implying that there will be no Mitzvos in the times of Moshiach directly contradicts other quotes of our Sages:
1) The Talmud (Sanhedrin 90b) states: “How is resurrection derived from the Torah? — As it is written, ‘And you shall give there (in Yerushalayim) of the L-rd’s heave offering to Aaron the priest.’ But would Aaron live forever? He did not even enter Palestine, that truma should be given him. But it teaches that he would be resurrected, and Israel would give him truma. Thus resurrection is derived from the Torah.” This Gemara directly implies that we will be doing Mitzvos in the times of Moshiach!
2) The Rambam (Hilchos Megilla Chapter 2) quotes the Talmud Yerushalmi (Megilla 1:5): “All the books of the Prophets and all the Holy Writings will be nullified in the Messianic era, with the exception of the Book of Esther. It will continue to exist, as will the five books of the Torah and the halachos of the Oral Law, which will never be nullified. “
In addition: There is a big difference between the laws of man and the laws of Hashem. “There are two sorts of statutes: A) statutes that create life and B) statutes created by life. Human laws are created by life so they vary from land to land according to circumstances. The Alm-ghty’s Torah is a G-dly law that creates life. G-d’s Torah is the Torah of truth, the same in all places, at all times. Torah is eternal.” (HaYom Yom, 22 Shevat) Mitzvos are the will of Hashem. He and His will are one. Since He does not change, His will – Mitzvos – do not change.
The Rebbe (Sichos Tishrei 5752) provides a revolutionary explanation:
When Moshiach comes, the world will be very sensitive to spirituality. We will follow Hashem’s will without having to be commanded to do so. If one has to be told to do something, it implies that there are two separate existences, which are communicating with each other.
To understand this clearly, take for example the relationship between spouses. The difference between a bad, good and excellent marriage might be described as follows:
Bad: The wife asks the husband to take out the garbage and he ignores her.
Good: The wife asks the husband to take out the garbage and he listens.
Excellent: The wife does not have to tell the husband to take out the garbage. He is sensitive to her needs on his own.
When Moshiach comes, the Mitzvos will be annulled, meaning that we will not be commanded to do the Mitzvos; we will be doing them naturally. We will be sensitive to G-d’s will and desires even without His express commandment to fulfill them.
The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni on Yirmiyahu 315) writes: If in the Times of Moshiach one will want to do the forbidden act of picking a fig on Shabbos, the fig will scream at him to stop.
The HaYom Yom (15 Adar 1) writes: “It is said of the Time to Come: ‘A stone in the wall will cry out and a beam from the tree will respond.’ At present, inert creations are mute; though trodden upon, they remain silent. But there will come a time, when the revelation of the Future becomes a reality, when the inert will begin to speak, relate and demand: ‘If a man was walking along without thinking or speaking words of Torah, why did he trample upon me?’
“The earth that has been trodden upon has been waiting for millennia, ever since the Six Days of Creation. All kinds of living creatures have been treading upon it all this time, but it is waiting for a Jew (or two Jews) to walk on it while discussing Torah. But if they do not say words of Torah, the earth will protest: ‘You too are just like an animal!’”
From the above it is clear that we will continue doing the 613 Mitzvos. In our coming articles we will discuss specific Mitzvos and how they will be performed.