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The Tzemach Tzedek was once asked by his son, the future Rebbe Maharash, why Mashiach had not appeared in the year 5608; 1848-49, which had been anticipated as a keitz, a time particularly propitious for this.
The Tzemach Tzedek replied: "But that year saw the publication of Likkutei Torah!"[1]
The Rebbe Maharash objected: "But we need Mashiach down here, 'lower than ten tefachim!' "[2]
On this exchange the Rebbe Shlita once commented: "It is certain that the Tzemach Tzedek likewise knew that Mashiach is needed plainly and tangibly[3] -- but he wanted to hear this articulated, as a demand, from someone who was not then at the level of a nasi,[4] but who spoke as a mekabel."[5]
Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XIV, p. 429
Along the same lines the Rebbe Shlita has said: "When we are speaking of a nasi from the point of view of his bond with his contemporaries, then Mashiach is needed plainly and tangibly. But when we are speaking of a nasi in and of himself, then since he himself is in the world of Sod, the mystical dimension of the Torah, the publication of Likkutei Torah is in a sense an actual coming of Mashiach -- for in essence, the coming of Mashiach is the revelation of the innermost, mystical dimension of the Torah.
From a talk of the Rebbe Shlita on Chai Elul, 5742 [1982]
The awe-inspiring Niggun of Four Themes[6] is commonly known as "The Alter Rebbe's Niggun." The chassidim of the Alter Rebbe used to call it "The Shofar of Mashiach," because, as they explained, it arouses a yearning for the coming of Mashiach.
Igros Kodesh (Letters) of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. VI, p. 172
One day, when the Tzemach Tzedek was still a young man, he was sitting with a group of chassidim who were discussing the question, "Who knows when Mashiach is going to come?"
He commented: "This kind of talk recalls the style of [the gentile prophet] Bilaam,[7] who said [concerning the ultimate Redemption of Israel[8]], 'I see it, but not now; I perceive it, but not in the near future' -- as if the Redemption were far away. A Jew, though, should hope and anticipate every day that Mashiach will come on that very day."
Transmitted by oral tradition
One of the chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek operated an inn and a store for which he prepaid an annual rent to the local squire. As he was growing old, he sent his son one day to sign the annual contract on his behalf. The son, however, asked the paritz to agree to a three-year contract, which he did, and the son paid for the three years in advance.
Hearing this, his father was irate: "Look here! We believe with perfect faith that Mashiach is coming. In fact, he is coming this year, for sure. And you've gone and wasted two years' payment for nothing?!"
Transmitted by oral tradition
NOTES
1. A major collection of teachings of the Alter Rebbe on the mystical dimension of the Torah, edited and published after his passing by his grandson, the Tzemach Tzedek.
2. A Talmudic phrase serving here as an idiom for the concrete realities of this world.
3. The original which this phrase translates is kepshuto.
4. I.e., a tzaddik in his role as Rebbe, as leader of his contemporaries.
5. Lit., "a recipient."
6. This is the wordless melody traditionally sung at Lubavitch weddings as bride and groom are escorted to the chuppah; see Sefer HaNiggunim (Nicho'ach; N.Y., 1948), Vol. I, p. 1, and p. mem gimmel of the introductory texts there. See also Likkutei Dibburim (in English translation; Kehot, N.Y, 1987), Vol. I, ch. 4b, sec. 5.
7. Bamidbar 24:17.
8. See Rashi there; see also Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 11:1.
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