Who’s Who in the Times Of Moshiach • Part III
Dear Reader Sh’yichyeh:
In the last few articles, we discussed some of the personalities in the times of Moshiach. In this article we will be discussing a unique place that is connected with Moshiach: the personal residence of Melech HaMoshiach.
To be candid, the first time I heard of this concept, I thought that it was connected to some “right-winged” fanaticism. I did not think that it had anything to do with reality. It was only after seeing the sources with my own eyes that I realized the importance of the issue. The main person connected to this issue was Rabbi Zushe Rivkin of Kfar Chabad. He recently passed away and may this article be in the merit of his memory.
THE BACKGROUND
It was in 1978 that R’ Zushe Rivkin, a Chassid from Kfar Chabad, came up with the idea. When his brother R’ Chaim went to New York, R’ Zushe asked him to present the Rebbe MH”M with the offer to build the Rebbe a home in Kfar Chabad.
During a private audience with the Rebbe, R’ Chaim did indeed mention that his brother wanted to build a house for the Rebbe in Kfar Chabad. The Rebbe gazed at him and replied, “He wants to build a house for me? … A palace!”
Then the Rebbe added, “But not for now. Wait to build.”
R’ Zushe heard the Rebbe’s response in utter surprise. He had thought of building an ordinary home, yet this was the Rebbe’s incredible answer.
R’ Zushe immediately met with architect Zev Marganit. At the end of their meeting, they said l’chaim on the Rebbe’s mashke. When they parted it was close to midnight. Early the next morning the architect phoned R’ Zushe. “The plans are ready!” announced the architect.
“How is that possible? Such blueprints require weeks of work!” R’ Zushe replied in astonishment.
Zev responded: “Well, when I got home, I felt an urge to get started on the plans. I sat down and began drawing. Suddenly, I felt as if my hand had stopped obeying me and was running swiftly across the paper. In disbelief, a complete blueprint of a magnificent palace with all its most intricate details lay before my eyes… My hand did hold the pencil, but it certainly did not draw such perfect plans!
“All I can say is that the Rebbe himself drew the blueprints…”
R’ Zushe showed the plans to many architects, and they all came to the same conclusion: “No human hand could have done such a superb job!”
The blueprints were sent to the Rebbe who answered, “Received and thank you. For now, wait to build…”
The Rebbe included ten coins with his response: five lira coins and five half dollars.
Nearly ten and a half years went by, in the course of which R’ Zushe did not stop asking for permission to build.
However, the Rebbe did not give him permission to begin, and answered, “It is not yet the time.”
At the end of Shvat 5752, a change occurred. Mrs. Naomi Rivkin passed by the Rebbe at a general yechidus, and she said that her husband asked if he could begin building the Palace for the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach.
The Rebbe answered with a smile, “Ask a Rav in Eretz Yisroel.”
Upon hearing the good news, R’ Zushe went immediately to the home of Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi, the Rav of Kfar Chabad.
He told the Rav about the Rebbe’s instruction to build a Palace, and to ask a Rav in Eretz Yisroel. After hearing all the details, and understanding that this is what the Rebbe wants, Rabbi Ashkenazi said they should begin building with joy, and in a good and auspicious time.
Armed with the Rav’s blessings, Mrs. Rivkin passed by the Rebbe for Dollars and told the Rebbe that the Rav gave his approval.
The Rebbe was happy and gave her an extra dollar. “As the Rav instructed, so shall you do, and with great success. Blessing and success.”
Unfortunately, for technical – and political – reasons, the palace has not yet been built.
A PERSONAL PALACE: IS IT NECESSARY?
At first glance, it seems so strange. Does the Rebbe really need a personal palace for himself?
The following are some of my own thoughts on the matter:
Regarding the first commandment to build a dwelling place for Hashem, the Torah says (Shmos 25:8) “And they shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst.”
There is an interesting anomaly in the above verse that is explained by the Shla HaKadosh (Shnei Luchos HaBris by Rav Yeshayahu Hurwitz – Parshas Truma #326). The Torah says, “Make for Me a Mikdash and I will dwell among them.” The Shla notes that it does not say, “and I will dwell in it” (in the Mikdash). Rather, it says, “and I will dwell among them,” meaning, that God will dwell within the builders of the Mishkan, for they each have an inner, hidden Mishkan.
This means, that just as God certainly dwelled in the Mishkan and later in the Beis HaMikdash, He “dwells” within us as well. He is connected directly to our souls and dwells in our hearts.
From the above it is clear that when the Rebbe asks and demands that a palace be built for him in Eretz Yisroel, it includes building the Rebbe a personal palace – not just a simple home – in our hearts. And this is accomplished through Avodas Hashem.
The difference in the Avoda of building a home versus a palace for Hashem can be understood by the effect that a physical home or palace has on a person. A home is a place where a person dwells and can express himself freely. A palace, in contrast, is a place that liberates and expands the mind of a person, as Chazal say (Brachos 57b) “Three things expand a person’s mind: A beautiful dwelling, etc.” It is the detail and splendor of the palace that opens the person’s mind to new levels.
What would cause someone to build something so magnificent and so detail-oriented? It is passion. Only someone who is passionate about a certain project will go out of his way to complete the project beyond the basic requirements of that project, paying extra attention to luxurious details and aesthetics.
How do we know which people are passionate about Hashem? It is not if they do Mitzvos, for everyone does Mitzvos. Rather, it is how they do Mitzvos. Does the person spend his extra money on nicer furniture or nicer Mezuzos? Building a palace for Moshiach implies passion about Torah and Mitzvos. We should not merely serve Hashem because we have to, but rather because we want to.
WHY IS THIS NEEDED ESPECIALLY BEFORE MOSHIACH’S COMING?
Regarding the times of Moshiach, the Rambam writes (Hilchos Melachim 12:4): “The sages and prophets did not yearn for the Messianic Era in order that [the Jewish people] rule over the entire world, nor in order that they have dominion over the gentiles, nor that they be exalted by them, nor in order that they eat, drink and celebrate. Rather, their aspiration was that [the Jewish people] be free [to involve themselves] in the Torah and its wisdom, without anyone to oppress or disturb them, and thus be found worthy of life in the World to Come, as we explained in Hilchos T’shuva.”
Does this type of lifestyle excite you? It will do so only if you are passionate about Torah and Mitzvos. That is why we need to get into the “building the palace” mode right now!
Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com. Weekly shiurim on Moshiach topics given by Rabbi Avtzon can be viewed at chabad.info.