THE KING – MOSHIACH – IS IN THE FIELD!

There are times when the king comes out to the fields outside the city. At such times, anyone can approach him; the king receives them all with a smiling face and a radiant countenance. The peasant behind his plow has access to the king in a manner unavailable to the highest ranking minister in the royal court when the king is in the palace.

Dear Readers sh’yichyu,

We are standing in the month of Elul and preparing for the holy month of Tishrei.

Anyone even vaguely familiar with Chassidus Chabad knows the famous parable that the Alter Rebbe – founder of Chabad – said regarding the paradox of the month of Elul. On the one hand there are great spiritual revelations during this month, yet, the 29 days of the month are not regarded as a Yom Tov.

To explain this seeming enigma he brings a parable of a “King in the field”:

The king’s usual place is in the capital city, in the royal palace. Anyone wishing to approach the king must go through the appropriate channels in the palace bureaucracy and gain the approval of a succession of secretaries and ministers. He must journey to the capital and pass through the many gates, corridors and antechambers that lead to the throne room. His presentation must be meticulously prepared, and he must adhere to an exacting code of dress, speech and mannerism upon entering into the royal presence.

However, there are times when the king comes out to the fields outside the city. At such times, anyone can approach him; the king receives them all with a smiling face and a radiant countenance. The peasant behind his plow has access to the king in a manner unavailable to the highest ranking minister in the royal court when the king is in the palace.

In one of his Maamarim (Meluket 4), the Rebbe explains an amazing irony about the time when the king is in the field. Being that the king is so accessible, it does not arouse in the people of the field the desire to come and take advantage of the great opportunity that is available to them.

Dear Readers!

We are currently in a special “twilight era.” For over 90 years the Rebbe was revealed to the world. Hundreds and thousands of people were inspired by him and his actions. His love of every Jew and constant optimistic messages aroused and melted the hearts of even the most frozen hearts. Thousands stood on long lines to get a dollar, Lekach, Kos Shel Bracha etc. form his holy hand. 

We also know that very soon the Rebbe will be revealed to the world as the long-awaited Melech HaMoshiach. He will teach Torah to all the Jewish people of all the generations. The entire world will be inspired again by his leadership.

Now, however, we are in the “in-between” era, when “the king – Moshiach – is in the field.” We do not see the Rebbe in all his regal majesty. It is not the “in-thing” to come and connect with the Rebbe – as a king – today. Today it takes special Emuna – faith – to stay connected with the king.

Dear Chassidim! 

Please take advantage of this time and connect with “the king in the field.” The Rebbe tells us (HaYom Yom 24 Sivan): “You ask how you can be bound (m’kushar) to me when I do not know you personally. The true bond is created by studying Torah. When you study my maamarim, read the sichos and associate with those dear to me – the chassidic community and the T’mimim in their studies and farbrengens, and you fulfill my request regarding saying T’hillim and observing Torah-study times – in this is the bond.”

Now is our opportunity to connect ourselves and others with the Rebbe. He is “in the field” waiting to hear from us and grant our requests for all that we might need physically and spiritually.

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.