On the day G‑d created man, He made him in the likeness of G‑d … and He named them Adam.”

-Bereishit 5:1-2

Adam’s soul was a composite of the souls of all his descendants-all of mankind. The Hebrew term for a human thus is adam.

Mystics note that adam is an acronym for the names of three central figures: Adam, (King) David and Moshiach. The Baal Shem Tov derives from this that there is a spark of the soul of Moshiach within every single Jew. Thus he concludes that it is incumbent upon every individual Jew to perfect and prepare that part of the spiritual stature of Moshiach to which his soul is related.

By virtue of his bond with every Jew, because there is a part of him within every Jew, Moshiach is able to redeem the entire Jewish people.

Conversely, every Jew is able to effect and hasten the actual manifestation of Moshiach. This is accomplished by means of Torah and mitzvot. For Torah and mitzvot effect a purification of the world, gradually diminishing its impurity until “I shall remove the spirit of impurity (altogether) from the earth” (Zechariah 13:2). This will be with the coming of Moshiach, for he will reveal goodness and holiness in the world until “The earth shall be full with the knowledge of G‑d as the waters cover the sea!” (Isaiah 11:9)

Living With Moshiach »By J. Immanuel Schochet

BUY BOOKA renowned scholar and theologian presents inspiring and articulate observations on the ultimate purpose of G-d’s creation – the redemption by our righteous Moshiach.

Based on the talks and writings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, these concise adaptations are arranged according to the weekly and holiday Torah portions. This volume unites these cogent insights with the well-known Chasidic adage, “one must live with the times,” that is, take guidance from The appropriate Torah reading.