THE END OF EXILE IS NEAR!

   In the Torah portion of Noach we find G-d's promise that the 
world will continue to exist forever; it will never end.

   "The end is near." What does this phrase mean? Certainly not the
end of the world but the end of the bitter days of exile. The end
of oppression and hatred, poverty and sickness, war and crime.

   Why should we be afraid that the end is approaching? Should that
thought truly place fear in our hearts? Or should we not be excited
that "the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the
waters cover the ocean"?

   Fear is not necessarily the appropriate feeling. Rather,
possibly a sense of regret, as the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef
Yitzchok Schneersohn, stated, "When Moshiach comes, then we will
long for the days of exile." Why? Because at that time we will look
back at a replay of our lives and see all of the instances when we
could have done more good, more mitzvot, judged less harshly, been
more generous. Thus, we might look toward the imminently
approaching days of Moshiach with a little anxiety. But the
positive anticipation should far outweigh our trepidation.

   Would the Jews, from our greatest leaders to the simplest
person, have looked forward to, longed for, prayed, begged and
beseeched G-d for 2,000 years if the Redemption would not be good
for everyone? In fact, we are told that this redemption for which
we wait anxiously is called the "geula ha-amitit v'hashleima"--the
true and complete redemption--because every single Jew, as well as
all righteous gentiles, have a portion in the Redemption.

   Let us take one more lesson from the Torah portion of Noach and 
relate it to the topic of Redemption as well. Noach was a tzaddik, 
a righteous person. But he had one major failing. He was commanded 
by G-d to build an ark, which he did obediently and gladly. But he 
did not actively seek to help the people of his generation return 
to G-d. He was content to save himself and his family.

   Let us all make sure not only to prepare ourselves and to feel
positive and anxious about the imminent redemption. Let us make
sure to influence those in our surroundings as well.