Recently, an Orthodox teenage girl told me that she wouldnt believe that someone was the Moshiach (Messiah) if they said it themselves, only if others said it about them. So, how does one make it known if they are the one weve been waiting for? How does one get even that first person to believe? And how will he or she make it known? How will they get others to believe them? Posters didnt work back in the 1980s, so what will? Have you seen or read the poem The Moshiachs Hat? Its a great piece that addresses this dilemma, from a bit of a different perspective. This 30 stanza poem circulated on the internet a few years ago, after Id finished my first draft of Being Moshiach, which has since been divided into two books of The Messiah Chronicles series. Most versions indicated the author was unknown, or humorously listed as Anonymous ben Kolonymous. I finally found that the oldest version was written in 1992, as is attributed to a prominent rabbi in Toronto, Rabbi Yitzchok Feigenbaum, and was not called The Moshiachs Hat, but Ode to Purim. He starts it with a line from Megillat Esther, something Haman said to King Achashverosh to get him to agree to his plans to annihilate the Jewish People. It translates as: There is a nation that is distinguished and separate. It did not acquire its better known title, The Moshiachs Hat until years later. The original post is listed below and is still archived at shamash.org/listarchives/mail-jewish/volume7/v7n97) Whats interesting about the start of the post on the Shamash.org list archive is that it talks about Yeshiva University versus institutions that are more to the right, but over the last decade or two, Yeshiva University has also moved to the right, far to the right of where they were it seems, at least from the outside. The poem speaks about each sect believing that we know and own the truth and the correct path, so unless the long awaited Messiah were to show up looking exactly like us, we wouldnt recognize him or believe he was really Gds emissary. The Messiah Chronicles books address this a bit, but look at other issues as well - namely peoples unwillingness to get out of their comfort zone, and whether or not people in the world today really want the Messiah to come, or whether its just something they say they want and give lip service. What if the Messiah came and wanted you to make changes in your life? What would you be willing to do? May we be privileged to witness the coming and success of the Moshiach in our generation - whether it be one person or many who bring the redemption, theres a part for each of us to play for geulah to be achieved! People love the concept: Lshana habah bYerushalayim, but the problem with it is that - as Annie sang in the famous hit song - its always a day away! So, Lets change that to: Hashana BYerushalayim - This Year in Jerusalem (rebuilt). Chag Samayach. Rivka Sarah Horowitz aka - Riki Below is a copy of that poem, now called Moshiachs Hat. ODE TO PURIM yeshno am echod mFoozar umiforud - (There is a nation that is distinguished and separate) To all of us, from one of them. By Rabbi Yitzchok Feigenbaum --------------------------------------- Twas the night of the geulah, and in every single shteibel, sounds of Torah could be heard, coming from every kind of Yeidel. This one in English, some in Hebrew, some in Yiddish, some saying pshat, and some saying chiddush. And up in shomayim, the Aibishter decreed, The time has come for My children to be freed. Rouse the Mashiach from his heavenly berth, have him get in his chariot and head down to Earth. The Moshiach got dressed, and with a heart full of glee, went down to the Earth, and entered the first shteibel he did see. Im the Moshiach, Hashem has heard your plea, your geulah has come, it is time to go free! They all stopped their learning, this was quite a surprise, And they looked at him carefully with piercing sharp eyes. Hes not the Mashiach! said one with a grin, Just look at his hat, at the pinches and brim! Thats right!, cried another with a grimace and a frown, Whoever heard of Mashiach with a brim that is down?! Well, thought Mashiach, If that is the rule, Ill turn my brim up before I go to the next shule! So he walked on right over to the next shule in town, confident to be accepted since his brim was no longer down. Im the Mashiach!, he cried as he began to enter. But the Jews there wanted to know first, if he was left, right, or center. Your clothes are so black! they cried out in a fright. You cant be Mashiach -- youre much too far right! If you want to be Mashiach, you must be properly outfitted. So they replaced his black hat with a kipa that was knitted. Wearing his new kipa, Mashiach went out and he said, No difference to me what I wear on my head. So he went to the next shule, for his mission was dear, But he was getting a bit frustrated with the Yidden down here. Im the Mashiach! he cried, and they all stopped to stare. And a complete eerie stillness filled up the air. Youre the Mashiach?! Just imagine that. Whoever heard of Mashiach without a black hat?! But I do have a hat! the Mashiach then said. So he pulled it right out and plunked it down on his head. Then the Shule started laughing, and one said, Wheres your kop? You cant have Mashiach with a brim that is up! If you want to be Mashiach, and be accepted in this town, put some pinches in your hat, and turn that brim down! Mashiach walked out and said, I guess my time hasnt really come, Ill just have to return to where I came from. So he went to his chariot, but as he began to enter, all sorts of Jews appeared, from left, right, and center. Please wait, do not leave, its all THEIR fault! they said And they pointed to each other, and to what was on each others head. Mashiach just looked sad, and said, You dont understand. And then started up his chariot to get out of this land. Yes, its very wonderful, that all of you learn Torah, But you seem to have forgotten, a crucial part of our mesorah. What does he mean? Whats he talking about? And they all looked bewildered, and all began to shout. Mashiach looked back and answered, The first place to start, is to shut up your mouths, and open up your heart. To each of you, certain Yidden seem too frum or too frei but ALL Yidden are beloved, in the Aibeshters eye. And on his way up he shouted, If you want me to come, try working a little harder on some ahavas chinam. shamash.org/listarchives/mail-jewish/volume7/v7n97 listserv.shamash.org Like · · Share · October 4, 2013 at 2:58pm near Indianapolis, IN · 1 share The Messiah Chronicles Press Enter to post. 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