We've all heard of Moshiach (messiah) and the messianic era, I'm sure. But where does the idea of Moshiach come from? How many times is it referred to in the Torah?

Surprisingly, the messianic age is only talked about in the Torah twice. (In the later prophets, there are many more references to Moshiach and what will happen then).

One of those two rare mentions are in this week’s Torah portion of Balak. And the prophesy about Moshiach is by the non-Jewish prophet (Billam), no less!

And now, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you...what this people will do to your people at the end of days." He took up his parable and said, "The word of Bilaam, son of Beor, the word of a man with an open eye. The word of the one who hears God's sayings and perceives the thoughts of the Most High; who sees the vision of the Almighty, fallen yet with open eyes.

I see it, but not now; I behold it, but not soon. A star has gone forth from Jacob, and a staff will arise from Israel which will crush the princes of Moab and uproot all the sons of Seth. Edom shall be possessed, and Seir shall become the possession of his enemies, and Israel shall triumph. A ruler shall come out of Jacob, and destroy the remnant of the city."
- Numbers 24:14-19

Are you uncomfortable yet?

It sounds like a crushing defeat of the enemies of the Jewish people and even their destruction! Is this what the messianic age is all about?  The Jews getting their revenge and destroying the nations of the world? 

What happened to world peace? What happened to no more war or hatred etc. What happened to the famousUtopian vision of the messianic age???  So  we as  Jews  do in fact believe in the  Armageddon ??? 

The first clue is that a careful reading of other sources in the Tana”ch challenges this understanding. There are many references to the nations of the world in the messianic age.

Here is just one example of many:

And it will be in the end of days that the mountain of the Temple of G-d will be  established, topping all mountains, and it will be exalted above the lofty  places, and people will stream to it. Many nations shall come and say, “Let us  go up to the mountain of G-d, to the House of the G-d of Jacob, and He will  show us His ways and we will walk in His paths.

-        Michah 4:1-2

So, if the nations of the world will still be around in the times of Moshiach, what are we to make of the destruction that is described in our Torah portion?

I will share with you an enlightening solution from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

The destruction of the nations of the world is not physical but rather spiritual. If you have someone who is dedicated to violence, aggressiveness and anti-Semitism, there are two ways to destroy him. One is by physically killing or subduing him. The other is by transforming him into a peace loving mensch! you’ve still ‘destroyed’ his aggressiveness and hate, but by teaching him how to respect and love.

Moshiach will elevate all the nations of the world to transcend their (some of the time) proclivity to hate, aggressiveness and bigotry, to one of love, kindness and respect for all of G-ds children. In effect, the descendants of Sheis will be destroyed as we know it. But without the violence that we would imagine that comes with it.

Indeed the utopian imagery of the messianic age is truly peaceful and loving.

As the aforementioned Micha said so many years ago:

Many nations shall come and say, “Let us

go up to the mountain of G-d, to the House of the G-d of Jacob, and He will

show us His ways and we will walk in His paths

May it happen in a complete and peaceful way, speedily in our days.

Shabbat shalom