The Tzaddik Who Tried to Bring Moshiach Early

The Chassidic world in Poland was stunned. Their beloved teacher, Rabbi Moshe of Lelov, announced he was making aliyah. “How will we go on without him?” his followers wondered.

To his closest students, he revealed the reason: “My father, Rabbi Dovid, told me as a child: I never merited to see the Holy Land—but you must go. Your avodah there will hasten the coming of Moshiach.”

With burning determination, Rabbi Moshe traveled from town to town, sharing deep teachings and preparing for his mission. In Sadigura, he parted from his teacher, the holy Ruzhiner Rebbe, who begged to join him. But Rabbi Moshe refused: “My white beard won’t let me delay a moment.”

He carried the kiddush cup of the Chozeh of Lublin and declared: “When I arrive at the Kotel, I will blow the shofar with such force it will shake the heavens—I will not move until Moshiach comes!”

But when he reached the gates of Jerusalem, the sacred cup slipped from his bag—and shattered on the stones.

Soon after, he fell gravely ill. His family rushed to bring him to the Kotel—but just before they arrived, a group of Arabs attacked them with stones. They escaped, but the moment was lost.

Rabbi Moshe passed away 72 days after arriving in Eretz Yisrael. His mission remained unfulfilled.

He tried to bring the geulah early—but from Heaven, it was decreed: the time had not yet come.