As long as there has been a Jewish people, the hope for the coming of Moshiach and the Age of Redemption has been first and foremost in the minds and hearts of all the Jewish people.
With the passage of time, this hope has not waned, nor have repeated persecutions beaten it out of the Jewish mind and heart. On the contrary, the extreme length of this present dark Exile has only served to intensify the longing and anticipation for the coming of the King and Redeemer, Moshiach.
During the last century in particular, our Sages from diverse schools and varied backgrounds have all declared that we are now going through the very last stages of Galus -- Exile. They have identified this period as that which the Sages of the Talmud referred to as Ikvasa d'Meshicha, or the "Heels of Moshiach," stating that the onset of the Redemption cannot be far off.
The most powerful by far of all these pronouncements was made some fifty years ago by the Previous Rebbe of Lubavitch, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, who announced, "L'Alter l'Teshuvah, L'Alter l'Geulah! -- Teshuvah now, Redemption now!"
In another extraordinary pronouncement, the Previous Rebbe stated that the cumulative good accomplished by the Jewish people throughout thousands of years had brought the world to the verge of Redemption. Everything was ready. Everything was prepared. It was metaphorically like a soldier preparing his uniform for review. The only thing left to be done was to polish the buttons. Only a bare minimum of effort was still needed before the world would be ready to hear the ultimate pronouncement, "The time for your Redemption has arrived."
Now this too has happened!
It was near the end of the year 5750 (1990), the year designated by the present Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita, may he be well, as "The Year of Miracles." Clearly and unmistakably, the Rebbe announced that "The time for your Redemption has arrived." He further explained that this knowledge comes to him through the gift of prophecy, and he asked that this prophecy be disseminated through the entire world.
On numerous other occasions, the Rebbe stated further that "the process of polishing the buttons has also been completed" -- i.e., that the process of refining the world, referred to in Kabbalah and Chassidus as "Birur HaNitzotzos," or refinement of the sparks, had been completed, and the world was now ready for the Redemption.
For centuries Jews had longed to hear these words. Now that it happened, what were we to do? How were we to react? Were we supposed to sit back and watch the drama unfold? Were we to take an active role in the actual Redemption?
On the eve of the 28th of Nissan 5751, the Rebbe removed all doubt about the role we would have to play. In some of the most startling words he ever uttered, the Rebbe told us that he had done all that he could to bring Moshiach. Now he was handing the responsibility over to us to make it a reality!
But what precisely did the Rebbe want us to do? Shortly afterwards, the Rebbe made that clear, too. Our primary task, he said, was to learn and teach about Moshiach, to live with the idea of Moshiach, to make essential changes in our way of looking at life, and to publicize the prophecy that Redemption was imminent, and that everyone should be actively preparing to greet Moshiach.
"Do everything you can to bring Moshiach here and now," the Rebbe said. The result was an unprecedented amount of literature about the subject of Moshiach and Geulah (Redemption). There have no doubt been more publications on this subject in the last three years alone, than in the past several decades combined!
To appreciate the full significance of the time in which we live, and the seriousness with which this new reality must be confronted, it is imperative to familiarize ourselves with all that the Rebbe has said and written on the subject of Moshiach and Redemption, especially during the last few years.
The sheer volume of these teachings, not to mention the close-knit nature of the Rebbe's thought, makes this a difficult task. Therefore it was felt necessary to publish a selection of some of his most riveting statements made over the last few years (5750-5752 [1990-1992]), which had been edited by the Rebbe personally, with the special request that they be publicized throughout the world.
This project was undertaken with the Rebbe's consent and blessing, and resulted in the publication of the book Besuras HaGeulo -- The Announcement of the Redemption.
The following translation is an attempt to introduce the English speaking public to some of the most historic words ever spoken by a Jewish leader; words which will hopefully inspire all of us to make every effort possible "to make the Redemption a reality here and now!"
It is our fervent prayer that even before these words see the light of day, we should all merit to see the complete and immediate recovery of the Rebbe, may he be well, who will lead us as Melech HaMoshiach out of Galus (Exile), rebuild the Bais HaMikdash, and gather the Jews from all corners of the world to the Holy Land of Israel.
Amen v'Amen.