The Twelfth Principle: The Coming of Mashiach

Full Summary

This profound shiur examines the twelfth of Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith: belief in the coming of Mashiach. Rabbi Zweig begins by citing the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s formulation that we must believe with perfect faith in Mashiach's coming, regardless of delay, and that the Messiah will emerge from King David's lineage. The Rambam describes the Messianic age as a time when Jews regain independence, return to Israel, and live under a great king in Zion, though the world will remain largely unchanged except for the end of political subjugation. Rabbi Zweig addresses a fundamental question: why do Jews facing the Holocaust sing 'Ani Maamin' about Mashiach's coming? He rejects the superficial understanding that this represents hope for revenge against oppressors, calling such an interpretation 'hollow' and unworthy of great souls facing martyrdom. Instead, he probes deeper into what distinguishes this principle from all others. A crucial insight emerges: unlike the previous eleven principles which describe present realities (God's existence, Torah (תורה) from Sinai, prophecy, etc.), belief in Mashiach concerns the future. Rabbi Zweig asks why lacking knowledge of future events should render one's entire Jewish worldview meaningless. His answer revolutionizes our understanding of Jewish purpose and Torah observance. The core teaching is that the purpose of Jewish existence is not personal reward in the World to Come, but rather to glorify God's name and make this world a mirror image of the Almighty. Jews exist to demonstrate divine values—truth, peace, harmony—so humanity can recognize God's presence. If there were no Mashiach, this mission would be impossible, rendering Jewish life and Torah observance meaningless. Rabbi Zweig explains that without belief in an ultimate Messianic age when Jewish ideals will triumph, all mitzvah (מצוה) observance reduces to mere commitment or dedication—qualities that can serve evil as easily as good. The Holocaust's greatest criminals often showed tremendous 'dedication.' Only if mitzvot reflect objective divine truths that will eventually be recognized worldwide do they have real meaning. The shiur addresses the apparent paradox that the generation before Mashiach will be the most corrupt, while Mashiach represents ultimate goodness. Rabbi Zweig explains this through the Talmudic teaching that in the Messianic age, 'God will be one and His name will be one'—meaning we will understand how apparent evils were actually part of divine good, like a surgery that appears violent to an uninformed observer but is actually healing. This explains why Jews facing the Holocaust sang Ani Maamin—not hoping for revenge, but affirming that their suffering, incomprehensible as it seemed, was part of a divine plan leading to ultimate revelation of God's truth in the world. They maintained faith that the world has meaning and purpose, that Jewish values will ultimately triumph. Rabbi Zweig concludes that without this principle, Jewish existence becomes absurd. Why observe intricate Torah laws if they're merely arbitrary tests for reward? Why maintain Jewish identity in a hostile world if it serves no cosmic purpose? Only belief in Mashiach—in the ultimate vindication and triumph of Jewish ideals—makes current Jewish life meaningful. The principle transforms present observance from burden to mission, from meaningless suffering to cosmic purpose.