For example, the Gemara (Eruvin discusses someone who vows to be a nazir beginning on the day that Mashiach comes. Must he refrain from the activities prohibited to a nazir (e.g. drinking wine) immediately, in case Mashiach comes today? The Gemara rules that he may drink on Shabbos and holidays but not during the week -- because Eliyahu, who will precede Mashiach, will not disrupt our preparations for Shabbos and holidays by coming on the prior day. It seems clear from this Gemara that there are some days -- namely Shabbos and holidays -- on which Mashiach cannot come.Since there has been a lot of hype that have probably gone viral, thanks to Mrs Iris Odani Elyashiv, that the appointed time for Moshiach is 9th of Av, 5772, I wonder if this is going to be a problem since 9th Av 5772 falls on Shabbos. Nevertheless, Rambam seems to hold that Moshiach can come on any day. We will see who's right.
Similarly, the Gemara Rosh Hashanah 10b-11a) contains a debate between R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua over whether the ultimate redemption will happen in the month of Tishrei or the month of Nissan. Clearly, according to either sage, there are 11 months in the year during which Mashiach will not come. And there are other similar passages in the Talmud that limit the days on which Mashiach can come.
Source: Waiting for Moshiach
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The Appointed Time, במועד שנקבע
This year the 9th of Av falls on Shabbos. There are certain views in the Gemara that debate over whether Moshiach can come any day of the week, or is he prevented from coming on certain days or even certain months.