Heel the World

"Heal the world, make it a better place - for you and for me and the entire human race." (MJ)

The Earth is not flat - what about us?

We frequently hear about the end of the world. There are countless people committed to spread "end of days" fears across the globe. In Judaism, we constantly speak about the coming of Moshiach and what will be experienced at that glorious time.

The time that immediately precedes the coming of Moshiach, the era in which we currently find ourselves, is called Ikvisa d'Mishicha, the Heel of Moshiach. According to Chazal, it will be a period of great strife as the world will be subject to terrible conflict. However, amid the anguish that this time will bring, we must understand that the entirety of Jewish history depends upon us. Every part of our illustrious past rests upon the success of our generation. As great as our distinguished Avos and Imahos were, the destiny of our Nation is dependent on our deeds and steadfast determination in our service of Hashem.

Someone I know once recounted an interesting situation he found himself in. He suffered from terrible back pains, and didn't know what to do with himself. He finally agreed to make an appointment with his doctor to see what could be done. After he explained his symptoms to the doctor, the doctor instructed, "Please take off your shoes."

"Shoes?" the fellow asked. "But doc, my back is hurting me! What does that have to do with my feet?"

"Just take off your shoes," insisted the doctor.

After he removed his shoes, the doctor exclaimed, "Exactly what I thought. You have flat feet. Since you have flat feet without a supportive pair of shoes, it is causing you to have back pain."

A new pair of shoes later, the back pain was now a matter of the past.

We support our past just as the feet support the body. The body’s health and direction follows our lead. If we achieve our goal, we will bring the world - present and past - to experience the Final Redemption with the coming of Moshiach.

Say to yourself ten times today:

"Hashem, please support me today as I try to help bring Moshiach through my good deeds!"