MOSHIACH'S HAT

By Rabbi Yitzchok Feigenbaum, principal of Tiferes Bais Yaakov of Toronto

'T was the night of the Geulah, - And in every single Shtiebel

Sounds of Torah could be heard - Coming from every kind of Yeedel.

This one in English, - Some in Hebrew, some in Yiddish.

Some saying P'shat - And some saying a Chiddish.

And up in Shamayim-The Aibishter decreed:

"The time has come - For My children to be freed.

"Rouse the Moshiach - From his heavenly berth.

Have him get in his chariot, - And head down to earth.

"The Moshiach got dressed - And with a heart full of glee,

Went down to earth and entered - the first Shtiebel he did see.

"I am the Moshiach! - Hashem has heard your plea!

Your Geulah has come! - It's time to go free!

"They all stopped their learning; - This was quite a surprise.

And they look at him carefully, - With piercing sharp eyes

"He's not the Moshiach!" - Said one with a grin,

"Just look at his hat, - At the pinches and brim!"

"That's right!" cried another - With a grimace and frown,

"Whoever heard of Moshiach, - With a brim that's turned down?"

"Well," thought Moshiach, - "If this is the rule,

I'll turn my brim up - Before I go to the next shul."

So he walked right on over - To the next shul in town.

Sure to be accepted, - Since his brim was no longer down.

"I'm, the Moshiach!" he cried, - As he began to enter

But the Jews wanted to know first - If he was Left Right or Center

"Your clothes are so black!" - They cried out in fright.

"You can't be Moshiach-You're much too far right!"

"If you want to be Moshiach, - You must be properly outfitted.

"So they replaced his black hat - With a Kippah that was knitted.

Wearing his new Kippah, - Moshiach went out and said:

"No difference to me - What I wear on my head.

"So he went to the next shul, - For his mission was dear.

But he was getting frustrated - With the Yidden down here.

"I'm the Moshiach!" he cried, - And they all stopped to stare,

And a complete eerie stillness - Filled up the air.

"You're the Moshiach?! - Just imagine that!

Whoever heard of Moshiach - Without a black hat?"

"But I do have a hat!" - The Moshiach then said.

So he pulled it right out - And plunked it down on his head.

Then the shul started laughing, - And one said " Where's your kop?

You can't have Moshiach - With a brim that's turned up!

If you want to be Moshiach - And be accepted in this town,

"Put some pinches in your hat - And turn that brim down!"

Moshiach walked out and said: - "I guess my time hasn't come.

I'll just return - To where I came from.

"So he went to his chariot, - But as he began to enter,

All sorts of Jews appeared - From the Left, Right, and Center.

"Please wait - do not leave. - It's all their fault!" they said,

And they pointed to each other - And to what was on each other's head.

Moshiach just looked sad - And said, " You don't understand."

And then started up his chariot - To get out of this land.

"Yes, it's very wonderful - That you all learn Torah,

But you seem to have forgotten - A crucial part of our Mesorah.

"What does he mean?" - "What's he talking about?"

And they all looked bewildered, - And they all began to shout.

Moshiach looked back and answered, - "The first place to start,

Is to shut up your mouths - And open your hearts.

"To each of you, certain Yidden - Seem too Frum or too Frei,

But all Yidden are beloved - in the Aibishter's eye."

And on his way up he shouted: - " If you want me to come,

Try working a little harder - On some Ahavas Chinam!"

via Ben Olam Haba Email