How the Sanhedrin Could Actually Bring Moshiach

In a recent ruling, the Sanhedrin has formally requested that Heaven reveal Moshiach and rebuild the Third Temple. This has drawn mixed reactions within the Torah world, with some saying that such a request is beyond the Sanhedrin’s authority or power to make – at least in a binding way.

From what I have gathered, the Sanhedrin’s attempt to hasten the geulah rests on a principle contained within Bava Metzia 59b, where the sages successfully dispute a halachic ruling from Heaven. Famously, Rabbi Yehoshua declared “lo bashamayim hi” (it is not in Heaven), and asserted that halachic decisions are within the purview of the human courts. The Gemara relates that Hashem agrees with this position.

It would seem that today’s Sanhedrin is attempting to leverage this principle to hasten the coming of Moshiach – this is bold, admirable, and innovative. However, as some commentators have noted, the timing of the geulah is not necessarily a decision of halacha, which would mean that the Sanhedrin’s attempt may be futile.

Regardless of the efficacy of this particular ruling, the teachings of the sages reveal that there are avenues open to the Sanhedrin that could accomplish their goal. Indeed, through innovative halachic rulings and a deep understanding of hashkafa, it may well be possible for the Sanhedrin to sway Heaven’s judgement in favor of a speedy redemption.

First, we must understand why Moshiach has not come yet. From Rabbi Mendel Kessin’s extensive lectures on hashkafa and Kabbalah, we can understand that the Satan is the primary force that prevents the geulah from materializing. As the prosecuting attorney in the Court of Heaven, the Satan is responsible for ensuring that justice is satisfied. For whatever reason, we can infer that the Satan has claims against Am Yisrael that justify the continuation of the exile, and that these claims must be disputed and dismissed in order for the exile to end.

This state of affairs would necessitate a cheshbon nefesh ha’am – a collective accounting of the state of Judaism, and a reflection on the claims that the Satan might have against Israel. Once these potential claims have been identified, Israel can then begin making teshuvah as a collective in order to annul the claims against them.

As the leading authorities within Judaism, the Sanhedrin is well-positioned to undertake a cheshbon nefesh ha’am, or at least commission one. We already have awareness of some severe challenges facing the religious community, including the existence of agunot and the persistent problems of disunity and lashon ha’ra. However, the Sanhedrin’s wisdom and knowledge may identify other claims the Satan may have, as well as ways to address those claims to the satisfaction of Heaven. This would speed the geulah.

Additionally, there is something else the Sanhedrin could do that would frustrate the Satan’s attempts to hold back the Redemption. In short – clarify the halacha around sin and punishment.

If I were on the Sanhedrin, and I was attempting to wrestle with God over the issue of Moshiach, I would directly challenge the basis of the Satan’s claims against many members of the Jewish community. The eighty percent of world Jewry that is disconnected from Torah could easily be classified as tinok shenishba (captive children), as elucidated in Shevuot 5a and Shabbat 68b.

The judgement for many sins in contemporary times could also be understood within the context of mental illness, granting many Jews leniency under the laws pertaining to shoteh (insanity) and oness (duress).

But why would this matter? Consider – if the Sanhedrin were to clarify and expand the modern applications of tinok shenishba, shoteh, and oness, it could provide God with an answer to the Satan’s claims against Israel. In turn, it could lift the weight of judgement from the nation and hasten the geulah.

All of this could be accomplished within the Sanhedrin’s long-accepted position as halachic authorities, which is an exceedingly elegant maneuver that accomplishes their original goal. It would also make use of lo bashamayim hi in a way that would delight both Heaven and Earth.