Our wise Torah teachers tell us that after a person passes away, one of the questions they are asked is: “Did you wait for Moshiach?”

But wait — where in the Torah does it say we have to wait for Moshiach? 🤔

A great Torah scholar called the Smak found the answer hiding in the very first commandment: “I am Hashem your G-d who took you out of Egypt.”

Here’s the big idea: That commandment isn’t just about the past. It also means: “I am Hashem your G-d who will gather you and redeem you in the future — with Moshiach.”

So believing in Hashem means believing in BOTH things:

• That He saved us from Mitzrayim (Egypt) in the past
• That He will bring Moshiach and redeem us in the future

You can’t really say “I believe in Hashem” if you only believe in half of what He promised!

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🧠 Check Your Understanding

According to the Smak, if someone believes Hashem took us out of Egypt — but doesn’t believe He will bring Moshiach in the future — what’s missing?

A. The first commandment is only about things that already happened, not future promises.

Not quite. The Smak teaches that this commandment covers both past and future — Hashem’s past redemption AND His future promise of Moshiach. You can’t separate them!

✅ B. Believing in Hashem means trusting both what He did in the past AND what He promised for the future.

✅ Correct! The Smak teaches that “I am Hashem your G-d” covers everything — His past redemption AND His future promise of Moshiach. Believing in Hashem means trusting both. You can’t separate them!

C. Waiting for Moshiach is a totally separate mitzvah that has nothing to do with believing in Hashem.

Not quite. The Smak shows they’re deeply connected — believing in Hashem includes believing in His future promise of Moshiach. They’re part of the same mitzvah.

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This is the kids’ version. Want the full, in-depth adult version?