It seems that Moshiach is a popular Jewish topic nowadays (i.e the subject of the coming of the Jewish Messiah). Or at least it is considered something worth discussing. A few decades ago, when someone discussed Moshiach openly, he would receive replies such as “Of course it is in prayer and of course it is something we believe in..but lets’ not go public with it because we don’t want people to think we are followers of the other religion.”
But believe it or not, the Messiah is originally a Jewish concept and was not revised out of the religion just because others chose to adapt the idea (in fact Torah cannot be changed, so there was no way to revise it out, even if some people had wanted to.)
One reason Jews were reluctant about discussing Moshiach for centuries was because of the phenomenon of the “false Messiah.” A man named Shabtai Tzvi went around saying he was the Messiah and let’s just say he lost his mind and drove people away from proper observance with him. But in recent years, it is clear that the concept of Moshiach is not to blame for a few people losing their minds. Such people would probably be good candidates for lunacy anyway.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe has said that this is the generation when Moshiach will come. It seems that people are willing to listen. In almost all sectors of the religious community, the subject of Moshaich is being discussed whereas a few decades ago, mentioning the “M” word in public was not done. Look at the rock star Matisyahu, whose song “King without a Crown” with the “I want Moshiach now” a lyric graced the top ten of the charts.
But how can Moshiach come now with all of the problems the world is facing? The breakdown of families and morality, natural disasters, terrorism, the economic crisis? Moshiach will be revealed in an era which needs him most, an era not just of darkness, but of redoubled darkness, not in an era in which people are naturally inclined to embrace high ideals or leaders, but in an era of selfishness and arrogance. In short, Moshiach will come in an era that needs him the most, in which his presence will make the greatest impression. So it makes sense that our era of darkness and confusion will create a need within each one of us for the perfection of the Geulah (Redemption).
And look at our era compared with other eras. Is it really so horrible? Medical science has advanced to the degree in which many illnesses that once claimed so many lives are curable. There is a drive toward self-awareness through therapy. Concern for evironmentalism and human rights show compassionate instincts shared by the world. This redoubled darkness is largely a perception and perfection is possible. It is just a question, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe has said, of opening one’s eyes.