Daily Tanya Monday 5th Marcheshvan Igeres Hakodesh 26 Part 2: Will We Still Need Halacha in the Days of Mashiach?

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5th MarCheshvan: Will We Still Need Halacha in the Days of Mashiach?

In this continuation of his critique and analysis, the Alter Rebbe raises additional profound questions regarding the claim in the Zohar that in the days of Mashiach, the study of halachic laws—particularly those related to issur veheter (prohibited and permitted), tumah ve’taharah (impurity and purity)—will no longer be necessary. He expresses astonishment and logical objections to this idea.

Key Questions and Points of Wonder

 

  1. Practical Necessity of Halachic Knowledge in the Messianic Era
  • How can halachic knowledge be unnecessary in the future?
    • Sacrificial laws (e.g., shechitah, chaladah, shehiyah, knife inspection) are essential for Temple service.
    • Laws of chelev (forbidden fats), dam (blood), and other prohibitions must be known to avoid transgression.
    • Laws of tumah (impurity) and taharah (purity) remain relevant, as death and childbirth will still occur, as indicated by verses like “הנער בן מאה שנה ימות” and “הרה ויולדת יחדיו”.
  1. The Role of Eliyahu HaNavi
  • The Talmud and Midrashim frequently state that Eliyahu will resolve halachic doubts in the future.
    • Question: If halachic study is unnecessary, why would Eliyahu be needed to clarify unresolved laws?
  1. Sustenance of Torah Scholars
  • The Zohar claims that in the future, Torah scholars will not be sustained by the “mixed multitude” or impure sources.
    • Question: Even in the Second Temple era, scholars had fields and vineyards like everyone else, yet they still studied halachic topics extensively.
    • Implication: Material sustenance does not negate the need for halachic study.
  1. Historical Precedent
  • During the Second Temple period, halachic study flourished, with sages teaching thousands of students.
  • The study of Kabbalah was hidden and reserved for select individuals.
    • Question: If halachic study is from the Tree of Knowledge and inferior, why was it the dominant form of Torah learning in such spiritually elevated times?

Core Concern

The Alter Rebbe is challenging the literal interpretation of the Zohar that seems to diminish the value of halachic study in the Messianic era. He argues that:

  • Halachic knowledge is practically indispensable, even in the future.
  • The revealed Torah is also part of the Tree of Life, not merely the Tree of Knowledge.
  • The Zohar and Kabbalah are elevated, but they do not replace halachic study—they complement it.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.