From one rabbi to another…

This Saturday I MC'd at a fellow parishioner's wedding and as I walked out of the chapel (having just come down from the roof to peal our awesome real bell!), he and his mom both said if I slapped on a yarmulke I'd look just like a rabbi. Not the first time I've heard that either.

So then I got this (a bit outdated) news form Israel about a "fellow" rabbi's passing and his message from the grave.[#1]

A few months before he died [at 108], one of the nation’s most prominent rabbis, Yitzhak Kaduri, supposedly wrote the name of the Messiah on a small note which he requested would remain sealed until now. When the note was unsealed, it revealed what many have known for centuries: Yehoshua, or Yeshua (Jesus), is the Messiah. …

The secret note said:

Concerning the letter abbreviation of the Messiah’s name, He will lift the people and prove that his word and law are valid.

This I have signed in the month of mercy,
Yitzhak Kaduri

The Hebrew sentence (translated above in bold) with the hidden name of the Messiah reads: Yarim Ha’Am Veyokhiakh Shedvaro Vetorato Omdim

I found especially interesting his description of the Messiah:

“It is hard for many good people in society to understand the person of the Messiah. The leadership and order of a Messiah of flesh and blood is hard to accept for many in the nation. As leader, the Messiah will not hold any office, but will be among the people and use the media to communicate. His reign will be pure and without personal or political desire. During his dominion, only righteousness and truth will reign.

“Will all believe in the Messiah right away? No, in the beginning some of us will believe in him and some not. It will be easier for non-religious people to follow the Messiah than for Orthodox people.

“The revelation of the Messiah will be ful[fi]lled in two stages: First, he will actively confirm his position as Messiah without knowing himself that he is the Messiah. Then he will reveal himself to some Jews, not necessarily to wise Torah scholars. It can be even simple people. Only then he will reveal himself to the whole nation. The people will wonder and say: ‘What, that’s the Messiah?’ Many have known his name but have not believed that he is the Messiah.”

I know some readers who will find this all extremely intriguing. Others will just shakes their heads at us bearded rabbis.

[#1] Israel Today, 30 April, 2007, "Rabbi Reveals Name of the Messiah"