17 Adar: Moshiach's Words

MOSHIACH’S WORDS Moshiach…is greater than the Patriarchs, as the verse states, “Behold, My servant shall prosper: He shall be exulted, uplifted, and very high.” He will be more exulted than Avraham, more uplifted than Yitzchak, and higher than Yaakov. (Medrash Tanchumah, Toldos sec. 16.) Eitz-Yosef clarifies Moshiach’s superiority to Avraham: “In his battle to rescue his nephew Lot (Bereishis 14), Avraham merited a miraculous victory. According to the Medrash, Avraham spread out dirt that miraculously turned into swords, and straw that turned into arrows, as Isaiah (41:2) states, “he places dirt as his sword, as stubble his bow.” Moshiach, however, will be greater than Avraham. Avraham needed dirt and straw; however, Moshiach will not, as Isaiah (11:4) states, “He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.” Medrash Tanchumah, Toldos sec. 16