THE MOSHIACH [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL COME AT THE END OF THE SIX THOUSAND YEARS

The Meiri explains that Rav Katina was referring, not to physical destruction, but to the cataclysmic troubles that will befall the world. According to this, the thousand years refers to the sixth millennium rather than the seventh, most of which has already passed.

“And one thousand [years] of destruction” (Sanhedrin 97a) – according to my understanding, this refers to one of the first six, hinting at the great troubles and confusion that are designated for the sixth millennium, according to the tradition of the Sages. It does not refer to a renewal of religion or the [physical] destruction of the world…

[Meiri, Introduction to Avos]

CERTAIN COMMANDMENTS WILL CHANGE AT THE TIME OF THE MOSHIACH [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]

The Rambam quoted in the main text states clearly that no facet of the Torah will ever change. However, the following sources seem to indicate that certain mitzvos will change during the time of the Moshiach [Hazrat Mahdi (as)].

Rabbi Yochanan said: in the future, the [books of the] Prophets and Writings will be neglected, and the five books of the Torah will not be neglected.

[Yerushalmi, Megillah 1:5]

In the future, during the days of the Moshiach [Hazrat Mahdi (as)], all the [books of the] Prophets and the Writings will be neglected, except the Scroll of Esther, which will endure as the five books of the Torah, and the halachos of the Oral Law, which will never be neglected.

[Rambam, Hilchos Megillah 2:18]

“… She [Esther] also prepared her table” (Mishlei 9:2) – meaning she prepared her table in this world and also in the World to Come. What “name of renown” (ibid.) did she acquire? That in the future all the festivals will be neglected, while the days of Purim will never be neglected. Rabbi Eliezer said: Yom Kippur will also never be neglected, as it says, “This shall be to you an eternal decree” (Vayikra 16:34).

[Yalkut Shimoni, Mishlei 944]

THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL OCCUR IN A SUDDEN MANNER

The arrival of the Moshiach [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will occur in a sudden manner. In the following verse, “the Master” refers to the Moshiach [Hazrat Mahdi (as)].

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

(Malachi 3:1)

Three things arrive unexpectedly: the Moshiach, a found object, and a scorpion.

[Sanhedrin 97a]

THE TRIALS BEFORE THE APPEARANCE OF THE MOSHIACH [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL PURIFY THE SOULS

There is yet another relationship between repentance and the birth pangs of the Moshiach [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. Not only will the birth pangs be a catalyst for repentance, but they will also take the place of repentance. Meaning, the birth pangs will act to purify the Jewish people in the same way that repentance and Torah study does. This is true of afflictions in general and is mentioned in the sources specifically in connection with the birth pangs of the Moshiach [Hazrat Mahdi (as)].

For by means of the afflictions, their souls will be cleansed, and the sparks of holiness will be purified by means of the Torah, except that one is pleasant work, while the other is unpleasant work.

[Ohr HaChaim, Bereishis 49:11]

THE JEWISH NATION WILL BE ON THE LOWEST LEVEL BEFORE THE ADVENT OF THE MOSHIACH [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]

The Jewish nation itself will be on the lowest level possible before the advent of the redemption in order that the redemption will have the greatest impact on them. This is the meaning of the following midrash:

Israel said before the Holy One, blessed is He, “Master of the world, when will You redeem us?” God answered, “When you descend to the lowest level, I will redeem you,” as it says, “The children of Yehudah and the children of Israel will be assembled together, and they will appoint one head for themselves and ascend from the land” (Hoshea 2:2). And it says, “For our soul is prostrate to the dust” (Tehillim 44:26). What is written afterward? “Arise! Assist us!” God said, “Everything is [dependent] on you, like a rose that blossoms with its core upraised. So too, when you do teshuvah like a rose, with your hearts directed toward [God] above, I will redeem you,” as it says, “I will be to Israel like the dew” (Hoshea 14:6). When [will God soothe Israel like dew]? When “he will blossom like a rose” (ibid.).

[Yalkut Shimoni, Hoshea 533]