Praying for Redemption - a daily obligation?

A few people asked to what degree Judaism requires us to pray for Moshiach and redemption. My answer is that at least 50% of our prayers are requests for the future redemption, Moshiach, etc. "That's impossible!", people called out from around the auditorium. I then tossed the audience a question, and asked that they shout back quick answers: "Of our daily Shmona Esrei (Hebrew for 18) prayer, which is actually a compendium of 19 blessings, how many are requests for the Geula, or future redemption?" Voices resounded like gunshots: "Four!" "One!" "Three!" "Two!" Four was the highest bidder. I then opened up a prayer book, and explained the blessings one by one, with the proper interpretation and intent of each one. Here are the results in capsulized table form - they're quite an eye-opener:

#

Blessing

Principal intent

Geula

Present

1

Magen Avraham

Guardian of Abraham, who shall bring the "Goel" (Moshiach) to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's offspring

*

 

 

2

Mechaye Mesim

Hashem the King who shall revive the dead

*

 

 

3

Kel Hakadosh

Blessing our holy G-d

 

 

*

4

Chonen HaDaas

Request for wisdom

 

 

*

5

Harotze B'Tshuva

Help us return to You Hashem and to Your Torah

 

 

*

6

Hamarbeh Lisloach

Forgive us for our sins

 

 

*

7

Goel Yisroel

Redeem us quickly!

*

 

 

8

Rofeh Cholei Amo Yisroel

Heal the sick

 

 

*

9

Mevorech Hashanim

Bless this year's crops, the land, and give us rain

 

 

*

10

Mekabetz nidchei amo Yisroel

Gather the exiles from the 4 corners of the earth

*

 

 

11

Ohev tzedakka u'mishpat

Send us our judges (the Sanhedrin) as of old, and may we have true justice

*

 

 

12

Shover oivim umachnia zaydim

Destroy the forces of evil soon and in our time

*

 

 

13

Mishon umivtach latzaddikim

Reward those who trust in You, Hashem

 

 

*

14

Boneh Yerushalayim

Rebuild

Jerusalem

(the

Temple

) and dwell among us, Hashem

 

*

 

 

15

Matzmiach Keren Yeshua

Request for Moshiach (scion of David) and salvation

*

 

 

16

Shomea tefilla

Hear and accept our prayers

 

 

*

17

Machzir Shchinaso leTzion

Return Your Divine Presence to

Zion

 

*

 

 

18

Noeh Lehodos

May all of mankind thank and praise Your magnificent name

*

 

 

19

Mevorech es amo b'shalom

Bless your people of

Israel

with peace

 

 

 

*

-

----------------

Total

10

9

As you can see, an amazing 10 out of 19 blessings are requests for the future redemption, while only 9 out of 19, less than half, are requests for the present. By the way, the local Rosh Yeshiva at the institution where I lecture also lists blessing #19 in the Geula category.

As things turn out, more than half of our daily prayers are requests for the Geula. On sabbath and holidays, some prayers - such as the Mussaf - are nearly exclusive requests for salvation, Moshiach, and the rebuilding of the Temple. So, those who thought that only 1, 2, or 3 blessings speak about the Geula haven't understood much of what their lips have been mumbling.

We can only pray from the heart after we fully understand and realize what we're saying. That's why one of the first questions that the Heavely Court asks a person (see Talmud, tractate Shabbos 31a), "Did you eagerly await the Redemption?" Those who pray with intent will be able to answer, "Yes!", and to assume their rightful place in the sublime and indescribably blissful World to Come.