Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
When the prophet Zechariah (9:9) relates that Mashiach (the Messiah) will come riding on a donkey, is that to be taken literally? Since today our mode of transportation is a little more advanced, isn’t it more likely that he will arrive in a limo?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
More than Just a Donkey
As the saying goes, “history repeats itself.” This donkey is no simple donkey. We are told that Mashiach will actually arrive on the very same donkey Abraham rode on his way to bringing Isaac as an offering, and that Moses rode from Midian back to Egypt on his mission to save the Jewish people. The future redemption is the final link in the chain of the great events that occurred in our rich history.
Why a Donkey?
Although we don’t know the exact details of how these future events will occur, there is an important concept expressed in this image of Mashiach riding on a donkey. The word for donkey in Hebrew is chamor, from the same root as the word chomriyus, materialism, which indicates physicality. A donkey is called a chamor because it is a physical, workday animal — the prototype of something purely materialistic, and the antithesis of spirituality and holiness. Abraham rode atop a donkey, symbolizing that he was “mind over matter” — the master of his physicality. It was not his materialistic aspect that directed him, but rather his spiritual element that was in charge. In the same vein, Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) rode on this donkey to take the Jews out of Egypt, signaling the triumph of the Jews, the spiritual nation.
Dawn of a New Era
Taking this to the next level, Mashiach’s arrival on a donkey symbolizes that he will be ushering in a whole new era. The entire world will be elevated to a higher plane of living, the state that Abraham reached on his way to doing God’s will by being prepared to offer his son. We will rise above our materialistic existence and our soul will take charge. Our drive will be toward Torah, prayer, and closeness to God. It is thus extremely appropriate that this era will be ushered in by Mashiach riding on a donkey.
In short: There is great significance to Mashiach arriving on a donkey, a sign that he will elevate the world above our materialistic existence.
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