Editing The Rebbe as Melech HaMoshiach (section)

== The Rebbe's Approach ==
On 7 Tammuz 5742 (1982), Chossid Reb Berke Chein wrote to the Rebbe using the title 'Melech HaMoshiach'.

The Rebbe never explicitly declared himself as Moshiach, but gave clear hints about it. In the early years, the Rebbe strongly rejected discussions about publicizing this matter, and some believe that the Rebbe temporarily denied it. However, in later years, the Rebbe did not reject it and even expressed agreement. For example, many Chassidim would address the Rebbe in their letters with the title "Melech HaMoshiach", and the Rebbe received and responded to these letters, sometimes writing his response on the letter itself which contained this title. Throughout the years, many Chassidim said these things to the Rebbe face to face, and the Rebbe did not reject their words.

In the summer of 5751 (1991), the Rebbe welcomed psak dinim from Chabad Rabbonim stating that he was Melech HaMoshiach and that the signs of "b'chezkas Moshiach" as described by the Rambam were fulfilled in him.

Many times when the Rebbe spoke about these matters, he would say it in connection to his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, which the Chassidim interpreted as him referring to himself as well.

However, in his sichos throughout the years, he gave clear hints:

* One example is a note at the end of an edited sicha before publication, where the acronym of the word 'miyad' appears with a reference to his name as Moshiach following the names of previous Chabad Rebbes: "According to order of closeness to us '''M'''oshiach ('''M'''enachem is his name) '''Y'''osef '''Y'''itzchak and '''D'''ovber."
* The Rebbe said that the Nasi HaDor is the Moshiach of the generation. On another occasion, the Rebbe said that every Chossid believes with complete faith that the Rebbe of his generation – like the Nasi of our generation – is Moshiach.
* In other sichos, the Rebbe elaborated on the words of Chazal that Moshiach's name is "Menachem" (the Rebbe's first name is Menachem Mendel). In several places, he also adds regarding his second name Mendel, that it equals "Tzedek" in gematria, and "Tzedek" is Moshiach's name.
* The Rebbe also hinted by saying that the number of his house, 770, equals "Beis Moshiach" in gematria, and he also said that Moshiach's declaration will come from outside Eretz Yisroel, based on the words of Chazal.