Editing The Rebbe as Melech HaMoshiach (section)

== The Years 5751-5752 (1991-1992) ==
Starting in 5751 (1991), Chassidim noticed that a "new period" had begun regarding the Rebbe's approach to publicizing the identity of Moshiach. The first approval during this period was given to Rabbi Zimroni Tzik, director of the Chabad House in Bat Yam. At the end of Marcheshvan 5751, Rabbi Tzik wrote to the Rebbe requesting permission to publicize that the Rebbe is Moshiach, in light of the Rebbe's sichos about "the year that Melech HaMoshiach is revealed" and "humble ones, the time of your redemption has arrived," which is the announcement of Melech HaMoshiach that he now proclaims from outside the land. To this, the Rebbe answered: "As discussed at length in the farbrengen, I will mention it at the Tzion."

During the preceding farbrengen, on Shabbos Parshas Toldos, the Rebbe spoke about publicizing Moshiach with words coming from the heart and that Moshiach had already come and only needed his name to be said.

In the summer of 5751, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Wolpo asked the Rebbe if he could now print his sefer. This time the Rebbe wrote that if he would omit - according to knowledgeable friends - sections that might distance some Jews from learning Chassidus, it would be worthwhile to print it. After the sefer was edited by three Anash, where sections were removed and corrections made while maintaining its general content about the necessity of accepting the monarchy of Melech HaMoshiach and his recognition by the people during golus and that through this we merit the geulah, the sefer was titled 'Yechi HaMelech'. On 19 Cheshvan 5752, the Rebbe acknowledged receipt of the sefer with thanks and requested that when the sefer would be bound, it should be submitted again, thanking in advance.

In late Kislev 5752, the Rebbe responded to Rabbi David Nachshon's letter reporting about his son's bar mitzvah, which was attended by many non-Lubavitchers, during which he spoke about accepting the Rebbe's monarchy as Melech HaMoshiach. He proved this from the Rambam bringing in Sefer Halachos the conduct of Rabbi Akiva who said about Bar Kochba: "Den hu malka Meshicha." To the report, he attached signatures accepting the monarchy from some participants including Knesset member Tzachi Hanegbi and signatures collected during Kiddush Levana in Nazareth Illit. The Rebbe responded: "And may it be fulfilled in them 'one who has 200 wants 400 etc.' I will mention at the Tzion."

On 14 Shevat 5752, the Rebbe answered Rabbi Nachman Meir Bernhard who wrote about his efforts to get the shluchim of "Lubavitch Foundation South Africa" to join, noting South Africa's absence in this matter. Following his urging, Rabbi Mendel Lipsker organized a long meeting with the shluchim a few days prior. The Rebbe responded that it "depends on local conditions, for the local Chabad to determine."

Rabbi Yitzchak Wolf wrote in late Shevat 5752 that students of Chabad schools in Chicago were living with the concept of Moshiach and people in the city were saying that Lubavitch lives Moshiach and that the Rebbe is Moshiach, and it was tangibly evident that when speaking pleasantly and the words come from the heart, they are well-received. The Rebbe responded: "Received with thanks, continue with good news. I will mention at the Tzion."

On 16 Adar I 5752, the Rebbe responded to Anash in Lod who wrote regarding a planned shiur about Moshiach. Some wanted Rabbi Wolpo to speak about the Rebbe being Melech HaMoshiach, while others objected. The letter mentioned that the community's rav, Rabbi Baruch Boaz Yurkowitz, said that for those interested in hearing - since they come specifically for the shiur - there was no problem discussing the topic, though other rabbonim wanted to cancel the shiur. The Rebbe responded: "A judge (local rav) can only rule based on what his eyes see."

However, during this period the Rebbe also expressed various reservations on the matter:

Rabbi David Nachshon wrote to the Rebbe during Chol Hamoed Pesach 5751 about a suggestion from friends that, in light of the sicha of Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim 5751 where it was said that Melech HaMoshiach needs to be accepted by the people, he should publicly announce that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach. To this, the Rebbe wrote: "Completely rejected, obviously."

To the editorial board of the Kfar Chabad magazine who requested the Rebbe's permission to publish an article by Rabbi Yoel Kahan explaining the Chassidim's belief that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach, the Rebbe responded negatively on 16 Iyar 5751.

In early Shevat 5752, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov wrote a weekly report to the Rebbe about Tzeirei Agudas Chabad activities, including a report about media inquiries to the organization's spokesman Rabbi Menachem Brod regarding the signing campaign accepting the Rebbe's monarchy as "Melech HaMoshiach." The letter noted that for the first time, the Itim news agency inquired, and Rabbi Brod told the reporter he didn't want to address it, but several hours later when television reporters requested an interview, he decided to go and explain the signing campaign delicately. The letter detailed the planned explanation points and requested the Rebbe's blessing for success. In response, the Rebbe wrote regarding the initial thought not to respond: "And so should continue in the future," and regarding Rabbi Brod's plan to delicately explain the matter on television, the Rebbe wrote: "Does he truly not understand that once he starts speaking, they will draw him in further?"

After publishing the Yechi HaMelech sefer in winter 5752, Rabbi Wolpo wrote a kuntres about the order of Melech HaMoshiach's revelation according to the Rambam, a summary from the sefer, containing hints about the Rebbe's identity as Moshiach. N'shei Chabad submitted this kuntres to the Rebbe requesting his approval for its printing and distribution. The Rebbe responded on 13 Adar I 5752: "I have already answered him that such articles distance many from learning Chassidus - contrary to spreading the wellsprings outward."

During that period, N'shei Chabad in Crown Heights wrote to the Rebbe about their plan to publicize Moshiach's identity on a global scale. The Rebbe answered that each administration needs to decide according to their understanding and they don't need to ask him but just inform him.