Editing The Ruling that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach (section)

==== Fourth Ruling ====


In the month of Tishrei 5758 (1997), Rabbi Gedaliah Axelrod wrote a new ruling. Unlike the previous rulings, which were based on the '''Laws of the King Moshiach''', this ruling is based on the '''Law of a Prophet''' that applies to the Rebbe:<blockquote>The honorable and holy Admor of Lubavitch, in his holy sicha of Parshas Shoftim 5751 (1991), establishes a practical halachic determination that our generation has a prophet and we are obligated to listen to him, as ruled in Rambam's Laws of the Foundations of the Torah, chapter 7.

And these are his holy words: "...We must publicize to all the people of the generation that we have merited that Hashem has chosen and appointed a person with free choice, who from his own essence is incomparably elevated above the people of the generation, to be the 'judge' and the 'advisor' and the prophet of the generation, who will give instructions and advice regarding the service of all the Jewish people... including the main prophecy - the prophecy that 'redemption is imminent' and immediately, literally, 'behold, this one (Moshiach) is coming.'" These are his holy words in the aforementioned sicha.

In the holy sicha of Parshas Vayeira 5752 (1991), the honorable and holy Admor says: "...In our days, all the obstacles and hindrances have been nullified, and since this is so, there exists (not only the reality of Moshiach, but) also the revelation of Moshiach, and now we only need to receive our righteous Moshiach in actual reality." These are his holy words.

In the holy sicha of Parshas Mishpatim 5752 (1992), the honorable and holy Admor says: "...As well as the ruling of the rabbis and halachic authorities of Israel that the time of redemption has arrived, 'a king from the House of David will arise, etc., [who is] presumed to be Moshiach,'" and he further added to the above ruling the words: "and even to the state and condition of 'this is certainly Moshiach,'" and in this sicha the Rebbe clearly alluded to his being the King Moshiach.

We hereby establish a halachic ruling according to our holy Torah - based on the law in Rambam's chapter 7 of the Laws of the Foundations of the Torah, law 1, chapter 9, law 2, and chapter 10, law 1 - that the honorable and holy Admor, the King Moshiach, has the status of a prophet, and it is expressed in his holy sichos that he hints about himself that he is a prophet, and it is understood from his holy sichos that he is the King Moshiach, and he also encouraged the singing of "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'olam Va'ed" (Long live our master, teacher and Rebbe, King Moshiach, forever and ever), and he has already stated before all of Israel and before the entire world things that would happen in the future, and his words came true and were fulfilled completely in the 'Six-Day War' and in the 'Gulf War' and more.

Therefore, we are obligated to listen to all that he tells us from the category of obligation to listen to the words of the prophet, including that he is the King Moshiach and will be revealed to us immediately, literally.</blockquote>The ruling is signed by hundreds of Admorim, rabbis of cities, neighborhoods, and communities from all circles and streams, as well as Chabad rabbis from around the world. The signatures are collected by Rabbi Yitzchak Lipsh, together with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Levkivker and other shluchim. New rabbis continuously join the ruling.