In a recent ruling, the Sanhedrin has formally requested that Heaven reveal Moshiach and rebuild the Third Temple. This has drawn mixed reactions within the Torah world, with some saying that such a request is beyond the Sanhedrin’s authority or power to make – at least in a binding way.

From what I have gathered, the Sanhedrin’s attempt to hasten the geulah rests on a principle contained within Bava Metzia 59b, where the sages successfully dispute a halachic ruling from Heaven. Famously, Rabbi Yehoshua declared “lo bashamayim hi” (it is not in Heaven), and asserted that halachic decisions are within the purview of the human courts. The Gemara relates that Hashem agrees with this position.

It would seem that today’s Sanhedrin is attempting to leverage this principle to hasten the coming of Moshiach – this is bold, admirable, and innovative. However, as some commentators have noted, the timing of the geulah is not necessarily a decision of halacha, which would mean that the Sanhedrin’s attempt may be........

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