Several days before Chaya Tova gave birth to Rivka, I remember saying something like, “I’ll do it tomorrow, if you haven’t had the baby by then.” I was immidiately struck by a thought — this is how we’re supposed to relate to the coming of the Moshiach.

Stories are told in the names of previous generations, as to their always saying “If Moshiach hasn’t come, C”V, by XXX, we will do YYY,” etc. I remember seeing a copy of an old wedding invitation that said “The Chasuna will be held in Yerushalayim. If C”V, Moshiach hasn’t arrived, it will be held in Breslov.” This is obviously not an easy thing for us to do daily, but, as will all things, we find a physical parallel as well — childbirth. As a due date approaches, we begin to say the same things, always clarifying our plans with the knowledge that, b’ezras Hashem, our plans can change.

This was about a week ago. When Rivka was actually born, I realized that sometimes the metaphor goes farther. The period before Moshiach is called “Chevlei Moshiach,” or the “Birthpains of Moshiach.” Just as the pains of labor are worse than the discomfort of childbirth, but is followed by the great joy of a new born baby, so too will our redemption begin will greater pain, and lead to the greatest happiness.

In our case, I think there is what to learn from our story as well. Labor began with confusion, as sense of not knowing what was going on. Before we knew it, she was strugglying to walk, with contractions every 3-4 minutes. As we left in a rush, we’d grabbed what had prepared, with no time to make any changes. Within 20 minutes, everything was over, “K’heref Ayin.”

Something to think about.