My friend lost her faith in Moshiach. She was a fervent advocate of the “Moshiach Now” mentality, so prominent within Chabad chasidism. Now, because of an expectation that he would arrive before her cat died, she has done a 180 in her fervent desire to wait for him. It’s a moot issue for her, as if the world has changed, and will no longer require a great transformation that will be initiated at the time of Moshiach.
I think that her unrealistic expectation is a sign of extreme egocentricity. To think that the world revolves around oneself to the degree that one can dictate when Moshiach will arrive? Yet, isn’t this akin to the same expectations of religioso throughout history? Whether Jewish or Christian expectations, the story is similar – failed expectations lead to bewilderment.
In the case of the Millerites, when Messiah did not meet their expectations in 1844, half the movement disbanded. The other half was reformed by Hiram Edson, under the banner of what became known as the Seventh Day Adventists. They reshaped their calculations, admitting there was a flaw in their understanding, without seeing the original prophecy as entirely wrong.
Now that I think about it, another friend of mine recently abandoned his pursuit of things spiritual. He is essentially agnostic; although, he still brings in the Shabbat on Friday evening with a few prayers of his own design. I wonder whether this is a pattern that others may be woven into, forming a tapestry as the Geulah (Redemption) approaches.
I envision those whose faith is diminished as being on the side of the tapestry with the loose threads, while those who maintain their faith on the side that clearly depicts the Messianic Era, as the time approaches. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it declareth of the end, and doth not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3, JPS 1917 Tanach).
The Tree of Life 