As a child, I would spend many long minutes studying a work of art which hung in my uncle's study. It was a masterpiece. A painting of the canvas of Jewish history. In it, a pauper riding atop a donkey was making his way down a mountain. This is a legend rich with meaning that has elevated the spirits of generations. The rider will gather the world's scattered Jews back in their sacred land. He will rebuild a commonwealth with a seat of government in a city surrounded by mountains, and the Almighty will surround Israel forever. A humbling entrance for the grandest of times.

We all have childhood memories which stir our emotions and inspire our actions. Psychology can trace mature behavior to the sights of a toddler, and common sense does the same. In an impoverished country, I watched a man loading goods onto his donkey, and recalled the man who will deliver an alternative to poverty. Days before the binding of Isaac, Abraham bound his utensils to a donkey. Upon his return to Egypt, Moses fastened his family to their donkey, but only Moshiach is described as being mounted on one. For the journey ends, or rather begins, with Moshiach's arrival. Like the mammal's braying call, ours will soon be replaced with the sounds of laughing children.

I recall a donkey's tale that still stimulates my imagination. The story is magical and remains stored in a child's mind. Balak, the Moabite king, commissions Balaam to damn the Jewish people. On his way to do the deed, the Prophet's donkey halts, as she sees what Balaam does not. An angel is standing guard, sword in hand, and will not allow an angle by which to pass. Yet Balaam, unaware of his transport's vision, strikes the striking animal. Soon, G-d opens the mouth of the ass, and the donkey assumes a mastery of language as she berates her master. After a brief dialogue, Balaam beholds the angel of G-d and bows in awe and shame.

Instead of damnation, Balaam speaks of redemption. He cannot curse who G-d has blessed. Instead of transforming their numbers to dust, he marvels at the Jews being as numerous as dust. He recognizes the nation that dwells alone, yet who are never alone. He sees a scepter that will rise from Israel and a star shooting forth from Jacob. This is the personality who will personally redeem Jacob's descendants, the children of Israel. Moshiach.

In this biblical narrative, evil sorcery emerges as a source for the revelation of G-d's majesty. A man commissioned to curse a people becomes a pupil of their uniqueness. On his way to draw an end to the chosen, he speaks instead of the anointed. The messenger commissioned to condemn blesses Israel with the messenger of redemption. Here evil's veil is uncovered, and goodness is exposed.

It took a donkey to bring a man where he belonged.

When my friend and I traveled to Third World Africa, we were afforded first-class treatment by a particular Jew. He is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. He openly regarded our rhetoric as poison, but was poised to accommodate us. He expressed a hard-line on observance, but hardly walked that line when we invited his participation. He considered Friday night to be the start of the weekend, but joined our Shabbat meal from beginning to end. His behavior intrigued us, so we interrogated him.

It turned out that our friend grew up in a secular home at the birth of the modern State of Israel. Each morning he would accompany his grandfather on a trek down Mount Carmel, peddling merchandise as their donkey carried their cargo. They nicknamed their ride "Moshiach's donkey," somewhat mocking, while mimicking.  That coining turned out to be a lifetime's investment. Their beast of burden placed a heavy load on his shoulders. The animal would go a long way. Try as he could, the memory of a donkey would make him sensitive to his soul's senses. He is a conflicted man in constant debate with a childhood donkey.

 Rabbi Getzy Markowitz studied for his ordination at the Institute for Talmudic Study and Scholarship in Midtown Manhattan. His writings have appeared in the Jewish Press and are features on Shmais news service, Kabbalah Cast, and JewCrew.org. He has served Jews, and lectured to audiences, on five continents. The Rabbi heads the Solomon Institute for Jewish Wisdom and may be reached at getzym@gmail.com