Renewed concerns about terrorism in the United States has led the Department of Homeland Security to call for bids to develop portable “terrorist labs,” which could be set up at the entrance to public events, such as party conventions or presidential addresses. The labs would consist of booths with cameras and sensors, capable of discovering terrorists by detecting subtle changes in body temperature, depth and rate of respiration, facial expression, heartbeat, perspiration and other physiological signals that could give away sinister plans.

So far, tests of a prototype system using 140 volunteers showed that the lab is capable of detecting stress in individuals. The inventors of this system hope that as it grows in complexity and technical prowess, it will also be able to measure the size of the pupils, analyze conversations and even detect the level of stress hormones being emitted by the individual.

With all due respect to the rapidly developing futuristic technology, there is a detector that is even more sensitive, which will be launched in the very near future. This detector will have the ability to discern one's innermost feelings and intentions, not by means of superficial senses like hearing or sight, but through an inner spiritual sensitivity.

Regarding Moshiach it is written (Isaiah 11:2-3), “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding... neither with the sight of his eyes shall he judge, nor with the hearing of his ears shall he chastise.” Our sages explain that with Moshiach's exceptional sense of “smell,” he will be able to detect the difference between a tzadik and rasha, with unerring accuracy.

 The spiritual process of identifying and isolating the evil has already begun. Evil and oppressive regimes have already begun to fall, one after the other. The former Soviet Union has disbanded; the Berlin wall has crumbled. The oppressive regime in Iraq has met its end. All this has taken place within an exceptionally short time period, in the context of history. The tyrannical governments that remain will likewise dissipate in the near future, with G-d's help. According to the model which has already been established in our generation, the disbanding will take place with a minimum of bloodshed that were associated with such drastic regime changes in the past.

This is part of the working of Moshiach in this world. Even if we have yet to see the final revelation of Moshiach, his work continues quietly, as he lays the foundation for the ultimate Redemption. Then G-d will complete the work and fulfill His promise, “I will remove the spirit of impurity from this earth.”