Rabbi Chiya and His Sons Almost Bring Moshiach
Eliyahu tells Rebbe that Rabbi Chiya and his sons could bring Moshiach. Their prayers bring wind and rain, but a fiery bear stops them before “Mechayeh Meisim.”
Rebbe asked Eliyahu HaNavi, “Is there any group of tzaddikim alive who when praying together would bring Mashiach?” Eliyahu answered, “Rebbe Chiya and his sons.’” Whereupon, Rebbe decreed a fast and had Rebbe Chiya and his sons daven for the tzibbur. The Gemara relates that when they recited “Mashiv HaRuach” together, the wind blew. When they recited “Morid HaGeshem” together, it started raining. They were about to say “Mechayeh Meisim” together when their prayer was miraculously disrupted by a fiery bear. And alas, Mashiach did not come.