Israeli Tenant Signs Lease Clause Requiring Evacuation Upon Messiah's Arrival

An unusual clause in an Israeli rental agreement legally obligates tenants to vacate the property upon the arrival of the Messiah. Rabbi Larry Rotwoks of the Meromi Shemesh community shared in an interview on the program "Sichat Hayom" that he signed a lease containing this provision. He recalled smiling when reading it, noting that people rarely consider the possibility of the Messiah coming at any moment. Although the clause may sound humorous, it represents a complex legal commitment rooted in faith, raising questions about how to handle a historic religious event within a modern rental contract. Rabbi Rotwoks reflected, "The clause forced me to ask myself, 'When was the last time I signed a legal document that considers the possibility the Messiah could come tomorrow?'" He also mentioned that this practice is more common than it seems, as other tenants have approached him saying they are familiar with similar Messiah clauses in leases.