Hope - תקווה

Our Masters taught: "For the Lord shall vindicate His people...when He sees that their power is gone and there is no one being ruled and no one being helped" (Deut. 32:36) Messiah, son of David, will not come until...hope of redemption is given up, as is said, "there is no one being ruled and no one being helped" until, if one dare say such a thing, there is neither Supporter nor Helper for Israel. Whenever R. Zera found sages engaged [in calculating the time of the Messiah's coming], he would say to them: I beg of you, do not put it further off, for we have been taught that three come without warning: Messiah, something found, and a scorpion.

R. Johanan said: When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him [the Messiah], as it is written, "And the afflicted people thou wilt save." [IISamuel 22:28] R. Johanan said: When thou seest a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him, as it is written, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him;" which is followed by, "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion."

R. Acha bar Jacob said: "The Lord is the hope (mikveh) of Israel" (Jer. 17:13) means that as the ritual bath of purification (mikveh) cleanses those who are unclean, so the Holy One, Blessed be He, cleanses Israel.