"The Great Redemption" (12)
"The Great Redemption" by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
-- A Discourse on The End of the Exile and the Beginning of the Great Redemption
Translated by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman
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12.
In fact, this initial stage (of redemption, i.e., P’kidah) occurred in (the course of the redemption from) Egypt. For indeed it’s written about that time that, “G-d (Elo-him) observed the people of Israel, and G-d (Elo-him) knew” (Exodus 2:25). Though G-d’s name is mentioned twice here, only one (usage) refers to G-d Himself. He was referred to as “Elo-him” since the Luminaries were still suffused with might and no mercy; His name Y-H-V-H (which signifies mercy) is only mentioned later.
“And G-d (Elo-him) knew” refers to the Shechina -- which is also referred to as Elo-him -- knowing; which will occur at the P’kidah, as I’d mentioned.
It’s said of this P’kidah, “Go and gather together the elders of Israel and say to them, G-d the L-rd of your fathers ... appeared to me, saying, I *have* surely visited (pakod pakaditi, alluding to the P’kidah) you and saw what is being done to you in Egypt” (Exodus 3:16) rather than “I *am* visiting you”, since it had already happened and the Z’chirah was about to come about.
Moses was hesitant to go because he knew it wasn’t yet time for the Z’chirah, so he said “But, behold, they will not believe me nor listen to my voice for they will say, G-d hasn’t appeared to you” (Exodus 4:1). But G-d said to him, “Let this be a sign to you that I have sent you ... ” (Exodus 3:12), for he wouldn’t have been sent had things not already been rectified, since one isn’t to ignite the love (just) any time he cares to.
(c) 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman
(Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org )
********************************
AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman's translation of "The Gates of Repentance" has been reissued at *at a discount*! You can order it right now by logging onto www.tinyurl.com/49s8t (or by going to www.rowman.com and searching for it). Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has translated and commented upon "The Gates of Repentance", "The Path of the Just", and "The Duties of the Heart" (Jason Aronson Publishers). And his new work on Maimonides' "The Eight Chapters" will soon be available from Judaica Press.
His works are available in bookstores and in various locations on the Web.
Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled "Spiritual Excellence" and "Ramchal".
-- A Discourse on The End of the Exile and the Beginning of the Great Redemption
Translated by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman
_____________________________________________
12.
In fact, this initial stage (of redemption, i.e., P’kidah) occurred in (the course of the redemption from) Egypt. For indeed it’s written about that time that, “G-d (Elo-him) observed the people of Israel, and G-d (Elo-him) knew” (Exodus 2:25). Though G-d’s name is mentioned twice here, only one (usage) refers to G-d Himself. He was referred to as “Elo-him” since the Luminaries were still suffused with might and no mercy; His name Y-H-V-H (which signifies mercy) is only mentioned later.
“And G-d (Elo-him) knew” refers to the Shechina -- which is also referred to as Elo-him -- knowing; which will occur at the P’kidah, as I’d mentioned.
It’s said of this P’kidah, “Go and gather together the elders of Israel and say to them, G-d the L-rd of your fathers ... appeared to me, saying, I *have* surely visited (pakod pakaditi, alluding to the P’kidah) you and saw what is being done to you in Egypt” (Exodus 3:16) rather than “I *am* visiting you”, since it had already happened and the Z’chirah was about to come about.
Moses was hesitant to go because he knew it wasn’t yet time for the Z’chirah, so he said “But, behold, they will not believe me nor listen to my voice for they will say, G-d hasn’t appeared to you” (Exodus 4:1). But G-d said to him, “Let this be a sign to you that I have sent you ... ” (Exodus 3:12), for he wouldn’t have been sent had things not already been rectified, since one isn’t to ignite the love (just) any time he cares to.
(c) 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman
(Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org )
********************************
AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman's translation of "The Gates of Repentance" has been reissued at *at a discount*! You can order it right now by logging onto www.tinyurl.com/49s8t (or by going to www.rowman.com and searching for it). Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has translated and commented upon "The Gates of Repentance", "The Path of the Just", and "The Duties of the Heart" (Jason Aronson Publishers). And his new work on Maimonides' "The Eight Chapters" will soon be available from Judaica Press.
His works are available in bookstores and in various locations on the Web.
Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled "Spiritual Excellence" and "Ramchal".
posted by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman at 1:07 PM
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