"The Great Redemption" (28)

"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
_____________________________________________

28.

It’s (also) written, “My beloved answered and said to me, Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and go forth” (Song of Songs 2:10). This verse refers to the Z’chirah.

Now, as you already know, there are two (primal) groupings: soul-related which is inward, and body-related which is outward. The soul will arise in the course of the P’kidah, as cited in the verses “Arise, shine!” (Isaiah 60:1) and “Shake yourself from the dust; arise!” (Isaiah 52:2). But the body will also arise -- in the course of the Z'chirah, which is why it’s written “and go forth” (Song of Songs 2:10). For (the body’s ascent) will no longer be postponed.

Observe that the (same) verse speaks of “my love” and “my beautiful one”. That refers to these (two) groupings. For the inward realm is referred to as “my love”, since it’s always in love with Him, while the outward realm is referred to as “my beautiful one. And that refers to (the following) great secret.

For it’s said of this matter, “I am black but comely, O daughters of Jerusalem” (Song of Songs 1:5). (Meaning to say that) while the body is outwardly black, it’s nonetheless comely on the inside. For when the body itself, the outside, will be amended, what’s black (about it) will become comely. And that’s why it’s termed “my beautiful one”.

(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 from here
Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon "The Path of the Just", and "The Duties of the Heart" (Jason Aronson Publishers). His new work on Maimonides' "The Eight Chapters" will soon be available from Yashar Books.
Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled
"Spiritual Excellence" and "Ramchal"