"The Great Redemption" (46)

"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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46.


I have now explained to you in detail how everything that had been impaired and made imperfect in exile will come to be rectified in the redemption, and even come to be more rectified than it had been (before it was) impaired.

In fact, the Shechina will be even more rectified and adorned than it had been since creation. As it’s said, “Come, my beloved, let’s go out into the field; let’s lodge in the villages” (Song of Songs 7:12).

The Shechina is speaking to G-d in this verse, and what is she saying? -- “Come, my beloved”. For while she was in exile she didn’t say this. But in the course of the redemption, when her Beloved will be with her, she’ll say “let’s go out” to Him -- let’s leave the exile. “Let’s go out into the field” refers to the higher realm, the realm of delight and happiness, “(the) field that G-d has blessed” (Genesis 27:27).

(As to the statement,) “Let us go early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine has flowered, if the grape blossoms have opened, if the pomegranates are in bloom; there will I give you my loves” (Song of Songs 7:13), know that the Shechina is referred to as a “vineyard” since her lower levels are like clusters of grapes. And when she’s rectified all her legions will hang upon her with great honor and fearlessly. It’s then that she will say “let’s go early to the vineyards”. For all early risings are through Chessed, as it’s written, “Abraham (who epitomizes Chessed) arose early in the morning” (Genesis 22:3). Chessed will be very powerful then and a great deal of peace and tranquility will come about as a result of it.

“Let’s see if the vine has flowered” refers to the returning of the legions to their posts and standing upon their hills, and taking hold of their roots as they should. The souls of the Jewish Nation will do the same, for the grapes will have manifestly ripened by then in great beauty and perfection.

“Let’s see ... if the grape blossoms have opened” for blossoms aren’t yet rectified or whole, and (thus) Judgment rules over it, which is why it isn’t pleasing to the palate. But the blossom will open once Chessed has increased since Judgment will be blocked-off and compassion will open.

“Let’s see ... if the pomegranates are in bloom.” I’ll now tell you what these pomegranates are, which are also termed “breasts”. For they give milk fully to all those close to them. But know that breasts emerge from the power of the two water-sources, as it’s said, “(G-d) bestows beneficent kindness” (Sh’moneh Esrai). That’s why they’re termed “pomegranates”. Mercy will grow very great through them, so they’re said to give milk and to satisfy both the hungry and the thirsty.

Now, you need to know that there are many ways to emanate and to do many different things, for nothing is exactly like anything else, and nothing is in vain. Bread, for example, nourishes and come from the ground to sustain and keep (people) well; and milk is a very sweet emanation that gives the person drinking it energy, strengthens him and gives him pleasure. Now understand that all these things call for a lot of delving into and that they’re rooted in the very depths of wisdom.

It’s written, “let’s lodge in the villages” (Song of Songs 7:12). This (explains) the mystery of the verse, “Jerusalem will be inhabited like towns without walls” (Zacharia 2:8); it explains the mystery of boundaries that demarcate. For when the emanation is very great it’s termed an inheritance without boundaries, as in Binah.

The mystery behind this lies in the term “Who’s that?” (Song of Songs 8:5). For the two will have been made equivalent, thanks to all the great tranquility and perfection. Understand this well.

For Binah, Tipheret, and Malchut will all be united and joined together mightily at the time of the redemption. That’s why it’s written, “Who’s that coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” (Ibid.). For she’ll delight in Him with a great love.

“I awakened you under the apple tree” (Song of Songs 8:5) for it’s where its source is, about which it’s said, “Set me as a seal upon your heart” (Song of Songs 8:6). For it’s under “the apple tree” which is Chessed, Gevurah, and Chessed, for “there your mother was in labor with you” (Song of Songs 8:5).

And understand that the term “in labor” there implies a great connection and union. For that’s where Binah and Tipheret are to join together, then Malchut will unite with them also until they’re all one. The use of the terms “your mother” and “she who bore you” allude to Binah and Tevunah.

(c) 2006 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman

(Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org )

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