"The Great Redemption" (70)
"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
_____________________________________________
70.
When the prophet perceived the great joy that the Jewish Nation will enjoy then he said, “I will greatly rejoice in G-d, my soul will be joyful in my G-d, for He has clothed me with the garments of redemption, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland and a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). Come see some of the very exalted mysteries (contained) in this verse.
Know that the Shechina manifests two sorts of emanations. One is a part of herself and is used to emend her own groupings and lights, about which it’s said “I will greatly rejoice in G-d”. And recall that I’d already explained that joy (sasson) refers to Yesod, and that the phrase “greatly rejoice” -- sos asis -- refers to the ongoing emanation (that will come about), emanation after emanation, blessing after blessing.
The other sort of emanation (that the Shechina manifests) will come about for the sake of all her hosts, and especially for the Jewish Nation who are the children of G-d and the Shechina. “My soul will be joyful in my G-d” refers to this, and being “joyful” refers to the Tzaddik as well.
But because the righteous are the fathers of the Jewish Nation, all decrees and enactments must emanate from them, as is alluded to in the verse “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice” (Proverbs 23:24). That's why it’s written, “my soul will be joyful in my G-d” as well as “for He has clothed me with the garments of redemption”. For the secret import (of that lies in) the fact that garments cover the body, and all garments are external and derived from Gevurah, since Chessed is related to the inside.
Now, the garments worn in exile are dark and pitch black, in keeping with the mystery of the husk that overcovers the kernel, and as a result the light is withdrawn and doesn’t illuminate. In the course of the redemption, though, garments will be (the) “garments of redemption” (referred to above). Gevurah is also termed that, and Binah as well, since they’re on the left side.
In truth, these garments will all emanate from it and everything will be “covered ... with the robe of righteousness”, referring to the precious and illustrious mantle that will be granted her by the King. That mantle is termed “the robe of righteousness” because it was given to her when they were joined together, since righteousness is the Highest (form of) union. And it's said “as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland” to allude to the great and constant renewal of lights.
Now, it says “as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland and a bride adorns herself with her jewels” because it had already said “I will greatly rejoice in G-d” which refers to the King mentioned above; and it says “(as) a bride adorns herself with her jewels” to refer to the Shechina herself.
It also says “as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland” because he’ll be continually crowned with new crowns from up above, and “(as) a bride adorns herself with her jewels” because she’ll be adorned in jewels from down below.
And all of this will come about as a consequence of the separation of the husk and its being cut off forever. This is (contained in) the mystery of the verse cited earlier on that, “I will remove evil beasts from the land” (Leviticus 26:6).
(c) 2006 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.
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
_____________________________________________
70.
When the prophet perceived the great joy that the Jewish Nation will enjoy then he said, “I will greatly rejoice in G-d, my soul will be joyful in my G-d, for He has clothed me with the garments of redemption, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland and a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). Come see some of the very exalted mysteries (contained) in this verse.
Know that the Shechina manifests two sorts of emanations. One is a part of herself and is used to emend her own groupings and lights, about which it’s said “I will greatly rejoice in G-d”. And recall that I’d already explained that joy (sasson) refers to Yesod, and that the phrase “greatly rejoice” -- sos asis -- refers to the ongoing emanation (that will come about), emanation after emanation, blessing after blessing.
The other sort of emanation (that the Shechina manifests) will come about for the sake of all her hosts, and especially for the Jewish Nation who are the children of G-d and the Shechina. “My soul will be joyful in my G-d” refers to this, and being “joyful” refers to the Tzaddik as well.
But because the righteous are the fathers of the Jewish Nation, all decrees and enactments must emanate from them, as is alluded to in the verse “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice” (Proverbs 23:24). That's why it’s written, “my soul will be joyful in my G-d” as well as “for He has clothed me with the garments of redemption”. For the secret import (of that lies in) the fact that garments cover the body, and all garments are external and derived from Gevurah, since Chessed is related to the inside.
Now, the garments worn in exile are dark and pitch black, in keeping with the mystery of the husk that overcovers the kernel, and as a result the light is withdrawn and doesn’t illuminate. In the course of the redemption, though, garments will be (the) “garments of redemption” (referred to above). Gevurah is also termed that, and Binah as well, since they’re on the left side.
In truth, these garments will all emanate from it and everything will be “covered ... with the robe of righteousness”, referring to the precious and illustrious mantle that will be granted her by the King. That mantle is termed “the robe of righteousness” because it was given to her when they were joined together, since righteousness is the Highest (form of) union. And it's said “as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland” to allude to the great and constant renewal of lights.
Now, it says “as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland and a bride adorns herself with her jewels” because it had already said “I will greatly rejoice in G-d” which refers to the King mentioned above; and it says “(as) a bride adorns herself with her jewels” to refer to the Shechina herself.
It also says “as a bridegroom bedecks himself with a garland” because he’ll be continually crowned with new crowns from up above, and “(as) a bride adorns herself with her jewels” because she’ll be adorned in jewels from down below.
And all of this will come about as a consequence of the separation of the husk and its being cut off forever. This is (contained in) the mystery of the verse cited earlier on that, “I will remove evil beasts from the land” (Leviticus 26:6).
(c) 2006 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.
Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled
"Spiritual Excellence" and "Ramchal"
posted by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman at 11:26 AM
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