"The Great Redemption" (72)
"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
_____________________________________________
72.
I’ll now inform you about another mystery. It was written (at a certain juncture in the course of the Egyptian exile) that “G-d looked upon the people of Israel, and G-d knew” (Exodus 2:25). The point is as follows.
It was said of G-d in the course of the exile (by others that) “their G-d (must be) asleep” and it was asked, “Why do You stand so far away, G-d? Will You hide Yourself in times of trouble” (Psalms 10:1), because He’s hidden (from us) which makes it seem as if He doesn’t see or observe (us). In fact, that’s what strengthens the husks become strong. But (as we’ll see,) the redemption will start as soon as He’s stirred to look (down upon us). That’s why immediately afterwards it’s said that G-d “looked ... and ... knew”.
In truth, until that point the idea (to redeem the Jewish Nation) was in (G-d’s) mind, but it then came to be uttered, after which the redemption was then ordered (to come about). And the same will be true of the future redemption. For as it’s said (it won’t come about) “until G-d peers down and looks from Heaven” (Lamentations 3:50). But understand the implications of the word “Heaven”, since it alludes to a lot.
In fact, G-d’s in Heaven throughout the course of the exile, for He’d ascended (there ... ) to the place about which it’s said “You are a G-d who hides” (Isaiah 45:15). Thus, He needs to return to His place in Heaven, and it's from there that He’ll look down and peer. That’s why it’s said (that the redemption won’t begin) “until G-d peers down and looks from Heaven” (specifically).
(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
_____________________________________________
72.
I’ll now inform you about another mystery. It was written (at a certain juncture in the course of the Egyptian exile) that “G-d looked upon the people of Israel, and G-d knew” (Exodus 2:25). The point is as follows.
It was said of G-d in the course of the exile (by others that) “their G-d (must be) asleep” and it was asked, “Why do You stand so far away, G-d? Will You hide Yourself in times of trouble” (Psalms 10:1), because He’s hidden (from us) which makes it seem as if He doesn’t see or observe (us). In fact, that’s what strengthens the husks become strong. But (as we’ll see,) the redemption will start as soon as He’s stirred to look (down upon us). That’s why immediately afterwards it’s said that G-d “looked ... and ... knew”.
In truth, until that point the idea (to redeem the Jewish Nation) was in (G-d’s) mind, but it then came to be uttered, after which the redemption was then ordered (to come about). And the same will be true of the future redemption. For as it’s said (it won’t come about) “until G-d peers down and looks from Heaven” (Lamentations 3:50). But understand the implications of the word “Heaven”, since it alludes to a lot.
In fact, G-d’s in Heaven throughout the course of the exile, for He’d ascended (there ... ) to the place about which it’s said “You are a G-d who hides” (Isaiah 45:15). Thus, He needs to return to His place in Heaven, and it's from there that He’ll look down and peer. That’s why it’s said (that the redemption won’t begin) “until G-d peers down and looks from Heaven” (specifically).
(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 3:31 PM
0 comments
