"The Great Redemption" (76)

"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
_____________________________________________

76.

I’ll now explain a very great mystery for you that’s based on the verse, “It will come to pass in that day that the great shofar will blow, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria will come (back), as well as the outcasts from the land of Egypt; and they’ll worship G-d on the holy mountain in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:13). This touches upon a very deep mystery.

Know, that what happened in Egypt will happen in the future redemption. (Now, as is known,) the splitting of the Red Sea happened at the end of the redemption from Egypt, and it was said in conjunction with it, “Why cry out to me?” (Exodus 14:15). (It’s important to know that) it has already been said (in connection with that) that “It all depends on (the great and abstruse Luminary known as) Atika” (Zohar, Beshalach). I’ll explain this mystery to you now which is so great.

Know, that while the taking hold of the husk and its suckling occurs down below, its strength derives from behind Binah. But understand that the original kings of Edom (likewise) came from Binah, so they strengthen themselves down below from there in order to maintain themselves. Understand as well that Judgments are stirred up from Binah, and it’s from there that those Judgments are strengthened down below, while from that point and upward everything is absolute mercy.

Now, when the Jewish Nation left Egypt it was with (the help of) the might of the Luminaries, whose abundant light the husk couldn’t endure. But it stiffened its neck once again afterwards and wanted to attach itself (unto them). In fact, it wanted to get stronger yet than it had first been, seen it had already come loose from it once before.

But Atika was stirred up, it was revealed below, and it split the upper sea before the husk. When the sea, which is Binah, was split, the husk was cut off because it could no longer retain the power it originally had from the place I’d cited, so it was cut off and destroyed.

This will happen again in the future, when the other nations once again stand firm against G-d and His Moshiach; for he will sound a great shofar, which is Binah. Why isn’t this shofar blowing mentioned? Because it will be so miraculous that it’s name isn’t (allowed to be) mentioned.

And all the power of the husk will be utterly destroyed (then). That’s why it’s said of that time, “say to the prisoners, Go forth; (and) to those who are in darkness, Show yourselves” (Isaiah 49:9). Since they won’t have the power to resist the Jewish Nation that they’d once had.

As you already know, Assyria and Egypt are the two principle husks. So when the oppressed are to be released from their control, they’ll come to the Holy Mountain in Jerusalem and prostrate themselves (as is alluded to above). I’ve thus explained a very great mystery to you.

(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"

"The Great Redemption" (75)

"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
_____________________________________________

75.

It’s written of the Moshichim that “the wise will shine like the radiance of the sky” (Daniel 12:3). That (actually) refers to both Moshichim, who embody the mystery of Netzach and Hod. And (the phrase) “those who turn the masses righteous (will shine) like the stars forever” (Ibid.) refers to those great leaders who rise up to shepherd the Jewish Nation in the absence of the Moshichim, who will be like the stars that derive their light from the sun.

Now as it’s known, the Shechina itself will surround the Moshichim and encompass them. This mystery is explained by the verse, “The moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, when the L-rd of Hosts reigns in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and for His elders there will be honor” (Isaiah 24:23). The “elders” (referred to) are the ones who acquired wisdom (i.e., Chochma) -- in keeping with the mystery of (the verse) “G-d’s spirit will rest upon him” (Isaiah 11:2), which alludes to the light of hidden Chochma -- as well as other elders, because of Yechida itself, which is so.

At all other times the Shechina was engarbed within the sages of the generations, from where it shone upon the Jewish Nation, including Moses. But the light will (eventually) break through and emerge with a great deal of strength.

It’s written of the Moshichim, “your teacher won’t be hidden behind his garments any more” (Isaiah 30:20), because the Shechina herself will dwell not only around the Moshichim but within them as well, and the Jewish Nation will openly delight in her gleam.

In truth, Moses will also enjoy this level along with the Moshichim, and even more. This was explained elsewhere in connection with the mystery of (the verse) “No prophet like Moses ... has arisen in Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:10). That’s why the Jewish Nation will so delight in the light of the Shechina and why “the earth will be full of the knowledge of G-d” (Isaiah 11:9).

(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"