"The Great Redemption"
Prologue (Part 2)
"A Discourse on The Redemption" itself is divided into four parts which
we'll synopsize now.
The first part provides us with an explanation of the nature and
consequences of the exile ("Galut") we're now in. Four tragic things
characterize the exile, in short: The facts that the spiritual light that
the great Supernal Luminaries emit is hidden away and the powers of
impurity are thus emboldened; that other nations rule over us with a
vengeance; that the Shechina (G-d's indwelling presence here on earth)
sits in the dust, if you will; and the fact that we continue to suffer all
sorts of trials and tribulations.
The second part is a discussion of the first of two stages of the
redemption process, known as P'kidah. The Hebrew term "p'kidah" itself
implies a visitation or a special dispensation of Divine favor. At this
stage the earliest damage done by the exile -- the hiding of the spiritual
light and the subsequent emboldening of the powers of impurity -- will be
repaired to a great degree, though not entirely. And the Shechina will
emerge out of the dust. But those things will only come about on a
subliminal, *soul* level and only for a short time at that. The spirit of
the two Messiahs will start to be aroused by then, too, and begin to
blossom (yes, there'll be two Messiahs -- Moshiach Ben Yoseph and Moshiach
Ben David; one will appear after the other in rather quick succession, and
they'll work in tandem). And finally, our people will be inspired to
return to G-d's service. Then the next stage will begin.
The third part of "A Discourse on The Redemption" focuses on that next
stage, Z'chirah. The term "z'chirah" implies dwelling upon something and
remembering it. It's in the Z'chirah stage that outward and apparent
changes will come about, and when all four forms of harm done in exile
will be amended. Both Moshiach Ben Yoseph and Moshiach Ben David will
appear outright then and lead the Jewish Nation to Israel, all of our
troubles will cease, and the Holy Temple ("Beit Hamikdash") will be
rebuilt.
And the fourth part of the work discusses the time when the "Great Gate"
will be reopened and holiness will reign. We'll understand by then that
the harm and wrongdoing we'd suffered as a nation all along was never
meant to be permanent, and joy will fill the world. Certain recondite
subjects will be explained there, like the eventual unfurling of the sort
of wisdom and the supernal light that had been sequestered away since the
beginning of time, our eventual eternal attachment onto G-d, and the
revelation of the great and ultimate truth that G-d is indeed the
Sovereign King of the universe which will bring on the goodness and peace
we've always wanted as well as the destruction of evil.
Text Copyright © 2006 by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman and Torah.org.
