BESURAS HAGEULO
The Announcement of the Redemption:
Chapter 9
When one is totally immersed in a certain subject, it's human nature when
encountering another topic to immediately search for and find the connection
with that subject in which he is immersed, even though this other topic has
its own issues and critical features.
As Jews -- particularly in the end of the period of exile (after the passing
of all the deadlines[1] and after my sainted father-in-law testified
that we have already done Teshuvah and that all the necessary efforts
have been completed) -- "we are totally immersed" in "awaiting for him every
day that he will come."[2] Throughout each and every day we wait
and yearn for the true and complete Redemption.
And, inasmuch as Jews are passionately involved with the coming of Moshiach,
it is reasonable that in all matters we should search primarily for their
association with our awaiting every day that he will come.
Applying this to a timely theme:
As we stand in the days of Chanukah -- though a multifaceted Holiday -- we
ought to emphasize primarily its connection with Redemption.
This festival was instituted because of the miracle with the cruse of oil
involved with the kindling of the menorah in the Beis HaMikdosh [Temple].
Afterwards, the Hasmoneans dedicated the Temple ("They cleared Your Sanctuary
and purified Your Holy Temple"). Mention of the Temple is an immediate reminder
of the Redemption, and serves to enhance our anticipation for his coming
every day, the building and dedication of the third Beis Hamikdosh
and the lighting of the Menorah by Aaron the High Priest, which will occur
with the true and complete Redemption by our righteous Moshiach.
...Similarly with respect to the Torah reading of the Shabbos of Chanukah.
During the Torah reading, as soon as a Jew hears and comprehends the word
"Mikeitz - the End," he exclaims, "Aha! This is an allusion to the
end of exile, referred to as the "end of days - Kaitz Hayamim" [spelled
with a final mem which connotes the end of exile], as well as "the end of
days - Kaitz Hayamin" [spelled as it is in the end of the book of
Daniel, with a final nun3 which connotes] the deadline for the Redemption!
And afterwards, when one reads or hears the Haftorah (the selection of the
prophets read weekly after the Torah reading) which states, "I beheld the
Menorah, entirely of gold,"[4] one senses immediately a reference
to the future Redemption![5]
Likewise, upon reading about the Nesi'im [princes] and the Nasi
[prince] of the tribe of Reuvein [Jacob's first born son] in particular,
a Jew is reminded forthwith of the true and complete Redemption, at which
time all the Nesi'im will be present, and the status of the Jewish
People as the "first born child" of the whole world will be manifest.
Moreover, the fourth light of Chanukah, is an immediate reminder of the "fourth
[and final] Redemption," when the most complete G-dly manifestations will
extend to all four directions of the world.
(From the talk of Shabbos Parshas Mikeitz,
Shabbos Chanukkah, 5751)
__________
1. Sanhedrin 97b.
2. The text of "Ani Ma'amin - I believe" (Printed in several editions of
the prayer book) based on the language of Chabakuk 2:3. Commentary
on the Mishneh by Rambam, Sanhedrin, Introduction to chapter "Chelek,"
12th Principle.
3. See Or HaTorah, beginning of our Parsha. See also above p. 20 for
further references.
4. Zecharya 4:2.
5. Midrash cited in Likkutei Torah, Be'ha'aloscha 34, end side
b.
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