BESURAS HAGEULO:
Chapter 37
The proclamation of my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our
generation:[1] "Immediate repentance (and automatically) immediate
redemption," and that everything is already completed, including "polishing
the buttons,"[2] has been mentioned often lately. His announcement
that it only remains to "stand[3] prepared, all of
you"[4] has also been completed. We are now ready to greet our
righteous Moshiach immediately. It's obvious that we are now at the time
when the promise that "I will return your judges [as they were in the
beginning][5]... and your counselors"[6] is ready to
be fulfilled. Furthermore, "as they were in the beginning," alludes to the
fact that this has already begun,[7] as mentioned earlier.
'In every generation - even before the resurrection of Moshe - it is relevant
to know the law that "G-d gives prophecy to mankind."[8] It is
within the grasp of the created to experience a true revelation of G-dliness,
even to the degree of perfection that was attained by Moshe.[9]
Furthermore - relevant to every generation is "I will establish for them
a prophet like you,"[10] as the Rambam
explains:[11] "We do not believe in any prophet that arises after
Moshe our Teacher only because of the sign [he performs], but because of
the mitzvah commanded by Moshe in the Torah, etc." This means that
every prophet is a continuation of the prophecy of Moshe and his Torah. As
the Rambam explains, it is only in the manifestation of the prophecy
that there exists different levels.[12] In our generation it is
my sainted father-in-law who has attained the degree of prophecy.
Specifically, after "prophecy has returned to Israel,"[13] as
an "introduction to Moshiach"[13] - our righteous Moshiach (who
will be "a great prophet[14] approaching our teacher Moshe") will
prophesy. Our Sages[15] state that "the first Redeemer (Moshe)
is the final Redeemer" and in every generation there is one who is qualified
for this. Therefore one has to know as a halacha [law] that even now prior
to the Redemption, there exists a revelation of prophecy from Moshiach, even
before the Redemption which is a taste and beginning of the complete revelation
of prophecy after the Redemption. This means, that this prophecy is not an
innovation that will be realized only after the Redemption, but the beginning
of it will be achieved even before, in the spirit of "your counselors as
in the beginning." The Rambam, who includes in his law code the laws relevant
to the days of Moshiach and the introduction to it as well, writes about
this [prophecy].
One can then understand the accomplishment of the later generations in general
and the current generation in particular. It is only in current times that
my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation, has declared
that everything has been completed. According to all the signs, it is the
last moments before the Redemption.
'The spreading of the wellsprings outside, to all corners of the world, has
been completed, and in a way that is intellectually comprehensible even to
one who is situated in the furthermost hinterland. The inner teachings of
Torah and Chassidus have been translated into many languages (Russian, among
many), through my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation. In
an ever expanding and illuminating fashion, we have come to witness the recent
publication of the Tanya, the Written Torah of Chassidus[16] in
Braille, the script for the blind, May G-d preserve us (as mentioned
above[17]).
According to the announcement of my sainted father-in-law, all aspects of
Divine service have been completed, including the Divine service of our Rebbe's,
our leaders, who served as "your judges" and "your counselors" until the
present day. In addition, the expression "the generation is
worthy"[18] can be understood literally. It follows then
that we have already arrived at the time of "I will return your judges as
at first and your counselors as in the beginning" in the most complete sense
of the words. (There is therefore no need for officers to enforce the law,
because everything is already refined.) Of this, our rabbis and leaders have
already provided us with a taste and beginning.[19]
In the last moments of exile, the lesson for everyone of Shabbos Parshas
Shoftim can be understood. There must be a Divine service appropriate - measure
for measure - to the situation of Redemption:
One must publicize to one's self and to all whom he can reach the necessity
to internalize the lessons and advice of "your judges" and "your counselors"
of our generation. In general these leaders are the rabbis , as in the statement;
"Who are the kings? The Rebbis."[20] More specifically, it is
the leader of our generation, the judge, counselor and prophet of our generation
and the continuation of our Rebbeim who preceded him.
The obligation to receive the words of the leader is rooted in the commandment
of the Torah:[21] "I will raise up a prophet for them from amongst
their brethren like you and will put My words in his mouth and he will speak
to them all that I command him..." "To him you will listen." According to
the legal decree of the Rambam mentioned above, if one has the qualifications
and perfection required of a prophet, when this same person performs signs
and wonders, "we do not believe in him because of the signs alone, but because
of the mitzvah Moshe commanded in the Torah when he said, 'if he gives you
a sign, listen to him.'" The sign is: "He will tell you thing to come and
his words will prove true,"[22] - as we have seen and continue
to see the fulfillment of the blessings of my sainted father-in-law, the
leader of our generation.
And furthermore: "A prophet about whom another prophet testifies that he
is a prophet is presumed to be a prophet and the second one needs no
examination."[23] This applies to the leader of our generation,
and continues in the next generation through his disciples. One must immediately
obey him even "before he gives a sign." Similarly, "it is forbidden to have
doubts about him and question his prophecy, that maybe it isn't true, and
it is forbidden to test him overmuch" as it says,[24] do not test
the L-rd your G-d as you tested Him at Massa... But since it is known that
he is a prophet, believe in him and know that G-d is in your midst. Do not
doubt or question him..."[25] One believes in the words of the
prophet not because it is the prophet's speech, but because it is
G-d's speech through this prophet!
...One must make known to all members of the generation that we have merited
that G-d has chosen a person endowed with free choice, who is incomparably
higher than the members of his generation, to be "your judge," "your counselor,"
and the prophet of the generation. This chosen leader will provide the
instructions and advice relevant to the service of all Jews and all people
of the generation, in all matters of Torah and mitzvos, and daily conduct
in the manner of "in all your ways, know Him" and "all your deeds (should
be for the sake of Heaven)."[26] [His counsel has] extended to
the essential prophecy[27] of "immediate Redemption" and instantly
"Behold he (Moshiach) comes."[28]
The acceptance of and adherence to the instructions of "your judge" and "your
counselor" of our generation creates the sampling and beginning of the
fulfillment of the prayer[29] "Return our judges as of old and
our counselors as in the beginning." This is in accordance with the principle
"The end of creation arose in thought first."[30] How much more
[must there be acceptance and adherence] when these matters have already
been expressed in speech (i.e., prophecy, which in Hebrew derives from a
word that means "movement of the lips"), as it has become customary recently
to express the words in speech, particularly the words that the Redemption
is imminent.
We can now answer the question that has been raised recently that the Redemption
is coming imminently. The question is, how can this statement be accepted?
How will the family and the world at large react to this?
In truth, if the subject of Redemption were an innovation, the question would
possibly have a place. But the Redemption is not new; rather all of it has
already begun ("as in the beginning") and has been brought into and received
in this physical world, the lowest of all possible worlds (in the context
of "your counselors as in the beginning"). Therefore it won't be a wonder
when the Redemption comes imminently!
(From the talk of the Shabbos Parshas Shoftim, 7 Elul, 5751)
__________
1. "Kol Koreh" in "HaKriah VhaKedushah" (Sivan-Tammuz 5701.
Elul 5702) - published in the Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz,
vol. 8, p. 361 ff. 377 ff. 408 ff. Vol. 6, p. 430 ff.
2. See Sichos Simchas Torah 5689.
3. His Igros Kodesh, vol. 4, p. 279. See there for cross references.
4. See HaYom Yom 15 Teves and in many other places.
5. Yeshayhu 1:26.
6. See Rambam's Commentary on the Mishneh , Sanhedrin, chapter 1,
Mishneh 3, which implies there that "I will return your judges, etc." will
be "before the coming of Moshiach" and as the passage concludes, "afterwards
it will be called for you a righteous city, etc." See Likkutei Sichos
vol. 9, p. 105, note 74.
7. [There is a play on words. In the citation from Isaiah (Yeshayu) it
says, "All your counselors as in the beginning." The Rebbe interprets this
to mean that the beginning of this prophecy has already occurred. Translator's
note.]
8. Rambam, Hilchos Yesodei Torah, beginning of chapter 7.
9. Likkutei Sichos, vol. 23, p. 71. And elsewhere.
10. Our parsha, 18:18.
11. Rambam, Hilchos Yesodei Torah, chapter 8, halacha 2.
12. Chapter 7, halacha 5.
13. Rambam, Igros Teiman, chapter 3.
14. Rambam, Hilchos Teshuva, chapter 9, halacha 2.
15. See Shmos Rabbah, chapter 2:4. Zohar Chadash vol. 1, 253a. Shaar HaPesukim,
Parsha Veyechi. Torah Or, beginning Parshas Mishpatim. And elsewhere.
16. A letter of my sainted father-in-law - published in the summary and notes
to Tanya, page 118 and further. His Igros Kodesh, vol. 4, p.
221 and further. See there vol. 5, p. 90.
17. Sichos Shabbos Parshas Eikev (Sefer HaSichos, 5751, p. 764 and
further).
18. The expression of our Sages - Yevamos 39b. Chullin 93b.
19. See Rambam's Commentary on the Mishneh in note 6: I will return
your judges as before times and your counselors as in the beginning... this
will be without a doubt when the Creator corrects the hearts of men, their
merits increase, their desire is for G-d and their wisdom increases before
the coming of Moshiach, etc.
20. See Gittin 62a. [The phrase used in the original is the following
quotation: "who are the kings? the rabbis." Translator's note.]
21. Our parsha, 18:18.
22. Our Parsha, 18:15.
23. Rambam, ibid, beginning of chapter 10.
24. Ibid, halacha 5.
25. Vaeschanan, 6:16.
26. The eleventh blessing of the Amidah prayer.
27. Mishlei 3:6. Avos, chapter 2, Mishneh 12. See Rambam, Hilchos
De'os, end of chapter 3. Tur Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, section
231.
28. Not just as a Sage and Judge, but as a Prophet, for this is certain -
see Maamarei Ha’ketzorim of the Alter Rebbe, p354-5.
29. Shir HaShirim 2:8 and Shir HaShirim Rabbah on the verse.
30. The hymn "Lecha Dodi."
|
