BESURAS HAGEULO:
Chapter 38
All of the above[1] receives particular emphasis in the month
of Elul of the year Hey-Tuf-Nun-Sin-Aleph,[2] the first letter
of which also forms the word "Tinasay," which has the dual meaning
of "you shall be exalted" and "you shall be married" in command form.
This[3] is relevant both to the revelation and coming of Moshiach,
who "shall be exalted... very high"[4] and to the
marriage[5] of the Jewish people and G-d that will take
place in the days of Moshiach. In the language of the Yalkut Shimoni:
"The year in which Melech HaMoshiach will be revealed... he will stand on
the roof of the Temple and say, Humble ones, the time of your Redemption
has arrived."[6]
* * *
The students of the Yeshiva are called "Temimim"[7] because
they learn "the Torah of G-d, the revealed Torah and the Torah of Chassidus
temimah."[8] The learning of the inner aspect of the Torah,
with intellectual comprehension, moreover, resembles and is a preparation
for the situation of the days of Moshiach, when "Israel will be extremely
wise and know the hidden things and comprehend the knowledge of their creator,
etc."[9]
These students are therefore called "the soldiers of the house of David"
who overcome the position of those who "revile the footsteps of your anointed."
Their work reveals and brings Moshiach ben David in a way that "Blessed is
G-d forever Amen and Amen."[10]
This period (described at the conclusion of this Psalm) has already reached
a conclusion after the accomplishments and work during the forty years since
the histalkus[11] of my sainted father-in-law, the Previous
Rebbe, the leader of our generation. We have spread the wellsprings outward
in such a way that "G-d gives to you a heart to understand and eyes to see
and ears to hear,"[12] and we stand now in a period connected
to Psalm 90,[13] that concludes with the verse "May the pleasantness
of the L-rd our G-d be upon us... and the work of our hands establish it."
This means "the Divine Presence dwells in the work of their
hands,"[14] which represents the payment for all our accomplishments
and work.
* * *
We know that "Action is the main thing"[15] and therefore we publicize
everywhere that we stand at the conclusion of our accomplishments and work
("when you go out to war against your enemies"). We are now at the beginning
of the period of the payment of the reward, "payment of the reward of the
righteous" ("when you come to the land... and you inherit it and you will
dwell upon it"). Accordingly, one's work also has to be connected to the
days of Moshiach, beginning with learning the Torah concerning Moshiach,
Redemption and the Temple. This should be done with tranquillity, joy and
a gladdened heart, especially through arranging gatherings of joy. [Such
an approach has] particular relevance to the celebration of a wedding and
the seven days of feasting (including also strengthening "the custom of Israel"
to arrange a meal for the poor). This is all a preparation for the promise
that "then (in the time to come) our mouths will be filled with
laughter."[16] For the leader of this generation, my sainted
father-in-law, whose second name "Yitzchak," which means laughter and rejoicing,
is the eighth ("Az" (then) in gematria is eight) leader from the Baal Shem
Tov. Therefore, in this generation, we will make it so that "our mouths will
be filled with laughter" (not in the future tense, "then," but) in the language
of the present.
(From the talk of Shabbos Parshas Teitzei, 14 Elul 5751)
__________
1. [This passage occurs in a discussion about the month of Elul as the
last month of the year, and therefore the time for an honest accounting
(soul-searching) and completion of the "marriage" between G-d and the Jewish
people. The latter concept is raised because the name of the month - Elul
- is a Hebrew acronym for "I am for my beloved and my beloved is mine." These
two ideas are related to the times and the impossibility of a delay in the
fulfillment of the promise that Moshiach's coming is imminent. Translator's
note.]
2. [The letters used to designate the year in which this is said also
form the word "Tinasay," which means to raise up or elevate. Translator's
note.]
3. ["This" refers to the two concepts mentioned in note a. Translator's
note.]
4. Yeshayahu (52:13).
5. [The word for marriage in Hebrew, "ni-su-in" is etymologically related
to "tinasay," meaning to elevate. Translator's note.]
6. Yeshayahu, remez 499.
7. [The word "temimah" has the meanings of whole, perfect, innocent, upright,
etc. By learning both the revealed aspects of Torah as well as its inner
dimension, Torah study is itself whole, perfect, etc. Translator's note.]
8. The Talk of Simchas Torah 5659 - "HaTamim" section 1, page 25.
9. Rambam at the conclusion of his work, Mishneh Torah.
10. This follows the words of the Rebbe Rashab in the well-known Talk of
Simchas Torah 5661 (printed in Likkutei Diburim vol. 4, 787:2 ff.)
[Psalm 89, which refers in the conclusion to those who "revile the footsteps
of your anointed." Translator's note.]
11. [The word "histalkus" literally means elevation and is used to refer
to the day of departure of a tzadik from this world. Translator's note.]
12. Tavo 29:3.
13. [The year 5751 was the year the Rebbe entered his 90th year. According
to Chassidic tradition, it is customary to recite the Psalm that corresponds
to that year. Translator's note.]
14. The explanation of Rashi on this verse.
15. Avos 1:17 - which we learn on this Shabbos.
16. Psalm 126:2. See Brochos 31a.
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