BESURAS HAGEULO:
Chapter 66
In regard to recent events:
First of all, it occurred that on the eve of this Shabbos, the heads of the
great and important countries of the world, and at their head the leaders
of the two superpowers, convened together. They resolved and announced a
new era in the relationship between the countries of the world. The status
of war between the nations of the world was nullified, to be expressed in
a reduction and elimination of weapons of destruction until there is peace
and unity, a working partnership and strong cooperation between nations for
the good of all mankind.
Prior to this event (by Divine Providence) the President of this country
declared to all his people (on Wednesday, "the preparation for
Shabbos,"1 the beginning of the eve of this Shabbos) that
he would announce and publicize a reduction and elimination of weapons of
destruction, utilizing the money that was not spent to procure weapons to
expand economic programs that provide for the citizenry. The announcement
was confirmed by Congress, wherein the laws of the country are established
and which have the force of law according to Torah ("the law of the government
is the law"2)
One has to consider the lesson as well as the details of the event - its
place and time, including its connection to the contents of the time in the
Torah, the Parsha of the week, as will be explained.
The lesson of this event is a general and fundamental aspect of the Divine
service of the Jewish people ("our work and Divine service while in
exile"3) - to bring the coming of
Moshiach:"4
One of the promises of the true and final Redemption through our righteous
Moshiach is connected to the conduct of the nations of the world: "they shall
beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; nation shall
not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more."5
Furthermore, this will occur through the activity of our righteous Moshiach
himself, as stated at the beginning of the verse,6 "He
will judge among the nations and reprove many peoples" ("The judge is king
Moshiach... for he is the master of all the peoples, and he reproves them;
he says to whoever in whom is found sin, let the crooked be made straight...
and because of this there will not be war between one nation and another
because he will make peace between them, and they will not need weapons of
war, and they will beat them to make of them utensils for working the
ground"7). For "At the end of days the mount of the House
of the L-rd will be mended... and all the nations will flow to it, and many
peoples will go and they will say let us go up to the mount of G-d, to the
House of the G-d of Yaakov and learn from his way and go in his paths, because
Torah goes forth from Tzion and the word of G-d from
Jerusalem,"8 and "the one who will teach them is the king
Moshiach, about whom it is said, and he will judge."9
The heads of the nations of the world are resolving and announcing the reduction
and elimination of weapons of destruction and an expansion of programs that
provide sustenance for the country and the world as a whole. This is the
content of the promise that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares,"
breaking weapons of war to make them vessels for working the ground, "ground
from which comes bread."10 [Since they are currently making
this resolution,] this is a clear sign concerning the beginning of the
fulfillment of this promise of the true and complete Redemption through
our righteous Moshiach.
A further clarification:
Since we find ourselves in the "highest time" of the coming of our righteous
Moshiach, "Behold he (the king Moshiach) comes,"11 we already
see (an example) and the beginning of the effect of the king Moshiach
on the nations - "and he judges between the nations and reproves many
peoples and they shall beat their swords to plowshares..." Essentially, G-d
is inspiring the rulers of the world ("the heart of kings and princes is
in the hand of G-d"12) to resolve and announce together
concerning the position and situation of "they shall beat their swords into
plowshares."
The resolution and announcement occurred specifically at this time, because
of its special connection with the true and complete Redemption through our
righteous Moshiach.
It may be added, that the connection of the event to the beginning of the
activities of our righteous Moshiach is also emphasized in the details
of the event - the time and place wherein the heads of state made
the resolution and announcement concerning the position and situation of
"they shall beat their swords into plowshares":
The place wherein this event occurred (a place designated for representatives
of the nations of the world to gather to deliberate among themselves in a
courteous and peaceful manner) is in this country and this city. In the country
and city wherein is "Beis Rabbeinu Sh'B'Bavel"13 [The House
of our Rebbe in Babel], "Beis Chayeinu" [The House of our Life], the synagogue
and study hall, the house of Torah, Prayer and acts of loving-kindness, [all
creations] of my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation. He
chose [this place] and established here the headquarters from which "Torah
will go forth," the dissemination outward of Torah and the wellsprings into
all corners of the world until the coming of our righteous Moshiach (when
your wellsprings extend outward14). For then also will
the promise be fulfilled that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares."
The meaning of this concept is:
When the leader of our generation came to the lower hemisphere and established
his residence in this country and city, there began in force the purification
and refinement of the lower hemisphere, extending there the revelation
of the giving of the Torah (which had been in the upper
hemisphere15). More than this, it became the source from
which extended and spread the fundamental activity of disseminating the
Wellsprings outward literally into all corners of the world. This
was done through the shluchim [emissaries] that he sent throughout the world
(also to the upper hemisphere), to the farthest corner imaginable, in order
to disseminate Torah and Judaism to all the Jewish people (including and
specifically those dwelling among the gentiles and speaking their language
and acting in all appearances like them).
Further, and this is also essential, he disseminated matters of goodness,
justice and integrity between the nations of the world as well, through
fulfillment of the commandments of the children of
Noach.16 As greatly emphasized in recent years, as we come
closer to and approach the time of the coming of our righteous Moshiach,
"Then I will turn to the nations a pure language to call all of them on the
name of G-d and to serve Him with one consent."17
In this last period (beginning with the year of miracles, and continuing
into the years of "wonders I will show him" and "wonders in
everything") this activity has reached its climax, with the breaking down
of the boundaries of the country [Russia] that at its inception engraved
on its flag and declared a war against the dissemination of Torah and Judaism,
to the extent of waging war against belief in the Creator and Guide of the
world. (This also includes the imprisonment of my sainted father-in-law,
the leader of our generation, and consequently his expulsion from the borders
of that country.) Nevertheless, the activities of the shluchim of
the leader of our generation extended even there, spreading Torah and Judaism
in secret and with real mesiros nefesh [self-sacrifice]. This continued
until the recent period, when the decrees of the country were nullified,
and it became possible to continue the activities of spreading Torah and
Judaism with greater strength and vigor, openly and publicly. Finally, the
previous government fell and a new government was established, declaring
itself for justice, integrity and peace, based on belief in the Creator and
Guide of the world.
As a continuation of this, on the eve of this Shabbos a meeting between the
new president of that country and the president of this country occurred,
in partnership with many other leaders of the great countries of the world.
There they accepted the resolution and publicized its contents that "they
shall beat their swords into plowshares."
The location of this conference, its resolution and announcement in the
city of the leader of our generation, my sainted father-in-law (in which
gathered the leaders of the countries, including as well the president of
this country, who had to come from the capital city to this
city18) implies that all this came as a result of the
activities in disseminating Torah and Judaism, justice and integrity throughout
the world. That was done, and is being done, through the leader of our
generation, the Moshiach of the generation.19 This
is so to such an extent that through the completion of the Divine service
mentioned above, at this time the whole world is made ready for the beginning
of the activities of the king Moshiach, "and he will judge between the nations
and reprove many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into
plowshares.20
The time in which this event occurred is also appropriately connected with
the Redemption because of its connection to the life of the leader of
our generation; for it occurred on the eve of the last Shabbos of the
month of Shvat, the eleventh month, on the tenth of which is the
hilulo21 (the completion and perfection of the Divine
service) of my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation. The eleventh
[of Shvat] produced an expansion and innovation in his leadership, with greater
strength and greater vigor, until the completion and conclusion of all the
Divine service of our generation (the last generation of exile which is the
first generation of Redemption). [This happened] during the [past] forty-two
years, which correspond to the forty-two stages of travel in the desert of
the nations [i.e., exile]. Thus we are already prepared and poised to enter
the land in the true and final Redemption (as discussed at length at a previous
gathering).22 For the time (as well as the place)
of the announcement that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares"
emphasized the connection with the activities of the leader of our generation,
my sainted father-in-law, the Moshiach of the generation, through whom is
fulfilled the promise that "they will beat their swords into plowshares."
…It may be said that the resolution and announcement of the leaders
of the nations of the world on the eve of Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim
concerning the condition and situation of "they shall beat their swords into
plowshares" is an effect of the resolution and announcement of "our kings,
the Rabbis" that "Behold he (the king Moshiach) comes." [The situation
today] began with the legal decree of my sainted father-in-law, the leader
of our generation, that we have already completed our work and Divine service
in the course of the exile and we are already prepared to greet our righteous
Moshiach. It then continued through the legal decree of the rabbis and
authorities of the Jewish people that the time of Redemption has
arrived, "a king from the house of Dovid will arise... it is presumed
[b'chezkas] that he is Moshiach " until the situation and position of "behold,
he is certainly Moshiach [vadai]."23 [These are] legal
decrees "from Sinai," which extend into and penetrate the barriers
of the world as well, to such an extent that the leaders of the
nations24 resolve and announce voluntarily (and
"in their courts" for they have the force "the law of the country
is the law") concerning the situation and position that "they shall beat
their swords into plowshares."
…According to what was said above, the wonder and amazement becomes
much stronger, together with the great pain and confusion (a pain so great
that one should not go into lengthy discussion of this matter on the Sabbath)
- how is it possible that the Jewish people still find themselves in exile?!...
Until when?!...
Is it possible that after all the signs that the true and complete Redemption
is coming imminently and immediately in actual reality, including the event
of this eve of Shabbos, when even the nations of the world announce that
the time has arrived for "they shall beat their swords into plowshares" we
find ourselves on the holy Shabbos day outside the land? Instead of being
together with all the Jewish people from all corners of the world, is in
our holy land, in Yerushalayim the holy city, and in the Beis HaMikdash [Temple],
gathered at the "table prepared and set for the meal before the
people,"25 upon which is set the Livyosan, the Shor HaBor
and the Yayin Meshumar!
Further, and this is essential, the announcement, the commandment and the
power to "make me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them" (as we read in
the Torah at Mincha) in regard to building the Third Beis HaMikdash has not
yet been received!
From this is understood the great need and the urgency to increase with greater
vigor and greater force involvement those things which draw closer, hasten
and bring in actual reality the Redemption, imminently and immediately.
First of all, in the matter emphasized in Parshas Mishpatim:
"Mishpatim" are the details of the laws between people in order to achieve
peace26 (and obviously the absence of its opposite, nullifying
the cause of the final exile27), which brings the Redemption,
as our Sages of blessed memory28 said about the advantage
of justice [mishpat], that "with it Tzion will be built, as it
says,29 Tzion will be redeemed with justice." [This also
applies] to tzedekah ("and its captives through
tzedekah"29) and acts of loving
kindness,30 as explained in our
Parsha,31 "If you will lend money to any of my people that
is poor" and "Acts of loving kindness are greater than
tzedekah."32 Also the relevant section of Bava
Basra33 (the "explanation" of parshas Mishpatim in
the Oral Torah) explains in detail the concepts of the mitzvah of tzedekah.
Among the fundamental ones is "Great34 is tzedekah for
it brings close the Redemption, as it says,35 "Thus
says the L-rd, keep judgment and do justice [tzedekah], for my salvation
is near to come and my righteousness to be revealed."
As a continuation of this, there is also the lesson from the beginning of
parshas Terumah (which is read at Mincha on Shabbos): "Make me a Sanctuary
and I will dwell among them," beginning with the individual sanctuary within
each and every Jew ("within it is not written but within them, within each
an every one"36), within his inner heart. [The Sanctuary
should also be] in his house and his room, making it a house of Torah, prayer
and acts of loving-kindness. This includes in particular joining in building
and expanding synagogues and Houses of Study in a manner of "Take for me
terumah... gold and silver and copper"37 (all thirteen
(fifteen)38 things enumerated in the Torah), through which
is accelerated and hastened and effected immediately the building of the
third Beis HaMikdash in reality, in the simple sense.
This resolution39 should bring immediately the
reward,40 bringing the Redemption, imminently and immediately
in reality, for then the Melave Malka [the meal after Shabbos], "the meal
of Dovid, king Moshiach,"41 will be arranged in partnership
with the leader of our generation, our righteous Moshiach, at our head, in
our holy land, in Yerushalayim the holy city, in the third Beis HaMikdash.
May it be His Will, and this is the most fundamental matter, that he true
and complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach comes into actual
reality imminently and immediately... with all the explanations of "MiYaD"
(including as well the acronym that encompasses the generations,
Moshe, Yisroel (the Baal Shem Tov), Dovid (king Moshiach)).
And specifically to our generation, that the acronym of "MiYaD" alludes to
the three periods connected to my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our
generation:42 in the order closest to us, Moshiach
(Menachem is his name), Yosef Yitzchak, DovBer
(the second name of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe).
And all the explanations of "mamosh" [really], and above all immediately
in the literal meaning of "mamosh", really, really, really.
(From the talk of Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, 27 Shvat,
Blessing of the New Month Adar I, 5752)
__________
1. Pesachim 106, end of side a.
2. Gittin 10b. See there for cross-references.
3. Tanya, beginning of chapter 37.
4. The expression of our Sages, of blessed memory - in the Mishneh at the
end of the first chapter of Brochos.
5. Yeshayahu 2:4. Micha 4:3.
6. Yeshayahu 2:4. Micha 4:3.
7. Commentary of Radak on the verse.
8. Yeshayahu ibid, 2-3. Micha ibid, 1-2.
9. Commentary of Radak on the verse.
10. Iyov 28:5.
11. Shir HaShirim 2:8 and Shir HaShirim Rabba on the verse.
12. A common expression - based on Mishlei 21:1. See Likkutei
Sichos, vol. 13, p. 285, note 1 and the marginal note there.
13. Megillah 29:1. And see at length the pamphlet on the subject
Mikdash M'at Zeh etc. (Sefer HaSichos 5752, p. 465.)
14. The Holy Letter of the Baal Shem Tov - Kesser Shem Tov at the
beginning. And in many places.
15. See Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 2, page 492
ff. See there for cross references.
16. According to the ruling of the Rambam (Laws of Kings, chapter
8, halacha 10), that "Moshe Rabbeinu commanded, by Divine edict, that all
who come into the world be compelled to accept the commandments commanded
to the children of Noach."
17. Tzefanyah 3:9. See Rambam ibid, end of ch. 11.
18. Even though the simple reason for this is that the designated
location for the representatives of the nations of the world to gather in
an established way was from the outset designed to be in a place that was
not the capital city of a particular country, yet the true reason
for establishing that place [the United Nations] specifically in this city
is that it was to be the capital city of "the kings, the rabbis" (see
Gittin 62, end of side a and in other sources), my sainted father-in-law,
the leader of our generation (and see below note 20.)
19. See the pamphlet mentioned above (in note 11), section 5, that the leader
of the generation is the Moshiach of the generation. This is emphasized
especially in regard to my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation,
as alluded to in his two names: "Yosef" - "the L-rd shall set his hand again
[Yoseef]... and gather the outcasts of Israel" (Yeshayahu 11:11-12),
and "Yitzchak" - "then our mouths will be filled with laughter [S'chok]"
(Tehillim 126:2. And see Brochos 31:1).
20. It should be noted, that the United Nations, organized for the purpose
of peace and unity among the nations, was established in the lower half of
the world after and in proximity to the arrival of the leader of our
generation to the lower half of the world (beginning with the acceptance
of the resolution in the middle of the war, about 5702, and principally at
the conclusion of the war, about 5705). The headquarters were established
in the city of the leader of our generation, even constructing a special
building (about 5711). This emphasizes that the unity and the peace between
the nations is a result of the activities of the leader of our generation
in purifying the world (through the dissemination of Torah, Judaism,
righteousness and integrity throughout the world). According to the increase
of purification of the world through the leader of the generation, so also
increases the solidification of an organization whose goal is to achieve
unity and peace in the world, to the point of the completing and perfecting
the purification of the world, fulfilling the prediction that "they shall
beat their swords into plowshares," which is the foundation of this organization
(to such an extent that it is emblazoned on the walls of the building.)
21. [The Zohar describes the passing of a tzadik as "hilulo." Literally
it means wedding, because it is the "reunion" of the soul of the tzadik with
his Maker. Translator's note.]
22. Talks of 11 Shvat and Shabbos Parshas Beshallach (Sefer HaSichos
5752, p. 380).
23. Rambam, Laws of Kings, end of ch. 11.
24. That "even though he doesn't see, his mazel [lit., constellation, spiritual
guide] sees" (Megillah 3a).
25. Rashi's commentary to the beginning of our Parsha.
26. See Shmos Rabba at the beginning of our Parsha (ch. 30:1): "they
came to judgment and they made peace." In the Chiddushe HaRaDaL there: "Possibly
it means through a compromise, as it says in Sanhedrin (6b), what is a peaceful
judgment? It is a compromise."
27. See Yoma 9b.
28. Shmos Rabba there, 15.
29 Yeshayahu 1:27.
30. Including as well the effect on the nations of the world to be involved
with tzedekah; particularly after the resolution of the leaders of the nations
to save on the expenditures for weaponry, it is much easier to affect an
increase in activities of tzedekah, whether for the nations of the world
or for the Jewish people.
31. 22:24.
32. Sukkah 49b
33. 8a ff.
34. 10a.
35. Yeshayahu 56:1.
36. See Alschich on the verse. Sheloh 69a and in other places.
37. 25:2-3.
38. See Likkutei Sichos, vol. 21, p. 153, in the references there.
39. [To give according to the generosity of their pure hearts to the Gemach
[Free Loan] Fund, for whose benefactors a Melave Malka was arranged after
this Holy Sabbath. (Publisher's note)]
40. See Taanis 8b. Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim end of section
571.
41. Siddur HaArizal in its place [section dealing with the Saturday
night Melave Malka repast] and in other places.
42 See above, section 59.
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