As we stand now on the very threshold of the final Redemption, the message has been “updated.” Whereas in the past we had to recognize that our disabilities were challenges, today that does not suffice.
Exile conditions generate negative and pessimistic thoughts. We cannot allow such thoughts to remain unchecked; otherwise, they can harm us in three ways…
We cannot lull ourselves into thinking that the Redemption is far off and that it is an elusive goal. That is tantamount to one who places G-d on a “pedestal” and maintains that He is beyond our reach. We must approach our requests for Moshiach and Redemption as requests for things that are within range, nay, that they are right outside our doorway standing on the threshold.
Although the Jews still remained subjects of the Persian Empire, the Purim miracle serves as the catalyst in exile for the unleashing of the ultimate Redemption when we will see the fulfillment of King Solomon’s declaration, “A woman of valor is the crown of her husband” through the feminine quality which will unleash the full revelation of the infinite Messianic G-dly light.
Moshiach’s role as the one who ushers in the final Redemption has yet to materialize. The world is still shrouded in darkness even as we anticipate the Redemption every day. What can we do to see his radiant face and translate that light into the end of the darkness of exile?
The message should have been unmistakably clear. The way to generate brotherly love and respect for our parents is by going out of our way to help bring purity to our brothers and sisters, even if it means that we sacrifice some of our own purity. Only the sacrifices that we will make for one another are the key to reconnecting to our Heavenly Father.
Our observance of the Mitzvos should not be confined to our limited human faculties. We must always endeavor to reveal the inner Shtus D’k’dusha, the inner voice that comes from our soul’s essence that inspires and enables us to go beyond our boundaries.
We are living presently in the transitional period—on the bridge—between galut/exile and geula/redemption. We are about to enter into a new relationship with the world. We are like the chattan in his transitional period. We too must learn the lesson of communicating with love. And while in earlier generations we could have afforded the luxury of being more stern in the way we tried to affect others, today, the method we must use is the method of Aaron.
The ultimate manifestation of the korban ideal will be realized in the Messianic Age. First, the Temple offerings will be reinstated as the Torah states, and we make reference to it countless times in our liturgy. Second, all of existence will undergo the process of korban-elevation, not sacrifice.
One of the major achievements of the Messianic Age is that, as we say in our prayers, we will observe the Mitzvos “in accordance with Your will.” What does that mean? Surely we perform many of the Mitzvos properly even today.
Moshiach represents the introduction of a revolutionary measure of G-dly light and goodness into the world. It is called “the Shabbat of existence.” It is the ultimate manifestation of blessing that will engulf the world, bringing perpetual goodness, holiness and peace in its wake. However, to be receptive to the phenomenal blessing of Moshiach we need peace and unity that is based on genuine Ahavat Yisroel.
If we are guilty of creating our own “golden calves” it is because we are products of millennia of exile. And it is only by virtue of G-d’s “great power and strong hand” that we have survived at all. Therefore, we respectfully “demand” of G-d that He take us out of exile by simultaneously taking the exile out of us and keeping the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to bring us back to our land with the true and complete redemption, now!
As we prepare our souls for the coming of Moshiach at which time we will see G-d’s glory without any screen or filter, it is our task to come before Him with a pure soul. By taking our “olive oil” and bringing it to Moshiach, the Moses of our generation, by following in his pure and holy ways that are untainted by the exile mindset, we are guaranteed that our souls will indeed be purified. And when we will stand before G-d in the third Temple we will not be embarrassed because at that time our souls will radiate the purest of light.
May 3, 2012