Turning the Tables on the Galus
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Because of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash the Nine Days, the time of the destruction, are days of mourning. We do not mend or clean our clothes. We do not make weddings or take haircuts. We don't eat meat or drink wine except on Shabbos or for a Bris.
The Rebbe has emphasized taking a different approach during the Three Weeks and the Nine Days. The Rebbe disrupts the pattern of mourning. Although the Nine Days are a time of mourning, they are also a time of action. The Rebbe advised us that the Nine Days are a time to focus on the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash and bringing the Geula and thereby do our part to nullify the mourning. We do this by learning about the Beis HaMikdash, making Siyumim, increasing in Ahavas Yisroel, and by adding in learning Torah and giving Tzedaka.
The approach of the Rebbe to Shabbos Chazon, this Shabbos, has always been one of great simcha. It’s based on a statement of Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev that on Shabbos Chazon Hashem shows every individual a vision of the Third Beis HaMikdash. This vision gives us the strength to change and to merit to convert the Galus into Geula both spiritually and physically.
Although this sounds so beautiful, practically speaking we still find ourselves still immersed in the Galus. As we await with great anticipation for the emergence of the dawn of our Redemption, far from the vision of the Third Beis HaMikdash, the world seems to be getting darker from one day to the next. How do we rise above our daily experience and go on to see the vision of the Third Beis HaMikdash as described by Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev?
To bring this about the Rebbe advised us to learn about Moshiach and Geula in detail. The Rebbe also guided us to see the Geula and to live with Moshiach already now in our present situation. The fact that the Rebbe provided us with this guidance is a sign that we are fully capable of upgrading our perspective and sharing the Rebbe’s vision that we are in the final generation of Galus. As we develop and expand more we are able to sense that today is the last day of Galus and this hour to be the final hour of Galus, to the point that Moshiach is arriving now. But how do we, practically speaking, get there in our situation and share in the vision of Geula, Moshiach and the Third Beis HaMikdash?
In the last few articles we have been discussing how each one of us has 3 Souls. The G-dly Soul sees and feels G-dliness but is strapped and entrapped in an animal Soul which pulls it down into the limitedness of this world and its demands keeping it tethered to the darkness of the Galus.
The Rebbe gave us a remedy. Living with Moshiach means to understand the purpose of Moshiach. Learning about the Geula enables us to understand and to envision what the condition the world will be in with the Geula. The end result of our learning inculcates within us true hope and emunah in the final outcome which motivates our actions to transform that vision into reality.
The more involved and focused we are and the more attention that we give to assure that every deed we do be for the sake of the Geula brings that reality closer. We are partners in the process. It's hard to live this way at first, but as time goes by we recognise that Geula is the deeper truth, and that with focus and purpose we fulfill our purpose of bringing Moshiach and the rebuilding the Third Beis HaMikdash, today and everyday.
There is a story of a king who decided to make a party. He told everyone to be prepared for the announcement that the party would commence. There were two types of subjects in the land, the wise and the fools. The wise ones wanted to be prepared and ready with clean and proper clothing for the party at the moment that the announcement would be made. The fools said to themselves that there would be plenty of time until the king gets around to announcing the party. Even after the announcement there would be plenty of time to go home, wash up and change clothes. Therefore the fools didn’t pay attention and continued with their regular work schedule. When the announcement from the king came, it came suddenly without notice. The king ordered everyone to enter immediately, as they are, into the palace for the party. The wise ones entered with their clean clothes ready to celebrate while the fools entered embarrassed, with their dirty garments.
Getting ready for the Geula and having an attitude of expectancy that it could come at any moment comes from learning about Geula and Moshiach. We have done our job when galus is in our eyes as the dream and the Geula it is no longer a dream, it is reality.
A Good Shabbos