I have recently attempted to establish that there is significance to the year 5708 on the Jewish calendar. If you have not read the posts already, you can find them here. However, it is blindness to not realize that the State of Israel that we have had these last 60 years is not the pinnacle of history. We must see that the State of Israel is a means, not an end.
Maaseh Avot Siman LaBanim - The deeds of the forefathers are a sign for the children.
As I quoted before, the original Right Side of Kedushah (Side of Chesed), Avraham, which represents Moshiach ben Dovid, was perfected through the birth of the Yishmael, and the original Left Side of Kedushah (Side of Din), Yitzchak, which represents Moshiach ben Yosef, was perfected through the birth of Esav. (The reason, in short, is their birth was the removal of the Klipah from the Kedushah.)
Now we can see one of the reasons that Yitzchak merited children earlier than Avraham; Moshiach ben Yosef comes first, he is the First Moshiach.
The 2 sides of Moshiach, Moshiach ben Yosef, and Moshiach ben Dovid, came in to this world (no, I do not mean that they were born on that day) with the founding of the State of Israel. Perhaps more proper is to say that they stood up at the time of the founding of the State of Israel. Up to a certain point, Moshiach ben Yosef is concealed in the Klipah of the Left, and up to another certain point, Moshiach ben Dovid is concealed in the Klipah of the Right.
So let us examine the lives of Avraham and Yitzchak as brought in the Chumash and Seder Olam Rabba with the notes of the GR"A.
The Chumash teaches that when Yaakov and Esav were born, Yitzchak was 60 years old. However this is problematic by itself: Esav was the firstborn and destined to carry on the family line. According to the Seder Olam Rabba, Esav and Yaakov were 15 years old when Esav sold Yaakov the bechorah (i.e. Yaakov became legally the firstborn at that point). This point is further made in Rashi to Breishit 27:36 - Yitzchak agrees that Yaakov was the rightful recipient of the blessings because Esav sold him the bechorah.
Let's move on to Avraham.
As per the GR"A on Seder Olam Rabba, Avraham Avinu left Ur Kasdim when he was 70 years of age. He then spent 5 years in Charan, and it was there that Brit Bein HaBetarim took place. That same year, while he was 75, he made Aliyah, was forced to go to Mitzraim due to the famine, and came back to Eretz Yisrael. After 10 years of being in Eretz Yisrael and still being barren, Sarah gives Hagar to Avraham, and 9 months later Yishmael is born, with Avraham being 86 years of age.
But let us not ignore Yaakov. Although Yaakov came in to the world without having a Klipah attached to him, the events of his life still have meaning for our times. Seder Olam Rabba states that Yaakov was 63 years of age when Yitzchak (at Rivkah's behest) commanded him to go find a wife (but her real intention is to flee Esav). It was another 14 years, when he was 77 years old, however, before he actually left Eretz Yisrael. It would be a further 20 years, when he was 97, that Yaakov Avinu conquered the Angel. He was yet 1 year older, 98, when he arrived "complete to the city of Shechem".
Our anniversary point is the 20th of the Omer, the day the State of Israel was founded. We will count according to the way people speak, how many anniversary dates we've reached.
That leaves us with the following years:
- Between Yom HaAtzmaut 5768 and Yom HaAtzmaut 5769 - Esav is born. The initial separation of Moshiach ben Yosef from the Internal Klipah of the Left Side, the Erev Rav.
- Between Yom HaAtzmaut 5771 and Yom HaAtzmaut 5772 - Yaakov is told by Yitzchak to flee Esav. This signals the impending end of the Galut. He who doesn't leave Esav by the appointed time is in danger.
- Between Yom HaAtzmaut 5783 and Yom HaAtzmaut 5784 - Esav loses the Bechorah. By this point the External Klipah of the Left Side, Esav, will have been defeated by Moshiach ben Yosef. This will be a turbulent year of ups and downs, reflecting Avraham's Aliyah, as well as his short sojurn in Mitzraim and his return to Eretz Yisrael. This is the year Avraham was promised Eretz Yisrael for his descendents forever.
- Between Yom HaAtzmaut 5794 and Yom HaAtzmaut 5795 - Yishmael is born. By this period, Moshiach ben Dovid will have complete freedom from the Klipah of the Right Side, Yishmael.
- Between Yom HaAtzmaut 5805 and Yom HaAtzmaut 5806 - Yaakov defeats the angel. This might hint at the defeat of the Angel of Death.
- Between Yom HaAtzmaut 5806 and Yom HaAtzmaut 5807 - Yaakov is complete. The unification of the 2 Moshiach's.
According to Targum Yonatan, Rivkah was pregnant with Esav and Yaakov for a total of 270 days. We know from the Gemara that the soul is put in the fetus 40 days in to pregnancy (Menachot 99b), so we can add 230 days on to the beginning of the events of 5768 and 5794, however, as is the concealed nature of pregnancy, we will comprehend this period after the fact. This is further hinted at by the troublesome nature of both births. For Avraham, he had to go to another woman, Hagar the Mitzrit. For Yitzchak, the entire beginning of Parshat Toldot shows us how there was conflict in the womb, up until the birth itself.
Kol HaTor shows us another hint regarding Moshiach ben Yosef. In chapter 2, we learn the following:
- Yosef HaTzaddik became Moshiach ben Yosef at age 17, when he had his first dreams.
- Yitzchak Avinu became Moshiach ben Yosef at age 37, at the time of the Akiedah.
- Yehoshua bin-Nun became Moshiach ben Yosef at age 42, at the time he fought against Amalek.
- Avraham Avinu became Moshiach ben Yosef at age 75, at the time of Brit Bein HaBetarim.
- Moshe Rabbeinu became Moshiach ben Yosef at age 81, at the time he took Yosef's bones out of Mitzraim.
Why do I say 81 years for Moshe? The Jewish system of counting that we have for our forefathers, and the accompanying timeline of human history, is based on counting birthdays past. I.e. the entire year 1948, until his first birthday, is considered year 0. Shemot 7:7 says that Moshe was 80 years old when he spoke to Par'oh. According to tradition, this was about 6 months prior to the actual Exodus, and as such, Moshe reached his next birthday before Yetziat Mitzraim (Moshe's birthday is the 7th of Adar, some 6-7 weeks before Pesach).
If we line this up with our timeline of the State of Israel, we find the following:
- 17 years - Yom HaAtzmaut 5725 - Yom HaAtzmaut 5726 - On the 16th of Iyar 5725, Eli Cohen is hanged in Syria, just 11 days in to this period. He sacrificed his life to save Am Yisrael from danger.
- 37 years - Yom HaAtzmaut 5745 - Yom HaAtzmaut 5746 - On the 8th of Kislev 5746, Jonathan Pollard is refused entry to the Israeli Embassy and arrested in America. He was rejected by his brothers.
- 42 years - Yom HaAtzmaut 5750 - Yom HaAtzmaut 5751 - On the 17th of Cheshvan 5751, Rav Meir Kahane is assassinated in Brooklyn by a terrorist on the payroll of Osama Bin Laden. He worked tirelessly to inspire his brethren to follow Torah and return to Eretz Yisrael.
Using the past as a key to understanding the future:
- 75 years - Yom HaAtzmaut 5783 - Yom HaAtzmaut 5784
- 81 years - Yom HaAtzmaut 5789 - Yom HaAtzmaut 5790
These are years of danger for Moshiach ben Yosef. Moshiach ben Yosef is especially vulnerable to the Klipah of the Right at these times after he has defeated the Left.
May we all merit to have the strength to always stand with the side of truth.
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if Hashem reveals Moshiach Ben Dovid to the whole world in the minute after you read this what will be the meaning of all these calculations? Unless you are CH'V trying to say you do not think thats possible? Is that what you are saying?
ReplyDeleteI believe I have addressed this all here, in the earlier posts:
ReplyDeletehttp://keitzmeguleh.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Keitz
I have read all the posts here. Other than you seem to be saying the Geula is a process whose time frames can be determined if you do enough analysis and the main component/catalyst is Moshiach Ben Yosef - who in your opinion is the GRA (the latest one). Is that essentially your point? if you could concisely explain what you are trying to express I would appreciate it and how that fits with the Torah's view that Moshiach Ben Dovid can be revealed any moment and any day , I would appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThe "Torah's view" is a little different, anonymous. If Am Yisrael does complete Teshuva, Moshiach can come any day. See Sanhedrin 98a. Otherwise, there are appointed redemptive times. If you learned the "Torah's view" differently, please give sources.
ReplyDeleteHowever, and this is perhaps what confuses you, we should indeed await Moshiach's coming every day. What does this mean on a day that Am Yisrael did not do complete Teshuva? We look at the world and contemplate how the events are leading towards Moshiach. We act for the purpose of bringing Moshiach closer. We pray that HaShem gives us new insights. We study the words of our holy sages praying to perhaps gain some understanding about the coming of Moshiach, such as the appointed times.
Among many Rishonim and Achronim , in Niglah D'Torah and Kabbala who discuss the always present potential of Moshiach Ben Dovid arriving and this perception of the potential for Moshiach Ben Dovid to come any moment is what one should have and live with, The Rambam codifies this in Halacha - Hilchot Nezirut 4:11 - If one makes a Vow to be a Nazir on the Day Moshiach Ben Dovid will come , he is a Nazir for life. See the Radvaz there for greater clarity.
ReplyDelete"Acting for the purpose of bringing Moshiach closer" , does this mean you attempt to bring Jews to Teshuva?
Anonymous, please review this post again:
ReplyDeletehttp://keitzmeguleh.blogspot.com/2007/07/paths-to-geulah.html
Moshiach ben Dovid can come any day, if we do Teshuvah. Yes, you need to internalize the fact that Hashem will flip over the entire world if we are meritorious. However, at the same time, we are to realize that Hashem has an ultimate plan to lead us to the Geulah regardless of our merit. It is essential to learn about this, for in the event, Chas v'Shalom, that the necessary level of Teshuvah is not reached (and therefore Moshiach does not come immediately davka), you need to know what you need to do to move us in the right direction.
Geulah is the Jewish idea of the perfect reality. Our current reality is missing certain factors. Once you know what is missing, you can then act to improve the situation. That is the idea of the Keitz Meguleh. Galus is a Chillul Hashem (see sefer Yechezkel). Geulah is Kiddush Hashem and therefore includes Kibbutz Galuyot. Your job as a Jew is Kiddush Hashem, therefore when you come home, you are doing part of your job to bring Moshiach beyond your own Torah and mitzvot and any kiruv work you do.
The ideas I write about here *are* Teshuvah. Teshuvah is not limited to dalet amot halachah.
From the Rambam in his introduction to perek hachelek explaining the 13 principles..."the 12 principle , the days of Moshiach. To believe and to await his coming , not think that there can be a delay, im yismameya chaka lo, not give it a timeframe, not give svaros on psukim to determine the time of his coming as the Chachomim say tipach ruchan shel mchashvai kitzim..."
ReplyDeleteI have re-read the post your referenced. However, I think, by solely focusing on "little by little" scenario's and these calculations, my impression is that you may be overlooking an essential Ikkar of what our sages have taught us about the coming of Moshiach and how we are to conceive of it.
Well you obviously need some sevara to explain away why the Rambam would quote tipach atzmoteihem shel mechashvei kitzin, and then he did it himself in Igeret Teiman. He did so in order to provide chizuk for their emunah. And the keitz he did was much further away in years than what I have shown here.
ReplyDeleteKol HaTor addresses the prohibition on calculations (last paragraph of chapter 4), and comes to the conclusion that this is talking about calculations stam, but calculations that lead you to figure out the necessary actions in the process of the Keitz Meguleh are allowed.
The current actions immediately needed are:
Make Aliyah.
Stop concentrating *only* on Moshiach Now, as it leaves you in a rut of inaction. Figure out what you can do to ease the process for Klal Yisrael. The Gemara doesn't say "tzipita lishuah miyadit". Seeing how events lead to the Keitz Acharon is more productive than trying to find hints that a supernatural Geulah is about to happen. A supernatural Geulah is dependent on Teshuvah and needs no prior hints in the natural realm of imminent occurance.
We are no longer in the situation of 500 years ago. Then, it would take a miracle or at least a huge paradigm shift to get things moving in a quick way. Today we are much further on the derech, and all naturally, because of each individual step. That is part of our zechut in the final cheshbon with Hashem.
After the defeat of Bar Kochba, Chazal prepared for a long Galut, giving the oral Torah in writing. Did they not believe that Moshiach can come any day? Of course they did, but they prepared for the realistic scenario that materialized. Read Sefer Daniel. It says that the End is far away. Did Daniel not believe that Moshiach can come any day?
ReplyDeleteI warn "anonymous" for those who teach that all appointed times have passed, the buttons have been polished, and that we only have to welcome Moshiach.
Rather, take seriously what the author of this blog is saying, and in particular take this post seriously. Know that it has a background which the author does not write about.
Our time is not the time to stay in the Galut waiting for Moshiach. It is dangerous for you and it hurts Klal Yisrael.
From the Chofetz Chaim
ReplyDelete“The coming of Moshiach must considered to be something real and tangible that could happen at every moment and we must wait for Moshiach (at least) ‘like someone who waits for (any) man (until) he comes.” (Kuntres Tzipisa LiYeshua Chap. 2)
From The Brisker Rov :
" we need not worry about how to explain all the Rabbinic sayings concerning his arrival. The Rambam writes this in Hilchos Melachim Chap. 12 Halacha 2 and the Radvaz (ibid.) comments that Moshiach will clarify all the seemingly unclear statements…Therefore our belief should not be associated with comprehending these sayings, even if they are beyond us, because our duty is to believe unconditionally. With the coming of Moshiach all will be understood and revealed. Our task then is to believe and eagerly await his imminent arrival. Our main obligation is to believe totally and anticipate his arrival. If anyone does not hope for his immediate arrival it is because although he believes in the general idea of Moshiach he does not believe that he can come at any moment.”
(Gaonei Brisk o.b.m. quoted in the compilation entitled Daas Torah BeInyonei Geulah UMoshiach)
Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger, also known as the Sefas Emes writes:
“The Redemption will occur in a generation whose only merit is their yearning for Moshiach. It will not matter that the Jews may be on a more inferior spiritual level than prior generations, and are compared to an aravah, (a willow) which has neither taste (Torah) nor odor (Mitvos).” (Succos 5648)
The Chernoblyr Rebbe explains based on a Yerushalmi regarding the Posuk of Durch Kochav M'yackov that Moshiach Ben Dovid is essentialy connected to every single Jew and by revealing the level of Moshiach within ones own Neshoma , this triggers the revelation of Moshiach Ben Dovid.
I am trying to point out that many Tzaddikim and Gedolim illuminate the topic of the Geula and what our perspective and actions should be to hasten its coming. Tangible real actions. I dont think they should be ignored Ch'V since there may be something very essential within their messege.
Finally , I hardly think that believing "Moshiach now" leaves one in a rut Ch'V just the opposite it propels one to fulfill our spiritual tasks which bring Geula with even greater enthusiasm and effect. As the Rambam says one act can tip the scale and bring salvation to the world. It is unfortunate that one would not research the textual sources before critiquing.
I respect and appreciate the general concept of this blog - but I dont understand why you find it necessary to seemingly exclude the words of Many of our sages and solely focus on one understanding.
The message of this blog is regarding the Keitz Meguleh, hence the title. I pointed you to a post regarding the 4 paths to Geulah. A very essential item for you to internalize from there is that all of them are true, but *this* is what we have the power to actively work towards. By your response regarding Moshiach Now, I am left to wonder whether or not you believe that the 4 paths in the Gemara are true in any real way. If you believed that all 4 are true, you would concentrate on the possibility of imminent revelation of Moshiach while getting on a plane with your family to live in Eretz Yisrael and inspiring other Jews to do the same. The fact of the matter is, judging by how you write (and forgive me if my reading of your messages is incorrect), that you do not believe that the Keitz Meguleh is relevant. You are asking me why I am not covering all opinions (which has an obvious answer) and being inclusive when you do not seem to be inclusive yourself.
ReplyDeleteThere are stories of Gedolim proclaiming publicly in the 1st half of the 20th century that Moshiach will not come this year. This was in response to the Moshiach Now attitude.
What we have the "power actively work on" and what we should be working on may have been determined and specifically instructed differently, as is evident to me by the sources I have quoted. I am not trying to negate your approach or what you think needs to be done, only to say that, I think based on my reading of the many sources on Geula and Moshiach including Kol Hator that solely focusing on the "little by little" scenario is missing the whole picture. I am not sure what you meant by your last comment , but I think the quotes I have brought speak for themselves regarding the matter of Believing and asking for Moshiach now.
ReplyDeleteSichot Chafetz Chaim, par. 14; quoted in Chafetz Chaim al Siddur Hatefilah, par. 168 (p. 80).Note in this context that Yerushalmi, Ta’anit 1:1 enumerates as one of the five things by virtue of which Israel shall be redeemed, “tzevachah an outcry of prayer” for the redemption (cf. the version in Midrash Tehilim 106:9)
"We pray for the redemption several times every day. Even so, requesting by itself is not enough. One must demand the redemption, just as with the wages of a hired worker: the law stipulates that if the worker does not demand his wages, there is no obligation to give it to him on the very day that he completes his work.20 So, too, we must demand our redemption. Failure to do so shows that this matter is clearly not that urgent to us!"
The Yerushalmi learns that the Geula came from 5 things, Tzarah, Tzevachah, Zechut Avot, Teshuva, and HaKets. All five were present, and the implications are clear. The Chafetz Chaim stresses the Tzevacha in his book because it's Tefilla.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a typo in the post: 5808 must be 5806.
ReplyDeleteCorrection made. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI just learned that Yerushalmi about a month ago when I was learning Masechet Taanit Yerushalmi and Bavli. I believe its the 2nd or 3rd daf which has basically a copy of the teshuvah or no teshuvah argument from Perek Cheilek, though the discussion in Cheilek is more thorough on the subject, including the idea of the Keitz Meguleh. If you are really interested in reading someone's drash on it, read Doresh Tzion. Not sure if it is available in Chu"l, it is printed in a 3 sefer set by a sefarim store on Yehudah HaMaccabi street near Lishkat HaGiyus in Yerushalayim.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Talmidim of the GR"A, per the GR"A's command, came to Eretz Yisrael 199 years ago, do you think they didn't know what we are discussing now? Namely Rav Menachem Mendel and Yisrael of Shklov. Regardless, they knew that action was the need of the hour. The fact is, one can adopt successfully all of the Gemara's options here and here alone. My following of the teachings of the sages of the Gemara will not be enhanced by me making yeridah (which is of course assur) and moving in to some ghetto in galus. If you have honestly learned Kol HaTor in lashon hakodesh in the 5754 edition, you will understand that while you can get the main points, you are missing quite a lot by a cursory reading.
Then again, it may happen not according to any of our calculations and actions(positive that is). Maybe it happens by haShems abundant mercy on a pathetic nation that is about to self destruct. A nation that is not deserving as a whole. It is too uncomfortable to think this way.
ReplyDeleteShilo,
ReplyDeleteBeing dragged along is not what Hashem wants from us. He wants us to be prepared for His plan, He would rather that we make it reality, rather than us be forced. That is the nafka minah between a Melech and a Moshel. A Melech is appointed upon the people by their will, the Moshel forces his rule on his subjects. Truly making Hashem Melech in this world is our merit that takes us to the finish-line.
Thanks for your translations of Kol HaTor in english, it's unreasonable to hope that everyone will take this without a fight with anonymous quoting the Holy brisker rav & others who did not push this "Moshiach ben Yosef/Mishivei Michama sheira" & even the Holy Gr"a kept it relatively secret (sim B'uznei Yehoshua)but how can we blame anyone for even thoe Holy Shivtei Ku so misunderstood the first Yosef. (
ReplyDeleteTherefore you must push this forward, hopefully this will lead to the "Efrayim lo yekanei es Yehuda etc."
As for me, one of the (most) fascinating parts of Kol Hator is how he prophetically knew exactly what will happen How the eirev rav will try to unite Eisav (western civilization)with Yishmael (muslim world) both respectively representing the psoles of Din & Chesed, "Peace" clearly the message to us is to unite the good Chesed (Yehuda) with the good Din (Yosef)(kol hator perek 2,chelek 2,2)
I'd like to ask you if you can address at least to those of us who are more Yosef/action oriented (like me)on what action is appropiate at this time
We cant do proper tshuvah according to the gra until mashiach comes !" Mashiach ben yosef according to the gra is freedom from the body and freedom from the soul". Until a jew tastes freedom how can he experience real tshuvah ? the 2 masiachs according to the gra are the first to leave exile . Exile is restriction , geulah is freedom ?! thats my take
ReplyDeleteMashma from the seder of the Tefillah is that Moshiach ben Dovid comes towards the end of the Geulah process. And from Kol HaTor we get that there must be action from us first (איתערותא דלתתא)
ReplyDeleteWhere have you seen the GR"A writing these things?
The founding of the State of Israel is a curse and not a blessing, as the Lubavitcher Rebbes taught.
ReplyDeleteIt therefore can never be used as any kind of guidepost (Chas v'Shalom) to teach us about where we're at on the road to our Redemption. It has done nothing but delay the Redemption (Hashem have mercy on us all). Instead, we can certainly see the movement of the Jewish People to its Land as a Torah-prescribed phenomenon, a true blessing indeed.
To the contrary, all calculations must be made based on the life of Moshe, Our Teacher -- meaning, the Moshe of any particular generation. In our generation, that means the Moshiach himself. His life's stages can teach us about the Moshiach's timeline, for sure.
I wholeheartedly recommend everyone here to get ahold of the teachings of Rabbi Israel Solomon, especially his audio lectures (difficult to find).
Anonymous poster:
ReplyDeleteWhat you say regarding calculations is in contrast to the words of the Zohar, parshat Vayera, pages 116/117. Calculations are based also on the calendar/chronology, as this one is. What you are saying is not.
This blog is obviously from a point of view which is opposing what you are writing, and this blog is not the forum to discuss these differences.
Regaarding 5769:
ReplyDelete"- Esav is born. The initial separation of Moshiach ben Yosef from the Internal Klipah of the Left Side, the Erev Rav"
Can you explain this a little bit more please? Are there any events connected to this or is this a Moshiach "only personal" event?
So far 5769 hasn't shown any importance I think.
There has been a shift rightward in Israel, and a shift leftward in the leading land of Esav. This leads to a break between us and them, but it will take time. The conflict on the settlements is the first real indication.
ReplyDeleteMy bad for reviving an old post, however recent events prompted one to revisit this section given the timeline.
ReplyDeleteWas wondering if you would consider making a new post?