Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Sasson and Simchah

Sukkah 48b

There were once two heretics (According to one version: Tzedokim), one whose name is Sasson (joy), and one whose name is Simchah (happiness).

Sasson said to Simchah: I am better than you, as it is written: "Sasson and Simchah they will attain" (Yeshayahu 35:10) (The claim of superiority is based on which word comes first in the verse)

He (Simchah) said to him (Sasson): I am better than you, as it is written: "Simchah and Sasson for the Jews" (Esther 8:17).

Sasson said to Simchah: One day they will leave you and make you a runner (one who goes out in front of people), as it says: "For in Simchah they will go out" (Yeshayahu 55:12).

Simchah said to Sasson: One day they will leave you and water will be drawn by you, as it says: "And you will draw out water in Sasson" (Yeshayahu 12:3)

The heretic by the name of Sasson said to Rebbi Abahu: In the future you (the Jews) will draw water for me, as it says: "And you will draw out water in Sasson" (Yeshayahu 12:3)

He (Rebbi Abahu) said to him (Sasson): If it was written "to Sasson", it would be as you said, but now that it is written "in Sasson", from the skin of that man meaning Sasson), we will make a pitcher and fill it with water.

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Kol HaTor Chapter 2, Part 1, Page 74

147) Sasson and Simchah – In the verse: And the redeemed of Hashem will return, etc, Sasson and Simchah they will attain (Yeshayahu 35). Sasson and Simchah are the 2 Moshiachs and the main matter of Sasson is Moshiach ben Yosef about whom this pasuk is said, “and the redeemed of Hashem will return”, according to our Rabbi (the GR”A) in Sod HaOtiot Chafa”f (in Likutei HaGR”A), this is the main meaning of the Gemara (Sukkah 48b, quoted above) on the matter of Sasson and Simchah. And our Rabbi (the GR”A) merited to attain understanding of the meaning of that Gemara in all its purpose, and about this he said that if he was created only to understand this matter, it is enough for him….

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For a thorough yet partial explanation of this matter, see Sefer Pitchei She’arim part 1, back of the book, Beit Netivot, page 26. It is too long and complicated for me to type up here. Some points can be gleaned from this. Per the GR”A, the Gemara there is referring to the time when the 2 Moshiachs will be caught up in the Klipot, the period which I have written of, from the GR”A’s era until our era. They are Tzedokim (heritics) as long as they are caught up in the Klipah. When they are freed, they are Tzadikim. First, Sasson (Moshiach ben Yosef) will be freed of his Klipah, and then Simchah (Moshiach ben Dovid).

13 comments:

  1. The heresy of Sasson, then, would be that the ikar is attaining faith, understanding, and morality. They can be achieved without (all) the Mitzvot, and once they have been achieved, the Mitzvot have no purpose. And this reflects what is seen in the religion of Edom: Only faith.

    And the heresy of Sasson would be that there is only the performance of Mitzvot. Halacha provides and defines everything. There is no morality outside of it, and no Hasagot of any kind. Sasson does not care much about the faith of the orthodox Jew. He does not care much about the Jew's spiritual level. As long as he learns Halacha and lives it. Sasson discourages learning "other things", like Sod, or Science. Our whole purpose is to serve HaShem by doing the Mitzvot. And this reflects what is seen in the religion of Yishmael.

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  2. Sorry, second paragraph is Simcha:

    The heresy of Sasson, then, would be that the ikar is attaining faith, understanding, and morality. They can be achieved without (all) the Mitzvot, and once they have been achieved, the Mitzvot have no purpose. And this reflects what is seen in the religion of Edom: Only faith.

    And the heresy of Simcha would be that there is only the performance of Mitzvot. Halacha provides and defines everything. There is no morality outside of it, and no Hasagot of any kind. Simcha does not care much about the faith of the orthodox Jew. He does not care much about the Jew's spiritual level. As long as he learns Halacha and lives it. Simcha discourages learning "other things", like Sod, or Science. Our whole purpose is to serve HaShem by doing the Mitzvot. And this reflects what is seen in the religion of Yishmael.

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  3. It's another pasuk altogether, but one of my name's gematrias is:

    לששון ולשמחה

    Seems to refer to when they are tzadikim, not tzedokim.

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  4. Do you mind if I copy your comment as a post?

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  5. I have a question, although it's not on topic. According to your reckoning, what was the significance (if any) of the years 5750 and 5760?

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    Replies
    1. 5750 From what I heard, is the cosmic clock striking the next hour. The 6th millienium according to the Gra corresponds to 'Friday'. 5750 is (if I remember correctly) 12 noon. The author of this blog may have a post about how to calculate this, if not he likely can explain it.
      It was a significant year, not just because it's another 'hour' but because of the time. Rabbi Winston may have info as well.

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  6. 5750 - Sorry, I cannot say.

    5760 - I know what you're referring to, and yet I still say: Nothing out of the usual.

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  7. > Do you mind if I copy your comment as a post?

    It would be my honor.

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  8. re: 5750...you would not agree with Rav Pinhas Winston that this was the beginning of the forty years of kibbutz galuyot?

    re: 5760...you don't connect the tidal wave of terror attacks and wars and natural disasters which have since engulfed the world to the outbreak of the Al Aksa War in the closing hours of that year?

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  9. Devash,

    5750 - If it were that simple, then I would say that you can just check his website. That Zohar quotation is a code. It is no coincidence it is mentioned in Kol HaTor.

    5760 - If we wanted a tidal wave, this was certainly not the year. The terror was in 5761, btw, between the local b'nei Yishmael and those who arrived in New York.

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  10. I do not understand your posts or your responses to comments. I'm sure there are very deep levels to everything, but there is also pshat and it is not without meaning or value. If your goal is to speak in riddles only to the initiated that is your privilege I'm sure, but the times require clarification and the impetus is toward revelation, as much as is possible. Is it your intent to be so vague that a simple Jew cannot possibly follow your thoughts?

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  11. Devash,

    You asked for something I cannot do. As we approach the end, the ways of the steps do become more apparent, however this does not make it permitted to advertise how the steps work. The impetus towards revelation, as you put it, is what actions are required. The required actions become clearer as the appointed times approach.

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