The Hidden Nature of Moshiach

It is brought in Kol HaTor that Moshiach ben Yosef and Moshiach ben David are hidden, as long as Am Yisrael and the Shechinah are in Galus.

This indeed has been the case during history.

As mentioned before, the main tasks of Moshiach ben Yosef are:

• Kibbutz Galuyot
• Binyan Yerushalayim
• Setting up Anshei Amanah (the precursor to the Sanhedrin)
• Revealing the Secrets of Torah

The Ariza"l and the GR"A, both identified in the role of Moshiach ben Yosef, revealed many secrets of Torah. The GR"A sent his students to start the work of Moshiach ben Yosef. But what about afterwards?

We find that the person who is credited as the father of Zionism is Theodore Herzl, a secular Jew. The First Zionist Congress in Basel, 1897, which was initiated and chaired by Herzl, was a pivotal event in the history of Zionism. Rav Kook referred to him as Moshiach ben Yosef (if anyone can supply an exact source for that, I would appreciate).

How can we consider Theodore Herzl as one of the many incarnations of Moshiach ben Yosef? He did not keep Torah and mitzvot; his life story is public knowledge for one that wants details.

That is exactly the key: Since Am Yisrael and the Shechinah were still in Galus, and the appointed time had come to arouse Am Yisrael to make Aliyah, the Moshiach ben Yosef who came forth had to be someone who did not fit the mold.

This also teaches another idea: the revelation of Moshiach is dependent on Am Yisrael returning to Eretz Yisrael.

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.

_______________

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….

_______________

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).

Erev Rav - The Connector

The Ramchal writes in the sefer Kin'at Hashem Tz'va'ot the following short statement:

For the nations themselves are on the outside, and they attach themselves to Israel through the Erev Rav...

This clarifies further what I wrote here and here.

From this we see why the Erev Rav is the Center of the Klipah. The Klipah attaches itself to Am Yisrael. The Klipah feeds on Kedushah. The conduit for the Klipah of the Left and Right to attach to Am Yisrael is through the Erev Rav. When the Erev Rav no longer provides this link to Kedushah, the conflict begins.

This is the reality we live in. The State of Israel is considered a close ally of the USA. This stems from their common source on the Left. The leadership here in Eretz Yisrael enables both the sons of Esav and Yishmael to have a say over the affairs of Am Yisrael, where no such say is due to them. The leadership in Eretz Yisrael, even by partial obedience, enables Esav and Yishmael to maintain their profitable relationship. When will this situation end? It will end when the time of the Erev Rav of the Left ends. That is when the goals of Moshiach ben Yosef are no longer considered to be a threat to national security.

From that point, it is no longer the partnership of the Internal and External Klipah of the Left, partners against Moshiach ben Yosef.

It is the side of Kedushah against the Klipah, Moshiach ben Yosef will return the "war to the gates."

That is the conflict.

To Unify the Moshiachs

I am departing from the translating/commentary style.

The following is based on Kol HaTor chapter 2, part 2, siman bet. Please read that in the original Hebrew for further understanding.

The side of Kedushah and the side of Tumah (the Klipah) each have their respective parts, Right, Left and Center. G-d has made this opposing that (Kohelet 7:14).

Kedushah

• Right - Moshiach ben Dovid
• Left - Moshiach ben Yosef
• Center - Moshiach ben Dovid and Moshiach ben Yosef together (or as we learn elsewhere in that chapter, Melech HaMoshiach)

Tumah

• Right - Yishmael
• Left - Esav
• Center - Armilus, ministering angel of the Erev Rav

The Center of the side of Kedushah is the unity of the 2 Moshiachs. The Center is basically the sum of the Left and the Right, but only when they work in tandem.

The Center of the side of Tumah, on the otherhand, seems to be a completely separate entity from the respective Left and Right of Tumah. Add Yishmael and Esav together and you don't get Erev Rav. But, as the Zohar teaches, the Erev Rav itself is divided in to two parts, the Left and Right of Tumah which is attached to Am Yisrael. So it would seem that the Erev Rav's Left and Right are the Jewish side of Tumah, or Am Yisrael's Internal Klipah of the Left and Right. The unity of the Left and the Right of the Klipah, we find, is dependent upon the Klipah which is within Am Yisrael.

The Erev Rav's desire is twofold:

• To connect the External Klipah of the Left and Right, Esav and Yishmael. If the Erev Rav were to succeed, the world would be destroyed, G-d forbid.
• To prevent the unity between the Left and Right of Kedushah, Moshiach ben Yosef and Moshiach ben Dovid.

Our job is the exact opposite: To unify the Left and Right of Kedushah, to struggle against the Erev Rav's goals.

The beginning of this chapter of Kol HaTor states that Moshiach ben Yosef is the heavenly force responsible for the physical wellbeing of Am Yisrael, whereas Moshiach ben Dovid is responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of Am Yisrael.

We see from this:

• The Left side is based on the Physical
• The Right side is based on the Spiritual

What is the separation of the Moshiachs? For the past few generations, Am Yisrael has been led towards two opposing worldviews:

• The ultimate perfection can be found in the Physical, the Spiritual can be abandoned.
• The ultimate perfection can be found in the Spiritual, the Physical can be abandoned.

Our struggle is not just to actively reject these two extremes, but to carefully attain the absolute balance needed, 499.5 from this side, and 499.5 from that side.

The Sprouting of Moshiach

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.

Right and Left

Kol HaTor Chapter 2 part 1

151 - ... And our Rabbi already explained the first thought of Yosef's brothers; they knew that when Avraham's soul came down to this world, the Klipah of the Right Side attached to him, and therefore Yishmael came out from him in order to separate him from the Klipah. And when the soul of Yitzchak came to the world, the Klipah of the Left attached to him, and therefore Esav came from him in order to separate him from the Klipah. And they (Yosef's brothers) thought that the Klipah of the Middle had attached itself to Yaakov, who is of the Middle Line, and after they saw Yosef act with traits of arrogance, they thought for sure Yosef was of the Klipah that had left Yaakov, and they didn't know of his holiness and Yosef's great role in the preparation for the Geulah.

---end quote---

We see from this that Avraham Avinu, from the Right Side (the side of Chesed) was essentially perfected by the birth of Yishmael. It removed the Klipah from him. Avraham became personally complete at age 86.

Likewise, Yitzchak, who was from the Left Side (the side of Din) was brought closer to perfection by the birth of Yaakov and Esav at age 60, since Esav was the Klipah that was attached to Yitzchak. This was only completed, however, with the transfer of the Bechorah (firstborn status) to Yaakov 15 years later at the age of 75. As Rashi comments on Breishit 27:36, Yitzchak's conversation with Esav. Yitzchak realizes that it was proper for him to bless Yaakov, as he was the bechor (firstborn), and that he was going to bless Esav because he thought incorrectly that he was the bechor.

The Tikkun that took place through the birth of Yishmael and Esav is what allowed Yaakov to not have any Klipah attached to him. Only when the Left and the Right become perfected, they can then join together to form the Middle.

Little By Little - The Big Picture

A major principle of the Keitz Meguleh is the idea that all comes little by little. Everything that we will have at the end of the road has its beginning. In our generation of instant gratification, this is an essential perspective shift that we must take. Looking at our current status and then dreaming of the steps between here and the end of the Geulah is daunting. One might want to say:

1. All the Jews living in Israel? Look at how many Israeli's leave!
2. Sanhedrin? The majority aren't Shomer Shabbat!
3. Build the Beit HaMikdash? What would the Arabs do?!

But step back, see the big picture.

1. When the students of the GR"A arrived in Yerushalayim in 1812, there weren't even 10 Ashkenazi Jews. Everyone went to the Sefardi shul (forced unity due to lack of numbers). Today, there are more than 5 million Jews in Israel.
2. Just 100 years ago, the Torah center of the world was Europe. Now, Baruch Hashem, it is Yerushalayim.
3. Yerushalayim is massive city, with dozens of neighborhoods, hundreds of thousands of Jews. Up until late in the 19th century, whether or not there was water was a serious issue on a yearly basis.

The general principle is that Moshiach ben Yosef starts, Moshiach ben Dovid finishes.

Moshiach ben Yosef is the miraculous working force for the physical Geulah, whereas Moshiach ben Dovid is the miraculous force working for the spiritual Geulah.

Now, do not think that the conclusion being Moshiach ben Dovid detracts from the importance of the physical side of Geulah. The physical Geulah is the "seat of David" that we have in our daily prayers. The Ariza"l taught (in Sha'ar HaKavanot) that on the words "and the seat of David your servant quickly set up within it (Yerushalayim)" we should be thinking that Moshiach ben Yosef shouldn't die. Moshiach ben Yosef is the preparation for Moshiach ben Dovid.

As such, we should appreciate the realization of this in our world. We see the physical has made seemingly great advances, and we see that the spiritual seems to lag behind. The events of 1948 and 1967 were not missed opportunities. They were Appointed Times that advanced the physical Geulah. The things that tend to really let down a religious Jew looking at these events (the actual text of the Israeli Declaration of Independence, handing over Har HaBayit to the Waqf, etc) were a function of where we stood on the road to spiritual Geulah.

Taking this perspective, of little by little, and seeing the big picture, we can understand that we have made great advances, and that there is still what to be done in our day to ease our path to perfection.