Our Wondrous Generation
A serialized translation of sefer Hakitzu VeRanenu by Rav Reuven Sasson
Hakitzu VeRanenu #23a: “Then, Our Mouths will Fill with Laughter”
Joy is perhaps one of the most sought-after necessities in our generation. It, too, finds its full revelation specifically in the light of the collective, national life-force. This is because simcha, joy, is synonymous with the Shechinah, the mystery of our collective “mother”, as the verse states, “The mother of the children shall rejoice.” (Tehillim…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #22: The Realization of the Individual and the Light of the National Collective
The movement in our generation to seek personal enlightenment and individual spiritual fulfillment is similarly not to be seen as a step backward from the collective spirit. It is, rather, the early drips emerging from this glorious level. Because when a person arrives at an exacting self-assessment of the very essence of his being, he…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #21: The General Experience of the Two Stages of Redemption (Part Two)
If we were to be living a nation-oriented life in a spiritual sense, with a perception of our unity and essential identity expressed in our service of Torah and mitzvos, the absence of the Beis HaMikdash, Korban Pesach, and Aliyah l’Regel would penetrate exceedingly, paining us sharply. We would feel like one who is lacking…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #21: The General Experience of the Two Stages of Redemption (Part One)
In light of all the above, we are currently standing upon the threshold of the second stage, the mystery of Zechirah, which marks the arrival of the spirit that will bring a completed consciousness to the nation dwelling in its Holy Land, enabling them to live a life of Shechinah – as a single body…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #20: The Danger of Blurring the Lines Between the Holy and the Mundane
There were great tzaddikim who already spoke about the realm of the holy and the realm of the mundane and their manifestation in body and soul. However, in order to comprehend their words in the proper way, it is crucial that we grow and become sanctified with Hashem’s holiness. Otherwise, it is possible to make…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #19: The Relationship between Body and Soul in the Nation and their Unification (Part Two)
This is the great power of the Toras HaSod which crowns Hashem in all of the worlds and demonstrates clearly that there is literally nothing but Him and that He fills and surrounds all worlds; “Your Sovereignty is the sovereignty of all the worlds (Tehillim 145:13), “The entire earth is filled with Your Glory.” (Yeshayahu…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #19: The Relationship between Body and Soul in the Nation and their Unification (Part One)
The fact that Zechirah is the point of holiness which stands as the foundation of all stages of redemption – both the stage of Pekidah, the rectification of the “body”, as well as the stage of the revelation of Zechirah, the appearance of Neshama with a proliferation of consciousness – teaches us an important principle…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #18: The Journey from Pekidah to Zechirah
It is expressly stated in the Ramchal that the energy of Pekidah is momentary, merely to grant the Shechinah strength to stand up from the dust of exile, after which it becomes hidden once more. After this will come an exhaustion, a vacuum of spirit, for indeed – that great light became hidden and concealed.…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #17: The Supernal Source of “Pekidah” and “Zechirah”
In the early days of the stage of Pekidah, there was a strong sense of nationalism; personal sacrifice to return to the Land and rebuild it, to erect the world that had been destroyed. In truth, these feelings were – at their root – awesomely elevated, for the flowed forth from the future stages of…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #16: Two Stages of Geulah – “Pekidah” and “Zechirah” (Part Two)
The foundation of the distinction between Pekidah and Zechirah and their natures is explained by the Ramchal (ibid): And you must know the Pekidah takes place through Yesod, while the revelation of Zechirah occurs through Tiferes. Therefore, these two movements provide strength to Moshiach Ben Yosef and Moshiach Ben David to bring about the final…