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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.…
Read MoreThe Secret of Shovavim
(Transcribed from the Rav’s shiur by Rav Shlomo Katz, edited by R’ Yaakov Klein) The Zman of Shovavim At the end of times, Hashem Yisborach brought down to us the inyan of “Shuvu Banim Shovavim.” People often ask many questions regarding Shovavim. Most of the Sefardishe tzaddikim like the Rashash paid heed to this topic.…
Read MoreAnd One for Your Friend
I’m still smiling as I recall this short, but super sweet episode that happened earlier this evening. I went to treat myself to some ice cream (self-care activity.) I was on my way to the second ice cream store, having not been able to decide what to get in the first. I thought maybe walking…
Read MoreHakitzu 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…
Read MoreHakitzu 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…
Read MoreIt Took Me Back
Much to my surprise, some friends and I spent most of the morning and afternoon in Shaarei Tzeddek Medical Center in Jerusalem a few days ago. To make a long story short, we went olive picking and I took a fall. Chasdei HaShem a trillion times over, I am fine! Over the course of my…
Read MoreHakitzu VeRanenu #16: Two Stages of Geulah – “Pekidah” and “Zechirah” (Part One)
The two stages of redemption and the distinction between them are explicated clearly in the seforim hakedoshim, and our teacher, the Ramchal, explains them at length. He teaches that the final redemption is a compound of two fundamental stages, called “Pekidah”, and “Zechirah”. He writes (Maamar HaGeulah): Know, that redemption encompasses two distinct times. We…
Read MoreHakitzu VeRanenu #15: Humanity’s Interpretation of Our Return to the Land
Focus well on the mystery expressed in the verse, “The heart of a king is in Hashem’s Hand, He turns it whatever which way He desires.” (Mishlei 21:1) Hashem’s Governance clothes itself within the hearts of human beings, awakening desires and mighty movements – for example, the desire to seek a land and establish a…
Read MoreHakitzu VeRanenu #14 – The Necessity to Return to Eretz Yisrael before Attaining the Consciousness of Redemption
In truth, although our exile began with the loss of consciousness which then caused our banishment from the land, the redemption must come about in the opposite order as alluded to in the words of Yechezkel brought above – first the return to the Land, and then the appearance of consciousness.[1] It is obvious and…
Read MoreHakitzu VeRanenu 13: The Primary Distinction between Exile and Redemption is Rooted in Consciousness
The main essence of the difference between exile and redemption exists in the mystery of consciousness (“Da’as”) – the mentality of redemption in contrast to the mentality of exile, the secret of “Constricted Consciousness” and “Expanded Consciousness.” This means that while the distinction between the two is certainly externally recognizable, for example exile as the…
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