The Announcement Of The Redemption

[This excerpt follows the Rebbe's instruction concerning the preparation for Yud Shvat (tenth of the month of Shvat), the anniversary of the passing of the Previous Rebbe. The Rebbe called for increases in Torah study and tzedekah. He then proceeds to call for extra emphasis on preparation for the Redemption. Translator's note.]

The preparation for Redemption should be emphasized more, by strengthening faith and trust in, and expectation of, the Redemption, "I await him every day that he should come."

- In the language of the Previous Rebbe:

"Stand ready all of you to greet our righteous Moshiach."

The above applies specifically in this year, "It will be a year in which I will show him wonders," and after they've already seen the miracles and wonders in this last period, including and particularly - the exodus of many Jews from that country [the Soviet Union] to the land of Israel, through which they also come closer to Judaism, Torah and its mitzvos. For subject is a reflection and example of, and the immediate preparation to fulfill the promise, "a great congregation will return here."

1. The 12th principle of the 13 principles [of faith].
2. [This talk was given the Shabbos before the yahrtzeit (anniversary) of the passing of the Previous Rebbe. Translator's note]
3. HaYom Yom 15 Teves. And in many places.
4. [In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical equivalent. The letters of the year 5751 (Hey, Tuf, Shin, Nun, Aleph) are an acronym of this phrase, based on Michah 7:15. Translator's note]
5. [The emigration from the Soviet Union. Translator's note]
6. Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) 31:7.

BESURAS HAGEULO

There has been an increase in the above during these most recent days. The events of these final days in the affair of "the kingdoms will struggle with each other" emphasize that we find ourselves in reality close to the Redemption, as explained in the midrashim of our Sages, may their memories be for a blessing, that this is one of the signs of Redemption.

In the language of the Midrash [it states], "In the year the King Moshiach will be revealed... the king of Persia will provoke the king of Arabia... all the nations of the world will be in turmoil and terror... and (the Holy One, Blessed be He) will say to them (Israel), 'My children, do not be afraid, all that I have done I have done only for your sake... the time of your Redemption has arrived.'"

...And in regard to the activities of the enemies of Israel, which they try to injure, G-d forbid - there is no substance in them, and their efforts will not succeed,

...The connection of these events to the children of Israel is - the knowledge that "the time of your Redemption has arrived"; therefore, stand ready all of you to greet our righteous Moshiach, including and in particular through increasing in matters of Torah and mitzvos, since through "one mitzvah," one tips the scale for himself and the entire world to the side of merit, and causes for himself and them salvation and deliverance."

From the talk of Shabbos Parshas Bo, 4 Shvat, 5751

1. Bereishis Rabbah ch. 42:4. Midrash Lekach Tov, Lech Lecha 14:1
2. [The struggle of the nations, particularly the Gulf War, prophetically described in the Yalkut Shimoni (see next paragraph). Translator's note]
3. Yalkut Shimoni Yeshayahu (Isaiah), remez 499.
4. Rambam, Hilchos Teshuva, (Laws of Repentance) Chapter 3, Halacha 4.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE REDEMPTION

There is an innovation unique to our generation - the ninth [from the Baal Shem Tov]- over all preceding generations, including the previous one (the eighth). Since the Redemption had not actually occurred then, the "come to Pharaoh" (the "revelation of "all the lights" to those below) was not completely perfect, as a soul in a healthy body. (The soul was detached from the body, and also the soul when it was in a body was in the situation of "[his] speech was in exile," etc.). This is not the case with our generation - the last generation of exile and the first generation of Redemption - when imminently and immediately "the lights [sun and moon] will be hung." Not only is nothing lacking in the great lights (the revelation of the Written Torah and the Oral Torah), but just the opposite; for this generation will realize a greater perfection [in the revelation of the Written and Oral Torah]. (There will no longer be the "speech impediments" in the [transmission of] the Oral and Written Torah. Rather they will be transcended.) Even souls within bodies will internalize "the revelation of all the lights" that were "hung" now, by virtue of the imminent arrival of our righteous Moshiach ("Send now by the one You will send"), who will teach Torah to the all the people, including "a new Torah will go forth from Me."

1. Zohar, vol. 1 210a.
2. [A reference to the Previous Rebbe's inability to speak due to a stroke. Translator's note.]
3. See Shaloh in his introduction 16, end of first side. His tractate Shavuos 191a. See Likkutei Torah Shir HaShirim 11:d. Or HaTorah on Bereishis 14a, 36 end of second side. Bamidbar p. 46. Megillas Esther (in 5750, edition p. 149), Nach, p. 217 and in other sources. See Likkutei Sichos vol. 30, p. 10 ff.
4. Zohar, vol. 3, p. 28, beginning of first side.
5. Shmos 4:13.
6. See Rambam, Laws of Repentance, chapter 9, halacha 2. Likkutei Torah Tzav, 17a ff. And in several other places.
7. Yeshayahu 51:4. Vayikra Rabba, chapter 13:3.

BESURAS HAGEULO

...We see in reality (as mentioned many times recently) how the nations of the world in many, many countries are assisting the Jewish people in their Divine service (to an even greater degree than it was during the exodus from Egypt). Even that country [Russia] which was closed and locked for many years, and which did not permit Jews to emigrate, etc. and did not allow the proper observance of the Torah and mitzvos, has recently changed from one extreme to the other. Now not only are Jews permitted to live there as they please, and even to emigrate, but even more, the country assists them.

Things have changed to such an extent that we can see today in reality that, in addition to the Jews being "Ready, all of you" for the Redemption, the nations of the world also stand "ready, all of you" for the Jews to go out already from exile and go into the land of Israel in the true and complete Redemption.

And with our souls in bodies without any interruption at all, we will come immediately to the full realization of "Come to Pharaoh" with the true and complete Redemption, the completion of the revelation of "all the lights will be revealed," "And you, O L-rd, will be a light for the world."

...It has been mentioned many times that already "all the appointed times have passed" and everything is concluded, and the Redemption should have come long ago. But for totally incomprehensible reasons, it has not yet come. Therefore it follows, that now the Redemption must come imminently and immediately. To employ a colloquial expression: this is High time for the true and complete Redemption!

1. Yeshayahu 60:19.
2. Sanhedrin 97b.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE REDEMPTION

...In terms of spiritual matters (including the "highest" levels of spirituality) there already is perfection, including also the most (spirituality) complete state of Redemption. Thus the spiritual eyes of the Jew can already see it. We must open our physical eyes that they too should see the Redemption in a way that is clearly visible to eyes of flesh in our time...

Of practical relevance, everyone should resolve that his study of the previous Rebbe's Torah should complete and compensate for that which was lacking in the dissemination and spreading of the wellsprings due to the speech impediment of my sainted father-in-law. One accomplishes this both through one's own learning out loud as well as spreading of the wellsprings to others.

(From the talk of Wednesday, Parshas Bo, 3 Shvat, and Shabbos Parshas Bo, 6 Shvat, 5752)