JEWISH SOUL

Catalyst for redemption

From the Rebbe's Letters

The concept of Lag BaOmer is explained in the teachings of Chassidus. It is identified with the Sefirah of Hod shebeHod, which represents an interruption, a barrier, and a “mound,” separating between the worlds of Atzilus and Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah and also an interruption, a barrier, and a “mound” between the levels above Atzilus and Atzilus. Each one of these barriers blocks one of the two means in which the external forces derive energy: a) as a result of a multitude of contractions. b) from the sublime encompassing light.

On that level, the deeds of the beings of the lower realms are not significant and hence, all beings can receive influence.

For this reason, the students of Rabbi Akiva ceased dying on Lag BaOmer, because this barrier created a block between them and the accusing forces directed at them.

All of the above applies in the present era. In the era of Moshiach, by contrast, when “I will cause the spirit of impurity to depart from this earth,” there will be a change. On the verse, “I struck down and I will heal,” our Sages comment (Koheles Rabbah 1:4): “The division that I established between the higher realms and the lower realms — that the beings of the higher realms live and exist eternally, while those of the lower realm die — I will heal in the Ultimate Future.” For the barrier of a mound will not be necessary at that time.

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the source of the revelation of the secrets of the Torah, refined this barrier (the fundamental revelation of his achievements will be in the Ultimate Future), because he illuminated it with the most complete light, the light of Moshiach.

See the discussion of these matters in the discourse entitled Eid HaGal and in its explanation in the Siddur Im Dach, Shaar HaLag BaOmer and sec. 25ff. of the discourse entitled Chayav Adam Livareich, 5638.

The manner in which the Jewish people will leave the exile and enter the era of Moshiach was already revealed by our Sages: “In the Future, Israel will taste of the Tree of Life, this book of the Zohar, through which they will leave their exile with mercy.” And Moshiach told the Baal Shem Tov that he will come when the wellsprings of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings spread outward.

My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, explained Moshiach’s response at length, saying:

The teachings of the Baal Shem Tov are the vessel for the light of the revelation of Moshiach. The teachings of our Rebbe, the Baal Shem Tov, and the pure task of refining and cultivating our emotional qualities, will ultimately spread to people on the periphery and all will realize the truth. The selfsacrifice from their parents and grandparents will awaken even those who are found on the peripheries.

See the sources for the above: the Zohar III, p. 124b, the letter of the Baal Shem Tov to his brother-in-law regarding the ascent of his soul on Rosh HaShanah of the year 5507, and the talks of Simchat Torah, 5690.

We must all clearly know that each and every activity and each and every effort made to spread the wellsprings of Chassidus outward illuminates the darkness of the exile and hastens the coming and revelation of Moshiach. There are no words to describe how difficult it is to remain even one extra moment in exile and how precious one extra moment of the revelation of Moshiach is.

With the revelation of our righteous Moshiach, the Holy One, blessed be He, will heal the divider separating the higher realms from the lower realms, as explained above. Then “those who lie in the dust will arise and sing.” My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe,, who showed us the way and the path upon which we will ascend in our Divine service, will advance at the head — leading all of his students, his chassidim, and all of those bound and connected to him, taking us out of the straits and bringing us to the broad expanse of G-dliness, in the true and complete Redemption. EM

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