I published this in 2011, and thought it worthy of re-publishing now.
Author: SG
1. If the Geula and Moshiach are here, why is everything getting worse?
Moshiach is not synonymous with the Geula; rather, Moshiach brings the Geula to completion.
Moshiach is here, but the full Geula is not here; because there are many stages to the Geula. It is a process that develops over time.
The temporary bad is for the ultimate, eternal good.
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The Geula process started in 1991, when we entered the stage of Yomos HaMoshiach [the days of Moshiach].
The stage we are in now is still a hidden stage, which contributes to still having free-choice.
Free-choice increases, as the darkness gets greater.
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Things happening now are counter-intuitive.
One would think that things should get progressively better as we get closer to the Geula, and then Moshiach and Hashem are revealed. But that is not how the Geula comes.... Just the opposite occurs; things get progressively worse... [although some things do get better].
“There are no atheists in a foxhole.” When things are good, human nature is to forget about G-d; but when the chips are down, people then scream out to G-d, to help them.
Also, the soul has many levels: Pressure squeezes out the deeper levels, allowing us to access them.
G-d wants things to happen in a natural manner, seemingly happening by themselves.... although gigantic miracles will take place along the way - the greatest miracles that mankind has ever seen.
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2. Why do things get worse?
Because the level of Hashem that is being revealed now in the world, was never able to be revealed before. It is totally different to anything that has happened in the past.
This is the level of Etzem, that totally transcends all other levels of revelation in the past; including all the miracles and revelations to Tzadikim and the prophets.
Etzem - by definition - is hidden. But as it, and we, sink lower into the creation, Etzem then openly comes into revelation.
Etzem is not found in the upper spiritual worlds, where angels and Gan Eden are found; because only a ray of G-d is revealed there. But specfically in this physical world, is the Etzem of G-d to be found and revealed.
This is why, at the time of Techias Hamasim [revival of the dead] both the body and soul will become alive. Since the body's source is higher than the soul.
Also, the Lubavitcher Rebbe quoted the Yilkat Shmonei Midrash many times; but the Yilkat says that the whole world is scared, and Moshiach comes but does not stop the war - he just says, don’t be scared!
None of the sources that talk about the Geula [including the Gemorrah] say that good things happen. But the Rebbe said that we should realize that the negative occurrences are a positive sign of the imminent Geula.
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3. What are the stages of Geula?
First there is Galus, then Yomos HaMoshiach [the end stage, being the open Geula], then Techias Hamasim, with each stage having many ascending levels.
Galus: the period before 1991.
This period is compared to the time of pregnancy: A pregnant woman carries on with her life as before; but inside, on a hidden level, the baby is continually growing. The baby is compared to Moshiach; and the woman’s body is compared to the creation.
A pregnant woman’s body continually changes, in preparation for the birth; so too, the world has been continually changing [being refined] in order to get ready for the birth- the revelation of Moshiach; who then brings the Geula.
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4. What is Geula [redemption]?
Geula comes from the word Gelui – to reveal.
Geula is considered as Labor: the process through which the baby is born [revealed].
The baby [Moshiach] is now fully grown [only hidden]; labor’s purpose is to push the baby out - birth.
The end goal, [after Techias Hamasim] is when the highest level of Hashem, called Etzem, is revealed permanently, in the entire creation.
There are many stages in between.
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Moshiach will be openly guiding world events.
Moshiach's greatness and wisdom at this time will be even greater than in the time of King Solomon. King Solomon’s wisdom was respected worldwide, and many leaders and people came to learn from his greatness and knowledge.
The Jews, through the Torah, will be followed worldwide; when the Creator – G-d - reveals Himself worldwide; and all people will realize that He runs the world..... And that the way to survive and exist, is to follow His will, as revealed in the Torah, and Jewish Halacha [ways of conduct].
Jews will then only be occupied with growing closer to G-d; through understanding the deeper levels of Torah that will be revealed at that time.
There will no longer be competition between people for: power, money, honor, etc. It will be a time of eternal peace and no war.
Physicality will directly connect to its source, so food and other things will be plentiful.
[In our current existence, the flow of life from G-d to the world has to first pass though many filters in order to come down into the world, but in the future, these filters will be removed, and everything will grow exponentially faster and larger in size. So there will be no need for war, since everyone will have everything that they need.]
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All levels of the creation will be elevated:
Inanimate and plant life will begin to communicate with humans.
All animals will become herbivorous (eat only plants) i.e. "the wolf will lie with the lamb” - not because the wolf will control his instinct to eat the lamb, but rather, his instincts will be transformed, and he will not want meat anymore.
Mankind will all serve G-d together.
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5. What is Etzem?
Etzem is a level of G-d that is the source of everything, therefore, it includes everything. Here, there are no contradictions, or paradoxes, everything is unified.
Since Etzem is the source of everything, it is higher than all things, and can therefore unite them.
Etzem unites two paradoxes, two opposites: the body and the soul, the physical and spiritual worlds, finite and infinite, etc.
Previously only Geluim were revealed into the world, but now Etzem is being revealed. Geluim are things that we can relate to, as limited human beings: miracles, the Shechina, holiness, etc.
The problem is, in order for us to be able to handle these revelations, they had to be brought down to our level; otherwise, the creation would not be able to contain these revelations and they would disappear. [This happened at Mount Sinai: when the Jews heard the first two commandments directly from G-d, their souls flew out of their bodies.The next eight commandments had to be told to them through Moshe, who could handle these great revelations. So too now, regarding Moshiach.]
But now, after thousands of years of refinement, the world is now ready to receive the greatest revelation of all - Etzem.
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6. What is the delay?
Period of refinement.
The initial refinement is over, this was needed to bring the Geula; but now there is a different refinement/ preparation needed, to reveal the highest level of Hashem totally into the world: Etzem.
Moshiach has to come willingly, not by force.
Kings in the past were more like dictators - their every desire, and whim, had to be fulfilled.
But Moshiach is the polar opposite, he is a public servant. He has no other desires than to do G-d’s will, in order to guide all mankind to fulfillment.
Everyone on the planet now, has to be able to understand this, with their physical intellect, and then to want this to occur, realizing that this will be the best thing for all mankind. [The world will have changed enough in the meantime for this to occur.]
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7. Why did the Lubavitcher Rebbe say that the Geula is here, and we just have to open our eyes? Also, that all the Avodah [G-dly service] needed to bring the Geula, has been done?
Even though the process of Geula has started, we still have to view world events in the light of Moshiach - “to open our eyes” - since the Geula is still hidden from our eyes.
The Avodah needed to bring the Geula has been done, but now we have to reveal this hidden light into the open.
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8. What should I do to bring the Geula faster?
1. Chitas - learn selected portions of the day in: Chumash [Moshe], Tanya [Alter Rebbe], and Tehillim [King David]. Not in order to learn, but rather, in order to bring the Geula.
2. Learn Rambam: one or three chapters a day. This is the summation of Halacha [Jewish law- G-ds will]. By finishing the total fourteen volumes, we then have brought G-d’s Will into the world.
4. Learn Chassidus
5. Learn Torah - and do Hiddur Mitzvahs [do Mitzvahs in the most exceptional manner possible in an expansive, beautiful manner; and be exacting, and have Kavana [doing them with the brain and heart - understanding and feeling].
6. All non-Jews should learn about the “
Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noach .” And do them because this is as G-d commanded Moses at Mount Sinai.
7. Live a Moshiach life.
8. Give a lot of charity.
