Ketz

Mitteler Rebbe Reveals the End!
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Mitteler Rebbe Reveals the End!

ב”ה

Based on “Al Totzar es Moav” את תצר את מואב by the Mitteler Rebbe.  Cited numerous times by the Rebbe, this is an important and very relevant Chassidic discourse (“maamor”) of the Mitteler Rebbe on the subject of the keitz, end of golus, and the Geuloh.  The various opinions in the Gemora regarding how we bring about the Geuloh are explained, analyzed, and ultimately reconciled.  The insights are particularly relevant in our times, as many struggle to understand our present situation standing on the cusp of Geuloh.

 Click to download as PDF

 

THE MACHLOIKES

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 97b, see end of PDF file) presents a debate regarding the Geuloh.  Rav says that all the end-times (kitzin) have passed, and only through good deeds and Teshuva can the Jewish people bring the Geuloh.  Shmuel says that the suffering of golus is sufficient, “enough that the mourner should get up from his mourning”.  The Gemara continues the subject with a similar dispute between Tanaaim from an earlier generation, R’ Eliezer and R’ Yehoshua.

R’ Eliezer is quoted as saying “If the Jewish people repent they are redeemed, and if not they are not redeemed.”  His opinion is clearly that Teshuva is a prerequisite for Geuloh.  (Let us point out that according to Chassidus, Teshuva is not only to rectify sins, but is also the “return” to closeness with Hashem that is relevant to every neshoma that has descended to this world, even without sin.)  R’ Yehoshua replies: “If they do not repent, will they not be redeemed at all? Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will establish a king for them whose decrees are as harsh as Haman, and the Jewish people will repent.”  Seemingly, this doesn’t contradict R’ Eliezer that Teshuva is required, only that he adds an option for a “push from Above” to bring about that Teshuva.  This will become relevant as we proceed.

The gemara then brings a Beraisa in which the same two sages argue back and forth as to whether Teshuva is required at all.  R’ Eliezer holds, as above, that Teshuva is a prerequisite for Geuloh.  R’ Yehoshua goes beyond what he said above, and makes the claim that there is in fact no need for Teshuva!  They alternatively bring pesukim from the prophets as proof to their position (worthy of noting that they each find support from different pesukim in the very same prophets – Yeshayahu haNovi, and also from Yirmiyahu – which will fit with the Mitteler Rebbe’s explanation).  R’ Yehoshua’s final prooftext is the keitz of Daniel — it  leaves R’ Eliezer unable to answer. Continue reading →

Hakhel Year – a Ketz?
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Hakhel Year – a Ketz?

It's still Hakhel!
The Rebbe says Hakhel continues into Sukkos of the following year!
We still have time to utilize the power of Hakhel...

In a Hakhel year the Rebbe demands from each one of us to be a “Hakhel Yid”: to utilize every opportunity to make Hakhel gatherings of Jews which strengthen Yiras Shomayim, encourage Mitzah observance, and increase Jewish unity.  The Rebbe’s shturem about these activities is known, but why such a shturem?  With a fuller understanding of the subject, we can, with Hashem’s help, give ourselves over to the Rebbe’s inyan of Hakhel with even greater inner chayus (in addition to loyal kabbolos ‘ol).

First, let us note that Hakhel is not a time period, it is an event.  An event which occurs once every seven years in the year after a Shmitta year, the year called Motzei Shvi’is.1  Hakhel is a mitzvah which is performed in the year of Motzei Shvi’is.  By understanding more about Motzei Shvi’is, we can understand better the role of mitzvas Hakhel.

At this point, let us note some of the dramatic events that occurred in Hakhel years:

  • 5713 — all of Russian Jewry was in danger from Stalin’s “Doctor’s Plot“, nd they were miraculously saved upon the sudden death of Stalin as a result of that year’s Purim farbrengen.
  • 5727 — the Jews of Eretz Yisroel were threatened by five Arab armies, and miraculously saw the great victory of Six Day War.
  • 5734 — the deadly surprise attack of the Yom Kippur war, which turned into a miraculous victory (“bigger than the Six Day War” said the Rebbe).
  • 5741 — Eretz Yisroel was facing the threat of a nuclear reactor in Iraq, until the successful bombing of that reactor by the Israeli Air Force.

Also interesting to note that the four times that 770 Eastern Parkway, the Rebbe’s shul, was expanded took place in Hakhel years: 5720, 5727, 5733 (finished by erev Rosh Hashanah 5734, the Hakhel year), and 5748 (the laying of the cornerstone (“even hapina”) for the most recent expansion).  But what’s the connection with Hakhel? Continue reading →