Compiled by:
Rabbi Avrohom Richter
No. 277
Parshat Vayeishev
Kislev 24, 5760 * Dec. 3, 1999
This week's Torah portion discusses the birth of Peretz and Zurach. It is known that Moshiach will be a descendant of Peretz. In the Sefer "Habohir" it explains that the name Zurach alludes to the sun, while the name Peretz alludes to the moon. The Lubavitcher Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Shlita (Likutei Sichos vol. 30 Vayeishev 2) explains the relevance of this to Moshiach. The sun reflects the Divine service of righteous people. For just as the sun does not change its appearance, so too, the righteous undergo no change in the way they serve G-d. The moon, on the other hand, reflects those who have repented, and returned to G-d. Like the moon, they experienced a change.
From this we can understand why Moshiach will be a descendant of Peretz, who is compared to the moon. One of the things that Moshiach will do, is that he will bring even the righteous to a state of return. The connection between Peretz, and "return" is as follows: Peretz was given his name because he jumped (Porotz in Hebrew) out of his mother's womb, in order that he be the first born, and not Zurach. This is the power that every Jew has. Although he may find himself at a very low spiritual status, nonetheless, he can "jump" into a very high spiritual status, and return to G-d. This is the accomplishment of Moshiach, may he reveal himself immediately!
It is explained in Mechilta (Shemos 14,31) that the Jews were redeemed from Egypt in the merit of their faith in the redemption. In the upcoming redemption, we too will be redeemed in the merit of belief. Therefore, we must not pay attention to the travails of exile, rather we must focus on our belief in the imminent redemption.
(Likkutei Sichos Vol. 3 pg. 872)
The upcoming redemption will bring all Jews together as one. Every single Jew, man, woman, girl and boy will leave this exile as one. No Jew will be left behind. Since we are about to experience such an unique form of unity, we must prepare by adding in our love toward another Jew.
(5th night of Succos 5745)
An Unhealthy Mezuzah (1)
Reb Dovid wan an elderly man who lived in lod, israel. One day he felt sudden, sharp pains near his heart. He was rushed to hospital, were was diagnosed as having suffered a severe heart attack. His condition was very serious, and only after five months of complete bed rest did his condition improve enough to be allowed to go home. However he was not allowed to exert himself and had to stay indoors all day. This was very difficult for Reb Dovid, but he know he had no other choice than to take these instructions very seriously.
One day Reb Dovid was visited by one of his friends, a Chassid by the name of Reb Shlomo Greenwald. Reb Shlomo was very happy to see Reb Dovid after such a long time and asked where he had been. Reb Dovid told him everything that had happened, including the names of his doctors, which medicines he had to take and how he felt that nothing was really helping him.
'I really feel as if I have given up on life,'' reb dovid concluded his story.
"Excuse me,'' said Reb Shlomo. " but there is one 'medicine' you haven't tried yet - a blessing from the Rebbe.''
Reb Dovid found this idea a rather difficult one to accept. He learned Torah, kept the Mitzvos, and had tremendous respect for the Rebbe. However he felt that as he lived so far away from the Rebbe, how could the blessing of this great Tzaddik help him?
Reb Shlomo, for his part, was not going to let his friend become depressed like this. So he offered to write to the Rebbe on his behalf. Reb Dovid could not refuse such an offer, and in fact asked to see the letter when it was ready, since there was something he himself wished to add.
Reb Shlomo hurried off to write the letter to the Rebbe with the story of what had happened to reb dovid and the treatment the doctors had advised. When the letter was ready, he brought it to reb dovid so he can add to it too. When the letter was returned to reb shlomo, he was both deeply moved and horrified to read what reb dovid had added:
"Dear Rebbe, the pains are terrible. I cannot take it any longer. Please pray that I will die as soon as possible.''
Knowing the seriousness of the situation, Reb Shlomo sent the letter as it was, despite the unpleasantness of his request. A very short time afterwards the Rebbe's answer arrived:
"Please check all the mezuzos in the house!''
Our Rebbes, our leaders, which descend from the house of David, from the tribe of Yehudah.
(Shemos 5752)
[One of the qualifications of Moshiach, is that he be a descendant of Yehudah through David.]
The leader of the generation, is also the Moshiach (redeemer of Israel) of the generation.
(Kuntres Beis Rabbeinu Shebibovel)
I will not have any problem if you will explain [this to mean] Moshiach in all simplicity - our righteous Messiah, for this is indeed the truth - that the leader of the generation is the Moshiach of the generation.
(Simchas Torah 5746)
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