HOW THE JEWISH PEOPLE WILL LEAVE EXILE “WITH MERCY”

Translated by Boruch Merkur

The principal association of Rashbi with the redemption is, “With this work of yours [the Zohar] … they shall go out of exile with mercy,” for then there shall indeed be the fulfillment of “When you come into the land, etc., and the land shall rest, a Sabbatical to G-d,” in the literal sense, in the true and complete redemption.

In addition to what was said above on the words, “When you come into the land, etc., and the land shall rest, a Sabbatical to G-d,” this verse can also be interpreted literally, describing the Jewish people entering the land in the imminent redemption.

Originally, following the exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people took possession of the land through a process of seven years of conquering and seven years of apportioning it among the Twelve Tribes. The future redemption, however, will not come about through conquering and war. Rather, it will unfold amidst peace and tranquility, calmness and comfort, and it will be instantaneous.

Moreover, there will be no need to work the land, no need for the labor described in the verse, “six years you shall plant your field and six years you shall prune your vineyard,” for “in the future, the Land of Israel will [miraculously] give forth cakes and wool garments” (Shabbos 30b). That is, although “cakes and wool garments” will emerge from the “land” (and not from the heavens), nevertheless there will be no need for any labor to be performed in order to cultivate them. Eretz Yisroel will yield them in a miraculous way and there will be no need to wait before they can be consumed.

(With regard to childbirth it is said, “In the future, a woman will give birth every day.” Nevertheless, even in the Future Era, the Era of Redemption, the process of gestation will take time. But instead of nine months, it will take only nine hours (as described in the writings of the Tzemach Tzedek). However, regarding “cakes and wool garments,” since there will be no need for them to undergo a period of development or growth, there will be no need to wait nine hours – not even nine seconds. Rather, it will be instantaneous.)

In light of the above, regarding entering the land in the imminent redemption, since there will be no need to wait until the holy land is conquered and apportioned, therefore, the six years of working the field and the vineyard will be instantaneous – “and the land shall rest, a Sabbatical to G-d” in the literal sense. It is only after this initial period that the literal fulfillment of “six years you shall plant your field” will begin, for there must be a dwelling place specifically in the lower realms. This “planting your field,” however, will be done by others, as it says, “And strangers shall stand and pasture your sheep, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers” (Yeshayahu 61:5).

The latter discussion relates in particular to Rashbi, whose celebration is on Lag B’Omer. Our Sages say that Rashbi was “well-versed in performing miracles” (for which reason they sent him to Rome in order to persuade the Romans to lift their ban on Jewish observance). Indeed, he was so spiritually elevated that although Rashbi lived in the time of the churban (the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash), for him it was as though it never happened; he did not experience exile (as the Alter Rebbe relates). However, the principal association of Rashbi with the redemption is as it is said, “With this work of yours [the Zohar] … they shall go out of exile with mercy,” for then there shall indeed be the fulfillment of “When you come into the land, etc., and the land shall rest, a Sabbatical to G-d,” in the literal sense [in the true and complete redemption].

(From the address of Shabbos Parshas Emor 5747, bilti muga)