G-D HOLDS OUR HANDS IN THE DARKNESS OF EXILE AND REDEEMS US

A Jew asks: How is it possible, amidst these difficult and challenging times of exile, to properly serve G-d and prepare to usher in the era of the true and complete redemption?! * Even though “darkness shall cover the earth,” that has no bearing on a Jew at all, knowing that G-d Alm-ghty is present with him in every circumstance.

Translated by Boruch Merkur

HOW CAN A JEW REMAIN UNAFFECTED BY THE DARKNESS OF EXILE?

Toras Emes, the Torah of Truth, tells a Jew that we are presently in the final days of exile and that we have to prepare for the true and complete redemption. Yet, one’s perception may well contradict this truth, leaving him perplexed. He sees the world steeped in darkness, as in the verse, “darkness shall cover the earth, etc.” (Yeshayahu 60:2), and that we are still far removed from experiencing the revelation of G-dly light, certainly not the sublime revelation of the future era of redemption, when “G-d shall be to you for an everlasting light” (ibid 60:19). If so, he reasons, how can one remain unaffected by the darkness of the world? How is it possible, amidst these difficult and challenging times of exile, to properly serve G-d and prepare to usher in the era of the true and complete redemption?!

G-D RETURNS 
WITH THE EXILES

In response to this, there is a lesson derived from the weekly Torah portion related to today’s daily study – the verse, “And G-d shall return (with) your captivity, etc.” (Nitzavim 30:3):

A Jew must know that the Divine presence resides with the Jewish people even as they suffer in exile (and it remains with us until the final moment of exile). And when the Jewish people are redeemed, it shall be in a manner of “‘And G-d shall return (with) your captivity, etc.’ – it does not say, ‘He shall return your captivity,’ but, ‘He shall return with your captivity, etc.,’ inscribing redemption for Himself, for He shall return with them” (Rashi on the verse).

Therefore, even though “darkness shall cover the earth, etc.,” that has no bearing at all, for a Jew knows that G-d is present with him in every circumstance.

Accordingly it is understood that when G-d Alm-ghty commands the Jewish people to prepare for the true and complete redemption, and to prepare the entire world for the revelation of G-dly light, by means of illuminating one’s home and environment with the light of Torah and Judaism, it is absolutely certain (without any doubt at all) that each and every Jew can succeed in His G-dly mission, for G-d is with him. Thus, he fulfills his service with joy and with a good spirit, as it is written, “serve G-d with joy.” In fact, his joy adds to the success of his service.

In this manner, we will soon merit to go out of exile, as described in the commentary of Rashi (on the verse ibid 30:3), G-d “literally holds the hands of every single person, [taking him] out of his place, as it is said, ‘you shall be gathered one by one, O children of Israel.’ (Yeshayahu 27:12).”

(From the address to the N’shei U’b’nos Chabad, 24 Elul 5741, 
bilti muga)