MOSHIACH & REDEMPTION: TWO separate matters

It is obvious that the coming of Ben Dovid is one thing and the redemption itself is another, just as Moshe Rabbeinu came to Mitzrayim prior to the redemption, prior to the exodus from Egypt – they were two separate events. * From Chapter Fourteen of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros, Volume 2. (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis.)

Translated by Boruch Merkur

an extremely difficult test

“Lama zeh shlachtani – why have You sent me?”: Moshe Rabbeinu attributed Pharaoh’s crushing response to his request that the Jewish people leave Mitzrayim – the harsher subjugation of the Jewish people – to his own iniquity, feeling unworthy to better the cause of the Jewish people. Thus, he said, “why have You sent me?” The truth is though that the atonement for the sins of the Jewish people had not been complete [so they were due further punishment from On High; it was not on account of Moshe’s unworthiness].

The Jewish people were put to an extremely difficult test, for Moshe Rabbeinu, the redeemer, was concealed from them for six months. And so it shall be in the days of Moshiach Tzidkeinu: Moshiach will be concealed after he had been revealed, as it says in Midrash. But G-d will then stand at the right side of the tzaddikim, the righteous people, speedily in our times, amen.

(Toras Moshe, commentary of the Chasam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Sofer, on Shmos 5:22)

two separate events

“The Jewish people are destined to be redeemed in the month of Tishrei” (Rosh HaShana 11b): In the seifer Turei Even, in the sugya of Eruvin about one who swears off wine consumption starting from the day that Ben Dovid [i.e., Moshiach] arrives, a discussion arises from the statement in Tractate Rosh HaShana, “The Jewish people are destined to be redeemed in the month of Tishrei.” See his lengthy analysis of the subject. The response the author proposes, however, is difficult to accept, for it is obvious that the coming of Ben Dovid is one thing and the redemption itself is another. Moshe Rabbeinu came to Mitzrayim prior to the redemption [prior to the exodus from Egypt; they were two separate events]. It is possible that the same thing will take place in the future redemption, as stated in Midrashim, “Just as the first redeemer was revealed and then concealed … so too with the final redeemer, etc.”

It also follows that when it says, “if they merit, ‘I will rush it [the redemption] forward,’” and “[Moshiach will come] today, if you heed His voice,” etc. – all these Talmudic statements pertain to the advent of the redeemer [who can arrive “rushed,” before his destined time, or “today,” “if you heed, etc.”], but the redemption itself will take place in Nissan, according to one opinion, or Tishrei, according to another opinion, as outlined in the Talmud.

(S’fas Emes on Rosh HaShana 11b)