A look at Redemption

A look at Redemption from the Sages of Safed[1]

  1. We must have a personal relationship with the Shekinah – the Ruach HaKodesh
    1. The Ruach Hakodesh is related to the Sefira of Malchut (the Kingdom). The Kingdom is G-d’s reign on the earth through His agents the Sages and Torah Scholars[2]
    2. Malchut is the first point of connection to G-d, the beginning of being connected to the Shekinah – Ruach Hakodesh
  2. Exile
    1. Redemption requires a personal act or action of transformation.
    2. If we do not change we will remain the same and so with the world around us.
    3. Preparing for Messiah means constant positive action – Personal growth.
    4. When we elevate ourselves we elevate the world around us.
    5. Every individual is responsible for his part in the final redemption.
    6. This means that each of us has a “spiritual condition” or “spiritual state.”
    7. Our Spiritual state must change if it remains the same we will become ineffective in the process and plan of redemption.
  3. Redemption is a personal act of transformation
    1. We must possess the spirit (ruach – nature and ideology of Messiah)
    2. If we do not become like Messiah all things will remain the same.
    3. We must possess the essence of Messiah. (His understanding and view of the Torah)
  4. Sin and Exile
    1. Regardless of our spiritual state we must address sin in the world and within ourselves
    2. Sin is the absence of Torah
      1. This means knowledge of Torah
      2. And, Practice of Torah
    3. Thus, we must labor to conquer sin (absence of Torah) in the world
  5. We must “Talmudize” the nations
    1. To “talmudize the nations means that we must teach them the Torah (all of the Torah)
  6. The Congregation/Chavurot 49 or 49
    1. We cannot overstate the importance of the unity of a Chavurot.
    2. A Chavurah (single brotherhood or fellowship) brings a diversity of individuals to a single your diversified mission.
    3. The spiritual vision of the Chavurah is joined to form one large (larger) part of the redemptive process.
    4. The Chavurot opens paths that would not be possible for a single individual to cover
    5. Some scholars of the past suggest that humanity must sink to the 49th level of depravity.
    6. This is not the view of all Torah Scholars
    7. The Torah Scholars of Safed believed that the unity and efforts of the community would raise the world to the 49 level of spiritual purity and success.
    8. This means that each of us must do our part in our circle of influence
  7. Normative Community
    1. Individuals brought together to form a Chavurah (fellowship) will each have their contribution.
    2. However, each person in that fellowship must have a communal level of piety.
    3. This means that there will be a set of normative rules for communal interaction.
    4. Some of the rules may well be from the Torah as they should be.
    5. Some rules will be distinct for that community
    6. A normative Community sets forth a realm of “spiritual sanctuary” for its members
    7. This creates a haven where members feel safe to practice, discuss and live out the Torah with their own style without fear from outsiders.
  8. Normative Mystical Life
    1. Mystical practice must have normative parameters
    2. This mans that rules such a Kosher, Shabbat, Festivals etc., must be a part of normative mystical practice
    3. Without these normative standards the true heights of mystical piety can not be reached.

[1] Note: This document is NOT in its final form. It is the research of H. Em. Rabbi Dr Eliyahu ben Abraham of the results of the Scholars of Safed on Jewish lives today. Review for updates.
[2] Also known as the Hakhamim