LESSON 29: Return The Shechinah
 
May our eyes see Your return to Tzion in mercy. Blessed are You, God, Who returns His Presence to Tzion. This is the end game of all of our yearning and efforts. We may have lost track of this over the millennia of exile, but this is supposed to be the entire focus of the Jewish people, according to the Tikunei HaZohar (Tikun 6, 22a): returning the Shechinah to Tzion, as it was during the time of the first temple. We learn from the Mishkan that, in spite of the tremendous effort by the Jewish people to build a dwelling place for God, it was worth little until the Presence of God actually descended to occupy it. Likewise, the entire Jewish nation could return to Eretz Yisroel, and even build a temple, but until the Shechinah descends to occupy it, the redemption is not complete. But, isn’t the Shechinah always here? Doesn’t it even go into exile with the Jewish people? The answer is yes, but there is a big difference between the Shechinah being among the Jewish people in exile, and returning to Tzion itself. A huge difference. For example, all of the success that the Jewish people enjoy while in exile, and all of the protection they may have, is the result of the Shechinah that is among them. Even the success of a host nation is the result of the Shechinah among the Jewish people. However, does that stop assimilation? Does it stop intermarriage? Does it prevent Chillul Hashem, and bring the gentiles, in whose lands we live, to righteousness? No, on all accounts. However, during the period of the first temple, there were times when nations came from far and wide to witness the wisdom of the Jewish people, and usually left somewhat transformed, and certainly impressed. We were, for periods of time, the “light unto nations” we were redeemed from Egypt to become (Yeshayahu 2:6). It is hard to sanctify the Name of God when 80 percent of the Jewish people do not care for Judaism, especially when a significant portion of that 80 percent does not even care for the Jewish people and Israel at all. Nor, does it make a positive impression on anyone when the remaining one-fifth, the religious part of the Jewish people, has difficulty agreeing with one another on some very important issues. And now, after many decades of being able to keep the Arabs and the world at bay, we have since lost parts of Eretz Yisroel, and other communities are slated for destruction. They are trying to divide Jerusalem, and construction has been halted in many of the areas that the Arabs are demanding from the Jewish people. Furthermore, sickness seems to be affecting the Jewish people like never before. So many of the concerns that, in the past, seemed to only really affect the gentiles, are now becoming Jewish problems as well. This certainly gives the impression to many that God is no longer on the side of the Jewish people, a terrible Chillul Hashem. But, not nearly one as bad as the Holocaust was, or any of the many pogroms that devastated entire communities across Europe and Asia through the centuries. Whereas once, the Jewish people were looked up to by so many gentile nations, today, those who adhere to Torah, barely command respect from anyone outside their own circle of influence. All of this is the result of the Shechinah not having returned to Tzion as of yet. It is not all or nothing: the Shechinah will return to Tzion over time. However, until such time as the transition is complete, the world can become a volatile place, especially for the Jew, and especially for the Diaspora Jew. We have plenty of reason to say this blessing daily, and with a lot of intention. Personal completion depends upon it, and certainly national completion does so as well.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008