The Baal Shem Tov on Moshiach!

Moshiach

• MM Hashgachah Pratis – The Divine Orchestra
   

Everything in truth is Divinely orchestrated, however when you don’t believe this you fall under the forces of darkness that conceal (the truth.)
  
When Moshiach comes and the forces of darkness are removed, which includes the concealment of this truth, we will be able to see how everything is one hundred percent Divinely orchestrated!

427 Kesser Shem Tov

• MM Intentionality
   

All wars and bad thoughts occur because Malchus is missing her love (“the Higher light” – similar to a wife feeling upset about feeling unloved). When a person realizes this, they will ensure to connect Malchus / the realm of action to Machshavah / intention – in other words, one should be using positive intentions in all our actions.

{Your intentionality in behavior and Mitzvahs saves the world!}

13 Balak– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• MM Moshiach

An example: when a person thinks about a home, it may take only a moment but to actually build the home takes years.

When we do Mitvahs and good deeds, we connect our realm of action (slow time) to the realm of Heaven (thought / fast time.)

This hastens redemption.

32 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• MM Moshiach
  
  

The idea of Moshiach is Daas / knowledge of G-d, hence increasing our knowledge of G-d (thereby affecting our behavior) brings Moshiach.

{You must ensure that all of your actions come from your intention (think then do.)}

2 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

•  MM Moshiach
  
  

When a person knows and believes that G-d inhabits every single item, every movement, and every thought in this world – it all comes from Him! then all the Kelipah (dark-forces) will dissipate.

This is the meaning of “Know G-d, your father.”

114 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

•  Moshiach – From Darkness To Light

Evil people cause the Tzaddik to pray from a place of constriction, unifying the Shechinah with G-d – and subsequently the evil (like the Kelipah – shell of the nut – falls off) and this brings Moshiach.  

151 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

• Moshiach – G-d

Currently, during exile, G-d’s name is incomplete (we use just the Yud-and Hei) – so all of our prayers must be that Moshiach should come, for then G-d’s name will be complete (Yud – Hei – Vov – Hei.)  

22 + Note 19 Bishalach– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

•  Moshiach – Teach Chassidus (To Bring)

The Baal Shem Tov wrote, “I ascended into Heaven on Rosh Hashanah in the year 5,507 and entered into the room of the Moshiach where He sits and teaches Torah to the Seven Shepherds and all the great Tzaddikim and saints, and I asked him, ‘When will our Master arrive (when will Moshiach come?)’

He replied, ‘When your Chassidic teachings will be spread far and wide.’”  

{As such by spreading Chassidic teachings we hasten the arrival of Moshiach!}

1 Kesser Shem Tov

• MM Moshiach – Teshuvah

Everyone must repair (improve) and prepare the part of Moshiach that is in their soul.

As is known, Adam Harishoin (the first man) has the acronym:
Adam, Dovid, Moshiach. 

For the stature of Adam’s soul is such that it included the souls of every subsequent Jew.

Through the sin, His stature was diminished.
Similarly, Moshiach’s soul is a composite of all Jewish souls as it was before Adam sinned. 

Therefore, each Jew is to prepare (repair) the part of Moshiach within their soul, and then the entire soul / structure will be rectified and prepared.

And there will be a complete and constant Oneness.

{The Rebbe often would quote this teaching! And practically it means to identify with G-d within you / your deepest self, and to manifest it passionately.}

8 Nitzavim– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• MM Moshiach – Up to You

A person need not be a Holy Tzaddik (involved in Yechudim, hamtakas hadinim, expansive mindset, etc.) Rather, a person who works on themselves to banish both the evil traits and desires (say lust) and subjugate themselves to their soul (directives), will thereby eliminate the Kelipos (dark side) and then be worthy that the Shechinah should rest upon them. And through causing the unity with G-d within yourself (in your speech – to speak the words of G-d – and in your heart to passionately go after His will) then the unity between G-d and the universe will also occur.

{In other words, through growth and self-refinement we cause redemption, as this causes a mirror response from G-d.} 

11 Nitzavim– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• Moshiach’s Arrival

When Moshiach comes it will be like a “happenstance.” 

In other words, everyone will be busy doing their work, and He will suddenly arrive!

 1 Vayechi– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• Moshiach’s Arrival

The arrival of Moshiach will not be accompanied by deaths.  

2 Vayechi– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• Moshiach’s Meal

The Baal Shem Tov called the festive meal on the last day of Pesach “Moshiach’s meal.” During this meal, He had an open-door policy and whoever came, joined the meal.  

{The reason for this is, because on Acharoin Shel Pesach (the last day of Pesach) the light of Moshiach shines.}

248 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)

•  Prayer – Moshiach

When Moshiach comes, all our prayers (as all negativity will cease) will subsequently be Yechudim (higher cosmic unifications / growth.)

81 Kesser Shem Tov

•  Prayer – Redemption
  
  

Just as there is the general redemption of all Jews (from Egypt,) there is the individual’s redemption.

Before you pray for the general redemption, you must pray for your personal one.  

Note 4 This is the exile of the G-dly soul in the Yetzer Hara (as the Rebbe teaches, Moshiach will redeem the Jewish people from the Yetzer Hara.)

5 Shemois– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

•  Prayer – Redemption

We have a prayer that G-d should unite Chochmah and Malchus – namely the Yud of “Yud-Hei-Vov-Hei” with final Yud of “Alef-Daled-Nun-Yud.” This represents the thought of G-d (the first Yud) with His speech and action (the final Yud) – and then the complete redemption will follow.  

48 Yisroi– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

•  Rebbe = Truth

Moshiach and Redemption come by being connected to the Tzaddik of the generation (like a body to a head).

370 Kesser Shem Tov

•  Redemption – Personal (from Yetzer Hara)

We must pray for the redemption of our soul from the Yetzer Hara.

Through our spiritual redemption, we also gain physical redemption.

The physical exile results from the spiritual.

By doing Teshuvah and elevating our soul out of its slavery to the Yetzer Hara, we cause redemption.

Note 4 Shemois– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• Speech – Elevating

The Baal Shem Tov said that the Galus / Exile of the Shechinah is that instead of focusing on G-d during prayers, a foreign thought (not for G-d) “rides” on the word.

100 Breishis- Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

• Thought – Action

Whenever you connect thought / intention (which inherently is connected to G-d) with action / Malchus (the lowest level) you create the Yichud (unity) of G-d and the Shechinah.

Moshiach is the Daas (integrative knowledge) of the entire Jewish people.

As it states that in the time of Moshaich the whole world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d.

As such when we integrate our actions with our intent (Daas) this brings about the revelation of Moshiach.

Note 154 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

• Torah Study – Redemption

It is a Mitzvah to mention the name of the Rabbi whose law one is studying, which hastens the redemption and causes one to connect to the source of the Rabbi’s Soul Above.  How much more so will we cause redemption by studying Torah altruistically / Lishmah (thereby connecting to G-d Himself.)  

320 Kesser Shem Tov

• Yetzer Hara – Moshiach

We must pray to be redeemed from our Yetzer Hara.
When we all individually are redeemed from our Yetzer-Hara then the universal redemption will come!

166 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

• (MM) Arrogance – Exile
  
  

Exile comes from when we serve G-d, yet this contributes to our arrogance. When we do this, the Kelipah takes the energy.

{In other words, serve G-d because it’s the right thing to do.}

1 Shemois– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• (MM) Diveikus – Attached

All the wars and Machshavois Zarois (lustful or foolish thoughts) that are in this world are because Malchus (the Shechinah) is not connected to her beloved (G-d). Contemplating this one will ensure that their thoughts should be connected (to G-d, thereby connecting the world to G-d.)  

135 Kesser Shem Tov

• (MM) Humility – Bad – To Good
  
  

Whenever a negative event, even something minor occurs to a person, they should attribute the cause of this due to their sins; and when this humbles them and they repent then their sin is forgiven (however a person who feels that everything is based on “my power…” this is an exile mentality vs. Moshiach stage when we will see how everything comes from Hashem / G-d.) 

31 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• (MM) Exile – The Secret
  
  

The reason Jews were spread to the four corners of the earth, or occasionally a Jew travels to far-flung nature, is that the deep Divinity within them purifies that location although the Jew themself may not be consciously aware.  

{Wherever you go, it’s not that you went there, but were sent! for a positive reason. In fact The Rebbe teaches that as primarily after the holocaust Jews settled everywhere, and used the language and customs of that locale to create Shuls etc. as such we have concluded Avodas Habirurim and are expecting Moshiach NOW!}

164 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)

• (MM) Reality = G-d

“I, I, shall console you.”

Explains the Baal Shem Tov, “When you realize that the only existence is G-d, and there is nothing but (for everything is merely like a data point – graphic – on a screen that He makes all the time) He will surely comfort you.”

Another version: “When you realize that every step, every movement of everyone and everything comes from G-d, this will bring G-d’s salvation.” 

16 + Note 14 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

•  (MM) Reward
  
  

The Baal Shem Tov gives an example – in the olden days there were foot soldiers who would face the enemy soldiers and horse riders. 

They would chain the legs of the foot soldiers together. 

When the battle was difficult, the foot soldiers would happily give their life for the king, while the riders would run away. 

Now if the battle was won, the riders ran to take the booty; whereas the foot soldiers were content with but a bit of bread and water…

In any event they can’t carry much, and they rely on the king saying, “The king who owns it all, will certainly care for his people – after all, it is we who won the war.”

The analogy is that in this world, there are those who serve G-d and draw down G-d’s blessings, then there are those who are materialistic. 

Those who serve G-d figure that as they are drawing in the blessings, the materialistic people (who receive from their blessings) certainly will share;  But the materialistic people say, “All belongs to me.” 

Hence they appeal to the King, who knowing that all benefit came because of the Holy-Ones, bestows directly to them.

5 Vayishlach– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• (MM) Lust

When a person G-d-forbid has a bad thought such as znus (immoral sexual thoughts – pornography etc.) or avodah zorah (idol-worship) this is an indication that he will be punished.

The rectification (or prevention) is to realize that everything (including these thoughts) comes from a spark of the Shechinah (the descent of G-dliness that creates matter in this world.) Then one should include oneself in the Shechinah;  imagine the profound tragedy of descending into utter disgust and then all evil will dissipate, and you too shall be saved from punishment.

11 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• (MM) Mind – Direction
  
  

Why was the death of the firstborn the final straw that allowed the Jews to leave Egypt?

The firstborn represents the mind. Our mind should be used to contemplate about doing what’s right / how to serve G-d, but the Kelipah obfuscates our mind (with emotions.) So when the Kelipah (“Egyptian firstborn”) was eliminated, this caused redemption.

{We must think and use our minds to figure out the correct path.}

154 Kesser Shem Tov

• (MM) Mind – over body

The whole goal of life is that the soul should dominate the body.
Exile is when it is the reverse (that the emotions dominate the mind) and redemption is when the mind gains control!

{When we are exercising self-discipline and living according to our values this is redemption (and conversely if our animal soul / body is dominating our mind and behaviors we are trapped in exile.)}

7 Eikev– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• P (MM) Recall
  
  

The Maharam of Kutzi said that the prohibition to not be arrogant is actually from the 613 Mitzvos.

He also said that He was informed by G-d one night in a dream, that the main purpose of the Torah is “remembering,” and G-d-forbid the source of all problems is when we forget.

The Baal Shem Tov said, just as this applies to the individual it also applies to the collective whole.  When we “forget” this causes the exile, but when we remember (G-d etc.) this causes redemption.

8 Eikev– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah

• P (MM) Speech – Elevating
  
  

Why is the Shechinah in Galus (exile)?
 

For “G-d’s words created Heaven.”

(Words are “source code” of creation / matter.) One must use all their words for the sake of G-d. 

It is necessary to rouse the speech through which G-d made the world, so that this (His) speech should spread to all the universes.

However, now through our many sins, all peoples’ speech are about physical pleasure, and even the words used in Torah and Prayer are filled with distracting thoughts and ulterior motives – and therefore the speech is in Exile.

98 Breishis- Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

• P (MM) Speech – Elevating
  
  

The Baal Shem Tov said: Why is the Shechinah in Galus/Exile?

For all words come from her – as such words should be used for serving G-d and instead we use them for physicality, pleasure, and lies.

99 Breishis- Baal Shem Tov on the Torah

• PR (MM) Prayer – Self-Inspired
  
  

If a person is suddenly roused by a Divine inspiration towards a great love for G-d – without any personal effort – this is not a good sign at all.
 
The Baal Shem Tov says we need to ask G-d that we should come to Him through our inspiration, not through a gift of inspiration from beyond. 

For in such a circumstance, there is the attribute of Din (negative judgment.)

The Baal Shem Tov said that He was told from Heaven that the reason why Moshiach is delayed is because we don’t properly rouse ourselves to love G-d during the Ahava Rabbah prayer.  In other words, revel not in an inspiration (spirituality…) which comes as a gift from Above, rather we need to work hard at it! 

For intentionality in G-dliness – sensing the greatness of G-d and hence the desire to serve – creates the result of unlimited dedication (as it comes from within the person’s personal consciousness and choice).

{Work hard on concentrating and rousing a love for G-d in prayer, and especially during Ahava Rabba.}
 

Note 66 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah