"Varu Im Ananei Shmaya" - And Behold With the Clouds of Heaven

The illustration shows clouds above 770, with the text of the redemption purpose appearing on them: "Varu Im Ananey Shmaya".

"Varu im ananei shmaya" (And behold with the clouds of heaven) refers to Melech HaMashiach (King Messiah), who will appear with the clouds of heaven.

In the Sources

Melech HaMashiach

"Varu im ananei shmaya k'bar enash ateh havah" — Daniel 7:13

Translation: And behold, with the clouds of heaven, ("like a son of man" -) Melech HaMashiach arrived.

Ananei Shmaya or Donkey - Reconciling the Contradiction According to Nigleh

From this source, we indeed see that Melech HaMashiach will appear with the clouds. However, there is also a verse that implies he will appear with his donkey, describing him as "poor and riding on a donkey," not with clouds.

The Gemara explains that if Bnei Yisrael are in a state of "zachu" (meritorious), then the Geulah (redemption) will come swiftly in a manner of "achishenah" (I will hasten it), and then he will appear on the clouds of heaven. And in case Bnei Yisrael have "lo zachu" (not merited), then he will appear with a donkey.

Reconciling the Contradiction According to Chassidus

The content of the Gemara's resolution to the contradiction between the two verses ("behold with the clouds of heaven" and "poor and riding on a donkey") is that in the days of Mashiach there will be two aspects: (a) The effect on the divine soul, "l'ishtaava b'gufa d'malka" (to be absorbed in the body of the king) in the ultimate way, which is the concept of "behold with the clouds of heaven," (b) The effect on the body - which on its own is in a state of "lo zachu" - that it will be elevated even higher than the level of "yechidah" of the soul, which is the concept of "riding on a donkey."

These two verses are also connected to two modes of divine service - the service of tzaddikim and the service of baalei teshuvah: The service of tzaddikim - "chasid me'ikaro" (righteous from the beginning), who has never sinned, and is initially refined ("zachu") - whose conduct is in the manner of "behold with the clouds of heaven," who proceed and ascend from one elevation to another, but this is still not the ultimate elevation; and the service of baalei teshuvah - who on their own are in a state of "lo zachu," but through the service of Torah and mitzvos they become higher than complete tzaddikim, since they possess the aspect of "riding on a donkey."

Bnei Yisrael

The Rebbe says that in fact, Hashem will perform a miracle for all Bnei Yisrael and give them the ability to "fly" with the clouds that will carry the Jews toward the Geulah, similar to what is written "varu im ananei shmaya" regarding Melech HaMashiach. And they will not need to come by "trains" or "planes" G-d forbid.

Batei Knesiyot U'Batei Midrashot (Synagogues and Study Halls)

Expanded topic - Future synagogues and study halls to be established in Eretz Yisrael

Also, all synagogues and study halls, and all Chabad Houses, will be established in Eretz Yisrael.

On Every Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh

In the future era, the Jewish people will ascend to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem every Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh (New Moon), as it is stated: "And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Shabbat to another, all flesh shall come to bow down before Me, says Hashem."

And how will they come on Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat from the ends of the earth? The clouds will come and carry them, bringing them to Jerusalem, and they will pray there in the morning. This is what the prophet praises them for: "Who are these that fly like a cloud?"

According to this, the Rebbe also proves that it's possible for the Redemption to arrive on Shabbat without concern for the prohibition of "techumin" (Shabbat boundary limits), since "there are no boundary restrictions above ten tefachim" (handbreadths).

It Has Already Happened in History

Expanded topic – It Has Already Happened in History

• The Clouds of Glory during the Exodus from Egypt.
• Moshe Rabbeinu sent messengers on the Clouds of Glory to Calabria to bring etrogim from there.
• When Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa wanted to bring up a special stone for the pilgrimage, five porters appeared who helped him carry it on condition that he would also place his little finger on it, and in an instant he reached his destination.

Our Actions and Service

Spiritual service - from above to below - brings about "with the clouds of heaven," while material service - from below to above - brings about "a poor man riding on a donkey."

Through the service of zerizut (alacrity/swiftness).

Even when undesirable winds blow, a Jew has the power to transform the situation for good - matters of heaven. An example of this is that in earlier times and in the present time, one can harness the power of wind to create "active force" in order to operate a machine that provides light in the home.