Avodat HaGalut

This article discusses the Avodat HaGalut (work of exile) through which the Geulah (redemption) will come.

The Work in Galut

In Chassidic teachings, it is explained that the purpose of Galut is that through our work within it - "our deeds and our service throughout the duration of Galut" - we refine the world in preparation for the Geulah and draw down the revelation of G-dly light of the Geulah. This G-dly light is drawn into the world through each and every action in the service of the Jewish people, although it is not revealed - and in the Geulah, all the divine influences that were accomplished through the service of the Jewish people in Galut will be fully revealed.

This idea is also expressed in the name of Geulah (redemption), which contains the same letters as the word "Golah" (exile), just with the addition of the letter Alef. Through the service of the Jewish people to draw down and reveal within Galut and concealment the letter Alef - which symbolizes the Alufo Shel Olam (Master of the World), Hakadosh Baruch Hu - the Geulah automatically arrives. The Geulah is not a breaking and nullification of Galut, but rather, the revelation of the true essence of Galut - and this is accomplished through the service of the Jewish people.

The Advantage of the Work in Galut

Since all the revelations that will exist in the future come through our service in Galut, this teaches us that there is an advantage in our deeds and service compared to the future time, because they cause the revelations, and that which causes is stronger.

The explanation of the advantage in the service during Galut, that specifically it has the power to bring about the perfect revelation of the Geulah - is because specifically in a time when there are concealments and obstacles to G-dly light, and it is more difficult to serve Hashem, precisely then the deeper powers of the Jewish people are revealed, powers that can overcome even the darkness of Galut.

This is the difference between service during Galut and service during the time of the Beit Hamikdash: when the Beit Hamikdash existed and G-dliness shone openly, one could feel the holiness even in one's human faculties, and understand and grasp Hakadosh Baruch Hu with one's intellect. Therefore, the service then was through a person's own existence. This is not the case during Galut, when one cannot grasp and feel G-dliness openly, then the Jew's service is on a level that transcends reason and knowledge, through the power of Mesirut Nefesh (self-sacrifice). Specifically this service that transcends a person's powers and existence, through Mesirut Nefesh, reaches and reveals much higher levels of G-dliness - and therefore it is this that reveals the unlimited revelations that will exist in the Geulah.

Le'Asid Lavo (In the Future)

In the future - after Moshiach comes - the Jewish people will long for the exile and regret not utilizing the days of exile properly for divine service as required.

Similarly, when Moshiach comes, he will thank each Jew for their work and actions during exile toward bringing the redemption.

The Exodus from Egypt will still be mentioned even during the redemption in order to maintain this advantage - iskafya and is'hapcha - that existed during exile.

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The Required Work in Exile

Several explanations have been given regarding the work required of the Jewish people while in exile, which when completed will allow the redemption to come:

Avodat HaBirurim (Work of Refinement)

Expanded entry – Avodat HaBirurim

On the statement of our Sages - "The Holy One, blessed be He, exiled Israel among the nations only so that converts would be added to them" - Chassidic teachings explain that this is not only to be understood literally (since not many converts were added during the years of exile that would justify the entire descent into exile). Rather, the meaning of "converts" refers to the sparks of holiness that were scattered throughout the world and in physical things. Through the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the world, they refine and elevate the sparks of holiness in each and every place, so that at the completion of this work, the entire world becomes worthy and ready for redemption.

Teshuvah (Repentance)

It is stated in the Gemara "All the predestined dates [for redemption] have passed, and the matter depends only on teshuvah." And so the Rambam ruled "The Torah has promised that Israel will ultimately repent at the end of their exile, and immediately they will be redeemed."

In Chassidus, the reason why the work of teshuvah is necessary before the redemption is explained: a. Because in the future, evil will be nullified, and therefore there is a need to nullify evil from the human perspective. b. Because through teshuvah, we draw down the unlimited divine light that will be revealed in the redemption.

The reason why specifically teshuvah brings about the revelation of the redemption, and good deeds alone are not sufficient - is because teshuvah involves transforming evil into good. And specifically in transforming evil to good there is innovation that doesn't exist in regular service - like the metaphor of a talking bird, which brings greater pleasure than a person who speaks. And precisely this innovation will bring about the revelation of the great pleasure that will be revealed in the future.

Nullifying the Cause of Exile

In the Gemara it is stated that the cause of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash was due to baseless hatred that existed within it. Accordingly, the Rebbe frequently encouraged that we should increase in Ahavat Yisrael and baseless love, which serves as a rectification for the cause of exile; and when the cause of exile is nullified, the exile itself will automatically be nullified and the Third Beit Hamikdash will be built.

Spreading the Wellsprings

On Rosh Hashanah 5507 (1746), the Baal Shem Tov ascended spiritually to the chamber of Moshiach, and asked, "When will the master come?" Moshiach replied, "When your wellsprings (the teachings of Chassidut) spread outward."

In light of this, our Rebbeim engaged in spreading the wellsprings to every place in the world, with this work intensifying from generation to generation. In the seventh generation, the Rebbe emphasized this work especially as the primary service of our generation, which is the "gateway" to all other matters. "Spreading the wellsprings" includes spreading Judaism in general, but primarily spreading the teachings of Chassidut.

The War of the House of David

The Rebbe Rashab, in a special talk to the Temimim students, explained the statement of our Sages, "Anyone who goes out to the war of the House of David writes a bill of divorce to his wife," and explained that this is the role of the Temimim - soldiers of the House of David - to fight against those "who have scorned the footsteps of your Moshiach" and to defeat them.

Completion of the Exile's Work

Since the end of the "Mem" years (5740s/1980s), the Rebbe gradually began to announce the completion of more and more details of the work required in exile: the completion of the work of refinements, doing teshuvah, the victory in the war of the House of David, rectifying the cause of exile, and generally: the completion of all "our deeds and service throughout the duration of exile." Accordingly, the Rebbe explained many times that the work now is not part of the work in exile to bring about the redemption, but rather work to open our eyes and begin to live in accordance with the era of redemption.

See Also

• Exile
• Completion of the Exile's Work
• Polishing the Buttons