Editing Galus (Exile) (section)

== The Geulah as the Purpose and Inner Dimension of Exile ==
It is explained in Chassidus that although exile represents a great descent and concealment of G-d's face, in truth this concealment is not absolute. This is because the purpose of exile is preparation for the great ascent of the Geulah. Moreover, exile itself constitutes a stage in the ascent; it is not merely preparation, but within it are revealed sublime revelations, and its characteristics are a result of this revelation. However, this is only the "inner dimension" of exile, while in its revealed state, exile is a descent and concealment of G-d's face (the reason being that these revelations are not drawn down openly in this physical world and will be revealed in the complete Geulah).

This explains why regarding the moment of destruction, our Sages said: "Reish Lakish said: When the gentiles entered the Sanctuary, they saw the cherubim embracing each other" - a state indicating closeness and revelation of Hakadosh Baruch Hu to the Jewish people, in complete contrast to the revealed situation at that time. This is because the inner content of exile is preparation and the beginning of the revelations that will occur in the Geulah, and in the Holy of Holies shone the true essence of the destruction and exile, which is the revelation of the deepest connection between the Jewish people and Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and therefore this matter shone there openly. Thus, at the moment of destruction, when the sublime divine light was drawn down, similar to our Sages' statement: "A man is obligated to be intimate with his wife when he sets out on a journey," this matter was visibly revealed in the Holy of Holies. And since then, as a result of this, throughout all the days of exile this revelation has continued to increase (like the development of a fetus in its mother's womb, which continues after conception) until it will be openly revealed in the complete Geulah (birth).

In this way, the Midrash that states that on the day of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, Moshiach was born is also explained - the first moment of destruction immediately brought with it the beginning of the process of redemption, which is the true purpose of the destruction (like "demolishing in order to build").

==== Metaphors on the Subject ====
Several metaphors are presented in Chassidus that illustrate the descent in external appearance that internally constitutes a great ascent:

'''Sowing''' - Just as when a seed is sown, it is buried in the earth and decays, but through this grows much more - so too the service of the Jewish people in exile is the sowing that brings about the growth of redemption.

'''Commerce''' - Just as a merchant disperses all his money in order to achieve a much greater profit, so too the dispersion of the Jewish people in exile is in order to achieve the great profit of redemption.

'''Influence from teacher to student''' - When a teacher instructs his student, there may be a situation where a new and profound idea occurs to the teacher. In order to properly convey this idea to the student, he must stop the flow of teaching and influence to the student, and concentrate on absorbing the new idea that has come to his mind. The deeper the idea, the longer the pause in transmission; but this pause in influence is external, and in truth, it demonstrates the teacher's love for the student and desire to convey the deeper concept to him.

'''A father hiding from his son''' - Sometimes a father hides from his son in order to arouse the son to search for him. The son must understand that this concealment is not real, but that the father is with him. When he understands this, he searches for the father and finds him again - and then the love between them grows even stronger.

'''Birth''' - The days of exile are compared to the nine months of pregnancy. And birth to redemption.

==== The Work of Revealing the Inner Essence of Exile ====
In light of the above, Chassidic teachings explain that this itself is a primary task of the Jewish people in exile: to recognize that exile is nothing but a more elevated revelation, and to uncover its true inner essence - and automatically, the redemption is revealed.

This concept is also hinted at in the name of '''Geulah''' (redemption) - which contains the same letters as the word '''Golah''' (exile), with just the addition of an Aleph:

Since exile in its inner essence is a more elevated divine revelation - therefore redemption does not '''nullify''' exile, but rather introduces and reveals the Aleph - the Chief of the world, the Holy One Blessed be He - within the Golah-exile. All the positive elements that exist in exile will remain in the redemption, except that their true inner essence will be revealed - how they reveal the glory of the Holy One Blessed be He in the world.

[For this reason, the Rambam emphasizes that the purpose of Melech HaMoshiach is not to perform signs and wonders, and the purpose of redemption is not to change the nature of the world; in this he intends to emphasize the above idea - that redemption penetrates within exile and reveals its positive inner essence, without "breaking" and nullifying it through the disruption of the natural order.]