Kvar Haya Le'olamim

Kvar Haya Le'olamim (Already Existed in Past Eras) is a Torah expression, from King Solomon's statement in Kohelet about things that appear as if "See, this is new," but the truth is that "it has already existed in past eras." In Chassidic teachings, this expression also serves as a definition of the world's state during the Geulah (Redemption), as a condition that already existed during the Giving of the Torah through the revelation of G-dliness in the world.

Regarding the specific matters to which this expression applies, meaning that a state similar to the world during Geulah already existed in the past - this is only "something similar." In the future Redemption, there will be innovations that have never been seen before and in an eternal manner.

Source of the Expression in Relation to Geulah

The Alter Rebbe writes in Tanya Chapter 36 that the Divine revelation that will occur in the Messianic Era is not a complete innovation, since something similar to this promise already occurred at the Giving of the Torah:

"And something like this already existed in the past at the time of the Giving of the Torah, as it is written, 'You were shown to know that Hashem is G-d, there is nothing else besides Him.' 'Shown' literally means through physical sight, as it is written, 'And all the people saw the sounds' - they saw what is normally heard. Our Sages explained that they looked eastward and heard the voice proclaiming 'I am, etc.'" — Likkutei Amarim, Chapter 36

The Rebbe explains that the future revelation of the "dew of revival" refers to the revelation of Ohr HaSovev (the Encompassing Light), and this revelation "already existed in past eras" during the Giving of the Torah (when the souls of the Jewish people departed and the Holy One revived them with the dew of revival). Since then, this revelation has been drawn into the world, and when the dead are resurrected, it will be revealed in its completeness.

The main use of this expression relates to the revelation of G-dliness during Geulah, but in the Rebbe's teachings, this expression is also found in connection with the prophecies of Geulah.

Kvar Haya Le'olamim in the General State of the World

Several times since the creation of the world, the state of the world has resembled the state during the time of Geulah, primarily including Noah's Ark during the flood, the Exodus from Egypt, the Giving of the Torah, and the kingdom of Solomon.

It Has Already Happened in the Prophecies of Redemption

Birth Rate Speed

• At the beginning of creation with Adam and Eve, birth happened immediately. In the future redemption, this will occur in an even more elevated manner.
• Similarly, before the flood, a woman would give birth on the same day she conceived.

Fruit-bearing Trees

• At the beginning of creation, all trees (even non-fruit bearing trees) produced fruit.
• When the world was created, even the trunk of the tree was meant to be edible.

Speed of Growth

• Near Miriam's well, trees with fruits grew.
• The flowering, blossoming and almonds on Aaron's staff.
• The growth of the carob tree near the cave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
• The miraculous growth of the kikayon plant for the prophet Jonah.

With the Clouds of Heaven

• The Clouds of Glory during the exodus from Egypt.
• Moses sent messengers on the Clouds of Glory to Calabria to bring etrogim from there.
• When Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa wanted to bring a special stone with him on his pilgrimage to the Bet Hamikdash, five (Angels that seemed like) 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.

The Wolf Will Dwell with the Lamb

• At the beginning of creation, before the sin of the Tree of Knowledge.
• The peace among the animals that were in Noah's ark during the flood and the change in nature of the predatory animals.
• At the giving of the Torah, the revelation of Godliness in the world affected the state of animals, when "birds did not chirp and oxen did not moo."

The Nations of the World in the Time of Redemption

• In the days of King Solomon's kingdom, there was a situation similar to redemption regarding the nations of the world (and in Chassidic terminology: "keima sihara b'ashlamuta" - similar to "the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun").

Techiyat HaMeytim - Resurrection of the Dead

• After the souls of the Jewish people departed at the giving of the Torah, the Holy One, blessed be He, restored them through the dew of Torah.
• The son of the Zarephath woman through Elijah the Prophet.
• The son of one of the wives of the prophets' disciples through Elisha the Prophet.
• The vision of the dry bones through Ezekiel the Prophet.

Healing the Sick in Redemption

• At the time of the giving of the Torah, all the sick were healed. In the redemption, the healing of the sick will be eternal.
• The healing of Moses from his leprosy.
• The healing of Naaman, commander of the king of Aram's army, from his leprosy through Elisha the Prophet. And more.

What Practical Difference Does This Make

Since these things have already occurred in the world, they have already been drawn into the parameters of the world ("l'olamim") - time and space, and this gives the power for it to happen in the future redemption. There isn't even a need to create something new, since it has already happened, and therefore it is easier for this thing to return and happen again, as the Gemara states: "Those who never existed - live, those who already existed - how much more so?! (Those who never existed before - are created and born and live, those who already existed - all the more so they return and live)."

And also when we know that this has already happened, it strengthens our faith, that just as it has already happened, so too will it happen again.

We Want Complete Redemption

And most importantly, the Jewish people are not satisfied with all the revelations that have already occurred, but rather want a new revelation that has never happened before.