For this purpose the Holy One, blessed be He, gave Israel the Torah which is called "might" and "strength" [for it gives us strength to receive such revelation, without being overwhelmed by it], and as our Rabbis say, [5] that G-d gives tzaddikim the strength to receive their reward in the World to Come;

[Why is this "strength" necessary?]

So that their existence should not dissolve within the divine light that will reveal itself in the hereafter without any garment, as it is written: [6] "And your Teacher will no longer hide (Yikanef) from you ( [7] meaning - [not as some interpret the verse: "He will no longer withhold (Yikanef) your reins (Morecha)," but, following Rashi] "He will no longer conceal Himself from you with the edge of a robe or garment (Kanaf)"), and your eyes will behold Your Teacher"; and it is also written: [8] "For they shall see eye to eye...," [meaning that the human eye will see as the divine "eye" sees, i.e., we will clearly see the revelation of G-d's light]; and it is further written: [9] "The sun shall no longer be your light by day,... for G-d will be your eternal light."

[The strength to receive this light, which will shine forth in the World to Come without "garment" or concealment, we derive from our present study of the Torah.

The Alter Rebbe stated earlier that the purpose of the entire Hishtalshelut is the revelation of Ein Sof-light in this world, which occurs when the darkness of the kelipot of this world is transformed into the light of holiness.

But, one may ask, this revelation will take place only in the hereafter; at present the Ein Sof-light is completely hidden!

The Alter Rebbe replies that, indeed, the Messianic era constitutes the purpose for which this world was created].

It is known that the Messianic era, especially the period after the resurrection of the dead, is indeed the ultimate purpose and the fulfillment of this world. It is for this [purpose] that [this world] was originally created. *

* NOTE

[At first glance this statement appears strange: One would have thought that the Messianic era represents, not the purpose of creation, but the reward for man's efforts toward fulfilling that purpose. The Alter Rebbe therefore clarifies]:

The [time of] receiving the reward is essentially in the seventh millennium, as is stated in Likkutei Torah of the AriZal (Rabbi Isaac Luria, of blessed memory), whereas the period until then constitutes the fulfillment of the world's purpose.

END OF NOTE

   

Notes:

5. (Back to text) Sanhedrin 100b.

6. (Back to text) Yeshayahu 30:20.

7. (Back to text) Parentheses are in the original text. \em.\en.

8. (Back to text) Yeshayahu 52:8.

9. (Back to text) Ibid. 60:19.