Kosher Bookworm: Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Teachings: "The Great Unification: Balance of Genders"

He was one of the all time greats in Jewish thought and theology. Although a mystic he was venerated by non-mystics.

According to Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, one of the first to translate his teachings, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto [Ramchal] “was one of the most brilliant thinkers of the past several centuries…his depth of thought and systematic mind are evident in all his works.

Furthermore, Rabbi Kaplan makes note of the following:

“Over two hundred years ago, the famed Vilna Gaon declared that the Ramchal had the most profound understanding of Judaism that any mortal human could attain. He furthermore stated that if Luzzatto were alive in his generation, he would go by foot from Vilna to Italy to sit at his feet and learn from him.”

The Ramchal was the author of numerous books, all classics in Jewish thought, detailing his take on Jewish mystical , theological, and ethical teachings.

Recently Feldheim Publishers, the main publisher of Luzzatto’s work in English reissued a revised edition of one of Luzzatto’s least known works, “Secrets of the Redemption: Ma’amar HaGeulah” with a translation and detailed commentary by Rabbi Mordechai Nissim.

This work of close to three hundred pages goes into great detail on the Ramchal’s teaching on the Redemption and all that goes with our anticipation of the “end of days”, the geulah and the coming of Mashiach, the messiah.

Much of what the Ramchal teaches in this work is a distillation of classic Jewish thought on this subject presented in concise language that is further explicated by Rabbi Nissim with the appropriate footnoting as well as scriptural citations to help the reader better understand some of the most complicated concepts.

In a book full of exciting teachings that, given the events of our day speak to us directly with breathtaking relevance, there was one section, Discourse Two: Eretz Yisrael, that for this writer proved to be the most fascinating teaching in this whole book of fascinating teachings.

In part three of this Discourse, entitled, “The Great Unification: Balance of Genders” Rabbi Nissim , in his commentary states the following teaching and observation that deserves your attention :