In the coming days, with arrival of Mashiach

Sefer Shemot is a grand journey that takes us from the depths of Egyptian servitude to the construction of the Mishkan wherein Hashem’s Schechinah was revealed to the entire Jewish people. Parashat Pekudei concludes Sefer Shemot and provides Rabbeinu Bahya ben Asher with the platform to share his vision of the ultimate future that awaits the Jewish people.

His presentation begins with a passage based on Midrash Tanchuma:

The Holy One blessed be He said: “In this world, I caused my Schechinah to dwell among you in the Beit HaMikdash; [yet,] as a result of your purposeful sins, it departed from you. In the time of the Mashiach (literally, l’atid lavo,) my Shechinah will never move away from you. As the text states: ‘I have placed My holy dwelling place in your midst, and My spirit will never reject you…and you will be My people.” (Vayikra 26:11-12)

Rabbeinu Bahya presents nine constitutive aspects of l’atid lavo. This analysis includes the reinvigoration of our relationship with Hashem, the transformation of all humankind, and the realization of the promised role of the Jewish people.

According to Rabbeinu Bahya, the time of the Mashiach will mark three dynamic changes in our connection to Hashem: Nevuah will return to the Jewish people as in earlier times, the Schechinah will return to its rightful place in the soon-to-be-rebuilt Beit HaMikdash, and wisdom from above (shefa chochmah) will overflow, enabling all of klal Yisrael to fully acquire Hashem’s holy Torah.

Moreover, three crucial transformations will impact all humankind: the study and practice of warfare will cease (Yeshayahu 2:4), new hearts (proper moral principles and ethical behaviors) will replace hearts of stone (Yechezkel 36:26), and the desire to pursue evil will vanish from the world (ain satan v’ain yetzer hara).

• • •

In Rabbeinu Bahya’s schema, the realization of the promised role of the Jewish people comprises the third aspect of the Geulah Shlaimah. As glory and honor returns to our nation, Hashem’s hashgacha (Divine Providence) will reach its highest heights, and His majesty, revealed unhidden by the Anan (Cloud of Gory) will be directly visible to us all.

Rabbeinu Bahya concludes his eschatological vision with a stirring pasuk from Sefer Yeshayahu that underscores this new level of revelation:

The voice of your watchmen shall be raised in unison, and they shall sing together, for eye to eye they shall see when Hashem returns to Tzion. (52:8)

May this time come soon and in our days, when we will witness the fulfillment of Zechariah’s famous words: “And Hashem shall become King over the entire earth; on that day Hashem shall be one and His name one.” (14:9). V’chane yihi ratzon.