Chapter 2

Talmud Yerushalmi1 and the Midrash2 state: “Rabbi Elisa says: The Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt due to the following five matters: a) distress, b) teshuvah, c) the merit of the Patriarchs, d) mercy, e) keitz, the appointed time [for ending the exile had arrived]… So too will the redemption from the final exile come about due to these five matters. We know that it will be due to ‘distress,’ for the verse states:3 ‘When you shall be in a state of distress.’ The verse goes on to say: ‘And you will return unto G-d, your L-rd,’ indicating teshuvah. [The next verse states:]4 ‘For G-d your L-rd is merciful’ thus indicating mercy, [and concludes:] ‘And He will not forget the bond He made with your forefathers,’ i.e. the merit of the Patriarchs. Earlier on, the verse also states: ‘And the events shall come to pass during the latter days’ alluding to the keitz.”

To more fully explain these five matters:

a) Distress comes because, wherever the Jewish people will be during the exile, they will always feel oppressed and downtrodden. This is true even of those who will be wealthy and enjoy the physical pleasures of life, being close to the regime in power and honored by the country’s rulers. For the rulers only “seem like friends when it is for their own benefit.”5

b) Teshuvah is a result of the mighty and stern hand of G-d, who imposes all the reprimands and punishments foretold [in the Torah]. Ultimately this must and will bring Jews to teshuvah, as the Gemara6 states: “G-d will make rule a person whose decrees will be as evil as Haman’s. This will lead Jews to return to the good and proper path and do teshuvah, and then they will be redeemed.”

Two kinds of conduct lead to teshuvah. It is analogous to a father dealing with a misbehaving child. First the father acts kindly, hoping this will influence the child to forsake his evil ways and conduct himself properly, listening to and obeying his father’s will. Should this method prove unsuccessful, the father then deals harshly with his son, punishing himfiercely, until the child regrets his previous evil behavior and begins to conduct himself according to his father’s will.

There is no need to dwell on the analogue at length, for it is exceedingly clear. It is only necessary to remind and warn those who, together with their families and possessions, have remained thank G-d untouched by the bitter punishment. Such people should not think that they have already been saved or that teshuvah is not necessary. The Rambam states:7 “All the prophets have prophesied concerning teshuvah, for the Jewish people will be redeemed through teshuvah. The Torah has promised that the end of the bitter exile will lead Jews to teshuvah, and then they will be redeemed.”

c) The merit of the Patriarchs: Though teshuvah is most important, we still must have [as one of the matters that will bring the Redemption] the merit of the Patriarchs.

d) Mercy: Aside from the merit of the Patriarchs, we must also be granted [Divine] mercy.

e) The “keitz,” or appointed time: In the final days of exile, when Jews must be redeemed [for the appointed time has arrived], the Redemption shall come about only through teshuvah and the merit of the Patriarchs coupled with much mercy. This, after all, is the reason for all our anguish, [that it lead to teshuvah, and] that through teshuvah we will merit salvation.8

This then is the meaning of the verse: “And a redeemer shall come to Tziyon, and to those in Yaakov who repent of [their] transgression….”

In summary: The Talmud Yerushalmi and the Midrash enumerate the five things necessary for our complete redemption. Distress Jews in all countries will feel oppressed and downtrodden. Teshuvah a misbehaving child who fails to change for the better despite his father’s affection will mend his ways when severely punished. Even those that have not been punished must do teshuvah. In the final days of exile, the merit of the Patriarchs and Divine mercy will be awakened, so that Jews will understand the underlying meaning of all their suffering. They will then do teshuvah, and this will bring the righteous redeemer.