Moshiach and the Purpose of Creation - Looking forward to ultimate reality

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Moshiach and the Purpose of Creation: Looking forward to ultimate reality

Do we anticipate the coming of Moshiach just to make ourselves feel better, or to align ourselves with the true and ultimate purpose for which the world was created?

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By Shimona Tzukernik

Shimona Tzukernik is the creator of The Method, a therapeutic application of Kabbalah for individuals and corporations seeking spiritually based transformation. Known as “The Kabbalah Coach,” she has counseled hundreds of individuals, and now offers coaching certification in The Method. She is also an internationally recognized speaker and author for the Rohr JLI. Shimona has been featured in media around the world including a documentary by National Geographic and NickMom’s “Take Me to your Mother.”

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27 Comments

Nathan China March 3, 2021

This is the best thing I have seen in a while. Blessings be upon you in the name of the most High Reply

perplexed talmid new york November 6, 2016

What about Daniel? Well certainly the prophet Daniel wouldn't agree with you about the nature of Mashiach. In Daniel 7 we can read:

Dan 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (14) And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

The first strange point is: how can a human being can come in the clouds? Not very likely. Secondly, it says that it will be given dominion to this "one like bar enosh" that will never pass "shilton leolam". And a very simbolic word is used, iflejun, which implies worship. This special "person" has to live for a long, very long, time in order to fulfill the prophecy.

Please explain how this can be said about a Mashiach that doesn't share divine character Reply

Mendel Adelman May 25, 2017

in response to perplexed talmid:

I think Daniel would agree entirely.

A person, who is the son of man (clearly human, born from a human father), is coming on clouds in a vision. How is that a proof of the Divinity of that person?

Moses performed all sorts of miracles that are impossible for a normal human, but they do not make him Divine. Flying on clouds is not on the list of parameters for a Divine being. Quite the opposite. He seems like a human with miraculous powers.

Secondly, the verse says (Isaiah 25:8) "he will swallow up death forever". That means that one of the aspects of the coming of Moshiach is eternal life for all people. Moshiach won't be the only one living forever, so will all of us!

Beyond that, the concept is not found only in regards to Moshiach. David's kingship will also last forever. (Ezekiel 37:25) "and My servant David shall be their prince forever". That obviously refers to a Davidic dynasty, not the person himself. So the dominion of Moshiach can be eternal through his children. Reply

Perplexed Talmid San Pedro Garza Garcia January 22, 2021

in response to Mendel Adelman:

The thing is that this like bar enosh not only walks in the clouds but is invited to seat in the throne, side by side to the Ancient of Days:
Dan 7:9 I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was as white snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.

One thing that troubled the ancient rabbis was that thrones (in plural) were established and they wondered why in plural. Reply

Devorah - on UTube and Twitter UK February 17, 2016

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org Thank u so much for your carefully considered reply.

I think perhaps the problem is the semantics of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakis words. “And the spirit of G-d hovered”, this is the spirit of King Messiah, as it is written “And the spirit of the G-d shall rest upon him (Isaiah 11:2).”

There is not a clear enough distinction between The Spirit of G-D that is hovering and then saying that this Spirit of G-D that is hovering is the Spirit of Moshiach.

The Spirit that is hovering surely is not the Spirit of Moshiach but the Spirit of G-D, because as you said the Spirit of G-D hovered over King Saul too.

The Tenach never talks of the Spirit of G-D as the Spirit of Saul. So why talk of the Spirit of Messiah?

A misleading sentence construction.

Possibly the Rabbi did not realize that his words would be misconstrued. I think this is what happened. As happens with the best of us he meant to express one thing and it came out back to front!

Thank you again for replying. It is appreciated. Reply

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org January 28, 2016

Re: Spirit of G-d If we look at this statement in its original context, a lot of the misunderstandings will melt away on their own.

This was originally said by Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish and recorded in Midrash Genesis Rabah (2:4). Look a bit later in the same text and you’ll see Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish also saying that this “hovering spirit” is a reference to the spirit of Adam.”

Obviously no one is making the claim that Adam was divine, and the same holds true about Moshiach.

So what does he mean? Again, a little context goes a long way.

The Midrash expounds the entire verse of Genesis 1:2 as hinting to the four kingdoms that will subjugate the Jews until the messianic era. Here is the text with some parts removed for the sake of clarity:

Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: “The earth was unformed”, this is Babylonian exile . . . “And void”, this is the Median exile . . . “And darkness”, this is the Greek exile . . . “Upon the face of the abyss”, this is the exile by the wicked state [Edom] . . . “And the spirit of G-d hovered”, this is the spirit of King Messiah, as it is written “And the spirit of the G-d shall rest upon him (Isaiah 11:2).”

Well what is this spirit of G-d? We need to look no further than the proof text in Isaiah 11: “And the spirit of the G-d shall rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and heroism, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the G-d.”

As you can read clearly, the person upon whom this spirit of G-d shall rest is not G-d. Otherwise, why would he be filled with the fear of G-d? Should he fear himself?

Also note that this "spirit of G-d" is in no way unique to the Moshiach. For example the Torah uses the same words with regards to Bezalel who was chosen to build the tabernacle in the desert (Exodus 31:3) and with King Saul (Samuel I 16:23).

Just like these men were not divine, neither will the Moshiach be. Reply

Sophia October 20, 2015

How is it Yocheved could be born at the just before the people entered mitzraim. And also give birth to Moshe, if the people were in mitzraim for over 200 years and people were not living past 120 years? Reply

Shoshana UK October 19, 2015

Rabbis I am surprised that so many Rabbis have put their name to this video bearing in mind that in it it was stated that the Spirit of G-D is the Spirit of the Moshiach. This is a very dangerous statement to make bearing in mind the religion of Christianity & Jews for Jesus who believes, evangelizes that the Messiah who they believe is Jesus is divine.

This video could well turn out to bite all these Rabbis in the tochus as Jews for Jesus use it to support it to support their belief in the validity of the belief in Jesus as the Moshiach.

The Jewish worldwide community has enough of a problem with Jews forsaking Judaism for the religion, the theology of Christianity which propogates the message that the Moshiach is meant to be divine, thereby it is legitimate for a Jew to believe in Jesus.

Jews for Judaism are working day & night to rescue their people from this worldwide dominant belief that the Moshiach is divine, that it is not idolartry to worship Jesus. Please don't muddy the waters! Reply

Yona Rivka Kimelman Chicago November 3, 2020

in response to Shoshana:

Chassidus teaches us how “Ain od milvado” - there is nothing aside from Him. Thus everything in existence is nothing other than Hashem, the difference being the decree to which that creation reveals G-dliness. By Moshiach and the loftiest of tzaddikim, the nullification of self to G-d is so complete that in looking at them, we are seeing a veritable manifestation of G-d here in this world. Moshiach will help every Jew who strives to be one with G-d to achieve it. I’m sorry if this sounds not Jewish, but these truths are found throughout Chassidus. So the only thing that the Christians mistook is that not only is the Jew they follow a “son” of G-d, but Moshiach will reveal how G-dliness is in fact the essence of every Jew. Reply

Chana UK October 19, 2015

Worrying The concept of the Moshiach presented here smacks of Christianity It speaks of the Moshiach as being 'the Spirit of G-D'. This is turning a human being into G-D or G-D into a human being to become the Moshiach. It elevates the person of the Moshiach to a divine level

This is blasphermous.

It is G-D who is our G-D and G-D who we put our hope in not the Moshiach.

Our yearning should be for G-D only and for no other. If we yearn for another we become idolarters.

The ideas in this video although on first hearing sound spiritual and true are on reflection an anathema to the basic tenants of Judaism.

There is only One G-D.

The Moshiach is only a human being who has not been created yes and when he does he will come 'from dust' just as you and I do. The Moshiach does not live in the Spirit of G-D. If you believe the Moshiach lives in the Spirit of G-D then you are like a Christian! And you don't want that!
Reply

Angel Pomona January 20, 2021

in response to Chana:

If you don't yearn for moshiach you contradict the amidah Reply

Devorah uk October 19, 2015

Moshiach - Divine or Not Divine That is The Question Will the Jewish community please make its mind up! Is the Moshaich expected to be divine or not?

From this lecture it appears yes the Moshiach is expected to be divine. Qoute" The Spirit of G-D is the Spirit of Messiah".

May I remind you that according to Judaism Hashem does not take flesh. And may I also remind you of the Shema too. The L-rd our G-D is One. I repeat one. We Jews do not divide G-D up in case you have forgotten!

This video is misleading people to believe/expect that the Moshiach will be divine. If he is divine that means he will be G-D.

Now who does that remind you of?

I have just renounced Jesus as the Messiah after 42 years of believing in him and believing he was divine. Now I hear a video implying that the Moshiach will be divine!

Who is the meshugana here? Not me. I've come to my senses!

Hebrew and Christian scholars are agreed that there are only 10-14 Messianic passages in the Tenach and none of them include any part of the creation story in Genesis. Reply

Winterblossom uk October 19, 2015

Sounds like John's Gospel in the New Testament! The analogy made of the Spirit of G-D being the Spirit of the Moshiach sounds not dissimilar to John's Gospel in the New Testament.

This Gospel starts with the theme of creation and tries to show/explain that JC is the promised 'light coming into the world', being one with G-D.

I think we are on shaky ground here. We have to be very very careful in not getting carried away with fanciful notions. The fanciful notion that G-D who we know is one, although when in activity is called the Spirit of G-D should not be mistakenly thought of as the Messiah who as we all agreed is not divine, has no divinity, is not G-D and will be a physical person born like we are 'from the dust of the earth'.

I am troubled too by the suggestion that 'the whys of our existence are understood in the Moshiach'. Sorry but I profoundly and strongly disagree. Our existence is understood in relationship only to G-D and no-one else.

We must be careful not to elivate the expected Moshiach to a divine level. Reply

L.K. Lovelace-Price Stockton, CA USA May 19, 2015

I am being pulled to Orthodox Judaism, Chabad in specific. I believe everything I have heard/read on this site. EVERYTHING.
I especially am thrilled with this sharing on Creation....it resonates with and inside my being, as Truths from The Word of G-d always has done! Reply

Anonymous tzfat August 1, 2014

Yes, yes yes! Thank you! Wonderful. Reply

Margit July 30, 2014

teaching the truth You are an excellent teacher and I am hungry for more. So much appreciated. Gd Bless you. Reply

Shoshana Yerushalayim January 5, 2014

The Truth revealed! So clear & straight! Telling it like it is! Hashem has certainly blessed you with a gift! & us with the gift of your words so beautifully being given to us!! Thankyou!! & Gd bless! May we hear more from you!! Reply

Shimona July 16, 2013

Clarifying the "Spirit of G-d" Hi Folks,

I realize my comment that "the spirit of G-d hovering on the face of the water" as referring to Mashiach has caused quite a bit of confusion.

Firstly, I want to clarify my reference. I said it was Rashi who explains the verse in this light. In fact it is the Baal Haturim who states that the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew words, "And the Spirit of G-d hovered" is the same of the words for, "This is the spirit of King Mashiach." I apologize for the misquote.

Apropos the question as to the identity of the Redeemer: a) Mashiach will be a physical human being born of a physical mother by natural conception. b) Each of us has a spark of Divinity within ourselves and the soul of Mashiach is a "general" point that holds every other soul.

My understanding of this commentary is in accordance with the principle, "The end is wedged in the beginning." In other words, G-d preceded the acts of Creation with an intention. That intention is the world as it will be with the coming of Mashiach. In other words, the Redemption is not a REWARD for our Divine service during exile but rather the OUTCOME of our efforts to refine the material world and align our animal and egoistic selves with G-d. This is the purpose of creation, and that purpose was present from the get-go.

I hope that clarifies things.

Thank you all for your comments. May we see the fruit of our labor with the coming of Mashiach now. Reply

Anonymous israel May 24, 2013

if the messiah is the G-d who creates everything.... who then the messiah who will come in the near future? is he in human form or G-d himself?.. I just watched this and I love how you teach...:) more power Reply

Irene Glen Burnie, MD USA February 17, 2013

Moshiach and the purpoase of creation Greetings Shimona:

If I understood correctly what you said, the Spirit that hovered over the water is Moshiach. Yet when he comes to restore Israel, he will be a man.

Will he be G-d in human form? Or would he be man with the spirit of G-d dwelling in him.

Please help me to understand the meaning of this. I appreciate your teaching on this subject.

Thank you for your time. Reply

R. Seitel West Chester, Ohio January 16, 2013

SImply wonderful Shimona! Thank you Reply

Anonymous USA January 11, 2013

That pleasure you talk in this lecture I can very easily identify. For me is experiencing Hashem's, blessed be He, presence. I desire so much Mashiach's coming.
What I need to learn is how to live my life in that core you mentioned. I need to hear more of your lectures and study from your teachings. So far I have found myself. Now is that new life in me to reach the ultimate goal. Thank you so much for such wonderful teaching. Mashiach is coming soon. Reply

Anonymous November 8, 2012

Meshiah Shalom,
I liked your teaching about Meshiah.
If Rashi say that Spirit of the Lord , in creation is the Spirit of Meshiah, how is possible that Meshiah that we are waiting is a human being? The Spirit of the Lord is Holy, so Meshiah should be Holy. We as human beings cannot have in us the same Spirit that G-d has in the creation that was moving over waters. Reply

shirah malka vancouver, B.C. September 7, 2011

putting it into percepective BS"D

That was very well put. Yasher Coyach, more power to you. Reply

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