The Jewish people are in exile. This is not something new! It's a state of being that has lasted nearly 2,000 years, since the Holy Temple was destroyed. We yearn for the day (may it be today) when we will be returned to the Holy Land with the coming of the Moshiach!
Galus, exile, is often seen as a punishment for our failings. In truth, exile is by design. G-d created the world with the intention of having a home in the lowest realms and the Messianic Era is the culmination of this plan.
G-d ordained the exile of the Jewish people when He made the "Covenant of the Parts" with Abraham, even before the Jewish people existed!
Ouch!! Why? For what purpose?
The spiritual job of the Jewish people is to uncover the true nature of creation. By using physical objects in the service of G-d, we reveal the Divine Essence in them. As the "sparks" of holiness embedded in creation were dispersed throughout the world, the Jewish people have been exiled and scattered across the globe to expose them.
Interestingly, the difference between the Hebrew word for redemption, geulah, and the Hebrew word for exile, golah is just one letter. The letter aleph transforms the word from meaning exile to meaning redemption. Redemption is not about a radical change, it is just uncovering our truest self, G-d within us.
On a deeper level, galus is not just physical displacement. It is a time when G-d's presence is concealed. We may study Torah and follow the commandments, but do we feel G-d's closeness? Do we feel love or connection with G-d when doing mitzvot? Or is the Divine suppressed or hidden?
Two thousand years of spiritual darkness have not deterred us. Through fire and water, we've proven our fidelity to G-d. We are ready to be reconnected with our Creator, for the ultimate redemption!
Yes, the sparks have been elevated. Jews make a blessing over food in Bel Air, put up mezuzahs in Havre de Grace, and with world globalization, we sit in Harford County and light menorahs that are "made in China". Now it's time to unite and reconnect with our fellow and with Hashem to ensure the mitzvahs we do are intentionally to welcome the messianic era, the ultimate goal of G-d creating a physical world where He will feel comfortable to be revealed in.
May we merit to leave this exile today.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman