At the Threshold of Israel's Final Redemption; I

Rabbeinu Bechayei, who completed his commentary on the Torah in 1292, draws a parallel to what happened in Egypt, before the Jews made their exodus, to how it will happen in our times, before Jews make their final exodus out of the present exile.

Those events prior to the first exodus, he says, will replay themselves prior to the final (our generation's) exodus (Shmot 5, 32).

In Egypt, after Pharoah was told by Moses "Let my people go", the Jews suffered a worsening of their work load, as well as an aggravation of the hate aimed at the Jews.

Similarly will happen to the final generation of Jews in exile. They will be told of their pending redemption, only to find, paradoxically, their miseries will have multiplied, and hatred of them will increase.

Moreover, just as Moses, the bearer of the redemptive message, disappeared for a spell, and thereafter reappeared on to the scene, so too will happen in the final era. (We saw this same pattern occur under our noses. The Rebbe, in 1990, announced to the Jewish people, as did Moses 3,300 years earlier, "The time of your redemption has arrived!" Then, following his disappearence, the Jewish travails continue with greater zest and wider participation. Just look at the anti-semitism aroused across the world, no matter how much Israelis bend over backwards to appease their foes.)

And just as Moses, the first redeemer, appeared, disappeared and reappeared, so too will Moshiach, the final redeemer, make his appearance, disappear, then reappear to execute the redemption. The act of disappearance will, in and of itself, strengthen the resolve of Jew-haters, as it did the first time in Egypt, when Moses slipped out of Egypt to go temporarily to the land of Midyan.

This parallel between the first and last exodus the prophet Michah (7, 15) refers to: "As in the days of your exodus from Egypt, will I show you miracles [in the days of your final redemption]."