Ve Eleh Shemot 5722

Tuesday 25 December 07, the Alef Kabbala Group is on vacation, but here is a presentation of the Chassidic-Kabbalistic discourse by the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught on Shabbat parsha Shemot 5722 (30 Dec 1961) entitled "And these are the Names.. of the Children of Israel who went down to Egypt", the opening words of the Book of Exodus. A similar phrase was used earlier in the Torah, when Jacob went to Egypt with all his children (Gen46:8 ff). The discourse explains there are 2 descents into Egypt, meaning the quality of Wisdom descending into Thought and then Speech. These represent two levels of Exile, to be followed by two levels of Redemption: redemption from Egypt, and the future Redemption. Then follows a fascinating kabbalistic-philosophical discussion on the nature of existence, and how its very 'separateness' provides the clue to its connection with the ultimate Essence. Redemption means the revelation of the ultimate Essence, the Great Name of the Divine, in all aspects of life.