by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Sfas Tamim Foundation At times, one needs to understand the historical context of what our Gedolim have said – in order to fully plummet their meaning.  This is especially true regarding the Sfas Emes, who lived during very dark times.   In his piece on Parshas Vayigash (1884), this author believes we can gain new depth and inspiration through an examination of the circumstances behind his remarkable thought. In recent times, many people have expressed shock at the rate of the societal decline around us.  The Gerrer Rebbe, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter (1847-1906), author of the Sfas Emes (Parshas Vayigash 5644 – 1884) lived and led his Chassidus during a very difficult time in Jewish history during our sojourm in Tsarist Russia.  Let us get a brief picture of what going on.  The Jewish nation had endured some horrible years under Nicolai the First.  He had tried to convert young Jewish children by forcibly placing them in the army.  These were called, “The Cantonist Decrees.” Young Jewish children were kidnapped by Khappers and placed in the Tsar’s army under dire circumstances.  Klal Yisroel suffered immensely. Then, it seems, that there was a bit of a reprieve.  The next Tsar – Alexander the Second was much more liberal.  He undid the Cantonist Decrees of his father.  The harsh regime and rule of Tsarist Russia, seemed to have a bright light.  But, he was soon assassinated.  The next Tsar, Alexander the Third was a despot.  Horrific pogroms soon ensued and the new Tsar was no friend of the Jews.  Au contraire, he unleashed a notorious era of cruelty and anti-semitism. In Parshas Vayigash of 1884, the Sfas Emes spoke.  He explained one of the psukim in our parsha (Bereishis 46:4) which states, “And I shall go down with you toward Egypt” in the following manner: This is actually a promise that Hashem will fulfill not just then to Yaakov Avinu, but for all future times – even our own times.  It is connected to the pasuk  in Tehillim (91:15), “And I shall be with him in sorrow.” This is what is elaborated in the Gemorah (Megillah 29a):  “When they were exiled to Mitzrayim and to Bavel, the Shechina was with them.” The meaning is that, somehow, someway, through the midos and character traits of Yaakov Avinu, the Shechina will dwell among Israel, even in the exile.  This is the meaning of “Ered imcha Mitzraima – I shall go down with you toward Mitzrayim.” The emphasis is that it is specifically with you and because of you.  Hashem is telling Yaakov Avinu that he, Yaakov Avinu, is the reason.  Through Yaakov, the Shechina will remain with us in the exile. And, the Sfas Emes explained that it did transpire in the following manner:  Through the shvatim, Yoseph went down to Mitzrayim.  Through Yoseph, Yaakov Avinu went down to Mitzrayim.  And through Yaakov Avinu, the Shechina went down to Mitzrayim. It is quite clear that there is a sub-text going on here in the words of the Holy Sfas Emes.  Through the shvatim – through the sins of the rest of the nation of Israel, the shvatim– meaning the Jews, we went down to this galus of a galus– that of Tsarist Russia beginning during the period of Tsarina Catherina when she took over Poland in 1795.  But […]

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