[This talk refers to the publication, and the Rebbe's subsequent distribution to men, women and children, of two special treatises by the Rebbe Rashab. The first, "Kuntres Eitz HaChaim," was written shortly after the Rebbe Rashab founded the Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim and appointed his son and successor, the Rebbe Rayatz, director. In "Kuntres Eitz HaChaim" he outlines the objective of the founding of the Yeshivah and what was expected from its students. The second treatise was a previously unpublished Chassidic discourse of the Rebbe Rashab.]

...One of the reasons for the publication of the special edition of Kuntres Eitz HaChaim and its distribution to all the men, women and children at the conclusion of the Rebbe Rashab's birthday on the 20th of MarCheshvan (which led into this erev Shabbos)... is to emphasize that all these words of the Kuntres Eitz HaChaim have retained their power and perfection (with even added force) through the leadership of his son and successor, my sainted father-in-law, the leader of our generation, the "director" of the Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim. This is especially true since forty years after his passing "one can fathom the ideas of his teacher."[1]

Consequently, the service of the third generation (from the Rebbe Rashab), the generation of Redemption, has already been completed. Concerning this generation, it is said: "On the third day He will raise them up and we will live before Him."[2]

...May it be G-d's will that: the increased study of the teachings of Chassidus and its dissemination, along with an increase in the study of the revealed parts of Torah;[3] the propagation of Torah and Judaism, including - and with special emphasis on - the establishment of new institutions; and the fortification and strengthening of the existing institutions of Torah, prayer (Divine service) and loving kindness - shall hasten and bring immediately the true and complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach. Then, according to the Midrash, we will say specifically to the Patriarch Yitzchak, "That you are our father,"[4] and thus we will be called "Toldos Yitzchak - the offspring of Isaac."

The reference of the Redemption to Yitzchak gains added importance because of the connection to my sainted father-in- law, the leader of our generation - whose second (and final) name was Yitzchak, since already in his time he declared that all of our service was completed, including the "polishing of the buttons."[5] He therefore directed and empowered us to "stand ready all of you"[6] to greet our righteous Moshiach. How much more so is this true in our own day.

The relationship between the future Redemption and Yitzchak becomes even more significant when we consider the recent developments involving the "offspring of Yishmael" (discussed in the conclusion of this week's Torah portion). Generally speaking, conflicts among nations - any nation - constitute one of the signs of Redemption. As our sages said:[7] "If you see nations provoking one another, anticipate the footsteps of Moshiach." Involvement of the "descendants of Yishmael" in the conflict magnifies the connection to Moshiach, as specified in the Yalkut Shimoni:[8] "The year in which the King Moshiach will be revealed... the king of Persia will be in conflict with the Arabian king... All the nations of the world will be in turmoil and terror." (Indeed, we have clearly seen how confused and disoriented the nations of the world were, not knowing how to react, groping for solutions, etc.) And G-d says to Israel, "My children do not fear. Whatever I have done, I have done only for your sake... the time for your Redemption has arrived." The Yalkut then continues: "The King Moshiach... will stand on the roof of the Beis HaMikdash[9] and proclaim to Israel: "Humble ones, the time for your Redemption has arrived." As was, and continues, to be proclaimed, especially most recently.

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1. Avodah Zara 5b3)

2. Hoshea 6:2. See Metzudas David there.

3. [As indeed several matters of the revealed part of Torah can be found in this additional discourse of the Rebbe Rashab which was recently discovered and distributed. Translator's note.]

4. Yeshayahu 63:16. Shabbos 89b.

5. Talk of Simchas Torah 5689.

6. His Igros Kodesh, vol. IV, beg. p. 279.

7. Bereishis Rabba, 42:4. Midrash Lekach Tov, Lech Lecha 14:1.

8. Yeshayahu 499.

9. Note the emphasis of the Midrash that "he will stand on the roof of the Baish HaMikdash" - the roof being a part of the Temple which was not sanctified (Pesachim 85, end b. Rambam, Hilchos Bais HeBechirah 6:7). It may be suggested that this alludes to the fact that the announcement "Humble ones, the time for your Redemption has arrived," comes from the diaspora which has not been sanctified with the holiness of Eretz Yisrael, analogous to the distinction between the roof of the Beis HaMikdash and the Beis HaMikdash itself.