Complete Revelation

So write the Tosaphists in their commentary on Tractate Pesachim: “All previous miracles [redemptions] were followed by more pain, except for the future redemption, which will not be followed by any more pain.”

The final redemption is unique because G-d will reveal Himself in a scope and breadth that the world has never been exposed to before. As the prophet Isaiah writes (30:20), “Your Teacher will no longer hide.” The “teacher” in this verse is G-d, Who will no longer conceal Himself in garments but will reveal Himself in His full glory.

This revelation will be far greater than the revelation at the exodus from Egypt, as the Midrash says, “Previously, I and my court went before them, but in the future I myself will lead them.” The “court” that accompanied G-d when He redeemed the Jews was a spiritual “curtain” that prevented the full revelation of G-d. However, in the future G-d Himself will appear without any concealments.

On the verse (Micah 7:15), “Like the days of your exodus from Egypt I will show you wonders,” the Yalkut Shimoni writes, “I will show you what I did not show your ancestors, because the miracles that I will do for the children far exceed the miracles that I did for their parents. So it says in Psalms (136:4), ‘He performs great wonders alone because His kindness is eternal.’”

In another Midrash, Rabbi Yochanan says: “There was a person who used to light a candle at night. It would go out and he would relight it, go out and he would relight it. He said, when will I finally get tired of this? I am waiting for the sun to rise so I can go by the light of the sun. So is true of the Jewish people. They were enslaved in Egypt—Moses and Aaron came and redeemed them. They were enslaved in Babylonia—Chananya, Mishael and Azaria came and redeemed them. They were enslaved by the Greeks and were redeemed by Matityahu and his sons. Then they were enslaved by Rome, and the Jewish people said, we are tired of this! We are enslaved and redeemed, enslaved and redeemed. We no longer want to be redeemed by any human being, but by G-d Himself.” ■

References: Bavli Gittin 10b. Mechilta on Beshalach 15a. Shemot Rabba 19:6. Yalkut Shimoni Beshalach 247-250. Midrash Tehillim 36:10. Tosephot on Pesachim 116b. Maamar Kimei Tzeitcha, 5742.