Setting the Foundation for Geula | Rabbi Uri Deutsch

The Nesivos Shalom points out a remarkable Gematria. The word Tzion, a synonym for Yerushalayim, the place of the Beis Hamikdash, the place of Klal Yisroel's focus and aspirations, has the same Gematria as the word Yosef. Both have the value of 156. Tzion is the Gematria of Yosef. As we know, Yosef represents the epitome of Kedusha, the epitome of realizing the nobility of the character of a Yid, faced with challenge and faced with an unprecedented opportunity for elevation and self sanctification. Says the Nesivos Shalom, Klal Yisroel approaching Tzion, Klal Yisroel anticipating Geula, Klal Yisroel working towards everything that Tzion represents in the final generations, in the final era of what we call עקבתא דמשיחא, where we already begin to hear the drumbeat of Moshiach arriving. What propels Klal Yisroel forward, what elevates us is that same characteristic of Yosef. It's through Yosef that we’ll merit to see Tzion. Yosef and Tzion have the identical Gematria. Klal Yisroel is waging an ongoing challenge. Klal Yisroel is engaged constantly with a striving to elevate, to be Mekadesh, to sanctify, in a world that poses unremitting challenge. And at the same time, as we face the challenge, we also face an impressive opportunity to excel, to become as great as Yosef, who earns the title of Tzaddik. Through Klal Yisroel living up to its mission of through meriting Yosef, we will then once again merit Tzion. We find in Chazal, that Moshiach ben Yosef precedes Moshiach ben Dovid. One of the ways that this is explained by R’ Tzadok HaCohen, is that Moshiach ben Yosef is Klal Yisroel reaching Kedusha, so that ultimately, Moshiach ben Dovid can then gather Klal Yisroel into Yerushalayim. Our striving, our struggle, our work, our Kedusha is providing the basis, is providing the foundation, is providing the place where במהרה בימינו Moshiach ben Dovid will gather an elevated Klal Yisroel, to return Klal Yisroel to Tzion. Tzion Gematria Yosef. If we are Kedoshim, if we are Tzaddikim, we’ll be forming part of that, that will enable Moshiach ben Dovid to come במהרה בימינו, אמן.