The ARI (Rav Isaac Luria), Man of God
Our sages have already said, “You have not a generation without such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Indeed, that Godly man, Rav [teacher, great one] Isaac Luria [the ARI], troubled and provided us the fullest measure.
He did wondrously more than his predecessors, and if I had a tongue that praises, I would praise that day when his wisdom appeared almost as the day when the Torah was given to Israel (Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Book Panim Meirot uMasbirot”).
Indeed, the whole method of correction came to us from the ARI. He realized everything that had been laid down by all prior Kabbalists.
The soul of the ARI occupies such a place in the general system of souls that from it onward, the light begins to influence all souls, leading them to the final correction (Gmar Tikkun).
Before the ARI, all development took place at stages 0, 1, 2, 3, and only the ARI with his corrections in the system of souls entered into the 4th stage and began to build the authentic Malchut in its final form.
He is Sefira Yesod (the last one before Malchut), and he is therefore called Moshiach ben Yosef (Yosef means Sefira Yesod) after which Malchut begins to correct itself.
All prior souls were part of the souls of the preparation period of correction. And only starting with the ARI does the general awakening of all souls begin.
Of course, this process takes hundreds of years, but the ARI opened the way to the light from the previous three stages to the last, the fourth, and the correction has begun!
Moshiach is the revelation of the light in the general system of souls. This light enters Malchut through Yesod. The ARI opens the gates for the light and is therefore called Moshiach ben Yosef.
The Messiah is the force of correction. The ARI portrays this force running through his soul. Being in the general system, he makes corrections in his soul, and now light flows through it into Malchut and affects the souls.
But now, it is on us to prepare our souls for the ascent from Malchut to Bina. This process already relates to the correction of Malchut—Moshiach ben David.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/5/10, Writings of Baal HaSulam Preface “Introduction to the Book Panim Meirot uMasbirot”
Related Material:
The Innovation of the Ari
Ari – The Turning Point From Darkness to Light
Before The ARI, The Gates Of Wisdom Were Closed For Us




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