Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Galut (the exile) and Mashiach

Galut or Golus (Hebrew: גלות‎), means literally exile. Galut or Golus classically refers to the exile of the Jewish people from the Land of Israel. There were altogether four such exiles. These are said to be alluded to in Abraham's biblical vision of the future of his descendants according to Bereishit Rabba (44:17): "And behold, a great, dark fear fell upon him." "'Fear' refers to Babylonia ... 'dark' refers to Media. ... 'great' refers to Greece.... 'fell upon him' refers to Edom.'" The present galut is referred to as "Galut Edom - the Edomite Exile," because the Romans - who brought about the present galut with their destruction of the Holy Temple - were mostly descendants of Edom. This galut is generally divided into two eras, governed by two kinds of chieftains-leaders, as mentioned in the verse cited: The first is "Chieftain Magdiel." This name signifies, and is an expression of, "he magnified himself (yitgadel) above every god" (Daniel 11:36). In this first era of the Edomite galut, the Roman empire expanded throughout the world, seeking to overpower Judaism and to make it difficult for Jews to observe Torah and mitzvot. The second one is "Chieftain Iram." This name, the Midrash notes, is an expression of "he is destined to amass (le'erom) treasures for the royal Mashiach." This refers to the second era of the Edomite galut, the one...