The Ramchal elaborates on the steps leading to Redemption. He teaches that there are two primary stages, פקידה וזכירה, Pekidah and Zechira (these are both words that connote remembering. I will continue to refer to them by their transliterated Hebrew names in order to distinguish. CL) In earlier Redemptions such as the exodus from Egypt and the return from Babylon these two stages were present. Our tradition teaches us that they will be present in the future redemption as well. They are described by the prophets as being represented by verses in Micah. "Do not rejoice about me, my enemies," refers to the stage of Pekidah. "As I sit in darkness, God is my light," refers to the stage of Zechira.
At the stage of Pekidah God reveals himself in a hidden manner, under cover of the natural world. The primary focus is the rectification of the external, the national body. To raise Israel up from the dust of exile, to return them from their scattering, and settle them on their land. It is the next stage, that of Zechira, that there will be a light of clarity and everyone will recognize God and His directing hand. In Pekidah, even though there will be great expressions of Redemption, it is still categorized as darkness because there is still no Daat, no clarity of understanding. God is revealed in a hidden manner. Comprehension is like light to a person. And as long as comprehension is lacking, he is sitting in darkness.
There is no clear manifestation of God in Pekidah, He is shining only in the inner recesses of the soul, and is not apparent to man's understanding. When Zechira comes God is clearly manifest. Pekidah is related to the sefira of Yesod in which God is enveloped within nature and whose primary function is building the physical. This is the stage of Moshiach ben Yosef. Yosef acted within the natural world and provided sustenance to people. Zechira is related to Tiferet which is the manifestation of Torah, the open revelation of Godliness through an outpouring of clarity to all people.
At the stage of Pekidah God reveals himself in a hidden manner, under cover of the natural world. The primary focus is the rectification of the external, the national body. To raise Israel up from the dust of exile, to return them from their scattering, and settle them on their land. It is the next stage, that of Zechira, that there will be a light of clarity and everyone will recognize God and His directing hand. In Pekidah, even though there will be great expressions of Redemption, it is still categorized as darkness because there is still no Daat, no clarity of understanding. God is revealed in a hidden manner. Comprehension is like light to a person. And as long as comprehension is lacking, he is sitting in darkness.
There is no clear manifestation of God in Pekidah, He is shining only in the inner recesses of the soul, and is not apparent to man's understanding. When Zechira comes God is clearly manifest. Pekidah is related to the sefira of Yesod in which God is enveloped within nature and whose primary function is building the physical. This is the stage of Moshiach ben Yosef. Yosef acted within the natural world and provided sustenance to people. Zechira is related to Tiferet which is the manifestation of Torah, the open revelation of Godliness through an outpouring of clarity to all people.
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