Redemption of the Four Exiles

איתא בגמרא דבפורים לא קבעו הלל דאכתי עבדי אחשורוש אנן.

It is stated in the Talmud that on Purim they did not establish Hallel, because “we were still servants of Ahashverosh.”

The Sefat Emet begins by asking why the sages explained that Hallel was not said on Purim due to continued subjugation, since even now we remain under the dominion of Edom.

ואינו מובן דגם עתה עבדי אדום אנן.

But this is not understood, for even now we are servants of Edom.

He notes the difficulty explicitly: if subjugation prevents Hallel, why is Hallel recited on later redemptions even though exile continues?

מוכח מזה דשיעבוד הד' מלכיות כל אחד ענין בפ"ע.

This proves that the enslavement of the four kingdoms is, in each case, a matter unto itself.

Each exile has a distinct spiritual nature; they are not interchangeable forms of oppression.

וכמ"ש ד' לשונות בגאולת מצרים שהי' שורש והכנה לכל הד' מלכיות.

And as it is written, the four expressions of redemption from Egypt were the root and preparation for the four kingdoms.

Egypt established the pattern: four redemptive stages corresponding to four future exiles.

כי שעבוד בנ"י באלה הד' מצד הגוף שהוא מן ד' יסודות והם צריכין גאולה.

For the subjugation of Israel in these four exiles relates to the body, which is composed of the four elements, and these elements require redemption.

The exiles affect the human condition at the elemental level: fire, water, air, and earth.

וזה כח הד' מלכיות בחי' הד' מתכיות זהב כסף נחושת ברזל שהם בחי' אש מים רוח עפר.

And this is the power of the four kingdoms, corresponding to the four metals—gold, silver, copper, iron—which correspond to fire, water, air, and earth.

Each empire channels one elemental distortion, symbolized by the metals of Nebuchadnezzar’s vision.

ובכל גאולה מאותו מלכות נגאל יסוד אחד.

And in every redemption from a given kingdom, one element is redeemed.

Redemption is incremental: each exile liberates a single aspect of the human-soul structure.

ויון מול בחי' רוח.

And Greece corresponds to the aspect of air (ruach).

Hellenistic oppression targeted the realm of spirit, speech, and expression.

ולכן תיקנו בהלל והודאה כי עיקר רוח בחי' קול ודיבור רוח ממללא.

Therefore they established Hallel and thanksgiving, for the essence of ruach is voice and speech—“the speaking spirit.”

Since Greece attacked the faculty of holy speech, the repair is through elevated speech: Hallel and gratitude.

ובס' שערי הקדושה שכ' שכל המדות הם משורש הד' יסודות ורוח הוא לשמור מדיבור בטל ע"ש.

And in Shaarei Kedusha it is written that all character traits stem from the four elements, and ruach serves to guard against idle speech.

The Sefat Emet supports his teaching with classical kabbalistic sources linking middot and elements.

ובאמת הרוח כולל בחי' אש ומים.

And in truth, ruach includes the aspects of fire and water.

The element of air integrates enthusiasm (fire) and humility (water).

אש בחי' התלהבות ומים בחי' הכנעה ורוח כולל ב' הנ"ל.

Fire is the aspect of fervor, and water is the aspect of submission, and ruach includes both.

Thus ruach harmonizes passion with self‑effacement.

ולכן תיקנו בהלל והודאה.

Therefore they established Hallel and thanksgiving.

These two modes of expression correspond to the blended aspects within ruach.

הלל התלהבות.

Hallel is fervor.

It channels the fiery side of ruach.

והודאה הכנעה.

And thanksgiving is submission.

It embodies the watery aspect—humble acknowledgment.

והיונים שעמדו להשכיח התורה הי' ע"י חכמה בטילה שלהם דברי הבל.

And the Greeks sought to make Israel forget the Torah through their vain, empty wisdom.

Greek philosophy, as encountered by Israel, displaced divine wisdom with hollow intellect.

והפה לא נברא אלא להודות לכן עתה שיש גאולה ברוח צריכין לעסוק בהלל והודאה.

And the mouth was created only to give thanks; therefore, now that there is redemption of ruach, we must engage in Hallel and thanksgiving.

With the restoration of holy speech comes the obligation to use it for praise and gratitude.

Summary: Each exile targets one elemental aspect of humanity; Greece attacked ruach, the realm of speech. Redemption therefore requires sanctified speech—Hallel and thanksgiving.