The trajectory of Judaism seems to be a downward one: the era of prophecy and revelation in the Holy Land is past, while the current era is one of divine concealment. Indeed, according to Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi – whose opinion accords with Resh Lakish – we should be focused now on recovery, on regaining our lost glory.

But there is an alternative, diametrically opposite approach to this matter. According to Rabbi Yochanan and others, exile itself has a positive purpose, and Judaism was always supposed to be transformed and enriched by it. Hashem's complete revelation can be attained only subsequent to His concealment; the early years of glory were really an advance, early sense of what will be fully realized after the historical process of exile and redemption.

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