5772 is a year of prophecy for the Bnei Israel.
Note that 5772 = 481 x 12. Gematria 481 is found in Bamidbar 12:6, on the word אתודע (etvadah, "I will make Myself known"). And the pasuk continues: "to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream" (בחלום אדבר-בו, ba-chalom adaberbo).
The multiplication factor (of 12) indicates "dimensions" or in the language of Kabbalah, the Yud Beit G'vulei Alachson (see Sefer Yetzirah 5:2). So, "I will make myself known", is Hashem's promise to reveal a madreiga of nevuah (or at least different levels of hasagat ruach hakodesh) in the 12 general dimensional boundaries, which also correspond al pi sod to the 12 tribes of Israel (3 tribes in each are of the boundary, also called a "camp").
The Gemara (Chagigah 12b) says (based on Devarim 32:8) that there are 12 pillars upon which the universe stands. The Gemara also calls them the "arms of the universe" (thus, relating it to Devarim 33:26-27). Thus, if a person wishes to experience G-d, he must begin at the lower level and work his way upward, so to speak. He therefore begins (through hitbodedut/meditation) with the "twelve diagonal boundaries", which are the "arms of the universe", to wit, all of physical reality. Only after this can he reach other higher levels. Finally, however, he must attain a conception of G-d as being totally "divorced from space and time" (a very deep concept pertaining to the Ein Sof explained well in the Sefer Otzrot Hayim, Sha'ar HaAgulim, Derush Adam Kadmon). Note that there are 12 tzerufim to the Shem Havaya, and this has additional implications (for another opportunity, G-d willing). It seems to me that, since each and every jewish neshama has a shoresh in one of the 12 tribes of Israel, to all yehudim this year could afford the unusual opportunity to the experience of a קול דממה דקה, kol demama daka ("silent voice") as we find in the Tanach (Melachim I 19:12), which Hashem chose to reveal His Presence to Eliyahu HaNavi.
Although hidden since the churban Bayit Sheni ("destruction of the Second Temple), a level of the spirit of nevuah will be more readily available for the B'neI Israel, but that means yehudim need to learn to receive this holy "silent voice". This is not to say that common Jews today are on the level of the b'nei nevi'im from Talmudic times or earlier. True, there is a constant descent of the generations, where each generation is less great than the one before, and because of our transgressions we no longer have great prophets. Even ruach hakodesh has ceased, we have no prophet and no visionary. Even the phenomenon of b'nei nevi'im, which is the essence of the life force and kedushah of Klal Yisrael, has fallen drastically. Yet, this we can say: even if the essence and the life force in Israel are now minimal, they are still prophetic forces.
Now, hearing or seeing the "silent voice" entails a true quieting of the mind and an increase in the real experience of devekut. For as it is written: Shiviti Hashem l'negdi tamid, "I have set the L-rd always before me" (Tehillim 16:8). However, the verse continues: "because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved". Thus in recognizing that Hashem is always in front of you, there is a requirement of equanimity in order to perceive His Presence. This is deeper the meaning of the angelic prayer: "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, Hashem Tzivaot, melo kol ha-aretz kevodo" (Yeshayahu 6:3). This means, G-d is everywhere, truly kol ha-aretz. He is in everything, for He vitalizes all. All of Creation has His Holy Name "stamped" in it, for He is the Only Being, so all is He. Now, one must strongly desire to see beyond the veil - the klipah of reality - into the truths, that is, the spiritual underlying of all. This capacity is actually within the reach of anyone who fears Him. Truly, you should be able to see יהוה at any moment and place you wish, for He is always there, always. If you cannot see יהוה then you are blind by the lack of emunah and the vanities of your guf. And so it is written: "Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your G-d will come with vengeance, with a Divine recompense; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (Yeshayahu 35:4-5).
Now, hearing or seeing the "silent voice" entails a true quieting of the mind and an increase in the real experience of devekut. For as it is written: Shiviti Hashem l'negdi tamid, "I have set the L-rd always before me" (Tehillim 16:8). However, the verse continues: "because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved". Thus in recognizing that Hashem is always in front of you, there is a requirement of equanimity in order to perceive His Presence. This is deeper the meaning of the angelic prayer: "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, Hashem Tzivaot, melo kol ha-aretz kevodo" (Yeshayahu 6:3). This means, G-d is everywhere, truly kol ha-aretz. He is in everything, for He vitalizes all. All of Creation has His Holy Name "stamped" in it, for He is the Only Being, so all is He. Now, one must strongly desire to see beyond the veil - the klipah of reality - into the truths, that is, the spiritual underlying of all. This capacity is actually within the reach of anyone who fears Him. Truly, you should be able to see יהוה at any moment and place you wish, for He is always there, always. If you cannot see יהוה then you are blind by the lack of emunah and the vanities of your guf. And so it is written: "Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your G-d will come with vengeance, with a Divine recompense; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (Yeshayahu 35:4-5).
May it be so in this new year, amen selah.
Rabbi Avraham
