Responsa על מלאכי 1:15

They responded: "Worship the Lord your God" (Exodus 23:25) - this refers to prayer! (Bava Kamma 92b) Can somebody impure offer a sacrifice? Do not say that this impurity is any different, because it is intentional and because it comes from within. Ezra, who made this decree of immersion before prayer, saw with the holy spirit before making this decree. Regarding that text in the Jerusalem Talmud, if [Ezra] would stand with them they would not know what to say. In fact, they retracted their words, and said that the entire problematic text was referring to the time before Ezra. This situation [of praying without immersion] is what causes the long exile, for if the prayer of Israel was performed correctly it would have been heard long ago. Only the trials of the exile, and acts of righteousness, and study of the Torah - these are what Israel have to rely upon. Later, they again responded and said: we have heard a voice from behind the Heavenly curtain saying: To purify all of Israel together may not be possible, but if at least the prayer leader is pure, even that will hasten the redemption. "In every place where a pure offering is dedicated to Me" (Malachi 1:11) "I shall come to you and bless you" (Exodus 20:21). After seeing all this, on Tuesday night, the 19th of the month of Kislev, I asked whether it had come to me directly from God or not. This was my precise question: Please, exalted King, great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and kindness with those He loves. Maintain your covenant and kindness with us, and instruct your holy angels who are assigned to answer dream-questions to respond to my question. May it be a true and correct response, let them speak with clarity and explanations, revealing the law and leaving no doubt. For regarding what I asked about the immersion of one with seminal emissions, did this response emanate from the holy spirit? Do they have practical value, and should I reveal them to my son-in-law, Rabbi Yosef³See Keset Hasofer ad loc., who identifies this son-in-law as Joseph ben Kalonymus, and instruct him to inform all the sages of the land? Or do they come from another spirit, and have no practical value, and it would be better for me to conceal and guard them? They responded: True were the words of God. These words are ancient, the Ancient of Days spoke them, "Today is the day of revelation, and we have waited until the light of day" (II Kings 7:9). Later they responded: "And the one who willingly refuses to listen to the serving priest, that man shall die," (Deuteronomy 17:12) and "I am with you, and I shall guard you in everything you do." (Genesis 28:15)