The yetzer hara's techniques of deception

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Biographical information concerning the Alter Rebbe's father; preparations for yechidus; whether it is valuable to write out the Tanya by hand

No. 342

This letter was addressed to R. Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod, an active communal Rabbi in Baltimore.

B"H, 11 Adar II, 5708

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your letter:

1. With regard to the holes for the tzitzis in a tallis katan: you have already been instructed that in the tallis of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, the holes are positioned as depicted.

2. With regard to your comment concerning the statement in Tanya, Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah, ch. 6, that from the interrelation of the emotional attributes in the spiritual realms it becomes apparent to the eye that "He and His attributes are one." For [the attributes] are interrelated.

You question [that statement, noting] that even within a person, his attributes are interrelated. (Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah, quoted almost in its entirety with slight changes and in a different order in the series of maamarim entitled Mayim Rabbim, 5636; the subject under discussion is found in sec. 11 [of that series of maamarim].) It is possible to explain that the interrelation and unity of the emotional characteristics are possible as a result of [either of] two causes:

1. Because the emotions are weakened (e.g., through the influence of the intellect or the like), they leave room for the opposite emotional quality. Within this [explanation] are also included the emotional qualities of the realm of Tikkun which are "soft like a reed,"[323] i.e., the revealed emotional qualities of a thoughtful person.

2. Even though [the emotional qualities] are expressed powerfully, they become utterly nullified due to the ray of a higher power. Therefore even opposite qualities can exist together. Within this [explanation] are also included the emotional qualities as they exist on the level of Akudim, i.e., the emotional qualities as they exist in the essence of the soul.

All of this is explained at length in the second [maamar] entitled Bereishis, Toras Chayim. See also Bad Kodesh, ch. 4.

Expressions of both of these patterns exist both in the spiritual realms and within man.

Nevertheless, in general, the difference between [the interrelation of the emotional qualities] Above and [the interrelation] on the mortal plane is that in the spiritual realms, the interrelation comes about because of a ray of a sublime light, [G-d's] infinite light that [is manifest] within Chochmah (see Toras Chayim, loc. cit., sec. 34). For there is no weakness in the spiritual realms. Although the emotional attributes of Tikkun are described as "soft," this is in comparison to the emotional attributes of Tohu. This is the interpretation of the statements of Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah.

On the mortal plane, [the interrelation of] the revealed levels of the emotions comes as a result of the weakness which the intellect brings about within the emotional attributes.

Enclosed is the kuntreis for Purim that has just been published. Certainly you will [circulate it in a manner that] brings merit to the many.

With blessings for a happy and joyous Purim,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

323. (Back to text) [Cf. Taanis 20a,b.]

The yetzer hara's techniques of deception

Table of contents

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Biographical information concerning the Alter Rebbe's father; preparations for yechidus; whether it is valuable to write out the Tanya by hand