An explanation of Rabbah’s statement cited at the beginning of Tanya: “I, for example, am a beinoni.”

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An explanation of the array of the Sefiros; an explanation of the spiritual implications of the statement “He is not a man that He would reconsider”; why an answer from the Previous Rebbe was conveyed without delay

No. 448

This letter was sent to Doctor Chayim Bloch, a researcher of Torah texts.

B"H, 15 Shvat, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your letter, I made inquiries of the librarian who supervises the library of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, and clarified that your work HaHeichal[227] was never received by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita.

Shortly after the publication of that work, the librarian purchased it for the library from the bookseller, Pardes. This is the only copy that is in our possession.

I will use this opportunity to make some comments concerning your text.

1. It appears, even at first glance, that you invested a lot of effort in it and it will bring great benefit. It is unfortunate that the price of the text will prevent the use of it by many people who would benefit from using such a text.

2. There exist several anthologies of proverbs and adages from the Talmud, Midrashim, and Zohar. Although it is possible [that certain] proverbs and sayings were omitted, nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of such statements from our Sages were included in those texts.

With regard to the literature of our people from the Middle Ages, by contrast, the opposite is true. A select few proverbs have been cited in the above-mentioned anthologies, but I have not found any text that is fit to be described as an index to the proverbs of the literature [of our people] in the Middle Ages. [This includes] even those texts that have become part of the heritage of the entire people; for example, the texts of Rashi, the Tosafos, Rambam, and the Responsa of the Rishonim.

Previously, you either told or wrote me that you wished to fill this lack with your work Heichal, but it appears that certain factors prevented you from carrying out this intent. That is regrettable.

3. With regard to the source for several statements of our Sages which are discussed in the letter cited on page 611 of the Heichal, I have researched [the source for the following] in my work as the publisher of the texts of the Rebbeim of Chassidus.

“Whenever one pursues honor, honor flees from him” (Heiman, [Otzar Divrei Chochamim,][228] p. 318). It is also cited in Boneh[229] to Ein Yaakov, Yoma 5b.

“One who begins a mitzvah is told to complete it” (Heiman, p. 232). A similar statement is found in Midrash Tanchuma, Eikev, sec. 6.

“Why is [a pig] named a chazir?...” Heiman (p. 370) cites several sources [and I cited others] in my note to the series of maamarim entitled Mayim Rabim, 5636, p. 87.

“Anyone who becomes angry is [considered] as if he worshiped idols.” Heiman (p. 307) cites several sources. To them can be added, Zohar III, p. 234b. (I think it is also found in the responsa of Rambam, responsum 39. This is the manner in which the publisher of Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos [the Heller publication, New York], p. 67, cites the sources for this statement of our Sages.[230] This is how I have noted the matter. At present, these texts are not in my possession.)

“Words that come from the heart enter the heart.” — In my notes, it is written: In Shiras Yisrael by R. Moshe Ibn Ezra, it is stated: “It has been said ‘Words that come from the heart....’” At present, this text is not in my possession.[231]

With wishes for all types of everlasting good,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

227. (Back to text) [Heichal LeDivrei Chazal, a collection of proverbs and adages from the works of our Sages that were not included in other such anthologies.]

228. (Back to text) [ An anthology of sayings from our Sages.]

229. (Back to text) [A commentary to Ein Yaakov.]

230. (Back to text) In that source, it cites Rambam’s Responsum 160. In his responsa (Responsum 370), Rashbatz cites the Talmud, tractate Nedarim.

231. (Back to text) The following paragraph was added by the Rebbe as a footnote after the letter was sent:

     “In the future, Eretz Yisrael will spread out over all the lands.” The Alter Rebbe, the author of the Tanya, states (Likkutei Torah, Parshas Masei, the maamar entitled LeHavin Inyan HaMaasaos): “Our Sages say: ‘In the future, Eretz Yisrael will spread out over the entire world.’ ” The sources are cited by Heiman, p. 479, the section focusing on: “In the future, Jerusalem....” See also Or HaTorah.

An explanation of Rabbah’s statement cited at the beginning of Tanya: “I, for example, am a beinoni.”

Table of contents

Search this book:

An explanation of the array of the Sefiros; an explanation of the spiritual implications of the statement “He is not a man that He would reconsider”; why an answer from the Previous Rebbe was conveyed without delay