Rosh HaShanah blessings

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The connection between happiness and the holiday of Sukkos

No. 531

This letter was sent to R. Yehudah Chitrik, one of the active members of the chassidic community.

B"H, 6 Tishrei, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

With happiness I can inform you that the typesetting for the second kuntres that you had the merit of successfully preparing for print has been completed. Since it appears that it will not be brought from the binder until tomorrow, I will send you the final proofs so they will reach you before Shabbos Teshuvah. [This way] you will be able to share them with the people in your surroundings, and it will also be a timely matter.

As is well known, there are two dimensions of the Torah:

1. one which is above time. Therefore anyone who occupies himself in the study [of the laws] of the burnt-offering is considered as having brought a burnt-offering,[46] and "[the utterances of] our lips take the place [of the offering] of bulls"[47] even though [one is studying] at night.[48]

2. [A dimension] associated with time, as Moshe ordained that the Torah be read [publicly at least three times a week]. As explained in several sources, [the Torah readings] are relevant to the weeks [in which they are read]. [To cite another example: Moshe's] ordinance to speak publicly about the laws pertaining to a holiday on that holiday, and certainly, the ordinance to speak about the laws that are immediately relevant. (See the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, the beginning of Hilchos Pesach, which mentions both of [these practices].)

On the surface, the first dimension [of the Torah] is higher than the second. Nevertheless, based on the explanations in the conclusion of the maamarim of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur[49] regarding the advantage of the revealed levels of love and fear, it is possible to say that for this reason there is an advantage to the second dimension of the Torah over the first.

If [the positive quality of timeliness] is relevant with regard to Nigleh, the revealed dimensions of Torah law, it surely applies with regard to the teachings of Chassidus, which must certainly be put into practice in actual life.[50] [Moreover, Chassidus] involves itself with the remedies of the illnesses of the soul which are more serious than the illnesses of the body, Heaven forbid (see the conclusion of the maamar for Motzaei Yom Kippur).[51] Certainly, [with regard to such study,] a timely matter is of importance.

In particular, this applies in the time of the Ten Days of Teshuvah which possesses an added advantage over the entire year, for then the Light draws close to the spark.[52] See the maamarim that discuss the bittul of the light to the Source of light.

With blessings for a chasimah and a gmar chasimah tovah for a good and sweet year for you and for all the members of our fellowship.

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

46. (Back to text) [See Menachos 110a.]

47. (Back to text) [Hoshea 14:3.]

48. (Back to text) [When it is forbidden to offer these sacrifices.]

49. (Back to text) [See Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, p. 45.]

50. (Back to text) [The Rebbe used a Russian expression which literally means "to put the ax to the wood."]

51. (Back to text) [Ibid., p. 47; see also Derech HaChayim, p. 41.]

52. (Back to text) [I.e., G-d draws close to every individual Jew. See Yeshayahu 55:6, as interpreted by Rosh HaShanah 18a.]

Rosh HaShanah blessings

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The connection between happiness and the holiday of Sukkos