Explanation of the statement in the series of maamarim entitled Basi LeGani that "the treasure-stores are distributed [specifically] through the officers…, but the inner intent is that [they reach] the ordinary soldiers through whom the victory will actually come"; the need for each person to act as both an officer and an ordinary soldier

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A response to a chassid who had asked that the Rebbe accept leadership of the chassidic movement; an explanation of the statement of the Zohar III, p. 145b, that an unmarried priest is forbidden to perform any service in the Beis HaMikdash

No. 575

The text of this letter was sent to various individuals, personally addressed to each one.

B"H, Adar 25, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

In honor of the approaching [yahrzeit-]Yom HaHilula of the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Nissan, [you will find] enclosed the kuntres that was just published. Undoubtedly, you will share it with people at large.

The background to this kuntres is explained in my introduction to it.[297]

In addition to the two points concerning Beis Nissan that involve our Rebbeim, it is possible to add a point concerning a general matter relevant to this day:

It is well known that there are two opinions (Rosh HaShanah 10b) regarding the date of the creation of the world: whether it was brought into being in Tishrei or in Nissan.[298] "These and these are words of the living G-d,"[299] as stated in Tosafos, s.v., kimaan (ibid. 27a; see also Shaar HaKavannos, Rosh HaShanah, Derush 1; Nahar Sholom 74b: the Warsaw printing of Etz Chayim, sec. 3, p. 39c, which correlates with the explanation given by Tosafos).

According to the opinion of the Sages who maintain that the world was created in Nissan, Beis Nissan was the first Shabbos. Thus Beis Nissan was distinct from all the days of existence[300] in that it did not have a night at all. As our Sages say, [on that day,] darkness did not function together with [the light] at all (Midrash Tehillim, ch. 92; see also Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachos 8:6; Bereishis Rabbah 11:2, et al.). This is in contrast to all of the other days that followed the Sin of the Tree of Knowledge. [Indeed,] even before that sin, it is written:[301] "And there was evening and there was morning." [This pattern will continue] until the Ultimate Future, concerning which it is said:[302] "Night will shine as day" (see Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer, ch. 18).

Perhaps it is possible to say that this refers to the concept of the inner dimension of the Torah in general, for it is called "the Tree of Life" (as explained in Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, sec. 26) and especially, the teachings of Chassidus, for they in particular are involved in the correction of [the ramifications of] the Sin of the Tree of Knowledge. And yet, [in addition to] all of this, [these teachings] are the inner dimensions of the Torah, "the Tree of Life," (as explained in Kuntres Etz HaChayim, from [the Rebbe Rashab,] whose yahrzeit is being commemorated). For the fundamental process of refinement comes about through [the revelation] from above downward and not through enclothing oneself in [the choice of] good over evil. (This is one of the fundamental differences between [the teachings of Chassidus]and those of Mussar.)

The dimension of [spreading] the wellsprings of these teachings outward with greater strength and greater power came about through my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, who was elevated to his position of leadership on Beis Nissan. This is not the place to elaborate on the matter.

May it be G-d's will that on this special day, each of us, male and female, serve as a medium to draw down and receive the influence of our Nasi, hk"m, in material and spiritual matters. And may [we merit] the fulfillment of our Sages' prophecy:[303] "In Nissan, they were redeemed, and in Nissan they will be redeemed in the future," by our righteous Mashiach.

With wishes for a kosher holiday and for all forms of good,

M. Schneerson

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I received the letter of 2 Adar. Surely you remember what we spoke about while you were here. I mentioned those who signed [the pan] when I was at the gravesite, on the day of the creation of the world,[304] [requesting blessings] for you and all those who rely on you and receive influence from you to lead them on the path ascending to the House of G-d.

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With wishes for a kosher holiday[305] and for all forms of good, and greetings to all who receive influence from you, leading them on the path of connection to the Tree of Life, which is the teachings of Chassidus.[306]

The 100 you mentioned in your letter of 21 Adar was given to the nifneh[307] fund. The schedule of study you established will be read at the gravesite. With regard to what you wrote concerning the kuntres of Yud-Tes Kislev,[308] without binding myself by a vow, the response [will come] after I am able to free myself from the preparation of the kuntres for the Pesach holiday, (a collection of maamarim, talks, and letters from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m)....

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Undoubtedly, you will continue sending your memoirs, particularly in the present situation.[309]

   

Notes:

297. (Back to text) [Letter No. 573 above.]

298. (Back to text) [More specifically, on the 25th of Elul or on the 25th of Adar.]

299. (Back to text) [Cf. Eruvin 13b.]

300. (Back to text) [On 3 Tammuz,] "the consummate day," [given that name, because on that day, the sun shined for 24 hours, because it stood] in Givon [Yehoshua, ch. 10], [this phenomenon] was restricted only to half the world. [On the first Shabbos, by contrast, the sun also shined for 24 hours and all existence was permeated with light.]

301. (Back to text) [Bereishis 1:5, et al.]

302. (Back to text) [Tehillim 139:12.]

303. (Back to text) This [view] is mentioned without [debate] in Shmos Rabbah 15:11.

304. (Back to text) [I.e., the 25th of Adar.]

305. (Back to text) [This note was appended to the letter sent to R. Nissan Nemenov, the spiritual mentor of the Lubavitch yeshivah in Brunoy, France.]

306. (Back to text) [The term the Rebbe uses for Chassidus is d"ach, an acronym for divrei Elokim chayim, "the words of the living G-d."]

307. (Back to text) [The term nifneh was a chassidic code, referring to maamad, the money given by chassidim to the Rebbe to use at his discretion. See note 123.]

308. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 556.]

309. (Back to text) [This addition was sent to R. Shneur Zalman Duchman, one of the elder chassidim, who was wont to send the Rebbe Rayatz copies of his memoirs. See Letter No. 414, et al.]

Explanation of the statement in the series of maamarim entitled Basi LeGani that "the treasure-stores are distributed [specifically] through the officers…, but the inner intent is that [they reach] the ordinary soldiers through whom the victory will actually come"; the need for each person to act as both an officer and an ordinary soldier

Table of contents

Search this book:

A response to a chassid who had asked that the Rebbe accept leadership of the chassidic movement; an explanation of the statement of the Zohar III, p. 145b, that an unmarried priest is forbidden to perform any service in the Beis HaMikdash