On the ninth of Adar, 5700, the Previous Rebbe arrived in the United States with the intent of establishing his permanent home there.
[23] This constituted the transition of the center of Chabad activities from Europe, "the upper half of the world," to America, "the lower half of the world." In
Chassidus, it is explained that since the Torah was given in "the upper half of the world," the "lower half of the world" was not elevated. Nevertheless, the ultimate intent of the giving of the Torah was that, through man's efforts, Torah - including
Pnimiyus HaTorah, the soul of the Torah - would be spread throughout the entire world, including its lowest levels.
This concept is also expressed in the Ten Commandments which begin, "I am the L-rd, your G-d, who took you out of the land of Egypt." "I" refers to G-d's essence[24] who revealed Himself to the Jews and redeemed them while they were in the land of Egypt, the most depraved of all nations, a land full of idolatry. Beginning the Ten Commandments with this statement, implies that the giving of the Torah has a similar goal, revealing G-d's essence throughout the totality of existence, including even the lowest levels.
Each year, on the ninth of Adar, in a spiritual sense, this sequence of events is renewed and reinforced. Therefore, despite all the service carried out in the previous years, at present, there is a need for new and more encompassing efforts. In particular, this is true since this year, 5750, is "a year of miracles." Furthermore, this year is the fiftieth anniversary of this event. The Torah describes a fifty year period as "forever," implying that it is a period of an all-encompassing nature.
May the completion of these fifty years of service in "the lower half of the world" bring about the complete and ultimate redemption, the eternal redemption led by Mashiach. May it be in the immediate future.
It is proper that Chassidic farbrengens should be held in connection with the ninth of Adar, continuing in the subsequent days, including Shabbos and Purim. In particular, this applies here in Brooklyn, the "capitol" of the Previous Rebbe where he lived for the final ten years of his life. For "Holiness does not move from its place"; on the contrary, it becomes increased from year to year.
We will conclude by distributing money to be given to tzedakah. Tzedakah hastens the coming of all good things. May it also hasten the coming of the Messianic redemption and the fulfillment of the prophecy,[25] "And those who lie in the dust will arise and sing." May it be in the immediate future.
Notes:
- (Back to text) Though he had visited America earlier, that visit was a preliminary step, intended to prepare the ground for his permanent move.
- (Back to text) This is alluded to by the word "who," asher in Hebrew. Asher shares the same letters as osher (Alef-Shin-Reish) which means "happiness" and refers to the level of Kesser, a transcendent level of G-dliness which is ultimately reflected in G-d's essence.
- (Back to text) Cf. Yeshayahu 9:26.
