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On the ninth of Adar, 5700,[108] the Previous Rebbe arrived in the United States with the intent of establishing his permanent home there.[109] This constituted the transfer 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 P'nimiyus 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[110] 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 reenacted in a renewed and reinforced manner. 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 (É"ÖÜ), 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 Moshiach.[111] May it be in the immediate future.

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The Messianic redemption is also connected to the present month, the month of Adar. Adar is a month of celebration as our Sages commented, "When Adar commences, happiness should be increased." This happiness, in contrast to the happiness of the other months of the year, is unlimited in nature. Thus, we find that though the festivals of Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukkos, are described as "festivals for rejoicing," the court would send emissaries to insure that the celebration were kept within certain limits. In contrast, the celebrations of Purim are unlimited in nature. This relates to the Messianic redemption for the ultimate expression of happiness will come in the Messianic age.

This unbounded happiness is not restricted to Purim alone. The Megillah describes Adar as "the month that was transformed," implying that the month as a whole is one of celebration.[112] In particular, this is true now that eight days of the month have past. The number eight shares a connection to the Messianic redemption.[113]

The present day, Tuesday, is also connected to the Messianic redemption. Tuesday is associated with the repetition of the phrase, "And G-d saw that it was good," interpreted by our Sages as a reference to a twofold good, "good to the heavens" and "good to the creatures." This twofold service relates to Moshiach's coming since, as our Sages explain, all repeated terms in Torah are allusions to the concept of redemption.

A connection to the Messianic redemption can also be found in this week's Torah portion which describes the mitzvah of kindling the Menorah. It begins VeAtah Titzaveh. Atah can be interpreted as referring to G-d's essence and Titzaveh to the establishment of a connection. A connection is established between G-d's essence and every aspect of creation, even the lowest levels. The passage continues "as eternal[114] statute."[115] The ultimate expression of these concepts will come in the Messianic age when complete unity will be established throughout the world. This unity will be of an eternal nature.

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. "Holiness does not move from its place." On the contrary, it becomes increased from year to year, particularly this year, the fortieth year after the Previous Rebbe's passing, the year when "a person attains full grasp of his teacher's wisdom."

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, "And those who lie in the dust will arise and sing." May it be in the immediate future.

   

Notes:

108. (Back to text) Though the Previous Rebbe arrived in Adar Sheni, during an ordinary year, all the services connected with both months of Adar are accomplished in a single month.

109. (Back to text) Though he had visited America earlier, that visit was a preliminary step, intended to prepare the ground for his permanent move.

110. (Back to text) This is alluded to by the word "who," asher (ÿÖÇ) in Hebrew. Asher shares the same letters as osher (ÿÖàÇ) 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.

111. (Back to text) Moshiach represents the level of yechidah in regard to souls. This relates to the level of yechidah in each individual soul and the level of yechidah in Torah, P'nimiyus HaTorah.

112. (Back to text) There is a halachic dimension to this concept as well. When there is no other alternative, after the fact, it is acceptable if the Megillah was read from the beginning of Adar.

113. (Back to text) This concept is explained in regard to the advantage of Chanukah (an eight day festival) over the seven days of Pesach and Sukkos.

114. (Back to text) The holiday of Purim also has an eternal dimension. The Megillah states, "These days of Purim will never pass from among the Jews, nor will their remembrance ever cease from their seed."

115. (Back to text) The word statute, chok, is also related to the word, chakikah, "engraving." When letters are engraved, they remain forever, never to be erased.