It is proper to "Begin with blessing," to extend the blessing for a gut moed to each member of the Jewish people, and, in particular, to those present here.
This is particularly relevant at present because the seven days of Sukkos (and, similarly, the holidays of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah which follow) are referred to as "the season of our rejoicing." This implies, that in comparison to Pesach and Shavuos which are associated with freedom and the giving of our Torah, a greater emphasis is placed on happiness.
Similarly, the concept of blessing is relevant to the present day, a Tuesday, since, in the narrative of creation, Tuesday is distinguished as the day when the expression, "And G-d saw that it was good," was repeated. Similarly, today is the sixth day of the holiday of Sukkos and six is twice three.
This doubling of the number three alludes to the concept that a Jew's service must be two-fold. For example, in the study of Torah, a person must be involved in the study of Nigleh, the revealed dimensions of Torah law, and P'nimiyus HaTorah (Torah's mystic dimension). Similarly, our fulfillment of mitzvos is two-fold, involving the intent of the mitzvah and its actual performance. Furthermore, the goal of the mitzvos, to bring the world to a state of perfection involves two dimensions: time and space.
The concept of six as a multiple of two and three is further emphasized by the fact that the refinement of the world is accomplished through the Jews' fulfillment of Torah and mitzvos. The Jews are described as "a three-fold people" and the Torah as "a three-fold light." (More particularly, each aspect of the Jews and the Torah is itself two-fold, involving the body and the soul.)
The above relates to Yosef, the ushpiz of the present night, who is associated with Yesod, the sixth emotional attribute. Yesod means "foundation." The service described above is the foundation for all positive qualities.
The above shares a connection with the present year which began with a three day continuum of holiness.[105] Similarly, this factor repeats itself twice in connection with "the season of our rejoicing," recurring both at the beginning and the conclusion of that holiday. Thus, each of these three day contiuums creates a chazakah of holiness and this chazakah is itself repeated as a chazakah.[106]
In this context, it is appropriate to mention that the farbrengen usually held Simchas Torah afternoon will be postponed until Shabbos afternoon because of several halachic questions that arise when the festivals flow directly into Shabbos.
Although the farbrengen will not be held in its usual time, the spiritual influences associated with it will not be lacking. On the contrary, as explained in regard to the nullification of the blowing of the shofar when Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbos, the Shabbos itself provides the spiritual influence[107] that would otherwise be brought about by the sounding of the shofar. Indeed, this influence is more complete than when we actually sound the shofar.[108]
There is no need to elaborate on the above since surely, Mashiach will come before Simchas Torah. Then, Simchas Torah will be celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeres and there will be an interruption between these days and Shabbos. Thus, it will be possible to hold the farbrengen at its usual time.
Furthermore, even should the farbrengen not be held at the usual time, carrying out the spiritual dimensions will bring about all the necessary influences. We see this concept in regard to Simchas Beis HaShoevah. Indeed, our carrying out the spiritual services associated with Simchas Beis HaShoevah in the era of exile has an advantage over the celebration of Simchas Beis HaShoevah in the Beis HaMikdash as evidenced by the fact that we are able to carry out this service on Shabbos and the festivals as well.[109]
Each night, we should increase our celebration of Simchas Beis HaShoevah. In particular, this applies to those individuals who travel to spread the happiness of the Previous Rebbe's community to Jews living in more removed communities. May it be said that "Whoever did not see the Simchas Beis HaShoevah of the present night -- here in Brooklyn and wherever else one travels to spread joy among Jews -- never saw happiness in his life." And may this lead to the coming of Mashiach. May it be in the immediate future.
Notes:
- (Back to text) As explained (See the sichos of Shabbos Shuvah, 5751), more precisely, there is a difference between the holiness of Shabbos and that of the festivals. Shabbos is described as kodesh, "holy," while the festivals are called mikro'ai kodesh, literally, "the calling forth of holiness," i.e., the extension of the holiness of Shabbos into the weekdays.
As a result, when Shabbos is followed by a festival, havdalah ("distinction") is recited to make note of the descent in spiritual level. In contrast, when a festival is followed by Shabbos, havdalah is not recited because this is not appropriate when ascending to a higher level of holiness.
- (Back to text) Similarly, this year is marked by a threefold repetition of the portion V'Zos HaBerachah, "And this is the blessing which Moshe... gave the children of Israel." These blessings are given with great happiness for a leader of the Jewish people takes pleasure in blessing his people. This was openly seen in the conduct of the Previous Rebbe.
- (Back to text) It is impossible to say that the spiritual influence associated with the sounding of the shofar will be lacking entirely for this spiritual service involves crowning G-d as King.
- (Back to text) The law that requires the sounding of the shofar in the Beis HaMikdash (or in a High Court of Torah law) even when Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbos does not contradict the above concept. Because of the elevated nature of these places, Shabbos alone cannot draw down the totality of the influence that can be achieved through human activity, for G-d desires our deeds.
- (Back to text) In the era of the Beis HaMikdash, Simchas Beis HaShoevah was not celebrated on Shabbos or on the first night of the festival, because the sounding of the flute was considered an aspect of ritual service. In contrast, in the celebration of Simchas Beis HaShoevah in exile, the sounding of a flute is not obligatory. Therefore, at present, there is nothing to hinder the celebration of Simchas Beis HaShoevah on Shabbos and festivals as well.
5th Day of Sukkos, 5751