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Rosh HaShanah blessings; the significance of Rosh HaShanah being the anniversary of man's creation

No. 248

This letter was addressed to R. Yaakov Katz, one of the initial supporters of Lubavitch activities in America.

B"H, Sunday, 12 Elul, 5706

Greetings and blessings,

You certainly remember our discussion concerning printing one of the books of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, on your account, without other partners. Throughout this time I have not mentioned the matter, since I was not certain when we could expect such a book to be completed by the printer given the present shortages of paper, workers, and the like.

Now I have a practical proposition: According to the earnest pledge of the printer, in a week or two, the first book of maamarim from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, will be printed. This book contains the chassidic discourses in Yiddish that were printed in HaKeriah VehaKedushah. ([It contains] 55 discourses, approximately 220 pages. Its format and binding will resemble that of Toras HaChassidus. The printing costs will be between $1200 and $1400.)

I await your answer [regarding]: a) whether the proposal is appropriate for you and you accept it, and b) if yes, if we should use the same text for the dedication as we used for Toras Shalom,[92] or do you wish to choose a different [text]?

Since the printer is hurrying [the completion of] the work and I am certainly in a hurry, I am sending this letter to you by airmail. I hope to receive your answer in the same manner. I send thanks from the outset.

To conclude with matters relevant to the present time: In his commentary to this week's Torah reading (Devarim 26:4): ["The priest shall take the basket from his hand,"] Rashi (based on the Sifri) [states]: "The priest puts his hand beneath the hand of the owners and waves [the first fruits]." [The question arises:] What is the ethical lesson that can be derived from the fact that both the priest and the owner must be involved?

[In resolution, it can be explained that] every Jew has [two dimensions. He is]:

1. a priest. The priests are G-d's agents (Kiddushin 23b). This refers to an arousal granted from Above. [On an individual level, this relates to] the G-dly soul which, even at the time of sin, is faithful to Him (Tanya, the conclusion of ch. 24);

2. an owner, [as it is written:][93] "The earth He gave to man." This refers to an arousal from below; we must labor ourselves. [On an individual level, this relates to] the animal soul which exists in the [material] world and has free choice with regard to which course to take.

The ultimate intent in the refinement of the matters of this world is that the best and the most luscious be "place[d] before G-d your L-rd"[94] and eaten by the priest, instead of being burnt [as a sacrifice]. This relates to the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov based on the verse:[95] "When you see the donkey..." (HaYom Yom, p. 23). [In the present context as well, there are] two factors: a) eating, b) before G-d your L-rd.

All of this can be carried out without fooling oneself (see Toras Shalom, pp. 50, 62, 122)[96] only when both the priest and the owner that exists within every Jew participates.

Concluding with wishes for a kesivah vachasimah tovah,

   

Notes:

92. (Back to text) [With regard to R. Katz's commitment to subsidize the publication of Toras Shalom, see Letter 211.]

93. (Back to text) [Tehillim 115:16.]

94. (Back to text) [Devarim 26:10. The verse is speaking about bringing bikkurim, the offering of the first fruits. The Rebbe is explaining that the laws pertaining to the first fruits serve as an analogy for one's relation to worldly matters as a whole.]

95. (Back to text) [Shmos 23:5. The Baal Shem Tov explains that one must look at the body as "one's enemy." Nevertheless, instead of trying to break it, he should try to refine it and transform it into a medium for holiness.]

96. (Back to text) Pp. 46, 57, and 131 in the present printing.

Directives to a chassid

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Rosh HaShanah blessings; the significance of Rosh HaShanah being the anniversary of man's creation