Instructions to a chassid in France

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Lag BaOmer and the revelation of pnimiyus haTorah

No. 479

This letter was addressed to Rabbi C. Y. Shmucklerman.

B"H, 3 Iyar, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

While recently checking through the lists from the Committee for the Sefer Torah,[331] we found a list of individuals who made donations through you. Since we do not know whether [this list] was sent to you at that time, we are sending you a copy now. Please acknowledge receipt of it.

To conclude with “repartee concerning the Torah, for it is good” (Talmud Yerushalmi, the conclusion of Berachos): It is well known even in nigleh (the revealed realm of Torah law) that the name [of the month of] Iyar is an acronym for the names Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, and Rachel (Beis Shmuel, Even HaEzer 126:2). [Our Patriarchs are described][332] as G-d’s chariot. The analogy of a chariot conveys both an advantage and a disadvantage. For a chariot is a separate entity, [removed] from the driver. [Their relationship] does not [resemble that of] the body and the soul or the like. Nevertheless, the bittul of the chariot is very great.

This is the general lesson [taught by the present month]. The month of Nissan is associated with the term nes, “miracle.” [It relates to] matters that are revealed through an arousal from Above, but afterwards require the bittul of a separate entity [through] an arousal from below. Only after these two [phases] can we receive the Torah and its mitzvos in the third month, the month of Sivan.

With greetings to all the members of our brotherhood, and with wishes for everlasting good in all matters,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

331. (Back to text) [I.e., the Torah scroll to greet Mashiach; see Letter No. 445 and notes there.]

332. (Back to text) [Bereishis Rabbah 47:6; cited in Tanya, ch. 23, 34, et al.]

Instructions to a chassid in France

Table of contents

Search this book:

Lag BaOmer and the revelation of pnimiyus haTorah