Thankful acknowledgment to a chassid for sending his memoirs; the Alter Rebbe and Reb Hillel of Paritch; renewal in Torah study

Table of contents

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The concept that the initial tzimtzum should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of G-dliness; the nature of the kav; when an orphan should begin putting on tefillin; whether the recitation of the expression B’rich Rachmana satisfies one’s obligation to recite the Grace After Meals; reciting Amen after blessings recited by children being trained to observe mitzvos; pronouncing G-d’s name while teaching students beyond the age of majority; permission for a child to hold a Torah scroll; the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy when praying alone; the recitation of the half-Kaddish that follows the reading of the Torah in the afternoon service on Shabbos; the importance of the attribute of zeal

No. 502

This letter was addressed to R. Efraim Eliezer HaKohen Yallis, one of the leading Rabbis in Philadelphia.

B"H, 10 Tammuz, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

It has been a long time since I heard from you. You and your household are all well, no doubt. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate [that we have lost touch]. In sacred texts, [there is] an allusion [to the separation that exists in the realm of holiness] brought from the verse:[478] “Those who pursue sinful counsel draw near; they are far from Your Torah.” That verse can be interpreted as] “Those who pursue sinful counsel” — i.e., politicians — “draw near” — to each other. Those who identify with “your Torah” are “far” — from each other.

We have just now published a kuntreis for Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel [Tammuz]; a copy of which is enclosed. With regard to concepts relevant to the present time:[479] There are several levels regarding the laws [of acknowledging] a miracle[480] (as noted in the commentaries to the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, sec. 218). They include:

1. a miracle that occurred to one’s teacher; but the connection between teacher and student is merely intellectual;

2. a miracle that occurred to one’s father; but the connection between father [and son] is only through the garment of the soul and does not [involve] the essence of the soul (see [the statements from] the writings of the AriZal quoted in Tanya, ch. 2);

3. a miracle that occurred to oneself; in this instance, however, there is a need for concern that one’s merits will be reduced (Shabbos 32a); hence, one’s happiness is not complete.

Higher than all the above with regard to all the details mentioned is a miracle that occurs to one’s Rebbe. For the soul of a chassid is a particular dimension of the Rebbe’s collective soul. And the happiness [experienced as a result of the miracle] is [felt] in a full sense, as is understood. May we, speedily in our days, celebrate in the rejoicing [that will accompany] the complete and encompassing Redemption led by Mashiach.

With wishes for all types of everlasting good,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

478. (Back to text) [Tehillim 119:150.]

479. (Back to text) [I.e., the days preceding Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz, the dates which commemorate the miracle of the Previous Rebbe’s release from prison.]

480. (Back to text) [Added by the Rebbe at a later date: The question] whether to establish a festival for all time on the day a miracle occurs [is discussed] in Sdei Chemed, Kellalim, sec. 29.

Thankful acknowledgment to a chassid for sending his memoirs; the Alter Rebbe and Reb Hillel of Paritch; renewal in Torah study

Table of contents

Search this book:

The concept that the initial tzimtzum should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of G-dliness; the nature of the kav; when an orphan should begin putting on tefillin; whether the recitation of the expression B’rich Rachmana satisfies one’s obligation to recite the Grace After Meals; reciting Amen after blessings recited by children being trained to observe mitzvos; pronouncing G-d’s name while teaching students beyond the age of majority; permission for a child to hold a Torah scroll; the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy when praying alone; the recitation of the half-Kaddish that follows the reading of the Torah in the afternoon service on Shabbos; the importance of the attribute of zeal