Explanations regarding the custom of eating an apple dipped in honey on Rosh HaShanah, the prohibition against eating milk products on the day before Yom Kippur, and the duration of the intervals required for the recitation of a new blessing with regard to wearing a tallis, wearing tefillin, eating in a sukkah, and smelling a pleasant fragrance

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Instructions regarding the construction of a mikveh

No. 545

This letter was sent to Rabbi Betzalel Wilshanski, one of the early members of the chassidic community in Australia.

B"H, 24 Cheshvan, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

I am writing to acknowledge your letters of 2 Cheshvan and the Thursday of Parshas Noach. Today 106 [dollars] and 1 pound sterling were received.[101]

Under separate cover, a package containing three copies of the index of the Rebbe [Rashab's] maamarim[102] was sent to you; one for you and two to sell. [Another copy] was sent to R. Moshe Feiglin individually. Undoubtedly, you will acknowledge their receipt and [describe] everything that is being done to spread [the teachings of Chassidus].

You surely have a study session to learn the Chassidus of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, who is the leader of this generation and thus, as a matter of course, all Divine influence flows through him. (Therefore even meat was drawn down through Moshe Rabbeinu.)[103] It is explained in several sources that the channel for all Divine influence is the Torah.[104] As our Sages say:[105] The world was created through the Torah and is maintained through the Torah. See the maamar published for Chai Elul, 5709.[106]

With greetings to all the members of our fellowship,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

101. (Back to text) [Interestingly, the Rebbe did not mention the funds directly, but rather in code.]

102. (Back to text) [That was printed on 20 Cheshvan, 5710.]

103. (Back to text) [Bamidbar, ch. 11, relates that the people came to Moshe asking for meat. Moshe relayed their request to G-d Who told Moshe to bring 70 elders upon whom He would convey Moshe's spirit. The elders were chosen and prophesied, and directly afterwards the Jews were granted meat.

     Chassidus (Torah Or, p. 14a, et al.) explains that Moshe was on too high a spiritual plane to lower himself to provide the people with meat. On the other hand, he was the source through which all Divine influence — even the most physical — flowed. The seventy elders served as intermediaries through whom Moshe's influence could be brought down into material matters.]

104. (Back to text) [Hence studying the Rebbe's teachings creates a channel to receive influence from him.]

105. (Back to text) [Zohar II, p. 161b.]

106. (Back to text) [Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 219.]

Explanations regarding the custom of eating an apple dipped in honey on Rosh HaShanah, the prohibition against eating milk products on the day before Yom Kippur, and the duration of the intervals required for the recitation of a new blessing with regard to wearing a tallis, wearing tefillin, eating in a sukkah, and smelling a pleasant fragrance

Table of contents

Search this book:

Instructions regarding the construction of a mikveh