The connection between the quality of peace and the Priestly Blessings

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Further discussion concerning the intervals requiring the recitation of a new blessing with regard to wearing a tallis, wearing tefillin, eating in a sukkah, and smelling a pleasant fragrance; why only one blessing each day is sufficient for Torah study

No. 549

The following is a portion of a letter that, though undated, appears to have been sent in the middle of Kislev, 5710. The identity of the recipient was also not released.

...Enclosed is the kuntres for the approaching Yud-Tes Kislev [festival] that was just published. Undoubtedly, it is unnecessary to inspire you to look carefully and analyze the letters of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, [published] at the beginning and end of that kuntres.

Consequently, it is unnecessary to motivate you about the pressing need to share this kuntres with others, as emphasized in the first letter. [Note the passage which concludes:] "On the contrary," [which emphasizes the importance of increasing the dissemination of the teachings of Chassidus]. It is possible to explain [the need for such an increase as follows]:

1. From the standpoint of the lower realms: At this time, there is a need for a great light, and for it to spread out extensively because of the qualitative [descent of our era], (as [our Sages] rhetorically asked:[144] "Has the generation improved spirituality?" And [they said:][145] "If the [righteous men of the] first [generation] would be considered angels, then we [would be considered men...]"); and the quantitative factor (due to the events of recent times[146] [which have caused] the number of the Jewish people to decrease collectively and individually).

2. From the standpoint of [the light from] Above: In general, every year, there descends a new and higher light from a more sublime spiritual level which has never before shined in the world (see [Tanya,] Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 14). Accordingly, it is necessary to increase the vessels to [internalize] this light. In particular, the time of "in its time, I will hasten it,"[147] i.e., the coming and the revelation of Mashiach, is approaching and drawing near. The medium to bring this about is the light of the teachings of Chassidus. (See the sichos of Simchas Torah, 5690, where this concept is explained at length.) The precondition for this is that the wellsprings of Chassidus spread outward. Thus [the teachings of Chassidus] must be spread to a place that until now was considered as "the outer reaches." The vessel for the light of Mashiach must be enlarged in every place.

May it be G-d's will that all the blessings in the [above-mentioned] letters become manifest in a full sense, speedily in our days.

   

Notes:

144. (Back to text) [Yevamos 32b; Chulin 93b.]

145. (Back to text) [Shabbos 112b; Zevachim 97a.]

146. (Back to text) [I.e., the Holocaust.]

147. (Back to text) [Yeshayahu 60:22; interpreted by Sanhedrin 98a to mean that if the Jews do not merit, the Redemption will come "in its time." If the Jews merit, "I will hasten it."]

The connection between the quality of peace and the Priestly Blessings

Table of contents

Search this book:

Further discussion concerning the intervals requiring the recitation of a new blessing with regard to wearing a tallis, wearing tefillin, eating in a sukkah, and smelling a pleasant fragrance; why only one blessing each day is sufficient for Torah study