1

It has been explained on many previous occasions that the service of our generation centers on Teshuvah Ila'ah, the level of Teshuvah connected with happiness.[22] Teshuvah Tata'ah, the level of Teshuvah associated with remorse and bitterness, was fulfilled in a complete manner in the previous generations, particularly in the Holocaust, and we have been given a different thrust of service.

Surely, this applies at present, towards the conclusion of the Ten Days of Teshuvah as we approach Yom Kippur, the day on which we are "purified before the L-rd." In truth, the service of Teshuvah Ila'ah is associated with the month of Elul as obvious from its association with the verse, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." Surely, Teshuvah Ila'ah is appropriate after the experience of Chai Elul, the Shabbos on which the month of Tishrei is blessed, that blessing being recited by G-d, Himself, and the days of Selichos. How much more so is it appropriate after the service of Rosh HaShanah, particularly, this year when Rosh HaShanah was celebrated on Shabbos.

G-d will surely grant every individual the material and the spiritual blessings necessary for him to carry out his service with joy and to continually proceed to higher levels of service. Since the entire Jewish people -- men, women, and children -- participated in the coronation of G-d as King of the world on Rosh HaShanah through the sounding of the shofar, He will grant all their needs. This will also serve as a preparation for the era when G-d "will sound the great shofar for our freedom," with the coming of the Messianic redemption.

Especially, since this address will be connected with the distribution of money to be given to charity and together with that, the distribution of Lekach, honey-cake. The name Lekach is also a reference to Torah which is also described as a "Lekach Tov."

The letters of the word çùî are the same as those of the word ùîç, "portion." This refers to the verse, "His nation are the portion of the L-rd. Ya'akov is the lot of His inheritance." This implies that every Jew is considered as an heir. He merits this portion immediately and is held dear by G-d. Indeed, as the Baal Shem Tov teaches, every Jew is as dear to G-d as an only son born to his parents in advanced age. This applies to every Jew, man or woman, regardless if he was born to a family where he has brothers or sisters or not.

This is connected with the weekly potion, "This is the blessing which Moshe blessed." We will merit the blessings of Moshe with the coming of the Messianic redemption for "he is the first redeemer, he will be the ultimate redeemer," the Moshiach. May he come immediately.

Then, we will continue the preparations for Yom Kippur which is a microcosm of the era of resurrection. In that era, the soul will derive its energy from the body without the intermediary of food or drink. A similar process characterizes the manner in which we derive our life energy on Yom Kippur. Even doctors explain that when a person does not eat, he receives energy that has been stored by the body.

An added allusion to the preparations for the advent of the Messianic era can be derived from the present date, the ninth of Tishrei. The number ten is associated with the Messianic era. Then, our people will sing the tenth song of redemption, the tenth red heifer will be offered, etc.; nine is a preparation for ten.

This is also related to our Sages' statement that whoever eats and drinks on the ninth of Tishrei is considered as if he fasted for two days. The Hebrew for "considered as if," ma'aleh elev hakasov, literally means "is elevated by the verse." Torah elevates the person and lifts him to a higher level, as if he fasted for two days. For this reason, it is customary to eat two meals on the ninth of Tishrei. Indeed, there are those who, like on Shabbos, eat a third meal.

The above is surely enhanced by the succession of three years, first the preparation of ç"ÄÖÜ "a year of happiness," then, ê"ÄÖÜ, "the year of release," and now, Tav-Shin-Nun, "a year of miracles."

This will include the ultimate miracle, L'Shanah Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim," "Next year in Jerusalem." As the previous Rebbe explains, the intent is not that we would have to wait another year for the Messianic redemption. Rather Moshiach will come now and thus, next year, we will celebrate Yom Kippur[23] in Jerusalem.

2

{The Rebbe Shlita began by reciting the priestly blessings.}

Our Sages explain that the verse, "Seek the L-rd when He is to be found, call to Him when He is close," refers to "the ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur." Chassidic thought explains that these ten days reflect the building of the Sefirah of Malchus.[24]

In particular, this is true in the present year, "a year of miracles." {The Rebbe Shlita then mentioned blessings connected with each letter of the Aleph-Beis explaining that by doing so, he was including other blessings that were not explicitly mentioned. Afterwards, he continued:}

The blessings granted to the Jewish people as a whole after Minchah also apply to you. Indeed, you are the "heads of the people," for your service involves the study of Torah, using all your intellectual faculties, deriving a Halachic directive that is applicable within the context of the material world.[25] It is stated, "Israel and the Holy One, blessed be He, are one." This unity is achieved through the Torah and thus is relevant to Yeshivah students. This is also connected with Teshuvah Ila'ah, the service of Yom Kippur, which is associated with the study of Torah in a spirit of happiness.

The Aleph-Beis also contains undesirable elements. However, as our Sages relate, these must be seen as hidden blessings, a good that is too high to come in open revelation. Yet, as apparent from our Sages statements, through Torah study, this good can be revealed.

This is particularly true when the study includes P'nimiyus HaTorah which is above exile. Though many of you might have tasted exile when you learned in other yeshivos, from the time you entered Tomchei Temimim onward, your status has been one of redemption. This is connected with the ultimate Messianic redemption. May it be now, immediately.

3

This is the evening following Yom Kippur. The Shulchan Aruch states that we should begin building our Sukkos at this time. Even though there are many, including myself, who do not actually build a Sukkah at this time, the mention of this law will compensate for the lack of the actual deed.

May we soon merit to celebrate in the Sukkah made from the Leviathan's hide. May you have a good month, a good Yom Tov. May these influences be felt throughout the entire year which will be a year of miracles.

   

Notes:

22. (Back to text) This is connected with the study of Torah as it is stated, "the statutes of the L-rd are just, they gladden the heart."

23. (Back to text) The same concept is also explained in regard to this proclamation when it is made at the Pesach Seder.

24. (Back to text) The Arizal notes that aside from Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, themselves, there are seven days. He explains that these seven days reflect the seven days of the week. On these days, it is possible to compensate for the service of each of the days of the previous year.

25. (Back to text) This is also connected to Rosh HaShanah for the judgment of that holiday is primarily concerned with material affairs. This is also related to the Chassidic adage, "G-d gives Jews material blessings and the Jews transform the material into spiritual."