This class is dedicated to the Yartzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson. We will explore a discourse given by the Rebbe on her second Yartzeit, focusing on the connection between the spiritual and the physical as revealed in the Ten Commandments.
The Significance of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments (Aseret HaDibrot) are often considered the most important part of the Torah. While "Commandments" is the common translation, they are more accurately the "Ten Sayings." These were not only spoken by G-d but inscribed by His hand into the tablets. This event at Mount Sinai was the culmination of the Exodus and the moment we truly became a people.
The First Commandment: A Theological Question
The first saying is: "I am G-d, your G-d, who took you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery."
A famous question arises: Why does G-d identify Himself as the one who took us out of Egypt rather than the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth? Creating the entire universe is a much grander, more universal feat than redeeming one nation from Egypt.
Rashi’s Explanation:
Rashi suggests that the Exodus is a reason. Because G-d redeemed us from slavery, He is entitled to impose rules upon us. We owe Him our service because He saved us.
The Philosophical/Chassidic Explanation:
Other commentaries view this as a description of G-d’s nature. In Chassidic thought, there are two ways G-d relates to the world:
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Nature (Elohim): The systematic, continuous cycle of the world.
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Miracles (Havayah): G-d’s power to break nature and act beyond its limitations.
While "Creator of Heaven and Earth" describes G-d as the source of nature, "Redeemer from Egypt" describes G-d as being beyond nature. By mentioning the Exodus, G-d is telling us that He is not bound by the world He created.
The Fusion of Spiritual and Physical
The Rebbe explains that the true miracle of Sinai was the connection of the "Upper Worlds" and "Lower Worlds." Before Sinai, the spiritual and physical were separate. At Sinai, G-d gave us the power to infuse physical matter with spiritual significance.
Even "simple" laws like "Do not murder" or "Honor your parents"—which many societies follow based on logic alone—took on a new dimension at Sinai. When a Jew performs these acts now, they aren't just being moral; they are connecting with G-d's infinite essence. This is why the physical act of a Mitzvah is so important.
Action vs. Intention
Some people believe they can connect to G-d through meditation or spiritual feelings alone. However, the Rebbe emphasized that the physical act is the primary vessel for G-dliness.
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The Parable of the Hungry Man: A man comes to your door for bread. If you spend hours meditating and preparing spiritually to give him the bread, the man might starve. You must give the bread first.
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Mitzvot with "Wings": The Zohar says that Mitzvot done without love and fear are like a bird without wings—they exist, but they cannot "fly" to G-d. However, a bird without wings is still a bird; wings without a bird are nothing. The physical action is the "body" of the connection.
Connection to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
The Rebbe connected these themes to the Rebbetzin's life and name:
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Chaya (Life): Represents the spiritual essence and G-dly connection.
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Mushka (Spice): Represents the physical world (spices are physical objects that affect the soul/smell).
Her name represents the fusion of the highest spiritual levels with the most mundane physical world. She lived a life of extreme modesty and sacrifice, completely setting aside her own personal life for the sake of the Chassidim.
When asked during a famous legal trial whether the library of the previous Rebbe belonged to her family or the community, she famously replied: "My father and the books belong to the Chassidim."
She embodied the lesson of the Ten Commandments: that greatness is found in using our physical lives to serve a higher, G-dly purpose. We honor her memory by increasing our acts of goodness and ensuring a Jewish education for the next generation.