Torah and Tea 5785 – Parshas Bahar-Bechukosai, Purpose in Life, and Lessons from Tanya
1. The Weekly Torah Cycle and Double Parsha
This week we read a double portion: Bahar—on the mountain, and Bechukosai—if you follow My statutes. Typically, each Shabbat we read one section of the Torah, called the parsha or sedra. The Torah is divided into 53 parshas, so by reading one each week, we complete the entire Torah in a year. This cycle culminates on Simchat Torah—rejoicing with the Torah—when we celebrate finishing the Torah and immediately begin anew. Sometimes, due to holidays or scheduling, we read two portions together, as we do this Shabbos with Bahar and Bechukosai.
The Torah is also divided into five books—the Five Books of Moses. This week, with Bechukosai, we finish the third book: Vayikra—Leviticus. The word Chumash means ‘a fifth,’ referring to these five divisions. So today we complete one Chumash—the third fifth of the Torah.
2. Likutey Sichos and Learning from the Rebbe’s Teachings
The Rebbe has a series of books called Likutey Sichos—a collection of talks. We are learning from volume 27 this week: the first talk is on Bahar and the second on Bechukosai. Each week I try to select a small but meaningful idea from these discussions to share here—something brief yet impactful that we can all take away.
This week’s focus is on serving Hashem—a theme that is also foundational in Tanya. For those less familiar (like Nicole), Tanya is the basic Hasidic text authored by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe. Our Rebbe is the seventh in this line; there were six before him.
3. Parallels Between Chabad Rebbes and Their Families
The first Chabad Rebbe was Schneur Zalman. Interestingly, both the third and seventh (our) Rebbes shared not only names but also their wives’ names: Menachem Mendel married to Chaya Mushka in both cases. In fact, Chaya Mushka Minkowitz just had her birthday yesterday and is named after the Rebbe’s wife.
Another striking similarity: most Chabad Rebbes were sons of their predecessors, except for these two cases—the Tzemach Tzedek (third Rebbe) and our Rebbe (seventh). Both were sons-in-law rather than sons of their predecessors. Despite not being a biological son, our Rebbe’s relationship with his father-in-law (the previous Rebbe) was exceptionally deep—a connection filled with love and respect beyond description.
The Rebbe would always attribute blessings to his father-in-law rather than himself, often saying he would read people’s notes at his father-in-law’s graveside (Ohel). The last time the Rebbe visited the Ohel was also when he suffered his final stroke. This devotion exemplifies total self-subjugation to his predecessor.
4. The Purpose of Creation According to Tanya
The Tanya teaches that every person is created for a purpose—Ani nivresi l’shamesh es koni—‘I have been created to serve my Creator.’ We are not here by accident or simply because our parents had us; there is a goal for each soul in this world.
This idea runs through all of Tanya and much of what the Rebbe taught: our existence has meaning because Hashem wants us here for a reason—to serve Him like a servant serves a master. Unfortunately, many people today are too busy or indifferent to consider their life’s purpose. There’s much ignorance and apathy about why we are here.
A Jewish soul especially yearns for something deeper than material pleasure or success. Just as our bodies need healthy food for strength, our souls need spiritual nourishment to be healthy and happy.
5. Physical Health as Part of Serving Hashem
The Rebbe strongly emphasized maintaining physical health as part of serving Hashem properly. He opposed unnecessary fasting or self-affliction unless medically advised (such as intermittent fasting for health). The body must be cared for according to doctors’ advice: eat well, exercise, follow science—neglecting your body is not serving Hashem but rather going against His will.
This perspective underscores that serving God does not mean harming oneself physically but rather living healthily so one can fulfill spiritual goals effectively.
6. Feeding Our Souls: Meaning Beyond Materialism
If people neglect their souls while pursuing only pleasure or material gain, they ultimately find themselves unfulfilled or even miserable despite outward success. Depression, unhappiness, addiction issues—these often stem from ignoring spiritual needs (neshama—soul).
The purpose of creation is not just personal fulfillment but also making a difference in others’ lives: sharing knowledge or inspiration with others brings them closer to Hashem as well. Ignorance often leads to indifference or apathy toward spirituality—but once someone experiences genuine connection with Hashem, it brings true joy because it aligns with their soul’s essence.
You don’t have to spend all day in shul (davening—praying) or learning Torah exclusively; even ordinary activities like working, eating, sleeping can be part of serving Hashem if done with proper intent.
7. Tzaddikim and Beinoni: Struggles in Avodas Hashem
Tanya discusses two main types of spiritual personalities:
- Tzaddik: Some people manage to transform themselves internally so that doing good becomes second nature—they no longer struggle against negative tendencies but naturally desire what is right (Tzaddik—righteous person).
- Beinoni: Most people remain in constant struggle against their negative inclinations (yetzer hara). Even if they win today’s battle against temptation (whether it’s getting up early for shul or overcoming an addiction), tomorrow brings new challenges requiring renewed effort.
The average person (beinoni) may feel discouraged by this ongoing struggle: “If I have to fight every day anew and sometimes fail anyway, what’s the point?”
8. Practical Guidance from the Rebbe on Spiritual Growth
I once asked the Rebbe about this very issue when I was young: why bother making resolutions if I know I’ll fail again? The Rebbe gave me two pieces of advice:
- Make small commitments: Choose something manageable so you can succeed consistently.
- Share your commitment: Tell someone else about your resolution so you’ll feel accountable.
This approach helps build confidence through small victories before taking on bigger challenges.
The fact that most people are beinonim does not mean they cannot succeed spiritually! Hashem only expects us to do our best within our abilities—nothing more or less than that.
9. Conclusion – Embracing Our Role in Avodas Hashem
The tzaddik serves Hashem effortlessly after transforming himself internally; most of us remain beinonim who must continually strive against inner struggles day after day.
The key message from Tanya and from all these teachings is that ongoing effort itself fulfills our purpose in creation.
The class ended here due to time constraints but will continue next week with further exploration.
Thank you all for joining today!