Inyan Teileichu – The Deeper Meaning of Spiritual Growth
1. Dedication and Context of the Shiur
Today’s class is dedicated to the yortzeit of Shmuel ben Tzvi, Marty’s father, of blessed memory. We gather to honor his memory on this special day, and to draw inspiration from the Torah portion we began reading today: Im b’chukosai teileichu—if you will go in My statutes. This phrase serves as the foundation for our discussion about spiritual growth and the unique privilege that Jews possess.
2. The Privilege of Growth Beyond Angels
One of the remarkable privileges we have as Jews is an opportunity that even surpasses that of angels. While it’s common to think of angels as occupying a higher spiritual plane than humans, the Torah teaches otherwise through the phrase im b’chukosai teileichu. There is a verse in Zechariah where Hashem says, “I will give you the ability to walk among those who stand here.” At first glance, this seems to mean that Hashem will allow us to join the angels who are standing there. However, Chassidus explains a deeper distinction between angels and humans.
An angel is called an omed—one who stands. Angels remain fixed at their level; they do not grow or ascend beyond their original state. For example, when Hashem created the camp of Mikhoel with great love for Hashem, or Gavriel with gevurah—strength—those qualities remain unchanged for eternity. In contrast, a Jew has not only the opportunity but also the responsibility to grow and move forward.
3. The Commandment to Move Forward: Teileichu
The word teileichu—you shall go—implies movement and progress. Unlike angels who stand still, Jews are commanded not to remain stagnant but to continually strive for greater heights in their connection with Hashem. This expectation is embedded in our very identity: we must always be moving, growing, and seeking elevation.
This capacity for growth means that no matter how high we reach spiritually, there is always another level to attain. Our journey is never complete; we are called upon to keep ascending in our relationship with Hashem.
4. The Meaning of Chukosai: Engraved Connection
The word chukosai—My statutes—shares a root with chakikah, meaning engraving. This concept is illustrated by comparing two forms of writing: ink on parchment versus engraving on stone. In a Sefer Torah or tefillin, ink sits atop parchment—the ink and parchment remain separate entities. Over time, ink can fade or be rubbed away, potentially invalidating the scroll.
The tablets given at Sinai were different—the letters were engraved into the stone itself so that letter and material became one inseparable entity. This symbolizes our soul’s connection with Hashem: it is not superficial like ink on parchment but deeply engraved within us.
5. The Permanence of Our Bond with Hashem
This engraved connection means that even if dust covers an inscription and obscures it from view, the letters themselves remain intact beneath the surface. Similarly, our bond with Hashem may sometimes be hidden by life’s distractions or challenges, but it remains fundamentally unbreakable and ever-present within us.
No matter what happens externally or how much time passes, this essential connection cannot be erased—it can always be revealed again by removing whatever obscures it.
6. Personal Growth and Jewish Legacy
Each person has unique life experiences and memories from youth filled with dreams and aspirations. As we mature, we come to realize that our true identity is carved out as part of Am Yisrael—the Jewish people—and intrinsically connected to Hashem.
This legacy is not just individual but collective: each generation forms part of an unbroken chain stretching back through history. When we remember someone on their yortzeit, we see them not only as individuals but as links in this eternal chain connecting us all through engraved faith and commitment.
7. Blessings for Continuity and Redemption
The Navi instructs us to speak words of Torah and engrave them upon our hearts so they become part of who we are forever. May the memory of Shmuel ben Tzvi be a source of blessing for Marty and his family—a blessing for health, success, and all good things.
We pray that we merit very soon to witness Tchiyas haMeisim—the resurrection of the dead—with the coming of Mashiach so that all loved ones will be reunited together once again in joy and peace in our days.