1213 —לימוד מאוחד וכוח ההתקבצות לפני ראש השנה

B"H, Tuesday of Selichos, 5711, Brooklyn, NY.

Surely there will be an effort to study the maamarim in united fellowship. For if our Sages extolled the virtue of learning not alone at all times, how much more so in the days before Rosh Hashanah, on Rosh Hashanah itself, and during the Ten Days of Teshuvah—when there is a special quality in united fellowship. As explained in Chassidus on the verse Atem Nitzavim HaYom Kulchem ("You are all standing today")—this portion is always read before Rosh Hashanah and is hinted at in the word HaYom ("today"), which refers to Rosh Hashanah. On this day all soul-sparks stand and are elevated to their source before Hashem; it must be Kulchem—all gathered together as one: your heads, your tribes... down to your water-drawer.

In this context my revered father-in-law relates—what he heard from his own father (who had received it as a tradition from Rebbe to Rebbe)—that when the Alter Rebbe was in Mezritch, his teacher the Maggid revealed to him who he was... and that his mission was to reveal and explain the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov regarding love of Hashem and love of Israel; to reveal the path of Chabad Chassidus; and above all—the Maggid passed on from his teacher the Baal Shem Tov—the approach that one must draw close even simple Jews because a Jew should be loved simply for being a Jew.

He adds further explanation: The Baal Shem Tov revealed the concept of connecting love for Hashem, love for Torah, and love for Israel. The Maggid of Mezritch revealed understanding and comprehension in uniting these three loves with an inner explanation of loving with all your heart, soul, and might. The Alter Rebbe revealed how everyone can—and must—bring these three loves into actual practice, stating that Ahavas Yisrael is the supernal gate upon which is inscribed in shining letters: "This is the supernal gate."

And through us all standing together as one—Hashem our G‑d sustains us today (this day of Rosh Hashanah), making us His people so He will be our G‑d; soon He will shine upon us with everlasting light and redeem us with the true and complete redemption speedily in our days.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that gathering together to learn before Rosh Hashanah brings unique spiritual elevation. By embodying unity and Ahavas Yisrael as taught by Chassidus—from Baal Shem Tov through Alter Rebbe—we open ourselves to blessing and redemption.