971 —המשמעות הרוחנית של יציאת מצרים והעלאת הנפש האלקית

B"H,

It is known regarding the Exodus of our ancestors from Egypt that their departure was a transition from being among the descendants of Noach to receiving the Torah and encountering the Shechinah—either as an initial step or a complete departure. This is why our Sages derived laws of conversion from this event. It is understood that this also reflects their spiritual state: the evil within the souls of Israel was still strong in the left chamber of the heart. Their aim and desire were to free their Divine soul from exile in the sitra achra, which is the impurity of Egypt, and to cleave to Him, may He be blessed.

So it is every day: a person must see himself as if he has left Egypt today—as cited in the discourse in the booklet—and especially during Pesach, when all aspects of each festival are reawakened annually at their appointed times. As is known, each person—and particularly those who have not yet reached beyond the level of beinoni (which is attainable by all)—should strive to bring out and elevate their Divine soul from exile within the body and animal soul. On the contrary, one should elevate both his Divine soul over his body and his animal soul ever higher, cleaving to Him through Torah study and mitzvah observance.

All days of Pesach (and certainly the first night) are distinguished above other days of the year—even above other festivals—because then Israel are nourished by eating matzah, which contains an aspect of "the essence of greatness of Abba," meaning G‑dliness itself. Thus, one's physical body becomes connected with vital energy so that even physical life derives sustenance from food imbued with G‑dliness. Therefore, not only does this affect one's Divine soul but also impacts one's animal soul—the yetzer hara—so it will not incite as much; it begins to be refined and allows the Divine soul to believe with perfect faith even in matters beyond intellectual grasp.

In the words of my revered father-in-law, as quoted in his discourse: "The hours are indeed precious!"

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that just as our ancestors left Egypt physically and spiritually, we too must continually strive to free our Divine soul from material limitations—especially during Pesach—by connecting deeply with Torah and mitzvos.