768 —מהות עשרת ימי תשובה ויום הכיפורים

B"H, Eve of Shabbat Teshuvah 5711, Brooklyn, NY.

The subject of these days—the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in general (about which the prophet commanded: 'Dirshu Hashem b'himatzo kera'uhu b'hyoto karov' (Seek G‑d when He is found; call Him when He is near), for then the luminary draws close to the spark), and Shabbat Teshuvah (for every Shabbat spells 'tashuv enosh', and on this particular Shabbat it is customary to deliver sermons to awaken the people to teshuvah), and Yom Kippur (which is a time of teshuvah for all—individuals and communities... therefore everyone must do teshuvah and confess on Yom Kippur)—their essence is teshuvah, in its two levels: a) lower teshuvah, repentance for sin, iniquity, and transgression committed; b) higher teshuvah, returning one's spirit in a state of self-nullification and self-sacrifice to Elokim who gave it, restoring it to its essential root as before its descent—and even more so. It is understood from this that lower teshuvah can be about specific matters or parts of one's soul powers—those faculties or matters in which one sinned or damaged; but higher teshuvah is 'Shema Yisrael', gathering all dispersed soul powers together, elevating them with longing from below upward, followed by drawing down from above into all parts of the soul.

Just as this applies individually, so too for the entire stature—the complete structure—of all Israel: 'your heads, your tribes... until your water drawer', that all must be gathered and stand together as one; that all Jewish souls return to their source and root. Among the things that help unite all particulars is connection with the collective in which they were once included as one—and there they still fit together now.

Regarding us—Chassidim of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m—our community who are connected to him or even just associated with him: this means connecting to him through studying his Torah, following the straight path he taught us, etc., as has been explained many times. This too serves as preparation and assistance for fulfilling the blessing with which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m would bless those who came to him seeking a blessing on Erev Yom Kippur after midday. These are his words:

'Der Oybershter zol geben a chasimah un gmar chasimah tovah, a shanah tovah u'mesukah b'gashmiyus u'beruchniyus auf ton in Torah v'avodah. Di vos hobn b'nei bayis zol der Oybershter helfen az zei zoln hobn nachas fun zei un parnasah b'harchavah. Di vos darfn boyen a bayis zol zei der Oybershter helfen b'gashmiyus u'beruchniyus.' (May the Almighty grant you a sealing and final sealing for good—a good and sweet year materially and spiritually—to engage in Torah and service. Those who have families may G‑d help them have nachas from them and ample livelihood. Those who need to build a home may G‑d help them materially and spiritually.)

Summary

The letter teaches that during these special days we should strive for both personal repentance (lower teshuvah) and collective elevation (higher teshuvah), strengthen our unity as a community through connection with our Rebbe's teachings, and seek blessings for both material and spiritual good.