1708 —ביאור זרובבל בלקוטי תורה על בהעלותך

B"H, 14 Tammuz, 5712.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z etc. Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter from the 10th of Tammuz and the one before it. As you requested, when I was at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, on the day of redemption and merit, 13th of Tammuz, I mentioned you and your family as noted in the margin of your letter.

Regarding what you raised in your letter from the 22nd of Sivan—that you did not understand the matter of Zerubavel as brought in Likkutei Torah on Behaaloscha (the discourse beginning with 'Behaaloscha') and in the discourse 'Zeh Maaseh HaMenorah': You did not specify what contradiction you found here, for in both discourses it is explained that Zerubavel refers to the verse 'VeZera'ti et Beit Yisrael zera adam vezera behemah' ('I will sow the house of Israel with seed of man and seed of animal'), which is connected to Bavel (Babylon), for there [G‑d] mixed (balal) and it is like planting—hence the name Zerubavel. This applies both to the entire generation—since Israel in that generation were called Zerubavel—and also to the leader at their head who includes all members.

Your observation is correct that the discourse 'Zeh Maaseh HaMenorah' is among the shorter discourses in Likkutei Torah, as it is from those written before Petersburg, as explained in the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen printed in Sefer Torat Shalom p.33.

With blessings for a healthy summer for you and all your family, with honor.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies that both discourses explain Zerubavel as representing Israel's planting and mixing during exile, applying both to that generation collectively and its leader. He notes historical context for these teachings and sends blessings for health and well-being.