109 —חביטת ערבה, גבורות ממותקות, ותפקיד רב חסד

Shalom u'Vrachah! [Erev Shabbat Kodesh Parshas Lech Lecha 5704] ... I asked... my father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita... and these are his holy words: "Chabitah Aravah—sweetened Gevurot, and sweetened Gevurot is Rav Chesed as it descends into a visible and revealed good."

...Some possible notes on the above... a) That Gevurot are sweetened specifically through Rav Chesed can be understood from what is written in Likkutei Torah Parshas Naso, discourse beginning 'It is written: Hashem will strike His adversaries' (61a).

b) From what is written in Iggeres HaKodesh by our master the Alter Rebbe (section 10), and in Likkutei Torah Parshas Beha'aloscha, first discourse (63a, 66a, and in the explanation 61a), one can understand the difference between ordinary Chesed and Rav Chesed in a person's service. In Likkutei Torah there it is explained that Rav Chesed pertains to Aharon HaKohen.

c) Based on what is written in Likkutei Torah Parshas Korach, discourse 'And behold the staff of Aharon blossomed,' it is understood: a) that through Rav Chesed there is an extension downwards into actual visible good; b) that this extension is drawn down by "Aharon and his descendants after him—the Kohanim who raise their hands and bless the people with Birkat Kohanim." Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 4 p. 1367.

Summary

This letter explores how sweetening of Gevurot occurs through Rav Chesed, drawing on sources in Chassidus to distinguish between types of kindness and highlighting Aharon HaKohen's unique role in channeling blessing into revealed good.