121 —ימי חנוכה, הפצת חסידות, ותמיכה בהוצאת קה"ת

Shalom u'Vrachah! Wednesday, 2 Tevet, 5714.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Our friend, Haraha"ch etc. Reb Dovber Chaskin, has delivered your donation of fifty dollars to the "Keren Shalom," the fund whose purpose is to publish the books of our revered Rebbe Rashab, of blessed memory. On behalf of Kehot Publications and all those privileged to study and illuminate their souls with these books, we say to you: Yasher Koach! May the merit of the many stand by you always to be blessed with all good things and to continue participating in publicizing and spreading our holy Rebbes’ Torah among ever-wider circles of Jews.

These days of Chanukah, whose theme is pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle), add even more than Purim in that the publicity must be specifically at one’s doorway facing outward and after sunset. It is understood that this requires illumination and drawing down from a very lofty place—as explained at length in Chassidus in the discourses on Chanukah. Their parallel in a person’s life is serving during exile, which is likened to night when G‑dliness is hidden and does not shine openly as “the sun and shield are Hashem Elokim.” The main purpose of exile is not punishment but refinement and purification so as to be worthy of receiving the revelations of Mashiach—as explained in Torah Or on “Kol Dodi” (Song of Songs): “The ultimate descent and exile is for a great ascent so that G‑d’s light will shine greatly in the days of Mashiach.” This appears in several discourses. During exile we must prepare vessels for these revelations.

This is why, when the Baal Shem Tov asked “When will Mashiach come?” he was answered: “When your wellsprings spread outward”—the light of Chassidus is the vessel for revealing Mashiach; when the vessel is complete, the light will be revealed. The condition is that it spreads even outward—even to those who do not feel they are within “the domain of the One,” as with Chanukah lights whose mitzvah is specifically to illuminate outside. See also Simchat Torah 5690 (1929) sichah—especially sections 32–33.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that supporting Torah publications spreads Chassidus outward like Chanukah lights illuminating darkness. This effort prepares us—and all Jews—for redemption by making vessels for G‑dly revelation through publicizing Torah everywhere.