141 —על המשמעות הרוחנית של פורים, קבלת התורה, ותפקידי בנים וחתנים

B"H, Purim 5704.

Halevi.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Just now the kuntres "Chai Elul 5703" has been published, and enclosed you will receive a copy. With pleasure and joy I inform you that the kuntres was printed through means provided by Yuchin U'Chosno (his son-in-law), especially his son-in-law Haraha"g veHaraha"ch iy"a u'baal meretz etc. etc. hatamim Moharamp"f and his household, on condition that the printing be in the name of his father-in-law—your honor (together with another person whose participation in the expenses was arranged by his son-in-law), as is printed in this kuntres.

It is known from our sages (Rashi Shabbos 23b) that a son-in-law is like a son, though obviously there are many differences between them (see also Yalkut Shimoni Shmuel I 24; Tur Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah siman 240 seif 24 and Bach and Biur HaGra there). One difference regarding father or father-in-law is based on what my father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, wrote (Sichas Shemini Atzeres 5697, sections 48-49): For biological children one has no choice (and it is understood this does not contradict what is said in Ediyos chapter 2 mishna 9 and similar sayings; see also Tanya end of chapter 2). The students of the yeshiva are "choice children," one can select them. From this it is understood that one can better assess a person's character by seeing whom he chooses as a son-in-law for his daughter (as it says: "Et biti natati la'ish hazeh"—I have given my daughter to this man) than by seeing his own son.

The Jewish people are called sons to the Omnipresent, as it says: "Banim atem laHashem Elokeichem" (You are children to Hashem your G‑d), but they are also a son-in-law—an eidem—to Hashem. As stated in Shemot Rabbah at the beginning of Parshat Terumah: A parable to a king who had an only daughter (this is Torah); one of the kings (this is Israel) took her. The difference between these two levels—in brief—is that being a son-in-law to Hashem comes only through marrying Torah; that is, through great effort in Torah and mitzvot until Torah becomes truly his and he rules over it like husband over wife (see Kiddushin 32a). But being a son applies even to someone who lacks understanding or ability; he remains a son for all purposes because a father's love for his child does not depend on revealed qualities but is an essential love.

Furthermore, our sages say there is an advantage to being a son-in-law over being a son—as explained in Shir HaShirim Rabbah on "Nagilah v'Nismicha Bach": First it says "Your sons have come," then adds "Your sons-in-law have come," implying additional joy beyond redeeming sons. See there; also see Likkutei Torah at end of biur on "Vechol Banayich."

This is also the special quality of this day—Purim—as our sages say (Shabbos 88a): "Kiyemu v'kiblu haYehudim"—the Jews fulfilled what they had already accepted. At Matan Torah they accepted Torah because Hashem forced them by holding Mount Sinai over them. The Alter Rebbe explains (Torah Or on "Chayav Inish Levesumei B'Puraya") that this means there was an overwhelming revelation of supernal love from above upon Israel... This love embraced Knesset Yisrael from all sides—even its back—so they could not turn away but had to stand face-to-face with Him.

On Purim they added: then they accepted [the Torah] with complete willingness... There was self-sacrifice among all Israel from themselves—not due to arousal from above at first—like the revelation of "His right hand embraces me." For then there was concealment of His face... As our sages say: Where is Esther hinted at in the Torah? As it says: "And I will surely hide My face..." Then it was considered as final acceptance—the marriage of His only daughter by the King of Kings—you become G‑d's eidem [son-in-law].

May it be His will that you receive much nachas and delight from all your children and sons-in-law, may each one increase strength to magnify and glorify Torah. May we all merit together with all Israel—even now during this time of concealment (Chagigah 8a)—to fulfill Zechariah's prophecy: "And it shall be on that day... toward evening there shall be light... And Hashem will be King over all the earth; on that day Hashem will be One and His Name One."

Summary

This letter explores how Purim marks a unique, voluntary acceptance of Torah by Israel compared to Sinai. The Rebbe compares sons and sons-in-law both physically and spiritually, teaching that true spiritual growth comes through personal choice and commitment to Torah.