169 —ברכות, גמילות חסדים, וכוח התשובה

B"H, Bein Kiseh LeAsor 5705.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your blessing for the coming year: Whoever blesses will be blessed by the Master of the World, as He promised (Bereishis 12:3) 'Va'avarecha Mevarechecha' ("I will bless those who bless you"). See Berachos (55a), and it is ruled in Tur Shulchan Aruch and Shulchan Aruch Admor HaZaken Orach Chaim section 281:3 that this applies to every individual from the seed of Avraham. It can be explained that blessing another is an act of Gemilus Chassadim (kindness).

Our Sages said (Sotah 14a): The Torah begins with Gemilus Chassadim (clothing the naked—Rashi) and ends with Gemilus Chassadim, as it is written 'Vayikbor Oso BaGai' ("He buried him in the valley"). Torah means instruction; it teaches us two things: a) Never despair, for nothing stands in the way of teshuvah—He is abundant in kindness and forgives greatly; b) Even complete tzaddikim only request as a free gift (see Sifrei and Devarim Rabbah at the beginning of Va'eschanan). The proof is from above: Even at the lowest point—Adam and his wife were naked. Our Sages explain (Bereishis Rabbah ch.19) they were stripped even of the one mitzvah they had; yet Hashem clothes even such naked ones through an awakening from Above as an act of kindness. Gemilus Chassadim is greater than tzedakah (Sukkah 49b), for it is an extraordinary good (Moreh Nevuchim III ch.53, cited in Derech Emunah to tzt"z on 'Vayaas Da'as' for Adam sec.1—see there). Also at the highest level—as possibly was with Moshe Rabbeinu (see Hilchos Pesach by Rambam ch.7): Fifty gates were created in the world; all were given to Moshe except one. Tzaddikim are greater in their death than in life; in his passing he attained even Shaar HaNun. Thus it says 'No one knows his burial place.' See at length in Likkutei Torah on 'Me'at Tosaf Biur' about 'U'Sfartem,' and referenced in my letter to "the friend" Shavuos 5703. But even this was an act of kindness and a gift from Above beyond any arousal from below, as Hashem Himself engaged with him—as it says 'He buried him.' The Mishnah concludes (Sotah 9b): Not only about Moshe was this said but about all tzaddikim, as it says 'Your righteousness will go before you and the glory of Hashem will gather you.' It can be explained that this especially applies to tzaddikim who experienced exile after exile. According to our Sages (Bereishis Rabbah end ch.44), Avraham refined kingdoms—and this is understood.

The above applies generally to the soul, but specifically regarding the year: The matter of clothing the naked occurred on Rosh Hashanah—the day Adam was created—for every year begins "naked" at its start (see Rosh Hashanah 16b and Rashi there). We have nothing but to plead: not through deeds... we remain naked... Then we are assured that Hashem will make for us garments of skin from what was shed by the serpent (Targum Yonasan Bereishis 3:21), stripping away kelipah nogah from impurity so it returns to holiness; thus garments of honor are made from this (Derech Emunah there sec.12), ascending level after level until Shemini Atzeres—which is a state of "desiring kindness," higher even than tzedakah or mercy since it extends even to the wealthy as above in Sukkah (Likkutei Torah end Devarim). The ultimate ascent is on Shemini Atzeres when we read 'Moshe ascended Mount Nevo—Nun Bo,' its end being Gemilus Chassadim, for then there is a single bull... "it shall be yours alone and not for strangers with you."

With blessings for sealing and being inscribed immediately for teshuvah and immediately for redemption.

Summary

Blessing others brings Divine blessing upon oneself; acts of kindness are central throughout Torah life. The Rebbe teaches that no matter one's spiritual state—even if "naked"—teshuvah always remains possible due to G-d's infinite compassion.