248 —הוצאת ספרו של הרבי, תנאי שותפות, ומוסר השכל של הכהן והבעלים

B"H, Sunday, 12th of Elul, 5706.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

You surely remember our conversation regarding printing one of my father-in-law the Rebbe shlita’s seforim at your expense and without partners. I have not mentioned this matter until now, as I was unsure when such a sefer could be expected to be ready for print given the current difficulties with paper, workers, etc.

Now I have the following proposal: According to the firm promise from the printer, within a week or two the first Sefer HaMaamarim of my father-in-law the Rebbe shlita will come out from print. This will contain Chassidus maamarim in Yiddish that were printed in "HaKriah VeHaKedusha" (55 maamarim, about 220 pages, format and binding like Toras HaChassidus; printing costs $1200–$1400).

I await your response: a) If this offer suits you and you accept it; b) If yes—can we then use the same wording regarding your donation as in Toras Shalom, or do you wish to do it differently?

Since the printer is hurrying with his work and I am certainly hurrying as well, I am writing via airmail and hope for your reply in this manner too. Many thanks in advance.

To conclude with something related to today: Rashi (this week’s parsha 26:4 and Sifri) says that the kohen places his hand under the owner’s hand and waves. What is the lesson from this—that both the hand of the kohen and that of the owner are needed? Every Jew consists of: a) Kohen—since kohanim are agents of mercy (Kiddushin 23b), representing an awakening from Above given to him from above—his nefesh Elokis which even at a time of sin remained faithful to him (Tanya ch. 24); b) Owner—“and He gave the earth to mankind,” an awakening from below which one must toil for himself—the animal soul which is in this world and has free choice where to go.

The ultimate purpose of refining matters of this world is that their best and most delightful aspects should be “and you shall place it before Hashem your G-d,” and (the kohen) eats it—not burning it up—as per the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching on “when you see a donkey” (Hayom Yom p. 23): both things are eaten “before Hashem your G-d,” and this can only truly happen (see Toras Shalom pp. 50, 62, 122 etc.) if both—the kohen aspect and owner aspect within every Jew—participate together, as is understood.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true spiritual elevation requires both our G-dly soul’s inspiration (“kohen”) and our own personal effort (“owner”), working together to refine ourselves and our world for holiness.