526 —הוראות מראש השנה שחל בשבת לשנה החדשה

B"H, 26 Elul, 5709.

Vavavac"h iy"a nu"m oseik b'tzt"z etc. Mehor"y.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

For the upcoming new year, I want to wish you and all yours a good and sweet year in every way. Surely you have heard the Baal Shem Tov's teaching that from everything one sees or hears, one can learn a lesson in life (see also "Zichronot," p. 168). What can we learn specifically from this year's Rosh Hashanah? This year, Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos.

Rosh Hashanah has two meanings: (a) the beginning of the year; (b) the head of the year (as explained in Likkutei Torah Parshas Tavo in the discourse "HaYom HaZeh": Therefore it is called Rosh Hashanah and not Techilas HaShanah, because just as there is a concept of a head in the soul which is head and intellect relative to the body, so too there is a concept of a head in the year, which is Rosh Hashanah). This means that just as the head must lead the entire body, so too must Rosh Hashanah—the resolutions and how one accepts upon oneself to conduct oneself in Torah and mitzvos in daily life—lead one's entire year.

Two lessons from Shabbos: (1) Shabbos impresses upon us that the Eibershter is Master of the entire world; therefore everything depends only on Him. (2) Shabbos means not engaging in work but devoting oneself to Torah and mitzvos. A Shabbos-like Rosh Hashanah should awaken and strengthen us even more to accept with our whole heart to conduct ourselves throughout the year: (1) never forgetting that in every place, time, and endeavor only the Eibershter is Master; (2) always remembering that our purpose during weekdays is to connect them with the spirit of Shabbos (that’s why we say "today is day one of Shabbos," "day two of Shabbos," etc., not "first day of the week"). That means that everything—even if it appears mundane—should become for us an aspect of mitzvah, something spiritual. B'chol derachecha da'eihu—in all your ways you should know Him, recognize and connect with the Eibershter. And when one accepts this wholeheartedly, Hashem helps so that it can be fulfilled throughout the year.

(In Likkutei Torah there it explains further after these words: It is like galgalta d'chafya al mocha—revealing supernal will. That is: The concept of "head" on Rosh Hashanah is not intellect or understanding; for if one begins his service by saying he must understand before acting—and if he does not understand he will not agree to act or at least will wait—this is contrary to Rosh Hashanah’s intent, which is revealing supernal will—galgalta d'chafya al mocha. For avodah must also be with kabbolas ol Malchuso Yisbarach—a "yes," but a joyful yes—as our Sages said (Berachos 17a): "We desire to do Your will.")

I conclude with a blessing for kesivah v’chasimah tovah and hope to hear good news—good materially and good spiritually.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when Rosh Hashanah coincides with Shabbos, we are reminded to let our heartfelt resolutions lead our entire year and infuse even mundane activities with holiness by recognizing G‑d’s presence everywhere.