603 —הצינור הרוחני שנפתח על ידי רשב"י בל"ג בעומר

B"H

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It is stated in the Zohar (III, 288a) that on his yahrzeit, which is Lag BaOmer, Rashbi began and said: Ani LeDodi VeAlai Teshukato ("I am my beloved's and his desire is for me")—all the days that I was bound in this world, I was bound to Him in one bond with the Holy One Blessed Be He; therefore now, 'and his desire is for me.' It is known1 that the common expression in Zohar 'he began' means he opened the channel of influence in this matter, so that afterwards others can also attain it. Just as in Rashbi's generation even children revealed secrets of Torah because Rashbi of blessed memory opened the channel of influence for the inner dimension of Torah.

And although who can dare approach Rashbi's level, nevertheless 'Hashem has revealed His holy arm' and has illuminated for us through our teacher the Baal Shem Tov and his holy disciples, our holy Rebbes until and including my revered father-in-law, our master and teacher of blessed memory—the teachings of Chassidus... which open the gates to chambers of wisdom and understanding... and show a path by which each person according to his own measure can approach holiness to serve Hashem with mind and heart.

And on Rashbi's yahrzeit, Lag BaOmer each year—when this opening is awakened—this day is especially suited to strengthen and increase effort in studying the inner dimension of Torah and internal service. As my revered father-in-law wrote3: these channels were opened by the one whose yahrzeit it is until the coming of our righteous redeemer speedily in our days. Amen.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that on Lag BaOmer, Rashbi opened a spiritual channel enabling all Jews to access deeper dimensions of Torah through Chassidus. This day empowers everyone to strengthen their study and internal service according to their unique capacity.