2239 —ראש השנה מלמדנו: האדם כתחילה וראש של הבריאה

B"H, First day of Selichos, 5713.

Brooklyn, NY.

To our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of Israel, everywhere — may Hashem be upon them for life!

Shalom u'Vrachah!

As we approach the new year coming upon us and all Israel for good and blessing, I hereby express my blessing to all our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of Israel wherever they are, a blessing for a good inscription and sealing.

Rosh Hashanah, the head and beginning of the new year — the year 5714 since the creation of the world — as is known, its time is not set on the first day of creation but on the day when Elokim created man on earth. And although all parts of creation — inanimate, plant, animal — preceded man as told in Torah, nevertheless we commemorate creation specifically on the day man was created.

On this very day a new era begins for the entire universe — animal, plant, and inanimate alike; on this day we say: "Zeh HaYom Techilas Ma'asecha!" ("This is the day that marks the beginning of Your works!")

From here comes a lesson and moral for each one of us to contemplate especially during these days of soul-searching: The heavens and earth and all their hosts reach their purpose only when man is created — the purpose of creation. Man is a small world. Just as in creation as a whole there are all levels — inanimate, plant, animal, speaker — so too within man himself exist all these levels.

Throughout his life a person passes from level to level. At first he is at an inanimate stage; then at a plant stage; then animal; finally when he stands with intellect and spirituality he reaches human status. But even then, when he attains human greatness, in his way of life and actions all these levels exist. Part of his time resembles inanimate; several hours a day his actions are like those of plant or animal. Some deeds testify to his human greatness — created intellectual and spiritual: body with a soul that is truly a part of Elokim above.

Rosh Hashanah teaches us: The beginning and head of all creation is man. Only when Adam HaRishon was created — who immediately upon his creation informed and proclaimed to all: "Bo'u Nishtachaveh V'Nichra'ah Nivrecha Lifnei Hashem Osenu" ("Come let us bow down and kneel before Hashem our Maker") — did he influence them; through this he made the world and its fullness into a sanctuary for His Divine Presence. Then was fulfilled the intent and purpose of creation; then it became Rosh Hashanah — head of a new era.

This applies also in every person's life: The essence of man is expressed only when he influences and infuses his animal part, plant part, even his inanimate part. Moreover: Only when even those aspects resembling animal, plant or even inanimate are refined, elevated and sanctified so that they too are permeated with spirituality and holiness — only then is one truly human: created whose entire being proclaims "Bo'u Nishtachaveh V'Nichra'ah Nivrecha Lifnei Hashem Osenu" ("Come let us bow down... before Hashem our Maker") through living according to Torah and mitzvah which Hashem our Maker gave us; whose ability and purpose is to bring about that all creation will proclaim: "Hashem Melech! Hashem Malach! Hashem Yimloch LeOlam Va'ed!" ("Hashem reigns! Hashem has reigned! Hashem will reign forever!")

With blessings for inscription and sealing for a good sweet year materially and spiritually.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that humanity gives meaning to all creation; by refining every aspect within ourselves—our actions resembling inanimate, plant or animal—we fulfill our true purpose as humans. Rosh Hashanah calls us to sanctify every part of our lives with holiness.