5822 —הכוח הרוחני של יום ההולדת

B"H, 3rd of Menachem Av, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n Rav Pe'alim Hillel Medalia

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Regarding what you wrote about the birthday, for now I have found only one place like this, and that is in the Yerushalmi* which states that on one's birthday a person's mazal (spiritual influence) is stronger. However, it is also understood from the explanation of the verse 'VeHaYamim HaEileh Nizkarim VeNaasim' (and these days are remembered and performed), that on each day in its yearly cycle, the events return to their original state. There is a well-known proof for this from the law in the Mishnah (Gittin end of chapter 3) that wine found in barrels changes with the yearly cycle from the day of the "birth" of the grapes. In any case, it is known that an actual deed is powerful—even more than logical reasoning and even more than a verse**, and our holy Rebbeim practiced this custom even if discreetly.

With blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that one's birthday brings increased spiritual strength and opportunity for renewal. This special day should be recognized as a time when one's mazal is elevated and positive actions are especially effective.