Letter 6187 – Lighting Other Souls and Growing Yourself

Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 17, Letter 6,187.

Boruch Hashem, 21st of Nissan, 5718, Brooklyn.

At first glance, the date appears difficult to understand. The 21st of Nissan is always the seventh day of Pesach, Shvi’i Shel Pesach. Yet in the letter, the Rebbe writes that he is responding to a letter dated the 18th of Sivan. In addition, the Rebbe refers to the study session having begun on Shabbos Parshas Behaalosecha. This strongly indicates that the printed date should likely read the 21st of Sivan rather than the 21st of Nissan, since Parshas Behaalosecha falls in the period of Sivan, not Nissan. It would therefore seem that the letter was placed or printed with an incorrect month.

Sholom U’vrocho.

The Rebbe writes that it was very pleasing to him to read that the recipient had succeeded in organizing a fixed study session for Chassidus in the Shul Nusach Ari, and that the learning had already begun on Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Behaalosecha.

The Rebbe blesses that this beginning should take place in a good and auspicious hour and should lead to lasting success.

He then draws a lesson from the Torah portion itself: Behaalosecha es haneiros — “when you raise up the lamps.” The lamps, the Rebbe explains, refer to Jewish souls, for every Jewish soul is called a lamp. As explained in Likkutei Torah, the task is to elevate and kindle those lamps.

Our Sages explain the wording Behaalosecha to mean that one must kindle the flame until it rises on its own. It is not enough merely to ignite it for a moment; the flame must become steady and self-sustaining. So too with Jewish souls: one must inspire and awaken them until they themselves continue to grow, shine, and ascend through their own inner vitality.

The Rebbe adds that through helping and igniting the souls of others, the person doing so also gains personally. Establishing a shiur and teaching others will increase within the organizer himself an added desire, diligence, and dedication in his own learning — both in Nigleh, the revealed parts of Torah, and in Chassidus.

There is nothing that can stand in the way of true will and determination.

Especially, the Rebbe writes, if the recipient will also make an effort to influence his friends that they too should increase their diligence and consistency in Torah study, then this effort on behalf of others will bring even greater growth within himself as well.

The recipient had apparently also asked practical questions regarding halachah and Chabad customs. The Rebbe responds that there are many Chabad Anash and Rabbonim in his community, and he should discuss his questions with them directly.

In addition, the recipient raised a question in Kabbalah and Chassidus concerning the concept of the root of Tikkun Keilim — the rectified order of spiritual vessels, in contrast to the world of Tohu, the world of chaos. In Chassidic teachings, these concepts sometimes appear described on different levels.

The Rebbe explains that this depends entirely on the level or realm being discussed. One source may be referring to the root as it exists before the Tzimtzum, while another may be discussing after the Tzimtzum, or within Atzilus, or within Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah. Since the discussion concerns different spiritual planes, the terminology and distinctions will naturally vary.

The Rebbe concludes with a blessing for success in Torah study, in avodah — including the service of prayer, which is called avodah — and in gemilus chasadim, acts of kindness.

The letter is signed in the Rebbe’s name by the Rebbe’s secretary.