6271 —חגיגת סיום המשניות, שלום, ואחדות על ידי התורה

B"H, 24 Iyar, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n baal middos ish rav pe'alim etc. Levi Bilitzki

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With pleasure I received your letter informing me about the mitzvah celebration of the Shas U'Mishnayos Society, on the occasion of completing Mishnayos and beginning anew.

May it be Hashem's will that you increase strength in our holy Torah, the Torah of Life—which is not just a phrase but literal: life in our world, even though it is physical and material; a life aligned with the teachings of Torah. As it is said: "And you who cling to Hashem your G-d are all alive today." This is also hinted at in the conclusion of Mishnayos: "The Holy One found no vessel to contain blessing for Israel except peace." Peace between soul and body, within the soul itself—between the animal soul and the second soul in Israel, which is the G-dly soul—as explained at length in Sefer Tanya Kadisha. Then one draws down peace and unity into the world as well.

Similarly, as hinted at in the beginning of Mishnah: "From when do we recite Shema in the evenings?" Even during times of darkness in the world, Bnei Yisrael recite (and as our Sages expound: do not read 'Vayikra' but 'Vayakria'—He caused to proclaim) "Shema... Hashem is One," making Me King above and below and to all four directions—unity in place (hinted at by "Echad"). Likewise unity in time—as hinted by Hashem's name (Yud-Hei-Vav-Hei): He was, He is, He will be—the intent of this Name as ruled in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman 5.

With honor and regards to all participants in learning Mishnah. In the words of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal: With blessings for receiving the approaching Torah—with joy and inwardness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that celebrating Torah completion brings true unity and peace—within ourselves and among others—and prepares us to receive the Torah with inner joy. Through deepening our connection to Torah, we draw down blessing into every aspect of life.