6297 —קבלת התורה בשמחה ובעומק פנימי

B"H, 4th of Sivan, 5718.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In connection with the approaching time of the Giving of Our Torah, I extend to you my wishes in the wording of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe: to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

As in other matters of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe—who was precise in his language as he heard from his father—certainly this is also true regarding the wording of the blessing for Shavuos. The precision here can be explained: when something is done with joy and not by compulsion, it is also internalized. Therefore, Chabad teachings demand both inwardness and joy together; moreover, even within joy itself, it emphasizes its inner aspect—so that the joy penetrates a person’s innermost being until it rises up and becomes apparent outwardly.

In truth, in every matter of culture, the sign of genuine culture is when it acts internally—not like the world which places emphasis on externality, such as manners and similar things. In contrast, in Chabad Chassidus, the central point is that the mind rules over the heart; since this rulership must be complete and internalized, it must also be evident externally.

With honor and blessings for a joyful festival and for good tidings in both communal and personal matters—which are interdependent.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that receiving Torah should be done with true joy that reaches one’s innermost self. In Chabad thought, genuine transformation begins within but must also express itself outwardly—internal depth and visible action go hand in hand.