6505 —ברכות לשנה החדשה וכוח אהבת ישראל

B"H, Eve of Rosh HaShanah, 5719.

Brooklyn, NY.

Nshei U'Bnos Chabad branches in every place — may Hashem grant you life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Standing at the threshold of the new year, which is coming upon us and all Israel for good and blessing,

I wish you all collectively and each one of you individually a good and sweet year.

This naturally includes success in your branch's work — both in quantity (increasing the number of members) and in quality (deepening the work).

And regarding matters of Torah and mitzvos, of goodness and holiness — no matter how good things are, there is always room to add more and more.

* * *

Since the foundation of this work is Ahavas Yisrael, as is widely discussed in many places in Chassidus — especially in the holy talks of our Rebbeim —

I am bringing here an excerpt from a talk by my father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz: a story that was told by the Tzemach Tzedek,

and today — Erev Rosh HaShanah — is his, the Tzemach Tzedek's, birthday; may his merit protect us and all Israel.

* * *

The Tzemach Tzedek heard from his grandfather — Rabbeinu HaGadol, the Alter Rebbe — who heard it in Mezeritch: a story from the Baal Shem Tov:

The Baal Shem Tov, before his revelation and also during his first years after it, would travel through Jewish towns. In the marketplace he would gather around him simple Jews — men, women, and children — and tell them stories. These stories were mainly from Aggados Chazal. He would elaborate on them or connect a story with something mentioned in Aggados Chazal so that its message would be firmly established within his listeners.

Once at such a gathering, the Baal Shem Tov spoke about Ahavas Yisrael — how great it must be among Jews when they know G‑d's love for them. He explained with an example:

In that town lived a Jew named Reb Yaakov who knew Shas Gemara with Rashi and Tosafos by heart, and he would study by heart,

— in those times this was not uncommon in Jewish towns —

When one studies by heart one's mind is even more connected to learning than when reading inside. Once while Reb Yaakov was reciting a difficult, lengthy Tosafos by heart, his young child came over and said something clever. Reb Yaakov was so impressed by this wisdom that he interrupted his learning. This is what a child can accomplish.

Similarly (so to speak), Hashem — continued the Baal Shem Tov — is occupied, as our sages say: "For the first three hours He sits and engages in Torah," etc.; but when a Jew prays and comes with a request before Hashem, He interrupts and occupies Himself with the prayers and requests of Jews.

When Hashem said to the angels that He wanted to create man, they asked what he would look like. Upon hearing His answer they said: "What is man that You are mindful of him" (mah enosh ki tizkerenu) — why is such a man needed?

Yet when a Jew rises early in the morning and hurries to pray with a minyan at sunrise (vasikin), then spends all day busy and troubled but still leaves all his affairs behind to pray Minchah at shul; and between Minchah and Maariv he listens to the study of Ein Yaakov and prays Maariv, and brings home what he learned from Ein Yaakov and shares it with his family —

at that moment Hashem gathers together the angels and takes pride in this person He created, and says to them:

"You angels have no millstone on your necks (no yoke), no wife or children, no worries, no taxes and levies. Man has a millstone on his neck, and it is I who told him to take it upon himself: according to Torah he must support his wife and children; and he is busy and troubled and has taxes and levies, the yoke of exile — and yet, see how he conducts himself!"

If we contemplate and picture how every good thing a Jew does causes the Almighty to take pride, it will have great effect.

* * *

As explained many times already: The words of our leaders and the stories we hear from them are guidance and instruction for everyone who hears them. At the same time they also give strength, encouragement, and blessing so we can fulfill them. It depends only on each listener to fulfill according to the intent.

May Hashem help that, as said above, one should act accordingly, and that it be with success in every aspect.

With the blessing of Kesivah vaChasimah Tovah, to each one together with the members of her household — shlita.

Excerpt from a sicha: 19 Kislev 5699 (Sefer HaSichos 5696-5700, p. 317).

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every act of goodness by a Jew brings pride to Hashem Himself. By strengthening Ahavas Yisrael within ourselves—especially as we enter a new year—we draw down blessings for ourselves and all Israel in both spiritual growth and practical success.