6533 —על ברכות, כוונת האדם ומקור הברכה האמיתית

B"H, 29 Tishrei, 5719. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

As I traveled today to the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of righteous and saintly memory, whose soul is in the hidden treasuries of heaven, may his merit shield us, I received your letter from Motzaei Shabbos with its enclosure.

... It is worth noting from Yerushalmi Berachos at the end of chapter 8: "If he blesses you," etc., and the answer in the second statement which at first glance is puzzling—that he twice said to him, "Your word has already been said." Seemingly it is not understood why he did not explain the matter. Perhaps one could say that since a person sees only what is visible to the eyes and hears only with his ears—and it is possible that it will be like the blessing of Bilam (Sanhedrin 105b)—therefore he left the matter to Heaven. And one should not ask why he responds after him 'Amen,' for 'Amen' is said with regard to what was uttered; whereas 'your word has already been said' relates to his intention, as is clear from Scripture. And even though this does not explain why when another person encountered him and cursed as well he also answered: 'Your word has already been said' [for it is obvious that regarding a non-Jew one does not read another meaning into his words, as told in Moed Katan 9b—see there in Chidushei Aggados and in Likkutei Torah by our master the Alter Rebbe (Bechukosai 48b)], here too one must say it is because "even to punish a righteous person is not good," whoever it may be. Yet after all this, the above is forced.

One could say that this answer was given in order to sharpen his students—and even this explanation feels forced.

Therefore it seems to me [and so it was explained at the farbrengen that Shabbos Bereishis is Shabbos Mevarchim], that a person's blessing—whatever it may be—is limited; but when they say 'your word has already been said,' then the blessing comes from the source of all blessings.* Similarly in its opposite: so that "you shall remove evil as required." Still, further study is needed.

With blessing for good news.

*) See on this the discourse beginning "Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Every kohen who blesses..."—in Sefer HaMaamarim 5629, which has just been published.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while human blessings are inherently limited by our intentions and understanding, true blessing flows from its Divine source when we acknowledge our limitations. This distinction deepens our appreciation for both giving and receiving blessings.