7419 —מקורות תניא, עבודה תמימה, ותורות על אור החיים

B"H, 5 Elul, 5720.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letters from Sunday and Tuesday of Elul, the month of mercy. Regarding your note that in Iggeres HaKodesh section Yud Daled it is stated that the 613 mitzvos were given to Moshe at Sinai—this is from our Sages. In Tanya part one, beginning of chapter 20, this very statement is brought in the name of our Sages. See also the first great notice at the beginning of Sefer HaTanya regarding how Iggeres HaKodesh was found, etc.

You wrote at the end of your second letter "Avodah Temimah." See also Tzava'at HaRivash at its beginning "Avodah Temimah," and I mentioned this at one of the farbrengens—that this should be connected with the definitions of Avodah Temimah: it completes the matter and after it there is no further service (Yoma 26a), and this is the novelty in the will—for seemingly this concept is simple and cited in many places.

To remind you regarding Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh about nefesh and ruach*. See Ginzei Nistaros part one page so-and-so for what the Baal Shem Tov z"l said about the author of Ohr HaChaim. The words of Chida are well known regarding how learning his sefer spread through statements of Baal Shem Tov (Shem HaGedolim entry Ohr HaChaim).

Blessings for good news and a good inscription.

* Note: see also what is written in Netiv Mitzvosecha section daled.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies sources cited in Tanya and Iggeres HaKodesh, explains Avodah Temimah as a complete service with no further work required, and highlights chassidic teachings on Ohr HaChaim. He encourages deep study and connection to these foundational ideas.