7735 —אלול, פרשת ראה, וחמשת העניינים של נתינה אלוקית

B"H, Motzaei Shabbat Kodesh Parshas Re'eh, Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5721.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter. As we stand at Rosh Chodesh Elul—the month of mercy and favor—may it be G‑d's will that it be as in the beginning and head of this week's Torah portion from which we proceed: 'Re'eh Anochi Noten Lifneichem Hayom' (See, I am placing before you today), where each word out of the five is a complete concept in itself:

'Re'eh': The manner of service is on the level of seeing (for hearing is not comparable to seeing). 'Anochi': The strength and assistance for this are given by 'Anochi', Anochi Mi She'Anochi—the level that cannot be grasped by any name or hinted at by any letter or mark at all. 'Noten': The strength and assistance come as a gift, for one who gives does so generously. 'Lifneichem': The giving is in such a way that it enters and is absorbed internally. 'Hayom': That every single day all the above happens anew.

And all this comes in two types of service: 'Bracha': in the mode of "do good", positive commandments; and 'Kelalah': in the mode of "turn away from evil", negative commandments. Through all that was mentioned above, we begin on Rosh Chodesh Elul days of favor like the first days when the Holy One blessed be He is reconciled with Israel with joy and a full heart, and we are inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year.

With blessings for a kesivah vachasimah tovah,
M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that each word in the verse "Re'eh Anochi Noten Lifneichem Hayom" reveals a unique aspect of Divine giving relevant to our service during Elul—a time when G‑d's mercy enables us to renew our commitment with joy and wholeheartedness.