8778 —סיום והתחלת הש"ס, הארה בלימוד התורה

B"H, 4 Adar, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It was with pleasure that I learned from the esteemed vavac"h iy"a nu"n Rav Pe'alim, a man of character and great energy, Reb Avraham Parshan, that you are completing Shas. Certainly, as is the Jewish custom, you will immediately begin again upon completion—starting Shas anew on the night before Wednesday, Parshat Vayikchu Eilecha Shemen Zayit (“They shall take for you pure olive oil... to kindle a lamp continually”).

May it be G‑d’s will that your Torah study—both its revealed and inner aspects (the “light” within Torah), alluded to in the verse: “to kindle a lamp,” “they shall take olive oil”—and as our Sages say: “One who sees olive oil in a dream should anticipate the light of Torah,” as it says “olive oil...” My teachings are pure; both revealed Torah and its inner dimension are pure. The words of Torah do not contract impurity; one is obligated to study Torah always—day and night literally and spiritually—whether during the time of the Beis HaMikdash or in exile. Regarding this it is said: “Who dwells with them amidst their impurity.”

As hinted in Scripture and explained by our Sages: “continually—even in impurity”—may this bring light to all Jews wherever they dwell. As further hinted in Scripture and explained by our Sages: Why is a lamp needed? To illuminate for us—to ensure your light shines before Me always—before Bnei Yisrael specifically. As further hinted in Scripture and explained by our Sages: “And you shall command Bnei Yisrael”—(specifically Israel)—“because they crowned Me as King over them at the sea.”

From then until now, twice daily when reciting Shema—at night and in the morning—as our Sages say: one should accept upon himself the yoke of Heaven’s sovereignty: “You have crowned Me above and below and to all four directions.”

The preface to all this is as stated in Scripture: “crushed for illumination,” as explained by Rabbeinu HaZaken (the Alter Rebbe), author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch: through being crushed (“Let my soul be as dust to all”—one becomes) for illumination (“Open my heart to Your Torah”—and up to the light within Torah).

With honor and heartfelt blessings to all participants in this most elevated celebration—may they live long.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that completing Shas should be followed immediately by beginning anew, emphasizing continuous engagement with both revealed and inner Torah. Like lighting the Menorah with pure olive oil, our learning brings enduring spiritual illumination to ourselves and all Israel.