8789 —המשכן, שלום, וכוח לימוד התורה לנוער

B"H, 22 Adar, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter informing me about the upcoming completion of Shisha Sidrei Mishnah this coming Motzaei Shabbat for the good of all Israel, on Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei.

According to the well-known instruction of our master the Alter Rebbe (author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch), every Jew should learn from the weekly Torah portion each day and derive guidance for daily life from it. Much can be learned from this matter: The mentioned portions (Vayakhel-Pekudei) and next week's portion beginning this Motzaei Shabbat (Vayikra) discuss the actual construction of the Mishkan. Its essence is, as written: 'VeShachanti BeTocham' ("And I will dwell among them"), and as our Sages precisely note: it does not say 'within it,' but 'within them,' meaning within every individual Jew. This means making peace and uniting physicality and spirituality at all levels: drawing down His Divine Presence into the world—even into this physical world—by having Him dwell in a Mishkan made from gold, silver, copper, etc.—physical materials; by offering sacrifices from animals, through which Bnei Yisrael make an animal holy and offer it on the altar for G‑d's favor; even before that—through Bnei Yisrael's contributions to building the Mishkan, elevating (also meaning raising up) gold and silver. All this is achieved by empowering the soul over the body—the G‑dly soul over the animal soul.

The way to achieve this peace is as our Sages teach—through Torah study. One who studies Torah for its own sake brings peace above and below. Completing Shisha Sidrei Mishnah is significant because peace is a vessel that holds blessing for Israel—as it says: 'Hashem will bless His people with peace.' The preface and preparation for this is explicit in the beginning of that verse (and therefore also quoted at the start of this Mishnah): 'Hashem oz le'amo yiten' ("G‑d will give strength to His people")—this strength is Torah. Through giving Torah and engaging in it—as at the conclusion of Shisha Sidrei Gemara—Torah scholars increase peace in the world. The Torah—which is strength—was given to Israel who are strong among nations so they would use their natural strength for Torah and mitzvot ('do good'), while Torah's strength weakens worldly brazenness ('turn from evil').

From all this we understand how essential Torah study is—and how great its impact—especially during one's youthful years when a person has vigor.

May it be G‑d's will that your learning be as our Sages instruct—a study that leads to action: proper conduct in daily life—including mundane matters and weekdays—as cited in works of Mussar and Chassidus: The hint at the start of Shisha Sidrei Mishnah: 'Me'eimatai korin et Shema b'Arvin?' ("From when do we recite Shema in the evenings?") teaches that even when it's dark in the world everyone must recite Shema—to proclaim that Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad ("the L‑rd is our G‑d, Hashem is One"). The Aleph hints at "Alufo shel Olam" (Master of the World), while one draws down through Aleph-Bet-Chet (seven heavens and earth) and Dalet (four directions), making peace between Hakadosh Baruch Hu and the world.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that building a dwelling for G‑dliness within ourselves unites spiritual and physical realms. Through Torah study—especially by youth—we bring true peace into our lives and into all creation.