8820 —ל"ג בעומר, תפקיד רשב"י, וגילוי פנימיות התורה

B"H, Lag BaOmer, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter. As we stand on Lag BaOmer, the day of Rashbi's hilulah (anniversary of passing), and recalling our Sages' teaching that the Torah is the blueprint and ledger by which the world was created, it is understood that this applies also to the microcosm—the person—and all the more so to those whose occupation is Torah study. The example brought in Torah for those whose occupation is Torah is Rashbi and his colleagues.

The role of Rashbi in Torah (from which we also understand his purpose in the world) is to draw down the inner dimension of Torah so that its inwardness becomes revealed. Therefore, his conduct in the world was also in this manner: he openly drew down rain through his engagement with the inner aspect of Torah—as recounted in Zohar—his general purpose being to clarify and remove the barrier between higher and lower realms.

This serves as a lesson for our generation—the footsteps of Mashiach—which in many ways resembles Rashbi's generation as explained in Zohar: its main point must be drawing down the inner dimension of Torah openly, as expressed in the well-known phrase "spreading the wellsprings outward." This also applies to a person's conduct in the world; as Rambam writes, it should be recognizable in one's actions (which include ten areas): in eating and drinking, etc., and in business dealings—all according to Torah. The revealed and inner dimensions are united—one Torah.

Based on our Rebbeim's explanation of precise language and also on the praise "Eikev Asher Shama" (because he listened), even "eikev" (the heel) listens—that even one's heel and its matters should be imbued with Chassidus.

Blessings for success in holy work.

M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that just as Rashbi revealed the inner dimension of Torah so it would shine openly in our world, so too must we strive to infuse every aspect of our lives—even mundane actions—with Chassidus and unity between revealed and inner Torah.