8833 —אחדות עשרת הדברות ושילוב רוחניות וגשמיות

B"H, Rish Yarcha Telitai, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

As we approach Shavuos, the time of the giving of our Torah, which is coming upon us and all Israel for good and blessing, I wish to express my blessing to you—in the style of my revered father-in-law the Rebbe—for receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness.

It is already brought in several books that the Ten Commandments encompass all levels of Hishtalshelus (the chain-like order of creation), as well as what is above Hishtalshelus, down to the very lowest—using the language of Rabbeinu HaZaken in Tanya Kadisha—there is nothing lower than this.

This is why the beginning of the Ten Commandments is: Anochi Hashem Elokecha Asher Hotzeiticha Me'Eretz Mitzrayim ("I am Hashem your G‑d who took you out from Egypt"), in an order from above downward. The land of Egypt is incomparably lower than "Elokecha" (your G‑d), to distinguish: Elokus as it is clothed in nature (Elokim has the same gematria as HaTeva [nature]). Similarly, there is an incomparable distance between "Elokecha" and "Hashem," the essential Name; likewise between Hashem and "Anochi," as stated in Zohar: Anochi—Mi SheAnochi (Whoever I am), which cannot be hinted at by any letter or even a crownlet.

The end of the Ten Commandments reaches "Amkei Sheol" (the depths of Sheol) where warnings such as "Do not murder," etc., are needed—a warning for one with free choice who was given free will. This goes lower and lower until—as our Sages say—even a mosquito preceded you (see Tanya ch. 24). All this was given at once, as our Sages emphasized—the unity of the Ten Commandments—that they were all given in one utterance at one time.

This Torah is a teaching: that form and matter, spirituality and materiality, are only separated to fleshly eyes—and can even be opposed or at war with each other. A person's task—you are called Adam—is to begin by strengthening form over matter, spirit over physicality, etc., until achieving unity and oneness and complete unification—so that every detail in creation, and certainly all creation collectively, will proclaim Anochi Hashem Elokecha... Lo Yihiyeh Lecha ("I am Hashem your G‑d... You shall have no other gods"), just as it was at Matan Torah (the giving of Torah), until recognizing that there is nothing besides Him.

With appreciation and respect and with blessings for joyous festivals—and to draw from the joy and inwardness of receiving the Torah throughout all days of the year.

Summary

The letter teaches that true unity comes when spirituality and materiality are integrated through Torah. By recognizing G‑d's oneness in every aspect of existence—from highest to lowest—we fulfill our purpose and bring harmony into creation.