כד מנחם אב - אגרת הקודש פרק ז

The Alter Rebbe begins by explaining that even though the gilui—the revelation—that comes through the study of Torah and the performance of mitzvos is, in a general sense, שוה לכל נפש מישראל—equal for every Jewish soul, there is still an important distinction to be made. He says that תורה אחת ומשפט א' לכולנו—we all have one Torah and one law, so on the surface, it seems that everyone receives the same spiritual light and connection through Torah and mitzvos.

However, the Alter Rebbe points out that when you look more specifically, אין כל הנפשות או הרוחות והנשמות שוות בענין זה—not all souls, spirits, and neshamas are equal in this matter. The differences depend on the particular time and period in which each soul comes down into this world, through its גלגול—its reincarnation or journey into this world. So, while the general revelation is the same for all, the specific experience and portion of each soul is different, depending on its unique circumstances and era.

The Alter Rebbe brings a teaching from our sages to illustrate this point. The Gemara asks, אבוך במאי הוי זהיר טפי?—'With which mitzvah was your father especially careful?' The answer given is, בציצית—with the mitzvah of tzitzis.

This raises a question: Why does the Gemara ask which mitzvah a person was most careful with? Aren't we obligated to observe all 613 mitzvos? The Alter Rebbe is highlighting that, although every Jew must fulfill all the mitzvos, there is sometimes a particular mitzvah that a person is especially connected to, or is more careful and meticulous about. This special care is not random; it reflects a deeper, unique connection between that soul and that mitzvah.

The Alter Rebbe continues by emphasizing that אין כל הדורות שוין—not all generations are the same. Just as individuals differ in their unique connection to specific mitzvos, so too, different generations have their own unique spiritual tasks and emphases.

This means that the spiritual focus and the particular mitzvah that is highlighted or given extra care can change from one generation to another. Each era has its own special challenges and opportunities, and the souls that come down in each generation have a unique role to play in fulfilling the Divine will.

To explain this further, the Alter Rebbe gives an analogy from the human body. Just as each limb of a person has its own unique and specific function—the עין—the eye is for seeing, and the אזן—the ear is for hearing—so too, each mitzvah brings down a unique and specific light from the אור אין סוף ברוך הוא—the Infinite Light of Hashem.

This means that every mitzvah is not just a generic act, but it channels a particular spiritual energy that is distinct from the energy of other mitzvos. The mitzvah of tzitzis, for example, draws down a light that is unique to it, and this light is especially connected to the soul that is most careful with that mitzvah. Just as the eye cannot substitute for the ear, each mitzvah has its own irreplaceable spiritual function.

The Alter Rebbe now addresses a possible question: If every Jewish soul must come down in a גלגול—a reincarnation—to fulfill all 613 mitzvos, why is there a need for a special connection to a particular mitzvah?

He explains that while it is true that every soul needs to fulfill all the mitzvos, the main purpose of coming down again is for העדפה, וזהירות, וזריזות יתירה—an extra measure of care, caution, and enthusiasm—in a particular mitzvah. This means that, although we are all obligated to observe every mitzvah, there is a certain mitzvah for each soul that requires יתר שאת ויתר עז, כפולה ומכופלת—extra strength and energy, doubled and redoubled, beyond the care given to other mitzvos.

This is why the Gemara asks, 'With which mitzvah was your father especially careful?' The word טפי—'more'—is precise. It is not that he only did one mitzvah, but that he was particularly careful with one, above and beyond the normal level of care. This extra diligence is a sign of that soul's unique connection to that mitzvah.

The Alter Rebbe concludes that this special, additional light that is drawn down to specific souls through their unique mitzvah is not something that can be understood or grasped intellectually. It is למעלה מבחינת הדעת—beyond the realm of reason and understanding.

This is because כך עלה במחשבה לפניו יתברך—so it arose in Hashem's thought. The way this works in our world is similar to a גורל—a lottery. A lottery is not based on logic or reason; it simply falls to a particular person without any apparent cause. In the same way, the unique connection between a soul and a specific mitzvah is determined by Hashem's will, beyond our comprehension. This is the meaning of our portion and our lot—chelkeinu and goyroleinu—in Torah and mitzvos, which is uniquely designated for each of us.